Holographic Obi-Wan Kenobi - TSC - Basic (SAGA 063)

What is a holographic figure in the basic line supposed to do for collectors anyway? They’re rarely ever to proper scale (as the images on screen are significantly smaller or larger than a human form) and they’re not too exciting as action figures. Even the most super-articulated ones still look funky because the joints are more visible and distract from what should be a seamless form. Even the glittery blue plastic Hasbro uses doesn’t help to capture details clearly visible in the holographic images onscreen in the films. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to make out the facial details on them unless you are holding them in extremely bright light. You would think by our opening statements that we are not big fans of the holographic figures. Well, there is truth to that, but we do find something likeable about them as well. In the case of Holographic Obi-Wan Kenobi, we like it, but we wonder if using a less articulated figure would have produced better results.

Holographic Obi-Wan Kenobi is a rework (recast) of 2005’s ROTS Obi-Wan Kenobi (III 55). This super-articulated figure is awesome for the regular (read: non-holographic) version of the character, but for a holographic one, well, the results are not all that enticing. You can see all the inner workings of the many ball-joints and swivel-joints and if this figure was used in a training course on how to create a great action figure, we would give it two thumbs up. But it’s not. It has been made to satisfy the holographic image seen on Kashyyyk when the Jedi Council was meeting to discuss the final events of the Clone Wars. Interestingly, the holographic interpretation of Obi-Wan Kenobi is never seen full-sized in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith. Instead, he barely can be seen on the Wookiee’s tactical screen during Yoda’s meeting with the other Jedi Masters. Surprisingly, this was enough for Hasbro to create an action figure. Can we blame them? Holographic figures have to be one of the most cost effective figures to make.

You may be interested in learning that Holographic Obi-Wan Kenobi has been cast in two different colors. The first release was molded in a dark blue sans the glitter. This blue plastic is unique and to date has never been reused. Despite this initial error, Hasbro quickly corrected the problem and updated further pressings of this figure to include the standard light blue (with glitter). In extremely bright light the glitter substance blended into the plastic does wonders for the figure. It picks up light better and the reflective properties of the materials used make this interpretation of “holographic” more believable. Holographic Obi-Wan Kenobi isn’t the first holographic figure in the basic figure line. We expect it won’t be the last. As a collector, you likely love or hate these types of figures. There rarely is any middle ground. But despite this dichotomy, we have to say that we are happy to get Obi-Wan Kenobi in holographic status. We want to complete a full Jedi Council diorama of just holographic Jedi persoanlly. But we won’t hold our breath that Hasbro will complete this for us.