Doug

Yeah. Ultimately, every set or theme can't be everything to everybody. This theme is clearly targeted to female children. Any appeal to AFOL (male or female) is a bonus, and likely not a huge part of the design considerations. I think a much more important point for this line is how compatible (or not) it is with system sets, particularly the CITY lineup. I think LEGO does a pretty good job of marketing to both sexes in their AFOL-centered markets, with Modulars and the Holiday stuff being the two most prominent examples of this, and Creator to a bit lesser extent. They also managed to design the Alien Conquest series - clearly a kid play-focused theme - with a large amount of AFOL appeal due to the campy throwback design of the aliens, saucers etc. It was brilliant really.

great comparison. They really do look like a hybrid of the two.

I agree - these look pretty good. scale is close enough to minifig where playsets should be compatible enough to system sets - which IMHO is a requirement if they want to get this right. The hands are clearly minifig-size, and thus accessories will be cross-compatible, and certaily the pet looks that way as well. Hard to tell on the hair, but if indeed hair/hats are cross-compatible as well, than that is a HUGE plus in my book. I am getting more optimistic now, but as mentioned, it's all going to depend on the sets.

Just playing catch up on this thread. This is both very exciting and disappointing to me at the same time. I have two girls - 5 and 9 - who both have been playing with my LEGO (and their own newly acquired) of late. The exciting part of course is a focus on themes that are more traditionally-girl oriented. beauty parlors, vet clinics, etc - I know they will love that. And truth be told, while they enjoy the building aspect, that generally is the means to the end - the play. Once they build a set, they have no desire to ever take it apart again - only to use it in their various role-play activities through use of the minifigures. The disappointing part however could very well be the incompatibility. They currently have and like many of the city sets. it would be a real shame if the scale on this new line was in-congruent with the city line going forward. I just struggle to understand how LEGO thinks that is a good idea, as mentioned much more eloquently by others above. The minifigure issue itself is a bit more up in the air for them I think. They currently love the minifigures - and my 5-year old just can't get enough of swapping around different "outfits" on her minifigures all the time. So maintaining a wide variety of hair, clothes, faces, etc is key, moreso probably then minifig versue new fig in and of itself.

assuming all the stores are similar to mine (Tigard, OR), you get to pick the legs, torso, head, hat OR hair, and 1 accessory. you can't mix legs/arms/hands/etc. (i suppose you could, but you aren't supposed to)