Karate Master, Collectible Minifigures Series 2
col018 · Collectible Minifigures
Series 2 · 2010. Released as part of the second wave of CMF, this era established the blind-bag marketing strategy and introduced hair molds with unique printing.
Figure ID
col018
Theme
Collectible Minifigures
Year Released
2010. Released as part of the second wave of CMF, this era established the blind-bag marketing strategy and introduced hair molds with unique printing.
Rarity
Uncommon to Rare. While mass-produced in 2010, its age and the fragile nature of the white plastic and black nunchuck accessory make mint condition versions harder to find.
Head
Yellow head with black eyebrows, a determined/angry facial expression with a white headband (Hachimaki) featuring a grey diamond emblem. Single-sided printing.
Torso
White Gi (karate uniform) with black trim. Printing includes a crossed collar, a black belt centered at the waist, and a small blue diamond logo on the left chest. Plain white arms with yellow hands.
Legs
Plain white legs and hips, representing the lower half of the karate Gi. No printing is present on the legs or sides.
Accessories
Black and silver nunchucks comprising two black handles connected by a grey chain link piece. One hair piece: black, swept-back textured style.
Color Scheme
Primary white and yellow with black and grey accents. The blue diamond on the chest provides the only pop of secondary color.
Printing Details
Pad-printed torso front and head. High alignment quality characteristic of early CMF series. No back printing, which was common for basic figures of that transition period.
Variants
None known for this specific ID. However, similar Gi prints appeared in later City and Ninjago sets with different head designs.
Condition Notes
Susceptible to yellowing on the white torso and legs if exposed to UV. The grey nunchuck chain is a high-stress point and prone to snapping or losing clutch power in the handles.
Estimated Value
New (Sealed Bag): $15 - $22 USD. Used Complete: $8 - $12 USD. Values vary based on the tightness of the nunchuck joints and whiteness of the plastic.
Price (New)
$1.99 USD original MSRP per blind bag in 2010. This was the standard entry price for CMF before the price increase to $2.99 and eventually $4.99.
Compatible Sets
8684-2 (Karate Master - Series 2), 8684-17 (Collectors Box).
Character Background
An unnamed martial arts expert representative of Karate; likely inspired by 1980s martial arts cinema like 'The Karate Kid'. He is a master of focus and discipline.
Design Notes
Features a classic LEGO 'yellow' face. The headband printing on the hair/head interface was a significant detail for 2010, ensuring the band looks continuous when the hair piece is attached.
Similar Minifigures
Series 20 Martial Arts Boy (col368), Ninjago Zane (Gi versions), and the Series 16 Kickboxer (col255).
Collectibility
High for completionists of the early CMF runs. It is considered a 'foundation' figure for any LEGO sports or dojo-themed collection.
History
Followed the successful Series 1 launch. This figure helped prove that generic professional/hobbyist characters were as popular as fantasy/sci-fi archetypes.
Interesting Facts
The blue logo on the chest is a reference to the LEGO 'Sports' theme iconography. This was one of the first figures to come with a nunchuck accessory that wasn't part of a specialized theme like Ninja 1998.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed on the included black 3x4 CMF stand (not pictured) alongside the Series 20 Martial Arts Boy. A simple tan-colored plate 'Dojo' MOC highlights the white Gi.
Modification Potential
Excellent base for custom martial arts characters. The torso is generic enough to represent various disciplines (Judo, Karate, Taekwondo) by swapping the head or belt color.
Overall Assessment
A quintessential early Collectible Minifigure. While simple by modern standards, its clean design and iconic accessory make it a high-quality addition to any collection. Rating: 8/10.