Review: 40703 Micro NINJAGO City

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10230 Mini Modulars was released in 2012 and recreated the five original Modular Buildings in microscale, reducing their 32x32 baseplate size to 8x8 plates. This concept endures with 40703 Micro NINJAGO City, which faithfully reproduces the iconic 70620 NINJAGO City!

The model looks impressively detailed in official images, but costs 2700 Insiders points, which is obviously quite a lot, so expectations are high.

Summary

40703 Micro NINJAGO City, 339 pieces.

This is a charming set, with countless recognisable details, but an 'expensive' one

  • Fun concept to celebrate NINJAGO City
  • Many accurate details
  • Attractive colours
  • Occasional missing features
  • Requires a lot of Insiders points

The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.

Box and Contents

Before examining the actual model, I must acknowledge its excellent packaging. Instead of the bland yellow boxes often used for sets in the Rewards Centre, this set is packaged in a proper box, adhering as closely as possible to the box for 70620 NINJAGO City. The buildings across the backdrop are near-identical and the boat from the original set is included in the corner.

There are a surprising number of bags inside, numbered from one to seven. Of course, many of the pieces are very tiny, as expected of a microscale set, but there is definitely substance to the building experience. Also, there are no stickers needed.

The Completed Model

NINJAGO City is perfect for microscale, as I think the metropolis is immediately recognisable, even at this size. Some subtleties of the larger model are lost in translation, inevitably, but the general silhouette and colour scheme remains the same. Also, the structure measures 16cm in height, which I consider a reasonable size on display.

As with the original city, this model is assembled in multiple layers. The gradual transition from older architecture at the base to futuristic buildings near the top is not really captured here, but the colours are appropriate and I like the greenery around the base. The columns and buildings also look excellent, highlighting some tiny features of 70620 NINJAGO City, such as the green payphone on the ground floor.

The next level includes a crab restaurant, containing a clever mechanism to swap an uncooked flame yellowish orange crab for a cooked tan piece in the original set! There is clearly no space for this here, but a printed 1x1 sushi tile is hidden inside! Otherwise, the advertisements around the walkway are well integrated and I like the tiny 1x1 rounded tile denoting a cash machine.

Even the dial to control the crab cooking function can be found on the back, represented by a black Technic ball joint. Underneath, a dark blue 1x1 tile forms a door, with a wooden platform outside beside the aforementioned boat. The only obvious omission is the outdoor lift between all levels of the city, which could have been included as a static detail.

In addition, I dislike the use of a trans-clear 2x2 round brick for the corner of the clothes shop. This window occupies a prominent position and desperately required a trans-clear 2x2 curved corner brick, which has not been available since 10022 Santa Fe Cars - Set II was produced in 2002. I know parts in new colours are rare in promotional sets, but one was necessary here.

However, this and the absence of the outdoor lift are the only notable flaws, in my opinion. The shape of the roof is excellent and I love the red accents against the black, as well as the lovely cherry blossom tree outside Lloyd's apartment. The sand green tower on top looks splendid as well, especially from the front, where the golden finials appear most attractive.

Overall

I have been looking forward to 40703 Micro NINJAGO City since images began to emerge last year and this is a delightful model. There are so many brilliant details included from the original set, such as accurate colours on all the signs and features like the payphone and cash machine. Some are missing, admittedly, although only the shape of the window really bothers me.

However, I have major concerns about the cost. 2700 Insiders points is equivalent to just over £15, $20 or €15 and I think that is reasonable, considering the physical value of this set. Even so, we know this is the first in a series of four and collecting them all will presumably cost over 10,000 points, which requires spending a huge amount of money. Of course, if you have plenty of points in the bank, that is fine, but that will not be true for everyone.

Thanks to Huw for the photos in this review.

43 comments on this article

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By in Ireland,

Spending insider points still beats spending €200 for a gwp imo. Bricklink prices for this are pretty crazy too.

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By in United Kingdom,

The first of 4 in total... what will the other 3 be? Are they all gonna be Ninjago?

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By in Ireland,

@kingalbino said:
"The first of 4 in total... what will the other 3 be? Are they all gonna be Ninjago?"

The other 3 Ninjago City sets.

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By in Australia,

I think the grey grooved brick with yellow plates represents the lift.

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By in United States,

This is going to be one of those things I'll have to build from spare parts and Bricklink orders.

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By in United States,

@EnterTheSerpent said:
" @kingalbino said:
"The first of 4 in total... what will the other 3 be? Are they all gonna be Ninjago?"

The other 3 Ninjago City sets."


