LEGO Collectable Minifigures - The LEGO Movie Series Discussion

[Dorayaki]

It does seem that the most popular figures from the majority of reactions here are Lincoln, Shakespeare and the Coffee Guy, which could possibly have been in a normal wave. On the whole I like this series thanks to a few great new parts but it is quite limited and probably my least favourite so far. It is a shame that most of the minifigures I do like come with the sets (which I generally don't like) - wish some of them could have been individual figures like the doctor/surgeon, jogger, Western bandits, bearded refuse collector and guy with the brown hat in the Western plane although I won't pay for a whole set just for one minifigure.

Can't wait for the 12th 'normal' series, whatever it'll be called!

Yes. Some of them obviously don't play any important role in this story. Panda Suit Guy is just one of the new mascot members, and they're included to fill vacancies (if this series should only include "extraordinary" characters). The series do include some protagonists who have exclusive appearances different from those in regular sets. We don't know how many secondary main characters this movie would introduce, so we can only make accurate comments after premiere.

Suppose that Gail and Larry won't be allied with the protagonists, they still look too ordinary to be a CMF. Maybe they can be part of the City-themed army builders (same for Emmet if giving him a different face).

Edited November 10, 2013 by Dorayaki

[Itaria No Shintaku]

I will like to weigh in and provide my insight into the debate on the interpretation of if it is well represented as LEGO CMF Series 12 or The LEGO Movie minifigures.

This upcoming brand new release is to be regarded as "LEGO Minifigures – The LEGO Movie Series". This is the official naming for this Series. In short, it also meant that this minifigures packaging will be similar in the CMF design which we are familiar with. However, this is not exactly a LEGO CMFs Series 12 in exact but to infer as Series 12 shadow. This is not related to any of the LEGO CMFs Series 1 to 11 concept which I believe will take a short break and taking on another new perspective to present and market other LEGO Minifigures Theme. In this case, this is all about the upcoming LEGO movie. Am I making any sense?

Likewise for the Team GB minifigures as well, which are not directly considered as any current LEGO CMFs Series 1 to 11. It is related like a close relative in the same family tree but not completely related like a sort of bloodline.

I might be wrong in the long run and this is my observation which is not meant to direct at any of our members. I just don't want to see a positive discussion being turned into a heated and emotional debate in my playground.

Thank you for reading.

Agreed, as I always do with Fangy

[Aanchir]

I wonder when and if we will end up getting numbered series again. It's possible that with the numbers getting so high, they will instead start naming the series, kind of like how Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh trading card series all have unique names. This would give the LEGO Group the option of sticking in a "themed" series every now and then without the sense that they're breaking the sequence.

If we get any future themed series, I would love a Ninjago series, maybe to tie in with the movie they're working on. There are a number of important recurring Ninjago characters who have never gotten figs (Misako, Dr. Julien, Captain Soto, Dareth, the mailman), not to mention plenty of times that the Ninja wear alternate costumes that have not been released in sets.

A LEGO Hero Factory series would also be amazing, now that the theme is using minifigures, though that's a whole lot less likely because the CMFs have always relied on the traditional minifigure build, and because the figures would all be from a common genre. Every character in the theme is a science-fantasy robot of some variety, unlike Ninjago or the LEGO Movie where there are lots of diverse character designs. Still, a Hero Factory minifigures series would be a great opportunity to get major characters like Akiyama Makuro, the factory's owner, or Nathaniel Zib, the chief mission manager, who have never appeared in sets before.

But anyway, back on topic. I'm somewhat glad the LEGO Movie figs are not numbered as Series 12, not because I want to skip them (or care about having a complete collection) but rather because it means there is now a clear distinction between "themed" and non-themed minifigure series.

[mo123567]

I just saw that this series is not series 12. It looks like old news to you guys already. I am happy to see the numbered series remain "pure" as far as keeping to a theme of generic archetypes. I do not mind this deviation of the theme as long as it is temporary. I hope we get back to the numbered series after the Simpsons. There are still plenty of good ideas left that have yet to be made for the collectable minifig series.

[Ardelon]

I just saw that this series is not series 12. It looks like old news to you guys already. I am happy to see the numbered series remain "pure" as far as keeping to a theme of generic archetypes. I do not mind this deviation of the theme as long as it is temporary. I hope we get back to the numbered series after the Simpsons. There are still plenty of good ideas left that have yet to be made for the collectable minifig series.

After the Simpsonbs series, there should be another "semi-licensed" series based on the LEGO Minifig game, IIRC, so we will have to wait a bit longer for a normal "independent" series. Or so says word on the street (well, forum). Who knows what the naming/number scheme for that series will be...

