Lyichir

Pretty cool! Technic tends to focus on modern cars and even Icons usually tends to focus on cars from at least the 1950s onward, so an early automobile like this makes for a really interesting and unique model.

Very nice! I still need to commit to ordering the parts for the third one. Never special ordered the parts for a model that large all at once before so it's kinda daunting.

Biggoron's Sword seems like it'd be hard to make—even at that scale it can be tricky to brick-build a good-looking sword, and I don't think there's any existing sword/blade molds that really have the right look (extremely large but with a straight, largely unornamented blade). Also, even if you made a specific mold for it, the way minifigure arms work means that Link couldn't even wield it two-handed, which is kind of the iconic feature of the Biggoron's Sword compared to other weapons in the game. The Megaton Hammer works much better even just with existing bricks, not to mention is likely more universal to most players' experience with that battle (since unlike the Biggoron's Sword which is the reward for an optional sidequest, the Megaton Hammer is a required item for a glitchless playthrough of the game).

It's a pagoda roof piece, which has seen use in Ninjago and various other sets! https://brickset.com/parts/design-4190 Kitty looks adorable. Don't know if I'll get this one since it's less like either of my real kitties, but it's definitely extremely cute and I like what they've done to make the build vary slightly from the Tuxedo Cat.

It could be kinda cool if maybe there was another robot hidden in the airtanks or something, but I don't know how likely that is. And the way the torso and legs on these figs are built there isn't really room for one there. Most likely just a typo.

It's not that deep, it's just a hair color that looks "cool" and distinctive without necessarily needing to be the product of modern hair dye or anything like that (see Captain Redbeard for an older male example). On this fig, another benefit is that it doesn't blend in with the various earth tones used for the hat and outfit.

I wonder if the new sets will include any other Gum Gum powers for Luffy. The long arms were definitely a great touch but I think it would also be cool to get a fig of him using his Gum Gum Balloon (maybe built sort of like the Aunt Marge fig from Lego Harry Potter).

The Monster Hunter looks very nice, feels slightly Bloodborne-esque (though obviously more colorful and cheery as befits Lego). The Tahu torso and legs do highlight why my ideal Bionicle figs would be molded instead of standard minifigs (the printed details on flat surfaces only do a so-so job of evoking the iconic robotic texture of Bionicle characters), but in the context of a minifigure cosplaying as a Bionicle character it works fine. I'll be curious to see how the mask and fire sword are executed, since those probably will have the sort of molded detail the rest of the fig parts lack.

Pics of the upscaled Classic Space fig are out! The blue 1x6x5 panel with logo is very nice and since it's blue it should be good for non-upscaled MOCs as well (perhaps on the side of a base or SHIP). From a cursory look at the build, most of the parts to build it in red, black, and white as well, but sadly the 4x4x2 2/3 domes used for the helmet don't come in yellow yet. Though on second glance I'm not sure what piece is used for the chinstrap. Looks almost like an intermediate arch between the 1x3x1 2/3 version and the 1x5x3 1/3 version. If so it's a welcome piece, but will sadly mean recolors will have to wait.

Even as an adult, I find that modular swapping is a nice feature compared to rebuilding from scratch if for no other reason than it being less of a commitment. It's the difference between trying out a new combination in a matter of moments versus committing hours to disassembling a set fully and then reassembling it as an alternate model. And the former can still encourage creativity, since those connection points for add-ons work just as well with small custom modules as they do with the ones that come with the set by default. Dreamzzz actually tends to have a nice combination of all of these approaches—a base model that typically stays consistent between builds, alternate builds that involve disassembling the rest of the set (instead of having to fully disassemble it all), and occasionally modular weapons or accessories that can work with either build or mixed and matched with other sets.

That's one of the reasons I don't particularly mind it even when it doesn't contribute all that much or make all that much sense. A lot of Lego sets tend to be assembled in sections anyway (to make them easier for kids to build, especially with medium-to-large sets that they might not want to do in one sitting), so having sets where those sections are designed with compatible connection points so that you can swap them around between sets if you so choose doesn't detract that much overall.

With the modules in sets like Dreamzzz the idea is that weapons, accessories, etc. can be mixed and matched between sets. 71497 is certainly one of the most extreme examples (with two builds fully composed of swappable modules instead of a base model with a more involved rebuild in most other Dreamzzz sets), but you can see it to a lesser extent in a lot of other recent Dreamzzz sets as well (for example, the fins, engines, and detachable flyers on the Tiger Shark Tank set). The intention isn't really the same as something like a modular building where each part can function independently, but then again the modules aren't sold as standalone pieces like with modular buildings either—each set with these sorts of connections has enough components to create one "complete" build. Personally I really like this feature. Its execution in 71497 wasn't my favorite but with other sets it's neat and in some cases influences which model I choose to keep together (usually opting for the model with more swappable modules when it varies between builds).

My guess is that the extra pieces could maybe be to add some color detailing (i.e replacing some larger slopes with smaller ones to add some tabby-esque stripes).

