Review: Obi-Wan Kenobi Black Series Lightsaber review

When I got back from Star Wars Celebration London in 2023, I decided to buy a lightsaber. I was lucky enough to have met Ewan McGregor there, and saw the very cool looking Kenobi saber among others on the Hasbro stand. So, watching the newly released Kenobi series, the amazing scenes with a more veteran Obi-Wan firing up his vivid blue blade, and remembering all the happy fans at celebration waving lightsabers around, I decided to pull the trigger.

I picked up the Star Wars Black Series Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX lightsaber. In some ways it was an older me (like the older Obi-Wan) fulfilling a childhood dream, remembering myself swinging a plastic Obi-Wan saber around as a kid, jumping down the stairs trying to replicate some of the awesome action from the Duel of the Fates I’d just seen in the cinema. I have to say, I have not been dissapointed. Both with childlike wonder at the authenticity, and a grown-up appreciation of the functionality.

This version of the saber is inspired by its depiction in the Kenobi series, set between the prequel and original trilogy eras. Its design captures the essence of this stage of Obi-Wan’s story. The hilt has an aged, more worn appearance, distinct from the pristine look of his saber in the prequels. This subtle aging effect, while not too much, adds character and a sense of history. It feels like a good analogy for where Obi-Wan is when we see him again in the series.

I was impressed with the weight and eye-appeal, it feels heavy in-hand, with a nice chrome finish towards the bottom where the weathering is less distinct. There is quite intricate detailing, with a stud for a belt hook, a textured grip, and engraved elements. Overall it all feels very authentic indeed.

In terms of functionality, there are a few options which make it quite versatile. The saber comes with two different emitters, or the top part of the hilt where the blade stems from. There is an emitter for display purposes, slightly thinner and a more accurate representation of the hilt as seen on screen, and an emitter which can actually house the blade. This one is slightly wider, noticeably so when you look side by side, but with the blade connected you can’t tell. There is also a lightweight stand that you can use with either the blade housed or separated.

When ignited, the blade is very impressive. It is LED-lit and feels like a very accurate blue, and also very bright, even in quite a light room. In the dark it is bright enough to cast an ominous glow on your surroundings. The sound effects when the blade is glowing really bring the saber to life. These include ignition, humming, and clashing sounds, which faithfully replicate the iconic audio cues you’d expect. The activation switch on the hilt feels very accurate too, and operates with a slight slide, when the blade is disconnected you get a satisfying broken fizz noise.

There is also a button on the side that can be pressed to activate a blaster bolt deflection sound effect and visual effect on the centre of the blade. Holding this button causes the tip of the blade to turn white, with a fizzing sound suggesting the blade is melting through a door on a trade federation command ship. The saber takes batteries, which can be inserted by removing the bottom of the hilt.

While aesthetically brilliant, and very high quality and accuracy, there are considerations to keep in mind. Its build is best suited for display, and probably role playing, rather than heavy duelling. The blade and hilt feel designed to withstand casual use, but you probably don’t want to be forceably clashing it against an angry Vader, or getting buried in rocks, if you do expect a bit of wear and tear, like old Obi-Wan. Additionally, the price is on the higher side, which may be a factor for some collectors. It retails for around £299, although you can quite often pick up a deal below £200 which feels the right price point.

Overall the lightsaber is an extremely worthy part of my collection that I don’t regret for one minute. If you’re a Star Wars fan and its within your means, I really do recommend picking up a Black Series saber. This Obi-Wan saber offers a blend of solid craftsmanship, screen-accuracy, and features. While it may not be built for rigorous use, it is a striking piece for display, fun, and it captures the distinctive look and feel of from this intriguing period in Obi-Wan’s life which resonates with me and my experience at Celebration 2023.

MTFBWY