Lego Collectible Minifigures by Nationality

[Itaria No Shintaku]

Hello.

Many have tried to classify minifigures for many criteria. Today I collected and classified them for nationality.

Some of them have been tricky, but here's my results.

I highlitghted the ones who are less disputable.

UPDATED 07/04/2013

S1

Tribal Hunter - USA

Cheerleader - USA

Caveman- HRV (first Neanderthal was found in Croatia)

Clown - LAT (Coco the Clown)

Zombie - HAI

Skater - USA

Robot - ITA(First design of a Robot by Leonardo da Vinci)

Demolition Dummy - USA

Magician - HUN (Houdini)

Wrestler - MEX (Blue Demon)

Nurse - UK (Florence Nightingale)

Spaceman - RUS (Yuri Gagarin)

Forestman - UK (Robin Hood)

Deep Sea Diver - FRA (Jacques Cousteau)

Cowboy - USA

Ninja - JAP

S2

Spartan Warrior - GRE

Life Guard - USA (Pamela Anderson)

Witch - USA (Wicked Witch of the West)

Pop Star - USA (Madonna)

Weight Lifter - TUR (Naim Süleymanoğlu)

Ringmaster - UK (G.C. Lockhart)

Explorer - UK (H.M. Stanley)

Karate Master - JAP

Surfer - USA

Pharaoh - EGY

Vampire - ROM

Traffic Cop - USA (Frank Poncherello)

Mime - FRA (Marcel Marceau)

Skier - SWE (Ingemar Stenmark)

Disco Dude - USA

Maraca Man - MEX

S3

Hula Dancer - USA

Race Car Driver - DEU (Michael Schumacher)

Tribal Chief - USA

Samurai Warrior - JAP

Tennis Player - DEU (Steffi Graf)

Sumo Wrestler - JAP

Baseball Player - USA (Babe Ruth)

Fisherman - CHI (Greatest in Fishing Industry)

Elf - UK (for JRR Tolkien)

Rapper - USA

Space Alien - UK (for HG Wells)

Gorilla Suit Guy - USA (Charles Gemora)

Mummy - EGY

Snowboarder - USA (Lindsey Jacobellis)

Space Villain - USA (from Hollywood Industry)

Pilot - USA (Charles Lindbergh)

S4

Artist - ESP (Pablo Picasso)

Crazy Scientist - USA (Dr. Strangelove)

Hazmat Guy - UKR (from Chernobyl)

Hockey Player - CAN

Ice Skater - USA (Michelle Kwan)

Kimono Girl - JAP

Lawn Gnome - NED (Wil Hugen)

The Monster - DEU (Although Mary Shelley wasn't German, the Monster was)

Musketeer - FRA

Punk Rocker - UK (Wattie Buchan)

Sailor - USA

Street Skater - USA

Soccer Player - ARG (Diego Maradona)

Surfer Girl - USA

Viking - NOR

Werewolf - UK

S5

Boxer - USA (Sugar Ray Robinson)

Cave Woman - HRV

Detective - UK (Sherlock Holmes)

Egyptian Queen - EGY (Cleopatra)

Evil Dwarf - UK (for JRR Tolkien)

Fitness Instructor - USA (J.S. Missett)

Gangster - USA (Al Capone)

Gladiator - ITA

Graduate - ITA (University of Bologna is the anciest university)

Lizard Man - JAP (for Godzilla)

Lumberjack - CAN

Ice Fisherman - DEN (for Greenland is part of Denmark)

Royal Guard - UK

Small Clown - USA (for Laurel and Hardy)

Snowboarder Guy - USA (Shaun White)

Zookeeper - USA (Dian Fossey)

S6

Bandit - USA

Butcher - UK (Inventors of Butcher's guild)

Classic Alien - UK (for HG Wells)

Clockwork Robot - USA (Robert the Robot)

Genie - SAU

Flamenco Dancer - ESP

Highland Battler - UK

Intergalactic Girl - RUS (fValentina Tereshkova)

