There has been a lot of chatter over the last few months about this latest original LEGO theme. First revealed when the trademark filing was located, there have been little tidbits leaked through the usual sources.
Today, we get the full story… Well, we get the story about the story, at any rate.
LEGO Dreamzzzz is the latest Big Bang Product launch – and unlike other recent exercises such as Hidden Side and Vidiyo, there is no immediate need for an app in sight. The cornerstone of the theme will be a new Animated series, available on Youtube – with 10 episodes Launching on May 15th. There will be a further drop of episodes in August, along with the launch of some of the most interesting sets we have seen for some time. Hopefully, the nature of the series will a new generation of imaginations fired up for creative play.
Step Into the Dream World: Introducing LEGO® DREAMZzz™
The LEGO® DREAMZzz™ series follows the adventures of school friends, Mateo, Izzie, Cooper, Logan and Zoey, as they join a secret agency and learn to use the power of imagination to journey into the Dream World – and learn to defeat the tyrannical Nightmare King!
“LEGO® DREAMZzz™ is our very first concept that celebrates the wondrous world of dreaming and explores what happens when dreams become real, ordinary kids become extraordinary and creativity is a superpower!” said Cerim Manovi, Creative Director for LEGO® DREAMZzz™. “We want children to feel empowered to bring their wildest dreams to life and revel in the true force of their creative imaginations while dreaming – and this is just the beginning!”
As well as the cornerstone series and sets, the LEGO Group will be presenting a variety of experiences around the world, designed to champion the creativity of dreaming. These activities will include:
- Launching three 3D billboards in Tokyo, New York and London, each featuring a distinct creature from the dreamworld that is escaping into the respective city.
- Inviting children on a ‘Dream Creature Hunt’ across LEGO stores, website, LEGOLAND® and a special edition of the LEGO Life Magazine, where they can look for – and share – their found Dream Creatures to win a badge and rewards in the LEGO Life app between May and August.
- LEGOLAND® Parks and LEGOLAND® Discovery Centers invites guests to enter the world of their wildest dreams with the launch of their new and exclusive LEGO® DREAMZzz™ 4D movie and events[LEGOLAND® event activities and 4D movie launch dates may vary by location. Please visit your local LEGOLAND® Park or LEGOLAND® Discovery Center website to learn more] . Take part in the fun activities at LEGOLAND® including everything from build activities, give-aways, photo opportunities, 4D movie and much more.
- Look out for the special themed edition of the free LEGO Life Magazine in July featuring a LEGO® DREAMZzz™ themed front cover, fun activities and a poster.
- A 16-page LEGO® DREAMZzz™ comic will also be available throughout the summer as insert in the many different LEGO Magazines, including the free LEGO Life Magazine, in select LEGO stores, and in select LEGOLAND® Parks and LEGOLAND® Discovery Centers. Later in the year, a range of activity and fiction books as well as a bi-monthly LEGO® DREAMZzz™ magazine will also be offered to curious readers.
- On May 15th, we’ll launch six new LEGO® DREAMZzz™ Non-Player Characters (NPCs) in the LEGO Life app. The NPCs will share activities that upskill and challenge children. Plus, with the support of our Community Engagement teams, the NPCs will also post comments to hundreds of children’s uploads every day to inspire them whilst exploring the new LEGO® DREAMZzz™ world.
- On top of being able to watch the full episodes and heaps of additional spin-off content for free on the new lego.com/kids streaming platform children will also be able to explore an immersive experience where they can learn more about characters and explore the different dream realms.
LEGO® DREAMZzz™ series is available to watch on the LEGO YouTube channel from May 15th, 2023 on:
- Western Europe: https://youtu.be/tD0T0TYsR6w at 5pm GMT
- North America: https://youtu.be/y9Y5ZvC-MHg at 5pm CST
- Asia Pacific: https://youtu.be/PlgSF-6x36c at 5pm SGT
- Rest of the world: https://youtu.be/ZmGtqp6iUJk at 5pm CET
Looking at the concept art for the characters from the series, we can see them take on slightly different persona as they are present in a shared dream experience. Hour glass insignia abound on our heroes ‘dream forms’ while the villainous Nightmare King and his associates add shades of dark purple to black, along with ever slo creapy forms. Because, where would dreams be without nightmares.
In Augiust, we will see a range of 10 sets available in the first instance. Many are inspired, and bring a huge sense of fun in their design. Even more fun is the way that some sets are designed to feature in part (if not entirely) alternate builds.
