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New LEGO Ideas Activity: Get Your Builds and Minifigs Wet for “Toy Photography in the Rain”

Well, one recently-finished LEGO Ideas Activity got the highlight during National Video Games Day earlier this week. Now it’s time for another challenge from the Ideas web page to take center stage. While the rainy season has been on for a while now in many countries, this is the latest Activity’s theme. As the challenge blurb puts it, “bad” weather doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. What better way to demonstrate it perhaps than to show LEGO builds and minifigures in the rain? It would take some nifty camera work (or digital effects), but the visuals should be startling.

So here’s the gist of the latest LEGO Ideas Activity: “Toy Photography in the Rain.” The rules of the challenge interpret rain photography in two ways. First is the obvious: seeing LEGO toys/vehicles/minifigs outdoors in rainy weather. The alternative is to shoot photos indoors, but having an outdoor view of visible rain. Ideas members answering the challenge can either show their minifigure-characters in rain-gear braving the elements, or having fun in shelter while watching it pour. This Activity lasts for seven days and will culminate Tuesday next week, September 21.

Activity Rules

LEGO Ideas as always have laid down some rules for the challenge, albeit a bit more forgiving. While normally they insist on the use of non-licensed-IP LEGO pieces and minifigs, they might be allowable here. So Ideas members can choose to put Owen Grady and his “Jurassic World” companions under the weather. However, LEGO might not be able to share such builds on social media afterwards. That explains why the “Pong” and “Tetris” –inspired builds from “Love of Gaming” didn’t get tweeted. And of course, the depiction must stay wholesome and all-ages. As stated, the only “prize” for participation is a chance for social media exposure. But surely you’d have fun making your rainy-day LEGO build all the same, right?

LEGO Teaser Substantiates Rumors of “Queer Eye” Apartment Set (10291)

Funny how we were recently talking about LEGO sets geared for AFOLs in particular fandoms. It’s true that quite a bit of LEGO Ideas submissions might be for adult-oriented IPs. One comment from the Brickset.com story about this teaser noted how many “The Office” sets aspire for LEGO Ideas. And there has been talk that LEGO will make sets for “The Batman” starring Robert Pattinson. Production’s been pushing to get it an R-rating. But back to this new LEGO teaser: observers are sure about the show from the images. LEGO “Queer Eye” sets are coming?

If somebody didn’t get it, “Queer Eye” is a reality show streaming on Netflix since 2018. It features a makeover team of five gay guys helping a wide variety of people better their lifestyles and relationships. The teasers on LEGO’s official social media hint at icons symbolizing the “Fab 5” headlining the show. It pretty much confirms an earlier rumor: “Queer Eye” Apartment, numbered 10291. Speculation on this set of 974 pieces began last August, with a possible release date sometime within this month. If so, then LEGO Queer Eye Apartment (10291) could be blown wide open any day now.

Gorgeous, honey! 😍 pic.twitter.com/gXSpAi9XDp

— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) September 13, 2021

Once the set releases, it will join a nice ensemble of “apartment” LEGO sets based on various franchises. How cool would it be to build a LEGO neighborhood with “Friends,” “Seinfeld” and “Queer Eye” together? We first need to see how the “Queer Eye” set looks like first, though it surely won’t be long now.

New LEGO Star Wars Helmets Rumored to Come Out Next Year

The AFOL section of the LEGO Star Wars fandom has gotten some awesome sets geared for them since last year. Perhaps the most memorable are the Star Wars Helmet collection. There’s nothing like brick-built recreations of the iconic headgear of the Empire (and one bounty hunter) to inspire imagination. Five sets have been released thus far. Last year saw the line’s debut with the Stormtrooper (75276), TIE Fighter Pilot (75274) and Boba Fett (75277) helmets. This past March saw them joined by Darth Vader (75304) and the Scout Trooper (75305). And according to Promobrick.de in Germany, more sets are coming.

