Pictorial review: 71051 Collectable Minifigures Series 28 - Animals
Posted by Huw,
The first animal-costumed collectable minifigure was one of the 16 in series three, released during 2011. Since then, most series have included a figure in some sort of oversized costume.
Although not 'army builders' – you only really need one – they are nevertheless very popular, so it makes sense to dedicate a complete series to them, and that's exactly what 71051 LEGO Minifigures - Series 28 - Animals has done.
Among the selection of 12 there are fish, birds, mammals and reptiles, both wild and domesticated.
Summary
71051 LEGO Minifigures - Series 28 - Complete, 0 pieces.
Possibly the best minifig series ever!
- Not a bad figure among them
- Birds and fish can't hold their accessories
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
In a change from our usual style of review, I'm not going to write anything about the individual figures. Instead, I will let the pictures do the talking.
Peacock
Cat
Goldfish
Monkey
Frog
Koala
Dalmatian
Crocodile
Dolphin
Rabbit
Lion
Parrot
Verdict
Most collectable minifigure series are a mixed bunch, containing a few that some people want dozens of for army building, and the slightly dud ones that nobody really likes or wants.
This collection has neither of those. Instead, every figure is spectacular, containing new 'headgear' moulds and, in some cases, other very impressive pieces, such as the peacock tail.
I will go so far as to say that this is the best collectable minifigure series ever.
Which is your favourite? Do you plan on building an army of angry peacocks?
(Affiliate links follow)
Here's how to get a complete set:
- USA: Minifigures Plus is offering Brickset readers the opportunity to secure a box of 36 or a set of 12 at a 10% discount. The price for a full box of 36, which should contain three complete sets, is $158.84, and for a full set of 12, $56.69, when you use the code Animals25-Brickset at checkout.
- EU: Minifigure Maddness is offering two boxes of 36 for only €221.99 when you enter code S28Preorder at checkout. That's six full sets to share with your friends/fellow LUG members.
- UK:, Brick a Brac is selling a full case of 36 for £99 and a full set of 12 for £41.99 until their release, after which the price will increase slightly.
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60 comments on this article
The peacock, dolphin,and rabbit faces are all blatant reuses. Everyone expects brand-new face prints for CMFs at this point.
Guess they’ll join my Fabuland village :-)
Meh, not for me. This has been third series in a row that holds nothing for me: F1, Spider-verse, and this one.
They're all cute, I guess. But the costumed minifigures were always some of my least-favorite from past series. They all seem pretty one-note and repetitive, nor do they seem particularly useful in any other setting. I've used some extra costumes from past series to make a costume shop in my town, but I can't really see any other use for them. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to skip this series entirely.
The feather/fin arms that can't hold things are bothersome. There are arms that have a flappyflap but also still a hand, right? Could swear I've seen one. EDIT: Yes, the Halloween bat ones. That'd work for the fish at least. EDIT2: bb0759 could've worked for the bird if it had to be not a standard arm with print.
@WolfpackBricks63 said:
"The peacock, dolphin,and rabbit faces are all blatant reuses. Everyone expects brand-new face prints for CMFs at this point."
And the fish. The dolphin is by far the worst offender. It’s pretty disappointing because all TLG needed to do was create another and different yellow head, something they’ve done for 27 series.
I've never collected CMFs but I have a soft spot for the costumed ones, so I might have to pick up a box of 12 before they retire.
Lego appealing to the furries with this series
@WolfpackBricks63 said:
"The peacock, dolphin,and rabbit faces are all blatant reuses. Everyone expects brand-new face prints for CMFs at this point."
That does not bother me. I'd rather the budget was spent, as it seems it has been, on elaborate torso prints and large 'headgear' pieces than new heads you can hardly see.
Why does the croc need a life ring?
I need that goldfish in my life, my nr 1
I think I've already mentioned this, but I only really want Frog Guy because he was a powerful fixture in my Crono Trigger party. Back when, anyway.
In hindsight though, Frog really is a trash-tier character, and so he gets to warm the bench with Marle at the End of Time. Still, you kind of want him to complete the set, I guess.
When superstars and cannonballs are running through your head
A television freak show, cops and robbers everywhere
Subway makes me nervous, people pushing me too far
I've got to break away, so take my hand now
'Cause I want to live, like animals
Careless and free, like animals
I want to live, I want to run through the jungle
The wind in my hair and the sand at my feet
@Huw said:
" @WolfpackBricks63 said:
"The peacock, dolphin,and rabbit faces are all blatant reuses. Everyone expects brand-new face prints for CMFs at this point."
