[REVIEW] 75255 - YODA

[Milan]

REVIEW - 75255 - YODA

INTRODUCTION
This Technic set has a number of realistic functions, new clutch gears and beautif...of wait...power of the habit, I guess, sorry
No, really, another SW fan here, albeit far from the most knowledgeable or most active fan. It just happened that I was born at the right time, and to had a great childhood, with SW being a big part of it. Still remember the days, whole summers mostly, which I spent as a kid with very close cousins and their two kids, in their giant house, and most of those memories included great food, ice cream, cookies, evenings playing board games, video games, and watching SW movies, and all the discussions about them and SW in general. Still think all that made me a SW fan for life!
Anyway, I got a chance to pick one set for reviewing, and I figured, why not something from SW. I knew that I wanted either one of the helmet from the Helmets Collection, or the Yoda set. I felt very warm inside just by looking at the , and that was enough 

SET INFORMATION
Number: 75255
Title: YODA
Theme: Star Wars
Released: 2019
Part Count: 1768
Box Weight: 2058 gr
Box Dimensions: 35 cm x 37,5 cm x 11,5 cm
Set Price (MSRP): $ 99,99
Price per Part: $ 0,056
Links: Brickset, Bricklink
 

DISCLAIMER
The CEE Team of TLG has provided this set. It's not my goal to promote this set. It's my goal to give you an honest opinion about it. Therefore, the opinion in this review is my own and is in no way linked to TLG.
 

THE BOX
The box measures 35 cm x 37,5 cm x 11,5 cm and weighs around 2060 grams.

THE FRONT
The front of the box shows Yoda with a slightly angry look on his face, wielding his lightsaber.
The box states that this model is for the age of 10 and up.
In the lower left corner there's the Disney logo.
In the lower right corner there's an image of the included Yoda minifig.

THE BACK
The back side of the box shows Yoda from the back side, and some of the functions of the model
On the lower part of the box we can see the UCS style plaque with the information about Yoda, and an image of the model with its height noted. It stands 41cm (16") tall.

THE SIDE
One of the sides of the box shows the 1:1 image of the included Yoda minifigure.

 

CONTENT OF THE BOX
The box contains:

• 1 Instruction Booklet
• 1 Sticker
• 13 + 1 Bags
   

INSTRUCTION BOOKLET
The instruction booklet for the main model came together with the sticker sheet. The booklet and sticker came in a perfect condition.

Unpacked instruction booklet. The cover looks crisp.

Random page of the instruction booklet (head section).

STICKER SHEET
The sticker sheet is neatly packed into the instruction booklet.

BAGS
A total of 13 numbered bags and one unnumbered bag came in the box. Model's sections are nicely divided between the bags.

Bags (please click on the images to open full size image).

PART LIST
This set contains 1768 parts, which are shown below.

YODA: Body: Frame:
Building the Yoda was very enjoyable and interesting, but it may not be for everyone.
We start with the Technic frame or "chassis". Nice and clean.

We have got a simple and pin-heavy frame, which will hold all the side panels together, as well as the head and feet.
The feet have been added. More on them later.
Please note the black liftarm. It will be attached to the head. And it has been connected in a way that allows for some movement freedom of the head.

YODA: Body: Side Panels: Front
We have started with the front panel/section of the Yoda's body. This section includes reddish brown and tan part of the robe, together with the part of the left arm.

Moving on and we have the whole section completed. Please note the LBG Technic axle connector and red 2L Technic axle used to hold the left hand, and the brick-build sleeve.

Front panel attached to the frame:

YODA: Body: Side Panels: Left
This panel consists of two modules, each with beautifully sculpted curves.

Joined:

Joined panel attached to the frame.
Note how well the SNOT technique works here, and how the shape flows from the side to the front.

YODA: Body: Side Panels: Right
This panel consists of three modules, and is the largest one.

And this is how the right hand is attached to the body.

When we put all three modules together, we get this curvy beauty.

And again, it fits perfectly to the frame and to the already placed panels. I just love the sleeves.

