Fellow toy lovers, 2022 is almost over! After the three-day New Year's Eve holiday, the Lunar New Year holiday is just around the corner. It just doesn't feel right not to stock up on some LEGO sets to build, does it!? This Toy-People review brings you two LEGO sets released for the Lunar New Year: "80110 Lunar New Year Display" and "80111 Lunar New Year Parade"!
Let's start with the box art for "80110 Lunar New Year Display"! For scale this time, we have the God of Wealth LEGO minifigure. The front displays the two models against a red background with a gradient effect, and the top-right corner features the "春" (Spring) character emblem, a hallmark of the Lunar New Year-themed sets.
▼ The back shows another viewing angle of the LEGO models, a lifestyle shot, and size information. Once assembled, it reaches a height of 21 cm.
▼ The top of the box highlights several charming elements: the brick-built gold ingots, butterfly parts, and printed red envelope pieces.
▼ Two people can build at the same time.
▼ There are two instruction booklets. Opening them reveals English introductions for "Zhao Cai Jin Bao" (Attracting Wealth and Treasures) and "Hua Kai Fu Gui" (Blossoming Prosperity).
▼ There are 10 bags of parts in total, including bags numbered 1-9 and one unnumbered bag with orange and red baseplates, for a total of 872 pieces.
▼ Let's start building!
▼ During the build, I found the construction of the black display stand very interesting. It cleverly utilizes the properties of basic bricks and Technic parts, resulting in very sleek lines.
▼ The internal structure that forms the Fai Chun (square couplet). There are quite a few bricks in special colors that you could sneak out for other uses!
▼ Finished! Let's first look at "Zhao Cai Jin Bao," which symbolizes attracting fortune and prosperity to the home.
▼ The gold ingots are really cute!
▼ The structure of the back of the gold ingot. Toy lovers with the right parts should try building one themselves.
▼ The printed pieces for "Zhao Cai Jin Bao" & the red envelopes. The characters for "Zhao Cai Jin Bao" use a shadow effect to create a sense of depth.
▼ Although not many parts are used to build the koi fish, it achieves both color accuracy and good articulation.
▼ Next up is "Hua Kai Fu Gui," representing prosperity and happiness.
▼ The large, eye-catching peony flower is impressive both during the build process and in its final layered appearance. The stamens made from joystick parts are fantastic.
▼ Alongside it are abundant yellow peonies and branches constructed from Technic parts.
▼ The beautifully printed, brightly colored butterflies are one of the parts that I found most appealing in this set.
▼ The "Hua Kai Fu Gui" printed piece also features a shadow effect on the characters. It's really cool to have LEGO parts with such a strong Chinese cultural feel!
Next is "80111 Lunar New Year Parade," a vehicle and minifigure set with 1653 pieces. The front of the box displays all the contents in a lively and festive parade scene.
▼ The back features close-ups of some minifigures and demonstrates the play features of the floats.
▼ The super-cute rabbit character, corresponding to the 2023 Year of the Rabbit!
▼ This set allows three people to build and play together; one float per person is just right.
▼ The three instruction booklets correspond to their respective part numbers, and each opens to different illustrations.
▼ A total of 10 bags of parts.
▼ The sticker sheet and soft plastic film for this set.
▼ Let's get to building!
▼ Before each parade float was completed, I kept thinking they looked like Mini 4WD cars XD.
▼ The internal linkage mechanism is different for each float. This design, which uses repeated impacts to change direction, is very interesting.
▼ Let's take a look at the rabbit float from all angles. The exterior, adorned with various colored ¼ circle tiles, curved parts, and gold elements, has a very festive atmosphere.
▼ There's also a spot on top for a minifigure to stand. Of course, this is where our rabbit person makes their entrance.
▼ As the float moves, the rabbit's body bobs up and down (there's a dynamic demonstration at the end of the time-lapse build).
▼ A look at the linkage mechanism underneath. The power source for the gears is the white wheel rim in the center, wrapped with a rubber tire.
▼ The design allows it to be a standalone float or connect to the vehicle behind it, which enhances play variability.
▼ The second float is themed around a musical performance. It can be played with alongside the band. Let's admire it from all angles.
▼ The top of the float's front also has a standing space for a performer to shine.
▼ Decorative details on various parts of the float.
▼ As the float moves forward, the large drummer is driven to swing from side to side, beating the drum.
▼ The printed Year of the Rabbit lantern piece with a slightly translucent feel! Super cute~
▼ A look at the linkage mechanism underneath.
▼ Finally, let's look at the float themed around costumed performers, which also features a LEGO dragon on top.
▼ This float is built with multiple 2x2 round tiles featuring the "LEGO" logo sticker.
▼ Since the main feature is costumed performers, the minifigures accompanying this float are dressed as a pirate, an astronaut, a knight, and so on.
▼ The dragon scales are presented as printed pieces.
▼ Rabbit float, music float, and performance float, combine! Rabbit Person: I'll form the head... (That's not how it works!)
▼ A look at the entire 18-minifigure lineup from "80111 Lunar New Year Parade." First are two performers holding large masks and flags, and a performer dressed as Monkie Kid. It's worth noting that the set also includes transparent round pieces, allowing you to pose your minifigures in more dynamic ways.
▼ Next, from left to right, are performers dressed as a knight, an astronaut, a rabbit, and a pirate captain.
▼ The band members are all here!
▼ The rest are the crowd watching the performance. The minifigure on the far right even has a face print with Year of the Rabbit glasses!
LEGO 80110 "Lunar New Year Display" & 80111 "Lunar New Year Parade" Review Summary:
In my personal opinion, these two sets successfully cater to toy lovers in both the adult and child age groups. The "Lunar New Year Display," with its focus on overall aesthetics, beautiful design, and the ability to genuinely attract good fortune, is undoubtedly an alternative New Year's collectible suitable for adults. Its 21 cm size makes it easy to display and store without any hassle. Meanwhile, the "Lunar New Year Parade," with its rich assortment of minifigures and three float models, is a highly playable set perfect as a New Year's gift for children. LEGO fans who love collecting special minifigures definitely won't want to miss out on this one! Kick off the upcoming 2023 with these two LEGO sets~
LEGO 80110 Lunar New Year Display
Suggested Retail Price: $89.99 USD, Total Pieces: 872, Expected Release Date: January 2023
LEGO 80111 Lunar New Year Parade
Suggested Retail Price: $129.99 USD, Total Pieces: 1653, Expected Release Date: January 2023