Karalora

Historical accuracy is irrelevant because LEGO Castle is not Colonial Williamsburg. If it were supposed to be accurate history, it wouldn't be Lions vs. Dragons but France vs. England or what-have-you. If children are reduced to using LEGO sets to learn about the real Middle Ages (in which, anyway, women did more than you might think--don't be led astray by the revisionism handed down from the ultra-misogynistic Victorians), then something has already gone horribly wrong. You never get this sort of wailing and gnashing of teeth when the historical inaccuracies in the Pirates lines are brought up, so why do people get so prickly about Castle? The fantasy versions are more fun anyway. Armor too heavy for women? Hardly. Per Wikipedia, a full suit of steel plate armor weighs about 35-55 pounds. For people, male and female, who already lead a very physical lifestyle, as most medieval folk did, that's a routine amount to carry. Add another five-six pounds for a sword and shield (also a lot lighter in reality than some have been led to believe), and it's still not an outrageous amount for a properly conditioned woman. I think part of the problem is that people hear/read "woman" and think of the kind of women Hollywood likes to cast in leading roles, rather than the meatier (and not as cute) athletes such women would actually be. This next bit I have to quote directly, because it's just too bizarre... How, pray tell, does "a magic-user" dress? Wouldn't the actual attire depicted on the minifig speak for itself? A "sorceress" doesn't have to have a dress slit up one thigh and Doom Cleavage if LEGO doesn't design her that way. I think the mainstream market is less intimately acquainted with the paintings of Boris Vallejo than you seem to assume.

One of the complaints I often see about LEGO sets in the present day is that they're too specific to one purpose, as laid out in the single set of instructions. Kids may know on an intellectual level that they can rearrange the parts any way they like, but without inspiration they might have trouble getting started. The big exception, of course, is the Creator line--not the modular buildings but the regular sets, which come with instructions for three different models using most of the same parts. The obstacle there is that Creator might come across to kids as being kind of generic and less flashy than the licensed or adventure-focused themes like Disney Princess, Elves, Ninjago, and Superheroes. So...what if every major LEGO theme included at least one Creator-style set with instructions for alternate builds? Would this even be feasible given the specialized parts often used to give these themes their visual distinctiveness? Would it at least be worth a try?

Lind Whisperer, you are railing against arguments I didn't actually make. I never said no princess minifigs and I never said no red and gray. I'm asking for these other elements in addition to the traditional ones. The "historical accuracy" argument is not only up way past its bedtime, but completely irrelevant. LEGO Castle is not Colonial Williamsburg. If the idea of female knights gives you a history!sad, just don't play with those minifigs. There's no reason to deprive those of us, adults and children, who would like to have some. (Also, Princess Storm was in a past Castle line, which is why I specified a future Castle line.) You don't like "sorceress"* for that purpose? Do you have a better word for a female spellcaster on the side of good? Obviously you knew what I meant and you're just being contrary. Does that concept give you a history!sad too? Unlike all the male wizards which are perfectly historically accurate? * Dude, I'm an Eighties kid. The Sorceress was on the good guys' side.

In theory I agree, but I think there's lots of room for improvement to make a genuinely unisex theme. * More roles for female minifigs. It's easy to sell princess fantasies to little girls--so easy that it's arguably lazy. I would like to see at least one female knight in a future Castle line (without her having to also be a princess or the tired story element that she's hiding her gender), as well as a good sorceress in a fantasy theme. * More female minifigs in general. I theorize that one problem girls have getting into themes like Castle is that the female minifigs are usually reserved for the higher end sets, making it less likely that economy-minded parents will take a chance on the concept. * More color variety. I'm not asking for a return of the Jellybean Knights, but purple or light blue would be a good signature color for a "third faction" to attract more girls to the line. Or perhaps the third faction could build white or tan castles instead of the standard gray. The preponderance of red, royal blue, gray, and dark colors might make the line seem too "gritty" for girls who are used to seeing lighter, softer colors in toys intended for their gender. * More sets depicting peaceful activities instead of the majority being focused on combat scenarios. This would be a big draw for AFOLs too! We all love the Medieval Market Village!

2311 North Los Robles Avenue is the in-story address of the apartment building.

The comic book store seems the most likely, if for no other reason than to include a new character minifig (Stewart). The first set already includes the entire core cast. I sure would like to see sets of Penny's apartment and the hallway, though--and link all three up together into a 2311 North Los Robles Avenue mega-set!

Awesome work on those skyscrapers! I'm from the L.A. area too (North Hollywood at present) and recognized them instantly! Nice to see another Angeleno on these boards! If you're still developing the model, I think the ocean water could use some texture. Impressions of waves, foam at the edges, etc.

As both an AFOL and an ardent feminist, I hold this subject very dear. To me, the biggest issue with the girl-oriented themes is not the colors or the minidolls or even the more domesticated scenarios, but that the advertising downplays the building aspect. The most meritorious thing about LEGO as a toy is the way building with the bricks develops a child's skills in 3-D spatial reasoning, structural and mechanical design and engineering, and overall creativity...but the ads for the girls' sets tend to gloss that over and depict them as prefabricated dolly playsets like Polly Pocket. Then, too, the girls' sets seem to include fewer and larger parts, making them less build-intensive in fact. The sum effect is that girls are getting shortchanged with regard to what makes LEGO so great.

