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By
Julian H. Betancourt |
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VCD YODA: LIFE OF A JEDI MASTER
The ancient and noble organization known as the Jedi Order was unified by its belief of the Force. The Jedi were the guardians of peace and justice in the Galactic Republic serving the Order. Among the many groups relying on the Force, the Jedi were the most recognizable ones. Possessing amazing abilities and deep insight, a diminutive Jedi rose as the most powerful and respected guardian of the Jedi Order. His name was Yoda.
Steep in mystery, Yoda’s past is not a clear one but some details are known. In his younger years, Yoda and a friend left their home world seeking employment in the Core System not knowing they where force sensitive. When their ship was struck by an asteroid they where forced to crash land on a nearby planet. There he would meet a strange being named Jedi Master N'Kata Del Gormo who would inform them of his Jedi powers and would take them to his home to train them. Soon after becoming Jedi a Galactic Republic Starship picked up them up.
For over 800 years, after reaching his rank of Master, Yoda was responsible for the training of Jedi Knights in the ways of the Force, making his students unlearned what they had learned and offering the needed guidance and knowledge to tune in with the truths of the world around them. In 200 BBY many of the Jedi Masters including Yoda through their meditation, discovered the Force was now clouded and harder to detect things going on in their world.
Years later, Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn brought before the Coruscant Jedi High Council where Yoda held a seat a small boy and asked for him to be trained. The boy was none other than Anakin Skywalker. However, sensing an unpredictable and cloudy future,Yoda and the other members said Anakin could not be trained. After Qui-Gon’s death by Darth Maul, Yoda and the Council allowed Obi-Wan Kenobi to train Anakin.
During the Clone Wars Yoda played a pivotal role on both, the front lines and through the use of diplomatic solutions to stop the conflict. While helping his Wookiee friends in the planet of Kashyyk, Order 66 was given out by the now empowered Palpatine and while most Jedi where killed, Yoda was able to take out his Clone Assassins and escaped the planet. He would then meet with Bail Organa and head back to the Jedi Temple with Obi-Wan Kenobi. Yoda would face Darth Sidious in one last epic duel. During the vigorous battle Yoda's deflection of Palpatine's forced lightning got them apart. Having lost his saber and having a clear vision of the dark future ahead Yoda knew he could not risk dying there and escaped to exile.
Among the variety of life forms, deep within the inhospitable swamps and mist of the remote Dagobah planet, a stooped over Yoda leaning on his gimer stick, found the perfect hiding place from those who attempted to fully terminate the Jedi and bring evil to the Galaxy. These were the dark days of the sinister Empire and Master Yoda was about to train impetuous would be Jedi, Luke Skywalker upon its arrival to the isolated planet. This short time meeting proved to be of incredible consequences, allowing Yoda to instill in Luke the faith and essence of the old Jedi traditions as the Galaxy's last hope. Luke was Yoda's final Padawan before dying of advanced age at 900. Ultimately thanks to Yoda's ability to train Luke, the Empire was destroyed and balance was brought back to the Force.
VCD YODA: A VINYL COLLECTIBLE DOLL
Sideshow Collectibles in collaboration with Medicom Toy Corporation worked together to bring into the American market one of the most unique lines of Star Wars collectibles, the Japan imported Vinyl Collectible Dolls, commonly known as VCD.
Based on his appearance in The Empire Strikes Back and standing roughly 5" tall is the Yoda figure being reviewed. To say the least, this is an amazing rendition of the character following proper production standards and a most have collectible one can't afford to miss. Let's go into detail ...
VCD YODA: THE PACKAGE
The design of the package is very collector friendly with it being similar to that of the Sideshow Star Wars Line, having a front flap that unfastens via a circular piece of Velcro, allowing for the figure and accessories to be easily viewed through the clear inner window if you wish not to remove your collectibles.
While the design of the box is very simple, it is also subtle and elegant. Being all black with the stylized image of Luke's hands holding his lightsaber and wording in silver, the box simply follows the pattern found in most high end collectibles where graphics are kept to a minimum. As one would say "it isn't the flashiness of a design but actually the quality of the product that counts" and as collectors we know what's inside.
Yoda rests in a clamshell made of two clear plastic trays. Thankfully, there is no tape nor wires to untwist holding and blemishing the sculpt.
Overall, the only problem with the box is that the color combination makes for everything hard to read and the use of a Velcro strip rather than a magnet to close the front flap gives it a shorter aesthetic life expectancy.
Note: There is no edition size of this Yoda VCD Figure.
