Review: 40616 Harry Potter & Cho Chang

40616 Harry Potter & Cho Chang introduces the third BrickHeadz iteration of the Boy Who Lived, now wearing his Quidditch robes. However, this figure represents a dramatic improvement over the two previous models, reflecting the growing complexity of BrickHeadz.

Cho Chang looks superb as well, but is arguably more appealing because of her warm tan elements. Before now, this colour has been limited to minifigure and mini-doll parts, so the availability of some new plates and tiles is important.

The Completed Model

Harry Potter's two previous BrickHeadz models have worn Hogwarts uniforms, so have been primarily black or grey. Accurate though those colours are, I find Harry's Quidditch robes more eye-catching. The combination of dark red and flame yellowish orange looks splendid and I like the printed tile on the torso, displaying the Gryffindor crest.

Each rendition of Harry Potter has taken a different approach to the character's famous glasses, starting with the specialised glasses element and later using printed 2x2 round tiles. They were effective designs, but integrating black ring blades is even better, as these parts form narrower frames. The lightning scar on Harry's forehead thus remains more visible.

These glasses require a surprisingly complex building technique inside the head, as 1x1 clips are mounted sideways using a 1x2 plate with bracket. A 1x2 panel then slides underneath and forms the neck of the figure. Similar construction methods have been used for past BrickHeadz, but this instance was a pleasant surprise, as the design appears seamless when completed.

Various curved slopes and tiles comprise Harry's hair, with studs introducing some texture. The balance works well, especially from the front. Additionally, I like the folded hood on the figure's back, but the white plates on the sides look peculiar. They are intended to depict trousers and the patch of white looks great on the front, but less so on either side, in my opinion.

Cho Chang is similarly dressed to play Quidditch, albeit in the dark blue and silver shades of Ravenclaw. Light bluish grey doubles for silver here, which is a bit disappointing because the model would stand out more with silver highlights. Nevertheless, the colours otherwise appear accurate, despite the presence of those white plates on both sides.

As mentioned earlier, the figure introduces several warm tan elements, appearing in this colour for the first time and matching the skin tone of Cho's most recent minifigures. These pieces include four 1x2 plates, two 2x4 plates, a 1x4 tile and a 1x4 plate with two studs, which will hopefully be the first of many, as this could definitely be a useful colour beyond minifigures.

This model is much less complex than Harry, although there is little need for more elaborate building techniques. Cho's smooth hairstyle, for instance, reflects the character as portrayed onscreen. Both figures include reddish brown gloves and carry their broomsticks, while Harry also comes with the Golden Snitch.

Overall

When 40616 Harry Potter & Cho Chang was revealed in May, I was underwhelmed by another rendition of Harry Potter, when there are many other characters to produce. However, this set has proven far more interesting than expected, particularly because of the ingenious building technique used to create Harry's glasses.

Of course, creative construction methods alone are not sufficient, but these figures both look superb too. The colourful Quidditch robes are attractive and the exclusive warm tan elements developed for Cho are appealing as well. The price of £17.99, $19.99 or €19.99 is the same as other BrickHeadz twin packs, so I think this set deserves consideration, even for owners of the prior Harry Potter BrickHeadz.

14 comments on this article

By Huw in United Kingdom, 16 Jun 2023 15:22

Interesting that they are no longer using the glasses element designed for BrickHeadz and used on earlier iterations of the boy who lived.

By Anonym in Germany, 16 Jun 2023 15:54

Did we ever see Cho Chang in Quidditch gear or is this Expanded universe based?

By Murdoch17 in United States, 16 Jun 2023 15:56

@Anonym said:
"Did we ever see Cho Chang in Quidditch gear or is this Expanded universe based?"

It's from the books, I think.

By dRevan in United States, 16 Jun 2023 16:17

i am surprised that even after so long lego manages to keep building techniques in brickheadz fresh

By casloren in United States, 16 Jun 2023 17:42

@Murdoch17 said:
" @Anonym said:
"Did we ever see Cho Chang in Quidditch gear or is this Expanded universe based?"

It's from the books, I think."

Yes, she was the Ravenclaw seeker for many years at Hogwarts and went up against Harry in many matches.

By watcher21 in Netherlands, 16 Jun 2023 18:16

@casloren said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @Anonym said:
"Did we ever see Cho Chang in Quidditch gear or is this Expanded universe based?"

It's from the books, I think."

Yes, she was the Ravenclaw seeker for many years at Hogwarts and went up against Harry in many matches."

+1 match when Ginny was the seeker

By lordofdragonss in Poland, 16 Jun 2023 18:28

@Huw said:
"Interesting that they are no longer using the glasses element designed for BrickHeadz and used on earlier iterations of the boy who lived."

Shame because itsa really great piece

By elangab in Canada, 16 Jun 2023 19:28

I would like Cho Chang for our collection but have no need for a second Potter. I wish they would just bundle her with Ginny.

By gatorbug6 in United States, 16 Jun 2023 20:50

The older Cho Chang skin color was just unacceptable. Glad to see the new flesh colors put to good use.

By StyleCounselor in United States, 17 Jun 2023 00:12

They don't even have lips to kiss with.

By Trigger_ in United States, 17 Jun 2023 03:45

People: Screw specialized pieces, all my homies hate specialized pieces.

People when they stop using specialized pieces: What the heck?!?! Why would they stop using that piece!?!?

I get why people want the Brickheadz glasses back and so do I but I’m sure there were people who said they’d prefer this method and LEGO decided they could save money or something this way.

By N_Cat in United States, 17 Jun 2023 14:45

@Trigger_ said:
"People: Screw specialized pieces, all my homies hate specialized pieces.

People when they stop using specialized pieces: What the heck?!?! Why would they stop using that piece!?!?

I get why people want the Brickheadz glasses back and so do I but I’m sure there were people who said they’d prefer this method and LEGO decided they could save money or something this way."

I don’t think most people (though I only see Huw’s comment mentioning it here) are sad or annoyed or even asking for the prior piece, it’s just mild confusion and curiosity.

By AustinPowers in Germany, 19 Jun 2023 07:06

Im most interested in the new warm tan colour. I hope many more pieces will be made.
I think it would also make for a nice base colour for a Modular.

By Binnekamp in Netherlands, 19 Jun 2023 12:43

If you didn't tell me cho's head made use of a new color I wouldn't have noticed it. On its own it just looks like tan -maybe under slightly different lighting? Yay for accuracy I guess?
Why is it that we even did tan for these when light flesh exists?

*Still seethes silently that trans. neon green and trans. neon orange have been retired because they were 'too close' to the dim trans. bright green and outright dark-looking trans. orange. And because there would be 'too many colors'.
*Glares at all the opalescent colors