Today we quickly follow up with another 2021 novelty from the LEGO Monkie Kid range: the set 80023 Monkie Kid's Team Dronecopter (1462 - 139.99 €) which offers us, as the title of the product indicates, to assemble a drone capable of transporting the young hero and his friends.

And the model actually looks like a drone with its four propellers that the designer has chosen to present in a protective arch like, for example, a Helicarrier. The colored drone can take the two containers which serve as a mobile den for the Monkie Kid and his friends and we find here the principle of modular playset already seen in the large box of the range marketed since 2020, the set 80013 Monkie Kid's Team Secret HQ (1959 - 169.99 €). The two containers open to free access to a living space and an arcade room, you can also store a few minifigs.

A third container is included, it hides a cannon under the orders of Spider Queen. LEGO provides the minimum union in terms of opposition in this box, it will be necessary to invest in the set 80022 Spider Queen's Arachnoid (1170 - 109.99 €) to obtain an enemy machine at the height of this very large drone.

Be careful with the game phases with the two containers attached to the drone, they only hold via two simple clips at the CLuch Power a bit hit and miss. While handling the product, one of the two containers of the copy presented here, for example, came off.

It is possible to easily remove the four legs of the drone to play without being encumbered by these appendages. I often criticize LEGO for not providing a suitable exhibition solution for certain products, I will not complain here that I find something to present this drone in a more interesting position than to let it rest on the edge of the wings and on the integrated handle at the back.

The machine is a bit heavy, especially when it loads the two containers, but the designer has planned everything to facilitate the handling of the thing. As for the apparatus of the set 80019 Red Son's Inferno Jet (299 - 29.99 €), this drone is both a vehicle for minifigs and a handgun. The large black handle placed at the back of the construction makes it possible to grab the drone and use it like a pistol thanks to the trigger integrated under the body of the machine which triggers the expulsion of the two ammunition placed in Spring-Shooters.

The functionality seemed very interesting to me on the Red Son jet but the two ammunition here seem too undersized to really stick to the wingspan of the machine which measures 40 x40 cm. Projectiles identical to the one seen for example recently in the LEGO Marvel set 76170 Iron Man vs. Thanos would have been welcome.

One can ask the question of the interest of transforming machines for minifigs into weapons on a human scale via the integrated functionalities. We know the success of the product line that Hasbro marketed under the NERF name that turns lethal weapons into colorful children's toys, and LEGO is clearly trying to go into that field with these sets.

The look of these handguns in the LEGO version is obviously much more diluted so that they do not look like machine guns or shotguns but the principle of the grip and the trigger remains present and clearly visible. Whether this drone or the Red Son jet goes too far in this area or not is up to everyone to see, knowing that for many children the functionality will be immediately understood and used extensively.

The assembly phase of the model is rather pleasant, we alternate between a little repetitive sequences and construction of the a little more complex mechanism which allows to put the central turret in rotation and to trigger the firing of the ammunition. The instruction booklets are also really very well designed with readable perspectives and extremely detailed assembly sequences which increases the number of pages in the process. We feel that LEGO wants to take care of its new Asian clientele by fine-tuning these types of details.

We do not escape a very large sheet of stickers but most of them are easily applied and even if they greatly contribute to the aesthetics of the model, it is possible to do without some of these stickers without disfiguring too much. the machine.

The grip of the drone also makes it possible to manage the orientation of the upper turret via the integrated dial just above the handle. It is well done, the wheel falls just under the thumb even with children's hands. My son immediately thought of NERF's Terradrone with which he had fun for a long time tracking my dog ​​through the apartment.

The minifig endowment is fairly balanced with Monkie Kid, Mei, Mr Tang, Fei, Sandy and Mo the cat on one side and Spider Queen, Huntsman, Syntax and Red Son on the other. There is plenty of fun without having to go back to the cash register immediately even if Spider Queen seems a little helpless without her mechanical spider.

As with the other sets in the range, LEGO deploys all its know-how in pad printing and molding here. The usual technical faults such as the pallor of certain white pad-printed areas on dark parts are there, but the finish is generally very satisfactory. The Spider Queen cape is a rigid plastic element, the rendering is and the lifespan of this accessories take advantage of this technical choice.

Again, it will be difficult to really get attached to the different characters without seeing the animated series that features them and develops their personality a bit. As it stands, we understand who the good guys and the bad guys are, but the real issues will no doubt escape the youngsters beyond the relationship between the forces of good very colorful and those of evil with darker and threatening hues.

The products in the Monkie Kid range are also a bit expensive and you will have to pay 140 € to afford this box. Note that this wave of sets will not be marketed in LEGO stores, it will only be sold online and only on the official store.

It's creative, the subject dealt with here is interesting and it mimics a modern machine rather well converted to make a transport drone more attractive than the usual ships or classic planes. The modularity allowed by the fixing of the two containers on the sides of the drone will appeal to the youngest even if the fixing system seems a little light to me. Now it's up to you to see if the barely "hidden" function of this drone fits your philosophy when it comes to children's toys.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at March 12, 2021 next at 23pm. "The" I try, I participate "are automatically deleted, make an effort.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Today we make a quick hook by the novelties expected from March 1st in the LEGO Monkie Kid range with the set 80019 Red Son's Inferno Jet, a box of 299 pieces which will be sold at the public price of 29.99 €.

For those who do not yet know, this range of toys intended for the Asian market is loosely inspired by the popular legend of the Monkey King from which it borrows iconic characters and places. Everything is then wrapped in a retro-futuristic context that sometimes draws on other universes to appeal to children. The result is interesting even if it goes a bit in all directions.

