Anakin Skywalker - SW [DV/ROTS] - 12-Inch Figures

Anakin Skywalker is a Jedi hero who falls to the dark side and becomes the evil Darth Vader.

Do you believe they re-released this figure? We all know well that the Anakin Skywalker 12-Inch Figure from the Star Wars [Yoda/Attack Of The Clones] line may be the worst figure Hasbro has ever made. It is so terrible it was responsible for collectors coining the term "shampoo bottles" for this format of one-sixth scaled figures! Adult collectors seemingly have very little tolerance for Star Wars toys that aren’t geared directly for them. Those same adult collectors want to buy something that fits into their already established collections, not pick up something new. The 2013 12-Inch Figures line has transitioned into something that we can expect to see for a while now, but they leave us feeling quite jaded because the quality just isn't there. Hasbro’s long-running Action Collection line brought Star Wars collectors some of the best stuff ever. However, when Hasbro decided to revisit the 12-Inch Figures line in 2013 (after an eight-year hiatus), none were quite prepared for what they had in store. Gone are clothes and accessories. The figures are now shells of what they once were. And all of this makes us sad.

So why are we seeing the worst 12-Inch Figure again carried forward into the Star Wars [Darth Vader/Revenge Of The Sith] line? It doesn't make sense at all. It’s not that this new "dumbed down" approach is a half-baked idea. Had Hasbro put more effort into the new 12-Inch Figures line, we think it might have been a pretty neat idea. Imagine large-sized Star Wars figures with plenty of ball-jointed articulation, removable accessories and everything else that goes along with an awesome action figure. Sadly, that’s not Hasbro’s new outlook on the new 12-Inch Figure line, and this line's lot in life appears to be cheap toys with very little purpose for collectors no matter the age. Take Anakin Skywalker for example. We already got him at the beginning of 2013. Why is he part of the first wave in the line look transition? It doesn't make any sense. Shouldn't Hasbro have started off this line with a different major Episode III character instead? But the real issue here is that Anakin Skywalker looks dreadful. A second chance at retail will not help this figure be a success when it failed the first time.

As you know, and if it’s possible to add more insult to injury, Hasbro has sculpted the lightsaber hilt as part of Anakin Skywalker’s right hand. Part of the joy of playing with action figures is the ability of them to be able to hold (and not hold) their respective accessories. Some collectors may be alright with just having display pieces in their collections, and if that’s the case, then the issue of them not having removable accessories won’t be of issue to you here. But we find it very annoying. The hollowness of these figures makes them feel extremely cheap. We can't help but reiterate the point that as soon as you see Anakin Skywalker, you’re not going to believe how ridiculous he looks. We have to admit that we’re disappointed with how Hasbro has resurrected the 12-Inch Figure line. Sure, the MSRP is very palatable, but even a penny shy of $10 still seems high for what you’re getting here. We'd rather have another 3.75" 5POA figure added to the line instead. Collectors are definitely about getting quality products, and quality products these are not. If they're trying to gain new young collectors into the line, this format may work, but can't they give us nicer looking figures?