But, how does it compare to the shadow box version?

BTW, it's over $20 fer us Yanks. You'll have to spend $830 during a double-point period to get all four.

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By in Poland,

Boat does not float.. - The cake is a lie!

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By in United Kingdom,

I’m lucky enough to own the original, but this is a great idea for a Lego set. I just wish collecting a full set wasn’t so expensive.

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By in United States,

Nice review! This set looks gorgeous and luckily I had plenty of VIP points in reserve to order it!

While it doesn't match the wedges above and below it and leaves slight gaps, technically the 2x2 round brick used for the window of the fashion store is more accurately scaled to the model than a 2x2 macaroni brick would be (with the 4x4 curve of the original set's window becoming a 1x1 curve instead).

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By in United Kingdom,

I'm sure these will appeal to those with the full size versions of these sets to compare them with, but it just looks like a random pile of bricks to me... a natural follow on to 31210 maybe!

Glad this was released as an Insider Reward rather than a GWP. I'll stick with the Shop GWPs which will hopefully all come in tandem with the Ninjago Insider Rewards.

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By in Ireland,

@StyleCounselor said:
" @EnterTheSerpent said:
" @kingalbino said:
"The first of 4 in total... what will the other 3 be? Are they all gonna be Ninjago?"

The other 3 Ninjago City sets."


But, how does it compare to the shadow box version?

BTW, it's over $20 fer us Yanks. You'll have to spend $830 during a double-point period to get all four."


Semi-related but I'd love a Samurai X shadow box.

It sounds like a lot but it builds up, especially if you don't use your points often. I have enough for all four and haven't bought anything in months. You also get two months to use it and there's no other threshold. Plus it can be combined with a current gwp.

Each to their own, I'm just happy I've already spent an absurd amount and it's paying off!

Gravatar
By in United States,

@EnterTheSerpent said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @EnterTheSerpent said:
" @kingalbino said:
"The first of 4 in total... what will the other 3 be? Are they all gonna be Ninjago?"

The other 3 Ninjago City sets."


But, how does it compare to the shadow box version?

BTW, it's over $20 fer us Yanks. You'll have to spend $830 during a double-point period to get all four."


Semi-related but I'd love a Samurai X shadow box.

It sounds like a lot but it builds up, especially if you don't use your points often. I have enough for all four and haven't bought anything in months. You also get two months to use it and there's no other threshold. Plus it can be combined with a current gwp.

Each to their own, I'm just happy I've already spent an absurd amount and it's paying off!"


I agree. I really like these sets. Double points, good GWPs, and then good reward sets like this will make me spend and spend.

What's that? Who's crying over in the dark corner?... Oh, it's just my sad, lil' wallet.

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By in Spain,

Luckily no part of it is exclusive so I was able to make 90% of mine from my own inventory (and 30 some pieces I had to purchase to complete it); I havd the points for it but not for two so I'm saving them just in case I'm not that close to complete the 4th and final set

Funny that the only printed piece remains hidden once the set is built.

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By in United States,

Ah the sheer diversity of parts and colors! Too bad that curved glass didn't get a trans clear 2x2 rounded corner brick instead of that cylinder 2x2 brick, but can imagine that would be off the table from the get-go.

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By in United States,

I don't know about other countries, but in the USA, 650 VIP/Insider points can be exchanged for a $5 voucher toward a future purchase. That sets the value of a single VIP/Insider point at about $0.0077 each (0.77¢, or less than a penny).

So 2,700 VIP/Insider points are worth $20.79 in the USA.

That's your opportunity cost, because instead of "buying" this set, you could exchange those VIP/Insider points for a voucher and buy any $20 Lego set currently available.

Having said that, I eagerly cashed in my VIP/Insider points for this set, because I personally find it more interesting than any $20 Lego set that they currently sell. Lego Ninjago City is one of the greatest Lego sets ever made, especially at the time of its release! (Just look at how well it did in Brickset's 2020 poll of greatest sets of the 2000s.)

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By in United States,

I got this one and have enough points for the next, but really looking to double points days before the third and fourth are released. Unfortunately this will probably mean no big Christmas purchase this year with the point redemption helping offset the price.

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By in Ireland,

@StyleCounselor said:
" @EnterTheSerpent said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @EnterTheSerpent said:
" @kingalbino said:
"The first of 4 in total... what will the other 3 be? Are they all gonna be Ninjago?"

The other 3 Ninjago City sets."


But, how does it compare to the shadow box version?

BTW, it's over $20 fer us Yanks. You'll have to spend $830 during a double-point period to get all four."