Lady Liberty - USA (although disputed with FRA)

Leprechaun - IRL

Mechanic - USA (James Dean)

Minotaur - GRE

Roman Soldier - ITA

Skater Girl - USA

Surgeon - IND (Inventors of surgery)

Sleepyhead - USA (for Teddy Bear)

S7

Aztec Warrior - MEX

Bagpiper - UK

Bride - ITA (Inventors of Weddings)

Bunny Suit Guy - DEU (Inventors of Easter Bunny)

Computer Programmer - USA (Bill Gates)

Daredevil - USA (Evel Knievel)

Evil Knight - UK

Galaxy Patrol - USA (Warhammer 40K)

Grandma Visitor - FRA (Inventors of the Red Riding Hood Tale)

Hippie - USA (Woodstock)

Jungle Boy - CON (Tarzan's country - Disputed)

Ocean King - GRE

Rocker Girl - USA (Cindy Lauper)

Swimming Champion - DEU (Kornelia Ender / Kristin Otto)

Tennis Ace - USA (Pancho Gonzales)

Viking Woman - NOR

S8

Thespian - UK (William Shakespeare)

Lederhosen Guy - DEU (disputed with AUT)

Conquistador - ESP (Hernan Cortes)

Cowgirl - USA

Diver - RUS (Inventors of that kind of Diving Suit)

DJ - CAN (Reginald Fessenden)

Evil Robot - USA (Robby the Robot)

Alien Villainess - UK (for HG Wells)

Fairy - ITA (creators of Winged Fairies)

Football Player - USA (Peyton Manning)

Pirate Captain - UK (Captain Hook)

Red Cheerleader - USA

Santa - FIN (Country who receives more letters for Santa at Christmas, Country holding Santa's House)

Downhill Skier - AUT (Annemarie Moser-Proll)

Businessman - UK

Vampire Bat - ROM

S9

Alien Avenger - USA (Warhammer 40K)

Mr. Good and Evil - UK (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)

Chicken Suit Guy - USA (Ted Giannoulas)

Heroic Knight - UK

Waiter - FRA

Roman Emperor - ITA

Cyclops - GRE

Mermaid - GRE

Policeman - USA

Fortune Teller - ROM

Judge - UK

Plumber - ITA (Mario)

Battle Mech - JAP (Gundam)

Hollywood Starlet - USA (Marylin Monroe)

Forest Maiden - UK (Lady Marion)

Roller Derby Girl - USA

S10

Librarian - USA (Amy Farrah Fowler)

Medusa - GRE

Roman Commander - ITA

Warrior Woman - GRE

Tomahawk Warrior - USA

Skydiver - ITA (inventors of Parachute)

Bumblebee Girl - JAP (Mitsubachi Maya no Boken)

Grandpa - JAP (oldest man in history is Japanese)

Paintballer - USA

Sea Captain - FRA (Captain Nemo)

Sad Mime - ITA (Pierrot)

Revolutionary Soldier - USA

Baseball Fielder - USA

Trendsetter - USA (Paris Hilton)

Decorator - UK (creators of Decorator's guild)

Motorcycle Mechanic - USA (Jack Kerouac)

TOTAL:

1) USA (58)

2) UK (27)

3) ITA (10)

4) JAP (9)

5) GRE (8)

6) DEU (6)

6) FRA (6)

8) EGY (3)

8) ROM (3)

8) CAN (3)

8) MEX (3)

8) ESP (3)

HRV, UKR, NOR, RUS (2)

HAI, HUN, FIN, SWE, AUT, LAT, NED, ARG, DEN, SAU, IRL, IND, CHI, TUR (1)

Edited April 9, 2013 by Itaria No Shintaku
Tags Adjusted; Indexed

[Wardancer]

Interesting.

Can there be such a thing as "inventor of nurses"? I mean, was there really a point in history when someone said. "OK, how bout this? We let women take care of sick people!"

Funny that the Alien Queen belongs to the UK. Didn't know colonialism did reach outer space.

