Updating POTJ: Part II

Finally getting around to Part II for a look at POTJ survivors...

...In Part I, we looked at some POTJ figures sourced to Episode I. Let's keep going with that theme, but this time, the survivors are hanging by a thread, and may or may not have a place in your displays.

As mentioned previously, Power of the Jedi took the opportunity post-TPM to merge to merge figures and toys from all 4 films into a single line, along with some EU stuff. It bridged the gap until the weirdly unnamed "Blue Saga" line ushered in the era of AOTC. During the POTJ run, Hasbro put out some very collector focused figures, and made the offerings more consistent, dropping the commtech chips and most kid-oriented action features. While the line was known for being collector friendly, it didn't move the needle much on the advancement of action figures. The styling of the line took the best of what we saw in sculpting and deco, and then held the line there. There were some minor attempts at evolving, like removable lightsaber blades. The Smithsonian did a 10-year study, and the results of their endeavor reveal the incontrovertible evidence that not a single unbroken removable lightsaber blade exists on the planet today.

So here's more POTJ stuff that has withstood the test of time.

Rules: Figures and Toys from the POTJ line that haven't been updated/replaced by more modern versions...

For reference, here are all the previous entries in this gripping series that will have you on the edge of your seat:

POTF2: ANH
POTF2: ESB/ROTJ
POTF2: EU
POTF2: Vehicles/Playsets/More Part I
POTF2: Vehicles/Playsets/More Part II
EP1: Collection 1
EP1: Collection 2
EP1: Collection 3
EP1: Vehicles, Playsets, and More PART I
EP1: Vehicles, Playsets, and More PART II
EP1: Vehicles, Playsets, and More PART III
POTJ Part I



1. Eeth Koth: When I was searching for this guy through storage bin hell in order to do this feature, I kept saying "EETH KOTH" to myself over and over again. Such a dumb name, but fun to say. Try it! Like several characters in the PT, there were some production goofs and misunderstandings that led to Eeth Koth being phased out in favor of a similar looking Zabrak Jedi, Agen Kolar. It was all meant to be Eeth Koth, but the portrayals and costuming were different enough that Koth was canonically forced to step down from his position on the council, and was replaced by Kolar. Whatever. Similar crap happened with Ali Gallia and Stass Allie, as well as Rune Haako and whatever nonsense was pulled by some fools to attempt to make Rune a different character in AOTC (Daultay Dofine, Gilramos Libkath, or Lott Dod, depending on who you ask). Anyway, here's my deal with this figure. It's not great, and by some measure (articulation), is surpassed by the version that came with the Jedi Council sets. But he comes with a robe (the council version does not), and his lack of articulation is made up for by being preposed in a dynamic action stance. In a way, this figure was more of a Blue Saga figure. He happened to be one of the very last figures in the POTJ line, just as the Preview wave was released. The wild action pose was common among AOTC Jedi figures. Eeth also came with what I believe may be the first detachable lightsaber blade. At the time it was kind of neat - for about 3 minutes until it broke. The problem is that we don't see Koth fight. He's only in the Council scenes. In AOTC, we don't see him in the Arena Battle, but according to the EU, his gunship was shot down. So I don't know if he was supposed to be part of Yoda's rescue team, or if he was on the ground but somewhere other than the Arena, and then was shot down when the gunships went for the CIS forces beyond the Arena. The point is, this figure is more EU sourced than anything else. You could throw him in your Arena if you want, or you can just not bother. Take it or leave it.

2. Gungan Warrior: There were better Gungan warriors that came out in TLC, TVC, and DTF (yeah, yeah, Pauly D). But this one, please correct me if I'm wrong, was the only one that ever came with the personal energy shield. That accessory alone is worth the price of admission. While the articulation is definitely lacking compared to later updates, if you have a bunch of these with their shields lined up in the Gungan formation, they look pretty neat. Perhaps Hasbro will consider an all new Gungan Warrior when TPM30 comes around, but I won't hold my breath.

3. Battle Droid Security: This was the only release of the Security model of the Battle Droid. The red markings indicate their specialty. I know they can be spotted in Theed once or twice, but they weren't common. The mold is decent, preposed in a battle stance with a THWG despite the lack of articulation. They hold up pretty well. I'm surprised that Hasbro never revisited these guys. Maybe a retool/repaint is in the cards whenever Hasbro finishes updating the half-complete upcoming TVC Battle Droid.

4. Tusken Raider Sniper: Like Eeth Koth, here's another you can take or leave. I feel this one is the only Tusken that looks good with a sniper rifle. If you are so inclined, he goes along nicely with your pod racers, as he fiendishly wreaks havoc on the race from a safe distance. Otherwise, you can stick him in your Tusken camp, although his plastic garb may look out of place among the new soft goods-clad Tuskens.

5. Sebulba: This is the third Sebulba in the line, and it's the best one. The original came with his podracer, and he's sculpted to fit perfectly in the seat, and isn't quite as natural looking when outside. The other version came in the chuba cinema scene with Jar Jar and Anakin. That one isn't bad, and does come with the chuba accessory. But this one is much better sculpted and painted. The removable goggles are great, and he comes with the piece of Anakin's podracer that he removed prior to the start of the race. His card should have been named Sebulba (Jerk).

6. Jar Jar Binks: Not a great figure, but he is the only one that is sticking out his tongue, so you can faithfully recreate the ridiculous scene where Qui-Gon grabs his tongue at the Skywalker's table. If that's not your thing, than the included "compact Pit Droid" may be the reason you should have this figure. It's the only such version of a pit droid in the line. I wanted to army build them, but called it quits at one.

Okay, this should cover the Episode I figures from POTJ that are still displayable. Let me know if I've missed anything. I'll move on to other sources in future installments.

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