Semi-related but I'd love a Samurai X shadow box.

It sounds like a lot but it builds up, especially if you don't use your points often. I have enough for all four and haven't bought anything in months. You also get two months to use it and there's no other threshold. Plus it can be combined with a current gwp.

Each to their own, I'm just happy I've already spent an absurd amount and it's paying off!"


I agree. I really like these sets. Double points, good GWPs, and then good reward sets like this will make me spend and spend.

What's that? Who's crying over in the dark corner?... Oh, it's just my sad, lil' wallet."


I try to hold back but I'm the same. I go through phases where I won't buy anything from Lego for months until they do a gwp I really like or double points, and then I buy from them month after month! I nearly got the space gwp last month wasn't sure if I'd have to spend over €500 within two weeks with this gwp too. If I knew this would be redeemable I would've jumped on the other one!

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By in United States,

@jsutton said:
"Increasingly it feels as though LEGO is appealing only to the wealthy. If you don’t consider LEGO a toy, but rather a collectible, and you have plenty of funding, then these sets are for you.

...

And if you do consider LEGO to be a toy, what message should you pick up from this? What should a 12-year-old do when they see this set and others like it?"


This set is clearly not designed to be a toy. It's a microscale display piece based on a $300 set released in 2017, only available by jumping thru some hoops. Yes, a lot of 12-year-old kids will want this after they see it on YouTube or social media, but they want a lot of things.

Checking Lego's website, there are currently 23 Lego Ninjago sets in production that retail for less than $50. Those are toys designed with those 12-year-old children in mind. They aren't being ignored.

Also, doesn't your argument apply to the original release of the $300 Lego Ninjago City as well? Should Lego not have released it because most kids and their families would never be able to afford it?

And what about the kids who will never own a $50 set? This argument can be made at any economic level you choose.

Sure, Lego is a fairly expensive product for a toy, but they make a large variety of sets in different themes at a wide variety of price points. Kids who have $25 to spend at the Lego Store have dozens of options.

When I was a kid in the 1970s and 80s, I never got the biggest Lego Classic Space sets or the Yellow Castle that I dreamed about for so long. It never turned me off from Lego because they sold things that my family couldn't afford.

If you grow up resenting things that you can't afford, you're going to have a miserable life living in a capitalist society.

Gravatar
By in Canada,

@BJNemeth said:
"I don't know about other countries, but in the USA, 650 VIP/Insider points can be exchanged for a $5 voucher toward a future purchase. That sets the value of a single VIP/Insider point at about $0.0077 each (0.77¢, or less than a penny).

So 2,700 VIP/Insider points are worth $20.79 in the USA.

That's your opportunity cost, because instead of "buying" this set, you could exchange those VIP/Insider points for a voucher and buy any $20 Lego set currently available.

Having said that, I eagerly cashed in my VIP/Insider points for this set, because I personally find it more interesting than any $20 Lego set that they currently sell. Lego Ninjago City is one of the greatest Lego sets ever made, especially at the time of its release! (Just look at how well it did in Brickset's 2020 poll of greatest sets of the 2000s.)"


$20.79 is the USA should be viewed as a reasonably good price. According to Rebrickable, there are 169 distinct parts in this set and 339 in total. The site mentions a rough estimate of around $50CAD to get the parts either from BrickOwl or Bricklink (Lego should be somewhat similar - some costing more some costing less but overall saving a lot of shipping fees). $50CAD is roughly $36USD. So at $21USD it is a good price and you have the box and the instructions which are somewhat difficult to find I would add.

Gravatar
By in United Kingdom,


I just wish they could have retained the hole through the sand green tower - such a distinctive feature (and handy for Ninjago's many, many dragons on their daily commutes).

Gravatar
By in United States,

@BJNemeth said:
" @jsutton said:
"Increasingly it feels as though LEGO is appealing only to the wealthy. If you don’t consider LEGO a toy, but rather a collectible, and you have plenty of funding, then these sets are for you.

...

And if you do consider LEGO to be a toy, what message should you pick up from this? What should a 12-year-old do when they see this set and others like it?"


This set is clearly not designed to be a toy. It's a microscale display piece based on a $300 set released in 2017, only available by jumping thru some hoops. Yes, a lot of 12-year-old kids will want this after they see it on YouTube or social media, but they want a lot of things.

Checking Lego's website, there are currently 23 Lego Ninjago sets in production that retail for less than $50. Those are toys designed with those 12-year-old children in mind. They aren't being ignored.