Packaging - 9
VCD YODA: THE SCULPT
This is Yoda, plain and simple. He truly looks like he stepped right out of ESB. When looking at this piece you can literally see and feel his old age. From the yellowish stained nails on his hands and feet, to the perfectly well rendered wrinkles on his face and entire body to the gentle look of his bulky eyes and the realistically sculpted hair, the sculpt so authentically captures the look of the character seen onscreen that if one is to compare it to actual shots from the ESB you will be amazed at its resemblance. Of interest is also the asymmetrically rendering of his hands. Noticeably distinct from each other, their design give the figure a secure grip when holding the provided accessories.
Master sculptor and designer Yamashita Shinichi, one of Japan's most popular award winning artists, deserves a 10 for the work on Yoda. A work that has finally given birth to a sculpt of the Jedi Master having the closest possible likeness to that of Stuart Freeborn's ESB sculpt.
Sculpting - 10
VCD YODA: PAINT APPLICATION
The paint job on Yoda is very well done. You can see why those that have ordered him are so pleased with this figure. There is a fantastic contrast of color values where dark tones and light ones contrast in a very realistic fashion without a doubt helping bring to life all the details of the superb sculpt. The subtle paint wash works magically, enhancing areas such as his eyes, ears, nails and skin bumps and thus giving Yoda a complete feel of authenticity.
While the application of the paint on Yoda's body was beautifully executed, it seems the color used was a tad darker than the one used for the ESB puppet. Also, despise his floor-length robe being perfectly tailored to that of the film, it is way too clean for someone living in the swamps among mud, stick and stones. A little bit of filth around the bottom of the robe and some stains here and there would had been a much welcoming detail for a worn out look. However, the lack of dirt does not take away from the doll.
Paint - 9
VCD YODA: ARTICULATION
As far as articulation is concern, this is an area where the rating isn't too high. Yoda just doesn't have much in the way of articulation when it comes right down to it. His entire body is one fixed pose lacking any type of movement at the feet, knees, hips or waistline.
Nonetheless articulation is indeed present at the neck via a ball and socket joint that works well for the figure. His head can be positioned so that he can show some emotive poses, looking up, down or tilting slightly to the sides. Notice though, that turning the head too far in one direction will cause a minor abrupt twist, resisting the extreme pose.
The other two areas of Yoda's body presenting articulation are his shoulders and hands. The shoulders only allow for a back and forward rotation of the arms, not having any lateral movement. The hands are nicely articulated via wrists joints offering full rotation, pivoting at will and allowing for an array of positions. Yoda stands well on its own and requires no additional support.
Articulation - 5
VCD YODA: THE ACCESSORIES
Yoda comes packed with just three accessories. The biggest and most important one is his gimer stick or walking cane. For the size of the piece the job done on it is really good, presenting a realistic tree bark-like feel to it and proper curvature. The remaining two accessories are much less than exciting being one of them the bitten bread stick he took from Luke's ration and the other one a silver lamp or knife or... who knows what little "thinggy" which really adds nothing to this piece.
Worth mentioning is the elaborate design of the mysterious Blissl flute Yoda wears on the chain hanging from his neck, which could be seen at as an accessory also, and that nicely captures all of its details.
Accessories - 7
VCD YODA: THE OUTFIT
The craftsmanship employed into creating Yoda's outfit is among the best work seen on any figure of this scale. While maybe not as worn as what Yoda’s was in ESB it does not detract from looking very authentic, presenting adequate measures to properly match the size of the figure. The fabrics of his under garment and outer robe lay over his hump in a natural eye pleasing way, gracefully folding and wrinkling without bulkiness around the elbows and other areas.
The sculpting of the pouch on Yoda's belt is also a nice touch to his outfit. It was colored and textured as if it had been made out of leather and helps complete the overall trademark look of the doll.
Outfit - 10
VCD YODA: VALUE AND FINAL THOUGHT
As far as value is concerned, at $ 60.00 dollars this might be the best Yoda ever done at this scale, deserving a high up 10 rating. Yoda just falls short of perfect because of the limited articulation and poor accessories he comes with. But other than that, every thing else about this figure is just so accurate that paying an extra $5- $10 more and still feeling good about it does not seem too far fetched. And while he is part of the VCD Line, Yoda should had been labeled a RAH. His dimensions are adequately proportioned, easily making him fit among figures from the Sideshow 1/6 scale Line.
If you are looking for a superb rendering of a 1/6 scale Yoda as seen in The Empire Strikes Back, one to offer a realistic look combined with an authentic design, this VCD Yoda might just do be your ticket. The elaborate detail and sculpting of this imported collectible are top notch and once he is within your possession you will realize the money spent on his purchase was money well spent. After all quality does not come cheap and long lasting satisfaction has a price.
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