Review: 31162 Cute Bunny
Posted by benbacardi,
The Creator 3-in-1 range has proven itself a perfect place for brick-built animal sets, and one of this year's newest is 31162 Cute Bunny. A smaller model than its sister set, 31165 Wild Animals: Panda Family, it contains roughly half the number of pieces for half the cost.
I was a big fan of all three models in the Panda set, but unfortunately this smaller alternative can't quite live up to its high standard.
Summary
31162 Cute Bunny, 326 pieces.
£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 | 5.5p/6.1c/6.1c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A pretty good bunny at a decent price, but the alternative models are disappointing.
- Realistic bunny that looks good in a number of poses
- Decent price point
- Sinister-looking faces!
- Disappointing alternative models
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Cute Bunny
The first of the three animals is the titular Cute Bunny. The bunny's colouring is mainly tan, with a white chest, nose, and cheeks. The tip of its nose is light nougat, matching the inside of its ears and paws, and helps create the bunny's cute appearance.
Its head, ears, tail, and forelegs are attached with ball joints, and the rear legs with click rotation joints, allowing it be posed in a number of positions. When sat up on its haunches, it measures almost 20cm to the tips of its ears.
From the rear, two large curved panels primarily make up the rabbit's back. Unfortunately, they don't fit entirely flush with the lower back, creating an odd step. The neck's ball joint is rather visible from this angle, but at least it is in a matching colour, unlike the grey of the ears and forelegs. When will LEGO start producing these in other colours?!
The bunny's articulated joints enable you to pose the creature on all four legs, in the way they spend the majority of their time. The front paws can fold forwards, but the rear legs have no articulation within them, save the hip joints that allow them to rotate.
Despite some oddities around the joints, the shape of the bunny is very realistic, and it looks good in both positions. The tail, ears, and head can all be adjusted well to add to the inquisitive look of the rabbit, although I have to admit that in the photo above he looks more angry than cute!
A couple of small accessories are provided—a patch of grass with a dandelion and a lucky four-leaf clover, and a carrot, the stereotypical food of these furry vegetarian creatures.
One small detail I loved that's not visible once the model is complete is the inclusion of a pink 1x1 heart tile hidden inside the bunny's chest—something that turned out to be included in all three models in the set. It makes no difference to the final build, but it made me smile and definitely added to the "cute" factor!
Cute Seal
The second animal you can build is a seal. Significantly smaller, it has the proportions more of a seal pup than an adult, with an oversized head and large eyes. Ball joints attach the front flippers, but the rear ones can only be rotated in or out, and twisted about their axis.
Along with a little green fish, a small patch of ice and water is provided to rest the seal on. The shape is designed to fit neatly with the underside of the seal, but it does have a bit of wobble to it and doesn't sit securely.
Again, I don't quite know what it is, but I feel there is something more sinister than cute about the seal's face. Perhaps it's the shadowed eyes and downturned mouth? The head is attached by a ball joint, but the shape of the surrounding pieces means it has less possible movement than that of the bunny.
Cute Llama
Finally, the third animal portrayed by the set is a llama. With straight, spindly legs, and a long neck, the overall shape of the model feels pretty accurate—again, the proportions seem more akin to a young animal than an adult. The llama's traditionally tufty hair on top of the head is represented excellently by a rock plate, and the small ears and pink tip of the nose add to the cuteness. A small bush and carrot top are provided for additional interest.
A yellow flower is tucked behind one of the llama's ears, and another rock plate is used for the small tail. While all four legs are attached by ball joints at the hips, the creature can only really stand up in one position, and even that feels very unstable. The neck can twist about quite a bit at its base, and the ears offer a surprising range of movement for added character.
Conclusion
The bunny is very much the star of this set. The overall shape of the creature is very accurate, and I like how it can be posed in a variety of life-like positions, even holding the carrot as depicted on the box. Evil stare aside, I can see the cute appeal, and my children found it adorable.
The other two models, however, feel more like filler to me than most Creator 3-in-1 sets, and I'm a little disappointed. They are both much smaller, more unstable, and much less appealing. I can't imagine this is a set many people would consider buying multiples of in order to build all the models simultaneously.
There have been a number of animal-based 3-in-1 sets recently. I think that the larger animal sets such as 31165 Wild Animals: Panda Family and 31150 Wild Safari Animals offer better value for money than this, but the price is pretty decent (as with all Creator sets, with no licensing fees or minifigures to pay for), and I could see it being something easily picked up as a gift or impulse purchase for a child.
31162 Cute Bunny is available at LEGO.com from for £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99.
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34 comments on this article
Bnuuy
It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!
Amazing tan/beige parts pack!
Black eyes, like a doll's eyes...
The eyes remind me of the gnomes from the most recent Wallace and Gromit movie.
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
'We dare not risk another frontal assault - that rabbit's dynamite!'
I enjoyed reading your review, but all I could focus on was the ball joints. It got me thinking about their general attitude towards color matching.
Will LEGO ever figure out how to make ball joints in more colors? Have they given up trying?
Can they print a sticker that has a color that matches their bricks?
Can they provide technic pins that match the color of the surrounding parts?
These are long standing issues to me, decades long in some cases. They have reasonable excuses. Still it is disappointing that they make excuses and not progress.
