OBI-WAN KENOBI Jedi Training Gear
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84651
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, helmet, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Spring 2000
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi Knight training under Jedi Master Qui-Gin Jinn, has proved his loyalty to the Council and Jedi code time and time again. In missions involving great danger, the Jedi don specially made training gear that protects them in close combat without hindering their movement. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo studio.

Commentary: Based loosely on conceptual designs and inspired by the failed "Jedi Quest" multimedia project, this Obi-Wan Kenobi was quite an exciting release in that it represented Hasbro creating a figure based on a little-known and not remotely crappy original costume design. With 9 points of articulation, the figure wasn't the super-poseable wonders we expect today but was still fun. It could be posed in a nifty dueling pose, could wear a "blast shield" blinding helmet, and could take $7 from your wallet. (It's very good at doing that last part.) The likeness was on par with other figures of its day, which is to say, decent (or as I like to say, "good enough.") There's a lot of detail in the dark outfit, with very ornate belts, knee pads, boots, and other touches which make this figure significantly more interesting to look at than any of the movie designs. It's a shame the armor never appeared in the expanded universe, because here, it looks great. The figure isn't capable of too much movement, but he can sit, and he can fight. And that's more than you can expect from a lot of figures these days.

While the figure has no real place in most dioramas, it's a great original design and is fun to play with. I wish I could give you a better reason to buy one than "it looks cool" but really, what more do you need? It's also worth noting that it's one of very few prequel Obi-Wan figures to have a lightsaber with only one paint application-- it's just silver. There's no black or red markings to make it more lifelike, it's just very bland (or, if you will, 1995 chic.)

Collector's Notes: This figure has never been rereleased, and it's not expected to appear again any time soon. ( MORE IMAGES )

Other Notes: And with that, Core Character Month is over. We'll go back to random stuff for November and beyond. I hope you enjoyed it, and we'll probably do another one because there are a ton of core characters and I tend to focus on the weird stuff if I can help it.

Day 543: October 31, 2007