SPECIAL FX SABER

As one could suspect, the Special FX Saber is a toy sword with a light-up "blade". Unlike other glowing sword toys, this one's handle actually looks like a lightsaber's, although its box is my favorite part. Here's some low quality photos I took of the full front, side, and back (there's close-ups later on).

Unless I'm mistaken, the classic image of a lightsaber being held towards the stars originated with a movie poster done by the Brothers Hildebrandt. As time went on, similar pictures found their way onto many Star Wars product packaging. Check out the photo comparison below of the art found on Attack of the Clones era merchandise (left) and the photo from the Special FX Saber box (right).

The FX Saber's box also announces, "Awesome Hollywood Magic at Your Fingertips". So, this toy's based off of a movie or something? Who'd have guessed!

The back of the box pushes it even further.

With comments like, "Enjoy classic sci-fi adventure...", "...with movie quality light and sound effects...", and "...fulfill your sci-fi fantasties...", you can tell something's up. This toy isn't an original idea that coincidentally resembles the elegant weapon from that space film. Wait, what's it say at the bottom?

"This Product is Neither Licensed Nor Endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd.". That right there sounds as if they're admitting they ripped off Star Wars! It's like, "okay, we know this toy is just a lightsaber, but don't sue us. We cool, Lucasfilm?".

This toy wasn't only intended for children to defeat imaginary monsters while fulfilling their sci-fi fantasies, but also to protect them from the things that go bump in the night. The sword comes with a display stand for nightlight action.

When you see the picture of that kid on the box acting like he's asleep, you can only imagine how cool this would be for a young Star Wars fan to go to bed with, dreaming about Chewbacca and Jar Jar going on wacky adventures.

This toy was manufactured by a company called Can You Imagine. On the back of the box it says 2010, and I know it was in stores late 2011 because that's when I picked it up at a calendar store in a mall.

"Visit Us On The Web! www.cyi.net". That's what it said and that's what I did. While looking around, I found a short video of the toy in action. The sword makes lightsaber ignition sounds, stagnant humming, and swinging noises. Also on the site are the Fantasy Special FX Sabers (which are similar toy swords that come in four halloween looking varieties) and the Special FX Blaster. The use of the word "blaster" and the whole "Hollywood Magic" approach are intriguing, and it's funny because it looks to be a nearly all black version of the Outer Space Laser Gun and the Space Gun, both of which used Star Wars pictures.

The Special FX Saber came in at least three different packages, one of which being the box that I've shown you. Another one I saw at a Toys R Us came in a long, clear plastic bag, which may have had a hanger card, but I can't remember for sure. The third version had its handle encased in a sturdy, clear plastic hanger card. I saw this version at a Toys R Us Express in a mall.

Well, thanks for reading! This Page is Neither Licensed Nor Endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd.