S.H. Figuarts Luke Skywalker The Last Jedi Review

While my initial feelings after watching The Last Jedi were uncertain, there was no such trepidation when I saw this Figuarts Luke Skywalker from his home on Lonely Island go up for preorder. It is entirely possible that this article may contain TLJ spoilers. I won’t try, but it’s been long enough that I’m also not avoiding them. If you don’t remember the Lonely Island outfit this Figuarts Luke Skywalker is wearing, just know that it comes after the really regal awesome white robe he had at the end of The Force Awakens. It seems as if it was changed for no other reason than he needed an “I’m going to go avoid my destiny again” outfit. Almost as if someone was giving the end of the last movie a middle finger. But that’s none of my business.

Yeah, I’m clappin’ back at you, internet.

Hopefully, you were one of the lucky ones who could snag one of these Figuarts Luke Skywalker in his Ahch-To garb. My boy at XavierCal Customs never lets me down. Someone asked me if he was an exclusive (he was), and I realized I never bothered to check. That wasn’t a statement of “lol I’m super rich” but more a testament to my ongoing love affair with the Luke Skywalker mythology.

Yet, would a new piece of plastic fill the empty void in my soul where something interesting should be? Spoiler alert: yes. Until the next late night session of “Let’s count the ways you’re a failure.”

Some odd stuff. There is the figure. Hopefully, that didn’t surprise you. Bandai has a 100% track record for packing figures in their respective boxes. Big ups, poppy.

He comes with two sets of hands, an optional (option parts!) hood and two trinkets. Three if you count the third that could have easily been encompassed in the second. One of those things appears to be a red Kyber crystal. If it is a red Kyber crystal I would assume it was Anakin’s after Luke redeemed his father over Endor. But then I’ve also heard fan theories that Kylo’s saber is powered by the damaged red crystal (not sure how it got damaged, unless it fell off the platform. My mind is drawing a blank) which is why his saber needs those two exhaust ports on the side. Again, I don’t know for certain. please don’t take my nerd card.

It also comes with a Jedi artifact that looks like a pocket watch. One with the top closed, the other with the top open. Curious choice, but I suppose the hinges would have had to have been too big in scale. They never mention it in the film. If I’m not mistaken, there was one episode of Star Wars Rebels that also had Luke in it. He gets the relic but there was never any reason given as to what it meant or why he wanted it. Interested in looking at stuff? Me too.

I’d say that this figure definitely falls under the umbrella labeled “not enough accessories for my money.” Though truth be told, I’d be hard-pressed to think of what else he could come with as a pack-in.

The thing that bugs me the most, is the hood. Specifically, the top. It looks like a cone to me. At the right angle, it looks ok. But straight on, I can’t unsee it.

This is one of those facesculpt/print combos that looks dead on accurate. I love how much this looks like old Luke to me. I’m not happy that Luke got old. I will not explain my thinking on that. Yet somehow, this figure makes it a little easier pill to swallow.

The Target Exclusive Luke from The Last Jedi is a decent enough mass produced figure, but there is no comparing the facesculpts in any real fashion. It’s night and day.

The articulation scheme on Lonely Island Figuarts Luke Skywalker is darn near perfect. This may seem trivial to some but the biggest improvement with this figure is the new wrist/hand system. I really hope this is a new standard. No more chasing around a peg, hoping you don’t snap it. Finally, he looks pretty nifty next to The Last Jedi Rey.

He’s a web exclusive, so cost is going to be a factor. However, if you’re a fan of the line, the brand, or fine action figures in general, then yes. Absolutely. He’s a welcome addition to the display case. You can find him at the usual dives, like the Mos Eisley Cantina.