Minifigs or action figures?

[Blueandwhite]

With some of the new figs we're getting this year, I'm beginning to wonder if we're moving too far away from what makes the minifig so unique; simplicity. Some figures this year are looking more like action figures than mini figures and I'm not sure I like the change. In particular, Boba Fett seems to be really blurring the lines between the classic minifig and an action figure; complete with battle-damage on his armour and torso. Figures in the minifig collector's line also seem to push the envolope with several accessories which are considerably more detailed than your standard minifig accessories (the clown's horn, the hoplite's spear, the cheerleader's pompoms etc.). While I appreciate the effort to improve the mini fig, I have to wonder how far is too far?

I'm a bit worried that at some point the simple and clean designs which have made the mini fig a time-tested icon may be lost for 'realistic' accessories and overly detailed torso and leg printing. I'm okay if these things don't bleed outside of the collector's series or certain licenses like Star Wars, but I really worry that at some point we'll be seeing this in other themes.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Ye Olde Republic]

I think you're saying that you have concerns that minifigs are seemingly starting to lose their 'cute factor'. Is that correct? If that's the case, I know what you mean and I somewhat agree with you but, I'd also like to point out that these guys have evolved a lot over the years. Take for example the first run of pirates vs. the second, the older ones had white and blue stripes printed on a yellow torso and the piratesII had green stripes and yellow skin printed on a white torso. While the same basic look is achieved, the new one looks considerably less like he's wearing a stripey smock. I think anyone would agree that the example I used is a natural progression while some of what concerns you may not be. Does Boba Fett (eg.) need to be as detailed as he is? Probably not but, oh, he's so cool.
I have heard in the past that minifigures are some of the most complex and expensive elements for TLG to produce. I think this tells me is that we'll likely only see super detailed minifigs in licences themes that will draw in collectors from outside the LEGO collecting genre and in things like the collector sets that are aimed straight at us, the hardcore LEGO collectors.
So, I guess my opinion is the uuber-wishy-washy: yes and no. They haven't crossed the line for me, yet. Except with the weird Toy Story figs, the ones with long arms and long legs. *shudders*

[Bruce N H]

Agreed on the Toy Story figs. And they really could have done those with normal heads. For instance, these customs by red5man are pretty good:


I also thought this Han Solo in carbonite was unnecessary:

Sure, the old one as a printed brick didn't look as cool, but it looked a lot more like LEGO.

[davee123]

Basically, I think it's that "iconic" quality that's being lost. Now, torso designs feature such details as wrinkles in the shirt, printing on the reverse side, uneven collars, shadows, etc. You take a look at designs from the 1980's or so when printed torsos were still a new thing, and they were all incredibly generic and iconic. They're becoming increasingly realistic. I think I started noticing that in 1998 or so with the Adventurers lineup, although you could probably find evidence creeping in ever since the inception of the minifig.

It's certainly gotten to the point where it's a stark contrast between a figure released in 1981 and one released today. They simply look like they're from different brands of toys, even though the overall shape is the same.

Personally, I like the newer style, although it does (at times) go a little too far. The adventurers torsos (to me) were a great example because they looked really nice, but often featured concealed handguns or other too-specific-to-the-genre details, which prevented them from crossing over easily to, say, normal town figures. Essentially, I don't mind the detail level, but I DO mind when something isn't generic enough to be used in a variety of ways.

DaveE

[Forestboy]

I also thought this Han Solo in carbonite was unnecessary:

Sure, the old one as a printed brick didn't look as cool, but it looked a lot more like LEGO.

I agree with Bruce. The Han Solo in carbonite looks really cool and accurate, but the first one (which I have) looks more Lego.

Personally, I think that the really detailed minifigs will die down and then come back. But who knows right?

[rogue27]

I like the charm and character of the minifig designs up through the early-mid 90s. Even when they started making face prints in the Pirates line, they were all very simple and still fit in with the feel of the classic smileys. In fact, every pirate face contained a classic smiley beneath all the whiskers and eyepatches.

Likewise, the classic torsos were all simple, but still managed to convey what the character was supposed to be. Now, you'll see headset mics on the heads and printed weapons on the torsos. I find those things to be quite bothersome, especially when they have printed-on accessories that have handheld equivalents.

I have a feeling that the designers are trying to appeal to newer generations of children with all of the unnecessary detail. Fortunately they are still capable of recreating that perfect mix of simplicity and design they had at one time. For example, the crown knight and peasant torsos from the recent castle line were very well done.

[Robin Hood]

It's that fine line that Lego walks. The line between boring plainness, to extreme detail. They've managed to walk it well most of the time, but I have to think that they have been straying into too detailed a bit much these last couple years. Star Wars is, I truly believe, the largest factor to blame for this. I think Lego started to realize what those of us who frequent Bricklink have also begun to suspect, that there is a huge market for Star Wars figs outside of the typical Lego user. The huge upswing in prices on Bricklink demonstrates that they are in high demand, probably by people who buy them as action figures, to be displayed, not built or played with, along side all their other Star Wars figurines. These sort of people go solely after the figs, raising their after market value.

I think Lego has finally realized this, and have adjusted their figs accordingly. The ultra-high detail in the new Star Wars figs is the most telling sign.

To me though, this is sad, so sad. Another reason why I pray on bended knee every night that Lego might stop having licensed themes. The relatively simplistic look of the minifig is something that is as iconic to me as the brick itself. I much prefer that Lego keep the designs of the minifig simple to a point. Granted, a certain amount of printing, to fit the minifig properly within it's theme is neccesary, but we don't need to over do it. I guess it really comes down to whether or not the minifig is the center of the Lego product, above the basic brick itself. If it is, then I guess it makes sense to continue down the road of detailedness. If it isn't though, then they might want to scale back, as the minifig isn't the center of the creation.

