71046 CMF series 26: Space themed!

[Black Falcon]

I think we might not have gotten the Classic Space Minifigure because they did just do one recently - and we also got normal CS Minifigures in the Galaxy Explorer - the same way they also didn´t make a Blacktron Minifigure since we got that one in the GWP - so looks to me like they were going for more variety. 

[karrit]

Would it have been too much to ask that they actually give us a CS figure in a new color for the nurse with the pink baby rather than that white thing with blue hair?  I would have been thrilled with the Purple they gave some of the employees in that exclusive set a few months back.  Yes I know I could cobble one together but sorry I'm not going to try to rip the arms off the one Purple Space CMF I have to try it.  Guess I'll just have to make some that don't actually have the space logo on the chest out of plain parts.  And I definitely agree with everyone who's posted that they should have given us one new color classic fig, that's what I was expecting from the Nurse. 

I really like the Tourist Alien & some of the others have some interesting parts.  But I dislike the miss matched legs & trans colors mixed with normal on the one guy.  That's the main reason I never got into Nexo Knights or Chima.  I expect I'll be ordering a full box of these if the guy in my LUG does a big order like they usually do.

[Lion King]

I don’t mind having Classsic Spaceman in Series. I never consider it as a wate for slot. We hae Brown Classic Spaceman with blue astrobaby . Now we gonna have a pink astrobaby! I guess we will have more astrobabies in different colors again. Blue, pink, green, gray, red, white, black, orange…..

[williejm]

So, I very much am not the person to be just down on any CMF series. as I legit think each one brings new things, be they characters, accessories, or minifigure parts, that I value. That said, this one leaves me kinda cold. Hardly anything in the way of new moulds, some very oddly niche characters, and very few parts I’d like to get my hands on.

The retro space girl seems cool (moreso if it’s a usable dog accessory) and the insectoid isn’t bad (always a fan of the satyr legs in new colours) - but the rest, so far, ‘meh’.

[Robert8]

Uh oh Im afraid of how this series is going to sell... even hardcore space fans like @danth have mixed responses for a SPACE cmf. 

Did TLG themselves missed the point of what a Space CMF should had been? Because if even hardcore space fans are underwhelmed... then who is going to buy these?

Which was kind of the point I was trying to make when I said a few days ago that themed CMF were not my favorites. I would avoid them because if it fails to impress fans from said theme... then who is going to buy them? Castle fans? Pirate fans? City fans? 

[Lyichir]

17 minutes ago, Robert8 said:

Uh oh Im afraid of how this series is going to sell... even hardcore space fans like @danth have mixed responses for a SPACE cmf. 

Did TLG themselves missed the point of what a Space CMF should had been? Because if even hardcore space fans are underwhelmed... then who is going to buy these?

Which was kind of the point I was trying to make when I said a few days ago that themed CMF were not my favorites. I would avoid them because if it fails to impress fans from said theme... then who is going to buy them? Castle fans? Pirate fans? City fans? 

I doubt "hardcore fans" (implicitly, hardcore adult fans) are the primary audience of ANY CMF series, themed or not. These are cheap sets aimed at a large and varied audience. Targeting "hardcore" space fans above all else would probably weaken their appeal overall, not expand it.

[BrickFit26]

I consider myself a hardcore LEGO Space fan. My first impressions are that I like them, with only the classic Astronaut as a missed opportunity because it's similar to the previous one in an older series.

My opinions might change when we get HD pics of them. But I'm liking what I've seen so far. Space can be and is so many things to me.

[hikouki]

8 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

I think we might not have gotten the Classic Space Minifigure because they did just do one recently - and we also got normal CS Minifigures in the Galaxy Explorer - the same way they also didn´t make a Blacktron Minifigure since we got that one in the GWP - so looks to me like they were going for more variety. 

I think Classic Spaceman is one minifig that fans and non-fans alike will never tire of! After all, it is a Classic! LOL

I really don't think anybody would have mind that a new CS color came out. But it didn't.

8 hours ago, karrit said:

Would it have been too much to ask that they actually give us a CS figure in a new color for the nurse with the pink baby rather than that white thing with blue hair?  I would have been thrilled with the Purple they gave some of the employees in that exclusive set a few months back.  Yes I know I could cobble one together but sorry I'm not going to try to rip the arms off the one Purple Space CMF I have to try it.  Guess I'll just have to make some that don't actually have the space logo on the chest out of plain parts.  And I definitely agree with everyone who's posted that they should have given us one new color classic fig, that's what I was expecting from the Nurse. 

