Kylo Ren - TBS [P3] - 3.75 Inch Figures (Exclusive)

A dark warrior strong with the Force, Kylo Ren commands First Order missions with a temper as fiery as his unconventional lightsaber.

We all feel the same way probably, so is it really worth mentioning again how disappointed that Force Friday didn’t open up with a bang by offering longtime collectors a nice collection of 3.75” super-articulated action figures? Some of those that claim to be “in the know” alongside Hasbro just aren’t in sync with the overzealous and passionate Star Wars collectors. While we admit that entitlement can play a dangerous part in our overall misery of the current state of the modern Star Wars line, how entitled is it really just to have a full case assortment of 12 figures available to us in a timely fashion along with the rest of the items that were available on Force Friday? We don't believe that is asking above and beyond what should be part of a Hasbro Star Wars new product offering. Are we that much out of favor with Hasbro that an adult collector-focused 3.75” super-articulated action figure line is now limited to three or four figures per wave with no more than a dozen and a half released in about six months to a year (or longer)? Clearly we aren’t happy with the path super-articulated action figures have taken in the Star Wars brand, but perhaps it’s more important to focus on the fact that Hasbro hasn’t terminated the line altogether. We honestly still have doubts that this Walmart exclusive The Black Series [Phase III] 3.75” line will prosper, but we’ll keep the faith until we start seeing clearer signs of unfortunate doom. So far we feel the line is already mishandled, but hopefully Hasbro can corral all the parties involved who have an effect on this line so that it performs the best it can.

The good news is that wave 2 has made it out just a tad later than Hasbro had estimated. This is not bad at all. The problem is that most adult man-children are in a panicked and anxious state trying to find them for their own collections. When all is said and done, hopefully these figures will make a huge splash at Walmart stores across the country so that everyone can get all the figures he or she wants with relative ease. Kylo Ren is part of this second wave and we have to tell you that he is truly divine. It’s common knowledge that similar digital files are utilized to bring various figures across various scaled and formats. Kylo Ren clearly has been inspired from The Black Series [Phase III] 6” figure as it comes with premium and quality articulation, an amazing sculpt and attention to detail that showcases what Hasbro is truly capable of when they care. With enhanced articulation and a stunning sculpt, Kylo Ren will probably be the most sought after figure in the entire Walmart exclusive 3.75” line. We’re talking premium quality here. Some may fault the figure for a poor range of motion in the head sculpt, or the lack of an interchangeable head without the hood, but we have to come to Hasbro’s defense and express that no negative should affect your desire to secure this figure for your collection. We feel that the lack of range in the motion of the knees is a little more disconcerting. Don't worry, it isn't that terrible. We doubt that Hasbro intentionally waited to release this figure in the second wave to create demand and hype, but we have to say that no hype is needed at all to fully appreciate what this figure brings to the super-articulated 3.75” scale. It’s purely a shame he won’t be available to all retailers.

Kylo Ren comes with 27 points of articulation. With a ball-jointed torso and ball-jointed hips, you know that Hasbro pulled out all the stops to allow this figure be as articulated as possible, even though not all of the range of motion is idela in these joints. Other parts of the figure however contain wonderful articulation and really good range of movement, so there is a balance here. This action figure is astounding in so many ways. We’re truly impressed with the use of soft-goods here. The figure has been give an outer skirt made from a similar fabric that was given to 2015’s TBS [P3] Kylo Ren (03) figure. This fabric has a wonderful drape and hangs nicely on the 3.75” version. But underneath is a molded skirt which helps keep the integrity of the soft-goods in check and in alignment with the rest of the action figure. Think of it as the hoop in a hoop skirt for example. Even though we would have loved different approach for the head sculpt, we absolutely adore the final portrait chosen for this action figure. Kylo Ren looks superb. Kylo Ren comes with both an unlit lightsaber hilt as well as a fully lit lightsaber. A nice surprise added here to this figure is that the hilt can attach itself to a hole on the right side of the figure’s belt. It makes us want to go back and recheck our 6” figure now. Between the perfect integration of mixed media materials, to a lovely and accurate sculpt, Kylo Ren is the exact proof of what is missing from the general release The Force Awakens line. This beautiful figure needs mainstream availability. It shouldn’t be exclusive which ends us being excluding than including to all those Star Wars collectors out there that want this unbelievable Kylo Ren action figure. Let’s hope that demand is great enough for this line to make Hasbro think twice about its exclusivity.