That’s pretty much the gist of the rumor Promobricks has picked up: more LEGO Star Wars Helmets in 2022. Apparently, LEGO is considering the helmets of three characters, but will decide to make only two sets. The three in question are Luke Skywalker (Red 5 helmet), Imperial AT-AT Pilot, and Din Djarin. Indeed, the titular Mandalorian from the “self-titled” Disney+ series is getting a LEGO helmet. One has to wonder however at how to make these rumored LEGO sets distinct. The AT-AT Pilot’s helmet is almost a revamped, recolored Stormtrooper. Din’s helmet on the other hand comes across as duller and less fanciful that Boba’s.

Bear in mind that these are just rumors at the very moment. We’ll have to wait again until LEGO makes an official statement about these (supposed) new LEGO Star Wars Helmets. The same goes for rumors of new LEGO Star Wars Battle Packs that started making buzz earlier this month. About the only thing we can say is that we’re now wishing more heroic “Star Wars” characters wore helmets. This line of LEGO Star Wars sets is near-totally skewed in favor of the Galactic Empire.

LEGO Design VP Matthew Ashton Says Many Themes, Including Monkie Kid, Continuing to 2022 and 2023

For general LEGO collectors, it’s always sobering when one hears news that a LEGO theme is potentially being ended. Usually they announce the retirement of all currently-available sets in the line, without word of upcoming new stuff. Then again, The LEGO Group is a business. If they think a theme must discontinue for reasons, it will. Recently this fate seemed in store for LEGO Speed Champions, Technic, and even 2020-debut Monkie Kid. The latter saw all its current sets earmarked for retirement on December 31. But a top LEGO figure assures that it, and many other themes, will continue.

Brick Fanatics bring us this hopeful bit of news. Over the weekend, LEGO VP of Design Matthew Ashton held a social media Q&A on Instagram. LEGO fans and collectors among his followers were quick to ask him about the status of certain themes. LEGO Monkie kid among others are getting follow-ups next year, to fans’ relief. Not just Monkie Kid, but also Technic, Speed Champions, DOTS and others will have 2022 and 2023 releases. Then again, for Monkie Kid, having a streaming deal with Amazon might have had an indirect effect.

More Monkie Kid

LEGO Monkie Kid’s animated adaptation has been airing in Asian countries and Australia since 2020. After joining Amazon Kids+ this month, the series gets an international streaming audience for the first time. Its season 2 ended in a cliffhanger that hinted at concluding the series in season 3. This coincided with the announcement of all its sets retiring at year’s end.

Thanks to Ashton’s Q&A, we can be assured that LEGO Monkie Kid will see more product releases and animated seasons. Interestingly, LEGO’s other Asian-inspired theme, Ninjago, went through the same deal. Introduced in 2011 and slated to run only three years before discontinuation, the theme and animation have lasted eleven. If collectors keep buying and viewers keep watching, we’re sure to get more Monkie Kid too.

LEGO Shares Fave Submissions to Ideas Activity “The Love of Gaming” on National Video Games Day

As August was coming to an end, the LEGO Ideas page proposed a new Activity. The theme was “The Love of Gaming,” in anticipation for National Video Games Day this past Sunday, September 12. Ideas members were challenged to build play-sets or objects pertaining to gaming and how much people love it. The Ideas Activity period already elapsed last week on September 7. By that time, 24 submissions came in. And on National Video Games Day itself, LEGO shared its top picks from the entries. We’re sure many gamers will agree that the showcased builds encapsulate the love of gaming.

We asked, you delivered. This #NationalVideoGamesDay, check out these incredible gaming-themed build submissions from our 'Love of Gaming' activity . 🎮🕹📸: Brick Broadcasting, Brickmaster84, TotallyHuman, MichaelStein000000000 pic.twitter.com/jDhwdUsjnF

— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) September 12, 2021

LEGO’s official Twitter page featured four of the 24 entries from the LEGO Ideas activity “The Love of Gaming.” Viewers will definitely resonate with them, representing the evolution of videogames as they do. Brickmaster84 and MichaelStein000000000’s retro arcade machines evoke the early decades. Brick Broadcasting’s gamer nerd (with Player 1 shirt) kind of represents the advent of home consoles. Finally, Monkey Scout No. 2’s build pays homage to gaming of today. Who can refuse the inviting ergonomic design of a Gaming Chair? For a tweet pertaining to National Video Games Day, LEGO was spot on.

