Following up on the enormously popular Botanical series which brought more fans to the hobby, LEGO is branching out to the animal world with 10331 Kingfisher. This bright, colourful bird that has been captured in many eye-catching photographs is an interesting choice.
Will animals prove to be as popular as the plants? I'll take a detailed look at the model from every angle after the break.
Earlier, we checked out Friends in Space, aka 42605 Mars Space Base and Rocket. In that set, the astronauts were chatting with Nova via video chat. We find out where Nova is in 42603 Stargazing Camping Vehicle.
This set reminded me of 41116 Olivia's Exploration Car from 2016. Let's see how far exploration has come in the last seven years...
42639 Andrea's Modern Mansion has made a big splash in the January wave of sets. And for good reason - it's the largest Friends set ever released (2275 pieces), the most expensive (£169.99 / $199.99 / €199.99), has the most minidolls (10), and is the first with a 14+ recommended age rating.
With that price and piece count, this is a set comparable to the modular buildings. Appropriately, the designer of this set, Wes Talbott, does have a modular building (10270 Bookshop) in his portfolio.
This is the set that many Friends aficionados have been clamouring for - a Heartlake City build that appeals to the theme's older fans. It's also the first retail set with all five of the original Friends! Let's see how the original Friends have grown up in this sophisticated, stylish build that's sure to please Friends fans and create some new ones.
Friends 2023 was excellent, and the Friends team has their work cut out for them to maintain the fantastic quality from last year.
It's also been a while since there's been a Friends set that's explored something entirely new, but we certainly have that with 42605 Mars Space Base and Rocket. Finally - Friends in Space!
We've made it! Over the past 23 days, we've seen a variety of builds, from a snowman to a penguin to a gaming station and many things in between. We've also had a nice array of minifigures. There is very little mystery as to what's behind the last door of this calendar.
It's Christmas Eve! This year's calendar has featured several animals, two minidolls, and a few builds thrown in between. There are eight Friends pets, and we've met seven so far, so I have a strong suspicion as to what (or who) we will find behind the last door of the calendar.
Almost there! While Mrs. Claus gets around on a snowboard, yesterday's build provided an alternate means of transportation with a sleigh. It wasn't all that roomy, though, so perhaps today we'll find some way of transporting all the toys!
There's a bit of a theme going in the last couple days of the calendar - the last two days have built parts of a train. We're so close to the end of the calendar, and I think we may see something else train-related behind today's door.
Only a few days left, and with having Mrs. Claus join the scene yesterday, we're really getting into the festive spirit. I expect the build behind today's door to be quite suitable for the season.
Yesterday's train was a nice change in that it was a build! I've enjoyed seeing all the pets, but I've missed having a build to put together each day. There was a connection point at the back of the train, so perhaps we'll see another train car today.
We have cookies and milk ready for Santa - perhaps they've been put out by the little girl we met on Day 14. It seems likely that we'll meet the jolly old elf later in the calendar, but in the meantime, let's see what's behind Door 21.
The Friends pet crew increased by one yesterday with the addition of Melody, Paisley's bunny. I think the build today may be something for Melody. I'm guessing it's not food, since Day 17 covered that quite adequately! Let's see what festive build awaits us behind Door 21.
Yesterday we had a table set for a feast, even if the table was a little small! Regardless, the denizens of our advent calendar will be well-fed. As we're down to the last five days of the calendar, I expect we'll see some more festive builds.
Our festive scene is growing, with presents under the tree from yesterday. We have five doors left to open in the calendar, and I think we may still see an animal or two yet in this calendar. Will we meet another one today?
We're really getting into the holiday spirit, with the last two days being a Christmas tree and some presents. Let's see what festive build awaits us next behind Door 19.
Our Friends menagerie is now up to six, with the addition of Zac's pug from yesterday with his festive glasses. As we hit the homestretch of the calendar, what festive builds will we find for the last few days?
The addition of a Christmas tree to the display mat definitely takes things to a more festive turn. As we head into the final week of the calendar, I'm hopeful that we'll have more seasonal builds to take us through the rest of the way.
Yesterday's collection of food items was disappointing from a build perspective, but at least we know our Friends' pets won't starve! It's been a few days since we've met a Friends pet, and since I suspect we'll meet three more in the calendar, perhaps it's time for another.
Yesterday's grandfather clock build was definitely a winner! While perhaps not in the festive spirit, it's a nice build that will fit in many LEGO buildings and MOCs. Maybe we'll start seeing festive builds soon.
We're on a food theme in the last couple of days - with an outdoor oven on Day 15 and a festive table and chairs yesterday. Hopefully the festive theme will continue today, perhaps with more food?