LEGO’s 2021 Rebuild the World Ad “The Damp Knight’s Tale” Shows How Creative Imagination Helps Solve Problems

Back in 2019, LEGO debuted “Rebuild the World,” a brand advertising campaign with a positive message for young builders. It encouraged them to use their imagination, especially when playing with LEGO. The ad’s key commercial demonstrated this by imagining LEGO-built settings and characters as if happening in the “real world.” How well that message is carried out depends on the viewer. The first one (2019) involves a hunter chasing a rabbit through a wacky cityscape. The 2020 edition saw kids making fantastical builds while an AT-AT stomps in the background. How does this year’s “Rebuild the World” brand commercial compare?

Why don’t we take a look up there? The 2021 LEGO Rebuild the World slogan is “Creativity can help us overcome anything!” This is ably demonstrated in the commercial called “The Damp Knight’s Tale” It shows a knight in full armor attempting to cross a river. People from the nearby town at the riverbank provide different means for him to get across. A rowboat? Jetpack? Giant slingshot? Nope, the knight’s too heavy. Then the townspeople literally take apart their town to build a bridge for the knight. Cue massive zoom-out to reveal that the anachronistic, fantastic setting was just kids at play with their LEGOs.

Now that’s yet another cute and heartwarming example of using creativity as visualized in LEGO. Where its predecessors focused on the fun, Rebuild the World 2021 emphasizes how creativity and imagination can help find solutions to problems. While the ad’s problem is getting the knight across that river, the imaginative approach the children used can be applied elsewhere. Stuff like this makes us believe “Rebuild the World” is one of LEGO’s best brand campaigns yet. Oh, and have fun figuring out which LEGO sets made cameos in the ad, even in background.

Rumor of LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Gryffindor Dorms (40452) as GWP from Late October-Early November

LEGO’s an old hand at “everything old is new again.” We’ve seen some of their older sets revamped and renumbered years or even decades later. The latest versions tend to be bigger and more detailed. Compare the LEGO Star Wars UCS’s for Millennium Falcon (75192) and Republic Gunship (75309) with earlier iterations. Now, it looks to be happening again to another major IP done in LEGO, “Harry Potter.” Rumors circulate on LEGO-specific social media about a GWP for next month. It’s said to be a rehash of an earlier LEGO Harry Potter set, reimagined for the licensed theme’s 20th anniversary.

Brick Fanatics reports that Instagram users ac_bricks_03 and 1414falconfan are hyping a LEGO Harry Potter GWP for October-November. They call it the Hogwarts Gryffindor Dorms (40452), a gift-with-purchase to buyers of a minimum $100 in LEGO HP sets. Speculations on said IG pages claim that the set will include Harry and Ron minifigs. That sounds awfully like the early LEGO Harry Potter Gryffindor House (4722) set. That one had minimal brick-built reproductions of the Gryffindor Common Room and a student’s bedroom. This alleged GWP set 40452 expands the setting and apparently makes it compatible with the modular 20th anniversary sets.

If so, then LEGO HP collectors who have yet to buy Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake (76386) and its brethren are in luck. If they purchase said 20th anniversary sets from October 25 to November 7 then they might score this GWP. That makes for a lot of modular assembly fun in fleshing out the “Harry Potter” story in LEGO. Then of course, word about Hogwarts Gryffindor Dorms (40452) is still rumor at this stage. Keep that grain of salt handy as we wait for LEGO to come clean about this.

“LEGO Star Wars Battles” Re-Release Date on Apple Arcade Set for September 24

“If at first it doesn’t succeed, try again.” That must have been on the minds of Warner Bros. Games regarding “LEGO Star Wars Battles.” Released in beta on iOS last year, this mobile game app languished in extended beta before shutting down in July. Then WB Games and TT Games Brighton revealed its revival as a component of Apple Arcade. A renewed promotional blitz again showcased its tower-defense/RTS gameplay in a “LEGO Star Wars” skin. What the dev-publishers withheld from interested Apple Arcade subscribers was when “LEGO Star Wars Battles” will re-launch. We know now.

The Brick Fan has the scoop on a recent announcement from TT Games Brighton and WB Games. “LEGO Star Wars Battles” will come online as an Apple Arcade exclusive this coming Friday, September 24. The Apple Arcade service can be availed of on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. With a $4.99 monthly fee it’s still a notable expense, though interested gamers can try a one-month free trial. If somebody’s an Apple One subscriber regardless of tier plans, they automatically have Apple Arcade. One wonders if its new platform will get “LEGO Star Wars Battles” the needed player exposure. Its original iOS beta didn’t become a full release after all.