To date, the animated series that serves both as a reference on the context of this universe designed for the Asian market and as a marketing support for derivative products has still not been broadcast in France. There is little chance that it will ever be so, this range is only distributed elsewhere than in Asia because of the commitment made by LEGO to no longer reserve its "general public" ranges for certain geographical areas. . Products derived from this universe are therefore marketed directly by LEGO and are not accessible to other brands specializing in toys.

This box features the attack on the Mountain of Fruit and Flowers by Red Son, the son of Demon Bull King and Princess Iron Fan (see the set 80010 Demon Bull King). The mountain in question is symbolized here by an additional mini-construction which directly refers to the much more substantial content of the set. 80024 The Legendary Flower Fruit Mountain (169.99 €) which we will talk about in a few days. Those who do not want to spend 180 € to afford the "real" mountain will therefore be able to reproduce the planned scene at a lower cost.

The craft ridden by Red Son is a sort of rather original retro-futuristic Speeder with Steampunk accents that hides an interesting feature: it is also a handgun equipped with two Spring-Shooters which will be used to try to knock out the Monkie Kid attached to the top of the mini-assembly via his stick.

The loading of the two ammunition is carried out from the front of the machine by opening the cover of the turbine and the trigger is placed under the cockpit. The latter is rather well integrated and it knows how to be relatively discreet. The icing on the cake, firing is carried out in two distinct phases thanks to the integrated mechanism which pushes in two stages on the back of the ammunition. NERF could not have done better.

The grip of the weapon via the integrated stock is well thought out and the whole does not fall apart, even when handling it without taking too many precautions, thanks to its internal structure which calls for a few Technic beams. LEGO does not provide enough to present the jet horizontally, I added the few transparent pieces visible in the photos above.

The aesthetic finish of the Red Son jet would perhaps have deserved some additional parts at the level of the sides of the cockpit and the rear but I suppose that the designer will have preferred to ensure a good grip by the youngest while maintaining a fairly thin stock. Some stickers dress the speeder cabin, you will have to do with or without them and not take advantage of the nice finishing details they bring.

Three minifigs are provided in this small box: the Monkie Kid, Red Son and Bob the clone. These three figures were already present in numbers in the sets of the first wave marketed since 2020 and there is nothing new here. The pad prints are very successful with a level of detail to make fans of the LEGO Marvel Super Heroes universe jealous, who often have to be content with neutral legs and much more minimalist prints.

LEGO is putting the package on this range and it shows: all the know-how of the manufacturer in pad printing, molding and injection is at work and we better measure the laziness of certain other ranges about which fans the most indulgent are spreading various and varied excuses to justify the savings made by LEGO.

If I was a few (many) years younger, I think I would have been at least as sensitive to this universe as that of the Ninjago range. It's colorful, the content of the sets is varied enough for everyone to find the machine they like and the minifigs are really attractive. The fact that this range of products is vaguely inspired by the legend of the Monkey King is only a tool of seduction to reach Asian customers, the reference is not essential to enjoy these products and have fun.

We can regret that the range is sold in Europe without the context of its content via the animated series even if the youngest will have no trouble identifying the good guys, the bad guys and the issues. Their imagination will do the rest. My 12 year old son even showed (briefly) interested in this universe by judging the content of this range more "modern" and "varied" than that of the Ninjago universe which he has toured for a long time. Fortnite and Overwatch regained the upper hand in two minutes, however, so let's not get carried away.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at March 7, 2021 next at 23pm. "The" I try, I participate "are automatically deleted, make an effort.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

There will be one more set within the new wave of products in the Monkie Kid range to accompany the seven boxes already announced : the reference 40472 Monkie Kid's RC Race has been added to the official store and this small set of 57 pieces will be sold for € 12.99.

In the packaging, the minifigs of Monkie Kid, Mei and Bob, accompanied by two mini-models reproducing the machines of the sets 80015 Monkie Kid's Cloud Roadster (64.99 €) and 80011 Red Son's Inferno Truck (99.99 €) marketed since 2020.

This small set will be available from March 1, like the whole of the new wave of Monkie Kid 2021 sets which we will talk about in more detail in a few days on the occasion of "Review ".

I remind you that this range is sold only at LEGO and that the products offered at Amazon at prohibitive prices are sold by marketplace resellers who make a small ticket in the process.

The planned sets are now all online on the official store:

If you are interested in this range, please note that we will soon have the opportunity to speak in more detail about each of these boxes based on the occasion of a series of "Review "Some of these sets have nice surprises in store and the minifig endowment is quite attractive.

We will briefly talk about the LEGO Monkie Kid range again with the publication on the Shop of the reference 80023 Monkie Kid's Team Dronecopter, the big set of this new wave of products with 1462 pieces and an announced retail price of € 139.99 which had been briefly announced in November 2020.

This set will be available from March 1, 2021 and it will be accompanied by a large handful of other more or less supplied references. In this box, we will find the containers that are already present on the boat which serves as headquarters for the Monkie Kid and his friends in the set 80013 Monkie Kid's Team Secret HQ (1959 - 169.99 €). 8 minifigs will be provided: Monkie Kid, Mei, Mr. Tang, Huntsman, Syntax, Red Son, Spider Queen and Fei, we will also get a new copies of Sandy and the cat Mo.

We will have the opportunity to talk in more detail very soon about this box and the other references of this new wave of sets that will expand this range launched in 2020 and made up to date of 11 products.

To date, the animated series that serves both as a reference on the context of this universe designed for the Asian market and as a marketing support for derivative products has still not been broadcast in France. There is little chance that it will be one day, this range is only distributed elsewhere than in Asia because of the commitment made by LEGO to no longer reserve its "general public" ranges to certain geographical areas. products derived from this universe are only marketed directly by LEGO and are not accessible to other brands specializing in toys.