YODA: Body: Side Panels: Back
This panel consists of two modules, and is the simplest one.

Connected with the bit flatter section, and we got the finished back section.

And finally, we can make a full circle around the frame. That hood looks really good. Almost like a (very) low resolution real hood.

YODA: Body: Collar:
Pretty simple, but very effective once put on the body.

And when we put it on the model, it really visually ties all the four panels together and also acts as a head mount.

YODA: Head:
Building the head was a nice change from all the tan colors. Even though I enjoyed building all the curves, I was looking forward to build the head.
Since it is more complex than the body panels, I will try to show a bit more of the building steps here.

We start with the lower part, and we use a lot of different colors.

A few steps forward, and we can recognize the Yoda's nose. Still a fair amount of different colors are used.

Now, we get to put the most recognizable, and most controversial part of the set: the eyes. You either love them, or hate them.

Here, we have built the jaw/mouth and chin section.

Much better now! I just love how each small module here makes a great improvement and greatly adds to the overall recognizably.

And arguably the most important part of Yoda's head: the ears!
I wish they had a bit more depth, like in the movie.

We will finish the head with the top and back sections. Note the great use of the parts to create Yoda's white hair.

Once the head has been completed, we can connect it to the body.

Now we are talking! The head looks splendid!
And a view from behind.

I like it very much! It is 30cm high in this setup.

YODA: Lightsaber and hands:
Yoda's lightsaber is quite detailed and I would say, very fitting to the main model in every way.
The base is 32L white Technic axle, with 23 of the 2x2 Trans Bright Green round bricks, and it looks marvelous!
It is connected to Yoda's right hand.

Hands are almost identical, with three articulated fingers. Please take a look at the animations provided a bit down bellow, to see how they move.

YODA: Completed:
Here it is! With everything put together, our hero is ready for the final photoshooting.
And boy, doesn't he look sharp!

Let's ask him to turn around so we can catch a glimpse of his sides and back.

Plaque and minfigure:
Together with this set come this nice plaque, with a single sticker, and the Yoda minifigure, item no: sw0707.
This minifigure appears in a total of four sets. Too bad it isn't a new figure.
It has impressive details on the head and sharp texture on the torso.

When put together, it looks splendid. Great contrast with black and blue colors.

Final photo
With all the elements put together.

FUNCTIONS:
This set has, obviously, a limited number of functions.
- Rotating head
- Adjustable eyelids
- Poseable fingers
- Rotating feet (very limited range)
- Poseable toes (limited range)

Rotating head and adjustable eyelids
Not bad. Head has a somewhat limited range of rotation, but the ability to move a bit is definitely a nice addition. You can get much more "organic" look when you pose a head to one of the sides.
Eyelids are, of course, heavily dependent on whether you like the eyes or not. For me, they do a great job of making Yoda looks angry, sad, or just neutral.
I like him when he is slightly angry. 

Arms.
Great range of motions, but really limited use, as the arms are fixed, and the fingers cannot reach anything besides the lightsaber.

Feet
Pretty limited range of motions, but I am taking it.

SUMMARY
An impressive set!
As said before, I really like it. Some might hate a bit repetitive sculpted build, but I find it one of the best parts of this set, and not repetitive at all. I just love when a set or MOC has that "old school" brick and plate look with exposed studs, in a good way.
I am glad that TLG made a bold move and tried to capture such a unique and complex character with bricks and plates. SNOT works wonders here, and I like the fact that it looks like a low-res screenshot from an old video game.
Details are all over the model. In fact, I would say that the entire model is made up of details...wherever you look, you see organic shapes and they flow all over the model.
Functions are limited, but given this is mainly a static scale model, I would say it is enough. It would be perfect if Yoda had poseable arms, but then it would be very hard to have such a detailed and life-like clothes and overall shape.
Price seems quite reasonable.

 

SCORE
How do I rate this set?

10 DESIGN

Beautifully sculpted and executed.

9 BUILDING EXPERIENCE 

Some may find it repetitive. I enjoyed it due to the complex shape.

