LEGO Collectable Minifgures versus traditional themes?

[Dorayaki]

After several series of LEGO CMF, actually something happens to be strange with their catalogue, and that is the theme.

Sometimes I'm not sure if LEGO group had picked the right minifigues to be produced, which can conform the purpose or uniquness of CMF: those minifigues are so unique that different from any themes. But inevitably, some popular topics laterly beome true themes. This is a problem that LEGO must face with their creaivity.

Here are examples I can think, some of them might be picky. If some are incorrect or untold, please inform.

Cowboy/ Cowgirl/ Gangster/ Bandit: the Cowboys theme ended in 1997 and remade in 2002. It's a considerable theme to be continued even though some characters are similar with Mr Jones.

Tribal Hunter/ Tribal Chief: the Indian theme ended in 1997 and remade in 2002.

Spaceman/ Space Villain/ Intergalactic Girl/ Galaxy Patrol/ Space Alien/ Classic Alien/ Evil Female Alien: the intermittent Space theme in LEGO history. The amount shows that how LEGO stress on this theme with CMF.

Forestman/ Evil Knight/ Evil Dwarf: roles that appeared in Castle theme.

Deep Sea Diver: doing with some City coast or the ended Atlantis theme.

Nurse/ Surgeon: if LEGO do more with City hospital themes, we might see them there.

Ninja/ Samurai: the old Japanese Castle theme and the ongoing Ninjago story.

Zombie/ Vampire/ Werewolf/ The Monster: mostly included in the old Studio theme and the recent Monster Fighter theme, though the werewolf was a different version.

Witch: a job that often appear in Castle themes or Harry Potter world.

Explorer: actually a very common role in many adventure action themes (maybe we need a middle-aged female professor that doesn't study archeology).

Pharaoh/ Egyptian Queen: they can fit in Pharaoh's Quest theme, though the theme din't relate to local living people.

Lifeguard/ Surfer/ Hula Dancer: except possible future City coast sets, they must fit in the old Paradise theme if it can be continued today.

Race Car Driver: uh, need explanation?

Crazy Scientist: also a common role in adventure action themes.

Viking/ Viking Woman: the Vikings theme ended in 2007.

Hockey Player/ Football Player/ Snowboarder: included in theme Sports ended in 2003.

Actually it's a dilemma if LEGO should make creative themes that must include the previous CMFs in their new sets. For example, LEGO want to launch City school themes and take back the cheerleader and some sport elites in their sets, which means they still need to focus on traditional sets before CMFs. At the same time, CMFs has to be unique so that they can't be lauched with a theme or in an independent product.

And in another way, both the theme and the CMF can use their story or special ideas to differentiate their minifig characters, and they have to avoid putting stereotype or generic characteristics. For example, Samurai Nya is much different from traditional Samurai minifigs.

Edited July 12, 2012 by Dorayaki

[Lyichir]

Your post was a little bit hard to follow (no offense). Were you trying to ask whether LEGO would have difficulty making similar themes in the future without retreading figures from the Collectable Minifigures line?

If so, I think the Monster Fighters theme should be able to put those concerns to rest. It manages to recreate a number of the monsters from the Collectable Minifigures line while keeping them unique and different. I have no doubt LEGO could do the same if they wanted to make a full theme of any of the things you listed.

For instance, the Western CMFs so far are a great deal "grittier" than the classic Western figs, using color sparingly in favor of more dark colors and earth tones. A future Western theme could feature more color, like an updated version of the classic theme, thus keeping the more "realistic" Western figs exclusive to the CMF line.

The Space CMFs are sort of the opposite: in many cases they evoke the colorful, optimistic Classic Space era. LEGO can differentiate their future space themes either by proposing a more realistic, modern day space adventure, like Life on Mars, or by going for a grittier, darker space theme like Rock Raiders.

So in general, I don't think the CMFs portraying a wide variety of themes limits LEGO's options in any way, nor do I think the CMFs will stop being unique if LEGO does decide to build a theme around such characters.

[Dorayaki]

If so, I think the Monster Fighters theme should be able to put those concerns to rest. It manages to recreate a number of the monsters from the Collectable Minifigures line while keeping them unique and different. I have no doubt LEGO could do the same if they wanted to make a full theme of any of the things you listed.

For instance, the Western CMFs so far are a great deal "grittier" than the classic Western figs, using color sparingly in favor of more dark colors and earth tones. A future Western theme could feature more color, like an updated version of the classic theme, thus keeping the more "realistic" Western figs exclusive to the CMF line.

The Space CMFs are sort of the opposite: in many cases they evoke the colorful, optimistic Classic Space era. LEGO can differentiate their future space themes either by proposing a more realistic, modern day space adventure, like Life on Mars, or by going for a grittier, darker space theme like Rock Raiders.

