I am making this post because now that Pokémon is now a LEGO theme after many years, it is time I discussed the ups and downs of the designs. I will start with the iconic Pikachu, then Eevee, the Three Kanto final evolution starters, the Pokémon Center and the Kanto Region Badge Collection.
Going at $199.99 on the LEGO site via pre-order, we got LEGO set #72152, A.k.a. Pikachu and Poké Ball.
The good things about the LEGO set are:
- It uses the Ball and Socket joint LEGO pieces similarly to Bionicle.
- It has a feature which lets you remove the Poké Ball or have it placed on the Pikachu stand
- The way that the Black lightning with the studs form a “25” if you look carefully at the first image which is a little bit creative and a nod to Pikachu being the 25th Pokémon.
- There is also an option where you can change the tip of Pikachu’s tail to be either a male or female.
- Pikachu may have some Posability due to the fact that their ears can be movable as well as the arms, feet and tail.
The LEGO set isn’t without it’s bad, as this set leaves a lot to be desired.
- They did not integrate Pikachu correctly as their face is too clunky, and the stripes are shaped like the slits of a Toaster, the stripes are supposed to be round at the end; on the other hand MEGA and other companies that uses blocks had made Pikachu’s big set (e.g., Motion Pikachu with 1092 pieces) better and not have the face look too clunky.
- The LEGO Product is set for 18+, I mean there was the black box cover that is used for ALL adult LEGO sets. “Seriously LEGO, the least you could’ve done is give the kids a Pokémon LEGO set for their ages, is that too much to ask?”
- There is posability, but the posability may be limited.
- This set is expensive whereas MEGA and other sets before LEGO Pikachu was a thing, their versions of Pikachu were around $70; that is like 65% cheaper than LEGO.
That is pretty much it for the Pikachu, aside from the limited posability and the fact that the design feels too chopped up, that is all I could say for Pikachu.
Next up, going at $59.99 is Set #72151, which is Eevee.
The ups for Eevee are:
- You can turn the head of Eevee, you can move the ears, the tail can move freely, which showcases some flexibility, and you can move their legs forward and back.
The downside though:
- The design that was implemented is not good for the face as it looks too flat; whereas MEGA’s “Motion Eevee with 1366” had an accurate face.
- The set is expensive. (Just like #72152’s Pikachu and Poké Ball)
- The set is set for 18+.
- There is posability for this LEGO set but the posability is limited though.
Third up is #72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise, going at $649.99.
The pros:
- There is posability
- For Charizard it is the Tail, Wings and probably the arms.
- For Blastoise it is their head they could turn and cannons in their shell.
- For Venusaur, it is the mouth that can move up and down and their vines.
- The three Kanto starters can be separated from their platforms which means they can stand.
- The set has biome platforms which are fully detailed.
The cons:
- The set suffers from the design issues similar to #72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball’s case.
- The Wings of Charizard suffer the same fate of using fabric for the Wing membrane similarly to Ninjago’s sets that have dragons that uses wings that have fabric.
- The designs of the three feel too clunky and chopped up, especially Venusaur, “I mean what have they done to the poor grass starter?”
- There is limited posability.
- This set is for 18+.
- The set is expensive.
Fourth is set 40911, which is the Mini Pokémon Center.
Pros:
- It has a architectural design which brings nostalgia from the old games.
Cons - You cannot buy this as this requires you to earn 2500 points for purchasing stuff in the LEGO official site, which means you would have to spend a LOT of money to get this.
- This is set for 18+
- There are no Minifigures for this. “Is it too much to ask for some Pokemon trainers or Gym Leaders?”
Finally, the last set 40892 Kanto Region Badge Collection.
The pros:
- It uses less LEGO pieces similarly to the Mini Pokemon Center; the mini Pokemon center uses 233 pieces and the Badge collection uses 312 pieces.
- Simple in design
The cons:
- You cannot buy this as this can be acquired as a gift after you purchase set #72153, A.k.a. Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise.
- This set is for 18+
- Some of the badges in the set are off by design.
- There are no minifigures to go with this.
Overall, I don’t hate the LEGO company, and I don’t hate the Pokémon company. When I was a kid I had the idea of using LEGOs to build a brick Pikachu, in the past LEGO and Pokémon were not on good terms as these IPS were at a conflict on who would get more people to buy; there was an old article stating it is Pokémon’s fault. Just as LEGO were almost bankrupt there came a set that would change LEGO forever which was Bionicle and after 10 years, there would be more new LEGO sets that would make LEGO feel revolutionary which was Ninjago, Monkie Kid, Dreamzzz. I am not trying to sugarcoat LEGO, but I think that LEGO group did not implement the designs of Pokémon too well either out of spite or that they are oblivious to the current Pokémon norms. And if that is not enough insult to injury, making the Lego sets expensive and for adults feels a bit hurtful, as LEGO and Pokémon are meant to be for all ages, not adults only.
To make this short, I think the LEGO Pokémon sets that have designs which are ugly to look at, too restrictive to adults, and too expensive. I could be wrong on this. If you have opinions let me know down in the comments down below.