Bumping this just so it doesn't fall off my radar! I'm still thinking about minifigs and mini-builds I might contribute!

There was no Snow King in the Andersen tale, but now that you mention it, I might give her a consort. Or do a Jack Frost sort of character.

Are you sure all the parts for that micro-Titanic would fit in an Advent Calendar compartment? Anyway, I finally managed to take some pictures so I can contribute! Please forgive crappy photo quality; crappy camera is crappy and crappy skill level more so. Day 7: A happy little snowman with some clusters of snowballs, ready for a friendly fight! Day 8: Disney may have cornered the mainstream market, but some of us prefer the enigmatic fairytale original. I give you...the Snow Queen!

Now watch...Shark Suit Guy won't resemble a shark at all, but will be wearing a chainmail "shark bite suit" like marine biologists put on for protection when they swim with sharks.

Your minifigs spoil their kids at Christmas, Legocitycustoms. I actually have two winter-themed minifigs I want to share, but I'll have to wait until I can photograph them in better lighting.

Sorry, I got distracted for a second. It sounded like you said LEGO should give guns to its cop minifigs in order to threaten children on behalf of real-life cops.

Are we trying to go in date order here? Because I have a custom minifig I'm pretty proud of, but I think in a real LEGO Advent Calendar she'd be near the end, if not on the 24th itself!

Disney Theme Parks. So much awesome potential for structures and vehicles...Come on, Disney and TLG, make it happen together!

I definitely agree that the Raiders sets exhibited a nigh-unforgivable absence of Toht. With the new "ghost tail" piece subbing in for minifig legs, we could get a really rad set of the Ark being opened and the spirits flying out to terrorize the Nazis--sorry, "Germans"--sorry, enemy soldiers. How about a Crusade set analogous to the Temple of Doom, with a gauntlet of booby traps, and then the Grail chamber at the end? Minifigs: Indy, Elsa, Donovan, Grail Knight. Bonus if Donovan's face has a skull print on the opposite side! The spike room from Temple is reasonably iconic, and could be made to really "work" with Technic gears and such. Especially if they could work out a mechanism for the same cranking action to both lower and raise the ceiling depending on the position of the switch. And, because I am first and foremost a Disneyland nerd, I want a set that honors the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. Even if it's just the ride vehicle (basically a twelve-seat Jeep) and maybe one or two props.

I'll mention Aztec Warrior, SpiderSpaceman! I can't possibly choose a single favorite, but he surely makes my Top 10. We used to keep a running wishlist over at Classic-Castle, and Aztec Warrior was one of my submissions. I considered it a long shot, though, and was very pleasantly surprised when they made one! That eagle headdress is magnificent! Other top picks of mine: Yeti--He's just so dang cuddly, and the popsicle is an inspired touch! Bagpiper--Everything about him, from the plaid printing to the kilt to the bagpipe accessory itself, is just sensational. Lederhosen Guy and Pretzel Girl--Did anyone here ever dream that LEGO would produce Oktoberfest-themed minifigs? Because I sure didn't. Viking Lady--I love that she can be either a serious warrior or an opera singer, depending on how her head is turned.

I voted no. I don't mind having the gunplay restricted to licensed, historical, and futuristic themes--creating some distance, as it were. It's not like it's hard to get LEGO guns and give them to any minifig you want, if you really need your City cops and robbers to be shooting it out.

Yes please! As long as I'm going to be participating in this thread, I should probably be open about it: I'm Neopagan myself. I don't know that I "believe" in the ancient deities per se, but I certainly like to see respectful portrayals in popular culture.

The female Cyclops says hi. I don't think Medusa had a snake body in the original myth either.

I know about the original myth. But the image of sirens as mermaids goes back at least far enough to influence the development of Romance languages, where the word for mermaid is "siren." (Spanish sirena, French sirène, etc.) Also, a bird-like siren would seem redundant to the harpy, and I want both. (Third, Poseidon wasn't originally depicted as a merman either, but I think we all understand the Ocean King to be a Poseidon-like character.)

I would love to see a Classical Mythology theme, even if it were just a wave of CMFs. Your ideas are great! Here are some of mine: Dryad--Tan or dark tan skin, the new Banshee's hair in green with a few lighter green leaves printed on it, green chiton print on torso and legs, bouquet or other plant-based accessory. Siren--A mermaid variation with a normal face and a "hypnotic singing" face. Could be an excuse to add another color to the fishtail palette. Philosopher--Just a normal bearded dude in a toga-style robe. For the accessory, a printed 2 x 2 tile with sage words (in Greek, of course) or geometric constructions. This one is less mythological than the others, but it wouldn't be ancient Greece without one! Love God--Feathered wings, bow and arrow, cheeky expression.

YES PLEASE to Disney theme park sets! I've been wishing for some for years, since long before the LEGO-Disney partnership. There are so many iconic structures and vehicles that could be included! I'd also love to have minifigs of not just Disney characters, but people like a Jungle Cruise skipper*, Haunted Mansion maid, or just a normal guest wearing a mouse-ear beanie. * Although I can probably kitbash one out of existing minifig parts from the Adventurers line.

This concerns me also. I can't figure out how they will achieve a decent sampling of characters without making it disjointed and arbitrary.