Sure, I'd expect you'd either have to custom print one or maybe make a custom sticker for that.

I think I'll stick to just one. Better question: how many people are gonna take the design and recolor it to make some other classic space colors to join it?

Built both models of the Tiger Shark Tank over the past few days while catching up on the rest of Season 3 of the show. Second half of Season 3 I liked more than the first, and it had some nice moments for all of the characters. Still no word on whether there will be a season based on this year's sets, but if there were it's not too big a stretch to assume the Undreamt might have been planned to have something to do with the Nightmare King's ascension to Nightmare Emperor.

Just one rumored set... and not a super big one either. Wonder what it could possibly be. $59.99 is bigger than most single house sets but smaller than most sets with two buildings, or large buildings like the museum. Maybe a single building with a greater portion of side builds/landscaping/customization options than usual? Or maybe a set based entirely on customization (the price is kind of comparable to the "maker sets" from the Super Mario theme). Or it could maybe be something completely different, like a brick-built character or something. No idea.

Oh! Lego posted a teaser for the Mario Kart 8 D2C, and while it has a brick-built Luigi as reported it also seems to have the Mach 8 kart with Slim tires instead of the Standard Kart that some of the rumors assumed. Should make for a much more interesting set (a Standard Bike could've been another cool iconic option, but presumably because it's another kart Mario and Luigi can be swappable since they'd be in the same seated position).

Having watched the show now it's a little bit of a shame what didn't make it to sets. I get why they chose the sets they did (it's a nice range of subject matter and price points and nails a ton of the most important scenes), but I can't help but wish some of the gorgeous live-action set design like Alvida's ship the Miss Love Duck, Kaya's mansion, Axe Hand Morgan's Marine outpost, or Garp's Marine ship didn't make it into any of the Lego sets. Obviously for a long-running series there's still time for some of that stuff to appear (having started the manga and read through the end of the arc Season 2 is based on, I hope maybe we get an Alvida minifigure since her design in the wanted poster looks great). But it doesn't look like they're doing sets based on any of the earlier episodes so unless certain subjects reappear in later chapters, we might not see them. Of course, there's always MOCs. I'm very tempted to try MOCing the Miss Love Duck (how cool would a bright pink pirate ship be in Lego?), but sadly my MOCing skills are kind of atrophied and I haven't done anything as big as a pirate ship that I've been happy with in years (even less so with a detailed brick-built hull like this theme tends to favor). Apparently there's an artbook detailing the making of the first two seasons of the show coming out this summer, and I'm tempted to try to pick that up for more inspiration. This is all despite not even having any of the actual One Piece sets myself—I love the designs but I'm not sure there's room in my budget for another licensed theme right now.

Hm... to be honest, I don't think there exists a hairpiece that quite fits the bill for that version (with the coifs and elaborate crown). You might have to sculpt or 3D-print something to pull that off.

Very late to the party, but I recently finally watched the Netflix series after hemming and hawing for a while about whether it'd be more appropriate to start with the long-running manga or anime. Really impressed, gives me a new appreciation for the set and fig designs Lego came up with. Hoping they do just as good a job with Season 2.

I think for a new movie series it's sometimes a safer bet for Lego to stay focused on the original property, which can still synergize with the demand from a new movie without having to worry about whether that new adaptation specifically will be received as well. You see that sort of "adjacent license" with other themes too... for example, cartoon-based Lilo & Stitch sets to tie in with the live-action movie, or Sonic the Hedgehog sets that have Shadow to sorta kinda tie in with the third Sonic movie. By sticking with the version of a property that has a more proven track record, Lego can reap the sales benefits of a property getting an enhanced pop culture profile without worrying about the new version specifically bombing a la Prince of Persia, The Lone Ranger, or Speed Racer. As an extra bonus, basing sets on media that's been out for a while means they aren't limited to potentially inaccurate or incomplete concept art when it comes to designing tie-in sets, unlike what you sometimes see with themes like Star Wars or Marvel.

Pretty sure it's regular orange (with reddish orange used for the lava on the stand underneath). The triple axle connectors on the wings are definitely new, the other two seem to be more common. Pikachu also has the ball joint with through hole in yellow.

Just was looking at the new Pokémon sets and Blastoise introduces 7241 in Reddish Brown, which could be useful if you wanted to add a removable lower hull like that in the recent Black Pearl set to a ship with a reddish brown hull.

Yeah, Pikachu sadly looks a bit disappointing, with some rough shaping and a fixed pose that looks a bit awkward when removed from the stand. Eevee looks fantastic, though! And the badge set looks like a very nice GWP. The three evolved Kanto starters all look excellent and the very impressive display stand does partly explain the choice to do them as a single set instead of separately. Still don't know whether I'll get any of these, though... I'm less into Pokémon than I used to be and while I still enjoy the games here and there, I'm less confident about buying huge display pieces like these for it.