7 FEATURES

Very limited, but again, this is a static scale model, so I am okay with what we got.

6 PLAYABILITY 

Very limited, but again, this is a static scale model.

7 PARTS 

This really depends what you like to build. Limited selection for an average person, but great selection of rare colors.

9 VALUE FOR MONEY 

Highly subjective. I would say, pretty good price for what you get!

 

Final score: 8.0

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it

 

[Mr Ogel]

Good review, good pictures and everything important mentioned. I liked the "movies" the most. - it is a good build and I noticed some little improvements compared to 7194 Yoda...which I did not buy even when it was reduced

[JackJonespaw]

I never liked the look of the set, and I still don't like it. I just can't past the face. It's like it was over engineered to be poseable when it should have been kept simple.

Good review though! Love those crystal clear pics!

[Sucram]

I feel like I don't see many set reviews on this site anymore. This one was great. Odd that the Yoda figure and the build itself has different skin tones

[Milan]

On 12/10/2021 at 8:17 PM, Mr Ogel said:

Good review, good pictures and everything important mentioned. I liked the "movies" the most. - it is a good build and I noticed some little improvements compared to 7194 Yoda...which I did not buy even when it was reduced

Thanks, Mr Ogel!

On 12/10/2021 at 11:45 PM, JackJonespaw said:

I never liked the look of the set, and I still don't like it. I just can't past the face. It's like it was over engineered to be poseable when it should have been kept simple.

Good review though! Love those crystal clear pics!

Yeah, it is either love it or hate it
Thanks for the praise!

On 12/11/2021 at 6:00 AM, LEGODrongo01 said:

Odd that the Yoda figure and the build itself has different skin tones

Good observation
Which color would you have preferred for the set?
 

[Sucram]

On 12/11/2021 at 8:58 PM, Milan said:

Good observation
Which color would you have preferred for the set?
 

Definitely sand green, the olive green doesnt really fit Yoda at all

[AIex]

14 hours ago, LEGODrongo01 said:

Definitely sand green, the olive green doesnt really fit Yoda at all

I think olive works for prequel Yoda, but OT Yoda is definitely sand green. It's my preferred colour as well, I wish the Yoda's hut had used it.

[Jim]

On 12/11/2021 at 6:00 AM, LEGODrongo01 said:

I feel like I don't see many set reviews on this site anymore. This one was great. Odd that the Yoda figure and the build itself has different skin tones

You mean Star Wars or in general? We have been doing a LOT of reviews lately, but mostly non Star Wars.

 

Best part of the review...

Quote

This Technic set has a number of realistic functions, new clutch gears and beautif...of wait...power of the habit, I guess, sorry 
No, really, another SW fan here, albeit far from the most knowledgeable or most active fan. It just happened that I was born at the right time, and to had a great childhood, with SW being a big part of it. Still remember the days, whole summers mostly, which I spent as a kid with very close cousins and their two kids, in their giant house, and most of those memories included great food, ice cream, cookies, evenings playing board games, video games, and watching SW movies, and all the discussions about them and SW in general. Still think all that made me a SW fan for life!
Anyway, I got a chance to pick one set for reviewing, and I figured, why not something from SW. I knew that I wanted either one of the helmet from the Helmets Collection, or the Yoda set. I felt very warm inside just by looking at the , and that was enough 

[MAB]

Nice thorough review.

Out of interest, did they just supply it, or has it been sitting for a few years waiting to be built? As it seems odd for them to supply a review set so long after it was released, unless they know it will be out for some time.

[Jim]

19 minutes ago, MAB said:

Out of interest, did they just supply it, or has it been sitting for a few years waiting to be built? As it seems odd for them to supply a review set so long after it was released, unless they know it will be out for some time.

We have requested several sets for review and this was one of them. So TLG supplied it, but we requested it.

[Sucram]

On 12/13/2021 at 7:25 PM, Jim said:

You mean Star Wars or in general? We have been doing a LOT of reviews lately, but mostly non Star Wars.

I only ever check the SW forum cos thats what I have bookmarked so thats my fault