Review: 76155 In Arishem's Shadow
Posted by CapnRex101,
Celestials have appeared alongside the Eternals since 1976, when these exciting characters were introduced. Their important affiliation continues onscreen and 76155 In Arishem's Shadow looks tremendous, faithfully portraying an impressive Celestial named Arishem.
The character achieves spectacular scale beside minifigures and seemingly achieves good value, costing £59.99 or $59.99. However, the scale has necessitated some compromises. Four minifigures are included too, featuring two which exclusively appear here. They should prove excellent, although Arishem dominates attention.
Minifigures
Among the ten Eternals minifigures, Ikaris appears most frequently. These characters feature elaborate clothing and Ikaris' blue uniform looks wonderful, incorporating various metallic gold patterns and highlights. These closely resemble the onscreen hero, although the double-sided head lacks facial hair which is unfortunate. Perhaps the character's cinematic appearance was finalised after this minifigure was completed.
Ajak leads the Eternals on Earth and is exclusively available here, which seems logical given her particularly close connection with the Celestials. Once again, the minifigure displays great detail and appears sufficiently distinct from Ikaris, despite their shared colours. The decoration varies slightly from the original character though, likely reflecting changes during development.
However, the exclusive double-sided head compares favourably with this character onscreen, while the hair component features superb texture. Ajak's headdress is absent, although that is excusable. Both minifigures wield golden weapons which are available throughout the Eternals subtheme, but their purpose within the story has yet to be revealed.
Corresponding with Ikaris, Sersi seems to occupy an important role during Eternals and her minifigure accordingly appears twice throughout the range. Sersi's green uniform is definitely distinctive, although the decoration is consistent between minifigures which ensures welcome consistency. Unfortunately, the minifigure lacks a unique head and I dislike this design, where the eyes appear misaligned.
By contrast, Kingo includes an excellent double-sided head which encapsulates his confident personality. The raised eyebrow on one side looks fantastic, while the reverse displays a more conventional smile. Otherwise, this character's purple clothing seems suitably ostentatious and integrates the same circular detailing as other Eternals minifigures.
Sersi carries another golden weapon, originating from NINJAGO, while Kingo includes trans-orange Power Blasts. These represent the energy projectiles which the character can launch during the movie. Inevitably, portraying Sersi's matter manipulation ability is more challenging!
The Completed Model
Celestials traditionally tower above humans and comparable species, hence Arishem reaches 30cm in height. This model appears accordingly impressive on display, although the character seems even bigger onscreen. Nevertheless, I think this scale is appropriate for LEGO and has enabled considerable detail, capturing prominent visual features from the original character.
The articulation is also reasonable, including neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip and knee joints. The knees seem especially unusual and benefit from this model being relatively slim, omitting bulky armour that commonly prevents LEGO mechs from including articulated knees. Even so, stoppers are positioned behind both knees, so Arishem cannot sit down properly.
When presenting their most distinctive form, Celestials feature multiple pairs of eyes. Arishem therefore includes six eyes and that recognisable arrangement looks absolutely excellent here, making superb use of 1x2 rounded plates and their hollow studs. Vibrant coral nozzle elements are fixed behind the plates, contrasting nicely against the predominant dark red colour scheme.
Magenta accents appear throughout this model too, while stickers decorate the character and feature crackling energy. These complement the aforementioned highlights, although I believe Arishem would appear similarly impressive without any stickers. Unfortunately, one light bluish grey ball joint is positioned beneath the head and seems awkward, since the colour scheme is otherwise consistent.
Crystalline structures decorate Arishem's body, represented by trans-pink elements. They look marvellous and a light brick is located inside the torso, which is always welcome. However, the orange colour appears unsuitable and pink would definitely have been preferable, matching the surrounding trans-pink components.
The light brick is activated from behind, where the button remains exposed. Nevertheless, the Celestial appears reasonable when viewed from any angle, excluding many unsightly colours. For instance, both sides of the shoulder armour are identical and these panels are adjustable, permitting ample shoulder movement. The elbow, wrist and finger joints are similarly effective.
Unfortunately, Arishem's enormous size and detailed upper body have entailed compromises. The legs therefore seem relatively lacking in detail, featuring sparse texture alongside several stickers. However, the trans-opalescent black 6x6 dishes appear interesting. They presumably depict Arishem floating through space and match elements from 76156 Rise of the Domo.
However, the Technic components inside each leg appear awful, lacking proper finishing and restricting options for display because the feet are static. I would certainly have welcomed an alternative, smaller depiction of Arishem which would probably have featured more consistent detail. Instead, this design seems unfinished.
Conflict remains an important aspect of LEGO Super Heroes sets, hence a winged Deviant is provided to oppose the heroes. These monstrous creatures are found throughout the Eternals range, including consistent features but appearing unique. This version is therefore fairly small, although its decorated eyes seem appropriately threatening.
Additionally, the golden wings feature appealing texture and each section is adjustable. Trans-opalescent black highlights adorn multiple Deviants and these curved elements look excellent, forming lovely wing membranes. The creation from 76145 Eternals' Aerial Assault includes the same wing structures, but is otherwise distinctive when compared with this example.