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“LEGO Star Wars Battles” sees players field armies of the Light and Dark factions in 1-on-1 multiplayer RTS action. Familiar characters and fantastic combat vehicles in minifigure and brick-built form battle across varied battlefields. The objective is to destroy enemy defense towers, build one’s own, and advance forces to capturing the enemy base. Basically RTS veterans would feel right at home. Again, the game goes live for the second exclusively on Apple Arcade September 24. We’ll see if the app has better luck this time.

LEGO Bricktober Sets Coming to Asia Toys R Us Stores Next Month Revealed

With September just about ready to wind down, LEGO fans and collectors look forward to next month’s release period. We already know that many highly-anticipated sets are due to come out on the first of next month. But one other special LEGO product line that appears every October is Bricktober. These mini-sets and minifigure collections are a fixture of Toys R Us. Perhaps unfortunately, they’re only available as promotional items in Asian TRU stores. Anticipation for these new LEGO-TRU collectibles has been building since the first teaser from LEGO Japan. Now, Toys R Us stores like in Singapore have them officially listed on their websites.

As can be seen from the above Japanese teaser, fairytales are the theme for LEGO’s 2021 Bricktober sets. There will be four mini-sets, depicting scenes from iconic fairy stories, though only three have been revealed thus far. The sets are ultra-micro builds with perhaps a few one-piece microfigures. And the dioramas stand on brick-built hardcover books for that classical feel. We’ve listed the Bricktober 2021 sets known to be coming, with release dates.

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  • Alice in Wonderland (Not yet listed on TRU SG, October 15-31)
From the Toys R Us Singapore product info:

NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL SALE

This LEGO 2021 Bricktober [set name] is your FREE gift with purchases of $69 and above on LEGO product(s).*

A minimum purchase of $69 on any LEGO products, at any Toys“R”Us store and in a single original receipt entitles each participant to one (1) of LEGO 2021 Bricktober [set name].

LEGO 2021 Bricktober [set name] is valid at Toys”R”Us [country]. Offer valid from [start date-end date] or while supplies last only.

The 2021 LEGO Bricktober sets come in sealed bags, containing an envelope with building instructions and accompanying storybook. The completed sets look like and stripped-down versions of the Ideas Pop-Up Book (21315). Again, TRU Asian stores carry these, so collectors elsewhere might have trouble acquiring these ones.

Rumor of 9 New LEGO Technic Sets Coming Next Year

LEGO Technic is advertised by LEGO as the line that can teach children in construction of complex devices. Their specialized building pieces are thus the go-to for producing complicated LEGO-built vehicles. Whether for pleasure, sport, or work, vehicle sets from the LEGO Technic theme are beautiful art pieces one and all. Owning to the technical nature of their builds, Technic set releases in a year are not really numerous. Fans of the line however will wait excitedly for what LEGO brings out next. Thus, this rumor from a social media post will pique their curiosity.

According to LEGO speed-builder and news hound bricksmelody, at least nine LEGO Technic sets are coming in 2022. In an Instagram post, bricksmelody enumerated the rumored Technic products with their set numbers, piece-numbers and possible prices. The sets range from younger-age vehicles with pull-back function to potentially massive construction equipment. One set is supposedly licensed to a real-life heavy-vehicle manufacturer. Two sets have no names. Here’s the Instagram entry in question, with our own enumeration.

  1. Monster Truck (42132) – 139 pieces, $9.99
  2. Compact Excavator (42133) – 203 pieces, $14.99
  3. Pull-back Hot Rod (42134) – 266 pieces, $19.99
  4. Pull-back Go-Kart (42135) – 268 pieces, $19.99
  5. Racing Water Scooter (42136) – 467 pieces, $29.99
  6. Backhoe Loader (42137) – 893 pieces, $59.99
  7. [To be determined] (42138) – 726 pieces, $69.99
  8. [Licensed] Tractor (42139) – 1,286 pieces, $119.99
  9. [To be determined] w/ Control+ (42140) – 398 pieces, $129.99

You know what comes next. The above information is a rumor at the moment, and we’ll have to wait until LEGO itself breaks any news. Still, new Technic sets are nothing to sneeze at. Some of them have wowed us before, especially the Technic-cars that get life-sized reproductions using actual Technic pieces. Let’s look forward to what the line comes up with next, no matter how long the wait is.

