Review by Jon Donnis (With help from Nikki)
Mattel's latest release, Wicked Students of Shiz 5 Small Dolls & Accessories, arrives just as interest in Wicked is running high again thanks to Wicked: For Good, which is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025. The set brings together Elphaba, Glinda, Nessarose, Fiyero and Boq in miniature form, each one dressed in their Shiz University outfits, complete with bobbling heads and a good handful of themed accessories. Measuring only 2.75 inches, they're small enough for a child to easily carry around but detailed enough to keep older neckbeard type collectors intrigued.
For a parent, the best test of any toy is whether it holds a child's attention longer than a passing afternoon, and in that respect this one succeeds. After a full week, my daughter was still happily creating stories around the characters, using everything from the poppy to the smoothie cup to build her own version of life at Shiz. The colours are bright, the uniforms are nicely made, and there's a sense of care in how each character has been miniaturised. The overall design feels cheerful and imaginative, which is exactly what you want in a play set like this.
There are some limitations, though. The figures don't stand on their own, which can be slightly frustrating during playtime, and the smaller accessories could easily go missing or end up in the hoover. This is one for children aged four and up, not toddlers. The film itself might have split audiences (I thought it was terrible, and my daughter was not really fussed and fell asleep), but that doesn't really matter here. Kids don't need to know the story to enjoy it, and they'll probably make up their own anyway.
Durability is another win. After a week of fairly rough play, nothing has broken or bent out of shape. That's saying something for a set at this scale. While it's unlikely to impress adult fans looking for display-quality models, it hits the mark perfectly for what it is: a well-made, imaginative and surprisingly robust set of small dolls that keeps young fans entertained.
A charming release with thoughtful detail and solid build quality, slightly let down by its tiny parts and lack of self-standing figures. Still, the fun factor wins out.
Score: 8.5/10
Out now - https://amzn.to/47yUJHr
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