That does not bother me. I'd rather the budget was spent, as it seems it has been, on elaborate torso prints and large 'headgear' pieces than new heads you can hardly see."
Six figures (50%) have absolutely no decoration on the legs (although 2 are dual-molded). That's got to be a record for CMFs.
Only four figs have more than one color printed on the torsos. Likewise, four figs have molded arms, but only 1 is not monochromatic. Only rwo figs have printed arms, and only 1 fig has side-printed legs.
All this lends to the impression that they are a bit basic, plain, and suffer from Lego's self-imposed budgetary constraints.
"I will go so far as to say that this is the best collectable minifigure series ever." Just among the numbered, non-licensed series, it's the one I have the least interest in. 71046-13 is the best ever. The only one I'd be tempted to buy would be the goldfish, and that just to stick it in 31122 (or 10366 if I had it).
@Murdoch17 said:
"Meh, not for me. This has been third series in a row that holds nothing for me: F1, Spider-verse, and this one."
The Spider-Verse series was the third series I ordered a complete set of on eBay (after Series 26 - Space and the D&D series) and I do not regret that decision one bit. I only bought three of the F1 series, though, and another one as a gift for my youngest nephew. They're fun little desk toys, but not something that really called to me.
@R0Sch said:
"Why does the croc need a life ring?"
lunch
These are adorable, and I’m delighted with all the accessories and so on. It’s a great cmf series.
Love this series, some great new moulds and fun accessories.
Thanks. Now I want to buy the whole series, just when I was slowing down on the CMF's.
Because this series has a theme the whole thing will be a real hit or miss depending on the person.
I personally don't really care about costumes so I might only buy a couple, but I do admit all of them look cool!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I wish the costume CMF figures came with the animals they’re supposed to represent. It’s weird to have a peacock figure when no actual LEGO Peacock exists.
The monkey and parrot are cute, though, I’ll give them that.
Animal costumes are one of those very broad mass-appeal ideas that I just don't love. Theoretically, this should be a mass success of a series, but I've never been more alienated by a CMF set myself. I think the new costume molds are on paper a show of effort, but that coming at the expense of unique face prints, more new accessories, and any new animal pieces, is a tremendous disappointment--especially because LEGO now refuses to do costume characters with full-face masks and makes them all awkward goofy open-face designs.
I like the fish. That will work great with a black head insert for a comical goldfish humanoid creature. Maybe the frog would work that way too. The rest just isn't for me, and I'd never personally come close to calling it the best series ever. Series 6, Series 14, and Series 26 are some of my favorites.
@ACubeInABox said:
"I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I wish the costume CMF figures came with the animals they’re supposed to represent. It’s weird to have a peacock figure when no actual LEGO Peacock exists.
The monkey and parrot are cute, though, I’ll give them that. "
That's a great idea, and would make these a much better deal.
@R0Sch said:
"Why does the croc need a life ring?"
To lure human swimmers while it snacks on its duck.
The 12 year old in me wants them but than I realize I have no use for them except more unused lego in the storage.
@watcher21 said:
"The 12 year old in me wants them but than I realize I have no use for them except more unused lego in the storage."
Exactly this. They're all equally great, but I don't need any of them... Although that croc is an excellent stand-in for Leatherhead.
I was waiting for a regular CMF series and this does not disappoint although it isn't perfect (for being yet another 'niche' series). I would like to get a box but I think just a series would suffice.
I’m going to try replacing the head on some of these with an all-black head, to see if they work as Lizardfolk or what have you for my D & D game. I think a few of them would work pretty well for that.
Dunno why, but I rather like the goldfish the best.
As for the subject of them being able to hold accessories, couldn't they incorporate a 'peg hole' into the underside of the fins/wings, that you could fit the standard accessory grip into so that they could hold stuff? Or make an adaptation part thats a normal stud top, with the peg/pin bottom... ? Seems like a simple fix that wouldn't be much harder to mold into the arm pieces that would increase playability/displayability options.
@Huw said
"Possibly the best minifig series ever!"
Depends on your taste. For me it's the second worst series, only in front of the godawful F1 series.
@AustinPowers said:
"Depends on your taste. For me it's the second worst series, only in front of the godawful F1 series."
I echo this sentiment. This is an awful series. I look forward when they get back to actual good CMFs.