I thought the trendsetter was Paris Hilton?

Well, all this is quite debatable, but I guess you know that.

Italy invented the wedding? Seriously. Not bad, not bad.

The Motorcycle mechanic goes back to Gottfried Daimler. Muhahaha!

Yeah, looks just like him:

The robot should be linked to Isaac Asimov. If you start going back to etymological roots, then everything would become Latin I guess.

Edited April 2, 2013 by Wardancer

[Itaria No Shintaku]

Can there be such a thing as "inventor of nurses"? I mean, was there really a point in history when someone said. "OK, how bout this? We let women take care of sick people!"

Florence of Nightingale was Swiss, plus the usual symbol for nurses, the white cross on red foreground, is the swiss national flag because of that.

Funny that the Alien Queen belongs to the UK. Didn't know colonialism did reach outer space.

I thought I didn't have to repeat me that it was for HG Wells's contribute.

I thought the trendsetter was Paris Hilton?

No doubt the most famous female trendsetter ever has been Coco Chanel.

Well, all this is quite debatable, but I guess you know that.

Yes, but only if vaild arguments are raised.

Italy invented the wedding? Seriously. Not bad, not bad.

The christian ritual, with that white dressing was invented by the Roman Catholic.

The Motorcycle mechanic goes back to Gottfried Daimler. Muhahaha!

It was an homage to the inventor of the motorcycle. And he's Gottlieb not "Gottfried".

The robot should be linked to Isaac Asimov. If you start going back to etymological roots, then everything would become Latin I guess.

Yes, this can be a valid argument, actually, the first you had. Changed.

Edited April 2, 2013 by Itaria No Shintaku

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Santa is from Finland? I thought the historical Saint Nicholas was the Bishop of Turkey. On the other hand, my Canadian wife insists that Santa is from Canada since the North Pole is geographically in their territory. On the other-other hand, Santa's red and white suit is a distinctly American look.

So...I don't know.

[Itaria No Shintaku]

Santa is from Finland? I thought the historical Saint Nicholas was the Bishop of Turkey. On the other hand, my Canadian wife insists that Santa is from Canada since the North Pole is geographically in their territory. On the other-other hand, Santa's red and white suit is a distinctly American look.

So...I don't know.

Santa is said to live in Rovaniemi, Finland.

Also, they also built http://en.wikipedia....a_Claus_Village this.

Actually, the oringinal Saint Nicholas was Bishop in Turkey, yes, but was Greek/Italian, he rests in Bari (IT).

I added the thing in the list.

Edited April 2, 2013 by Itaria No Shintaku

[Itaria No Shintaku]

I hope not to spawn hate bytheway.

Edited April 2, 2013 by Itaria No Shintaku

[-GZ-]

This classification is quite an interesting thing. Some of the figs were especially made to represent different national traditions, costumes, music, sports and so. But some are really international and it seems funny to write here the name of the first country where such a thing was introduced, especially for ancient jobs like clowns (Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh is truly ancient and Egyptian, but S1 or S5 clowns surely look much more modern). Of course it is interesting that there are even some 'Russian' ones although I think that fantasy or Sci-Fi figs shouldn't be classified here at all. About the diving suit, I didn't know that it was a Russian invention.)

[Wardancer]

Sorry, I did not want to belittle the research you have put into this.

I just wanted to mention that it is very difficult to identify a single source for cultural stereotypical figures. In some cases, different criteria might lead to different results. Take the mechanic for example. Of course Daimler is sort of a root for that in terms of a history of technology. But did he really shape the image of the mechanic with tattoos and all that? For me, the CMF mechanic looks like a hells angel (rocker club). Maybe the image of the mechanic was mainly shaped by Hollywood in the mid of the 20th century, when biker movies came up.

The same is true for what I said about asimov. Mechanical people have been in literature at least since ETA Hoffmann in German dark romanticism. These would have classified as robots if the term would have existed. Instead they were called "automat".

The color scheme of Santa is an invention the Coca Cola Company.

