Obi-Wan Kenobi - TVC - Basic (VC16)

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You already know our rather vocal opinion about Hasbro reaching far back into their archive of action figures to re-release them as the definitive version in a collector-focused line like The Vintage Collection. But what gets our goat is when they inaccurately reference the “first available” carded release of that character when older examples exist. In the case of Obi-Wan Kenobi (VC16), it first came from the 2005 Revenge Of The Sith, albeit differently, and then references another version of the character from the same line as the first available version. Are you confused yet? Some historical references are right on the mark, while others are way off, and Obi-Wan Kenobi is somewhere in between, as the reference figure is from the same lineup. Hasbro should not have chosen Obi-Wan Kenobi (VC16) for release in The Vintage Collection without some upgrading. At the very least, it should have come with the subtitle “General Pilot” or something similar. The back of the package incorrectly references the first figure of the Revenge Of The Sith line, Obi-Wan Kenobi (III 1), as the original carded figure version (of this figure). However, they should have chosen 2005’s ROTS Obi-Wan Kenobi (III 55) figure instead of the Obi-Wan Kenobi figure “With Pilot Gear!” The Vintage Collection Obi-Wan Kenobi is in pilot gear, not a “dueling Obi-Wan” version, as the card denotes. From a certain point of view, Obi-Wan Kenobi is an anachronism. So, the question now is, are you more confused than ever? What came first, the chicken or the egg? It’s true. How can a current figure in The Vintage Collection be the first version of itself on a different card a half-decade earlier? To hopefully make this more transparent, let us word it precisely this way: How can the first carded version of The Vintage Collection Obi-Wan Kenobi (VC16) be this exact figure (itself) from the Revenge Of The Sith line (the III 55 figure)? We are not time continuum experts, but hopefully, someone from Hasbro didn’t get into a DeLorean and mess things up here for collectors.

We didn’t intend to start this review going down that path, so allow us to begin telling you about this action figure. This particular tooling of Obi-Wan Kenobi was released multiple times throughout the Hasbro Star Wars line in recent years. It’s a fine action figure, and we understand why Hasbro feels they can consistently re-release it as needed to help flesh out the basic figure line. Hasbro peppered the first initial 2005 ROTS Obi-Wan Kenobi (III 55) figure throughout multiple basic and “greatest hits” action figure lines, in one form or another. From 2006’s TSC Obi-Wan Kenobi (SAGA 028) to 2009’s LC Obi-Wan Kenobi (SL19) figure, all have been slightly revised or given new accessories at each release. The figure has also gone through its share of slight repaints, and Hasbro paired different pack-ins or unique accessories. Still, the delivered figure always looks relatively excellent and refined as a renewed product for collectors. For The Vintage Collection release, Hasbro goes back to the format of the 2006 The Saga Collection Obi-Wan Kenobi (SAGA 028) figure as evidenced by the soft-goods cape, a removable hilt, a fully lit lightsaber, and, this time, added the original 2005’s Revenge Of The Sith figure’s headset to complete the character’s look from Episode III. Obi-Wan Kenobi (VC16) also comes with slight paint operation changes, including reduced white paint around the sideburns and a different shade of cordovan for the boots. While we see subtle differences every time this figure gets released, it most closely resembles that “surprise” Saga Legends figure from the Legacy Collection (SL19). That version came with the communications headset but without the robe. On The Vintage Collection version, we noticed a minor cleanup in Obi-Wan’s eyes, but we don’t think the figure would necessarily meet eligibility status for a repaint. Obi-Wan Kenobi still has the same awkward left hand, which Hasbro exclusively designed to accommodate a droid blaster for the confrontation with General Grievous (VC17). While it looks fantastic for a Force push or something similar without the blaster, holding a lightsaber or anything more minor is generally useless.

This version of Obi-Wan Kenobi has the tightest paint operations and the cleanest lines. We’re happy with the progress made here. However, what surprises us the most is Hasbro’s choice to include this action figure in The Vintage Collection. This version of Obi-Wan Kenobi is far from a status of ultimate or definitive in our assessment. Granted, it’s a decent figure and perhaps the best version of an Episode III Obi-Wan Kenobi available, but it could be better, and we don’t believe it’s a worthy inclusion in a premium basic figure line developed for collectors. For example, some consider the 2008 TAC Obi-Wan Kenobi (08 01) as the best version of Obi-Wan Kenobi from Revenge Of The Sith. And that figure comes with a better-designed body and ball-jointed hips, which have more articulation than this action figure. More importantly, Hasbro could have given this figure a newly updated portrait, not unlike what they did for the Darth Vader [Anakin Skywalker] (VC13) figure. A new portrait would have changed things up dramatically here. Star Wars collectors would have appreciated even the slightest updates or upgrades. We understand that repacks and repaints are inevitable in The Vintage Collection, and they’re often needed. Some also excite collectors if they missed a previous release. However, Hasbro may not always make the best choices, and we feel that Obi-Wan Kenobi fits this bill. The second wave of The Vintage Collection has an impressive mix of characters, and the wave is heavy with the main characters. Generally speaking, we love this wave, and for the most part, it shines. But there are a few missteps here as well. We strongly feel that Hasbro should have revisited Obi-Wan Kenobi and changed some things to refresh it and make it fit better with the rest of the figures in The Vintage Collection. We’re still fond of this action figure, and we couldn’t imagine The Vintage Collection without a version of Obi-Wan Kenobi from Revenge Of The Sith. It pairs well with the rest of the figures focused on this film.