Yoda (Force Spirit) - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (Exclusive)

Yoda was a legendary Jedi Master and stronger than most in his connection with the Force. Small in size but wise and powerful, he trained Jedi for over 800 years, playing integral roles in the Clone Wars, the instruction of Luke Skywalker, and unlocking the path to immortality.

Walmart took on quite a few Hasbro exclusives for 2019 and depending upon your point of view, you either liked them very much or couldn’t be bothered with acquiring them. The Black Series [Phase III] Yoda (Force Spirit) may be one of the weaker offerings so far. Still, many collectors are equal to add the figure to their collectors and to complement the Walgreens exclusive Obi-Wan Kenobi (Force Spirit). On products lists and outside of the case assortment box, Yoda (Force Spirit) is designated as an Episode VII character. But because the figure is based on an Original Trilogy sculpt of Yoda, there is no way to deny that this is Yoda from the final scene in Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi, when he joins Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker in the final moments of film during the Ewok celebration. Recast, repainted and re-accessorized, Yoda (Force Spirit) is a clever rework of 2014’s TBS [P2] Yoda (#06) figure. With an interesting paint job and fewer accessories this time around, it may be a hard sell to some Star Wars collectors. But how could anyone pass up this figure in that beautiful blue box?

We think Yoda (Force Spirit) is a fantastic release. Hasbro designed a spectacular base sculpt here, and we’re happy to see them reuse it for Yoda, now part of the Force. Thanks to Yoda (Force Spirit)’s translucent parts; we can appreciate the finer details of this sculpt more. Yoda’s expression is relatively flawless, and the bizarre colors used to give the figure an “afterlife” aura show what some new paint operations and casting will do for a 6” figure like this. The details in his hands, feet, and the outfit under the soft-goods honestly couldn’t be sculpted any better than they have. Hasbro reduced the number of accessories with Yoda (Force Spirit). This time we don’t get the snake (how cool would “Force Spirit” snake be here). And Hasbro eliminated the lightsaber accessory. The omission of this accessory is fine with us. He didn’t use it in the Original Trilogy at all. But Hasbro has woven an all-new soft-goods sparkly cloak that has a stiff drape, along with a new soft-goods lower skirt. Each is a different color. Of note, the belt and cane have received the “Force Spirit” deco which means they used a pearly purple paint to give them a shimmery finish.

Yoda (Force Spirit)’s articulation is good. It could use some enhanced articulation updates at this point, but Hasbro won’t do much with sculpts that are reused for retail exclusives. As you’d expect, nothing different has been done to the Yoda tooling. The oddest part of Yoda is the deco disparity between Yoda’s head sculpt and his upper torso. His head is a deep, dark purple color, while the torso is brighter. It’s a stark contrast and an interesting approach. Yoda has a ball-socket neck (like most other figures in this line, too), but it does not give him enough range of motion. Yoda (Force Spirit) also comes with double hinge-jointed elbows. We know what controversy this type of articulation caused in the 3.75" scaled line, but we wonder how collectors will feel about it with Yoda in the 6" line a third time. Yoda can scratch his ears thanks to this "enhanced" articulation, but this particular joint prevents any horizontal movement (or left to right) arm motion. Yoda is unequivocally one of the most important characters in the Star Wars saga. And whatever that freakish interpretation of him in The Last Jedi was, thank goodness this figure is an Original Trilogy take on him.