[Itaria No Shintaku]

Sorry, I did not want to belittle the research you have put into this.

I accept your apologizes, but you were a bit harsh don't you think?

I just wanted to mention that it is very difficult to identify a single source for cultural stereotypical figures. In some cases, different criteria might lead to different results. Take the mechanic for example. Of course Daimler is sort of a root for that in terms of a history of technology. But did he really shape the image of the mechanic with tattoos and all that? For me, the CMF mechanic looks like a hells angel (rocker club). Maybe the image of the mechanic was mainly shaped by Hollywood in the mid of the 20th century, when biker movies came up.

Since one can't state where this kind of mechanic spawned first, I wanted to homage who gave the mechanics a reason to be: Daimler. If it wasn't for him, none of this mechanic would have ever shown up.

The same is true for what I said about asimov. Mechanical people have been in literature at least since ETA Hoffmann in German dark romanticism. These would have classified as robots if the term would have existed. Instead they were called "automat".

I believe "automats" lacked AI, which a Robot has. But I can be wrong on this. TLG stated that's a Robot not an automat.

The color scheme of Santa is an invention the Coca Cola Company.

Everybody know that, but we're talking about the fig, not the color pattern.

[pillpod]

This an interesting topic. I think the whole thing is open to interpretation on many levels. Do you classify something as A because a person from A invented it? OR classify that same figure as B because B made it famous/what it is today?

There are a bunch I'm not really sure about. Several of the minifigures are given to countries that "invented" the topic of the minifigure, yet you gave fishing to Chile because they're good at it? Same for the tennis players.

You gave gorilla suit guy to the country with most gorillas yet didn't give chicken suit guy to China, who has the most chickens. Same with bunny suit guy, and even lizard guy (even though I agree with the Godzilla thing).

Librarian seems a little far-fetched. She doesn't seem in any way related to the reason you gave.

Jungle boy is iffy.

I can see the Sailor going to the USA because of the enormous navy but why not give it to the inventors of sailing?

I think you did an okay job. But it would be better if you stayed consistent with how you distributed the classifications.

[8BrickMario]

This is quite a unique topic! I think it is interesting, as (besides the Royal Guard and Football Player) I never thought of the cultural origins of these characters!

[JeagerEX]

The Red Cheerleader is USA, but she supposed to be Japan.

[Churchill]

Yeah, why does the chicken suit guy go to the US? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go pick up my Chicken Suit from the dry cleaners.

[TrumpetKing]

The Red Cheerleader is USA, but she supposed to be Japan.

And how on Earth did you come to this decision? I hate to be rude, but other than her outfit being Japan's national colors, there is no implication at all! Just because her colors are Japan's, doesn't mean she is from Japan. Once again, I hate to be rude, but if that logic was followed, then the Series 1 Cheerleader would be from Greece or Finland! I think the general idea is that cheerleaders have become a bit of symbolism for the United States.

[Pop Bumper Pete]

We need some Australian minifigs

[theDeanoRama]

It could be argued that the tribal series (including tomahawk warrior) are north american rather than a single country and I think Santa (Sinterklaas) could be attributed to the Netherlands and "Name Day" (also wore red, just not the traditional red suit you see him in now, which would be coke based as mentioned above).

A red and white cheeleader can only be from Canada though! OK maybe not but we need some Canadian representation here :P

Edited April 3, 2013 by theDeanoRama

[Yooha]

I have to admit, most of these nationalities are quit "forced" to me. There are nurses, clowns, weight lifters, ringmasters, etc.. everywhere, but noone knows where these professionals were "invented". OK, ninja, forestman, or maracan man is connected strongly to one country or nation, and it would make sense to count only those, but most of these minifigs don't, no offense.

It is like making a statistic, how many minifig's official name starts with letter "a", or seeing a color pattern in every series

Thanks for Houdini though.

UPDATE: Oh, I read the whole list after all. Although a still find it forced, it is good for learn such things as the place where surgery was invented, or that Frankenstein's monster wa german. Was "it" put together from german corpses or what?

