Kim-Kwang-Seok

figure is even called "monkey king" - however to me both eylashes and chest armor seems quite female. - "lightsaber" piece seems to come in gray and gold; but it has little texture and is therefore maybe not that usable outside of medevil lines. - pigsy has medium legs; good to see them again. After HP CMF I was shocked they barely reused them and my asian friends tell me Ninjago is successful in Asian market in general. There is lot of respect and fandom in China for Korean as well as Japanese culture - including anime, drama, music, lore. After all there are lots of historical and aesthetic relations. Plus of course China is large and diverse. ..but of course a chinese-centric brand would be complimentary, especially since in Eastern Asia, fake-Lego Asian designs are quite popular - for good reasons; great designs and muuuch cheaper.

"But i don´t want a hipster-Viking wearing glasses and a pink unikitty-fan-scarf over his chainmail" thank you for this <3 Seriously: but we dont live in the high era of LotR or PotC - it may come again, who knows maybe we get a medevil vampire theme soon after some video game or tv show becomes very successful. As long as this doesnt happen interest is gonna be split in licenced themes and those established, which can cover many areas: Ninjago can cover pretty much everything. And it can even look good doing it. I understand it is not what you want but it is what TLG deems marketable. I think the only hope we have here are singular sets - like the current amazing pirates set from IDEAS. I think it is very sad Vox cancelled the TV show "Firefly". I think the show could have been also really successful on the long run. But we dont make these descisions.

Star Wars isnt Ninjago. Even expensive sets sometimes only have like 4-5 figures usually with only 1-2 interesting ones. Sure they could do something as amazing as they did with the Mando battle pack. Just give us 4 different and interesting clone tropers with accessories. But my hopes would be set to a minimum: Rex, Cody and s5 Ahsoka. I wouldnt be surprised if we only get one or none of these figures at all. And I wouldnt be surprised if that figure has less detail than the former versions. Like - will they bring back the waste cloth pieces for Rex? the old Dementors for Harry Potter looked amazing with their detailed soft-cloth piece also covering the torso. Nowdays they only get a reused stiff cape and an undetailed print. so for your own sake. See the theme for what it is and not what you would like it to be

Ninjago has endless potential due to its rich lore It can be sci-fi, cyberpunk, steampunk, and all interpretations of asian medevil stuff. And yes now as we see - it can also be European medevil. Current wave is the one with the least amount of Asian influence in it - GoT "White Walkers", Hunted, Ghosts, or even pirates all had some kind of Asian touch in it. And for those who miss classic castle or pirates: I dont understand why?! both figures and builds of the latest waves a few years back, were sooo uninspired and overpriced. Ninjago beats every theme with its new molds (sooo many armor pieces!), detailed prints, builds and the best prices. If you buy a SW set for 100 - you may get 5 figures, with 1-2 of them being really interesting. With Ninjago; chances are you'll get 9 figures with 30-50% more pieces and more new molds and almost every figure leg printing and and.. Last season may have been the weakest; but it also had many strenghts. I say: if a childish Ninja-robot theme brings the best out of Lego and saves me money: keep it going.

I am ashamed to find myself wondering about the location of this secret escape pod ever since many bothan leakers died bringing us this information.. (okey it was TLG's official description ; ) So it can only be that quadratical thing on top at the rear half of the ship. It looks like there are some parts not just there for greebling and texture. I have no idea how this thing would look detatched from the ship but there should be enough space. Only other option would be the half dome behind the cockpit piece but I very much doubt that. In any case I am so glad to see escape pods returning. I still remember having the 2nd Millenium Falcon set as a teenager, and basically playing Star Trek and Firefly with it, cause it had a detatchable escape pod (with quite a bit of space) which I used as a support and transport shuttle. These things ad so much play value. now all u get with the Falcon at that spot is a tiny space for 1 cramped figure or some boxes.

new CMF has best hair piece alternative so far for Newt Scamander - green Brick guy reuses different colour from an Overwatch set

