The Evolution of Star Wars Minifigs

[Cpt. Dan]

Indeed. Remember that the LEGO minifigure is intended to be a cartoonish representation of the character, not an exact replica. For those that want replicas, there are action figures, which is why I don't want LEGO minifigs to become like action figures. There's a certain attraction the LEGO minifig has in its disproportionate, inaccurate simplicity that no other toy humanoid has, for me.

You are so right. TLG has ridden the perfect line in the past, and has only gotten better, but since TCW (Which I love I must admit) it looks like figs are going overboard. In a way it almost takes away from the imagination aspect for me which was my favorite aspect of the toy looking back.

If I want action figures, I'll buy 'em

[TeufelHund]

I agree - there's something not quite right about the new 3-PO - but I do like the printed eyes - so worse case scenario is you can chuck the new head on an old body.

The new Sandtroopers are awesome though (still a damn shame they didn't give us a new Dewback instead of that tiny non-canon swoop bike). Not so sure about the new Clone Trooper in the CW battlepack though - it looks almost too colourful.

I prefer fleshies to yellow faces - IMO they simply look more natural/better. I wish all Lego would go the way of the flesh but I guess TLC don't see it that way.

Overall, I like the fact that there are constantly new upgrades made to old minis (stormtrooper heads for example were changed in 2008 but they still look close enough to odler versions so that you can mix and match). If you're making a scene you can always position figures so that minor printing/detail differences aren't apparent.

[JimBee]

I think there's a line to be drawn that separates Lego figures from looking like Lego and looking like action figures. I'm all for these detailed minifigures - it's clear that a lot of effort was put into them. But it's just not Lego for me, and I think the time where that becomes apparent to people will vary based on age and how long they've been a fan of Lego.

I think part of it is the theme choice. Star Wars is one of, if not the, longest running sub themes in Lego history, mainly because of it's great appeal to all ages. And thanks to new material like the Prequels and the CW series, LSW is able to maintain it's status as a top-selling theme. I imagine it has a lot more budget than any other current theme, hence the massive amount of new pieces and prints we get every year. There's a very distinct difference between the quality and new element count in LSW and other themes.

For me, I think some of the prints are fine and others are not so great. For example, the upcoming Mustafar set contains greatly-detailed Anakin and Obi-Wan. While I'm fine with these prints, I can imagine the little details (white dots in the eyes, lines on the faces) will become over-represented, and the simple charm of the classic Lego figure will be lost. On the other hand, the new Clones look great, with a good amount of detail.

I'm a fan of the balance struck by most of the non-licensed themes. The facial expressions are apparent, and are subtle with the details, e.g. few or no facial lines, dirt marks (like the Sandtroopers), etc. But I can understand the appeal for kids when the detail is turned up a few notches and the minifigures are more action figure-like.

[Cpt. Dan]

I'm a fan of the balance struck by most of the non-licensed themes. The facial expressions are apparent, and are subtle with the details, e.g. few or no facial lines, dirt marks (like the Sandtroopers), etc. But I can understand the appeal for kids when the detail is turned up a few notches and the minifigures are more action figure-like.

I can tell you first hand kids are losing their minds over the sandtroopers and Commander Colt figures. I think with the newer generation, they like seeing things like detail. When we were kids, we were thankful to get a new pirate torso like Redbeard. When I got the x wing in 1999, I was 12 but it completely blew my mind. My guess is to a 12 year old today this is the same effect. Evolution of the product.

Clones do look sweet though. I think the cartoon element really helps. The Mustafar set looks like the real winner this winter if the price tag is not in the stratosphere. I think the ship looks so well designed in the pictures.

[Brickdoctor]

I can tell you first hand kids are losing their minds over the sandtroopers and Commander Colt figures. I think with the newer generation, they like seeing things like detail. When we were kids, we were thankful to get a new pirate torso like Redbeard. When I got the x wing in 1999, I was 12 but it completely blew my mind. My guess is to a 12 year old today this is the same effect. Evolution of the product.

I think I agree with you. It's simply the fact the kids want the next, newer, better thing. We grew up with the simpler figures, so for us, these new detailed figures are already beyond the 'next, newer, better thing'.

[Brickmamba]

Yeah, I have to agree that it would totally suck for people who like to build armies. But never having the desire to do so, I like the details :D

well you can always start building a new army with the new releases

[InsaneJames]

i think the minifig are evouing too fast.

they should make them with a little bit more detail but not too much

[Huntleyfx]

well you can always start building a new army with the new releases

My wallet just burst into flames at that statement.

[Praiter Yed]

For years TLG has been limited by print technology, only being able to print very simple and sometimes basic designs. Admittedly they have done a wonderful job and have created what we have come to think of as the 'classic' Lego style. But now that new technology is available should they just continue down the same path? - I think not.

Imo, many of the new more detailed prints have been successful in retaining a classic Lego style, the Rebel Pilot torso is a good example, perhaps a less successful example is Dengars' new print, which I do see as having too much detail (although I think the new face is fantastic). I actually like the new print on C-3PO, and even though it is much more detailed than previous protocol droids, I still find the design to be relatively simplistic (just look at those wires - they could have crammed in masses of them but there's just the right amount). With regards to consistency, it can sometimes be frustrating when your minifigs don't match (I don't even like to mix pupiled with non-pupiled figs) and it's a shame that they couldn't have launched this particular new design with R-3PO.

It's early days for new print technology and I'm sure Lego will come up with a standard of design that many of us will come to consider a worthy successor to the design classics of the past. But ultimately we are discussing something that is purely subjective and there will always be differences in opinion.

Edited December 1, 2011 by Praiter Yed

[StoutFiles]

What is the thought of giving characters who wore robes an actual robe mold/cloth instead of a cape? Is that pushing it too far?