[Faefrost]

I wonder when and if we will end up getting numbered series again. It's possible that with the numbers getting so high, they will instead start naming the series, kind of like how Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh trading card series all have unique names. This would give the LEGO Group the option of sticking in a "themed" series every now and then without the sense that they're breaking the sequence.

Like I said earlier. I think that our traditional numbered series has ended at 11. When they go back to more typical non licensed series in what we are thinking of now as "series 14", it will include a tie in function to the new Lego MMO that Funcom is making. Each fig will have some sort of code for in game add ons, ala Skylanders. In doing that they will almost 100% have to create a very clear separation between the new series, that works with the game, and the old that does not. Just calling the game tied series "series 12, 13, etc" creates a customer service nightmare, and disincentivizes newcomers. Better just to reset the numbering to 1 under a new heading.

[Haltiamieli]

Just calling the game tied series "series 12, 13, etc" creates a customer service nightmare, and disincentivizes newcomers. Better just to reset the numbering to 1 under a new heading.

They could rename the series LEGO Collectible Minifigures (instead of just LEGO Minifigures, as they are officially known nowadays). That would be funny.

Well, obviously that wouldn't be different enough to really draw a line between the old and new series, seriously speaking. But I agree that it seems very improbable that Lego would just return to numbered series like nothing happened after The Lego Movie series, The Simpsons series and whatnot. That would really confound customers, whether Lego would decide to skip the unnumbered series in the numbering system or not.

Edited November 11, 2013 by Haltiamieli

[Blondie-Wan]

They could rename the series LEGO Collectible Minifigures (instead of just LEGO Minifigures, as they are officially known nowadays). That would be funny.

Well, obviously that wouldn't be different enough to really draw a line between the old and new series, seriously speaking. But I agree that it seems very improbable that Lego would just return to numbered series like nothing happened after The Lego Movie series, The Simpsons series and whatnot. That would really confound customers, whether Lego would decide to skip the unnumbered series in the numbering system or not.

You think so? I wouldn't have thought so, but I don't profess to know.

I will note that judging from LEGO's own product minisites for both Minifigures and The LEGO Movie, they obviously consider these figures part of their The LEGO Movie line and not the Minifigures line. While it's also clear this batch of minifigures does take the place of a regular Minifigures release in their release schedule (i.e., they're releasing The LEGO Movie minifigures at the time when one would normally expect Series 12 to come out, so Series 12 will be delayed; The Simpsons minifigures will probably delay Series 12 again), I don't see any indication that it will offset the numbering, any more than the Team GB minifigures had any effect on Series 8, 9, and 10. It also seems to me that if they were going to abandon the numbering, they'd have done it one series earlier; it just feels a little odd to go to Series 11 rather than ending it after Series 10 (possible Spinal Tap allusions notwithstanding). I can totally see a Series 12 following The Simpsons, one year after its official predecessor Series 11 came out.

It also seems to me that having a greater amount of time pass between the numbered series, even if it's just between S11 and S12, allows the retail environment to "catch up" with releases. When the first series came out, they mostly flew off the shelves so quickly that it was nearly impossible to find any stock from the preceeding series anywhere by the time a new series came out (well, at least here in the US). Lately, though, it's not uncommon for there to still be lingering stock from one series still around when another comes out. I suspect retailers would rather not have to deal with having two or three of the regular numbered series on their shelves at the same time; having this long stretch between S11 and S12 will help ensure nearly all the old stuff is finally cleared away everywhere by the time 12 comes out, and it can have sort of a "clean slate" retail environment. The minifigures for The LEGO Movie and The Simpsons may still be around, but it shouldn't matter, since they'd be considered separate products.

Edited November 11, 2013 by Blondie-Wan

[kermit]

The panda guy is the best of this series.

[TheLegoDr]

I agree with Blondie-Wan in regards to stopping earlier instead of having the Spinal Tap reference.

Either way, it is the LEGO movie series, so we should leave it at that.

As far as the figures go, I still want to get them all as each has something useful. So even if it isn't a collectible numbered series, I will still get a complete 16. Thankfully no real army builders for me. So the only extras I buy will be buying my daughter's favorites for her. It should save some money this coming winter wave. So far, I will be buying a lot less LEGO overall with all of the themes I typically collect. Which means, summer might have a lot of great sets I will want.

[JeagerEX]

When this series released: I'll get the ff first:

Abe Lincoln

Female Construction worker

Larry

William Shakespeare

Wild West wyldstyle

President Business

Marsha

and I think maybe Hawaiian Tourist guy or a Panda Guy since I'll get the Cuckoo Cloud Palace set.