71453 – Izzie and Bunchu the Bunny (€20.99/$20.99/34.99 AUD/18.99 GBP/449.9 TRY/ 8490.0 HUF/24.99 CAD)
Featuring Izzie, Grimshaw and the giant Bunchu Bunny, builders choose between rollerskates and a jet pack!
71454 – Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot (€20.99/$20.99/34.99 AUD/18.99 GBP/449.9 TRY/8490.0 HUF/24.99 CAD)
Mateo literally makes a new friend, and together they head out to rescue Jayden,
71455 – Grimkeeper the Cage Monster (€/$37.99/62.99 AUD/31.99 GBP/15490.0 HUF/849.9 TRY/49.99 CAD)
Slenderman meets the Child Catcher in this terrifying piece of nightmare fuel: seen capturing Cooper in the teaser trailer, Grimkeeper strikes as a reason to not fall asleep!
71456 – Mrs. Castillo’s Turtle Van (€47.99/$47.99/72.99 AUD/42.99 GBP/19990.0 HUF/999.9 TRY/59.99 CAD)
Of course, a turtle should be powering a truck selling magical artefacts. It just should! Check-out Mrs Castillo’s unique torso.
71457 – Pegasus Flying /Horse (€52.99/$52.99/84.99 AUD/46.99 GBP/20990.0 HUF/1099.9 TRY/64.99 CAD)
The trusty steed of the Nightmare King: Could Zoey be the hero that Nova needs? I love the Elves inspired aesthetic of the fantastical side of this theme.
71458 – Crocodile Car (€62.99/$62.99/104.99 AUD/57.99 GBP/26490.0 HUF/1349.9 TRY/79.99 CAD)
Is it a car? Is it a crocodile? Yes! I love the vibrant colours, calling back to the days when the LEGO Colour Palette was decidedly thin on the ground. Cooper and Logan set to rescue Jayden from Night Hunter and Snivel.
71459 – Stable of Dream Creatures (€84.99/$84.99/139.99 AUD/74.99 GBP/35990.0 HUF/1799.9 TRY/99.99 CAD)
Mrs Castillo has been raising some dream creatures, including Dreamling Mushrooms and aa Cat… Cactus? It looks like a cross between friends and the botanical collection: something for everyone!
71460 – Mr. Oz’s Spacebus (€99.99/$99.99/159.99 AUD/84.99 GBP/41990.0 HUF/2199.9/119.99 CAD)
Spacebus! SpaceBus!! SPACEBUSSSS!!!!
Check out the heads on the Nightmare King’s Minions here: Knights helmet, Pirate Hat, a top hat and Black Space Helmet and tanks!!! Mr Oswald is the hero every middle-aged man would want to be here, with his classic space jumper under his labcoat.! As for his pilot, Albert… just don’t call the talking Chimanzee a monkey!
71461 – Fantastical Tree House (€104.99/$104.99/179.99 AUD/94.99 GBP/41990.0 HUF/2199.9 TRY/139.99 CAD)
Because All tree houses need an autonomous post box.
71469 – Nightmare Shark Ship (€139.99/$139.99/239.99 AUD/119.99 GBP/59990.0 HUF/ 2899.9 TRY/179.99 CAD)
Because a flying shark powered pirate ship is what you need, when you are inflicting terror in the dream world.
I have to admit, I love the look of these sets: they bring together the most playful aspects of Vidiyo, Hidden Side and Nexo Knights, and dispenses with any collectable, app-powered fad, and focusses on the core story – allowing kids to act out whatever aspects they will, safe in the knowledge that anything goes. But will these sets appeal to AFOLs? I love the mashup designs: almost the way we used to play – or at least how I like to remember playing. While only hardcore enthusiasts might go for everyset, there is certainly something to appeal to everyone, regardless of your current play style.
The incorporation of the elements seen here in recent Ninjago shorts does make me wonder if we will see other LEGO Themes cross over into dreams, or if the Dream realm will be used as a way to unite all of the LEGO Themes, just as Time Cruisers did, in its own way, back in the 90s.
I love the ways that these sets contain nods to classic themes such as space and castle, while bringing a completely new game to the table. I cant wait to see how the story unfolds next week, and am looking forward to trying out some of these sets when they become available in August. Have we seen a theme with such mashup potential since Time Cruisers back in the mid 1990s? why not list your suggestions in the comments below and until next time,
Play Well!