This is my first video in YouTube. It's a simple visual guide to complement the previous post Japanese Katana Terminology for Movie Sword Replica Collectors.

Today I installed a new template for this blog, took me a while to get a hang of the hardcoded scripts but it's been fun and a great learning experience too. Let me know what you think and if there are any features that could improve your surfing experience here, please drop a comment.

Lightsaber week continues with the Luke Skywalker Force FX Lightsaber replica, the godfather of all lightsabers. Back in 77 when Episode IV: A New Hope opened, audiences all over the world was awestruck the first time Luke Skywalker ignited a lightsaber handed to him by Obi-Wan Kenobi. The lightsaber and its iconic humming sound has since became the most coveted sci-fi weapon of all times.

Luke Skywalker was played by Mark Hamill in the original Star Wars trilogy Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Hamill also lent his voice for The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series. On 11th Jan 1977, a day before he was supposed to shoot one of the final scenes in Episode IV: A New Hope, Hamill was involved in a car accident and left with a fractured nose and left cheekbone. During his absence for surgery, a replacement double was used in the landspeeder pickup scenes. Later Hamill had a scar along his upper lip from the accident and this was clearly visible In Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. The movie creatively attributed the scar to Luke's encounter with the wampa on the 5th planet in Hoth system.

The Luke Skywalker Force FX Lightsaberby Master Replicas is an enhanced glowing blue blade with realistic power-up and power-down light effects, thanks to a string of 64 super-bright LEDs that ignite sequentially inside the blade. Similar to the lightsaber replicas featured in previous posts, the Luke Skywalker FX lightsaber also incorporates motion-sensor controlled sound effects digitally recorded from the movie.

There are a total of 3 built-in motion-sensors to achieve better sensitivity, with 2 dedicated to detect movement while the remaining 1 sensor to detect impact on the blade. Both the sensor and digitally recorded sound effects work together to replicate an actual lightsaber feel during power-up, idling, swinging, clashing and power-down action. You'll need to source three AAA batteries because they are not included with the lightsaber.

When I heard Mace Windu was going to be played by Samuel Leroy Jackson, the same SLJ who played Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction back in 94, my laughing nerve went crazy. It's just so awkwrd to imagine Samuel going from "You're my b**** !!" to 'I sense a disturbance in the Force'. And thank God he didn't have an apprentice in the Star Wars prequel. George Lucas must have known it was too big a risk to take.

Mace Windu is one of the earliest characters in the Star Wars universe. He started as a narrator for the original drafts of Episode IV: A New Hope. However his character was removed from the original trilogy before introduced again in Lucas' Star Wars prequel. Mace Windu is a Jedi Master and senior member of the Jedi Council, second only to Master Yoda.

Windu's origin is mentioned to be the force-sensitive Korun race from the planet Haruun Kal. Korunnai are subspecies of the humans, organized into tribes called Ghosh. Windu created Vaapad, the full 7th form of lightsaber combat. Vaapad creates a superconducting loop which reflects an enemy's attack, and grants great speed and power. The name is taken from a predatory animal on one of Sarapin's moons. The creature uses multiple tentacles coupled with highspeed attacks.
SLJ being a hardcore Star Wars movie fan, actually requested for a purple lightsaber so that his character would standout in the chaotic battle scene in Episode II: Attack of the Clones. And it's a pretty good choice of colour actually, one that will bear his name for a long time. That's star power. You too can get your own Master Replicas Mace Windu Lightsaber FX.

This FX Lightsaber is the official reproduction from Episode II: Attack of the Clones. The bright purple polycarbonate blade is permanently attached to the hilt and glows with realistic power-up and power-down effects. It also has authentic lightsaber sound effects digitally recorded from the movie itself. The various digital sounds are activated by motion-sensors installed in the lightsaber replica, each responds to power-up, power-down, idling and clashing movements. The durable yet light chrome-plated aluminum body looks and feels like a real lightsaber, with a display stand included. The only bad points are that the blade looks more bright white than deep purple when activated, and the lightsaber needs 6 "AA" batteries to operate compared to only 3 in the previous Master Replicas Yoda Force FX Lightsaber("AAA") and Darth Vader Episode V FX Lightsaber Replica("AA").

Darth Vader's image was first created by concept artist Ralph McQuarrie when he drew the opening movie scene of Vader and his stormtroopers boarding a Rebel ship. Initially, Vader was imagined to fly through space to enter the ship which calls for a space suit with breathing mask. This suit was later made permanent and used throughout the film. The popular sound of Vader breathing through the mask was created by sound designer Ben Burtt, who recorded himself breathing through a scuba regulator. Darth Vader's costume draws from George Lucas' interest in feudal Japan, especially the samurai warriors. Vader's mask helmet on the other hand was taken from World War I German helmet widely known as the "Stahlhelm".

Ever thought of joining the Dark Side? With the Darth Vader Episode V FX Lightsaber Replica,anyone will easily succumb to the Sith. This lightsaber replica features the same durable die-cast metal parts as the Master Replicas Yoda Force FX Lightsaber. It has a sturdy red polycarbonate blade which is permanently attached to the hilt and features realistic power-up and power-down glowing light effects (rather than the whole blade lighting up at once). When you toggle the activation switch, the blade's light light travels from the guard to the tip, thanks to the 60+ Strobe LED light tube.

Batteries are not included, so you'll have to source three 'AA' on your own. Have them ready beforehand cause the Darth Vader Episode V FX Lightsaber Replica comes with authentic digitally-recorded and motion-sensor-controlled sound effects that will give you goose-bumps. The same electrifying sound you heard from the silverscreen is built into the lightsaber to replicate power-up, power-down, idling, movement and saber clashing effects.

The Vader lightsaber replica also has an auto-off feature that saves battery life. Leave it for a few minutes and it automatically switches off. Overall the feedback from customers who bought the lightsaber have been overwhelming. It is durable, well-made and nicely detailed especially the chrome handle. I cannot imagine what future models will look like. Hopefully we'll all able to see the real thing in this lifetime.