Review: 76409 Gryffindor House Banner
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO launched the Hogwarts Moments series in 2021, featuring different classrooms from the movies. Personally, I prefer more traditional sets, although the range was evidently popular, given the obvious similarities between those products and the new House Banners.
However, the House Banners are arguably more interesting than their predecessors, containing some unexpected new elements, with unique minifigures. 76409 Gryffindor House Banner particularly stands out, with this common room appearing most frequently onscreen and providing the best opportunity for authentic details.
Summary
76409 Gryffindor House Banner, 285 pieces.
£29.99 / $34.99 / €34.99 | 10.5p/12.3c/12.3c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
76409 Gryffindor House Banner is better than expected, with some creative features
- Neat transformation
- Attractive on display
- Excellent lenticular effect
- Expensive
- Fragile in places
- Underwhelming minifigures
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Similar to the aforementioned Hogwarts Moments sets, three minifigures are provided. All three are Gryffindor students and wear uniforms with appropriate colours, beginning with an exclusive version of Harry Potter. The scruffy tie and collar look splendid, although an essentially identical design previously appeared in 75966 Hogwarts Room of Requirement from 2020.
The chosen double-sided head is very common, so perhaps that unique torso should have been swapped for a new head. Neville Longbottom, meanwhile, consists wholly of existing parts and wears the robes introduced in 2021. While repetitive, this torso is very detailed and Neville's two facial expressions ably communicate his personality.
The third minifigure is clearly the most interesting, as Angelina Johnson has never appeared in minifigure form before. An older student and Chaser for Gryffindor's Quidditch team, Angelina is fittingly attired in a dark red and flame yellowish orange jumper and also includes a double-sided head, both of which are new designs! As expected, the three minifigures are equipped with their wands.
The Completed Model
As their name suggests, the House Banners can be displayed on the wall as decorative symbols for each Hogwarts house. The banner is quite small, measuring only 19cm in height, but I think displaying all four together would look impressive. This example presents the traditional dark red and flame yellowish orange colours associated with Gryffindor, with a golden lion rampant in the centre.
Fortunately, this lion and the quartered backdrop are printed on a 6x8 rounded tile, originating in the Disney Storybook Adventures sets a couple of years ago. The tiled pattern around the crest looks nice and comprises an array of flame yellowish orange tiles, including the new 2x2 curved tile with cutouts, which is found in three colours across the House Banners series.
The transformation is less complex than it was for the Hogwarts Moments, as the banner opens outwards to reveal the common room inside. These moving panels are connected to the central structure using hinge plates, while the lower sections of the banner fold up on Technic pins. The resulting backdrop includes surprising detail and is certainly recognisable as Gryffindor common room.
A couple of armchairs are attached to the triangular areas of the banner and the chess board fits neatly into the fireplace, as shown above. Everything therefore stays secure when the banner is closed. Both armchairs are simply constructed and seem rather blocky, although minifigures can sit comfortably on them. However, the stickered chess board is very low between the chairs.
With limited available space to accommodate the folding function, the backdrop is shallow. Even so, the designer has managed to include some brick-built details. The textured wall is attractive in particular, with reddish brown and tan pieces. Moreover, the famed Sword of Gryffindor hangs beside an emergency chocolate bar, presumably in case of Dementor encounters!
A broomstick and the Golden Snitch are placed on the wall too, but undoubtedly most important in providing detail is the lenticular panel behind this wall. I usually dislike such gimmicks, but the panel is neatly integrated and gives the impression of depth. There are some enjoyable moving features as well, including Sirius Black's face emerging from the fire.
Furthermore, the trophy behind the Golden Snitch changes size, a Thestral appears outside the window and the portrait of Godric Gryffindor, visible through a reddish brown frame, moves both hands onto his sword. These features are clever and another portrait hangs on the neighbouring wall, with 76384 Hogwarts Moment: Herbology Class resting on the bookshelf underneath!
The opposite wall is simpler, only featuring a cushioned bench and a window. The window looks great, showing another of Hogwarts' various towers in the distance, but requires a large sticker. I think the structures above this window and the portrait could also be improved, as these appear unfinished in their current state.
The lenticular panel slots between six tap elements on the back, so feels secure. The structure behind the panel is thin though, so is fragile. Thankfully, the 2x6 plate with hanger integrated to display the banner on a wall is reinforced with layered bricks and tiles, disguised as a Gryffindor crest on the front.
Surprisingly, the panel also includes certain hidden details. The embroidered curtain looks lovely and a circular painting of the Golden Snitch hangs under Godric Gryffindor. Also, a troublesome Cornish Pixie hides in a pot beside the fireplace, only appearing when viewed from the correct angles. In some respects, it is a shame these details are usually concealed.
