Twenty-five years. It's a long time for any partnership, let alone one between a Danish toy giant and a galaxy far, far away. Back in 1999, when the first yellow-skinned Minifigures hit the shelves alongside The Phantom Menace, nobody really knew if it would stick. Now, in 2024 and heading into 2025, we are witnessing a full-blown celebration. The Lego 25th anniversary figures aren't just plastic toys; they are a weird, wonderful, and slightly chaotic tribute to the deep lore of the Star Wars universe.
Honestly, the lineup is a bit of a curveball. You might expect another Luke Skywalker or a shiny new Darth Vader. Instead, Lego went deep into the "Legends" and fan-favorite bucket. We're talking characters that, for years, fans begged for in custom forums because the official designers seemingly ignored them.
The "Big Six" and the Chaos of the Chase
The core of this anniversary celebration is a set of six distinct, limited-edition Minifigures scattered across various sets released throughout the year. Lego didn't make it easy. You can't just buy a "25th Anniversary Pack." You have to hunt.
Take Darth Malak, for example. He comes in the R2-D2 (set 75379). For fans of the Knights of the Old Republic video game, this was a massive "finally" moment. Malak is a legendary Sith Lord, and his Minifigure features a specially molded neck piece to represent his prosthetic jaw. It’s gritty. It’s niche. It’s exactly what the community wanted.
Then there’s ARC Trooper Fives. He’s tucked away in the Boarding the Tantive IV (set 75387) set. Fives is a tragic hero from The Clone Wars, and his printing is incredibly detailed, right down to the "5" tattoo on his head. If you grew up watching the series, seeing Fives get the official 25th-anniversary treatment feels like a validation of that era of storytelling.
Others in the lineup include:
- Saw Gerrera from Rogue One, appearing in the Sith Infiltrator (set 75383). He has a stunningly detailed cape and armor set that captures his paranoid, battle-worn vibe.
- Princess Leia in her young Obi-Wan Kenobi series appearance (set 75392). She’s tiny, she’s fierce, and she comes with a printed L0-LA59 (Lola) droid tile.
- Cal Kestis, the protagonist of the Jedi: Fallen Order games. He is found in the Death Star Trash Compactor (set 75394). Seeing a video game character get an anniversary slot shows how much the "canon" has expanded.
- Nien Nunb, the Sullustan co-pilot from Return of the Jedi. He’s the "classic" entry, found in the Imperial Star Destroyer (set 75394).
Why the Blue Baseplates Actually Matter
Every one of these Lego 25th anniversary figures comes with a specific, printed 25th-anniversary 4x4 plate. There is also a small brick-built stand to hold them up.
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It sounds like a small detail. It’s just plastic. But for collectors, these plates are the connective tissue. They signify that these figures are part of a specific moment in time. If you lose the plate, the value of the figure on the secondary market—sites like BrickLink or eBay—drops significantly. People aren't just buying the character; they’re buying the milestone.
The design of the plate is simple: a 25th-anniversary logo featuring an R2-D2 silhouette. It’s clean. It looks great on a shelf when you line all six of them up. It creates a sense of completionism that is frankly dangerous for your wallet.
The Strategy Behind the Set Selection
Lego is smart. Some would say they are devious. By putting a highly-coveted figure like Darth Malak in a $100 R2-D2 set, they ensure that even people who already own five different versions of R2-D2 will buy the new one.
It’s a classic move.
But it’s not just about the money. The choice of sets also reflects the history of the line. The Tantive IV hallway scene is one of the most iconic moments in cinema history. Placing ARC Trooper Fives in that set is a weird mashup of eras, but it works because both the set and the figure represent "peak" Star Wars in their own way.
Some collectors have complained. They say putting Nien Nunb in an Imperial Star Destroyer doesn't make sense. And they’re right! He’s a Rebel. He should be in a Falcon or a B-Wing. But Lego’s logic seems to be: "We want to give you these figures, and we need to put them in sets people are going to buy anyway." It’s a compromise.
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Rare Variations and the "Secret" Seventh Figure
Technically, the "Big Six" are the main attraction, but the 25th anniversary didn't stop there. We also saw the release of the Lego Star Wars Visual Dictionary (New Edition) which included an exclusive Darth Maul figure. This isn't just any Maul; it’s a throwback to the 1999 version with the original hood piece and face printing, but with the 25th-anniversary logo printed on his back.
This "retro" approach is a massive hit with older fans. It taps into that 1990s nostalgia. It reminds us of a time when Minifigures didn't have pupilled eyes or back printing. They were simpler.
Then there’s the May the 4th promo. In 2024, Lego released a small polybag or "Gift with Purchase" featuring a 25th-anniversary version of the Trade Federation Droid Carrier. It didn't have a "special" figure in the same way Malak did, but it contributed to the overall fever of the anniversary.
The Quality Control Debate
We have to talk about the "hairline" issue.
Lego is known for quality, but the 25th-anniversary line hasn't been without drama. Some fans have reported issues with the printing alignment on ARC Trooper Fives’ helmet. Others have mentioned that the capes on Saw Gerrera feel a bit stiff compared to older fabric styles.
Is it a dealbreaker? No. Most people won't even notice. But for the "perfectionist" tier of collectors—the people who keep their figures in UV-protected cases—these tiny flaws are a big deal. It highlights the tension between Lego as a toy company for kids and Lego as a high-end collectible brand for adults.
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Market Value: To Open or Not to Open?
If you’re looking at these Lego 25th anniversary figures as an investment, the rules are different. Right now, Malak and Fives are the heavy hitters.
Usually, the value of these figures peaks twice: once right after the sets retire and again about five years later when the "new" generation of collectors realizes what they missed. If you want to keep the value high, keep the figures on their stands and keep them out of direct sunlight. Sunlight is the enemy of plastic. It yellows the whites and fades the darks.
Honestly, though? Most people should just open them. The joy of these figures is seeing the evolution of Lego’s design language over two and a half decades.
Practical Steps for Serious Collectors
If you are trying to complete the collection now, don't wait until the sets are retired. Once a set leaves the official Lego store shelves, the price of the "exclusive" figure inside usually doubles within months.
- Prioritize the "Niche" Characters: Figures like Darth Malak and Cal Kestis are less likely to be remade anytime soon. Unlike Vader or Stormtroopers, these might be the only versions of these characters we see for another decade.
- Check the Visual Dictionary: Don't forget the Darth Maul from the book. People often overlook book-exclusive figures, and they become some of the rarest items later on.
- Verify the Stand: If buying from a third-party seller on a marketplace, always make sure the 25th-anniversary printed tile is included. The figure alone is only half the "anniversary" value.
- Watch the Retirement Dates: Keep an eye on "End of Life" (EOL) lists for Lego sets. Sets like the Sith Infiltrator or the Tantive IV hallway will likely retire sooner than the larger R2-D2, making Saw Gerrera and Fives your top priorities for 2024.
The 25th anniversary is a rare moment where Lego acknowledges the "deep lore" of the Star Wars community. It’s a messy, expensive, but ultimately rewarding tribute to a partnership that changed the toy industry forever. Whether you’re a fan of the prequels, the sequels, or the obscure video games, there is something in this lineup that feels like it was made specifically for you. That’s the real magic of these little plastic people.
To maximize your collection's longevity, ensure you store these figures in a climate-controlled environment away from humidity, which can occasionally cause the specialized 25th-anniversary printing to become tacky or peel over decades. If you're displaying them, look into acrylic "step" cases that allow you to see the anniversary logo on the baseplate clearly while protecting the plastic from dust buildup.