LEGO Wicked is set to launch minifigures with a display-focused September release, after an initial launch centred around mini-dolls.
With the launch of 75691 Glinda & Elphaba Bookends due for September 1, LEGO Wicked will be welcoming minifigures for the first time, almost a full year on from the theme's launch in October 2024. For fans who were clamouring for minifigure versions of the characters, it's an exciting milestone for the theme – but do they really do the characters better justice than mini-dolls?
A lot of the comparisons between minifigures and mini-dolls ultimately come down to personal preference. Minifigures offer that classic LEGO look, while mini-dolls can often be more expressive and even detailed in some cases, as well as being better geared towards play for younger builders.
All that in mind, we've pulled together a comparison of every Wicked character that now has a minifigure and a mini-doll in the LEGO theme to see the pros and cons of both.
Elphaba
Starting off with the main witch of the moment, Elphaba. The printing on the minifigure and mini-doll's legs and torsos is pretty similar, with the purple details standing out much more than the figures than it does on the on-screen dress. However, the outfits do have some difference, with the witch wearing a cape and a broom in the mini-doll version from 75684 Welcome to Emerald City, while she doesn't appear to in 75691 Glinda & Elphaba Bookends. This can perhaps be passed off as being because the 75691 Elphaba might not have been quite ready to take flight, as she does at the end of the movie.
The hat and hair elements used for the minifigure and mini-doll appear to be identical, but of course the key differences are the basic ones that distinguish the types of figures. The minifigure head is printed in classic LEGO style, rather than the oversized mini-doll eyes, and her skirt means that the legs are not posable in the minifigure.
That's not to say that minifigure head printing doesn't allow for detail, with green dots still marking out Elphaba's freckles on both versions. In terms of accuracy, both options tick a lot of boxes, so there's not a lot to distinguish the two outside of personal preference.
Our verdict on minifigure versus mini-doll: It's down to personal preference in this case.
Glinda
Glinda, however, does have more objective differences. Both figures seem to recreate the same dress, judging from the printed ruffles and cut of the bodice, but in very different ways. While the volume of the skirt is conveyed with printed ruffles for the mini-doll, the minifigure features a wide skirt element that better encapsulates the sheer volume of the gown.
The final silhouette does leave Glinda looking a little blocky: the almost-square torso, combined with abrupt curves on the skirt, is not quite the same as the smooth flow of the real dress. Still, it does capture the over-the-top fairy princess energy that Glinda is embodying on screen.
The hair also differs between the two, with the minifigure being a little more movie-accurate, with the blond tresses being pinned back, rather than curling down in front of her face. Looking at her look on screen, the minifigure update is a welcome refresh on her look.
Our verdict on minifigure versus mini-doll: Despite the abrupt skirt change, the more accurate hair puts the minifigure on top.
Fiyero
Moving onto the third part of the love triangle, Fiyero, a similar but different outfit is recreated in both the minifigure and mini-doll, even using the very same hair piece. The printing on the torso stands out better on the mini-doll, with more colour contrasts creating a more interesting outfit. The blue base on the minifigure torso also leaves it with a strange blue band around the neckline that doesn't quite make sense in terms of clothing, as you can see a triangle of bare skin below it.
Still, both faces present enough of the character's sassiness, with each quirking an eyebrow and a smile that leans to the side too, highlighting how both options can offer a sense of emotion, no matter the style.
Our verdict on minifigure versus mini-doll: The printing on the torso leaves a lot to be desired on the minifigure, so it's the first time we recommend the mini-doll.
The Wizard
It's time to meet the Wizard, whose mini-doll left quite a lot to be desired. The odd choice of legs left him looking like he's wearing a mini-skirt, rather than the loose flowing trousers we see him in on-screen. The upper half is more accurate, so we're pleased to see the return of his green top hat in the minifigure version, but the detail on the troso and legs is a lot more accurate throughout the minifigure.
Having more room for printing details on a minifigure torso pays off with characters like the Wizard, where we can now see the various layers of his suit and the golden eye necklace he weighs, trappings of his luxurious lifestyle in Oz. Those details are there but less clear on the mini-doll, so we think we'll give it to the minifigure in this case.
Our verdict on minifigure versus mini-doll: Flipping the script, the torso on the minifigure impresses more here.
Madam Morrible
Last but not least: Madam Morrible. Like Fiyero, the two figures recreate different outfits, one green gown and one blue. Also like Fiyero, the torso printing on the minifigure leaves her with an unexplained blue strip around her neckline that isn't there in the mini-doll. Both outfits have plenty of detail, a true tribute to the eclectic wardrobe of the magical teacher.
In terms of face printing, the minifigure has more detail, with more lines giving her a greater sense of depth to the minifigure's face than on the mini-doll. While both are impressive recreations of the original character with their own flaws and advantages, we'll have to give it to the mini-doll for a more seamless look from head to toe.
Our verdict on minifigure versus mini-doll: The mini-doll just edges the competition when it comes to Madam Morrible.
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