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LEGO's 2025 Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake) Collection: A Detailed Look at the Trotting Lantern
LEGO continues its Lunar New Year tradition with three exciting 2025 sets celebrating the Year of the Snake. This review focuses on the most elaborate of the three: a meticulously crafted replica of a traditional trotting lantern.
The lantern, more than just a pretty exterior, is a testament to LEGO's design prowess. Its intricate detailing is breathtaking, from the hanging red lanterns to the gold accents and the exquisitely rendered sky and cloud scenes on the lantern's walls.
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Building the lantern is a layered experience, starting with the core structure and progressively adding intricate details. This multi-stage construction offers a unique sense of anticipation and satisfaction, reminiscent of the now-retired LEGO Carousel.
Inspired by historical Han Dynasty lanterns, the LEGO model incorporates a clever mechanism. A rotating rod activates a light brick, illuminating a translucent piece with a black-lined image, projecting it onto the lantern's side. While the advertised wall projection feature is somewhat underwhelming, the rotating image within the lantern itself is a charming detail.
The real surprise lies within. Opening the top reveals three miniature dioramas: a dumpling stall, a decorations stall, and a shadow puppet theater—a delightful hidden element. The set includes five minifigures, one with a snake costume, and accessories like dumplings, a red envelope, a shadow puppet, and chopsticks.
The value proposition hinges on your priorities. While the light-up rotating mechanism might not justify the price alone, the stunning aesthetics and the hidden miniature scenes make this a captivating Lunar New Year celebration. Despite its 9+ age rating, the complexity suggests a more mature building experience.
The LEGO Trotting Lantern (#80116), with 1295 pieces, retails for $129.99 and is currently available at Amazon and the LEGO Store.
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