I really like the Tourist Alien & some of the others have some interesting parts.  But I dislike the miss matched legs & trans colors mixed with normal on the one guy.  That's the main reason I never got into Nexo Knights or Chima.  I expect I'll be ordering a full box of these if the guy in my LUG does a big order like they usually do.

ROTFL! That white thing with blue hair! Haha!

The fact that Lego released an employee exclusive with an actual Purple Space tells us that there is some recognition from within Lego that the Classic Spaceman is indeed an important classic figure.

7 hours ago, Lion King said:

I don’t mind having Classsic Spaceman in Series. I never consider it as a wate for slot. We hae Brown Classic Spaceman with blue astrobaby . Now we gonna have a pink astrobaby! I guess we will have more astrobabies in different colors again. Blue, pink, green, gray, red, white, black, orange…..

What could have been a variation so that the Brown CS with a Blue Astrobaby is not repeated? A novel color CS with TWO new color Astrobabies!!! LOL

4 hours ago, Robert8 said:

Uh oh Im afraid of how this series is going to sell... even hardcore space fans like @danth have mixed responses for a SPACE cmf. 

Did TLG themselves missed the point of what a Space CMF should had been? Because if even hardcore space fans are underwhelmed... then who is going to buy these?

Which was kind of the point I was trying to make when I said a few days ago that themed CMF were not my favorites. I would avoid them because if it fails to impress fans from said theme... then who is going to buy them? Castle fans? Pirate fans? City fans? 

I feel like Lego went too abstract on a theme that itself was already abstract. They started new characters instead of focusing on freshening up well-loved historic subthemes.

 

[Breakspear]

I'm not a LEGO Space fan per-se I've been collecting CMFs for a while (history themes in particular), but I'm finding this series difficult to assess.

Conceptually, I think the series boasts a good range of characters, calculated to appeal to as broad a market as possible. A nice mix of callbacks to classic LEGO themes coupled with a sprinkling of recognisable space tropes. Overall, I'd give the series high points on creativity. 

On execution however, the collection feels a slightly flat and lacking in detail. Maybe that's just the low res image. The range of accessories accompanying the minifigures seems underwhelming.

These points notwithstanding, I'm very interested to understand what true Space fans (apologies, unintentionally loaded term) those with more knowledge of LEGO Space than myself think of this series. I'm also very interested in what this series might mean for TLG regularly producing more non-IP themed CMF series in the near future.

Edited December 16, 2023 by Breakspear

[Roebuck]

7 hours ago, Robert8 said:

Which was kind of the point I was trying to make when I said a few days ago that themed CMF were not my favorites. I would avoid them because if it fails to impress fans from said theme... then who is going to buy them? Castle fans? Pirate fans? City fans? 

Kids They buy/get gifts from 80% of the Lego sales after all

[PGBQW]

I don't think any of them look bad, but none of them apeal to me in any way either.

I guess I could go for the tourist alien and the weird spider-fella, but that's about it, I'm not familiar with any of the old space series, so its not like I understand any of the callbacks

[BrickBob Studpants]

It’s a decent series, but nothing to write home about  My personal highlights are the alien tourist, the new animal recolours, and the transparent pieces on the Orion(?) minifig

[MAB]

On 12/14/2023 at 12:15 PM, R0Sch said:

What's the point to complement a figure that is EOL since 10 years? 

Because collectors want the 'correct' helmet. So releasing it is a nice gesture to long term fans.

12 hours ago, hikouki said:

I think Classic Spaceman is one minifig that fans and non-fans alike will never tire of! After all, it is a Classic! 

It is "Classic" because of the era rather than the design. I don't think kids or new LEGO fans care all that much about the Classic Space figures.  I gave my son some original ones, but he has always preferred using the Galaxy Patrol CMFs he has, along with a few Galaxy Squad humans and a few modern design astronauts. He likes the details compared to the relatively plain figures.

12 hours ago, Breakspear said:

These points notwithstanding, I'm very interested to understand what true Space fans think of this series, and what it might mean for LEGO regularly producing more non-IP themed CMF series in the near future.

