Welcome to another entry in our The Vintage Collection: The Ninety Six column. Hasbro recently committed to collectors that they will be “focusing” on characters in The Vintage Collection that fall under “The Ninety Six” banner. If you’re new to this, it means that there needs a modern counterpart for every classic Kenner figure. Between 2020 and 2021, Hasbro’s made an admirable effort by focusing on these characters. But there is more work to be done, and we’ll figure out where we are step by step. Today we assess Anakin Skywalker.
Just a few notes: We’re right in alignment with Hasbro in our vintage Kenner database with the count. There are 21 figures under the STAR WARS banner, 29 figures under THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK banner, 31 figures under the RETURN OF THE JEDI banner, and 15 figures under THE POWER OF THE FORCE banner. (Sy Snootles, Max Rebo, Droopy McCool, and Blue Snaggletooth bring the number to an even 100 figures.)
Read our assessment, and then please add your thoughts to the comments. Let us know if you agree or disagree. If you’re a customizer, show us your definitive custom figure in the comments as well! Who knows? It might give Hasbro some ideas.
Is there a definitive modern counterpart to 1985’s POTF Anakin Skywalker?
Anakin from 1999’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE “2” [FLASHBACK/COMMTECH] Jedi Spirits Cinema Scenes set.
Has Hasbro added this character’s card art and action figure into THE VINTAGE COLLECTION? And is it definitive?
No. It’s a crime that they keep ignoring this classic character.
Does THE VINTAGE COLLECTION release completely satisfy the modern counterpart to 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Anakin Skywalker figure?
Hasbro has yet to add this figure to THE VINTAGE COLLECTION.
If Hasbro didn’t release the figure yet, do we have a near-definitive or definitive release of this character that can be added to THE VINTAGE COLLECTION as a straight repack, repaint, or with little retooling to update it?
No modern figure meets “definitive” status, and Hasbro would need to tool an all-new figure. Sadly, most believe this will never transpire. Many collectors argue whether the 1985 POTF Anakin Skywalker is a Force Spirit or an “in-the-flesh” version of Anakin Skywalker. If you look at the card art, there is a clear Force Spirit outline around the character and the background of Bright Tree Village. This observation is why most collectors feel the “Force Spirit” version of Anakin Skywalker is the best match for a modern counterpart of this character.
What does Hasbro have to do so we can check off “Anakin Skywalker” from our Vintage Vs. Modern checklists?
They need to tool an all-new Anakin Skywalker action figure and place it on either a RETURN OF THE JEDI or THE POWER OF THE FORCE card.
The year and years elapsed (through 2021) since we last had this character in classic Kenner-styled packaging (vintage or modern)?
1985’s POTF Anakin Skywalker 36 years ago.
3.75-inch Super-Articulated Anakin Skywalker Battle Of Endor Bright Tree Village Force Spirit Hasbro Kenner Return Of The Jedi The Power Of The Force The Vintage Collection The Vintage Conversation
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