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Posted

So, I've been working on a project for LEGO Ideas, or at least a Stud.io MOC series: a multipack remaking the most iconic set for each LEGO constraction line with modern pieces and engineering. Thing is, I need help determining which are the most iconic sets.

First, a few guidelines for what I'm looking for:

  • Only one set/character per line - so no multipacks (the project is stacked as it is).
  • Some criteria I believe may define a set/character as "iconic": the main or most recurring character of the franchise, the "advertisement poster boy" (i.e.: the one who is picked to represent the line or show off the gimmicks in the commercials, posters or promotional material when they can't show every set), the one that's most recognizable to non-fans (i.e.: when you talk to someone of this line, what character/set immediately pops to their mind?) or a fan-favorite set.
  • Stick to the first year, if possible from the first wave, of each line - with one exception (more on that later).
  • LEGO original IPs ONLY. No licensed lines.

Here's what I've got so far:

  • Slizers/Throwbots: while at first I thought Scorch/Fire or Sub/Scuba would be more appropriate, it seems Jungle/Amazon is the most recurring or focused one in promo material.
  • RoboRiders: it seems Power is the main focus of the commercials - at least the first one they focus one before showing the other canister sets.
  • Dinosaurs: I'm going with the Brachiosaurus for being the main focus of this commercial - also the Tyrannosaurus Rex is too similar to the System version, and a dino already repeated multiple times across Creator and Jurassic Park/World.
  • BIONICLE (G1): no question here, it's Tahu; there's a reason "the red one" is a meme.
  • Knights' Kingdom (II): again, no question, Jayko. He's the main character throughout the entire line, and alongside Vladek the only one to return in the final wave.
  • Hero Factory: here's a bit of an ironic divide. Marketing or recognizability-wise it's an even split between Preston Stormer and William Furno - leaning slightly towards the latter -; popularity-wise, however, one of the villains like Von Nebula, XPlode or Corroder would be a better pick.
  • BIONICLE (G2): and here's the exception - by the standards I've set up I'd probably pick Tahu again, but I'd rather choose something that's more unique to this continuity. So, I'm flexing a bit on the "first year/wave" rule, or breaking it altogether. As such, so far I might pick one of the Skull Villains - it seems Skull Basher or Skull Slicer are the most liked, or at least the least controversial - or Umarak the Hunter.

And a few runner-ups or maybes which definitely need your opinion on whether they should be included at all:

  • Galidor: which one is not a problem - Nick Deluxe is the go-to representation of the line, including in modern homages. The issue is whether it's a LEGO IP or a license, as I've heard conflicting accounts on that. I personally think it's an original IP, since they helped fund the show and can clearly still throw references to the line in modern sets without worrying about a lawsuit, but I'd appreciate a confirmation.
  • Exo-Force: again the one to pick isn't the problem: the "poster boy" position is even between Hikaru and Takeshi, and the City line already modernized the Stealth Hunter, so I'm going with Grand Titan. However, the question is if it counts as a constraction line, since it's mostly a System line with minifigure characters not unlike Ninjago, Nexo Knights or Monkie Kid. Personally, I think it counts, as to me the characters' presentation is as important to define constraction as the building itself, and in that Exo-Force is much closer to contraction than System: while even licensed lines show the minifigures as the characters, the Exo-Force storyline and most promo material treats them as actual humans/robots and the minifigures as just necessary stylizations for the toys - much like Knights' Kingdom II, BIONICLE 2003-2005 or Hero Factory: Invasion From Below, where the buildable figures are the default representation of the characters and the System minifigures are just approximations at the System scale. Not to mention the articulated mechs are the central part of the line instead of just one (very popular) aspect of it. Still, I'm aware including them would open the floodgates to other mech or creature-heavy lines, so I really need your help with this one.
  • Legends of Chima: this one has the opposite problem of Exo-Force - while there are constraction figures, they're best described as CCBS adaptations of the minifigures from a System line. Still, it's the last non-licensed CCBS line, so I wonder if it doesn't deserve to still be represented. As for my pick, it'd be either CHI Laval or CHI Cragger, as their friendship-turned-rivalry is the main driving force of season 1 and they're the only recurring characters of the CCBS subline.

So, any that I missed? Any you think would be a better fit for a line? And what about the maybes?

Posted

It really seems that you have already done your research, Throwing it out to the global think tank may well cause more harm than good given that you are starting with a broad range in your original idea.

My advice would be to settle on one figure from one line and get to work. Things will change and evolve and that may well lead you to a natural second choice, and so on.

I would also say that you may do best to stick with non minifig lines as trying for such a broad appeal will probably harm the chances on lego ideas.

You can always sell your designs on rebrickable, mine dont make me rich but they do afford me free bricks to keep on building.

 

Good Luck!

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