Kotobukiya Star Wars Chopsticks Review and Giveaway

Posted by Rochelle on August 31, 2010

Several months ago, Kotobukiya announced the release of the Star Wars chopstick series, and bento-toting fans the world over salivated over these geektastic eating utensils. The series proved so successful that after the first set was released, a follow-up set was announced soon after. I was fortunate enough to receive several product samples from the wonderful folks at Kotobukiya and KOTO US, to find out for myself if the chopsticks lived up to fan expectations.

Each package of Koto Star Wars chopsticks comes with two sets — one each of two kinds, depending on which combination you choose. They are all nine inches long, except for the Yoda pair which is slightly shorter (because Yoda is — well, small :D). Each pair comes with a matching chopstick rest emblazoned with the Star Wars logo, lest you forget which franchise the light saber came from.

The chopsticks are nonscale replicas of the fictional sabers used in the Star Wars universe, and are perfect down to the smallest detail. The sword handles are a good, weighted plastic — intricately molded and painted to spec, following official designs from the movie franchise. The “light” part of the light sabers are made with translucent food grade plastic that can be a bit more delicate than the handles. You cannot use them to manipulate extremely hot food (like yakiniku), sterilize them by putting them in hot water, or stick them in a microwave. And no, they do not light up nor do they make those distinct light saber noises (you have to make them yourself :D).

I am not an expert but I have been using chopsticks for years, so I like to think I am pretty decent at judging them. The Koto Star Wars chopsticks have a very nice feel — balanced and sturdy unlike those cheap 100-yen store chopsticks, or those disposable chopsticks that you get with your gyuudon bowl. The handles did not interfere with the grip, even if they looked like that they were too big or too detailed. The chopstick tips are smooth and could prove to be a challenge to some users, since they are not ridged unlike some chopsticks being sold in the market.

The Kotobukiya Star Wars chopsticks can be purchased at your favorite specialty collectibles store, or online from KOTO US. Each set of two pairs retails for just USD 20 each, and you can choose from four different combos: Yoda and Darth Vader, Darth Maul and Luke Skywalker, Darth Maul and Mace Windu, and Yoda and Luke Skywalker. The Darth Maul set comes with a pair of magnets that allows you to connect the two sticks together at the base to create his double-edged light saber.

Win one of two sets of Koto Star Wars chopsticks! One winner will receive one set of Darth Maul chopsticks (one pair of chopsticks plus one chopstick rest) and another winner will receive one set of Mace Windu chopsticks, courtesy of Kotobukiya and KOTO US! To join, share the link to this post on your favorite social media network (use our handy widget below), plus a link to to the KOTO US online store (this is important!). Post the link to your share entry in the comments section of this review to qualify for the giveaway.

If you cannot share links directly, you can take a screen grab of your post and send it to me via e-mail at magneticrose [at] gmail [dot] com, or upload it to a photo-sharing service and link to the image in the comments (make sure you censor sensitive info first). Each SNS you share the review with will count as one entry. You can make as many entries as you like. Contest ends 10th September 2010 at 11:59 PM, and the winner will be drawn via random.org by 11th September 2010 at 11:59 PM. Contest is open only to residents of the Philippines.

Winners will be contacted via e-mail or via private mail at an accessible social networking site, and will be asked to provide their full name and shipping address. If the winner cannot be contacted within five business days, a new winner will be drawn. Winners cannot choose which set they will receive, although they can swap prizes later if they both agree to it. Rules may be revised at any time.

Thanks so much to Nakagawa-san of Kotobukiya for providing the product samples and raffle prizes.