Review: 40355 Year of the Rat
Posted by Huw,
The gift with purchase at LEGO.com at the moment is 40355 Year of the Rat. It's the seventh Year of the... set and the 5th one in the current style of a sitting animal on a circular stand.
Rats are perhaps not as inherently appealing as many of the other Chinese zodiac animals but I think designer Mel Caddick has done a pretty good job of making this one look cute and cuddly...
Like previous small Chinese New Year sets, it comes with a 'packet' in which you can insert money for the recipient, as is customary in China.
It's formed of stiff card. The '2020' and details on the back are embossed with gold ink.
It doesn't take long to construct the rodent but it's an interesting build because of the amount of SNOT-work involved, on all four sides.
As seems to be the case with sets designed primarily for the Asian market, there are no stickers: the 2x2 round tile eyes are printed are the only new pieces in the set.
Its arms, ears and feet are articulated using small ball joints and it has a nice long tail
Curved slopes on all four faces of its body and head give it a nice, rounded, look.
The 8x8 circular base follows the style of others in the series but with much more muted colours this time.
Overall, the 162-piece set is a great addition to the series and an excellent gift with purchase. Given the number of new sets available now, it should not be too difficult to find something to buy to secure one.
Place your order at LEGO.com today!
Thanks to LEGO for providing the set for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
45 likes
12 comments on this article
Looks good, but I wish this could’ve been available on the 1st when I bought the bookstore :(
Strange. The eyes certainly look like stickers in the official pictures
Love this, really nicely designed.
Studless yet still has the LEGO look.
@Jman007 said:
"Looks good, but I wish this could’ve been available on the 1st when I bought the bookstore :("
The better question is why didn't you just wait until there was a 'free' gift with purchase that you wanted?
@The_Green_Brick_Giant said:
" @Jman007 said:
"Looks good, but I wish this could’ve been available on the 1st when I bought the bookstore :("
The better question is why didn't you just wait until there was a 'free' gift with purchase that you wanted?"
He didn't ask a question
Should I name mine Ralph S or Algernon? That is the question! ??
Looks a lot like Remy, if one changes the white for gray.
Looks good for what it is, which is a rat. My wife hates mice and rats, so this will never find a way into our collection. She also thinks Ratatouille is a disgusting movie. *Shrug*
Just got my copy along with the 80105 Chinese New Year Temple Fair and is was positively surprised about the box of this set, 40355 Year of the Rat. The box is completely full and with flip opening. Nice!
@Chilis_no said:
"Just got my copy along with the 80105 Chinese New Year Temple Fair and is was positively surprised about the box of this set, 40355 Year of the Rat. The box is completely full and with flip opening. Nice!"
Yes, I believe the previous 2 years had similar boxes also, at least in the Us
I thought of changing the limbs coz they look weird. Lol!
Anyone know if this is available with in-store purchases, or just online?
Thanks!