LEGO Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block (71395) Has One (Secret) Replicated Level to Reveal

From a week before, we got the first look at the most surprising LEGO Super Mario set released yet. Initially teased as just a big yellow question-mark block, it was actually an encapsulated tribute to “Super Mario 64.” The Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block (71395) was a diorama of several levels from the 1997 Nintendo 64 “Mario” title. They unfold for display from the box then fold back inside for storage. Ten microfigures populate the four “Mario 64” levels depicted in the set. Or at least that was what the official promotion fluff and LEGO online product listing say.

As Brick Fanatics puts it, LEGO has pulled a fast one on its Super Mario set collectors. Recall those four “Mario 64” levels displayed on the promotional pictures? They were actually missing one, a fifth level from the N64 game. Actually, if one looks at some of the pictures closely, like below, they might have realized this. See that curious partly-open flap in front of the question-mark block, while the other game levels are opened? Brick Fanatics confirm excited reports from early reviewers of this LEGO Super Mario set. The front of the block opens to reveal a buildable King Bowser, Mario’s bad guy. And the flap underneath reveals the fifth featured “M64” game level.

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Unlike the earlier four (Peach’s Castle, Bob-omb Battlefield, Cool Cool Mountain, Lethal Lava Trouble), this is a boss level. That explains why Bowser is present to open it up. His buildable form easily towers over the 10 microfigures included in the set (especially the 3-piece micro-Mario). We thought the initial reveal of Mario 64 Question Mark Block (71395) surprised everything out of us. We were wrong. Bravo, LEGO. You’ve generated some sure-fire “must-buy” frenzy for this “Super Mario” set when it releases this October 1.

LEGO Santa’s Visit (10293) Seasonal Set Now VIP-Available Ahead of October Release

October 1 is the next big date in 2021 for LEGO collectors. Quite the number of new and sought-after sets will be debuting next-next-next Friday. For some the wait is already bordering on unbearable. Then again, some lucky LEGO buyers might even get early access to some of those October 1 releases. You know them as the VIPs, and joining the program is one of the greatest benefits for LEGO shoppers. Last week we featured the Holiday seasonal set LEGO Creator Expert Santa’s Visit (10293). A LEGO VIP won’t have to wait for October 1st. He can get it now.

 

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Indeed, the VIP mark is on at the LEGO Shop@Home listing for the Santa’s Visit set (10293). Its availability on the LEGO VIP program started September 16. And at $99.99 it’s a sweet and early deal. A Christmas-themed house to add to a LEGO winter village with four minifigures is a go for seasonal collectors. With a nicely laid-out interior and a chimney big enough to fit a Santa Claus minifig, the house of LEGO Santa’s Visit (10293) is one seasonal set that mustn’t be missed. It’s available for LEGO VIPs now, and for everyone else this coming October 1.

At Last, LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Icons – Collector’s Edition (76391) Arrives in North America; Check Shop@Home US

For the rest of the world, LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Icons – Collector’s Edition (76391) has already been available for buyers. For North America, the wait has been quite tedious. The tired old “shipping delay” issue has been a plague on hot upcoming LEGO sets, particularly this. Becoming pre-orderable on LEGO Shop@Home US back in September 2 has helped but not much. The new release date of September 15, the middle of this month, seemed so far away still. But it’s the middle of September now. And NA LEGO Potter-fans can now rejoice that Hogwarts Icons (76391) is at last available.

LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Icons-Collectors' Edition

Check out the online listing immediately and be relieved in the vivid green letters saying “Available now.” LEGO Harry Potter collectors celebrating the theme’s 20th anniversary will likely not be put off by the $249.99 asking price. They are after all getting brick-built reproductions of major items/artifacts/relics from the “Harry Potter” franchise. And of course, that buildable Hedwig is magnificent.

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But that’s not everything. A single purchase of Hogwarts Icons – Collector’s Edition (76391) before September ends will sufficiently qualify for an extended GWP. Yep, LEGO Ideas Sailboat Adventure (40487) is still around. It’s only until the end of the month, so better make it quick.

