September 2026 has brought two high-profile LEGO releases featuring new moulded character parts — and both are now drawing attention for the same reason. Collectors first reported cracks on Patrick Star’s oversized moulded head from LEGO Icons 11386 SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom. Now similar hairline damage is being documented on Gingy from LEGO Minifigures Shrek Series 71053.
Gingy reports appeared within days of release
On September 4, Brick Fanatics collected several examples of hairline cracks on the new Gingy head element. In the reported copies, the line appears in a broadly similar area of the moulded piece, running along the centre line of the head on the front, top or rear.
Similar photos have also appeared in the LEGO community. Some owners say the line became more pronounced after the head was fitted onto the minifigure body, while others have commented on a notably tight connection.
That does not mean every Gingy figure is defective. There is currently no reliable data on how many copies are affected, how many remain unaffected, or whether the issue is limited to a particular production batch. At this point, the evidence supports saying that multiple similar cases have been documented — not that the entire run has a confirmed defect.
Patrick Star raised the same concern first
The situation is familiar because Patrick Star’s new head mould had already drawn similar attention before and around the launch of 11386 Bikini Bottom. Brickset reported that the Patrick head in its review copy was cracked out of the box, while Jay’s Brick Blog later documented a hairline split that appeared after earlier photos had shown the part intact.
Not every copy showed the same damage. Brick Fanatics examined its own Patrick figure and found a visible line in a comparable area, but described it as smooth and more consistent with a moulding mark than a true crack. That distinction matters, because visible seam lines and actual structural splits can look similar in photographs.
What do the two cases have in common?
Both releases use newly designed, non-standard moulded character parts fitted onto the usual minifigure connection. In both cases, some of the reports also focus on areas that may be under stress once the part is attached.
That similarity is worth noting, but it is not enough to establish a cause. There is no confirmed evidence that tight fit, mould geometry, plastic formulation or production settings are responsible. There is also no basis yet to conclude that the Patrick and Gingy reports share the same root cause.
Should collectors be concerned?
If you already own Gingy from the Shrek series or Patrick from 11386, the sensible step is simply to inspect the part under good light, especially after it has been attached to the figure. A thin mould line is not automatically a crack, but a visible split that grows over time is worth documenting.
There is no reason at this stage to assume that all copies are affected. The scale of the reports remains unknown, and LEGO has not been verified as issuing a statement confirming a widespread defect involving either part. More owner reports — or an official response — would make the situation much easier to assess.
Two new moulds now under scrutiny
LEGO Minifigures Shrek Series 71053 includes 12 collectible characters and is now on sale in multiple markets. LEGO Icons 11386 SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom contains 1,794 pieces and is also available internationally.
In both releases, the new character moulds are a major part of the appeal. That makes the reports particularly notable for collectors who care about long-term part durability. For now, the clearest conclusion is also the most cautious one: cracks have been documented on multiple copies, but the cause and true scale of the issue remain unconfirmed.