Compares poorly to 31133. Why such a quick remake of an animal that is still available? Even the seal is a repeat. Worst of the 3 on 1 this year by far.
@shedjed said:
"Compares poorly to 31133. Why such a quick remake of an animal that is still available? Even the seal is a repeat. Worst of the 3 on 1 this year by far."
Its here to be placed NEXT to it. Just like a kitten is made to be placed next that awful cat statue.
@tkatt said:
"I enjoyed reading your review, but all I could focus on was the ball joints. It got me thinking about their general attitude towards color matching.
Will LEGO ever figure out how to make ball joints in more colors? Have they given up trying?
Can they print a sticker that has a color that matches their bricks?
Can they provide technic pins that match the color of the surrounding parts?
These are long standing issues to me, decades long in some cases. They have reasonable excuses. Still it is disappointing that they make excuses and not progress."
Especially since alternative manufacturers have proven for years that it's perfectly possible.
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
I'll wait for the Creator 3-in-1 Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch before buying this.
I didn't even realise the main model had two poses. I might even get a second one just for displaying that. 31133 was a much lumpier rabbit, but I have to agree, its alternate models were far, far better.
I'm OK that this one simply makes for a much better rabbit, though he does need a dark brown rock piece on his forelock to go with that ''Silflay hraka" stare.
It's like 40463 Easter Bunny but bigger :)
@shedjed said:
"Compares poorly to 31133. Why such a quick remake of an animal that is still available? Even the seal is a repeat. Worst of the 3 on 1 this year by far."
Still available as in, leftover, the 31133 set has officially retired, it was even lowered to €13.99 at LEGO.com to get rid of the last.
31058 Mighty Dinosaurs from 2017!! does still sell alongside 31151 T. rex however.
Nothing cute about those dark, lifeless, menacing eyes staring into your soul...
I feel like the previous white bunny was far superior.
I don't really understand why they've released another rabbit so quickly.
Llamarama.
I would’ve like to have seen a side by side comparison to 31133.
I like this bunny better than the white 31133 which looked weird as. This one looks more realistic. Will definitely pick it up when on sale.
"Cute Bunny" will still sell much better than the rejected "scrawny rabbit."
@Murdoch17 said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
'We dare not risk another frontal assault - that rabbit's dynamite!'"
So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.
The Beast of Caerbannog!!
I'm going in. Cover me.
@omnius said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
I'll wait for the Creator 3-in-1 Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch before buying this."
What would the other two models be?
@StyleCounselor said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
'We dare not risk another frontal assault - that rabbit's dynamite!'"
So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.
The Beast of Caerbannog!!
I'm going in. Cover me."
There he is!
Where?
There!
What? Behind the rabbit?
It *is* the rabbit!
@darkstonegrey said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
'We dare not risk another frontal assault - that rabbit's dynamite!'"
So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.
The Beast of Caerbannog!!
I'm going in. Cover me."
There he is!
Where?
There!
What? Behind the rabbit?
It *is* the rabbit!"
I assure you, that's the most foul-tempered rodent you've ever laid your eyes on!
@StyleCounselor said:
" @darkstonegrey said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
'We dare not risk another frontal assault - that rabbit's dynamite!'"
So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.
The Beast of Caerbannog!!
I'm going in. Cover me."
There he is!
Where?
There!
What? Behind the rabbit?
It *is* the rabbit!"
I assure you, that's the most foul-tempered rodent you've ever laid your eyes on!"
That rabbit's a killer, sir!
I like the look of this bunny, much better than 31133. This one looks cuter, more like Peter Rabbit. Definitely adding to my collection. I even may buy extras for the seal & the llama, they look like baby versions, cute & small. Thanks for the review, I hadn't expected to like the alternate builds.
I think the disappointment with the alternate models is more related to the fact that recent sets have very strong alternates. These are still very good by historical 3-in-1 standards, I think.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @darkstonegrey said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
'We dare not risk another frontal assault - that rabbit's dynamite!'"
So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.
The Beast of Caerbannog!!
I'm going in. Cover me."
There he is!
Where?
There!
What? Behind the rabbit?
It *is* the rabbit!"
I assure you, that's the most foul-tempered rodent you've ever laid your eyes on!"
That rabbit's a killer, sir!"
I warned you, but did you listen to me? Oh, no, you knew it all, didn't you? Oh, it's just a harmless little bunny, isn't it? Well, it's always the same. I always tell them--
Oh, shut up!
Do they listen to me?
Right! Charge!
[squeak squeak squeak]
Aaaaugh!, Aaaugh! Run away! Run away!
A cute set and of course Lego just HAD to ruin everything with the grey ball joints.
I like the Llama.
ball joints in other colours are overdue! get a grip, Lego!
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
It follows the unofficial Monty Python collection, after the Norwegian blue : 31136 Exotic Parrot
@TeriXeri said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
It follows the unofficial Monty Python collection, after the Norwegian blue : 31136 Exotic Parrot"
Beautiful plumage.
"Yesss I Am a rabbit!"
@HuskyDynamics said:
" @omnius said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"It's the rabbit from Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Not cute!!!"
I'll wait for the Creator 3-in-1 Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch before buying this."
What would the other two models be?"
One should be a shrubbery and the other could be a duck (because you need something to weigh the witches with)