[Dorayaki]

Like I said earlier. I think that our traditional numbered series has ended at 11. When they go back to more typical non licensed series in what we are thinking of now as "series 14", it will include a tie in function to the new Lego MMO that Funcom is making. Each fig will have some sort of code for in game add ons, ala Skylanders. In doing that they will almost 100% have to create a very clear separation between the new series, that works with the game, and the old that does not. Just calling the game tied series "series 12, 13, etc" creates a customer service nightmare, and disincentivizes newcomers. Better just to reset the numbering to 1 under a new heading.

I don't know whether your saying is true or TLC would change their minds. Indeed series number is not the most important, but still somewhat important, when some new collectors and outsiders from flee market face problems classifying unknown minifigures.

The most important thing is that we want our traditional CMF to be continued, designed and keep making. Not only there are still endless ideas, but there are some fans waiting for counterpart CMFs to make up a subtheme (maybe a Tribal Princess, a Keytar Player). If TLC ensure that they won't stop it, there is nothing to worry about. Meanwhile, I don't reject any special theme or licensed theme in CMF, I hope all of them can periodically return.

[jluck]

As long as the CMF series is continued in some manner (numbered or themed) I will be happy. Even in down series' there's something for everyone! the printing is extraordinary and the accessories have been unique! it's fun all around.

[Tilly]

Kind of glad to hear this will be a stand alone series and not series 12. Seemed like a weird thing to do if it was going to be a numbered CMF series. I agree with others in that I might be more excited about some of the figures once I've seen the movie, but in any case I'll definitely be having that panda, and probably the female construction worker. It's good to see a pretty badass looking lady minifig, would love to see more of them!

[Piranha]

They're officially on S@H. Release date is January 1st 2014. The official name is: LEGO® Minifigures - The LEGO Movie Series.

Which is interesting, I am guessing that means what we would consider S13 will be called LEGO Minifigures - The Simpsons Series. I hope this opens the door for a LEGO Minifigures - Marvel Universe Series.

One off (special) releases for other licenses I think would be fantastic.

[Dorayaki]

I am guessing that means what we would consider S13 will be called LEGO Minifigures - The Simpsons Series. Then S14 featuring new things from the MMO.

Perhaps it's just that when rumors leaked out, the original source only told that special themes are coming, and some people integret it in the way they wish.

Edited November 13, 2013 by Dorayaki

[Blakstone]

I believe that the Simpsons series and the MMO series are showing up in the retailer catalogs already. That is why we know what color their packaging is.

[CM4Sci]

I believe that the Simpsons series and the MMO series are showing up in the retailer catalogs already. That is why we know what color their packaging is.

I have the catalog, and Series 14 isn't in there. Just Series 12 and 13, both pages have the color, but it's all yellow placeholder figs.

-Sci

[Itaria No Shintaku]

They're officially on S@H. Release date is January 1st 2014. The official name is: LEGO® Minifigures - The LEGO Movie Series.

I have been telling THIS since the very beginning but someone in this topic was really so stubborn telling we should have called them Series 12...

I am glad the topic name has been fixed now.

I am sorry if I seemed to be too angered about the fact, but I always KNOW what I talk about (either I usually shut up), and I really was upset by getting this argument even in front of mere facts.

[Rick]

I have been telling THIS since the very beginning but someone in this topic was really so stubborn telling we should have called them Series 12...

The big difference is that it is now confirmed through TLG. Sure, we could have taken your word for it, but I don't like taking sides in debates without information that can't credibly be confirmed (without posting confidential pictures from a retailers catalog, for example).

[Super Goblin]

Who cares if this is series 12 or not? It changes nothing.

[Lordofdragonss]

Who cares if this is series 12 or not? It changes nothing.

It changes a world for MC collectors.

If these series are not 12 and 13- they don't have to buy it! :D

[obsidianheart]

It changes a world for MC collectors.

If these series are not 12 and 13- they don't have to buy it! :D

They don't have to regardless of what it's called.

[SweetiePie88]

It changes a world for MC collectors.

If these series are not 12 and 13- they don't have to buy it! :D

agreed. I originally was planning on just getting 1 in my planned Lego shop order early next year. However, now that I know it isn't from the main line, i'll probably wind up going for a few more dollars worth of PAB stuff, a series 3 friends animal if it's on sale and still in stock, or put it towards another series 4 penguin instead.

[Super Goblin]

It's still a part of the main line. It is even called Collectible Minifigures. It's just based on the movie. It seems silly to have this made up rule that you have to have all of them but only if they have a number associated with the name. If you are trying to be a completist and don't grab these or the Olympic figs then your collection is incomplete.