Dan

[Athos]

I think the new AT-AT driver takes it too far (and the new TIE pilot). Why did those need new helmets? Reprinted stormtrooper helmets were just fine.

I also don't like the Toy Story figures.

Steve

[Ye Olde Republic]

I think my biggest issue with Woody, Jessie and Zurg aren't the heads and such, it's those darn long limbs. Those really feel wrong to me. It's like they genetically altered my minifigs or something. Didn't anyone at TLG see Jurassic Park? Nothing good comes from messing with DNA.

[ottoatm]

In general I agree with this... simplicity of the fig is a golden thing for many reasons.

Although I understand that they must do what makes their customers happy, I do hope they include some of us AFOLs who prefer the simplicity (and therefore freedom of interpretation) of a fig.

[Elbadar]

I think that the critical point when a minifig becomes an action figure is when it fails to belong to a universal system. Since the 80's hands, heads, hats, arms, torsos, plumes, legs, hips, tools, and torso accessories have all been able to be transferred from one figure to another, making them as customizable as the bricks they stand on. The crossing point lies in figures like the toy story characters, whose heads (among other things) are nonestandard. Weve had little breaches like this in the past, like hagrid in the HP sets, but not whole lines built without the standard minifig. Detailed figs with new accessories dont bother me. The clown can trade his horn for the cheerleaders pompoms and she in turn can trade for the hoplites spear, everything fits with everything. Although I love the classic smiley (and all its incarnations) I must say I enjoy making an army where no two soldiers have the same face. Likewise i think the original scale-mail torsos were a little drab(my favorite era is the vikings ) . There is a piont of going overboard, but as long as it fits the standard I'll buy it. Besides, have you seen the rediculously over-detailed double-printed redcoats!? THEY'RE AWSOME!!!

[TheBohrok]

I think LEGO moved away from simplicity a long time ago, but I do understand where you guys are coming from. I too dislike the new Boba Fett figure, but I'd say LEGO's been doing a good job with the Star Wars characters (except the Clone Wars, of course) and minfigures overall. I actually like most of the minifigures in the coming collector's line, and hope to get most of them. Also, I have no problem with the Toy Story figures, either. Even though they have long arms similar to Hagrid's and Jabba's, they don't look far out there or non-LEGO. Also, there are the little green army men who are standard LEGO figures, so the line isn't completely devoid of them.

I guess what I'm saying is, is that while LEGO may sometimes go overboard with the intricacies of the printing and molded pieces, there are still many traditionally well-designed, simple-but-effective minifigs coming out as well. And hey, when I saw pictures of those Wild West cowboys for the first time as a kid, I got so excited for them and just had to have those sets. Some of these detailed figures may be exciting kids today in the same way, and I think that's cool

[albero78]

Well that's a good topic.
I remember well when the "new faces" were introduced in the first pirate line.
I was young and I really liked it and it was clear that LEGO was taking the first step in a new direction: indeed there were the usual smiles, as someone already remind.
Then of course they did a lot and they reached high-detailed minifigs torso, faces and accessories as everybody knows and my thought is: as far as LEGO keep its style, for me it's good. And actually, think about all the different possibilities that we've had with the new faces: we gave feelings to our minifigs in our mocs, it has been easier to tell a story and to give "life" to our MOCs (just think about the "scared" face).

There are very nice examples of very well done high detailed minifigs, according to me:
- Dr Jones is very similar to Sean Connery: it's a very good minifig. All my friends, even if they aren't into LEGO at all, recognize him immediately when I show it. Indiana Jones is great too.
- some Star Wars minifigs are very well done: darth vader as an example, but also basic stormtroopers. Some years ago, lets say 8-10, it wasn't imaginable to have such figs.
- to come back to castle: I adore the very neat faces of crownies soldiers. They are simple if you want but I prefer them to the classic smiles.
- and what about the viking faces or the shadows under the eyes of the orcs' faces?

I admit I love such kind of details but, as I said, as far as they remain LEGOish and, from this is point of view, TLC is doing a good job.

[miniflea84]

I actually really like seeing what new and detailed minifigs Lego releases. I'm really exited for the line of collectable figs, and while I'm not a huge fan of Woody I absolutely love Buzz and the alien and the army men (which are classic figs only green) and I'm a bit surprised by the amount of vitriol here. Its not like classic figs are going anywhere. The cafe corner line, for example, features figs that all have classic smilies. I don't mean to sound insulting to anyone but it honestly sounds like a group of grumpy old men bellyaching about change.

[LEGOFREAK]

ok, so i dont really feel compelled to post all that often, but this is a topic that I LOVE. while I understand that people don't like change (in general.. jeez remember the debates on fleshies??) IMO you have to understand that a company needs to grow and change.
If no change, then we'd still be playing with these guys

as far as the details, and accessories go - dang - bring more! now, i dont want my minifigs to change physically - and I am totally on board with the comment about mutant giant minifigs, but really? details? heck, I bet you could buy lots of old figs from your favorite genre/year out there. Or tell you what I've got about a hundred thousand minifigs (ok, maybe a little exageration there - but recently my daughter had a school project where they had to send in 1000 things in a bag and give clues as to what was in the bag... we sent minifig heads. (no one guessed) ) buy the new ones and i'll swap you.
and btw - i still have about a half a dozen of these old figs. and they're from sets I had when I was a kid. - no point to that bit, just like to throw it in there.

anywhoo - change is good. otherwise we'd be playing with wooden ducks and lame fire trucks...

remember the idea book where it came with stickers? man that thing was great. I'd always wanted to see a cd/sticker set - you know where you could print classic torsos, or design your own?