Unlike many actually quite simple designs in earlier sci-fi movies with Star Wars ships its always about the details: Razors Crest - like the Gonzati class cruiser - could be seen as a box with 2 wings or engines on the sides. But with the Gonzati for example there are very sleek curves going through the main body - which were not at all represented in the Lego set. I am therefore sooo glad they did manage to represent many aspekts in the Razors Crest, that make all the difference from a simple "box with 2 engines". This is the first design I can really appreciate, in it's Lego form since like 5 years or so. Thing is most people - even many here - dont seem to see the slight details which make all the difference. I find it often interesting, when people complain about a rehashed design for a Lego set - when there are big structural changes. Unlike the X-Wing: Lego uses the exact same (boxy) concept for the X-Wing since like 5 years - even though it is neither accurate for the old X-Wing - even less so for the shorter and sleeker sequel trilogy X-Wings.

I have gotten my order yesterday and there were some parts missing. the provided list also proves it. Thankfully they were the least important parts which I have ordered. Interestingly there were MANY extra parts that I did not order and which were not 2 be found on the list

this. No idea how I could have never gotten around to see these mocs. They are around the best. The X-Wings are the best versions I have seen so far. I never understand how TLG and other mocs can make the sequel X-Wings nose so large and boxy. Ur original designs are also quite cool!

very dissapointing confirmation that Nya again will only come in 1-2 sets (if there even is a Ninja version of her here). This would be the 3rd wave So sad female characters are getting pushed out of Ninjago, after we got so many since a few seasons..

In almost any case the new capes are far superior. The old capes are basically just paper. On characters like Vader or Kylo Ren, it makes a huge difference. I could imagine though that the new capes are not stable enough for kids, as the neckholes can get thinner and rip over time. Or maybe its a cost issue - like the setback on dual molding and arm printing. I actually considered purchasing the new Y-Wing but the usage of old paper cape took my motivation away. On another note: From both reviews as from my own recently purchased sets: I have had never so much issues with ripped pieces than in the last year. I have some figures for 20 years now and the arms rarely ripped or actually broke apart. Now I have so many new figures with rips in arms (3 cases of arms just breaking apart when putting in the attatched hands) and even torsos with rips on the sides. Is Lego's quality decreasing in general?

I love how endless the possibilities are and how well it still works Interestingly except for the theme this year and the dragon hunters all villains or new players had a somewhat oriental if not eastern asian vibe. Like we never got European like knights (whether they are humans or humanoid salamandars). Even the pirates had Samurai like shirts.

From pictures posted here I initially thought the belt print will look off cause it is different brown. But on mine it looks spot on. And like mentioned above: 2 belts are more than fine in SW Jango and Boba also had 2 belts on their recent minifigures. I regret so hard not getting the Maul/Mandalorian speeder. Once saw it at 11$ on sale in a store years ago. Those helmets with the Batman armor look amazing! I even think about getting the Mandalorian MC; but the helmet is so damn plain. I'm afraid better versions of it will only be available in expensive sets.

thanks for sharing! I love how such a cheap set gives us so many possibilities for modification. I only bought one pack and spent about 10 hours trying endless possibilities with printed or dual molded arms and parts of other figures Fortunately I purchased the Rebel battlepack including 2 grey jet packs a few years ago on 50% off sale. I put the 2 jetpacks on both s1 Sabine Wren and the blue Mandalorian - looks great

the new 2020 Mando battlepack is full of possibilities. For example; the dark orangeish helmet would fit great with the colour scheme of the S2 Sabine Wren; if you give her the dual molded black-dark orange Garmadon arms from TLNM CMF. the blue Mando could be used for a future style Sabine due to its bright colours and purple paint. Btw does anyone here know how to best modify the Mandalorian figure from the AT-ST walker? I consider purchasing it for the figure, but dont know still how to modify it?

same last set; old Luke; before Kylo's big shuttle with 70% retail 4 interesting and unique figures in a cheap set. Thx TLG <3 Just sad the dark brown one doesn't appear to have any leg printing. Spare legs from Apocalypse Wildstyle should suit him. And I hope they'll have black heads. Mando figs have an accented covered neck.

