Just a heads up that the two new LEGO Chinese New Year sets are now available. The two sets were announced back in November of last year (see: 2021 LEGO Chinese New Year & Monkie Kid Sets). The two new sets are not as bright as the ones from last year, but they are just as beautiful and highly detailed as their predecessors. Also note that these sets come with a large number of unique printed pieces, exclusive minifigs, and an unusually low price/part ratio.
Nian is one of the key characters in the Chinese New Year and the reason behind several practices during the celebration such as wearing red clothing and creating noise with drums and fireworks. According to Chinese mythology, a Nian is a beast that lives under the sea or in the mountains. Once every year at the beginning of Chinese New Year, the Nian comes out of its hiding place to feed, mostly on men and animals in the villages. The weaknesses of the Nian are purported to be sensitivity to loud noises, fire, and a fear of the color red. The traditions of firecrackers, red lanterns, and red robes found in many lion dance portrayals originate from the plan the villagers had in which drums, plates and empty bowls were hit, red robes were worn, and firecrackers were thrown, causing loud banging sounds that they hoped would intimidate the Nian.
The #80106 LEGO Chinese New Year Story of Nian recreates the traditions related to the legend, featuring a brick-built Asian residence with traditional decorations including buildable fireworks, firecrackers, hanging lanterns, and Chun Lian banners. The snowy scene is brought to life with a poseable Nian creature, a snowman figure and six minifigures, including grandpa, grandma, three children, and a person in an ox costume to mark the Year of the Ox. There are also many accessory elements for spring-cleaning and telling the legend of Nian in LEGO style. The model measures over 9.5 inches (25 cm) high, 14 inches (36 cm) wide, and 6.5 inches (17 cm) deep. Comes with 1,067 pieces and the price is $79.99. If you want to check it out, visit the seasonal items section of the Online LEGO Shop.
The other new Chinese New Year set is the #80107 LEGO Chinese New Year Spring Lantern Festival. It features a brick-built Asian garden with moon gates, pavilion, pond and bridge, and an ox lantern, illuminated by a LEGO light brick, to mark the Year of the Ox. The garden is decorated with buildable lanterns and traditional Chun Lian banners. It can be rebuilt into an alternative layout, too. The set comes with seven minifigures, plus accessories such as a buildable bubble tea and elements such as a rabbit lantern, Tang Yuan rice ball, mobile phone and selfie stick, plus a minifigure-shaped lantern to welcome visitors at the entrance. Notice the pond with the beautifully printed koi fish! Also note that the set is meant to be compatible with the LEGO Modular Buildings series. The entire layout measures over 7.5 inches (19 cm) high, 15 inches (38 cm) wide, and 10 inches (25 cm) deep. Comes with 1,793 pieces and the price is $119.99. If you want to check it out, visit the seasonal items section of the Online LEGO Shop.
Below, I have included the designer-video with LEGO designers Chris Perron and Justin Ramsden, where they take you through some of the features of the two LEGO Spring Festival sets.
Please note that by the time you check on these sets, they may be backordered, or even out of stock. If the status is backordered, you can still purchase it, but it will be shipped with some delay. If it is out of stock, you can set up email notification when it is back in stock. These are very popular sets, so it’s likely availability will be sketchy for a while.
What do you think? How do you like the 2021 LEGO Chinese New Year sets? Are you planning to get either of them? Or both? Do you have any of the previously released LEGO Chinese New Year sets? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below!
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