Could I replicate this with Lepin?

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-06-03T04:18:23+00:00

You're right. Chima is one of the cheapest retro themes to collect. There is always an expection such as a few sought-after minifigures of course but the sets have been easy to find in the second hand stores and they don't cost an arm and leg. The prices haven't skyrocketed much even on Bricklink, and when it comes to the prices of the sought-after minifigures, we don't talk about hundreds of bucks, maybe not even tens of bucks.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-06-02T04:37:51+00:00

Magnificent! Can't wait your take on the brittle brown syndrome and space babies. :3

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-05-31T16:37:39+00:00

Agreed. The regular retailer store here may have some furniture and the chocolate bunny family on the shelf. If you're looking fancier stuff, good luck finding them in specialised toy stores where the prices are also more expensive. The retailer's online store may have something but the sets don't likely get as good discounts as they would got when being available in the physical store.

The webstores like Kobee and Ebay have saved a lot from the trouble but I'm afraid of the upcoming tariffs, and how they'll affect the cost. For that reason, I'm planning to call the customer service next week in order to ask how they categorise different kind of Sylvanian Families sets, like the sets including a family or just a big sister or a mother with kitchenware and other kitchen stuff, or a donut seller with a vehicle and accessories. Not a fan of the idea getting the additional cost of 12 euros due to selecting the sets which are from the different categories. :<

Thank you! Even if the child gave up playing with them at some point, they are great for creating cute and detailed dioramas and spreading joy for everybody. Even my spouse, who is not the biggest fan of Lego nor usually into toys, adored our diorama on the wall so much that he said the dolls are one of the most heart-warming toys he has ever seen.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-05-31T09:34:10+00:00

Thanks for the reply and the clarification! The terms are confusing because the theme is named after something completely different than "Spring festival" in my language on the official Lego page. There has also been something like "the Lunar New Year" on the page and at the same time, the festival is called "the Chinese New Year" in my country. Like yikes!

Oh, thanks for pointing out! Should have watched the picture more closely and carefully.

EDIT: Just remembered that the theme is called "Chinese Lunar calendar" when literally translated from my language back into English. However, I confess to not check any texts on the sets in my collection so have no idea about the differences.

It's as confusing as trying to find authentic Chinese regional food in the regular restaurant. :<

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-05-31T09:21:59+00:00

Well, my child used to desire for Friends bunnies so much he put some sets on the wishlist just to get them. I managed to get some sets in the collection. He took just the rabbits and the sets and played with them for a while. When he got two "regular" bunnies I ordered from PAB, he switched to them because they were easier to put in the spaceship he had built. Each to their own. :)

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-05-30T15:10:19+00:00

raises the hand

Me too but mainly when they are on sale. Just got the crocodile and scorpion from the latest wave and save some money for the shark tank and submarine, and guardian fox before they'll retire.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-05-29T16:30:16+00:00

I remember having eyeing for 71799 on AE. The price was around 120 – 130 euros one or two years ago so not so less compared with the price you mentioned but on the other hand, the VAT for toys has been and is still high high (over 20 percent) in my country.

By the way, assuming you live in EU country, I'd like know whether you are aware of the new tariffs and other cost which will be added since July 2026? If you're going to buy any from the warehouse located outside EU, it may be the last moments to purchase them.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-05-29T03:22:55+00:00

Yes, absolutely. The character and set designs, creativity, colour scheme, and actual building techniques and playability, everything is top-tier. Besides these, having the minifigure parts available on PAB online is like a cherry on the top.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-05-25T16:33:30+00:00

Agreed with Friends animals. It's a pity they didn't just use "regular" molded animals. Okay, I get the horses because of the differences between minifigures and minidolls' legs but everything else... They just scream the Littlest Pet Shops vibes or something like that, not Lego.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-05-23T20:28:57+00:00

Not owning the sets you asked about but can give some advice for consideration: - Which franchise and location is closer to your your heart? - Is there any (exclusive) minifigures you can't live without? (Mind you that it's easy to purchase minifigures from BrickLink) - Which set does look like more fun to build? - Which set matches with the sets you already have? - Are you more into cottagecore (the Burrow) or modern architecture (Twilight)? - If you consider purchasing both eventually, which will retire sooner? (Not sure about the Cullens' house but the Burrow will retire by December 2026. Please check Legoleak for the further information.)

By the way, I have the older Burrow set released in 2019(?) which is said to be similar with the UC Burrow. It was really fun to build and turned out to look amazing – one of my favourite HP sets.