Also, doesn't your argument apply to the original release of the $300 Lego Ninjago City as well? Should Lego not have released it because most kids and their families would never be able to afford it?

And what about the kids who will never own a $50 set? This argument can be made at any economic level you choose.

Sure, Lego is a fairly expensive product for a toy, but they make a large variety of sets in different themes at a wide variety of price points. Kids who have $25 to spend at the Lego Store have dozens of options.

When I was a kid in the 1970s and 80s, I never got the biggest Lego Classic Space sets or the Yellow Castle that I dreamed about for so long. It never turned me off from Lego because they sold things that my family couldn't afford.

If you grow up resenting things that you can't afford, you're going to have a miserable life living in a capitalist society."


True, LEGO has never really been a 'cheap toy' but at the same time its rather bad tact when as a company they say that due to that 'dastardly' inflation they would need to raise prices on many of their sets, and at the same time have an interview where the owner of LEGO boasts about his Ferrari collection.

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By in Ireland,

I have the 4 Ninjago City sets plus this, will need to get the other 3 from this collection.

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By in Sweden,

I had just clearer out my points for my yearly modular... 2700 each is quite a lot, and I couldn't even afford the first, so that likely means the whole series will pass by me.

Too bad, this is one series I would have been fond in having. Not that I can complain as I own the bigger versions, but these small displays would have looked nice at work for example. Aftermarket prices will probably be insane too.

Gravatar
By in Ireland,

@BJNemeth said:
" @jsutton said:
"Increasingly it feels as though LEGO is appealing only to the wealthy. If you don’t consider LEGO a toy, but rather a collectible, and you have plenty of funding, then these sets are for you.

...

And if you do consider LEGO to be a toy, what message should you pick up from this? What should a 12-year-old do when they see this set and others like it?"


This set is clearly not designed to be a toy. It's a microscale display piece based on a $300 set released in 2017, only available by jumping thru some hoops. Yes, a lot of 12-year-old kids will want this after they see it on YouTube or social media, but they want a lot of things.

Checking Lego's website, there are currently 23 Lego Ninjago sets in production that retail for less than $50. Those are toys designed with those 12-year-old children in mind. They aren't being ignored.

Also, doesn't your argument apply to the original release of the $300 Lego Ninjago City as well? Should Lego not have released it because most kids and their families would never be able to afford it?

And what about the kids who will never own a $50 set? This argument can be made at any economic level you choose.

Sure, Lego is a fairly expensive product for a toy, but they make a large variety of sets in different themes at a wide variety of price points. Kids who have $25 to spend at the Lego Store have dozens of options.

When I was a kid in the 1970s and 80s, I never got the biggest Lego Classic Space sets or the Yellow Castle that I dreamed about for so long. It never turned me off from Lego because they sold things that my family couldn't afford.

If you grow up resenting things that you can't afford, you're going to have a miserable life living in a capitalist society."


Ninjago City was clearly designed for longtime fans. Now it has been outpriced by investors and other people who don't actually care about Ninjago. If that 12 year old couldn't afford it back then, the 19 year old will have to work twice as hard to get it now. This gwp at least gives them another option instead of paying a ridiculous amount for the original.

Looking at the Yellow Castle you mentioned, it retailed for $50 in 1978, equivalent to $236.52 as of this January. You can buy one on Bricklink for not much more currently. It's a product of natural inflation, there isn't much more to blame it on. Ninjago City on the other hand is seen as some sort of "investor piece", showing off that you can afford it and are proud you don't know anything about it. This is pretty clear looking in the majority of Lego communities, especially this decade. Also, the value of only Kai and no one else from it is stupidly high.

Yeah, I'm frustrated most fans won't be able to get it. :(

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By in United States,

I love the concept of this set and it's pretty well executed! I was disappointed to find that the green tower isn't properly aligned with the rest of the set, though. It's very slightly offset to the right and it's just enough of a difference to be noticeable in person.

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By in Netherlands,

Thanks for the review!
It's a very nice set.

Does anyone now when the next double points period is up?

I might make an attempt to get all four.

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By in Netherlands,

@EnterTheSerpent said:
"Spending insider points still beats spending €200 for a gwp imo. Bricklink prices for this are pretty crazy too. "

Pretty much my take on this. I have enough points for all four, but I accumulated them over time, which works better for me than spending 4x €200.

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By in United Kingdom,

Pretty cool micro creation of the greatest ever LEGO set!! I do own the original Ninjago City so I don't plan to get this version.