And they’re not the only ones. Head on back to the concluded Ideas Activity page “The Love of Gaming.” There are more builds there that will tickle the heart of any gamer. LAN parties, a bleeding-edge gaming mouse, home gaming setups, and even a working brick-built “Pong” game are here. It’s a good way to bask in the aftermath of National Video Games Day, if you happen to observe it.

LEGO Creator Expert Santa’s Visit (10293) Now Up at US LEGO Shop@Home

After making its debut via LEGO’s regional portal in Asia, LEGO has officially announced and listed this year’s seasonal winter village set. The LEGO Creator Expert Santa’s Visit (10293) is now up at LEGO Shop@Home in the US, slated to be available beginning next month, with early VIP access on September 16.

Coming in at 1,445 pieces this year’s winter village set puts the spotlight once again on the lengths that Santa will go through to add that holiday cheer to all that is expecting his visit. It was 2014 since we last saw him added to a LEGO Creator Expert winter village set in the form of Santa’s Workshop (10245), so it’s great to see a LEGO model that is built around his character.

And of course, the model itself is perfect for a seasonal display piece and will look great with other winter village sets that you might have. The angled build is really clever since it gives the model a sort of depth and a certain degree of realism. I love the combination of white and light royal blue for its exterior, and the tons of holiday details in the interior. The set comes with four minifigures featuring Dad, Mom, a little girl, and Santa.

Read more about the LEGO Creator Expert Santa’s Visit (10293) below and if you wish to be notified on its arrival in October, you may want to head over to LEGO.com and this to your wishlist.

LEGO Creator Expert Santa’s Visit (10293)

1,445 pieces | $99.99 | Coming Soon on October 1, 2021. Early VIP access on September 16, 2021.

If you’re dreaming of the perfect Christmas Eve, get the festive season off to a magical start with this LEGO® Santa’s Visit (10293) model building set. It’s the ideal way to spend quality time with a cozy project for adults and families. Build the intricate Christmas house and explore all of the model’s jolly features before placing it on display.

A build packed with traditions Spot all the ingredients that make Christmas Eve so special. There are stockings on the fireplace, a plate of cookies with milk for Santa, and even a place setting for him at the dining table. The exterior is equally detailed. See the Christmas tree, which lights up when you press down gently on the treetop. Extra details complete the cheerful scene with presents, a mailbox, and brick-built boughs under the ‘snow’-topped roof.

A Christmas building project to savor Santa’s Visit is part of the LEGO Winter Village Collection; a collection of buildable model kits for adults that celebrate the festive season.

Enjoy a magical Christmas build with this LEGO® Santa’s Visit (10293) building kit. Explore all the traditional details of Santa’s Visit with an enchanting Christmas house model to display.
Includes 4 minifigures with dad, mom, girl, and Santa so you can recreate endless cozy family Christmas Eve scenes. See Santa drop through the large chimney into the fireplace.
Enjoy spotting all the festive details of the intricate interior. There are stockings on the fireplace, a plate of cookies with milk for Santa, and gifts hidden around the house.
This model looks amazing from all angles, making it a perfect seasonal display piece. See the cute kitchen with its sweet brick-built stand mixer.
Add a festive glow to your Christmas Eve scene. The Christmas tree features a light brick (with battery included) that lights up when you press the top.
Looking for top Christmas gift ideas? This model building kit is ideal for LEGO® fans or any adult or family who’d love to receive a model building kit with a beautiful display piece to enjoy.
This collectible Christmas house measures over 7.5 in. (19 cm) high, 10.5 in. (27 cm) wide, and 6.5 in. (16 cm) deep. The rear roof moves outwards giving further access to the upper floor bedroom.

