We take a look at the the Genndy Tartakovsky Clone Wars Microseries one more time, to catch up with BD9, Obi-Wan Kenobi.  During the Microseries run, Obi-Wan often wore full clone armor, along with a Jedi cape, when he went into battle.  It was a cool look, and took on an iconic status for a few years until the outfit was redesigned for his appearance in the Filoni Clone Wars CGI series.  In that later series, Filoni kept the spirit of the original look, while perhaps blending it better with the traditional Jedi robes. 

The figure was pretty ambitious for the time.  Not only was it fully articulated, but it also added ball jointed hips, which allowed the figure to ride on a speeder bike.  Hasbro never released the screen accurate speeder bike from the series, but he’ll fit on any number of speeders that you probably have at your disposal.  It’s unfortunate that we must use that thing called “imagination” (seriously, that’s a thing. Google it) to help recreate the action scenes for the Battle of Muunilinst, but here we are.  The sculpt is a little bulky, even by 2008 clone standards.  It looks like an NFL offensive tackle compared to the TVC clone trooper sculpt.  But it probably just seems that way because of the wider-set ball jointed hips.  It’s very poseable, and can achieve a number of battle stances.

Obi-wan was given a soft goods/plastic cloak/robe combo.  The upper body has the molded plastic.  It’s got a bit of texture sculpted into it, and it is done in such a way as to be clasped at the neck and tucked into the belt.  Below the waist it has a soft goods skirt, which allows for a full range of motion of the ball jointed hips.  This was a nice decision by Hasbro.  The cape is fully soft goods and is made out of a nice thin fabric that falls fairly realistically.  The combination is well done. 

The face sculpt is…well…odd.  It’s a realistic interpretation of the Tartakovsky animation, so it certainly gets a pass.  It’s obviously better suited for your non-animated collection that way, and I’m not going to complain about it.  But I have to say it looks more like a viking or a crazy lumberjack than it does Obi-Wan.  He’s got a little bit of a maniacal expression, like he’s ready to dismember Durge or something.  I guess that’s what it should be.

Finally, Obi-Wan comes with a few accessories.  He’s got the removable phase I clone trooper helmet.  Usually collectors hate the removable helmets, but it’s necessary here so that we can see Obi-Wan’s face.  The helmet is soft and shaped strangely, as most of these helmets are.  But it does fit well over the head, and comes off easily when desired.  The figure also comes with a lit saber, which Obi-Wan can wield in either hand, and amazingly he can even perform a rudimentary THWG (two-handed weapon grip).  It would have been nice to have included a separate hilt to plug into his belt, but no luck on that here.  Obi-Wan also comes with a lance, which he used to great effect during the Battle of Muunilinst.  He can hold it realistically, and he can aim it forward as he conducts his speeder bike cavalry charge during his face off against the IG Assassin Droids, as well as Durge himself.

The figure’s sculpt would definitely be better today, especially the face.  But the extra articulation, the accessories, and the sourcing to the Microseries all make this figure a hit.  It was one of 8 TLC figures based o the Microseries, and the entire wave was pretty great.  Definitely consider adding this to your collection if you don’t already own it.  It’s a fun figure, even if it might not quite hold up to today’s higher standards.  7/10 for nostalgia.

Build-A-Droid 

Obi-Wan Kenobi (First Release) contains the left leg for the astromech R4-J1 can be seen rolling in the background in Mos Eisley while Anakin and Padmé arrive in their rickshaw to meet with Watto.  Source:  Attack of the Clones.

OR

Obi-Wan Kenobi (carry forward) contains the body for 5D6-RA-7, who could be seen walking by the disguised Luke and Han as they escorted their Wookiee prisoner to the detention level aboard the Death Star.  Source:  A New Hope.