Yesterday evening (20th), Danish toy company LEGO announced the latest product in its Ideas series, set number 21358, the "Minifigure Vending Machine"! It is scheduled to be released on June 4, 2025, with a suggested retail price of US$179.99, and a price of NT$6,099 at Taiwan LEGO Certified Stores.
Since it's a LEGO Ideas series set, we must mention the original design, the "MINIFIGURE PRIZE MACHINE" created by Belgian LEGO fan Rob Vangansewinkel. Initially, he designed this model digitally, inspired by the vintage gumball machine from his childhood at his parents' home. To ensure this gashapon machine, filled with individual minifigures, could actually function, Rob Vangansewinkel began building it with physical bricks, using approximately 950 parts, trying over 20 versions, and even disassembling a real gumball machine to study its internal structure. It took him 2-3 months to successfully complete it.
▼ Rob Vangansewinkel's original submission to the LEGO IDEAS platform under the name Goosestore.
The officially commercialized "21358 Minifigure Vending Machine" boasts 1343 parts. Its exterior also follows the design of a retro gumball or capsule toy machine, utilizing a rich array of transparent parts for the casing while adopting a primary red and gray color scheme, allowing you to watch the capsules move as you turn the knob. Of course, the modified official version still lets you experience the coin-insertion and capsule-turning process, offering not only a display piece but also full playability once assembled.
Another highlight that truly shows LEGO's generosity this time is the total of 16 minifigures! These include awesome characters paying homage to various LEGO product themes, such as the classic golden and teal spacemen, Castle series knights, pirates, Fabuland animal-costumed characters, vacation-style Paradisa minifigures, and a minifigure wearing a LEGO IDEAS logo outfit. And the one in the red plaid shirt and gray pants is believed to be none other than the original designer, Rob Vangansewinkel himself! This is too cool; this set is a must-buy.
LEGO 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine
Suggested Retail Price: US$179.99, Total Parts: 1343 pieces, Estimated Release Date: June 4, 2025
Source: LEGO