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LEGO Ninjago City Workshops Preview & Thoughts

The #70620 LEGO Ninjago City set was an instant hit when it was released back in 2017. It came with a whopping 4,869 pieces and 19 minifigures and retailed for $300. For Ninjago fans, this was a dream come true, but city fans liked it too! Two feet tall at its highest point, highly detailed, and on a standard LEGO 32×32-stud baseplate with Technic connector pins, it was basically a LEGO Modular Building with an Asian flair. It inspired city builders to incorporate an Asian neighborhood into their cities.

But there was more to come! The following year, LEGO released the slightly smaller but wider #70657 LEGO Ninjago City Docks with 3,553 pieces and 14 minifigures for the price of $230. Then after a break, LEGO released the #71741 LEGO Ninjago City Gardens in 2021. This was a corner building like the original LEGO Ninjago City set, but even bigger and taller (29 inches at its highest point), with 5,685 pieces, and 22 minifigures for $350. Then after a couple of years, the #71799 LEGO Ninjago City Markets was added. Similar to Ninjago City Docks, it’s a straight layout spread out on two baseplates. The set came with 6,163 pieces and 21 minifigures for the price of $370. While the first three sets have been retired, Ninjago City Docks is still available at the LEGO Ninjago section of the Online LEGO Shop.

And coming up in March, we will have another set to add to the collection; the #71837 LEGO Ninjago City Workshops. This is another corner building (I hope that this means we will get a fourth corner at some point!). Surprisingly, it’s the smallest in the lineup with 3,244 pieces and 10 minifigures, and the price of $250. The set is different in other ways too. Instead of focusing on city life with little shops and daily activities, it is basically a mech-building factory.

This takes the theme to the realm of imagination – further from the more realistic LEGO City theme and closer to LEGO Monkie Kid (another fantasy theme with Asian roots). LEGO Ninjago fans don’t seem to mind the change as it still fits well with the story, but LEGO City fans are less enthusiastic about it. Below is the press-release related to the set from a few days ago.

The LEGO Group proudly introduces the #71837 LEGO Ninjago City Workshops set, an extraordinary addition to the beloved Ninjago City series. Designed for fans aged 14 and up, this intricately detailed modular set offers a captivating build-and-play experience, and is compatible with other LEGO Ninjago City sets, perfect for young ninjas and seasoned collectors alike.

This impressive 3,244-piece set features a stunning 4-story model featuring a mechanic workshop, two working cranes, and for the first time ever, the ability to create and customize a poseable mech complete with a selection of armor and stickers. This mech can be displayed proudly on a platform in the mech bay, adding a new dimension to the play experience.

The set also features vibrant apartments, bustling stores, and delightful restaurants, each designed to be removed and enjoyed separately. The Ninjago City Workshops provide endless opportunities for imaginative play and dynamic storytelling, and it’s a modular set that’s compatible with other Ninjago City sets, including City Gardens and City Markets. The set also references locations from the LEGO Ninjago TV show, with many hidden Easter Eggs.

The set comes with 10 iconic Ninjago minifigures, including Zane, Pixal, and the never-seen-before characters Dorama, Dr. LaRow, Harumi, and Twitchy Tim. Fans can recreate epic battles from Season 3 of the Ninjago Dragons Rising TV show or invent their own thrilling adventures.

With its intricate design and interactive features, the LEGO Ninjago City Workshops set is a must-have for fans of the series and a fantastic gift idea for those who love large builds and creative play.

Although the press-release didn’t include a whole lot of pictures of the interior, below are a few.

It’s wonderful to see another set added to LEGO Ninjago City, although as I mentioned, previews have been somewhat mixed from adult LEGO fans. Below, I included two videos that I believe provide a good analysis and balanced view of the plusses and minuses of the set.

The #71837 LEGO Ninjago City Workshops set will be available for purchase starting on March 1st at official LEGO stores and the Online LEGO Shop. Prices are as follows: €249.99/ £219.99/ $249.99. For more information, visit the LEGO Ninjago section of the Online LEGO Shop.

What do you think? How do you like this new addition to the LEGO Ninjago City collection? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below!