@Huw, @CapnRex101 - I believe it's clear that we need a CMF Series competition. The idea that this series is the best ever has literally ruined my Christmas. lol. :o)
Seriously, though, let's have another Mos Eisley / Rivendell knock down, drag out!
The fish and birds can’t hold their accessories
…so the dolphin can? I s’spose it could balance it on its head
While I generally love how costumed characters look I hate how they're not really usable in many places as a whole, nor have many reusable pieces. Just can't do much with them. That's a really big negative in my book. I want to be able to take these appart and still get lots of use out of them but with these kind of characters most of the value comes from the fancy molded masks which have a very limited range of applicability (in my serious adult world anyway).
Regardless, I really like this series because it goes all in on one concept and does it well, which is how I like series to be instead of the usual more mixed bag a little bit of everything for everyone. I intend to get the parrot, goldfish, and monkey, maybe more.
@yellowcastle said:
" @Huw, @CapnRex101 - I believe it's clear that we need a CMF Series competition. The idea that this series is the best ever has literally ruined my Christmas. lol. :o)
Seriously, though, let's have another Mos Eisley / Rivendell knock down, drag out!"
Series 14. Monster Fight me.
This is one of best series for kids they made.
Kids LOVE costumed characters.
@Crux said:
" @yellowcastle said:
" @Huw, @CapnRex101 - I believe it's clear that we need a CMF Series competition. The idea that this series is the best ever has literally ruined my Christmas. lol. :o)
Seriously, though, let's have another Mos Eisley / Rivendell knock down, drag out!"
Series 14. Monster Fight me."
Hmm....that would be up there. But a quick look has me focused on Series 10 and and Series 24. I'm also now regretting not partaking enough in that DC CMF line 71026-17.
@yellowcastle said:
" @Huw, @CapnRex101 - I believe it's clear that we need a CMF Series competition. The idea that this series is the best ever has literally ruined my Christmas. lol. :o)
Seriously, though, let's have another Mos Eisley / Rivendell knock down, drag out!"
Great idea! Let's have a showdown in the new year.
@ACubeInABox said:
"I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I wish the costume CMF figures came with the animals they’re supposed to represent. It’s weird to have a peacock figure when no actual LEGO Peacock exists.
The monkey and parrot are cute, though, I’ll give them that. "
Same here. As it is, I will skip that line completely (same as the previous two). Should they all had the corresponding animal with them, I would have bought multiple copies. Totally fine with me: 2025 was very expensive, I'm feeling good that hopefully 2026 will be less wallet-damaging.
yeah depends on taste, I'm not very interested in it. I think the best series was maybe the DnD one
The Spider-Verse figures and Rebuild The Galaxy has got me back into collecting after a few years break. So I’m a bit relieved I’m not much into these. The bases are cool though. So, maybe just one. Or two.
As someone who has all the non-branded CMF and even most of the branded CMF, Monster and Space are indeed the best two series. There are many awesome figures throughout, but taken as a whole, those two are tops. The D&D one might be my next pick/top of the branded ones for sure.
@WolfpackBricks63 said:
"The peacock, dolphin,and rabbit faces are all blatant reuses. Everyone expects brand-new face prints for CMFs at this point."
They could've done with real life skin colors.
@Huw said:
" @WolfpackBricks63 said:
"The peacock, dolphin,and rabbit faces are all blatant reuses. Everyone expects brand-new face prints for CMFs at this point."
That does not bother me. I'd rather the budget was spent, as it seems it has been, on elaborate torso prints and large 'headgear' pieces than new heads you can hardly see."
I agree huw. The dolphin is kind of jarring as a common city face print, but the others just work somehow too
@terhitamk31 said:
" @WolfpackBricks63 said:
"The peacock, dolphin,and rabbit faces are all blatant reuses. Everyone expects brand-new face prints for CMFs at this point."
They could've done with real life skin colors."
Those are generally reserved for licensed characters.
The crocodile looks great.
@Huw said:
" @yellowcastle said:
" @Huw, @CapnRex101 - I believe it's clear that we need a CMF Series competition. The idea that this series is the best ever has literally ruined my Christmas. lol. :o)
Seriously, though, let's have another Mos Eisley / Rivendell knock down, drag out!"
Great idea! Let's have a showdown in the new year."
Could easily run a few knockouts on the theme. Best CMF series. Best figure within each series, and then best CMF figure overall.
@GrizBe said:
" @Huw said:
" @yellowcastle said:
" @Huw, @CapnRex101 - I believe it's clear that we need a CMF Series competition. The idea that this series is the best ever has literally ruined my Christmas. lol. :o)
Seriously, though, let's have another Mos Eisley / Rivendell knock down, drag out!"
