Yoda (In 3D Glasses) - Mini Busts

To celebrate the return of 1999's Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 3-D, Gente Giant presents a special commemorative exclusive Yoda mini bust. This highly-detailed, film-accurate collectible puts the Jedi Master in the theater seat, with a box of "Obi-Wan Cinemas" popcorn and a removable pair of "3-D" styled glasses which sport real red and blue cellophane gel lenses.

What would be the best way to commemorate the 3D release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace? If you ask Gentle Giant Ltd., they would say it would be their Yoda (In 3D Glasses) WonderCon exclusive Mini Bust. We’re not so inclined to feel the same way. We’re stuck on how to exactly feel when Star Wars “stuff” imitates real world culture. We don’t like seeing C-3PO in a Christmas hat, R2-D2 with reindeer antlers or Yoda wearing 3D glasses holding a box of Obi-Wan Cinemas popcorn. That’s just us. It’s not because we’re anti-Christmas or against an American past time like movie going, no that’s ridiculous. We just prefer Star Wars collectibles to stay in their “own” intergalactic world. But there are indeed a core group of collectors who eat this kind of things up and it’s the reason why this Mini Bust quickly sold out both at the WonderCon convention and for sale at Gentle Giant Ltd.’s website for Premier Guild Members.

To be completely fair, Yoda (In 3D Glasses) is indeed nicely designed, but is it something you desperately need for your collection. Perhaps that answers lies directly in between “yes” and “no”. We’ll try to explain. This Mini Bust marks the fourth unique Yoda inspired one to date. The first one was one of the first Mini Busts ever made and was inspired by his appearance in Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones and is one of the most rare today. The second was based on his appearance in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. The base sculpt of this exact Mini Bust was quickly developed into a “spirit” Mini Bust that lights up (based on his appearance in Star Wars Episode V: Return Of The Jedi). But this marks the first time that Gentle Giant Ltd. has developed a Yoda Mini Bust from the Expanded Universe. (And it’s based on a licensee’s concept too.)

The Yoda (In 3D Glasses) Mini Bust is indeed well-sculpted and beautifully decorated. You can clearly see each and every kernel of popped corn in his popcorn box and the details like the lettering on it are clear and clearly formed. The removable 3D glasses are impressive. They fit perfectly on his face and over both eyes and the “cellophane gel” lenses are incredibly impressive, despite them being “old school” 3D glasses and not the modern styled ones you’d need to actually see the 3D release of Episode I. (But those red/blue “old school” glasses are really symbolic of the spirit of what 3D means to this generation.) Limited to only 1200 pieces, this is a truly commemorative item for a niche group of collectors. But the size of that niche groups seems much bigger than we (and even Gentle Giant Ltd.) expected! Heck, even some other general release pieces with a smaller edition size haven’t sold out as quickly as this piece! If you want this piece, don’t wait too long. It seems that it will be commanding a stiff aftermarket value as time moves forward.