Overall
As mentioned at the beginning of this review, I am typically drawn to more traditional minifigure-scale sets over products like this one. However, 76409 Gryffindor House Banner has exceeded my expectations, primarily because the lenticular backdrop is much more successful than I was anticipating. The three-dimensional effect is superb, alongside the moving details.
The format provides little opportunity for brick-built features though, unlike the more complicated Hogwarts Moments sets. Also, the minifigure selection leaves something to be desired because Harry and Neville appear so frequently, while the price of £29.99, $34.99 or €34.99 seems fairly expensive. Once discounted though, this set warrants consideration.
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22 comments on this article
Cool for kids ngl
@CapnRex10:
Where do the three minifigs go whe the banner is folded up? Can they be stored / placed inside?
Where’s Sirona Ryan?
In all seriousness, these sets are an interesting concept but probably worth waiting for a price drop on (EBay and Bricklink might have them for less eventually). The Slytherin one is probably the one I’m most likely to get, although it’s also possible my purchases will be dominated by other stuff like the Indiana Jones sets.
These look pretty well done. Will get them once they're around £20 on Amazon.
@Ridgeheart said:
"It seems like a glaring omission that they forgot add Lord Robert Bruce to House Banner.
https://brickset.com/minifigs/name-Bruce-Banner "
You had me there for a second.
The lenticular element has a certain design flavor reminding me of the of colorful 2001 sets, such as 4721 and 4722 and 4723 with their cardboard backgrounds. Good memories!
I liked the Hogwarts Moments sets but I like these even better because they're a proper display item. The printed crest looks magnificent. It's a shame the Gryffindor shield above the fireplace and the chess board are not printed as well.
Waiting for the Walmart 20% discount in six months to purchase this. Of course, if I keep saying that on every review, Lego will just raise the prices again to account for the difference. =-(
I just want the new shape tiles.
My castle MOCs will need those quarter circle-cut tiles. In every color. Now.
Not Slytherin eh, better be... Gryffindor!
@Ridgeheart said:
"It seems like a glaring omission that they forgot add Lord Robert Bruce to House Banner.
https://brickset.com/minifigs/name-Bruce-Banner "
He’ll be in the Slytherin one.
@chefkaspa:
The books each had enough room inside to pack up the entire model, with the notable exception of any minifigs. Those had to remain outside every time. I figured the banners would work the same way.
This would be a great parts pack, it's actually a shame for me the 'sticker' details on the wall are actually one giant backdrop, as I was hoping to use things like the windows, fireplace etc. for MOCs.
Not bad but I do think the 'book' sets were better.
I want the sword
Surely, an emergency chocolate can be used for far more than Dementor remediation.
Nice scenes. Glad to finally see Angelina. Good parts. In need of a discount, which is always forthcoming for HP sets.
The window sticker is by far my favourite thing in this set, but I like the lenticular sheet as well and it's cool to get an Angelina Johnson fig.
@StyleCounselor said:
"Surely, an emergency chocolate can be used for far more than Dementor remediation."
“Oh, no, I see a chocolate bar! Whatever shall I do? I guess I better eat a chocolate bar to make things all better…”
I would just preffer normal room sets.
The big 3d piece is also wasted material for such cool idea.
@PurpleDave said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"Surely, an emergency chocolate can be used for far more than Dementor remediation."
“Oh, no, I see a chocolate bar! Whatever shall I do? I guess I better eat a chocolate bar to make things all better…”"
Sounds like a great first step for handling any of life's problems... except perhaps obesity and diabetes.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"Surely, an emergency chocolate can be used for far more than Dementor remediation."
“Oh, no, I see a chocolate bar! Whatever shall I do? I guess I better eat a chocolate bar to make things all better…”"
Sounds like a great first step for handling any of life's problems... except perhaps obesity and diabetes."
...don't forget people who are deathly allergic to Chocolate! That first step just became your last...
@StyleCounselor:
And there’s also the risk of getting chocolate stains on your clothes.
@Murdoch17:
Is that real? I would think that not being able to eat chocolate would be the biggest reason you’d need a chocolate bar. I think I’d rather be one of those people who’s allergic to water.
@Murdoch17 said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"Surely, an emergency chocolate can be used for far more than Dementor remediation."
“Oh, no, I see a chocolate bar! Whatever shall I do? I guess I better eat a chocolate bar to make things all better…”"
Sounds like a great first step for handling any of life's problems... except perhaps obesity and diabetes."
...don't forget people who are deathly allergic to Chocolate! That first step just became your last..."
Never heard of that. But, anything's possible is this age. Does death by chocolate create a Dementor?