Original Review by Chris, 10/24/14

This Yoda figure from 2007 is better articulated than the Black Series Yoda that is shipping for an inexplicable three straight waves.  That Black Series figure ships in a bubble filled mostly with air for $9.99.  This 30th Anniversary Collection Yoda shipped with a massive Kybuck accessory to carry Yoda into battle for $6.99.  When adjusted for inflation that still only comes to $8.02.  No matter how mad you are at how far things have gone downhill since 2007, you’re not mad enough.  But we are here to celebrate the 30th Anniversary Collection and not to bury the Black Series.  This figure and creature combo was released in the basic figure line. That deserves repeating.  This was released in the basic figure line.  How amazing is that?

As I just wrote, I don’t want to make this about what we’re not getting in the Black Series, but I do need to make comparisons.  The paint applications on this Yoda are exponentially more graceful and more carefully applied that its 2014 counterpart.  The variations between light and dark highlight the head sculpt and the hair is finely painted as wispy strands instead of a horseshoe of gray male pattern baldness as is found on the Black Series figure.  With that in mind, the figure is not great.  The legs are permanently sculpted leaning forward to ride the mighty Kybuck.  When separated from the beast, the figure does not make a lot of sense.  Even though the figure sports ball jointed ankles, they don’t have the necessary freedom of movement.  It’s difficult to stand the figure, and as you can see from the pictures above, I had to contort the left foot to get achieve a modicum of balance. I do like how the hood has slits to account for Yoda’s ears.  It perhaps makes the Jedi Master look a tad elfin, but I like it.

The star of the set is obvious.  I don’t want to keep repeating myself, but the fact that Hasbro managed to get the Kybuck into a basic carded bubble astounds me.  If they were here, I’d give them a standing ovation for this achievement.  The Kybuck is reminiscent of the Tauntaun in that it stands on large hind legs with disproportionately small forelimbs.  All four limbs are articulated and there is a bit of a negotiation between the angle of the body and the position of the hind legs to get the figure to stand unassisted.  The detailing of the Kybuck is amazing.  The dark wash in the recesses of the sculpt brings the athletic muscularity of the beast to life. Once again in the 30th Anniversary Collection, Hasbro did a great job with the eyes which adds another level of realism.

Even though the Yoda component of this figure is less than ideal, we have another case where this figure is more than the sum of its parts.  Interacting with the Kybuck, this is one of the most eye catching figures in a display.  It’s also the perfect companion piece to your (not) Captain Fordo figure from the Vintage Collection.  If you don’t own this figure already, get one now while they’re still accessible.  It was later re-released in the Legacy Collection Saga Legends line, so you have many options on the secondary market.

Updated Review by Bret, 9/28/19

Chris repeated himself in Railman-like fashion, but I’m going to repeat it one more time on his behalf:  I can’t believe this was part of the basic line for $6.99.  The Yoda figure isn’t great by today’s standards.  That said, it’s hard to say what “today’s standards” should be for a Yoda figure since the Black Series release mentioned by Chris was the last one we got, and it was turrble.  Yoda is accessorized to reflect his appearance in the opening moments of the Tartakovsky Clone Wars series, and it’s neat seeing him with a bandoleer.  He even has a places to stow is tiny lightsaber hilt on his back.  Maybe this is where Rahm Kota got the idea. 

The Kybuck is tremendous, as Chris stated, and is pretty perfect today, and for all time.  My only issue is that the legs on mine have warped a bit, so it’s difficult to balance.  (Some of these pictures caused me much angst.)  Otherwise, it’s tremendous.  I don’t like to repeat myself, but Chris already set the standard.  The Kybuck is tremendous.  Balance issues and poor Yoda articulation prevent this from getting a perfect score.  It definitely would get a 12/10 for value.  But we’ll give it an 8.