Latest news with #LegoGroup
News.com.au
20 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Lego releases Bluey-themed set
Lego has revealed its newest brick set featuring an iconic Australian cartoon – Bluey. The six new sets capture recognisable moments from the beloved kids show.
CNN
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Lego just released a new Red Maple Bonsai Tree set, and I couldn't wait to build it
The Lego Botanical line includes some of the company's most popular building kits. They're exciting for long-time Lego fans like myself thanks to intricate designs, as well as newer builders who are just looking to assemble a cute plant model. To start off June, there are two new sets entering the collection, including a majestic Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree and a pack of affordable little Happy Plants figures. I spent the weekend building both kits for myself, and let me tell you, they're some of the best Lego kits of the year. Lego Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree The newest life-like plant from Lego is here. This Japanese Red Maple is a more colorful spin on the classic bonsai tree and is comprised of nearly 500 pieces. There's no need to water this plant, either, nor do you need to meticulously prune its branches like with the real thing. Lego Happy Plants On the smaller side, Lego has extended its Botanicals collection to include something a little sillier. This Happy Plants set assembles two characters with swappable plants that rest in their heads. As much as I love Lego Star Wars sets and other creations based on the latest in pop culture, there's no denying the draw of these home decor-style models. The Lego Botanicals line has converted so many of my friends, coworkers and readers into Lego fans, and the two new kits that launched this month certainly look like they'll be continuing that trend. The Lego Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree is easily the highlight of this month's new releases. But, I also instantly fell in love with the Happy Plants set. So, I'll talk about both of them down below. Lego first launched its Botanicals line all the way back in 2020. The very first kit in the collection was a bonsai tree, so this month's release of the Red Maple is offering a fresh take on the buildable plant that started it all. The first version was so popular that it sold out right at launch and kept that hard-to-find status for months on end. History may repeat itself with the newest kit, as the Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree looks to be every bit as enticing as the original bonsai tree. I've been scouting this set out for months and have been waiting for it to hit store shelves since it was revealed earlier in the year. Over the weekend, I went and picked it up for myself and immediately got to work assembling the 474-piece creation. I love the vibrant colors on this plant, as well as the layered leaf design that gives the model's branches a dense and life-like appearance. The Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree is so detailed that you'll have to squint to even see the studs that would identify as a Lego kit. Its building process employs quite a few interesting techniques to achieve its regal final design, taking advantage of the same foliage piece that comes in three warm hues. I also love that the base resembles a dark green pot to really make it feel like the real thing — of course, without any actual soil. This model's $60 price tag is a bit steeper than previous entries in the Botanical collection, but the finished build is also a bit larger. A lot of recent Lego kits have been doing the opposite, scaling down the final product to help keep its price in check. So in this case, I'm thrilled to see Lego branching out to deliver a more impressive plant instead of having shrunk the Red Maple to match the size of the original bonsai tree. Alongside the newest Lego bonsai tree, another kit just launched in the Botanicals collection. The Happy Plants set is a departure from the other models that have been trickling into the lineup over the past few years, but one that I'm quite happy to see. Lego first showed me this kit back at New York Toy Fair, and I've been excited to write about it ever since. While other brick built botanicals aim to recreate like-like versions of the real thing, these Happy Plants figures are a bit more playful. The kit includes two of the adorable characters with interchangeable plants to swap between them. The blue figure sits on your desk or shelf with a baby pilea plant, while their yellow counterpart stands up to show off a baby dracaena plant. Each of the builds aren't quite as detailed as the usual kits in this Lego theme, but that just makes them more accessible. The $23 price tag fits that, as well. After building the kit myself, this launch stands out for younger Lego builders and anyone else just getting into the hobby. Lego only releases a couple of kits like this every year. While hundreds of sets will debut across themes like Star Wars, Marvel and Ninjago, builders are only treated to a handful of builds in the Botanicals collection. And with as popular as these kits have been for CNN Underscored readers, I knew I had to share the latest releases in the realm of Lego kits for adults. The launch of the Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree and Happy Plants sets are so good, in fact, that I went out and bought them myself. So, if a new product launch is good enough for a massive Lego fan like myself to spend her own money on, it's worth writing about. Whether you're shopping for yourself or for a Lego gift, these kits are easily worth recommending after building them for myself. Here at CNN Underscored, we make it our job to stay up to date on all the latest products, but we don't just find them; we also rigorously test products from hundreds of brands to make sure every gift you give is a hit. In the case of this shopping guide for the new 2025 Lego sets, you're getting recommendations from a lifelong Lego fan. Senior deals editor Rikka Altland has been building Lego since before she could form full sentences. She has also been writing about Lego professionally for nearly a decade and has been building kits for over twice as long. Altland is constantly buying new models, so when she says she loves a kit and thinks it's worth buying, she's putting her money where her mouth is.