“LEGO Monkie Kid” Animated Series Finally Reaches Western Audiences Via Amazon Kids+

LEGO has scored massive success tapping into East Asian culture and mythology for their original product lines. We’ve seen that golden touch in LEGO Ninjago, with set theme and animated adaptation still strong after a decade. But LEGO is always looking for something new. And by tapping into Chinese myths this time, they created a new theme: LEGO Monkie Kid. Following its introduction last year, LEGO tapped Australia’s Flying Bark Productions (“Rise of the TMNT”) for the animation. Going with 2D and an anime style, the “LEGO Monkie Kid” series was a hit…in Australia and Asian countries. But it’s going international soon thanks to streaming.

The Brick Fan has it that Amazon has picked up “LEGO Monkie Kid” for streaming on their Amazon Kids+ service. As of Wednesday, September 9, the series can now be streamed wherever Amazon Kids+ is available. That means western audiences waiting for the animation since its reveal last year can now binge it. Already “LEGO Monkey Kid” has two seasons and two 43-minute specials, with a third in production. Asian audiences have been very positive of the show, given the familiar source (subjected to LEGO-ization).

The Plot

“LEGO Monkie Kid” is based on the Chinese novel “Journey to the West.” Centuries after the Monkey King imprisoned Bull Demon King with a magical seal, he is freed by his family. Their plans to conquer Megapolis are foiled however. That’s thanks to Monkie Kid, a delivery boy, finding the Monkey King’s magic staff. Aided by his friends, Monkie Kid protects his hometown as the Monkey King’s successor.

While season 1 of “LEGO Monkie Kid” is up on Amazon Kids+ now, season 2 will be along on October 28. There are also plans to make it available on Prime Video. This is good news, sobered by the possibility that LEGO might retire the entire theme when 2021 ends.

LEGO Creator Expert Santa’s Visit (10293) Revealed in LEGO Taiwan, Singapore Websites

A number of new LEGO sets are sure to be around just in time for Holidays each year. The seasonal ones are expected. And then there’s the set or two for LEGO’s Christmas Village. These ones LEGO hopes you’ll add to your expanding collection of snow-capped homes and buildings waiting for Santa. We’ve already got one revealed this week, listed on two Asian editions of LEGO Shop@Home so far in the form of the LEGO Creator Expert Santa’s Visit. LEGO in Taiwan and Singapore seem to be keeping this under wraps for the moment, however.

This LEGO Christmas Village Collection set is called the Creator Expert Santa’s Visit (10293). The details pretty much write themselves. It’s a two-story house with white snow-capped roof blocks, festive wintry décor, a three-minifigure family, and Santa himself. But just because it’s an overdone motif doesn’t mean it can’t still surprise. The set has 1,445 pieces and was given n 18+ rating after all. As you’ll soon see, there are enough gimmicks built into Santa’s Visit (10293) to justify a purchase.

For LEGO house sets, it should be easy to remove the roof to play with minifigs and interior furnishings. This one makes a roof panel articulated so that it swings out. The chimney at one end is scaled properly so that minifigure Santa can literally drop in. And the outdoor Christmas tree lights up.

Santa’s Visit (10293) will certainly bring a breath of fresh air to any LEGO Christmas Village setting it’s added to. And since two Asian LEGO sites already have it (hidden), it’s probably not long before it appears elsewhere. For now, just enjoy the wonderful images provided.

LEGO Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block (71395) Given Epic Reveal

Have you ever had all your guesses about a teased product come true? Say a company gives a product teaser with minimal details. You and your buddies’ speculations offer multiple possibilities on what that product actually is. Then somebody asks, “What if the product really is just what we saw?” And it gets followed by something like “What if it’s all of them?” Well LEGO the day before, teased a new LEGO Super Mario set and showed…a brick-built Question Mark block from the franchise. We offered our own guesses as to what the set is. And technically it was all of the above. Well, I guess the guessing game finally ends here with the official reveal of the LEGO Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block (71395).