What is a true Space fan though, and why would their opinion matter? If they are a true fan, they'll be buying it anyway, so whether they like it or not doesn't matter.

[Petric_G]

Sorry if I'm rattling in like this, but these figures look like an okay Figdarf to me. A few of them were photoshoped and then the long picture with the figures standing in a row were cropped to a 3x4 pic and the whole picture was posted blurred...

Couldn't that also be fake? Or is this "method of presentation" common for „prototypes“?

Please don't take it personally, it's just my impression. 

Edited December 15, 2023 by Petric_G

[Aanchir]

1 hour ago, MAB said:

It is "Classic" because of the era rather than the design. I don't think kids or new LEGO fans care all that much about the Classic Space figures.  I gave my son some original ones, but he has always preferred using the Galaxy Patrol CMFs he has, along with a few Galaxy Squad humans and a few modern design astronauts. He likes the details compared to the relatively plain figures.

There is definitely a timelessness to some aspects of the Classic Space minifigure design — for example, teams of color-coded characters are a perennial hit with kids, whether in Classic Space, Galaxy Squad, Bionicle, Ninjago, or the new City Space range, and the Classic Space logo itself has proven iconic enough to show up across many different lines of sets, often with only small changes in colors or shading.

But you're definitely correct that it's a lot more limiting in terms of details than other factions — a Classic Space minifigure (at least as preferred by AFOLs) lacks any unique facial features, color variations among "clothed" parts of the body, transparent OR printed visors, leg or arm printing, variations in helmet shape, or additional torso details besides the logo.

Hence, plenty of AFOLs seem perfectly happy to include the Series 3 Space Villain, Series 11 Evil Mech, and Series 19 Galactic Bounty Hunter in their Blacktron fleets, but far fewer seem willing to include high-detail figures like the Series 1 Spaceman or Series 6 Intergalactic Girl as part of a Classic Space fleet (and even the Series 22 Space Creature's added black details on the arms and legs or lack of classic helmet, airtanks, or yellow smile are treated by many Spacers as drawbacks rather than welcome creative touches).

Ordinarily, high-detail character designs are one of the signature strengths of the CMF series. But a "true" Classic Space figure by these strict standards leaves very little room for creative details other than changes to the base uniform color and accessories. And that also limits the figures' ability to clearly represent the sort of widely varied concepts/archetypes we've seen for other Space CMFs over the years (including this series).

[legoturtle]

If we think a little bit back in time... which faction have we got? (NEW PRINT)

Galaxy Explorer, Blacktron Cruiser, CMF series, XL-15, Benny's Spaceship, Rex Spaceship... and also LEGO CITY / Space... upcoming BUT also older... there is at least 1 faction, NASA.

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by legoturtle

[Classic_Spaceman]

54 minutes ago, legoturtle said:

If we think a little bit back in time... which faction have we got? (NEW PRINT)

We have gotten multiple Blacktron CMFs, a Space Police I remake CMF, a green Futuron redesign in City, numerous Classic Space-inspired figures in City and CMFs, and an Ice Planet torso in the Lunar New Year ice festival. 
 

[Black Falcon]

21 hours ago, Robert8 said:

Uh oh Im afraid of how this series is going to sell... even hardcore space fans like @danth have mixed responses for a SPACE cmf. 

Did TLG themselves missed the point of what a Space CMF should had been? Because if even hardcore space fans are underwhelmed... then who is going to buy these?

Which was kind of the point I was trying to make when I said a few days ago that themed CMF were not my favorites. I would avoid them because if it fails to impress fans from said theme... then who is going to buy them? Castle fans? Pirate fans? City fans? 

Adults, Kids. CMF series never really were made to attract a certain audience more likely they were made to include something for everyone. Of course, with licensed Series it is a bit different but even there people could often find a figure they liked even if they didn´t care for the license. However, with themed Series they could have gone they way and do all remakes of old figures - but I already said when we were speculating about what that series would include that it would likely be reimaginatons of old figures aswell as new ones. Because Lego still wants to attract different audience. And actually the overall feedback hasn´t been that bad - I mean here in this forum naturally people were more looking towards retro figures then new ones - but if you would ask kids what they like most, it would be likely something different than that.

 

17 hours ago, hikouki said:

I think Classic Spaceman is one minifig that fans and non-fans alike will never tire of! After all, it is a Classic! LOL

I really don't think anybody would have mind that a new CS color came out. But it didn't.

