Lego Minifigures (theme)
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| Subject | Collectible minifigures |
|---|---|
| Availability | 2010–present |
| Total sets | 333 (21 Series) |
| Characters | Various, such as from sports, history, popular culture, etc. |
| Official website | |
Minifigures is a 2010 Lego theme based on a set of collectible Lego minifigures. Each figure is an original character with new clothing and facial designs, and most contain previously unseen accessories. Each of series contain 16 different minifigures, with the exception of the Team GB Olympic Series with nine, Series 10 with 17 (including the limited Golden Figure), the LEGO Disney Minifigure Series with 18 minifigures and the Batman Movie series with 20.
The series consists of a number of individually themed collectible Lego minifigures based on movies, sports, history, and popular culture. The figures are sold individually in sealed, unmarked packages, giving customers a random chance at obtaining any particular figurine. While considered a novel approach by some, it has raised controversy amongst enthusiasts and collectors, increasing the amount of difficulty in obtaining a complete collection. Purchases from many retailers make no guarantees regarding the contents of a particular package. Despite attempts to obfuscate the contents of these packages, the bags of Series 1 and 2 have a second figurine-specific bar code on the rear of the packaging, next to the EAN/UPC product bar code (which is unique to each series). This has allowed customers to identify individual figures within the packaging, significantly decreasing the amount of money and effort required to obtain a complete collection, and eliminates the possibility of unintentionally receiving duplicates. There are also apps for both iPhone and Android devices that utilize these bar codes.
Lego has eliminated the figurine-specific bar codes on all Series 3 and 4 packages and replaced them with a braille-like system of dots embossed in the lower seal of the bag. In theory, this will allow customers to continue identifying the figure enclosed within. Later series do not have any markings to indicate their contents.
On average a new series has been released every four months. Release dates sometimes vary between countries.
Series 1 (set number: 8683) was first released on March 5, 2010 in the United Kingdom and was released on June 4, 2010 in the United States. The first series consists the following units:
Series 2 (set number: 8684) was first released on September 2, 2010 in both the United Kingdom and the United States. The second series consists of the following units:
Series 3 (set number: 8803) was first released on January 14, 2011 in both the United Kingdom and the United States. The third series consists of the following units:
Series 4 (set number: 8804) was first released on April 1, 2011 all around the world. The fourth series consists of the following units:
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