So yes, that LEGO Super Mario set numbered 71395 is officially revealed. It wasn’t a Princess Peach Castle, although that’s part of it. The Mushroom Kingdom setting is there, but it was only a part of it as well. It was aesthetically based on the legendary Nintendo 64 title “Super Mario 64,” but again, it’s not just that. The set is the Question Mark block from the teaser, but it’s the container for everything else in there. We tip our hats to LEGO for their LEGO Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block set (71395). Our surprise was well-generated.

Here’s what to expect from this set as per LEGO Shop@Home

LEGO Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block (71395)

2,064 pieces | $169.99 | Coming Soon on October 1, 2021

Rekindle fond memories as you build, display, and play with the LEGO® Super Mario 64™? Block (71395). Twenty-five years on from the launch of the Super Mario 64 video game, this set features a brick-built? Block that opens to reveal instantly recognizable levels from the game: Peach’s Castle, Bob-omb Battlefield, Cool, Cool Mountain, and Lethal Lava Trouble. There are also 10 microfigures of iconic characters to place in the detailed scenes.

Interactive play
A delightful gift for any Super Mario fan, the set comes with step-by-step building instructions. For interactive play, add a LEGO® Mario™ or LEGO® Luigi™ figure from the 71360/71387 Starter Courses (sold separately) and collect 10 hidden Power Stars to reveal secret reactions and more.

Limitless possibilities
The LEGO Super Mario range includes Starter Courses, Expansion Sets, and Power-Up Packs, allowing builders to expand, rebuild and create unique levels.

Pay tribute to the classic Super Mario 64™ video game in LEGO® style with this brick-built version of the ? Block (71395) for display and interactive play.
Includes 10 LEGO® Super Mario™ microfigures: Mario, Yoshi, Princess Peach, and King Bob-omb, as well as a Chain Chomp, Big Bully, Mr. I, Lakitu, penguin, and baby penguin.
The ? Block measures over 7 in. (18cm) high, wide, and deep, and opens to reveal 4 detailed Super Mario 64™ levels: Peach’s Castle, Bob-omb Battlefield, Cool, Cool Mountain, and Lethal Lava Trouble.

Got that? It’s indeed more than a micro-scale diorama of the SM64 Mushroom Kingdom with microfigures that pack into a brick-built block. Remember the gimmick with the LEGO Super Mario NES set (71374)? Stick your LEGO Mario or Luigi (from sets 71360 and 71387 respectively) on the assembled SM64 Question Mark Block (71395). It’s another interactive surprise! Ten Power Stars are hidden in the dioramas, and the battery-powered LEGO Mario Brothers can find them. It’s incredibly mind-blowing.

And yes, it’s coming this October 1. This is definitely a priority buy for LEGO, Nintendo, and Super Mario fans/collectors.

LEGO, Adidas Team with NBA for Player-Minifigure Basketball Tees, as Seen in Adidas PH Website

LEGO is an old hand at partnering with big names and brands to adapt prominent franchises into brick-set form. That also goes the other way around. The LEGO brand also appears in non-brick products like clothes. A few months back LEGO teamed up with Adidas to produce some neat regional sets. They were brick-built Adidas Originals Superstar sneakers, one nearly life-sized (10282) and another mini-scaled (40486) as a GWP. No long after, some new Adidas shirts with a collaborative theme of LEGO and the NBA have appeared online. How cool would it be to wear a shirt with an NBA superstar rendered in minifigure?

Brick Fanatics tells us that the Philippines’ Adidas online store now showcases a selection of LEGO-themed basketball T-shirts. They have four top NBA players depicted in art as LEGO minifigures alongside expressions that totally relate to them. Which basketball stars?

James Harden, Brooklyn Nets (SCHWAAAG)

Damian Lillard, Portland Blazers (BYE BYE)

Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz (SPIDA)

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (BBRRR)

They all look pretty neat, and also call back to earlier LEGO-NBA collaborations in the early 2000s. Do you remember The Ultimate NBA Arena (3433) with the Shaq minifig?

In any case, it seems these Adidas-LEGO NBA shirts are so far only listed in the Philippine Adidas website. Each is priced at 1,500 Philippine pesos ($29.96), about the same value as a small LEGO set. LEGO and NBA fans who like the Adidas brand should come check these out.