Great idea! Let's have a showdown in the new year."
Could easily run a few knockouts on the theme. Best CMF series. Best figure within each series, and then best CMF figure overall. "
We could even try and set some guidelines for best...that would be a fun exercise :o)
For me, the series must be a mix of themes....the best series must have at least 5 winner figures....probably must include at least 1 animal...
Dear diary,
Today I learned that Brickset's definition of "best minifigure series" and my definition of "best minifigure series" occupy entirely different plains of reality.
That being said, buckle up wallet, you're probably gonna take brute force impact on a few of these.
I thought I was going to hate this entire series because the costume CMFs are always my least favourite along with generic 'we get this in City already, this is not a CMF' figs. And sports figs. (I might be biased towards fantasy/scifi over everyday type stuff).
Okay IMHO the fourth worst type of CMF after 3) object or food costume CMFs, 2) weirdly specific sports CMFs or 1) figs that appeared in City already or are so overdone, common and redundant, such as fire and police figs. Yes, we really needed multiple policemen in the CMF line!
But I have to admit, some of the ones from this series I find oddly charming. It helps that there's variety, and therefore choice here. For once this kind of fig isn't an odd duck (or person dressed as a duck). Also, it's not food or object-but-a-fig type CMFs. At least animals are not a walking advertisement of something inherently.
I don't think I'll get many, but one or two is more than I thought I would want!
@HenHouse said:
"Not sure if anyone else has commented on this yet but in that second photo of the monkey minifig – the one taken mostly from behind – it looks enormously as though he is putting his cheeky little fingers to onanistic use (bonobonanism?) on his mighty yellow organ (bonoborgan?). Fabulous work!
"
Damn you. Now I can't unsee that.
That frog head could come in useful for Ninjago’s Mr. Frohickey.
Missed opportunity to have the reverse head print be an inside mouth/throat :)
@Binnekamp said:
"I thought I was going to hate this entire series because the costume CMFs are always my least favourite along with generic 'we get this in City already, this is not a CMF' figs. And sports figs. (I might be biased towards fantasy/scifi over everyday type stuff).
Okay IMHO the fourth worst type of CMF after 3) object or food costume CMFs, 2) weirdly specific sports CMFs or 1) figs that appeared in City already or are so overdone, common and redundant, such as fire and police figs. Yes, we really needed multiple policemen in the CMF line!
But I have to admit, some of the ones from this series I find oddly charming. It helps that there's variety, and therefore choice here. For once this kind of fig isn't an odd duck (or person dressed as a duck). Also, it's not food or object-but-a-fig type CMFs. At least animals are not a walking advertisement of something inherently.
I don't think I'll get many, but one or two is more than I thought I would want!"
agree. I will take the animal costume folks over the food/plant costume folks any day.
'Cept for Cactus Girl. she's hot.
What?? It is not the best CMF series!! In my opinion, it is one of the worst ones. In other series I had to buy the animal-costumes to have the series complete.
When I started collecting the CMFs, I did not buy the costumes. Later, as I wanted the series completed, I had to buy them in Bricklink at high prices. Now, I buy all the series and the ones I love more, I get more.
However, in this series, I will buy only two complete series. One for the collection and the other one for playing with my kids. But doubting about the second one.
This series would be so much better if the heads had reverse prints that are black with teeth and tongues printed on them so they could be animals instead of costumes.
I wonder why they didn't print the cat legs. They could have even just reused the claws from the lion. Getting plain legs for a relatively plain character that is a repeat but not as good as a previous one is rather lame for £3.50.
@Crux said:
"I think I've already mentioned this, but I only really want Frog Guy because he was a powerful fixture in my Crono Trigger party. Back when, anyway.
In hindsight though, Frog really is a trash-tier character, and so he gets to warm the bench with Marle at the End of Time. Still, you kind of want him to complete the set, I guess."
On the other hand, Frog Squash was easily the funniesttech.
@Kalhiki said:"Missed opportunity to have the reverse head print be an inside mouth/throat :)"
@CCC said:"This series would be so much better if the heads had reverse prints that are black with teeth and tongues printed on them so they could be animals instead of costumes."
I think what you two are wanting is https://brickset.com/parts/4614508/mini-head-no-761.
It's a cute series.
But not enough penguins
@R0Sch said:
"Why does the croc need a life ring?"
Bait.