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's Exquisite Detailing
Before delving into the construction, let's appreciate the lantern's stunning exterior. Every detail is meticulously rendered, from the hanging red lanterns to the ornate gold accents and the beautifully depicted sky and clouds on the lantern's walls. The level of detail is truly extravagant.
A Layered Building Experience
Constructing the lantern is a rewarding, layered process. You begin with the basic structure, then add progressively more intricate details, creating a sense of anticipation and delight with each new element. This layered approach is reminiscent of the now-retired LEGO Carousel, offering a similar sense of wonder and discovery.
The Mechanical Light and Projection Feature
Inspired by historical trotting lanterns powered by oil lamps, the LEGO model incorporates a clever mechanism. A rotating rod activates a light brick, illuminating a clear piece with a black-lined image, projecting it onto the lantern's side. While the advertised wall projection feature is somewhat blurry and not entirely effective, the rotating image within the lantern itself is a charming touch.
Hidden Dioramas and Minifigures
The lantern's upper section opens to reveal three delightful miniature scenes: a dumpling stall, a decorations stall, and a shadow puppet theater. This cleverly concealed element adds a surprising layer of depth and playability. The set includes five minifigures, one dressed in a snake costume, along with accessories like dumplings, a red envelope, a shadow puppet, and chopsticks.
Final Verdict
The appeal of this set hinges on your priorities. While the light-up, rotating feature might not be groundbreaking, the aesthetic beauty and the hidden dioramas make this a truly stunning and unique LEGO creation. It's a wonderful celebration of the Lunar New Year, offering a sophisticated build experience that belies its 9+ age rating.
The LEGO Trotting Lantern (#80116), comprising 1295 pieces, retails for $129.99 and is available now at Amazon and the LEGO Store.
