One of the new themes the LEGO® Group launched in 2020 is the Monkie Kid. The theme pulls inspiration from an ancient Chinese folktale and gives it a modern twist. The first wave of the theme comprises eight sets and runs concurrently with a new animated series. While the show has yet to air in Canada, the sets went up for sale in May. Out of curiosity, I requested a couple from the LEGO® Group. This week, we look at the first one, the Demon Bull King (80010).
NOTE: The LEGO® Group provided this set for review purposes. However, the provision of products does not guarantee a favorable review. I will use my usual rating system (click here to learn more) and provide my honest opinion.
DEMON BULL KING SUMMARY
- NAME: Demon Bull King
- SET#: 80010
- THEME: Monkie Kid
- COST: $119.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 1051
- MINIFIGURES: 3
- RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2020
DEMON BULL KING QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 93% (Very good cost-per-brick and excellent build-time value.)
- BUILD: 85% (There are a couple of minor design and personal preference issues.)
- MINIFIGURES: 66% (Amazing characters, but too few Minifigures for a set this big.)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 90% (Great play value, but not as great for adults unfamiliar with the show.)
- OVERALL SCORE: 84%
DEMON BULL KING (80010) REVIEW
VALUE: 93%
The Demon Bull King (80010) set retails for $119.99 in Canada. With 1051 bricks, the cost-per-brick is $0.11. Comparatively, my average cost-per-brick is currently $0.14. Therefore, you get a decent value for each piece in this kit. I rate the value-per-brick at 90%.
This set took me three hours and 52 minutes to assemble. Consequently, each minute of build time cost $0.52. That is and excellent value that earns 95%. By comparison, my average cost-per-minute is $0.81. Therefore, based on both the cost-per-brick and the cost-per-minute, the Demon Bull King is great bang for your buck. Overall, averaging the two scores yields an overall value rating of 93%.
BUILD: 85%
The Demon Bull King is a character build. You are not building a mech, but the style is similar. My initial feeling during the build process was the character looked blocky. This was particularly true around the shoulders. However, I have changed my mind upon completing the project. The build has a lot of articulation. Therefore, the Bull King poses in a variety of ways that make the shoulders look more proportional. From most angles, this set looks great. Additionally, the light brick built into the chest adds dramatic effect. One of my favorite details is the skeletal look of the neck. The Bull King is hyper-detailed, stands well on his own, and is fully poseable as an “action figure” should be.
With that said, there are a few issues too. Firstly, I said this model looks good from most angles. The backside needs some tiling and texture to make it more interesting. I also wish this character came with two hands. A flamethrower rests where a hand should be. The weapon looks great, but a hand grasping the flamethrower offers more versatility for play. Finally, there are parts of the design that do not hold up to rough play. Even just posing the character for photography revealed bits that fall off easily.
I liked the build experience for the Demon Bull King more than I thought I would. The methods used to articulate the character are complex and interesting. Therefore, you stand to learn something from this kit as well. The issues I have with the kit are minor, but are issues all the same. I rate the build at 85%.
MINIFIGURES: 66%
The Demon Bull King set comes with three characters. The Monkie Kid has all the standard parts. Princess Iron Fan wears a dress piece instead of legs. Pigsy has a unique headpiece coupled with shorter legs. However, Pigsy’s legs are not the stumpy, unbending child legs that I hate. Finally, the LEGO® Group employed the shorter, poseable legs from the Harry Potter theme in another set. Additionally, they feature printing that works on any Minifigure requiring shorter legs. On top of that, each character features a lot of detailed printing. These are wonderful Minifigures that feature a lot of new parts.
Finally, bendable shorter legs!!!
The characters have brick-built accessories for the most part. The Monkie Kid’s staff consists of three pieces, two of which are new bricks. However, he also has a new headphones piece to sit around his neck. Pigsy has a “rake-cannon”. Perhaps the show will explain it better, but I do not like the build. However, it features a pitchfork and sausage accessory. Princess Iron Fan’s accessory does not look much like a fan. However, it features a foil-ish plastic bull emblem. Additionally, one of the parts used to build it is a golden harpoon piece. She also has shoulder protectors. Overall, I rate the Minifigure design at 41/45 (91%).
Three Minifigs in a kit containing 1051 pieces is a brick-to-fig ratio of 350:1. Comparatively, my average is currently 156:1. Therefore, for a kit this size, you are not getting many characters. I expect six or seven for a kit this big. At the very least, the set should include the Red Son Minifigure. He is available in two other sets. However, I am not interested in those kits. There are three sets in this theme that I want. I feel that should be enough to get all the main characters. This is particularly true since I want three of the biggest sets. In this case, the ratio score is 41%. Averaging this with the design score gives an overall Minifigure rating of 66%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 90%
As an adult this set did not interest me much initially. However, I like it more after building it. Still, I do not have much use for it. I will keep it on display for a little while. However, the characters do not captivate me because the show has not aired. I know nothing about them and feel no connection. Sadly, the LEGO® Group made a marketing flaw there. This theme needs the pull and advertising power of a series for a character set like this. The series must be out at the same time as the sets or earlier, certainly not months later. I rate the AFOL score at 80%.
From what I know about Monkie Kid, the Demon Bull King is the main antagonist in the series. At this time, the show has not aired in Canada, so it is hard to say more. However, this set is the only way to get the principal villain for play purposes. It is also the only way to get the Princess Iron Fan Minifigure. Assuming that the show is good, kids will want the set for those reasons. I think the Demon Bull King has huge play potential. I would have wanted this as a kid if I was into the series. Therefore, I rate the KFOL score at 100%. Overall, that brings the entertainment rating up to 90%.
OVERALL SCORE: 84%
The Demon Bull King (80010) is an excellent value in every way except for the Minifigure count. I feel this set needs more characters. However, the build features expert design, detail, and articulation. Additionally, it has a lot of play potential. However, I find it hard to relate to the characters because the show has not aired in Canada. This set only features characters from the show. To become a collector’s piece, people need to want the characters. Sadly, there is no reason to want something you cannot relate to and know nothing about. I grew to love Ninjago because of the Ninjago Movie. Monkie Kid has the same potential. However, it is losing steam after months of waiting for the series. What do you think?
Until next time,
-Tom
What do others thinks?
Brick Insights is an awesome site that aggregates LEGO® set review scores from around the web. Based on their statistics, you can see what other reviewers think of Demon Bull King (80010) below.
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Kind of reminds me of the cyber-demon from Doom.
I had to look that reference up 😂. But, yes they do look similar.