Obi-Wan Kenobi - TVC - Basic (VC76)

Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Force be with you!

This assessment may come across as hypocritical since we raved about this figure when it got released in the Legacy Collection. Still, Obi-Wan Kenobi (VC76) is “so 2009” that it isn’t even funny anymore. This figure has the potential to be a standout release. And in many ways, it’s a great figure. But it’s time for Hasbro to put on their big pants and upgrade this Prequel Trilogy version of Obi-Wan Kenobi to meet our stringent and demanding standards. The figure is in desperate need of an update, especially its head sculpt. Hasbro needs to tool an all-new part here. The current portrait isn’t holding up well, despite only being a couple of years old now. And it’s time that hip articulation gets updated from swivel articulation to ball-jointed articulation. These are critical changes that need to be implemented in an Episode I version of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Hasbro cannot rerelease this figure until it makes these enhancements. If Hasbro must, they could forgo the new head sculpt and focus on the hips, because that is the more significant issue for this figure. The legs are too close together, and trying to attain any worthy action pose is futile. However, we still want a new head sculpt, so it is an important detail here as well. Other than the stated issues, we are hopeful to see an Episode I version of Obi-Wan Kenobi get a coveted spot in The Vintage Collection, even if it isn't definitive. But we, along with many other collectors, are more excited to see this character reflected in the gorgeous packaging of The Vintage Collection line.

A massive part of The Vintage Collection experience is the card, which showcases the entertainment logo and the character photo. Much like Qui-Gon Jinn (VC75), the main reason to purchase Obi-Wan Kenobi is solely for the classic Kenner design, and not for the figure itself. A straight repack of 2009’s LC Obi-Wan Kenobi (BD06), the figure has overstayed its welcome as the likeness and articulation are not up to current standards. Hasbro should know this, but they seem to have grown lazy here. Currently, the figure has room for improvement, and Hasbro can achieve this with thoughtful consideration. A little effort would go a long way here for the collecting community. It isn't "fair" that new versions of Obi-Wan Kenobi for kid-focused lines get all-new or upgraded parts, but a figure for the collector line only gets an older, obsolete repack without any updates. We didn’t think that the head sculpt would grow “old” as fast as it did after two years, but it has, and it's apparent that it's not up to the same standards as other figures in the lineup. Better head sculpts from older toy lines seem to possess closer likenesses of Obi-Wan Kenobi as a Padawan than this one. We'll go out on a limb and say that 2006’s TSC Obi-Wan Kenobi (SAGA 047) looks more like Ewan McGregor than this figure does. The rest of the figure, however, is well detailed and decently sculpted. It’s as if the action figure has a great middle section stuck between poor leg design and an even poorer head sculpt. However, that doesn't address the figure's more significant issues, including the loose head attachment and its limited posing ability.

Hasbro moderately accessorized Obi-Wan Kenobi with a lightsaber, communicator, and soft-goods Jedi robe. The included parts feel appropriate and relevant to the character. Since Hasbro first introduced us to this figure in 2009, they’ve released it once in 2011’s SW [SOTDS] Episode I: The Phantom Menace Blu-ray Release Commemorative Figure & Mini-Poster Collection multipack. And it is also part of the 'Discover The Force' lineup. It's somewhat unfortunate that this release reminds us how much this version of Obi-Wan Kenobi, in particular, needs significant improvement. Hasbro has made no changes, despite releasing this figure multiple times at retail, which only exacerbates the issue. In case you weren't aware, the only reason to buy the Blu-ray set was to get the exclusive tan B-1 Battle Droid figure. It isn't available anywhere else in the Hasbro Star Wars line. It's a preferred version of the character, and many collectors feel it's notably better than the all-new Battle Droid (VC78) figure released alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi. Let us bring you back to the reality that The Vintage Collection’s Obi-Wan Kenobi (VC76) isn't a critical figure for your collection, yet remains a necessary one. And if you're looking to open this figure, there is no need. Hasbro hasn’t done a blessed thing to Obi-Wan Kenobi to make it unique from the other times they released it. Despite these issues, there is something special about seeing an Episode I version of Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Vintage Collection packaging. But that is about the only selling point here.