An Interesting Idea: Laputa Robot Update

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One of the great challenges that existed in Cuusoo was to inform potential supporters when you updated your project with a significant improvement.

This is proving even more difficult in LEGO Ideas where you can't alter your main project page. People actually have to click through the updates to see any additional images or improvements you have added. More than ever you need to rely on word of mouth, like this article for example.

Over a year ago, Laputa Robot, a project based on the Miyazaki film Castle in the Sky was posted. I commented that, being a rendering, I was uncertain the build could operate as depicted.

Well, Spechy, the project's creator, has redesigned the guardian in real bricks and it is quite exquisite. It is a piece that both fans of the movie and challenging LEGO modelling can enjoy.

12 comments on this article

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By in Gibraltar,

Problem with the name in latin/hispanic speaking countries is that 'la puta' means 'the whore'

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By in United Kingdom,

One of my favourite films I would love to make this set. However, there is a section of the film where one of these robots lays waste to a military stronghold. While at the end of the film the robot that this one is specifically modelled on is a caretaker of the 'castle in the sky', they were created as a weapon of war. I can't see Lego producing it as a set... though I'd buy one :)

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By in United States,

rockbrick, it hasn't been a problem since 1986, when Laputa was released - I don't see why it would start being a problem now.

@KnightOfNi... If your reasoning that Lego won't release it is because it's a weapon of war... what about EVERYTHING in Star Wars? The most likely reason they won't release it is because they won't get the licensing rights.

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By in United States,

It was a good movie-a little weird-but good. I remember these guys. I remember thinking, "So that's where Minecraft got the Iron Gollem idea!" He even has the flower!

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By in United States,

And about those licensing issues, I'm pretty sure it was to do with MODERN warfare themes. And that MEGABLOX has already made all of them. :P

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By in United States,

@GlenBricker & Brickset--thank you so much for featuring my, ahem, "Laputian" Robot! There, that solves one issue.

I am very humbled to be featured on this website, and your description of the issues regarding advertising updates is one I've also been frustrated with. I have sent Ideas 2 messages mentioning my disappointment with the current layout. Let's see if they implement any changes.

Here is the link to my Ideas update: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/39857/updates

And my flickr page has some more photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/needslego

Thanks again for the wonderful shoutout!

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By in United States,

Pretty cool, even if it is a long shot. I don't even know what I would do with myself if I started seeing Miyazaki Lego sets. I LOVE the idea, but this guy needs a little more work, mostly with the sectioning of the arms. I'm trying to remember how it was that I built something that resembled those arms. Will comment again when it comes to me.

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By in Singapore,

I think this will be very difficult/complicated to get the license, like all other Anime themed creations.

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By in United Kingdom,

Not so sure why licence would be an issue. Disney probably own the rights now (that's an assumption and I'm sure someone will tell me if I'm wrong...) and there have been plenty of Lego / Disney licencing deals in the past (and currently).
Lego just seem to make up excuses on a whim for why they will / will not consider sets. Rejecting Futurama but allowing Simpsons, and avoiding 'war' sets while allowing Star Wars are 2 blinding examples.
edit... Google tells me Disney have a licence to re-dub and distribute Ghibli films, so toy licencing is probably not included in that. I just assumed from the includion of Totoro in Toy Story 3 that there was a toy overlap too.

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By in United Kingdom,

Great to see this article and great to see you have picked one of my favourite projects. One which I have been following the updates of and it really is impressive to see it now built. It deserves lots of support.

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By in Singapore,

@KnightOfNi, I believe Disney only have the distribution rights for some of the Studio Ghibli films, and I doubt they can re-license the license since they're the licensee.

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