2021 is looming ever closer. As it nears, we are also beginning to get wind of the first LEGO® sets coming our way. Earlier today, the LEGO® Group announced the Chinese New Year 2021 sets. Additionally, we get a sneak peak at one of six new Monkie Kid sets. 2021 marks the third consecutive year for Chinese Festival sets. Last year, we got the amazing Lion Dance and Temple Fair. As we embark into the Year of the Ox, the LEGO® Group is treating us to the Story of Nian and the Spring Lantern Festival.
Interestingly, Nian is the story of a flesh-eating monster in Chinese mythology. Nian was a monster who lived in the sea. It would emerge from the waters on New Year’s Eve and devour livestock and humans. Consequently, villagers hid in the mountains at the lunar new year in fear. Apparently, the monster had a particular appetite for children. As the legend has it, and old man defeated Nian one fateful New Year’s Eve using bright firecrackers and objects in the color red. These things terrified the beast, and it fled back to sea. Subsequently, the Chinese have celebrated the Spring Festival with bright lights and red to ward of the monstrous Nian.
The mythological Nian was a child-eating monster…
The LEGO® version does not appear to depict Nian eating any children. While set specific details remain scant at this time, we know the set has a release date of January 1, 2021 in the Asian-Pacific market. Canada and other parts of the world will get it on January 10. The official press release describes the set as follows:
LEGO® Story of Nian invites children to learn the old story about Nian and celebrates the Chinese new year with LEGO bricks. It features a brick-built Chinese residence with traditional decorations, a snowy scene that is brought to life with a posable 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 in 2021.
The Spring Lantern Festival features a stunning Chinese Garden.
The Lantern Festival marks the end of New Year’s celebrations in China. Typically, children light lanterns and solve riddles on them. The celebration occurs on the 15th day of the first month in the Chinese calendar. However, just like the Story of Nian, little is known about this set besides the release date. Similar to Nian, this set comes out January 1 in Asia and the tenth everywhere else. The official press release describes the set as:
LEGO® Spring Lantern Festival recreates the magical atmosphere of the festival which marks the end of the lunar new year celebrations. It features a brick-built Chinese garden with moon gates, pavilion, pond and bridge, a special ox lantern illuminated by a LEGO light brick as well as other must-have items during the festival like a rabbit lantern and a Tang Yuan rice ball.
Finally, we also get a tease of the upcoming Monkie Kid sets. The set, called Monkie Kid’s Team Quadcopter, comes out March 1, 2021. While the TV series has yet to air in Canada, this tease gives a glimpse of an upcoming villain, the Spider Queen. In an interesting tie-in, looking closely at the Chinese New Year sets reveals a new Monkie Kid t-shirt torso print.
Did you notice the Monkie Kid t-shirt print?
Of all these sets, I am most excited about the Spring Lantern Festival. The little garden scene looks amazing. I love seeing the Asian style of architecture and scenery in LEGO® form. While the Story of Nian shares the architectural style, the building appears to be a simple façade. I will likely buy both, but I am excited about the Lantern Festival. What are your thoughts? Feel free to comment below or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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I agree. The Lantern Festival is the more appealing set here. If I can only fit one of these sets into my Lego budget, it would be that one.
It feels like the more complete of the two sets. Great to hear from you again😃
I love the 2021 shirts!!
Omg… Cyrus Borg is at The Spring Lantern Festival!!! But he doesn’t have his wheelchair.
There are a lot of fun minifig sweater designs coming up. LOL – perhaps this is Cyrus before he ended up in a wheelchair.