Kylo Ren (Unmasked) - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (26)

A dark warrior strong with the Force, Kylo Ren command First Order missions with a temper as fiery as his unconventional lightsaber.

First released as 2016's The Black Series 6” convention exclusive, as promised Hasbro has released him as a basic figure in the regular lineup. Kylo Ren (Unmasked) was an eagerly anticipated Star Wars 6" figure. Now that he has been made readily available, collectors are beginning to question his need to be re-released. This release is also a bit painful. All of the extra accessories released with the exclusive version SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART of this basic Kylo Ren (Unmasked) release. These shouldn’t be exclusives. Sorry, Hasbro. We couldn’t feel more strongly about this. A premium line has the responsibility to produce premium accessories to interact with the figures, and if we have to wait once a year for a special San Diego Comic Con or Star Wars Celebration release to get these “extras”, well, then many collectors will undoubtedly build up resentment because that’s not doing right by this line. What's more, Hasbro didn't even include the helmeted portrait here, so this is as bare bones a release as we have ever seen. It isn’t entitlement to expect Hasbro to produce a fine collectors’ line. If their other brand can get “build a figure” pieces in addition to a ton of accessories, then the Star Wars line can at least get a nice amount of awesome accessories too.

Let’s redirect. Kylo Ren (Unmasked) is a slight repaint of 2016's TBS [P3] Kylo Ren Celebration Europe exclusive figure which itself has roots in the basic 2015 TBS [P3] Kylo Ren (03) figure. That’s quite evident. But more importantly all of the enhancements and running changes have been brought forward to this release like the slightly retooled hood and the shorten skirt. Kylo Ren (Unmasked) is not a bad figure at all. When this figure was originally released, everyone focused on the head sculpt. It’s excellent and difficult to argue otherwise. It is definitely simply approached with minimal paint operations, but as well all know with the current Hasbro production process, less is more. With Kylo Ren (Unmasked) it works towards the figure’s benefit. His skin is a bit too pale in color, but again, we’ll take it before Hasbro messes it up with some sort of unnecessary or too heavy wash. The sculpt looks very much like actor Adam Driver, although the expression is rather tame and shows no signs of his onscreen outbursts of anger and temper tantrums. Also not included: blood squirting fist punches on his side. The figure has all of the wonderful articulation of the original Kylo Ren (03) figure. All of the functionality works just as well for this release. We love how the soft goods hood is tucked into the plastic cowl.

Right out of the packaging Kylo Ren (Unmasked) is all set and ready to go. Other cool accessories include the updated lightsaber as well as the lightsaber hilt. If you have the exclusive version then you know what you're getting here. We have to be honest. This figure is lacking. It should have come with some more than just the lightsaber accessories. We’re frustrated already for those that won’t be able to get the exclusive parts. This doesn't make collecting fun. All of these bonuses that we got with the exclusive release shouldn't raise the price. These should be included WITH the standard MSRP. This figure is a wasted slot in the line because the exclusive version supersedes this release significantly. Kylo Ren (Unmasked) is a pretty decent release in The Black Series [Phase III] lineup. It's a well made action figure and Hasbro did a great job with the paint operations, but this figure is sorely lacking by not coming with enough accessories. We’re not even fans of the character and we find him very interesting and well done. This could have been a debacle. SO collectors don't have to worry about him not looking good because he does. He just is too light for our tastes. Let us count our blessing that he didn’t turn out that way!