Anakin Skywalker - TLC - Basic (BD 50)

Anakin is a Jedi Commander when the Clone Wars begin, though he frequently displays reckless heroism in battle and daring maneuvers in starfighter combat. Battling secret fears, he chafes under the restrictions of the Jedi Order.

Remember back in 2005 when we got our very first Evolutions set (Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader) and we couldn't believe how awesome it was? It was amazing then and it holds up remarkably well now. Hasbro has decided that the Episode II Anakin Skywalker figure from the set is a mainstay in the basic figure line and we have to agree with them that it is pretty darn close to being the definitive action figure. Anakin Skywalker (from that original Evolutions) based on his appearance from Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, has seen quite a few releases after its initial release, but this is the first time he is available as a basic figure (and it’s long overdue if you ask us). This figure is a fantastic choice to help round out the Attack Of The Clones wave because of its beautiful sculpting and the need to bring another Anakin Skywalker to the basic figure line. When we think about it, there couldn't have been a better choice selected than this figure! And the timing could not have been better. Anakin is a figure that already meets the modern day action figure standards and it helped provide a main character to a wave of figures that were essentially collector-focused. Collector figures are wonderful, but they won’t necessarily appeal to the kids, so Hasbro must ensure that main characters are in the same case assortments as the secondary characters.

For all intents and purposes, Anakin Skywalker is a simple repack of the Evolutions figure, although the most discriminating collectors may notice slight color differences and variations. We will say it is the same figure however for ease of this review because for all intents and purposes it is the same. He is a part of four repack figures that were added to the final wave of the blue phase of The Legacy Collection. Hasbro decided to do away with the confusing GH numbering system (to date, only the first four have been numbered as such) starting with the Clone Trooper (327th Star Corps) (BD 29) figure and we personally are very thankful for this move. The basic line is in need of easy repacks and they should be part of the big picture and not isolated into a sub-collection (in the basic figure line no less). Hasbro decided to continue with adding these “greatest hits� figures seamlessly into the basic line and the same is true for this wave of figures. Anakin is just one of four 'repack' figures in wave 7 that contain duplicate HK-47 droid parts. So if you need certain droid part and are only into main characters, Hasbro has made it a bit easier for you to find it since more popular figures have been packed with the same parts. And if you are not into all of the Episode II choices that were intended to be the main figures, these repacks are excellent secondary choices instead. We think this was a nice touch for the wave because we could have gotten another Kashyyyk Trooper or Imperial EVO Trooper with new HK-47 droid parts. Hasbro decided to change it up a bit and it's truly refreshing to get some new character choices on the shelves! (And it is even cooler when Hasbro selects candidates that fit in with the theme of the wave at hand as well.) It was very smart for Hasbro to pad the Attack Of The Clones wave with main characters.

You already know a lot about this truly special action figure since you have had multiple opportunities to pick him up. Anakin is an excellent action figure all the way around. He is almost super-articulated (just lacking ankle joints) and comes with his signature lightsaber, lightsaber hilt, and robotic hand attachment. Hasbro decided to eliminate the chain (from the Battle of Geonosis scene) that originally came with the Evolutions figure. The chain is not entirely necessary and we think that the omission is fine. It gives Anakin a cleaner appearance and the collector doesn’t become sensory overloaded with accessory choices. Anakin comes with just the right amount of accessories for a basic carded figure release. It is our opinion to leave the multiple accessories to Battle Packs or other collecting mediums. And the same soft-goods that were used in 2005 were used once again here and hold up very well and look like authentic leather just like they did years ago. Overall, Anakin Skywalker is the perfect welcomed addition to the basic figure line and it is really something to see him as a basic figure for the first time! If you are not a fan of reissues, then this figure is not for you, but we think you will find it a necessary purchase if you are either a loose or carded collector or both. It is very cool to have this version of Anakin Skywalker on a basic card. We don't exactly know why this is true because we have seen him more than a few times now. But he just looks awesome this way. We give kudos to Hasbro for choosing an excellent figure for a repack. We hope that the cream of Hasbro’s crop continue to see rerelease as needed to continue to give us a wealth of product and a very healthy basic figure line. The vintage era was nothing but repack upon repack and the greatest figures should be offered to all time and again so we can appreciate just how well they were made. And don't forget to pick up the other figures from this wave as well, it is an amazing grouping of figures!