This week I had a pleasant surprise when I received the 2017 smurfs in the post. I was not expecting them until February so to receive them in January was absolute bonus. I am always a tad cautious about making my mind up solely on a picture I had seen on the web and the 2017 smurfs were no exception. So as always I opened up the box and slowly started examining each one.
These smurfs are definitely different to others Schleich has released before. The pvc material used to make the smurfs feels very different. Yes they are still made of a hard material but in the past you could squeeze a smurf and it would give a little but not the new ones.
The look of the 2017 smurfs have also changed quite a bit from previous years. It is almost like the smurfs have been on a diet and lost some weight. Things like their tails and hands appear to be half the size of what they used to be. But the most obvious change is with their eyes and eyebrows. The 2017 smurfs all appear to have the same pair of eyes and thin eyebrows. Previously the pupils and eyebrows used to be hand painted onto the smurf and by doing this it allowed each figurine to display their own personality. Sadly this is no longer the case.
But for me the biggest disappointment is with Valentine Smurfette and Bride. In my opinion they look very bland and it feels that Smurfette has lost some of her feminine touch. Yes she still has her long golden blonde hair but she no longer looks flirtatious. This I found very surprising considering the release of the new smurf movie – The Lost Village where it appears Smurfette appears to play a pivotal role in the film.
I have also found the Smurf with Flowers is top heavy and is constantly falling over unless supported. I refuse to prop my smurfs with things like blue tack or adhesive tape. Otherwise I really like this smurf.
The Groom was originally shown in early pictures with a black suit but my version has the Groom in a grey suit.
The Smurf with key and 4 Leaf Clover are very simple but still very cute. Wearing their famous white trousers and holding out their chosen prop. This should be pleasing for some collectors who felt the Jungle themed smurfs from 2016 were not very smurf like.
Lastly these smurfs were all made in China and include the standard address markings along with a time stamp. Time will tell if they decide to make these in Germany or Tunisia in the future.
Now I just need to be patient and wait for the Movie Set Smurfs!
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B
Hi,
I just read your review of the new 2017 smurfs. I’ve only seen pictures, but I did order the one with the clover. I have to say, something about these new smurfs is very off-putting to me. They just don’t look “real” somehow. You are right that the eyes look the same and Smurfette has really lost her flirty look. In fact, she looks sleepy-eyed to me.
I recently rediscovered my childhood love for smurfs, and I appreciate your blog as it is one of the few that is still regularly updated.
I have a question: do you know why Schleich changed the smurfs for 2017? Are they supposed to resemble the smurfs in the upcoming movie? (I personally did not like the movie smurfs they made as I did not like some of the changes, such as giving the smurfs blue eyes, so I avoided purchasing those movie smurfs.)
Thanks,
Jenna
G’Day Jenna
It is always great to hear from another smurf enthusiast. I also rediscovered smurfs after a long absence and have not looked back.
I have just flicked an email to Schleich to see if we can get answer to your question. I will let you know if I get a response.
If you have any particular smurf that you would like me to blog about just let me know.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B
I just received my clover smurf that I’d ordered from amazon.com. Right now for the U.S., all the new Smurfs are selling from Amazon for just $4.99, which I consider to be a good deal for a new Smurf. I don’t have nearby stores that sell them. As a kid when I lived in France, I could just walk down to the MonoPrix to get them. They were just 4 francs back then, or the equivalent (at that time) to $1. (Oh, weird, the text box is automatically changing all the letters that I type into capital letters–I hope it doesn’t post like this; I promise I’m not “yelling.”) You’re right about the body feeling harder. In fact it reminds of the fake Smurfs from China. I wonder if the “real” Smurfs are now using the same plastic formula as the “fakes.” Wouldn’t that be funny? Anyway, the new Smurf tail is so tiny! I’m not convinced I really like new guys. I also had enjoyed the direction of the newer Smurfs with their “themes” and I can’t find any theme among these new ones except that they look weird to me…
One of the pleasurable things about collecting smurfs as an adult is that it allows you to become nostalgic. In regards to earlier question, you would be happy to know that we have had heard back from Schleich USA Inc. They have advised that they only follow the direction from IMPS.
IMPS, together with LAFIG Belgium, are the official licensors of “The Smurfs” and manages the rights of their world and the other characters created by Pierre Culliford, aka Peyo.
The harder material extends the life as long as Papa Smurf – 542 years no more no less!
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B
Hello,
I’m writing to tell you that it seems that the Schleich
produces for 2017 also other smurfs (Smurfette with blacks hair, papa smurfett, etc.) and also a new smurf house red and white.
If you can be of interest to look at this site:
http://www.bluedwarfs.com/en/2264-smurf-expected-2017
Bye
d.
Yes, isn’t an exciting year for a smurf collector. With not only new smurfs to collect but also a new film due out in the next couple of months. And then there is all of the other smurfy things we don’t even know about yet.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B
Lovely review about the newest Schleich figurines. The opinions are more different (positive vs. less positive) versus other years. Hopefully next year a bit more ‘traditional’ shapes again.
Thank you very much for your kind comments. We work really hard to give smurf collectors a platform to share their thoughts and opinions about smurfs, especially the newest Schleich figurines. I can’t wait to see the new Movie Sets up close and personal.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B