Some notes:

Which country is HAI for the zombie? I couldn't find it out.

Forestman = Robin Hood who is definitely English. (lack of highlight only)

The Lumberjack is Canadian to me.

The Highlander and Bagpiper are not only British but Scottish!

Edited April 3, 2013 by Yooha

[Itaria No Shintaku]

I have to admit, most of these nationalities are quit "forced" to me. There are nurses, clowns, weight lifters, ringmasters, etc.. everywhere, but noone knows where these professionals were "invented".

I don't mean to be rude, but:

Nurses were invented by Florence Nightingale, and it's also cleatrly written in her wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale

Clowns are related to the ancient egypt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown#History_of_clowns )

Weight lifting has been invented by the Greeks ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_Lifting#History )

And the circus has been invented by the Romans ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus#History )

Most of these things I already knew, but if I don't I did my research. I don't like people discrediting other without pieces of information, sorry.

OK, ninja, forestman, or maracan man is connected strongly to one country or nation, and it would make sense to count only those, but most of these minifigs don't, no offense.

It is like making a statistic, how many minifig's official name starts with letter "a", or seeing a color pattern in every series

Thanks for Houdini though.

Your thoughts, but since you did miss the previous piece of info, I don't feel like proven wrong.

UPDATE: Oh, I read the whole list after all. Although a still find it forced, it is good for learn such things as the place where surgery was invented, or that Frankenstein's monster wa german. Was "it" put together from german corpses or what?

Actually, unless Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein wanted to go abroad collecting pieces of corpses of strangers...

Some notes:

Which country is HAI for the zombie? I couldn't find it out.

Haiti. Zombies are product of Haitian Voodoo culture.

Forestman = Robin Hood who is definitely English. (lack of highlight only)

The Lumberjack is Canadian to me.

It's a country we can dispute it with, but that kind of lumberjack were stereotyped by americans first.

The Highlander and Bagpiper are not only British but Scottish!

I didn't put "England" but "UK". UK is still a nation, scottish is not a nationality (unless the forthcoming referendum says differently).

I would point that I am not shooting random things, I am a prepared person on antropology and when I wasn't prepared on a topic, I spent time doing my researches.

It could be argued that the tribal series (including tomahawk warrior) are north american rather than a single country and I think Santa (Sinterklaas) could be attributed to the Netherlands and "Name Day" (also wore red, just not the traditional red suit you see him in now, which would be coke based as mentioned above).

Actually, not.

Santa can be either Finnish or Greek.

Finnish if you think about the stereotypical Santa, who's said to live in Rovaniemi.

Also, Finland receives the most international letters for Santa. They don't go in the Netherlands, Canada, or other country. The go to Finland.

So Santa is definitively Finnish.

IF we want to dispute on the figure which originates Santa, it's widespread know as St.Nicholas, who was Greek / Italian.

Sorry, but taking other country into the fathership of Santa is very inventive.

Yeah, why does the chicken suit guy go to the US? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go pick up my Chicken Suit from the dry cleaners.

Oh, very easy, I refered myself to a classic widespread American Chicken Suit stereotype:

[Yooha]

I didn't put "England" but "UK". UK is still a nation, scottish is not a nationality (unless the forthcoming referendum says differently).

I would point that I am not shooting random things, I am a prepared person on antropology and when I wasn't prepared on a topic, I spent time doing my researches.

I hope Sean Connery won't read this because he will be offended strongly:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_people

"The Scottish people (Scots Gaelic: Albannaich), or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland." I guess they are a nation so they do have nationality.

I know you didn't write England but UK, that's why I wrote "not only British", not "not British". Scottish people are British of course, beside being Scottish. And definitely not English :) But a UK citizen will surely correct me if I'm wrong.

And I think UK is not a nation. UK is a country, people living their are British and I think must of them distinguish themselves as Englishmen, Scottish, Welsh, etc...

But using a more "simple" example, Italy is a country, Italians (like you) living there are the Italian nation together. So Italy is not a nation as well, the people are.