Overall
76155 In Arishem's Shadow approaches excellence, including several appealing minifigures alongside the imposing Celestial figure. The upper body and head appear tremendous when compared with the original character and feature marvellous detail, employing some unusual construction techniques and elements for the utmost accuracy.
However, the legs cannot be overlooked. Their disappointing structure detracts from the whole figure, although I understand LEGO's prioritising of scale above substance because the cost of £59.99 or $59.99 restricts design options. I think that price represents reasonable value, but the compromises are frustrating as Arishem provided potential for an exceptional creation.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group, but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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30 comments on this article
It’s cool, but not cool enough to warrant the price, and it definitely feels like it could have benefited from a higher price point, and in turn a lot more pieces. I dunno, those legs need some work. I’d have liked to have a second option for some feet.
Eh its good but the price is kinda dumb
Not much value for the price, especially in europe (ouch!). I do like the mech, the deviant just doesn't do it for me. I might want this, if it's on a high discount.
In the comics, Arishem had more of a cylindrical head. This looks more like Eson the Searcher (who was probably the Celestial in GOTG 1) than Arishem the Judge.
Also, Celestials are supposed to be...much, much taller. Scale and all that, but even a microfigure would be too large compared to them.
FINALLY! Been waiting half a year for this review!
Why you ask?
I can't wait to make this set into a Blacktron 1 themed version to fight my Classic Space Iron Giant, (I've been planning that battle since January!) and this shows off views not visible / features not shown in set photos. This is fantastic when trying to reverse engineer something to change the main colors.
Any parts in there that are really new (as in, not recolorable yet), @huw ?
@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"In the comics, Arishem had more of a cylindrical head. This looks more like Eson the Searcher (who was probably the Celestial in GOTG 1) than Arishem the Judge.
Also, Celestials are supposed to be...much, much taller. Scale and all that, but even a microfigure would be too large compared to them."
How about a Nanofig? Would that be a bit more appropriate for the scale?
Voltron would smoosh this Celestial, no problem.
Looks like a video game boss, the kind that fights you up on a cliff and falls backwards into lava when beaten
@Murdoch17 said:
"FINALLY! Been waiting half a year for this review!
Why you ask?
I can't wait to make this set into a Blacktron 1 themed version to fight my Classic Space Iron Giant, (I've been planning that battle since January!) and this shows off views not visible / features not shown in set photos. This is fantastic when trying to reverse engineer something to change the main colors.
Any parts in there that are really new (as in, not recolorable yet), @huw ?"
There are no new pieces included, but the 3x3 wedge slopes on the chest appear in relatively few colours so swapping those might be difficult. They could definitely be replaced with close equivalents though.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
"FINALLY! Been waiting half a year for this review!
Why you ask?
I can't wait to make this set into a Blacktron 1 themed version to fight my Classic Space Iron Giant, (I've been planning that battle since January!) and this shows off views not visible / features not shown in set photos. This is fantastic when trying to reverse engineer something to change the main colors.
Any parts in there that are really new (as in, not recolorable yet), @huw ?"
There are no new pieces included, but the 3x3 wedge slopes on the chest appear in relatively few colours so swapping those might be difficult. They could certainly be replaced with close equivalents though."
thank you for responding, it really helps!
@PixelTheDragon said:
" @ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"In the comics, Arishem had more of a cylindrical head. This looks more like Eson the Searcher (who was probably the Celestial in GOTG 1) than Arishem the Judge.
Also, Celestials are supposed to be...much, much taller. Scale and all that, but even a microfigure would be too large compared to them."
How about a Nanofig? Would that be a bit more appropriate for the scale? "
I've read at least comic where the Celestials came to New York and the old World Trade Center reached to about their knees. Scale accordingly.
"Reasonable value," are you kidding me? €70 for barely 500 pieces? It looks cool, sure, but for €10 LESS you've got 71738 with 300 extra pieces and a much more substantial build.
It's no 75286 - which was just insulting - but if I get this, it'll have to be at a deep discount.
70€ = 81$
Why we have to pay in Europe 21$ more?
I understand that f.e. Ford Raptor cost only 100$ in USA and 140€ in Europe because it's THEIR car, and maybe Ford helped there in promotion, but this? Movie will be in cinemas worldwide, it's not something dedicated for USA.
Set seems fine, but by far overpriced imho.
@sirventricle said:
""Reasonable value," are you kidding me? €70 for barely 500 pieces? It looks cool, sure, but for €10 LESS you've got 71738 with 300 extra pieces and a much more substantial build.
It's no 75286 - which was just insulting - but if I get this, it'll have to be at a deep discount."
And 71738 looks so much better too
Funny, I literally saw this set on shelves (end cap) at my local Costco two hours ago. $47.99, I think. Picked it up, but didn’t seem appealing to me, despite the discount, so I put it back.
I guess, in this case, I’ll need to see to the movie first or become more familiar with the source material before I buy it. With the MCU Infinity Saga over, I’m not sure I want to emotionally and financially invest myself in their Phase 4 and beyond, like I did with past storylines. (Bit of a burnout for me, I suppose, with the saturation of the MCU seemingly everywhere.) I liked the Disney+ Marvel shows, though, so I got the advent calendar as a result.