Vader maybe an old shoe but from the way his design was filmed to the way Earl Jones voiced him - there was a lot of character; it just wasnt as superficial and "look into the camera and directly tell the audience whats going on" stuffy. Sure he was mostly a tool to the OT movies but just look at the subtext in Empire: he's driven by his desire to find Luke no matter the cost; when he finds him he toys with that boy; these moments between these two, have never been recreated or revolutionized in the new movies. So what is Kylo? His introduction is like: Vader copy cause nostalgia but immediately undercut with jokes, that kick you out of the mood, all the time cause u know we audience too stupid nowdays for actual emotional impact. So thinks the studio bosses. So how ever good the design and the actor for sure are: I dont feel intimidated, I dont feel a threat to our protagonists and I cannt even take him seriously. Now there's no mystery, no agenda but he's not a convincing psychopath either that I could fear. He's kind of an emo kid and we dont know why Snoky cares about him at all - other than nostalgia; copypaste Emperor-Vader relationship. With Vader there's build up and mystery when u first see it. With Kylo they immediately tell u everything: He's Han+Leia baby that's it. And Rian Johnson so far has stated that there were no further plans for all these characters. That was understandable for Lucas first movie but not for this franchise. So stop telling me JJ Abrahams puts any depth in his fake nostalgia- empty mystery boxes. ..and of course TLJ desaster: first they tease a revolution: he wants to abandon all the old concepts - and then Rian Johnson takes complete turn: no everything stays the same. Kylo evil wanna dominate and destroy without any big ideology or motivation

Im sorry to go into detail more here but there's a missconception especially present within the US politics: George Lucas was a wealthy white film maker; a new hope was a white sausage fest; like most movies of that time. Sure Leia was kind of revolutionary but except for that: After critizism they introduced Lando and with the prequels we got even more diversity - for the same reasons we get it now: to attact new audiences. It's all about marketing and profit. The overall plot of the OT was also just efficient story background for the time. People still knew the nazis so they used this concept without going into too much detail. With the prequels Lucas wanted to proof himself as a Rebel and filmmaker which is how they got more political. But still non of that is "left", from the prequels upwards it is just liberal - mostly for marketing reasons. The aggressive pseudofeminism within Holdo's character also fits perfectly in an ideology that belives in competition, survival of the fittest as well as authoritarianism. You can call it feminism but it's like calling Margret Thatcher a feminist. ----------------------------------- anyway: I don't know what deals TLG has with Disney but I can imagine them having more bargening power in case the future movies underperform. There's just way too much overinvestement in toys for the new movies - you can say a lot about the prequels but the toy market was attractive for this particula target audience and it continued to be for a smaller but loyal part of them with the Clone Wars.

I really don't get certain things. Sure kids won't care all thaaat much. But does it hurt to reuse a NEW hairpiece and maybe make it in a new colour? These factors can fix the decision for many ALOF's as well as some kids, to buy a set or not. Can someone somewhere ask a Lego employee WHY they are always doing this? Seriously; I'm just curious to understand! Since like 3-4 years Lego has started to creat new hairpieces like crazy. Ninjago movie Zane, Cole, Jay, Nya's hairpieces - Batman movie hairpieces - scobie doo hairpieces - non of them get reused or recoloured and we get the same old lame hairpieces in the same colours over and over again. Why?! Especially when there are movie characters for which we have so much more accurate pieces available now?

good review of the new Y-Wing up ship is pretty good I think, colours are usually never this consistant with a SW set. figs though disappointing; as for Obi Wan the old paper cape reused + black face for the dark red character almost though I'd buy this on retail, but it barely misses the mark

