Anakin Skywalker - CW [A] - Basic

Through the creative vision of Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Cartoon Network, the Clone Wars are brought to life in an exciting new series of short animated chapters. A unique animation style captures the drama of this epic period in galactic history along with its outstanding heroes and adversaries. Noble Jedi warriors lead Clone Troopers into battle against the evil Separatist forces and their droid armies. Anakin, Obi-Wan, Yoda and their comrades struggle against the rising power of the dark side and confront personal challenges against a backdrop of war-torn planets.

Ah, the main character of Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars in animated form. The Clone Wars [Animated] lineup definitely focused on the characters that starred in the forefront of the micro-series. Anakin Skywalker went through his own metamorphosis in the show, but this version of him represents how he looked in Volume 1 (which comprises season 1 and season 2 of the television shorts). Still a Padawan, Anakin Skywalker is faced with multiple trials and a few tribulations in order to grow in his Jedi training. Always headstrong and stubborn as a mule, Anakin sometimes learns the hard way when it comes to the valuable lessons in the Force. An expert pilot, we witness him zooming around his Jedi starfighter in the midst of battle trying to fulfill his mission at hand. And of course, he is fostering a love affair with the beautiful Padmé Amidala with whom he married on Naboo in a confidential ceremony. Hasbro now provides collectors with an excellent version of the older yet still young Anakin Skywalker as he valiantly fights alongside clone trooper in engaging Clone Wars battles.

The Clone Wars [Animated] Anakin Skywalker figure is pretty good. Aside from the “much-too-red” hair color, we think that Hasbro did a very admirable job at recreating this animated likeness of the young Jedi hero very, very well. Anakin Skywalker is posed in an action stance, but it’s not too exaggerated where he doesn’t look normal resting on a shelf somewhere. He has very little articulation (just like most of the figures in this basic figure line), but whatever articulation Hasbro did work in functions quite well actually. The paint operations are also exquisitely painted. We mentioned that his hair color is much too red, but the details added for his eyes, eyebrows, braid, outfit and boots are nothing short of excellent. You are going to have a hard time criticizing the paint jobs on these figures. Yes, they have been given bold colors, but they match the television show flawlessly. Because the Clone Wars micro-series surrounds not only the struggle between the Republic and the Separatists, but also the life of Anakin Skywalker, it makes sense that he was one of the first characters produced for the Clone Wars [Animated] line.

If there was some way Hasbro could have added lower body articulation to these figures it would have really made them as perfect as they could be in our opinion. Sadly, that’s just not part of the formula for this line. But it’s alright. Anakin Skywalker still shines for us and we think he is a wonderful addition for this basic figure line just as he is. Anakin Skywalker comes with a lightsaber accessory (as well as a Clone Wars display stand). Hasbro added swivel articulation to his mechanical right arm, so you can pose Anakin in a variety of way and have him wield the lightsaber every which way you desire. He even has swivel torso articulation which really helps make wielding his lightsaber all the more believable. But aside from that, you shouldn’t expect these figures to meet your articulation standards. These have been created to pay homage to the brilliant animation of the Clone Wars micro-series. Released as a TARGET exclusive basic figure lineup, these figures retailed for $6.99 (a premium in the pre-2005 days) and easily met the demand of all who wanted them. Anakin Skywalker is a must-have as far as we’re concerned.