@Briczk said:
"70€ = 81$
Why we have to pay in Europe 21$ more?"
It is more expensive in the Eurozone but LEGO cannot be blamed for all the difference; it’s largely due to tax. The euro price includes VAT at roughly 20% (depending on country) but the dollar price doesn’t include sales tax (which varies by state, county and city) which gets added at the till or at check-out. The Eurozone price sans VAT is $68, so $8 more than in the US. When you account for different economies of scale, higher transportation costs etc in the Eurozone, the difference of $8 is not that great. It may even be that LEGO’s bottom line per unit for this set is smaller in the Eurozone than in the US.
It's a Lego Celestial, and that alone really makes me want it ... but I'm sure the Australian price will be absurd, so, wait until it's being clearanced out in a few months.
I love LEGO's logic when it comes to budgeting for what to include in sets sometimes: can't finish the legs, but there's got to be a weird little animal thing using those pieces instead
Is it a bad sign if you like the side build more than the actual set?
@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
" @PixelTheDragon said:
" @ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"In the comics, Arishem had more of a cylindrical head. This looks more like Eson the Searcher (who was probably the Celestial in GOTG 1) than Arishem the Judge.
Also, Celestials are supposed to be...much, much taller. Scale and all that, but even a microfigure would be too large compared to them."
How about a Nanofig? Would that be a bit more appropriate for the scale? "
I've read at least comic where the Celestials came to New York and the old World Trade Center reached to about their knees. Scale accordingly."
In the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, remember Knowhere, the space station that looked like a skull? It’s the severed head of a dead Celestial; so yes, they’re that big.
@TomKazutara said:
[[ @Zander said:
[[ @Briczk said:
[[70€ = 81$
Why we have to pay in Europe 21$ more?]]
It is more expensive in the Eurozone but LEGO cannot be blamed for all the difference; it’s largely due to tax. The euro price includes VAT at roughly 20% (depending on country) but the dollar price doesn’t include sales tax (which varies by state, county and city) which gets added at the till or at check-out. The Eurozone price sans VAT is $68, so $8 more than in the US. When you account for different economies of scale, higher transportation costs etc in the Eurozone, the difference of $8 is not that great. It may even be that LEGO’s bottom line per unit for this set is smaller in the Eurozone than in the US.
That logic make no sense, how come this examples ( 42102 60266 10266 10273 and others) are more expensive in the US ?
And a lot of sets even share the same numbers as a price tags (no matter if Marvel, SW, HP, Ninjago or even City) were is the VAT there ?]]]]
My logic is sound as I was responding to the set being reviewed, not all sets ever sold in both markets. Of course there are other considerations some of which LEGO can’t control (such as licensing) and some which it can (such as different regional production capacities) or could ignore (e.g. local price tolerances). However, Eurozone prices always include consumption tax, US prices always exclude it, the US has economies of scale, and the Eurozone has other higher costs. Those baseline considerations have always impacted prices.
@Zander said:
"Those baseline considerations have always impacted prices."
I realize we will never get that but I would love to know the true net costs to TLG for a set (doesn't matter which one). Just as to see what the product itself is worth (including licencing costs if applicable), before all the other pricing components are added, i.e. profit margin for TLG, transport costs, profit margins for wholesale and retailer, taxes, etc.
Perfect would be a comparison of final price in store versus net value, with all pricing components available separately.
Anything else is just more or less educated guessing by all of us.
Aren’t those technic struts NOT his actual feet though? They seem more like support pillars to me, as they’re so plain. I think the tiny red bits combined with those hover dishes are the actual feet by design, but of course that wouldn’t translate into LEGO very well so they added some beams to make it stand. Of course it would’ve been better to get some articulation in them so you can make more poses, but this seems pretty reasonable to me. Considering this character’s lore and stuff I wouldn’t even want to put him in any action poses, just standing still and menacing is what this guy should do (I wouldn’t even splay the legs as far as you have, they’re going straight down on my shelf).
Compared with 71738 : Zane's Titan Mech Battle (comparable price point, same number of minifigs) - this figure looks very underwhelming. The light brick, deviant mini-build and the Disney tax must add a lot to the cost.
I suppose I can wait until it's on sale, or just get the 2 exclusive minifigs on their own elsewhere...
I just remembered that Eson the Searcher is the Celestial whom you fight in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2. In the game he’s much smaller than classical depictions, but still maybe five times the size of Arishem in this set.
I'm only disappointed that you can't pose his hand in a thumbs down gesture which is the character's whole shtick. But maybe that's not a thing in the movie?
Those legs though...
A giant Robot…makes me wish that LEGO would give GHibli a chance. :)
Why didn't Shang Chi get this LEGO treatment? Or No Way Home? I guarantee the Spidey sets sell way better than this entire pathetic theme. Even the Four Plus one is better than this.
I bet this poor excuse of a LEGO Marvel set isn't tall enough to even reach the second floor of the Bugle, I wouldn't know though, because this set is definitely staying out of my collection.