Gizmodo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Lego's New ‘Lord of the Rings' Set Decides What Shall and Shall Not Pass Your Bookshelf
Ever since Lego returned to making annual Lord of the Rings set, the company has gone big, with high price, high-parts-count sets that bring bits of Middle-earth to life on as grand a scale as possible. Its next one, however, is a little different. We already got our annual big Lord of the Rings set this year with the release of The Shire, but Lego is bringing Lord of the Rings into another of its toy lines with today's announcement of a buildable book nook recreating Gandalf's confrontation with the Balrog in Moria from Fellowship of the Rings. Following on in the vein of the Sherlock Holmes book nook revealed last month, the $130, 1201-piece Lord of the Rings set can either be displayed entirely unfurled, or folded up into a compacted version of the iconic scene that can be easily slotted into a book shelf (presumably one you've stuffed with plenty of Tolkien tomes). Lego Lord of the Rings Balrog Book Nook The Balrog Book Book includes, of course, a minifigure of Gandalf wielding his sword and staff, as well as a brick-built Balrog, which comes with a recreation of its flame whip as well as massive wings that unfurl outwards when the set is folded out, framed by columns of fire. And, of course, on the front of the set whether it's in the folded or unfolded configuration is a brick printed with Gandalf's legendary 'You shall not pass!' quote from the scene, guaranteeing you doing your best Ian McKellen impression whenever you look at it. It's an unusual move for Lego to bring Lord of the Rings to some of its other product lines after it's spent the past few years exclusively treating it as a yearly one-off, and hopefully a sign that we might see more of Middle-earth than just one massively pricey set each year. An architecture set of Minas Tirith? An buildable art piece replicating the painting in Rivendell of Sauron and Isildur's battle? What about a botanicals set of the White Tree of Gondor, or a bundle of athelas? Hell, I can't be the only one thinking that the fellowship sailing past the Argonath might have made just as good as a book nook idea as Moria, honestly! It might not be a return to the full-throated Lord of the Rings line that some fans might have wished for, but it lets us hope–even if it's just a fool's hope–that we might start seeing Lord of the Rings pop up on Lego shelves a little more regularly. The Lego Lord of the Rings Balrog Book Nook is available to pre-order now, ahead of a release on June 1.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The Lego Group launches first certified-store in India
MUMBAI: The Lego Group on Friday launched its first certified store in India at Ambience Mall, Gurugram, in collaboration with the Ample Group. The Gurugram store will be followed by a second launch at Bengaluru's Brigade Orion Mall in June, with more stores planned across the country in the coming years. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Spanning over 4,500 sq. ft., the store is now the largest Lego Certified Store in South Asia. 'India is one of our fastest-growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region, and we see strong long-term potential here. For the last three, we have been growing at a strong double digit growth and expected to build on that growth momentum in the next five years as well. Our strategic focus is on building a deeper connection with Indian families through a robust retail and brand presence. The opening of our first Certified Store in Gurugram marks a key milestone in this journey. It is the first step in a phased expansion plan that will see us open more stores across key cities,' India is one of our fastest-growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region, and we see strong long-term potential here. For the last three, we have been growing at a strong double digit growth and expected to build on that growth momentum in the next five years as well. Our strategic focus is on building a deeper connection with Indian families through a robust retail and brand presence. The opening of our first Certified Store in Gurugram marks a key milestone in this journey. It is the first step in a phased expansion plan that will see us open more stores across key cities,' Bhavana Mandon, Country Manager at LEGO India told TOI. The company is also contributing to the broader toy ecosystem through initiatives like its collaboration with The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to support the upskilling of toy designers and engineers in India. Alongside regular workshops and build sessions in-store, the firm aims to expand access to its global portfolio and create more locally relevant experiences. 'India has a strong foundation of curiosity and imagination, and we are committed to supporting it by growing our presence in a way that puts creativity, community and long-term value at the core,' Mandon said.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Lego opens South Asia's biggest store in Gurugram in partnership with Ample Group
Danish toymaker, the Lego Group, has officially launched its first store in India. The 4,500 square feet store in Gurugram is the largest Lego store in South Asia. The store's opening marks a shift for Lego from online sales and sales through other retailers like Hamleys and FirstCry, to having its own physical presence. The store features over 800 products, including 250 sets that are only available at Lego stores. The Gurugram store is the first of several planned across India with retail franchise partner Ample. The next store is planned for Bengaluru. Lego is also considering opening stores in Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow. 'We are seeing increasing enthusiasm for the Lego brand not only among children but also among parents and adult consumers,' said Bhavana Mandon, Country Manager, Lego India. 'This store is a significant step in our journey to bring more immersive and interactive Lego experiences to Indian customers.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Katarinas partner Världens utan tvekan snyggaste man Authors Pick Läs mer Undo India's toy market was worth $1.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $3 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual rate of 12%, according to a 2024 Exim Bank report. Lego plans to grow at a faster pace, aiming for double-digit growth through 2032. Speaking over the opening of the store, Rajesh Narang, Founder & CEO at the Ample Group said: 'With the launch of South Asia's Largest LEGO® Certified Store, we are not just introducing a brand but offering families a space to imagine, play and create memories together. Our goal is to deliver experiences that go beyond shopping, where every visit feels special and interaction adds value.' Live Events The products will start at ₹449 and go up to over ₹80,000 for advanced sets aimed at collectors and hobbyists. With this retail entry, Lego plans to build a stronger presence in India by combining its global product offering with local consumer insights. With this new store, Lego aims to be a major player in the Indian toy market.