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By in Ireland,

@DonnaxNL said:
" @EnterTheSerpent said:
"Spending insider points still beats spending €200 for a gwp imo. Bricklink prices for this are pretty crazy too. "

Pretty much my take on this. I have enough points for all four, but I accumulated them over time, which works better for me than spending 4x €200."


Me too, I prefer using my points on something unique rather than simply a discount.

Love your stuff on Rebrickable btw, the NGTV Tower is super cool!

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By in Netherlands,

@BJNemeth in Europa 3000 Points is € 20 discount so it's € 19 for this set.
Time will tell if this will be a shelfwarmer like 40585

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By in United Kingdom,

It doesn't do anything for me. The mini modulars were fine as they look like a row of shops even if you don't know that they are based on other sets. But this looks a bit of a mess if you dont know the set. So a bit limited for display.

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By in United States,

I was never all that interested in the Ninjago City sets (probably wouldn't have picked any of them up even if I were flush with cash and had plenty of space to build and display them), so despite my love of microscale (I made sure to grab 40585 when I saw it), I don't have any plans to get this, which is good, as I don't have enough points. I do like it, though. If I did have the original, I might want this, to display them next to each other, or maybe play out a "Garmadon got a shrink ray" story.

@Feroz said:"Does anyone now when the next double points period is up?" There's one right now, but only for Super Mario sets.

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By in Australia,

Still waiting for this to show up on Lego Insiders in Australia. The shipment must be lost at sea !!

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By in Canada,

This literally looks like it was cobbled together from the pile of left over extra pieces from the actual set.

I don't understand the appeal here at all, outside of blind slavery to completionism.

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By in Sweden,

@Klinton77 said:
"This literally looks like it was cobbled together from the pile of left over extra pieces from the actual set.

I don't understand the appeal here at all, outside of blind slavery to completionism. "


And yet for something cobbled together, it looks an awful lot like the original set!

Vignettes and dioramas like this are only meaningful if they reproduce well the source model. This one looks amazing, reproduces all the colors, gives a sense of density and scale present in the original, and is a great tribute to a beloved set. Of course this won't impact you as much if you weren't a fan already, or dislike mini/dots scale to start with.

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By in United Kingdom,

I can't un-see this as Plankton from SpongeBob SquarePants in some nightmarish gigantic transformation straight out of Akira or Tetsuo: The Iron Man, but that just might be me...

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By in United States,

@BJNemeth said:
"If you grow up resenting things that you can't afford, you're going to have a miserable life living in a capitalist society."

I mean, that's not a prerequisite. There are many reasons to have a miserable life living in a capitalist society.

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By in Australia,

@NeptuneIce said:
"Still waiting for this to show up on Lego Insiders in Australia. The shipment must be lost at sea !!"

It must have joined the 2xVIP points event from January that we didn't see.

Very disappointed they made this a points redeem, I get most of my sets when discounted at the major retailers so only have enough points if i get scanning on manuals to squeeze out the first one. It's a shame as I have the first 3 city sets, have yet to pick up the fourth and was really looking forward to these. It's the type of series I would have spent the $320-$400 on to get that last years world houses and the current flower stall had as GWP purchase thresholds.

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By in Poland,

Actually it's 18€ in Germany/NL and 20€ in Poland. So is it expensive? Depends how much you like it.
For sure it's not big build with minifig. Still thinking that box has huge influence at "wow" effect.

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By in Netherlands,

@TheOtherMike said:
"I was never all that interested in the Ninjago City sets (probably wouldn't have picked any of them up even if I were flush with cash and had plenty of space to build and display them), so despite my love of microscale (I made sure to grab 40585 when I saw it), I don't have any plans to get this, which is good, as I don't have enough points. I do like it, though. If I did have the original, I might want this, to display them next to each other, or maybe play out a "Garmadon got a shrink ray" story.

@Feroz said:"Does anyone now when the next double points period is up?" There's one right now, but only for Super Mario sets."


Thanks!
I'll take the gamble and wait.

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By in United States,

@Andrusi said:
" @BJNemeth said:
"If you grow up resenting things that you can't afford, you're going to have a miserable life living in a capitalist society."

I mean, that's not a prerequisite. There are many reasons to have a miserable life living in a capitalist society."


"For life is quite absurd,
And death's the final word...
So, always look on the bright side of death...

"Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true...
Just remember that the last laugh is on you."

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By in Belgium,

easy pass,...just like the original and most other ninjago city sets, it looks like a hot mess of random parts thrown togheter...

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By in South Korea,

I don't have it in my rewards center yet, when will this be obtainable? Or perhaps it's just not available where I live

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