LEGO Minifigures Series 28 - 2026 Release with Animal Characters

The LEGO Minifigures Series 28 arrives January 1st as the first completely animal-themed lineup in Collectible Minifigures history. Every single character wears an animal costume – no knights, no astronauts, no everyday minifigures mixed in. All 12 figures are dedicated Animal Costume minifigures.

The timing feels perfect. After the superhero-heavy Spider-Man series and last year's space-themed collection, LEGO returns to the quirky, playful roots that made early CMF waves so memorable. Set 71051 drops worldwide at the start of the new year, giving fans everywhere the same release date for once (yes, even Australia and New Zealand).

The First All-Costume CMF Series Has Arrived

Where previous waves mixed themes like pirates, knights, and everyday characters, Series 28 commits fully to the animal costume concept. It's a bold move that follows the footsteps of other themed waves like Series 14 (Monsters) and Series 26 (Space).

The complete roster includes Parrot, Lion, Frog, Crocodile, Dalmatian, Goldfish, Bunny, Peacock, Cat, Koala, Dolphin, and Monkey. Each character rocks a full costume with matching accessories. The price holds steady at $4.99, £3.49, or €3.99 per blind box – reasonable considering every figure includes brand-new molded headpieces.

Here, you're building an entire animal-themed collection from day one. It's cohesive, purposeful, and honestly pretty adorable.

The set number 71051 will be easy to spot on shelves. LEGO's sticking with the cardboard blind box format introduced in recent series, though they've thankfully kept the scannable QR codes on the bottom for those who prefer hunting specific characters.

Meet the Characters Stealing January's Spotlight

Some characters in this series absolutely steal the show. 

The Frog stands out immediately with dual-molded legs that transition from green to lime. The printing detail covers the torso front and back, plus the arms. That expressive face print showing a bubble-blowing expression? Chef's kiss. The accessories include a printed bubble container and a brick-built bubble wand – creative touches that go beyond slapping in a generic accessory.

Australian fans finally get their moment with the Koala. This character features a rounded nose molded into the headpiece that perfectly captures the marsupial's distinctive look. The dual-sided face includes one expression with an eye mask for sleeping – a cute nod to koalas' famous drowsiness. Accessories include an eucalyptus branch and a boomerang, because of course.

The Crocodile takes inspiration from the beloved Lizard Man from earlier series. The new headpiece design includes textured scales and that menacing grin crocodiles are known for. The long tail piece attaches at the back. For accessories, you get a rubber duck and a life preserver ring – playful choices that add personality beyond "scary reptile."

Don't sleep on the Goldfish. Yes, a goldfish costume sounds weird. That's exactly why it works. The dual-molded helmet features an orange-and-white koi-style pattern. Molded fins attach at the sides. Short legs with scale printing complete the outfit. The fish food box accessory is a printed element that MOC builders can incorporate into aquarium or pet store builds.

Collector favorites include the Dalmatian with spots covering nearly every surface – head, torso, arms, and legs all feature detailed spot printing. Side leg printing adds extra polish. The printed frisbee accessory plays into the playful dog personality.

The Cat brings sophistication to the lineup. This white feline clearly belongs to a fancy household, complete with collar and bow. The alternate sleeping face print adds versatility. The yarn ball accessory feels essential, though honestly, LEGO took their time adding this element to the parts catalog.

The Bunny represents an Easter-themed upgrade from the beloved Series 6 classic. This version uses cream-colored fur with a white belly, floppy ears on the headpiece, and visible front teeth. The printed Easter egg and basket lean into holiday vibes while still being useful year-round.

Smart Collecting Tactics for Series 28 Hunters

Parts Value for MOC Builders

Here's something most articles miss: the real treasure goes beyond the costumes. Eight characters include brand-new face prints – monkey's extended tongue for pranksters, cat's sleeping face for bedtime scenes, Dalmatian's crafty smirk for mischief, and frog's blushing cheeks for embarrassment. These versatile expressions work in any build genre.

Every character includes a new molded headpiece. The lion updates Luna Lovegood's mold in traditional colors. The parrot delivers the large beak piece that bird enthusiasts have wanted for years. The dolphin helmet connects to a tail piece for that sleek profile. Accessories like the crocodile's rubber duck, koala's boomerang, and peacock's sunflower build add creative options. The frog's translucent bubble wand works for underwater scenes or potion-making builds.

How to Collect

LEGO Mini Figure Series 28 follows the mystery blind box format. Each cardboard box includes a QR code on the bottom that scanner apps (Jay's Brick Blog Minifig Scanner, Brick Search) can read to reveal the character inside.

A full retail box contains 36 individual blind boxes – typically three complete sets of all 12 characters. LEGO also offers a 6-pack multipack (set 66813) with six random characters, though duplicates are possible.

• Buy one full box for guaranteed completion, or grab the 6-pack first and selectively hunt missing characters using scanner apps. 

• Join LEGO communities before launch to post "have/want" lists and arrange trades. 

• Local LEGO stores see collectors swapping duplicates on launch day.

Building Applications

Animal costumes have always been community favorites. Gorilla Suit Guy from Series 3 still commands premium prices. The Series 7 Bunny remains one of the most beloved figures ever released.

The MOC community has multiple uses for Series 28. Zoo builders get mascot costumes for the entrance gates. City builders can populate sports stadiums with team mascots. Theme park creators finally have proper character performers. Fantasy builders can reimagine these as shapeshifters or druid transformations.

Specific scenarios: Comic conventions and carnival builds benefit from the goldfish costume for absurdist humor or the peacock for theatrical stages. The Dalmatian fits fire station promotional events. Party scenes need exactly what Series 28 provides – a bunny for Easter celebrations, a cat for formal events, frog for garden parties.

Planning Your January Strategy

LEGO Minifigures Series 28 represents a fresh creative direction that honors the playful spirit of early Collectible Minifigures. The series delivers modern design quality alongside that nostalgic charm. The all-animal lineup appeals strongly to costume character collectors.

Start planning your collection strategy now. Decide your target: complete set, favorite characters only, or multiples for MOC projects. Join LEGO communities on Reddit, Facebook, or Discord to arrange trades. Budget for a full box if you want guaranteed completion, or plan scanner app usage for selective hunting.

The countdown to release is on. Series 28 launches with the New LEGO Series of 2026 releases, bringing these LEGO Animal Costume minifigures to collectors worldwide.