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Name: Knight Of Ren
Collection: The Vintage Collection
Number: VC155
Source: The Rise Of Skywalker
Availability: October 2019
License: Hasbro
Celebrate the legacy of Star Wars, the action-and-adventure-packed space saga from a galaxy far, far away, with this collection of premium, highly-detailed 3.75-inch scale figures and vehicles. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.)
The Knights of Ren are a group of new characters for Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker, and we know that they’re connected to Kylo Ren for obvious reasons. While we don’t know much about them, we do understand that they’re an order of elite warriors that follow the dark side of the Force, yet they’re neither Jedi Knights, not Sith Lords. So explain that one. Also called “Force warriors,” they emerged during Luke Skywalker’s final days as a Jed Master and are under the leadership of Kylo Ren. He is the master of them all. Kylo’s goal was to fulfill his grandfather’s legacy, to destroy all the remaining Jedi. So with the Knights of Ren, Kylo Ren had assistance to accomplish his goals. Because Triple Force Friday is taking place months before The Rise Of Skywalker hits theaters, that’s all fans of the Sequel Trilogy will know about these new characters until the film is released. Like the previous Sequel Trilogy installments, fans and collectors are introduced to characters we know very little about, and they come in all types of formats as collectibles. The wash, rinse, repeat cycle has returned once again for Episode IX. The volume of products look to be severely diminished compared to previous Force Friday events, but we have some nice-looking action figures in both The Vintage Collection and The Black Series [Phase III] 6” line that is already interesting Star Wars collectors everywhere.
There are multiple Knights Of Ren characters in Episode IX, but Hasbro only made one of them for The Vintage Collection. They called the action figure Knight Of Ren. While sculpted beautifully, the figure lacks some important action figure basic necessities, and we imagine that most collectors will become frustrated when they find out how limited (and limiting) this action figure is. First, we don’t want to discount the artfulness of the figure. It’s beautifully sculpted and captures what is seemingly a great amount of detail. We don’t have a complete reference to compare the figure to, so we have to trust that Hasbro added everything the character needs. The Knight Of Ren borrows equal parts of Darth Vader, Garindan, Darth Revan and a helmeted Kylo Ren and takes all of these characters’ key elements, traits and characteristics to create a whole other character that is fresh and excitingly new. If the figure looks great, has a crapload of articulation and a decent accessory, what could be the problem then? Well, Knight Of Ren has design issues. The hood isn’t removable, yet parts from it hang down the figure’s waist. This approach makes turning the portrait left and right very difficult and almost impossible in some aspects. When you try to pose the head sculpt in one sharp direction or another, you’ll discover that you’re encumbered and it’s a bit frustrating. We’re not sure why Hasbro didn’t design the hood as a separate piece and make it more poseable and collector-friendly.
The other issue is the cape. It too is glued onto the figure. Why in the world would Hasbro glue the cape onto an action figure? Not only does it make the figure top-heavy (it always falls on its back when you try to pose it upright on a surface), but it too also prevents you from taking full advantage of the glorious articulation system Hasbro gave the figure. It’s extremely frustrating not to utilize fully what has been given to an action figure to make it the best figure possible. Here we have a beautifully sculpted action figure with poorly designed features that renders the hyper-articulated joint system almost useless. So, take that as you’d like, but we feel strongly that the Knight Of Ren action figure should offer a little more movement than it does. And the hood and cape SHOULD BE REMOVABLE. For an accessory, Knight Of Ren comes with a staff that breaks down into two parts. The blade is a separate piece that attaches to the lengthy pole. It’s a great accessory and towers over the Knight Of Ren character significantly. It will be interesting to see how the Knights Of Ren play out in Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker. These characters are also part of The Black Series [Phase III] 6” line. And after the tease we saw of them in The Force Awakens flashback, fans of the Sequel Trilogy want to know more about these characters. Part of the first wave of The Vintage Collection figures featured on a The Rise Of Skywalker card back, it will be interesting to see what other characters from Episode IX Hasbro has in the hopper for the line.
Status: Knight Of Ren is an all-new figure.
Articulation Count: 30 points (17 areas of articulation)
Articulation Details: ball-socket head (1), reverse ball-socket neck (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), ball-jointed left elbow (2), ball-jointed right elbow (2), ball-jointed left wrist (2), ball-jointed right wrist (2), ball-jointed torso (2), ball-jointed left hip (2), ball-jointed right hip (2), swivel left thigh (1), swivel right thigh (1), ball-jointed left knee (2), ball-jointed right knee (2), ball-jointed left ankle (2), ball-jointed right ankle (2)
Accessory Count: 2
Accessory Details: staff, blade
Date Stamp: N/A
Assortment Number: E4063/E5912
UPC: 630509862153
Retail: $12.99 USD
Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on listings.
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