LEGO Shop@Home Puts Up Listings for Santa’s Sleigh (40499) and Mini Disney Castle (40478)

Last week we got the first glimpses of two LEGO sets, one seasonal and the other licensed. The Christmas seasonal set, Santa’s Sleigh (40499) was spotted on a Malaysian online retailer. The licensed set, LEGO Mini Disney Castle (40478) was first seen clearly in full via promotional images from LEGO Stores Mexico. Just over a week later, both sets now have filled-up listings on LEGO Shop@Home. We can thus finally learn their respective prices and common release date. Indeed, these two are part of the October 1 product blitz. Collectors aiming for them won’t have to wait for very long.

Santa’s Sleigh (40499) – Christmas seasonal set

343 pieces | $36.99 | Coming soon on October 1

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Get a guaranteed visit from Santa! LEGO® Santa’s Sleigh (40499) is the perfect pre-Christmas present to bring festive cheer to homes. Kids and grown-ups alike will love building and displaying the ornate sleigh, which comes with 4 reindeer figures. The sleigh is loaded with gifts including a guitar, a pair of skis and a teddy. Naturally, Santa has a list to see who’s been good this year! Kids can even challenge their friends to a treasure hunt. Will they discover the hidden Christmas treats?

  • LEGO® Santa’s Sleigh (40499) brings a splash of brick-built festive cheer to homes. Fun to build and display, this pre-Christmas gift is guaranteed to delight.
  • Includes a Santa minifigure, 4 reindeer figures with removable, decorated saddles, 8 buildable, ‘wrapped’ gifts, plus a guitar, a pair of skis and a teddy bear.
  • Santa’s sleigh, including reindeer train, measures over 3 in. (8 cm) high, 11.5 in. (30 cm) long and 2.5 in. (7 cm) wide.
Mini Disney Castle (40478) – mini-scale version of LEGO Disney Castle (71040)

567 pieces | $36.99 | Coming soon on October 1

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Celebrate the Walt Disney World® Resort’s 50th anniversary with this LEGO® ǀ Disney Mini Disney Castle (40478) set! Fans of Disney’s flagship Magic Kingdom® Park can recreate the iconic Walt Disney World® Resort Cinderella Castle, complete with pearlized golden tower tops, opalescent blue rooftop cones and a vintage-style Mickey Mouse minifigure. This unique display piece makes a perfect gift for birthdays, holidays or other celebrations.

  • Disney fans of all ages will love this beautiful miniature of the flagship Walt Disney World® Resort Cinderella Castle attraction from Disney’s Magic Kingdom® Park in Florida, and a vintage-style Mickey Mouse minifigure.
  • A great gift idea for ages 12 and up, this 567-piece building set makes a unique addition to any Disney collection.
  • Measuring over 8 in. (21 cm) high, 5.5 in. (14 cm) wide and 5.5 in. (13 cm) deep, this LEGO® ǀ Disney Mini Disney Castle makes a striking display piece standing on a mantelpiece or shelf in your home or office.

LEGO Releases Halloween “Celebrate the Season” LEGO Star Wars Animated Shorts, with Compilation

A lot of seasonal celebrations tend to start celebrating early. LEGO is also up to starting the party days and weeks before the event itself. Take for instance their LEGO Star Wars “Terrifying Tales” animated special. It’s premiering on Disney+ the first of October, when Halloween falls on the last. Yet even before that rib-tickling sendup to horror anthologies starts streaming, LEGO’s already gotten more animated shorts out. No less than six Halloween-themed LEGO Star Wars shorts are up now on the LEGO YouTube channel. And as “short” as they are, they’ve been collected into a single compilation shown below.

Fans of LEGO Star Wars and the more recent “Star Wars” content streaming or coming to Disney+ will love this. Of the five animated shorts, three features “The Mandalorian” and one has “The Bad Batch.” That doesn’t mean other “Star Wars” properties are neglected.  Boba Fett shows up with Din Djarin in one short where they try to outdo each other in ship makeovers. Seeing Boba Fett’s Starship (75312) decked out in various Halloween motifs is a riot. Similarly hilarious is the short where Darth Maul and Ahsoka Tano duel each in a pumpkin-carving contest.

If you didn’t get the hint, these LEGO Star Wars Halloween shorts feature more recent sets from the theme. The Bad Batch Attack Shuttle (75314) is also there in a short about a pumpkins and a battle droid. Satirically reworking Din’s search of Grogu in a Star Destroyer as a Trick-or-Treat run? That was just marvelously hilarious. If nothing else, these shorts should tide LEGO Star Wars fans over until “Terrifying Tales” arrives on Disney+ streaming. It comes on this October 1, so don’t forget.