"I never thought LEGO could be used to build such realistic insects." When I first saw the LEGO Ideas set 21342, "The Insect Collection," I wonder if any of you fellow toy enthusiasts had the exact same thought? Today, we at Toy People are diving into this 50th entry in the Ideas series. If you're an insect lover, you should definitely check out which parts are so perfectly suited for building insects. And if you're a bit squeamish about them, don't be so quick to leave—you might find your tolerance growing as you look on (no, really).
The original designer of this LEGO insect set is Spanish LEGO fan José María. He majored in physics and fine arts, with no background in biology or entomology. He simply loves observing insects and is fascinated by the role they play in the ecosystem. He found it incredibly exciting to use LEGO parts to bring to life insects that would never normally be found together. He initially designed five insect models, but the official product, after modifications by LEGO, focuses on three of them and adds environmental bases, allowing the insects to be displayed in a more lifelike manner! So, let's dive right in and start building.
▼ The front of the box features a beautiful black-to-green gradient from the outside in, printed with images of the three models. You can also see the number marking it as the 50th set in the Ideas series.
▼ The back shows the insects from another angle and includes close-up shots of details.
▼ The top displays line art and dimensions; the three insect models are approximately 19-22 cm when assembled.
▼ The contents include 7 bags of parts and the instruction manuals, totaling 1111 pieces. No stickers—all parts are printed!
There are four instruction manuals this time. The one in the bottom right introduces the original fan designer, José María; LEGO Official Designer Jordan David Scott; LEGO Graphic Designer Kirsten Bay Nielsen; and the stars of the set: the Blue Morpho Butterfly, the Hercules Beetle, and the Chinese Mantis. It's worth noting that Jordan mentioned there's an Easter egg in this set that you'll only discover during the build. I think I found it, and we'll take a look at it later. The other three manuals are purely for assembly instructions.
▼ The front of the manuals shows the finished models, and when you flip to the back, the line art instantly gives off the vibe of an insect encyclopedia.
▼ There are photos of the real insects for comparison with the models.
▼ Above is the Fan Designer, José María. In the picture below, the man on the left is Jordan David Scott, and the woman on the right is Kirsten Bay Nielsen.
▼ Now, let's start building!
And just like that, the build is complete! The assembly logic for these models is to first build the environmental base and then complete the insect that inhabits it. The octagonal base design and building technique alone are enough to spark immense interest! Let's start with the Blue Morpho Butterfly and admire its form and the charm of its geometric wing patterns from all angles.
The wings of the Blue Morpho Butterfly are a completely different concept from José María's original design. José María used the side textures of stacked bricks to represent the wing patterns, whereas the official version opts for a mosaic of various smooth tiles, showcasing a beautiful geometric aesthetic. Additionally, the wings have been made much thinner than in the original design. The head, constructed from a bucket handle, is also excellent—a very "LEGO" solution.
▼ José María's original Blue Morpho Butterfly model.
▼ The wing patterns achieved with printed parts are also a major highlight.
▼ The Western Honey Bee from José María's original design is realized here in a mini-scale build using just a few parts. The translucent minifigure-scale wings are a perfect fit, and the printing on the bee's body is quite nice.
Next up is the Hercules Beetle. The male's characteristic large horn is incredibly eye-catching! Let's admire its magnificent and powerful appearance with wings spread from every angle!
▼ The use of translucent orange and yellow elements to adorn the wings greatly enhances the biological feel of the insect.
▼ When I first saw the official pictures, I was curious how the wings could be retracted into the back. It was only during the build that I discovered you actually have to remove the wings to fully close the back, allowing you to display the Hercules Beetle in another form with a more realistic body silhouette. The bucket handle part, used as the head on the Blue Morpho Butterfly, is used here to shape the legs.
▼ Let's take a closer look at the Hercules Beetle's head. The mouthparts, constructed from wrench-like elements, are incredibly lifelike!
▼ And now for the little Easter egg mentioned earlier, which the official designer included in this set. I wonder if you all remember the white croissant piece that first appeared in "10243 Parisian Restaurant"? Besides being used for architectural detailing and as a garbage bag in "10297 Boutique Hotel," it has found a brand-new ingenious use in "21342 The Insect Collection"—as the larva of the Hercules Beetle! It completely changes my perception of this part (laughs). I can no longer see it as a delicious white croissant!!
▼ After assembly, it gets covered by the upper layer of the branch, making it a true hidden Easter egg. However, it's quite easy to lift the branch off to see it.
Finally, we have what I personally consider the most accurate in overall shape, with the most biological and aggressive feel: the Chinese Mantis! Everything from the shaping of the head, the detailed printing on the compound eyes, the choice of light green and gold parts, to its own articulation and interactivity with the scene is excellent. But the coolest part has to be the legs, constructed from sand green pistol elements. I'm so impressed by the designer's ingenuity.
▼ Let's take a look at this Chinese Mantis from various angles.
▼ I also want to give a special mention to the seven-spotted ladybug that shares the same scene with the Chinese Mantis. Perhaps to match the more realistic tone of this set, the printing on this ladybug is different from the more cartoonish versions of the past. A very thoughtful touch.
▼ Compared to the accessory from the Ladybug Girl in LEGO Minifigures Series 21, it's really quite different!
LEGO 21342 "The Insect Collection" Review Summary:
First off, I have to admit that I'm personally quite afraid of insects—the type who hesitates to even touch the pages of a photorealistic insect encyclopedia (haha). However, The Insect Collection truly allows you to appreciate the diverse uses of LEGO parts while simultaneously mustering the courage to discover the structural beauty of insects. I believe the fundamental reason for this is that LEGO has simplified the parts that would be covered in fine hairs or have overly dense textures, yet has still managed to maintain a high degree of accuracy in their silhouettes.
Furthermore, while staying true to the fan designer's original concept, the set has been adjusted for commercial release with the addition of habitat bases. I feel this greatly enhances the overall displayability, and the effort put into the bases themselves should not be underestimated—not to mention that white croissant-turned-larva! After the build, I genuinely felt the stylistic charm of the mantis and the sheer power of the Hercules Beetle, to the point where I was even compelled to hold the beetle in my hand. It seems this Insect Collection has certainly opened a gateway for toy fans who were previously afraid of insects.
LEGO 21342 "The Insect Collection"
Suggested Retail Price: NT$2,959
Piece Count: 1111
LEGO® Insiders will have Early Access for purchase from 9/4 - 9/6
Scheduled for official release on September 7, 2023
