Review: 40706 Micro NINJAGO City Markets
Posted by CapnRex101,
40706 Micro NINJAGO City Markets completes the appealing selection of microscale NINJAGO City sets released this year, sharing the unusual structure of its bigger equivalent. While such variety between the minifigure-scale models is welcome, it may cause problems at microscale.
After all, microscale building is normally better suited to more cohesive subjects than the multiple structures that comprise NINJAGO City Markets. However, previous sets in this series have impressed, so I hope this one does too.
Summary
40706 Micro NINJAGO City Markets , 365 pieces.
NINJAGO City Markets is hard to convert to microscale, but this model is richly detailed
- Plenty of recognisable details
- Matches previous sets in the series
- Not as suitable for microscale as other NINJAGO City sets
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Box and Contents
Like the other sets in this series, 40706 Micro NINJAGO City Markets contains a substantial number of pieces and therefore numbered bags for a promotional item, even though most of these elements are tiny.
The Completed Model
My favourite models in this series are definitely 40703 Micro NINJAGO City and 40705 Micro NINJAGO City Gardens because their strong colour blocking is quickly identifiable even once reduced to microscale. With its buildings separated around the central marketplace, NINJAGO City Markets does not fare quite as well, although these buildings' bold colours are effective.
The lime green elements on the Borg Store look great and I love its curved architectural style, contrasting with Laughy's Karaoke Club, which stands out in purple. The colourful advertising boards look lovely too, although I wish they were smaller because the flame yellowish orange cable car becomes a bit lost among so many similarly-sized patches of colour.
71799 NINJAGO City Markets is very much designed to be seen from the front, but the back is fairly detailed too. Similarly, this model includes some recognisable features on the back, such as a staircase behind Laughy's and a dark red 1x1 slope depicting an angled door to the shop underneath. Also, I like the single green flower representing a climbing plant outside.
A red-roofed pet food stall can also be found on the ground level, exactly matching the larger model. However, my favourite detail is located on the floor above, where a 1x2 rounded plate recreates the external lift from the original set, travelling up and down a light bluish grey aerial. The torii on the walkway over to Laughy's looks excellent as well, considering its small size.
NINJAGO City sets are sometimes criticised for appearing chaotic, although their fans, myself included, could argue that is among their most important qualities. Either way, the same is true for the microscale city, which looks marvellous when its four constituent sets are connected and matches the minifigure-scale version as closely as possible.
On the other hand, the smaller scale obviously changes certain things. Even though the original sets may seem chaotic from a distance, examining them more closely reveals lots of interesting details. These models are also impressively detailed for their size, but many of those details are meaningless without referring back to the larger sets.
Overall
As expected, 40706 Micro NINJAGO City Markets is my least favourite of the four microscale models, although this one seems as accurate and highly detailed as the others. Unfortunately, the nature of the original set, comprising many small and often disconnected buildings, creates problems with the translation to microscale.
Even so, I appreciate the consistency between these Micro NINJAGO City sets and the many recognisable details included. 2300 Insiders points is roughly equivalent to £15, $20 or €15 in discount vouchers and the price feels reasonable to me, but this is definitely a set to complete the series, rather than display alone.
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16 comments on this article
So is City Markets the end of the Ninjago Modular series or are more sets expected?
I love these. This is maybe the best of all 4 in terms of how it fits into the cohesive whole.
I am in the process of making a moc version of 71819 LEGO Ninjago Dragon Stone Shrine to fit into the micro city. I may keep building more of other Ninjago landmarks as well.
The simple builds on these a very fun and allow for a wide range of creativity and rearrangement. Perfect VIP selections.
@merman said:
"So is City Markets the end of the Ninjago Modular series or are more sets expected?"
Ninjago City Apartments is scheduled for late spring next year
Ngl this is the 3rd review in the past month that lacks on photos for me. I guess brickset is definitely more of a database these days. Still, I appreciate this review enough.
@Emmafofemma said:
"Ngl this is the 3rd review in the past month that lacks on photos for me. I guess brickset is definitely more of a database these days. Still, I appreciate this review enough. "
What were you expecting to see?
I missed the first 2 city sets, so these have been a great way of having the sets while saving on space
I recently built my Temple of Airjitsu for the first time. I'd purchased instructions off Rebrickable to make it compatible with the Ninjago City sets. It looks great, but it was only after pulling all the additional pieces together that I realised it would sit on a 48x48 baseplate, so it doesn't fit in perfectly.
Huw, I was hoping to see a line up the micro modular’s in a row. Or the buildable Chewie with R2 and C3PO. Or the master emerald attached to the shrine. I like coming here for reviews, I just have had to go elsewhere lately to see that stuff. Which is fine, but as I said I like Brickset and it can be a good hub for Lego.
These sets were a great idea - the micro city looks adorable once all of them are connected!
I just built the actual Ninjago City Markets set and really don't like it compared to the others. It's the only one designed so explicitly to be seen from the front only - the back really suffers compared to the other Ninjago City sets which are complete play experiences around both sides.
@Emmafofemma said:
"Huw, I was hoping to see a line up the micro modular’s in a row. Or the buildable Chewie with R2 and C3PO. Or the master emerald attached to the shrine. I like coming here for reviews, I just have had to go elsewhere lately to see that stuff. Which is fine, but as I said I like Brickset and it can be a good hub for Lego."
There have been two photos of all the micro modulars together since the article aired. Would three have been enough for you?
@Emmafofemma said:
"Huw, I was hoping to see a line up the micro modular’s in a row. Or the buildable Chewie with R2 and C3PO. Or the master emerald attached to the shrine. I like coming here for reviews, I just have had to go elsewhere lately to see that stuff. Which is fine, but as I said I like Brickset and it can be a good hub for Lego."
For the pictures in this review I photo'd them attached together as shown in the instructions, in an 'L' shape, which is presumably the recommended configuration for the full-sized ones.
We haven't reviewed Chewie yet, probably because @CapnRex101 will struggle to say anything nice about it :-)
Not that worthwhile getting on their own, but would be fun to get them all!
@Huw said:
" @Emmafofemma said:
"Huw, I was hoping to see a line up the micro modular’s in a row. Or the buildable Chewie with R2 and C3PO. Or the master emerald attached to the shrine. I like coming here for reviews, I just have had to go elsewhere lately to see that stuff. Which is fine, but as I said I like Brickset and it can be a good hub for Lego."
For the pictures in this review I photo'd them attached together as shown in the instructions, in an 'L' shape, which is presumably the recommended configuration for the full-sized ones.
We haven't reviewed Chewie yet, probably because @CapnRex101 will strugle to say anything nice about it :-)"
That’s very interesting to hear that about the instructions, thank you. I personally plan to place this micro set behind the rest in the center.
Just built this one the other day! Really good build. I especially like the use of the 1x4 macaroni tile as the sign made from roller coaster track on the original model—having the reverse side of the tile facing front makes it evoke that piece that much better.
Personally, as someone unfamiliar with the full-sized sets, this is probably my favorite of the four.
What a piece of junk!
Seriously, I agree with the Cap'n that the junky nature of the Ninjago City line is a distinct part of its appeal. The miniature renditions cannot help but reflect the essence of the subject and magnify that characteristic due to the limitations of symbolism.
I come to Brickset for the snark. I find that it has been diminished as of late. Have no fear, I'm back.
The StyleCounselor's extended monastic monistic sojourn through the wilderness of nature and human nature is nearly at an end. Snark forthcoming.