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The crowdfunding stage of Series 4 of the BrickLink Designer Program begins today, at 8 AM Pacific time. Crowdfunding for this series ends on March 1st, 2025 at 12 PM Pacific time, or once all sets sell out. As we know from previous series, many of these upcoming sets sell out within hours, so if you would like to get any of them, it’s best not to delay!

As usual, BrickLink members may pre-order their favorite sets from the series, with a limit of 2 of each set per household. All sets that receive over 3,000 pre-orders will be produced. Up to 30,000 of each set will be manufactured during a limited, one-time production run. There are five sets in this series, and information about them is included below as well as on the crowdfunding page.

Merchant Boat by NicolasCarlier – While the overall shape and design of this steamboat are entirely of Nicolas’ own imagination, their approach involved drawing inspiration from various references. From actual boat photography to paintings and concept art, each reference played a big role in shaping the final concept. The essence of the design lies in giving a manually crafted look to the boat, achieved through the incorporation of reclaimed elements from the merchant’s voyage. Experimenting with different colors and unusual shapes complements the desired final aesthetic. On the deck, you will find the main cabin, including a bed, a small kitchen, as well as a dining table. The upper floor is accessible through a side wooden staircase at the back of the ship. The design includes two paddle wheels, on both sides of the boat. The upper floor and the roof can be detached to access the inside of the model. 2,180 parts, 4 minifigures, 3 stickers. Price: $169.99

Wild West Train by llucky – At the head of the train is a steam locomotive, styled in true Wild West fashion. It features a gray boiler with a tangle of pipes and a large chimney at the front, all decked out in dark red and gilded details. The cabin features brown windows, giving it a classic, rustic look. There is also a coal car, a passenger car, a transport car, and an open car. Next to the train, there’s a tall water tower, filled with water for the steam boiler. A little further away, there’s a windmill powering a pump that pumps water into the water tower. The train is designed to be easily motorized. 3,192 parts, 12 minifigures, 17 stickers. Price: $279.99

Medieval Seaside Market by Bricks_fan_uy – Welcome to Willport! The model consists of a seaside castle with a market and port inside. It is arranged so that the focal point is actually the rear side of the castle instead of the gate as it usually is. For ease of use, the model can be split into four sections. The set includes the main tower, the wagon and ship, the market area, the lighthouse tower, as well as side towers. Despite being a castle at its core, it is also a port that can be appealing to pirate fans, at the same time, it’s also a marketplace for those who enjoy the everyday life scenes more than the battling, conquering, and raiding scenarios. Another key aspect is that although LEGO has released several boats for the castle theme, there has never been a port set where they all can dock and interact. In a way, this set integrates with people’s collections and could easily make its way into LEGO fans’ medieval villages. 2,560 parts, 9 minifigures. Price: $229.99

Siege Encampment by SleeplessNight – Introducing the Advanced Encampment, where the art of medieval warfare meets precision and preparation! This strategically designed camp ensures not only the might of our offensive weaponry but also the backbone of support needed for a triumphant siege. Includes accommodations fit for nobles, grunts’ quarters, field kitchen, herbalist, weaponry repair shop, supply cart, defensive stockades, a mighty trebuchet, catapult, and versatile armament. The advanced encampment is more than just a military base; it’s a complete strategy for success! 2,598 parts, 18 minifigures, 11 stickers. Price: $229.99

Riverside Scholars by Hanwas – The Riverside Scholars is the next set in the Hanwas’ original theme, The Mountain Windmill Series. The theme was created whilst writing a story for his sons. The Mountain Windmill was released as part of the BrickLink Invitational and The Ocean House is due to enter crowdfunding next year. The story tells of the mysterious Mountain Windmill that holds mysteries long since forgotten by the villagers who live in its shadow. The journey to the windmill is too dangerous to travel, until, that is, a young village boy discovers a map marking a hidden route to the Windmill. The Riverside Scholars is one of many steps along the path to the Windmill. 2,769 parts, five minifigures, 2 stickers. Price: $199.99

Even though all of these models are quite large and expensive, I’m certain that they will all get crowdfunded easily. Once funded, LEGO will produce the sets in their own factories, and orders will be ready to ship around July of this year. (Actual dates and shipping times may vary.)

What do you think? How do you like this series of the BrickLink Designer Program? Are you planning to get any of the sets? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!

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