When this figure came out, it was a marvel.  It was (and still is) far and away the best version of Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi Hasbro had ever made.  There were many versions of Ben, but they all had fatal flaws.  They either lacked enough articulation, had terrible robes (either the hard plastic was too limiting, or the soft goods was too billowy), or the Sir Alec likeness was way off.  We had versions without the robe, as he was in his home on Tatooine.  We have him in action poses and neutral poses.  He was also made with gimmicks, like the POTF2 version with light up saber.  Hasbro finally decided to get their act together and gave us what very well might have been the definitive version of Ben Kenobi.  They then took it to another level with the included accessories, and also came close to giving us what we might consider the “ultimate” version of Episode IV Ben.  But alas, it has one major flaw that prevents it from achieving the highly coveted Bantha Skull status of “Defintive”, while also lacking one key accessory that would otherwise have possibly put it in that very rare “ultimate” category.

The first thing you’ll notice about this figure is the face sculpt.  The likeness to Sir Alec Guinness is quite striking, particularly at this scale.  And this before there was even a hint of any modern technology that we affectionately call “FACE!”  It’s hard to imagine Hasbro doing much better today.  The figure has standard super-articulation.  Today, we might expect more from a Jedi, even a crazy old hermit like Ben who surely didn’t have the agility of other characters that we demand be made with Jedi-Level Articulation (JLA).  For 2008, though, it was outstanding.  The sculpting of the inner robes is excellent, with plenty of folds and subtle textures, which are highlighted by the paint wash.  The lower robes, or “skirt”, are a nice soft goods material that provides full freedom of movement of the legs.  The swivel hips might not allow for a lot of dynamism, but they’re usable.  The upper body articulation is enough that Obi-Wan can perform the necessary THWG.  However…and this is big…the right hand sculpt makes a convincing and secure THWG nearly impossible.  You can make it happen, but the right hand is formed in a Jedi mind trick gesture, so he doesn’t fully grip the lightsaber like he should.  This is something with which we collectors often find fault in figures like this, but in Kenobi’s case, it’s particularly upsetting because he is unable to hold the saber in a sturdy vertical ready position in front on his face as he does during that iconic moment when he sacrifices himself to save Luke.  Incredibly, both Chris and I were forced…FORCED, I TELL YOU!...to buy the 5POA Kenobi that was recently released in the TLJ line, because that figure outperforms this one in the “Give it your best shot, Darth” pose. 

This is why the figure cannot achieve “definitive” status. The right hand hinders the saber poses.  It may have been the intended design for the figure to actually execute his mind trick on the simple-minded sandtroopers in Mos Eisley.  But of course, it’s the wrong hand.  Hasbro should have gone with the simpler “grip” hand.  The mind trick pose isn’t a bad idea, it just wasn’t executed properly.  Perhaps a switch out left hand could have been done.  This would have been excellent.

For accessories, Hasbro went all out here.  First, we get the obligatory Jedi robe.  It may just be my sample, but it definitely seems to be a lot less “wild” than most other Jedi robes.  The hood doesn’t completely engulf the head in a ridiculous fashion, and actually looks pretty decent.  As you would expect, it in no way hinders the figure’s limbs’ range of motion.  Also included is the lightsaber, which is well sculpted and painted, along with the flared blue blade.  Then Hasbro turned up the dial a bit by including an all new Leia hologram.  And, I know what you’re thinking.  This is just like the Leia hologram that came with the POTF2 Commtech R2-D2.  And you can stop right in your tracks, because it is not.  Granted, it is similar to the Leia hologram that came with the POTF2 Commtech R2-D2.  But besides being a slightly different sculpt that was cast in a slightly different color, it also has a peg hole in the base.  Why?  Because it plugs right into the peg that comes with..(hold for The Price is Right dramatic pause…)  A NEW TABLE!  That’s right, Hasbro included a two-piece table, along with a sculpted tea pot and cups, and the aforementioned peg to support the hologram.  This is great stuff, and these are the types of accessories that add tremendous value to figures and allow for small environmental pieces to help flesh out your displays. 

And here is how Hasbro essentially missed the boat on making an “ultimate” Ben Kenobi.  An unlit hilt is not included in the package.  On this figure, Ben lacks the hole in the belt that would typically accommodate a saber hilt.  But he does, interestingly, have a small tab on his belt that looks like it could be used as a clip, or hook, of some kind, to hold onto a new kind of “peg-less” light saber hilt.  That’s something that Hasbro could consider for future Jedi figures.  Eliminating the peg from the saber hilt would help it appear more realistic, while eliminating the hole in the belt and substituting a small hook or peg would be more natural.  So the lack of a separate unlit hilt, or a swap-out hand, prevents this figure from being an ultimate version.  Almost all of Kenobi’s appearances and actions in ANH can pretty much be covered by this figure.  Robe with hood, robe without hood, no robe, lightsaber, mind-trick, table, hologram…it’s all covered.  Perhaps the only thing missing besides the hilt and a swap out hand would be that little chest where he stores the lightsabers.

As for being definitive, the stupid hand prevents that.  So this is “close” to definitive.  Had Hasbro not allowed this to happen back in 2008, we probably wouldn’t be thinking a whole lot about needing a new ANH Obi-Wan.  But since we’re going to need it on a TVC card anyway, Hasbro should basically do a whole new sculpt, with updated articulation, FACE! (although it’s hard to do better than this), and a saber hilt.  We don’t even need the table and hologram, as we can chalk that up to a different collecting paradigm. 

Credit:  Carded sample provided by Randy S.

Build-A-Droid 

Obi-Wan Kenobi (first release) contains left leg for the astromech R2-L3, who could be seen rolling in the background in Mos Espa when Anakin and Padmé are looking to meet with Watto in an attempt to find Shmi Skywalker.  Source:  Attack of the Clones.

OR

Obi-Wan Kenobi (carry forward) contains the right arm for U-3PO, who was on board the Tantive IV as it was attacked by Darth Vader’s Star Destroyer.  Source:  A New Hope.