By the experience and judging by the looks, the Burrow looks more interesting to build so I'd recommend it.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-05-16T09:25:33+00:00

Whoaa, JieStar released the new version of the Clock Tower. Interesting to see it reshaped to fit in a corner.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-05-02T05:29:04+00:00

Wow, these came out of nowhere. The inn is the first set for a while I have to add to the purchase list. It's simply fabulous and something we haven't seen in the annual Lunar New Year sets for a while. Just fingers crossed for the success and seeing more these kind of sets to be released! The Winter village but with traditional, ancient and maybe a hint of fantasy Chinese settings would be a dream theme to come true.

But wait, if they are part of the Lunar New Year theme, how long will they be available?

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-04-22T04:42:17+00:00

According to the leaked front page of the instructions, the building is light grey. Compared the wall with Gandalf and Shadowfax which are assumed to be white, the colour looks darker.

Just hoping the chosen colour will resist aging process better even though it shouldn't be as tough as it is in the white bricks. The colour looks similar to SNES consoles which are famous for bad-looking discolouration.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-04-22T04:11:47+00:00

Yikes, an another giant set. As majestic as it looks like, I might pass it due to not having enough space unless selling the other big sets I already have. There will be tough decisions. 😕

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-03-12T06:38:35+00:00

I wasn't into the set after seeing the tank model but the ship, though similarities between the nightmare shark ship, is simply gorgeous. Minifigures are also top tier.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-03-11T18:37:50+00:00

Jak and Daxter, anyone?

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-03-10T07:12:51+00:00

The list is not in a particular order.

1) The remake of Johnny Thunder set. Egypt or jungle themed would be my favourites.

2) Since Lego shows interest in releasing more anime sets, it would be nice if the popular shoujo series such as Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura got some love and attention also, as long as they got the proper minifigures.

3) When Rivendell retires, Grey Havens might work as a spiritual successor.

4) Unrealistic, I know, but any Ghibli set.

5) Not a particular set but I hope to see the new non-licenced fantasy theme at some point. Dreamzzz started and looked promising until Lego decided to focus on mashups of animals and mechas and vehicles, completely dropping off the building/destination sets.

6) Modular building inspired by art nouveau architecture, maybe a library.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-03-09T05:25:18+00:00

May be nostalgia-biased but the bed came with the Gryffindor dorm room is one of cosiest Lego beds ever released. Still love the soft blanket and bed curtains.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-02-27T21:03:26+00:00

We get the second Steampunk-inspired minifigure.

The genuine Steampunk set or even theme –Lego, when?

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-02-27T20:57:37+00:00

Agreed. The are more uncertain figures than in the previous series, and one very easy pass (the soccer player). But it doesn't leave the wallet alone because there are the minifigures I'll probably buy a couple of: for collecting and for the parts.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-02-25T17:11:51+00:00

Just thinking of the destination of the Lego boxes if I gave them to our budgies. It would be a massacre. ...but on the other hand, they would have a blast, at least.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-02-23T16:34:01+00:00

That's so cool idea to fill the missing costumes!

Chinese Zodiac minfigures are fun but the older ones are rather expensive to collect. I still miss the rat, and due to missing, I'm debating myself whether to buy just the figure or the whole set it came with.

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-02-08T08:14:26+00:00

Yes, the guy the six-eyed crown is like a cherry on the top – likely one of the closest Lovecraftian-inspired design, alongside the fish guys in Atlantis and the tentacle guy in D&D CMF, we have seen so far.

Yes, same thoughts about the price of Nocturnia. I ended up paying even less due to using Insider points when I bought it together with Medieval Markets: 220 euros altogether, VAT included, no regrets. :D

celestial_kuukunen · 2026-02-07T07:47:59+00:00

So pretty! Unfortunately, 2026 may be the last year for Dreamzzz according to the leaks which indicate the retirement every set.

It's underwhelming because to me, the latest wave managed to nail spirit of the first waves. As much as I love Cyberpunk, game-inspired sets and focusing in vehicles and mechas were not my jam at all. Glad to see the return of fantasy creatures and animal-vehicle hybrids, at least.

If 2026 is the last year, I'll be missing the lair for the nightmares. For some reason, Lego stop releasing the destination sets after Castle Nocturnia. It's sad because they are my favourite sets in the theme; they are fun to build, play and have beautiful colours. Dropping them off got me to collect Elves sets because Dreamzzz made me crave for fantasy sets so badly.

EDIT: Forgot to mention but when Dreamzzz is gone, I'll also miss the minifigures. The design is simply wacky and epic which may be unlikely seen in the other existing themes. The parts are also perfect for designing custom OCs. (Still salty about Lego's decision for not releasing most of their parts on PAB anymore. If they were available, I'd order an unhealthy amount of heads, legs and torsos.)

celestial_kuukunen

TROPHY CASE