We are now counting down to the start of the Year of the Pig. This year, we have seen a number of sets released to commemorate this event, as the LEGO Group seeks to increase its market share in Asia. We have previously mentioned 80101 New Year’s Eve Family Dinner and 80102 Dragon Dance – these APAC exclusive sets have been in high demand: literally flying off the shelves as soon as they arrive. We have also seen the release of the Brickheadz Dragon Dance Guy, and the Year of the Pig 40186.
This last set is one I would like to look at today. The fifth in the series – following on from previous sets Year of the Dog, Year of the Rooster, Year of the Monkey and Year of the Sheep – 40186 The Year of the Pig is available as a Gift With Purchase at selected locations now. In Australia, it is available through the LEGO Certified Store (GoldCoast), LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Store (Melbourne) and selected Myer Stores (including their online store). Before you get to take it home, however, you have to spend $88 in store. I found mine at Myer Doncater, during the closing days of their stocktake sale ( which meant that most LEGO® sets were selling for 20% off).
This set is intended to be given as a gift: the box has room to fill in the name of the recipient, as well as and giver. The box provides details on unsealing the box, to place a gift of money in the envelope before resealing it. Traditionally, children are given gifts of money in red and gold envelopes for the Lunar New Year, and a slightly LEGOfied version is provided here.
This set has 150 elements, and most of them are relatively easy to come by. There is one element that is new and exclusive to this set: the printed round tile, used as the tip of the pig’s snout. The other relatively uncommon element is the tail, a repurposed elephant’s trunk in Bright Purple.
The Build starts off as the other sets like this do, with a circular base – featuring foliage elements as well as red and pearl gold trim, some offset plates serve to later secure the model in place.
The next part of the build sets up the Pig’s torso. The trotters are given their form through the use of curved slopes, as well as quarter circle tiles facing inwards. The torso is a predominantly simple SNOT construction
The head starts off with a core of SNOT elements, including 4 bricks with 2 studs on adjacent sides. This is a great example of how you can use Bricks with a stud on the side in conjunction with basic plates.
The details are easily attached to the from and back, as well as the ears simply attached, using small ball in socket joints.
Our pig has limited potential for posing – mainly by repositioning the ears, eyes and forelimbs:
Here we see our pig posing with three of the previous four models. I might need to Bricklink the year of the sheep – no elements in that set are particularly rare these days, or hunt for a scrupulous reseller somewhere.
This is a quick and easy build, and the face has a bemused expression. Despite the lack of moving elements, a degree of varied expressions can be achieved.
In summary, I quite like this set, and feel it was worth the hunt to find it in stores. The base reminds us of the lunar new year celebrations, while the pig itself is quite a nice rendition, maintaining the cuteness we have become accustomed in this series. I give this set four out of five Arbitrary Praise Units.
This set is available now, in some markets – I am unsure of European or North American distribution. Unfortunately, it is not available through Shop at home.
What do think of this set? Too cute? Not cute enough? Are you looking for it this New Year? Or have you managed to secure one of the other Lunar New Year Sets? Why not leave your comments below, and follow the Rambling Brick on Instagram to see some more images of this great set.
Until Next Time,
Play Well!