[Churchill]

What is the thought of giving characters who wore robes an actual robe mold/cloth instead of a cape? Is that pushing it too far?

I have mixed feelings about this. My first reaction is that it would be going to far- maybe even almost making the minifigures more "cartoonish." But on second thought, I think I would like it. It would greatly increase durability, and probably look more realistic. It might limit the ability to put minifigs in vehicles, etc, but as is, you have to bend the cape anyway (I'm looking at you, Palpatine's shuttle).

So I don't think it's too far. I'd rather see that than more detail.

[Thea Neotera]

I know many of you are not huge fans of the dress-block replacing the legs on some mini figs. This never really bothered me, but I would like to see more creative prints for them. One SW fig which I definitely think should have had the dress block instead of legs is the Royal Guard. They would have looked so much cooler witha robe print on one of those blocks than with the red cape and legs... If this figure is ever reissued, I hope they change this aspect...

[Werlu Ulcur]

I would rather not have a cloth accessory if possible. Plastic is better in my eyes, since they're not action figures or miniatures, but Lego minifigs.

[Solscud007]

I would rather not have a cloth accessory if possible. Plastic is better in my eyes, since they're not action figures or miniatures, but Lego minifigs.

Well the problem with plastic is that they cant work for posing the figures. Like sitting. My Ventress from my RGS can sit with her skirt. Captain Rex, cant sit with his plastic kilt.

One great upgrade was the Han in Carbonite. I much prefer the new one to a printed block.

[Darth Nihilus]

What is the thought of giving characters who wore robes an actual robe mold/cloth instead of a cape? Is that pushing it too far?

No. More accurate=better, at least for me. If TLG wants to make cloth robes, I say bring it on!

[Werlu Ulcur]

Well the problem with plastic is that they cant work for posing the figures. Like sitting. My Ventress from my RGS can sit with her skirt. Captain Rex, cant sit with his plastic kilt.

Tonight I assembled Darth Vader's TIE Fighter with my son, and I have to retract my previous opinion and agree with you .

The stock cape on Vader's fig looks awesome when he's standing, but you can't fit him inside the cockpit with the cape on - a cloth cape would not have been an issue. Of course you can remove the plastic cape, but I fear I might tear it if I do it too many times, so from now on I'll welcome cloth capes .

[XimenaPaulina]

What is the thought of giving characters who wore robes an actual robe mold/cloth instead of a cape? Is that pushing it too far?

Like my stance on detailing, clothing is acceptable to me only up to a certain point - kamas, pauldrons, skirts, capes made of either cloth or the current paper material. But an actual cloth robe? I think that would be pushing too far - next thing we know we'll be getting generic minifig bodies + clothes ala-Barbie. I really hope TLG won't go up to that point.

[Huntleyfx]

Like my stance on detailing, clothing is acceptable to me only up to a certain point - kamas, pauldrons, skirts, capes made of either cloth or the current paper material. But an actual cloth robe? I think that would be pushing too far - next thing we know we'll be getting generic minifig bodies + clothes ala-Barbie. I really hope TLG won't go up to that point.

Please, please don't let it ever get to that...

[Piranha]

The cloth cape and plastic hood suit me just fine.

About this whole discussion though, the census seems to be worrying that all these new details will lead to TLG changing the minifig from the classic one we know now. I would have to disagree though with that line of thinking, the minifigure is one of the things that defines TLG like the 2x4 brick or the classic LEGO logo. Those will never change because they are classic and synonymous with the entire brand. Ironically enough everyone always wants to see printed parts over the sticker sheets hence the adopted DSS acronym (Dreaded Sticker Sheet), but here we have the opposite complaining about "excessive" printing, now just imagine the minifigs were all blank and we put stickers for torso/face prints, that surely would save TLG alot of money having blank figs for every set. The argument is similar as regards system scale animals, some people don't like the new chickens or goats claiming they aren't LEGO enough. But are they less LEGO than say the cow or the horse or any other LEGO animal to begin with? Not to me as long as they all bear a resemblance (which they do) then that is fine for me.

Now I do like the prints on legs and arms to be special treats like with the Cloud City Boba Fett and Imperial Inspection Stromtrooper. That is what makes it fun.

[StoutFiles]

Please, please don't let it ever get to that...

It pretty much has. You can change the hair, cape, waist attachment, backpack, accessories such as guns, lightsabers, binoculars, etc.

It's not a Barbie but all mini figures are Barbie-like when you can customize them. The only way it would be a Barbie is if the hair was artificial and not a plastic mold.

[Huntleyfx]

Ok, when you put it like that, I can see your point. I am just afraid we are going to lose the "creative aspect" with the infinitely customizable options.

[legolandia]

I usually welcome every SW figurine that Lego makes and don't mind how much detailed printing they have or what color they are but when it comes to robes made of cloth even I draw the line. Pauldrons and capes the way they are now are fine but anything else would be overkill and destroy the unique feeling that every Lego figurine has. As a matter of fact out of all the SW figurines Lego has made the Ventress with a cloth skirt is the only one that I am not keen on.

[TLOR FETT]

I just got back into LEGOs after having put them away to store when I hit my teenage years, I am now 24 and have busted them back out of the box and started building and making custom mini-figs.

I still have, un-altered (via heads popping off and what not) Qui-Gon Jin and Darth Maul from Set #7101 Lightsaber Duel seeing what the figures consist of and the level of detail in them now are amazing.

[Fallenangel]

I thought this was important enough to warrant a bump:

What do you all think? Could 'Stephanie' hold any relevance to the future of Star Wars Minifigs?

[Werlu Ulcur]

I for one pray to the Lego gods that it doesn't .