Well among AFOLs the classic Spacemen is quite popular and I would have prefered that one over the robot driven by aliens for instance. But on the other side we just got one and it might be that other people would have rather thought why the same figure again just with a different colour. 

[Breakspear]

On 12/16/2023 at 5:38 AM, MAB said:

What is a true Space fan though, and why would their opinion matter? If they are a true fan, they'll be buying it anyway, so whether they like it or not doesn't matter.

Sorry, I see the language I used was inadvertently quite loaded. No offense intended. 

It was a clumsy attempt at self-deprecation saying 'Look, I have opinions about CMF design generally, but I lack the knowledge to judge the thematic aspects of this series fairly, and I'm keen to hear the views of those who know more about the Space theme and its history than I do'. 

I often find my appreciation of TLG designs improves after listening to the views of others.

Edited December 16, 2023 by Breakspear
Clarification

[Aanchir]

2 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

We have gotten multiple Blacktron CMFs, a Space Police I remake CMF, a green Futuron redesign in City, numerous Classic Space-inspired figures in City and CMFs, and an Ice Planet torso in the Lunar New Year ice festival. 

If you include CMFs based on 2000s/2010s Space themes, the Series 8 Alien Villainess belongs to the invading faction from the Alien Conquest theme, and the Series 13 Galaxy Trooper is from Galaxy Squad.

Also, in Space Police 3, Rench wore a modernized Blacktron flight suit and badge, and Craniac had an Insectoids insignia on his back, but both also wore skull-patterned belts or badges indicating that they were also affiliated with the Black Hole Gang (and there's no telling whether they had any actual affiliation with the older factions whose symbols they wore).

7 hours ago, MAB said:

What is a true Space fan though, and why would their opinion matter? If they are a true fan, they'll be buying it anyway, so whether they like it or not doesn't matter.

I mean, you can be a "true fan" and still pick and choose what to spend your money on. I'm a Ninjago fan and still usually don't bother trying to get every Ninjago set.

Truth be told, I don't like terms like "true fan" that somehow imply other fans are false or lesser somehow. The last thing the LEGO fan community needs is more gatekeeping of who does or doesn't count as a "true fan" of a particular theme.

You can be a LEGO Space fan who buys EVERY Space set, a LEGO Spce fan who buys SOME Space sets, or even a LEGO Space fan who never buys ANY Space sets (i.e. engaging with the fan community in other ways, like with MOCs, fan art, custom minifig designs, etc). I don't think any of those approaches is any more earnest or legitimate than any other.

Edited December 15, 2023 by Aanchir

[Horation]

1 hour ago, Aanchir said:

I mean, you can be a "true fan" and still pick and choose what to spend your money on. 

Truth be told, I don't like terms like "true fan" that somehow imply other fans are false or lesser somehow.

This, ten times over.

Also, I don't get why people are so disappointed, we haven't even seen the figures yet (if we had, I'd understand such complaints, but now...), and rumours aren't always correct...

[Robert8]

1 hour ago, Horation said:

This, ten times over.

Also, I don't get why people are so disappointed, we haven't even seen the figures yet (if we had, I'd understand such complaints, but now...), and rumours aren't always correct...

There are pictures of all the characters on Instagram and Reddit

Edited December 16, 2023 by Robert8

[legoturtle]

Thank you for your answers... so there is so many factions already introduced. Now we are getting a "Space" subtheme. These upcoming CMF, is there any figure which belong to the upcoming sets? If not, what is the name of that upcoming faction? Is it NASA. I some how think it can't be. It is sci-fi, there is not planet like that... at least we haven't found it yet.

...

That minifigure with black legs and torso + green head reminds me about CARD 3... stars and rocket.

 

 

Edited December 16, 2023 by legoturtle

[Lion King]

What is the meaning of a true fan, exactly? I absolutely don’t believe in this nonsense term! 

Now we are not talking about “true fan” stuff here, we are talking aout Space CMF Series. I will collect all of them for sure. I think this series is as awesome as Series 25. 

[icm]

8 hours ago, legoturtle said:

What is the name of that upcoming faction? Is it NASA. I some how think it can't be.

I don't think we need every faction to have an official name. For myself, I'm just calling them City Space '24.