So in general, I don't think the CMFs portraying a wide variety of themes limits LEGO's options in any way, nor do I think the CMFs will stop being unique if LEGO does decide to build a theme around such characters.

Generally we know a theme don't just include minifigs but also buildings and vehicles, and I think the bricks of Monster Fighter are outstanding. I somewhat still hope that they can pay new changes and ideas of characters, though I still have an interest to buy.

For old themes such as Western or Vikings, we don't know if LEGO have a interest in remaking or reintroducing, so maybe it's okay to make the minifigs here even if now we don't have their buildings and parts.

I do like the fact that LEGO made some different tries in recent Space subthemes, so maybe we don't have to see the collectible minifigs in their next Space time.

And sorry for bad expression if making you misunderstood.

Edited July 17, 2012 by Dorayaki

[Rogue Angel]

It is inevitable that most CMFs can be associated with an existing theme. I believe that the goal of the CMF line is to present a selection of figures somewhat independent of the existing themes. This provides a stand alone collectible for those looking to only buy the CMFs, it gives a great starting point for those just getting into Lego, and it augments a lot of the existing themes. I don't think Lego will ever base a theme off a CMF figure(s) although there may be somethong similar (Monster Fighters)

[Blondie-Wan]

Cowboy/ Cowgirl/ Gangster/ Bandit: the Cowboys theme ended in 1997 and remade in 2002. It's a considerable theme to be continued even though some characters are similar with Mr Jones.

You associate the *gangster* with the Wild West theme? Really? Isn't it much more of a City-type character?

Also, by "Mr. Jones" do you mean Indiana Jones? If so, I assume you're really just talking about the hat and the gun(s), perhaps doing the same with the gangster. That's kind of a tenuous connection...

Edited July 19, 2012 by Blondie-Wan

[Dorayaki]

You associate the *gangster* with the Wild West theme? Really? Isn't it much more of a City-type character?

Also, by "Mr. Jones" do you mean Indiana Jones? If so, I assume you're really just talking about the hat and the gun(s), perhaps doing the same with the gangster. That's kind of a tenuous connection...

Oh, I admit that it was a bad metaphor. I thought I'd mean the smililarity between hero themes.

And if gangsters are more like early Shanghai style in Indiana series, I'm not sure if they can appear in normal City themes.

Edited July 19, 2012 by Dorayaki

[HawkLord]

Well, if I'm following this correctly, the question is how should CMF fit in with the themes/sets they are most closely linked to. To be honest, I think the CMF are unique, to some degree, and compliment their respective themes just fine.

The OP referenced the idea that Lego might want to make a school set to incorporate the CMF Cheerleader and possibly the CMF sports characters. I don't think Lego needs to be concerned with this. The CMF Cheerleader and sports figures are generic enough that they could fit in other City displays, you wouldn't neccessarily need a school to showcase them.

In the end, the CMF line should just be an assortment of "greatest hit" style figures mixed in with alittle creative effort that stands alone or can be added to respective themes. As we're coming on Series 8, I'd say they're doing great so far.

[lifeinplastic]

I think the minifigure series are manufactured because the minifigure is a very popular element of the Lego brand and therefore sells well. Having a wide range of themes allows the product to appeal to a wide audience and collectors of a specific theme may buy some of the items they wouldn't usually due to the idea that as they are collectible, the consumer needs to complete each series.

Some of the figures are based on previous themes, which allows Lego to somewhat appease fans of certain themese which are no longer in production (e.g, the Ninja or Viking). Other figures allow Lego to test the water as to how successful a prospective new theme could be based on the popularity of a particular figure. For example, the popularity of the early Halloween-style figures paved the way for Monster Fighters. Other figures may be released because they work well as individual figures and would not really fit in any particular themed set, such as the Leprechaun. Finally, other figures complement themes currently available (Alien Conquest, Atlantis, Pharoah's Quest...)

I believe that variety make the Minifigures series so appealing. It is interesting to read 'favourite figure, threads as everybody's opinion differs. As a Town fan, I do like the Sports figures as Sport plays a significant role in everday role and these figures would not really appear in a nirmal City set. Likewise, musical instruments, although I feel these are something the minifigure series has lacked, particularly as these are also figures which would probably not work well in a normal set as they do not allow a great deal of playability, etc. The same goes for World Cultures but nice to see these being represented whereas they would not usually appear.

Edited July 19, 2012 by lifeinplastic

[Dorayaki]

The OP referenced the idea that Lego might want to make a school set to incorporate the CMF Cheerleader and possibly the CMF sports characters. I don't think Lego needs to be concerned with this. The CMF Cheerleader and sports figures are generic enough that they could fit in other City displays, you wouldn't neccessarily need a school to showcase them.

In Mosnter fighter and Ninjago's example, honestly their pieces and styles are mostly the same and LEGO might just make different torso prints. If it's for generic characters like a cheer member, it wouldn't be too obvious.