Shogun (Samurai)
sam003 · Ninja
Shogun's Castle / Samurai Wave · 1998; debuted as the leader of the Ninja theme's first wave
Figure ID
sam003
Theme
Ninja
Year Released
1998; debuted as the leader of the Ninja theme's first wave
Rarity
Uncommon; widely available in the late 90s, but difficult to find with intact armor and pristine leg printing today
Head
Yellow classic head with thin black mustache, goatee, and stern eyebrows; includes a Light Gray Samurai Helmet (shogun_helmet) with top crest
Torso
Red torso with simple red arms and black hands; printing is often hidden by the breastplate but features basic kimono-style lines consistent with the theme
Legs
Red legs with highly detailed white and black samurai armor plate (lamellar) printing on the front hips and thighs
Accessories
Light Gray Samurai Breastplate (armor); often originally packaged with a chrome silver katana or spear (missing in image)
Color Scheme
Primary Red and Light Gray; accents of Black, White, and Yellow
Printing Details
Pad-printed; features high-contrast white-and-black armor patterns on the legs which was advanced for 1998
Variants
Standard version (sam003); variants exist in different colors (Blue or Black armor) and a very rare version with gold chrome accents in high-end sets
Condition Notes
The Light Gray armor is prone to 'stress marks' (whitening of plastic) at the shoulder hinges; leg printing is highly susceptible to scratching/fading
Estimated Value
Used Complete: $12 - $18 USD; New/Sealed context: $40+ USD; Part value (armor only): $3 - $5 USD
Price (New)
Originally included in sets ranging from $10.00 (Ninja Surprise) to $89.00 (Fire Fortress)
Compatible Sets
Set 6083: Samurai Knight; Set 6089: Stone Tower Bridge; Set 6093: Flying Ninja Fortress; Set 3052: Ninja Fire Unit
Character Background
The Shogun is the leader of the 'Red' faction in the Ninja theme, serving as the noble commander against the Robber (Bandit) mountain-dwelling antagonists
Design Notes
Introduced the iconic samurai armor mold which remained the standard for over a decade until Ninjago modernized the aesthetic
Similar Minifigures
sam001 (Blue Shogun), sam013 (Black Shogun), and several Ninja-themed warriors from the 1998-1999 era
Collectibility
High for '90s Castle enthusiasts; nostalgic value is strong, though prices remain accessible compared to licensed themes
History
Represents LEGO’s first dedicated expansion into Japanese history/mythology after decades of European-styled Castle sets
Interesting Facts
The helmet crest was designed to hold a plume (feather), but the Shogun often used it as a standalone piece to signify higher rank
Display Suggestions
Place on a tan or dark green baseplate with a weapon rack; pairs perfectly with the 1998 'Ninja' theme temple builds
Modification Potential
The armor is a 'purist' favorite for creating custom historical samurai or fantasy warriors from the Castle theme
Overall Assessment
An iconic late-90s figure; the leg printing is the standout feature, making it a high-quality example of LEGO's 'Golden Age' of system themes