Lacdaran

I think Lego is trying to make the most appealing photos possible with the released sets, and isn't afraid to move things a bit in the future. We see here they moved clocktower replacing it with the AT. I approve of this because it is far more screen accurate. In the future I bet the angle on the clocktower changes a bit by flipping the dance section and we do actually end up with a loop. Speculating a bit; Three to five more sets wrapping around the back side of this nets you a pretty great Hogwarts. Long Gallery/Bell tower (combo or 2 sets) connects to AT, Middle Courtyard/Library (Combo or 2 sets) connects to Belltower and room of requirement. Then a set similar to weeping willow with a long wall piece and maybe the bridge connects middle courtyard to clocktower. This set might contain the Owlery which is actually a separate building from the main castle in that area.

This is closest to the correct locations on the Hogwarts map as well. I may try to change up the connections to swing the AT forward a bit versus this photo though.

I feel themes like Minions and Trolls are inevitable. You are always going to see those movie tie ins for some kids property and while few of them are going to appeal to most AFOLs they will appeal to kids. That almost feels like a separate inevitable resource pool that I would presume LEGO makes money on. New unlicensed themes, on the other hand, are a rare enough thing that when they miss they feel like wasted resources. Mario is a unique case in my mind, good property bad execution.

I love a student pack with all four torsos and will buy a few, but did we really need another Harry Potter?

Personally, I just find having another Ninjago-like series disappointing as I'd prefer more variety in themes. Taking the successful Ninjago formula of historical fantasy mixed with technological vehicles and mechs, and shifting the fantasy side from Japanese Ninjas to Chinese mythology seems to make great business sense for expansion in China, but the net result is way too many sets with this formula. I would much rather LEGO have one line with the best couple set designs from each of these themes, and a separate completely unique theme (castle, pirates, scifi, heck Monkey King set in the past without tech, whatever) So while I'm not exactly rooting for Monkey King to fail I am rooting for some of the resources it took to design these two themes to be diverted to other more unique themes in the future. As for whether it will fail or succeed I think it's a hard call. Ninjago has been a hit. On the other hand Nexo Knights was the same concept with Arthurian Legend and it was a bust.

The press release makes it very clear that what I and some others thought weeks ago is the case. This is Chinese Ninjago, made in China, for a chinese audience. LEGO is sticking to their pledge to not do region locked sets, but sales outside of china are not in any way a focus here. The high US and European prices are another sign of this. Has it been made clear if these are actually going to show up at US/European retailers that normally carry Lego? Or are they exclusive to lego.com and lego brand stores outside of China?

This is the closest to how the map of hogwarts is laid out, and then the clocktower goes out back on the other side of the great hall. Hogwarts map sketch; https://www.pinterest.com/pin/130041507961572710/ Lego Set Layout Sketch; https://m.imgur.com/a/hnrbl2I

Anyone else trying to figure out how the castle pieces fit together notice that the tower side of the astronomy tower has connections for two different directions? Here is some speculation on the layout based on where the Hogwarts map puts things in relation to eachother; https://m.imgur.com/a/hnrbl2I

If you look at the online maps of Hogwarts the pictures on the box of the Clocktower connecting to the whopping willow set seemed to place it in the wrong place. It should be on the opposite side of the great hall, but this makes it hard to photograph which is why I think the box art people effectively showed the clocktower in the wrong spot on the box. If you connect the new Astronomy tower set directly to the whopping willow set it puts both the tower itself and the two spire entry way in the correct spots. You can compare to microscale Hogwarts and see that the design of the Astronomy tower matches perfectly if you move the clocktower.

As many predicted we have Chinese Ninjago. Hard pass for me, but I'm glad other people seem excited. I can't imagine this drives much sales growth in Western markets as I think many folks that like this style would have bought ninjago and will just be chosing between these and the ninjago line. I think this is entirely a play on the Chinese market hoping the links to mythology will excite the Chinese consumer.

Series S = Amazing. That is all.

I'm afraid they are lacking a plan given that the box art for the clocktower had it in the wrong place. I would like a fully connected "loop" that aligns with the Hogwarts maps online. I think this would require 5 to 7 more sets. The problem though it that many of them would be less exciting parts of the castle than things like the great hall and the upcoming astronomy tower.

Pure speculation on my part, but with the similarities to ninjago I'm wondering if this is really just Lego group's attempt attempt to emulate their success with ninjago in mainland China. They have really focused on growth there and it seems hard to justify this theme sitting along side ninjago globally, but ninjago itself may have too many Japanese influences for the Chinese market. I'm presuming this will still have global availability based on the success of the other chinese sets and lego group's statements about not region locking sets. But I would guess the strategic focus, advertising, initial set release dates, production, etc. will all be heavily China focused, and if there is a TV show it could be a chinese one. Is it possible these are only on store shelves in China and just shop@home for the rest of the world?

I shared an initial moment of disappointment, but we always new it couldn't be as detailed as the original idea, and that is really where my complaints come from. Only question for me is if I buy this or if I pull out my Black Sea Barracuda set from my childhood and try to use some of the ideas to improve the old build.

My thoughts exactly. Really cool.