2025 TVC The Journey of Anakin Skywalker Set

[Jeff]

Another entry in the "was someone asking for this?" category of TVC releases in 2025 -

TVC "The Journey of Anakin Skywalker" Special Action Figure Set.
$49.99 - pre-order tomorrow, 12/18, at 1pm ET for Pulse Members, 2pm ET for everyone else.  Combo Pulse/Disney exclusive.




Instagram video with Emily - https://www.instagram.com/p/DDr1f_sJr8j/

TCW Anakin - VC347 with a new cape (from Micro Series TCW)
ROTS Vader - has red saber from Ahsoka Worlds Between Worlds scenes
ROTJ Vader - seems to be a re-use of the VC115 Emperor's Wrath Vader?

[Dave]

Another entry in the "was someone asking for this?" category of TVC releases in 2025 -

Yeah, not me.  I think I'm passing on this one.  A new cape and three figures I already own for $50 isn't going to do it for me.

Is the Hasbro team running out of ideas?  Are they playing some messed up inside joke office game of "who can make the lamest three pack"?  Or are there people out there that really want more Darth Vader and Anakin repacks?

[Matt_Fury]

I'm waiting for this to go on clearance.

[Rob]

Yeah I might do the same.  I think the CW Anakin is a decent enough double-dip... but a red lightsaber and a repack for the rest is really weak. 

[Nicklab]

I actually really like this set.  This is something that I think PT and CW fans have been hoping to see get released for a long time. And with Anakin's appearance in the "Shadow Warrior" episode of AHSOKA, that helped to seal the deal.

I like the nod to the Tartakovsky 2D Clone Wars series with Anakin's cape. It's a nice touch. At first I thought the hair might have changed, but it looks like only the color has been altered from the upcoming Anakin.  Is it a double dip?  Definitely.  But I think it's being addressed in a creative way.

The World Between Worlds version of Anakin is just what I had been hoping for from that series. "Shadow Warrior" was an amazing episode. It helped dovetail Hayden Christensen's performances that much better with the way Matt Lanter had portrayed Anakin in The Clone Wars, making for a much more complete, yet complicated character. And this dark incarnation of Anakin is precisely what might have faced the galaxy if he hadn't been so gravely wounded on Mustafar. I have a hunch that this Anakin will be re-released in at least a couple of forms down the line. A Jedi Knight version seems to be in order. And a Sith eyes version from ROTS also seems like a great possible release.  But for me?  This figure is the centerpiece of this 3-pack, and appears to be bringing something new to the table.  It's a far better offering than the VC013 Anakin/Vader from TVC 1.0!

I understand the inclusion of the 'Emperor's Wrath' version of Vader from a storytelling perspective. But the cynic in me recognizes that this is the 5th Darth Vader since 2022, and is likely built on that "Dark Times" Vader buck.  Better for this to be in a multipack than to have another of these ROTJ Vaders on an individual cardback.  But is this the better representation of Anakin Skywalker in depicting his journey, or the redeemed Anakin who looks upon Luke with his own eyes in his final moments?

This also eliminates another of the candidates from my March Madness 2024 Top 25 (ROTS Anakin). Glad to see that happen, and it's time to start crafting the 25 for 2025!

[Rob]

If Electro Vader is built on the new Vader sculpt and not VC115, I'd be more interested in the set at full price...

[Jeff]

If Electro Vader is built on the new Vader sculpt and not VC115, I'd be more interested in the set at full price...

With the larger press pics out there, it looks like this is maybe a new Vader, based on the "dark times"  VC241/VC280/VC334 Darth Vader sculpt. 

Jayson is teasing that the ROTS Anakin sculpt here will get single carded treatment at some point too...

[Rob]

Yeah that'd make it a nicer set...

The middle / ROTS Anakin... is that just a retool of the new one or is it coming from some older sculpt that I'm not thinking of?

[Nicklab]

The ROTS Anakin looks like it might re-use the legs from the CW Anakin.  Otherwise it looks like a new sculpt. 

[Ryan]

It's interesting to see the differences in opinions of the crowd here vs in the YouTube comments on Bossk's Bounty video. There are overwhelming positive responses over there, including several "This is the best release of year!" type responses. This makes sense given that the average commenter on those videos seem to be newer collectors.

My opinion on the set is fairly mixed as well. I do like all of the figures and think they are well done, but this set as a whole would have been very low on my wishlist.

I think the ROTS/World-Between-World Anakin looks great and is a much-needed resculpt of a main character. I'm happy to get him... but we know they are going to put him on a regular card at some point soon. The CW version is nice and all, I like the added cape and scar, but really did not need this version so soon after the basic version. And then there's the Emperor's Wrath Vader, it's a great base figure and is technically an improvement on VC115... but not at all one that we needed or I particularly wanted. I get that Vader is always going to be a staple in the line, but 5 versions of this figure in 2.5 years feels like a lot.

I think I'll probably still pick it up, but I'll wait for clearance for any extras.

[Matt_Fury]

If I had a strong Vader focus in my collection I'd be excited.  But I don't and I'm not a completionist.  I'm ok passing on this one...even though the World Between Worlds version of Anakin is kind of cool.

[Jeff]

It's interesting to see the differences in opinions of the crowd here vs in the YouTube comments on Bossk's Bounty video. There are overwhelming positive responses over there, including several "This is the best release of year!" type responses. This makes sense given that the average commenter on those videos seem to be newer collectors.

I can see that.  Plenty of those 5-10 year olds in 2005 are now 25-30 year old adult collectors.  Anakin/Hayden is in a bit of a resurgence right now. Lots of buzz and vibes from his appearances in OWK and Ahsoka on D+.  Probably the same reason there is so much clamoring for new AOTC/ROTS Obi-Wan sculpts too (or the prequels in general).