“I know you believe in me, Anakin, and I’m grateful for that. But this isn’t about you. I can’t stay here any longer, not now.”
Released in the autumn of 2023, the Ahsoka Tano (Padawan) figure was a Galaxy Collection Wave 12 release alongside other Clone Wars figures including the Phase II Clone Trooper and Magna Guard. Wave 12 was the final Black Series wave to use the plastic-free packaging so the angled side box has no windows with the figure depicted posed on the front cover and in a more static catalog pose on the side and reverse to confirm the contents. Padawan Ahsoka is number 13 in the Clone Wars Galaxy Collection. The yellow accent colour assigned to the show is present in the text and the side art, with Ahsoka’s section of the wider mural continuing on from Clone Commander Jesse, and sitting ahead of the Phase II Clone Trooper from the same wave. The rear of the box features the usual brief background text that confirms Ahsoka’s role as Anakin’s Padawan learner.
The figure depicts Ahsoka at her youngest, circa Season 5 before she left the Jedi order. The figure is new as far as I can tell with no obvious use of parts from the 2020 release of Ahsoka from the final season of Clone Wars. The main torso is the burgundy vest with cutouts on the front and rear with the skin tone painted in. The legs are a grey finish with diamond cutouts down either side with further visible skin tone. The leggings end at the knees and from here we find the burgundy colour returning for the plain, knee-high boots. Ahsoka’s arms are a skin tone plastic with painted burgundy wraps around her biceps, and burgundy wrist bracers and fingerless gloves. The outfit is finished off with a softer plastic belt and skirt combo that features a printed red pattern against the pink of the front sash. Further paint detail is then added with the gold belt buckle and the metal of the belt loops. We also get a sculpted pendant around Ahsoka’s neck picked out in gold paint despite its location and limited visibility once the head is in place.
The head itself goes down the usual Black Series route of converting an animated character into a real-world setting. With no direct actor to base this on from Clone Wars it is difficult to comment on the likeness, and some of the proportions - the eyes in particular - remain routed in the animated style. Faceprint will have been used, but the finish lacks the usual realism although it does recreate the white facial marlins accourately. The head tails are trimmed in the gold headpiece Ahsoka wears through her time on the show and then these flow down either side of her face and down her back with the blue striping painted in place. The Padawan braid is also present as a softer plastic gold piece sitting between the rear head tail and the back of the front right Lekku.
Ahsoka is packed with her twin lightsabers which are silver in colour and include black detailing. Like the pair seen in the Clone Wars, they are two different sizes and feature green slot-in blades in translucent plastic. When not in use each saber hilt features a plug that slots into a corresponding hole on Ahsoka’s belt. The fit here is good for the larger hilt, but a bit more difficult to engage with the smaller version. The blades arrive straight - a blessing considering the lack of an inner tray to keep them secured - and they clip in and out of the corresponding hilts well enough.
The hands are shaped to grip the sabers with the right shaped to hold the saber in the usual gripped position. The left hand is profiled for Ahsoka’s reverse grip - and like we have seen with other Ahsoka figures, and also recently with Starkiller, this gripping position is difficult to get secure when the saber is extended out behind the figure. Ahsoka’s smaller hands and relatively soft plastic doesn't help.
Articulation comes in at just 16 points in total, the figure inclusive of the newer format legs that lose the thigh swivel and gain some swivel articulation at the single knee joint. The upper torso works on a single ball joint in the hips which has some limitations in movement. The head too is also restricted purely due to the Lekku and their position around the shoulders. The arms are probably the best articulated element thanks to the butterfly shoulders working with the 90-degree elbow bend to enable a number of poses whether they be more dynamic display stances, or those wanting to replicate some of Ahsoka’s mannerisms like the crossed arms in particular. Despite her small frame, Ahsoka stands perfectly well once posed.
This newest version of Ahsoka fills a neat whole in her Star Wars history and complements a number of the existing Clone Wars releases, notably the 2021 Clone Wars Anakin and leading any of the 501st Clones including Echo, Jesse, and of course Rex himself. The figure also coincides with the live-action ‘flashback’ of Ahsoka during this time in her training in the Disney+ Ahsoka series, and while the likeness of the figure is not aligned to actor Ariana Greenblatt the figure still works if you wanted to go down that route for a display. A solid release and one that will enhance a Clone Wars display - particularly alongside Anakin and the 501st Troopers.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
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