Hungary is not a nation either. Hungarian is.

And yes, I didn't know which proffesional was invented where, and I didn't say that you are wrong. I just said that these are not well known pieces of information. Noone sees a modern weighlifter saying "oh, a typical greek!"

Peace!

[Wardancer]

We need some Australian minifigs

Interesting that so awesome a country is not represented here. Steve Irvin and Aboriginals come to mind, but besides that?

Applying some of the methods used in this thread, we can maybe say that all LOTR figs are Australian because the movies were made in New Zealand.

[Yooha]

Australian: A man in safari outfit with those "assymetric hat" and a boomerang. Or with a baby kangoroo.

http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/itemimages/226/872/226872_large.jpg

Or a Crocodile Dundee-like figure with a HUGE knife and a baby crocodile.

And New Zealand is not Australia!!! (I mean the country)

[robuko]

Good topic, let controversy follow!

Actually, unless Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein wanted to go abroad collecting pieces of corpses of strangers...

The original creature was made at Ingolstadt, but Victor Frankenstein did nearly make a second creature as a bride, in Scotland. So yes, he did, but not for this fig.

Frankenstein himself was Swiss, so technically the first creature was made abroad too.

I know you love the accuracy in these details.

[Wardancer]

Oh, very easy, I refered myself to a classic widespread American Chicken Suit stereotype:

Is there any indication that this chicken is a chicken suit? I mean, who is in it? Quagmire? The chicken bleeds very normal, doesn't it? It looses feathers as well.

It might a clever trick by FG to turn the chicken suit stereotype back into a real chicken. This is just hard to prove. Either it being a chicken is evidence for it being a chicken OR for being a inverted imitation of a stereotype which itself has inverted a chicken into human form and is now double mirrored back into the original.

[Itaria No Shintaku]

I hope Sean Connery won't read this because he will be offended strongly:

http://en.wikipedia....Scottish_people

"The Scottish people (Scots Gaelic: Albannaich), or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland." I guess they are a nation so they do have nationality.

I know you didn't write England but UK, that's why I wrote "not only British", not "not British". Scottish people are British of course, beside being Scottish. And definitely not English :) But a UK citizen will surely correct me if I'm wrong.

And I think UK is not a nation. UK is a country, people living their are British and I think must of them distinguish themselves as Englishmen, Scottish, Welsh, etc...

But using a more "simple" example, Italy is a country, Italians (like you) living there are the Italian nation together. So Italy is not a nation as well, the people are.

Hungary is not a nation either. Hungarian is.

And yes, I didn't know which proffesional was invented where, and I didn't say that you are wrong. I just said that these are not well known pieces of information. Noone sees a modern weighlifter saying "oh, a typical greek!"

Peace!

Actually telling that one living in the UK is British is not correct.

This, in fact, excludes people from Northern Ireland, who live in UK but are not British, they're Irish.

Good topic, let controversy follow!

The original creature was made at Ingolstadt, but Victor Frankenstein did nearly make a second creature as a bride, in Scotland. So yes, he did, but not for this fig.

Frankenstein himself was Swiss, so technically the first creature was made abroad too.

I know you love the accuracy in these details.

I know Victor Frankenstein was born in Geneva, but he was German indeed. He moved young in age. ;)

Is there any indication that this chicken is a chicken suit? I mean, who is in it? Quagmire? The chicken bleeds very normal, doesn't it? It looses feathers as well.

It might a clever trick by FG to turn the chicken suit stereotype back into a real chicken. This is just hard to prove. Either it being a chicken is evidence for it being a chicken OR for being a inverted imitation of a stereotype which itself has inverted a chicken into human form and is now double mirrored back into the original.

You got me wrong.

The "Chicken Suit Guy" is clearly a Mascot for the Fast Food Industry, as represented in FG.

The world's largest Fast Food Industry is US, so this is my reason why

[pillpod]

I'm still not sure why there isn't much consistency in your choices.