Will LEGO KPop Demon Hunters feature HUNTR/X as minifigures or mini-dolls? Which type of characters should the sets include?
Soon, fans will be able to build their own LEGO KPop Demon Hunters set, before a full range of products arrives in 2027. Netflix has licensed construction toys to the LEGO Group, which means the animated movie’s characters – including leads Mira, Rumi and Zoey – might be arriving as either minifigures or mini-dolls.
As Rumi, Zoey, and Mira perform together as HUNTR/X, they have a huge wardrobe of different costumes for every song. There are jackets, skirts, shoulder pads and a ton of details sewn into each outfit. And when they’re battling demons to protect the sacred Honmoon, the girls carry unique weapons as well. Will those attributes best be depicted through LEGO minifigures or mini-dolls? Which will suit the animation style better?
LEGO minifigures are the blocky characters that have been around since 1978 and can be found in City, Star Wars, Marvel, ONE PIECE and Stranger Things sets. LEGO mini-dolls are the more shapely, intricate little figures that can be found in Friends, Wednesday and Wicked sets. KPop Demon Hunters minifigures have already turned up digitally in LEGO Fortnite, so fans have an idea of what that format looks like for HUNTR/X.
Blocks, the monthly LEGO magazine, is stepping into the boots of these K-pop idols to debate some fashion forward insights…
All of the costumes in KPop Demon Hunters take inspiration from real K-pop groups and Korean fashion. Everything is very deliberate. It’s a testament to the concept artists and animators who designed these characters, especially as all of these details contributed to taking over seven years to make the movie. While Rumi, Zoey, and Mira all have very distinctive designs, they also complement one another cohesively when performing.
So, let’s look at the stage outfits first. These feature bold colours, chunky boots, and cropped T-shirts. Rumi also wears a bright yellow jacket that features studs on one shoulder and numerous embroidery details, including her name and wave designs on the sleeves. These are a lot of details that would undoubtedly suit a minifigure better. There are already plenty of shoulder pad options as part of armour or epaulettes for minifigures, and a lot of the other details could be printed on the torso.
Upgrade your LEGO hobby! If you take out a subscription to Blocks, the monthly LEGO magazine, you’ll get each issue first and at a discount, plus other perks including a free digital subscription and the chance to win LEGO prizes every month.
This would also make a lot of sense for the white and gold outfits the girls specifically use to promote their new album release – Golden. Both Rumi and Mira have jackets with epaulettes and the current LEGO skirt elements would work with dual-moulded legs to represent their long boots. These are elements that mini-dolls would struggle to convey.
However, there are two reasons that mini-dolls could actually work better than minifigures. Firstly, mini-dolls are taller than minifigures and this would make the weapons the girls feel appropriately scaled, whereas they may look oversized with minifigures. Rumi has a massive sword that she wields against demons, while Mira uses a gok-do, which is a traditional Korean moon sword. If the girls are portrayed using mini-dolls then the weapons would look more similar to how they do in the movie.
Secondly, and possibly most importantly, are the hairstyles. Have you seen Rumi’s braid? Her giant lavender braid is absolutely iconic, swinging behind her whether she’s dancing on stage or swiping at demons. There are currently no LEGO elements that would truly capture this hairstyle, but a mini-doll would be able to wear a moulded rubber piece that could recreate the style and movement of Rumi’s hair. This would also apply to Mira – her double magenta ponytails are also very long, though Rumi is still winning that hair contest.
Whether the designers choose mini-dolls or minifigures, one thing has to be incorporated somehow – Rumi’s demon patterns. Rumi is half-demon and for a long time she believes that this is something she has to conceal. But they are an essential part of her that she learns to no longer hide, embracing the patterns on her skin by the end of the movie. The purple marks should be printed on her arms and face as a symbol of her self-acceptance and healing journey.
Importantly though, will the sets even be scaled for play? Blocks hopes so – read our take here.
Blocks has long championed the idea of sets inspired by the film and has a guide to other LEGO sets that fans of the film might enjoy. LEGO Ideas users have submitted creations inspired by the animated epic.
If you want to find out when new LEGO sets are announced, sign up to our free newsletter. Of course, if you really want to upgrade your LEGO hobby for the true insider experience, take out a subscription to Blocks, the monthly LEGO magazine for fans.