"issh" the best example would be A/X-Wings and the king of them all: Snowspeeder. The question is, why all these re-releases, and why no propper updates? The current snowspeeder design was always oversized and never accurate. Similar with the X-Wing; they still used this "stiff & blocky " nose - even for the sequel ones; though all X-Wings have much more curved designs. We are not the market. Lego conducts surveys; and depending on media content as well as other factors, children apparently want another X-Wing, Snowspeeder, A-Wing Fighter, Falcon and so on. And since the current designs are meeting Lego's standards already; why update them? Im sure some designers have amazing designs hidden somewhere. But they are not for a broader audience. It is not profitable to focus on AFOLs; at least not until a certain price (UCS). So please answer me: why should Lego listen to tiny part of their audience? What is interesting though is; that SW sales (at least what I've heared from several sources) have declined a lot, since recent movies failed to connect with children. Ep7 made a huge impact but the investments and expectations seem to have been much higher; especially for raising children as fans who will stay loyal for years. You can condemn our time as well as the lack of quality of the products (mostly the movies) for this. We live in an interesting time: the OT era was much more adult; they didn't get childish until Ewoks and Han's ressurection as well as the product placement of the Millenium Falcon. But still these movies had imense impact on children. Today you have a considerable audience in adults for all them movies who share the same concepts; Marvel or SW. So we have more adults buying merch; but they are still not enough to replace children who consume the products; but not to the crazy extent as before. Interestingly SW has made very bad financial choices; like the over-investments in toy market. I think SW Rebels could have gained a much larger audience if advertised and invested in properly. I personally can ignore many bad things but I understand how people got turned off by the much reduced quality (animation), compared to Clone Wars. And Clone was did manage to create a loyal fanbase of children and ALOFs for many years. It declined in the end and it was never as high as Ep9; but it was asteady market for Lego and the licence. So I hope they learned from their mistakes and bring something new with the Mandalorian. As for us AFOL's we'll maybe get more interesting designs from these shows also. If Rebels would have been more successful; they had great ship designs. A last point: I still don't understand why Lego doesnt bring out something specific for us AFOL's. The UCS sets count maybe; but why leave a market for costume figures and MOC's; and not diving into this market a bit themselves? Imagine you could get Brickvault style moc's as well as CMF style figures officially from Lego. Im sure this would be profitable; if done by Lego themselves.

very interesting topic. SW brought me back into Lego but inderpendent of all of these factors I became more fond of Lego's original themes, like Ninjago - simply because they are more creative, cheaper and more detailed (new molds, dual molded prints etc). With SW you pay 20% extra just for the licence. But yes, the movies do have an effect. Despite many of them being bad executions of good designs and even more overpriced - I needed almost all Rebels sets. Was even more fun this way; modding the characters and ships into what they should have been. As for the controversial products: I think some designs are just very good; like Kylo Rens suit. I hate the character, and I walked out on TLJ (Casino scene gave me the rest). But I still can buy few of the sets on large discount whenever a design is very good. SW as a media product is kind of dead for me, but when an interesting design comes up I at least consider a purchase on sale - like the new Y-Wing.

I think it's insane how they hold back on updating on our main SW characters. We don't expect any special prints but they could at least use the new hairmolds available; TLBM Gordon hair for Obi Wan - it was recoloured already in the JW line in his dark orange. And maybe Lloyd's new hairpiece for Anakin. With the prints there isn't much you can do - if they dont use dual molding and skirt pieces (which they wont) you can either make the pants the colours of the boots; the colour of the only like 15% visible pants (which for some reason they always decide to do..) or extend the coat/Kimono; with some superficial print for pants. The latter one was done for the latest Mace Windu figure. And it looks amazing. Probably best Kimono print of any Jedi figure. Compared to the horrible AT-whatever-T version, where he used white for the legs, even though this white was barely visible due to knee boots and almost knee lengh kimono. At least they will not be able to rehash any random face for Anakin. Like they did for last Padme

Am I counting correct that the Junker set has 6 new molds? Blonde guy hairpiece, blonde guys back piece, bigfig, big figs arm, big figs hair piece (if I am seeing correct he has a minifig head), big figs hook weapon thing and the big fig in any case is just excellent in details. I really wonder why they have the budget here and not for other big figs..

I didn't think they could do a decent calendar, since there weren't enough sets to use figures from. But Mcgonnagel and Dumbledore are the only reused figures. Every other figure has something exclusive to them - the founder even gets a golden beard piece I also like that most builds seem more complex than the other advent calendars.