Kanan Jarrus - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (19)

Kanan Jarrus survived the Emperor's purge, going underground for years and hiding the truth about the Jedi he really was. He was a leader among the Ghost crew and, with the emergence of the Force-sensitive Ezra, once again embraced his identity as a Jedi Knight.

We don’t (and won’t) speak for everyone, but we often wondered if collectors would have any (or perhaps just a few) reservations paying $20+ for 3.75” scaled action figures with the full articulation system that we see with The Black Series 6” figures. With these larger scale action figures being tooled with just shy of 30 points of articulation, we imagine that, although surely expensive, that longtime hardcore collectors wouldn’t complain for high quality figures like this in the scale that began the Star Wars line. Size isn’t everything, and we’re currently witnessing Hasbro struggle to come up with decent related products to accompany the new 6” line. Sure, it’s trendy right now. Sure, the biggest noisemakers are appearing like the majority. But Star Wars broke the mold with 3.75” scale when it was decided that the biggest and most diverse Star Wars play universe could be accomplished only through this medium. Sadly, people today attribute size (volume and how much plastic one gets for the dollar) with quality and value. And while we unequivocally agree that The Black Series 6” line has introduced some impressive figures, we know that Hasbro would have incomparable success if all of this time and energy was reserved for a general release 3.75” scale once again. Hasbro probably wants to bring in $20 a figure these days. We get it. But maybe spread that love back to the 3.75” line.

Kanan Jarrus, a character that has no special meaning or attachment for us, proves this over and over again. He is an EXCELLENT action figure, and it makes us a little blue that a figure with all this articulation isn’t available in 3.75” scale. It was The Clone Wars toy line that got Original Trilogy folks into the show. Now? We don’t have a collector focused toy line trying to appeal to us to watch the Rebels show. It’s almost like we’re living in a different world now. Perhaps we are. We personally don’t feel confidently that we will see a similar Kanan Jarrus figure released for the collectors that have supported the 3.75” line since the late seventies through now. But we ask you. Would you pay around $20 for a 3.75” action figure with almost 30 points of articulation? Maybe it’s a moot suggestion after all. We have to be honest with you. When we see a realistic version of Kanan Jarrus in a supposed collectors line like The Black Series [Phase III] 6” collection we really have to question is Hasbro truly feels that this line is for us. Star Wars: Rebels has the Star Wars community split. We won’t dare to approximate percentages, but there is a facet that are still on the fence with the show, and then there is another facet that likes it but feels that the main cast is slowing down the story. Star Wars fans have been wishing and hoping a great deal with this television series. Would a strong collector-focused accompanying toy line be the missing link to draw everything together? It seems like it was the basic figure line that linked collector to the multimedia event.

We need to ask this. If The Black Series 6” line is the last bit of life blood for collectors (since the Walmart exclusive line is only producing five new figures a year and not all collectors are on board with the 6” format), why is Hasbro devoting a coveted slot for Kanan Jarrus (or any other Rebels characters for that matter). It’s a kids’ show, so shouldn’t the figures be reserved for the 5POA line? Obviously we’re asking a lot of rhetorical questions here through the eyes of a devil’s advocate, so we’re not looking for any specific answers. But we don’t even have a decent Darth Vader yet (the MAIN character of the Star Wars universe) and then there are so many other main characters that need to be produced (both from the Original Trilogy and the Prequel Trilogy). It just, again, makes us question why they developed Kanan Jarrus (for the 6” scale). Letting the latter go from here on out, there is no denying that Kanan Jarrus is a stunning action figure. Hasbro has come so far in the 6” scale and Kanan Jarrus is an undeniable testament to how far they’ve actually come. It has a few issues that we find are minor, but others looking to maximize the figure’s articulation may have a bone to pick with Hasbro. But between the realistic likeness to the excellence achieved with its approach, Kanan Jarrus is a figure you shouldn’t ignore. The paint operations are especially gorgeous, and the sculpt looks remarkably like what a realistic version of Kanan Jarrus would or should look like. We’re thoroughly impressed.

Kanan Jarrus has the standard articulation of most The Black Series 6” action figures. This includes swivel thighs and double hinge-jointed knees. The only [small] issue with Kanan Jarrus is that the holster, which houses his blaster beautifully has been adhered to his pant leg which means it inhibits the full range of movement there could be had it not been attached. It’s a small setback, and you still get a nice range of movement, but we would have preferred it if Hasbro had the holster loosely hanging away from the leg a little bit. (See, collectors are never happy!) Oh, and about that blaster? It’s a skiff guard blaster as seen in Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi. So, we have a new Original Trilogy blaster that can be paired with older The Black Series 6” figures, like 2014’s TBS [P2] Luke Skywalker (#03) figure for example. We’re particularly taken with Kanan’s lightsaber accessory the most, however. We’re really impressed that Hasbro put as much effort as they did into it. You know how Kanan Jarrus is always seen clicking the two parts of his lightsaber hilt together? Well, now collectors can imitate this unique approach with the Kanan Jarrus 6” figure because the hilt is two separately sculpted pieces that lock together just as we see in the show. It may seem like a small gesture, but this is the kind of stuff we need to see Hasbro continue to bring into all scales of figures. Kanan Jarrus is an impressive release. We fear he will not get the full appreciation he deserves, but those that do give him a chance will be rewarded greatly.