Today we are interested in the LEGO set 10281 Bonsai Tree, one of the two references of the new "Botanical Collection"stamped 18+ which for the moment includes this box and the set 10280 Flower Bouquet.

Don't bother drawing you a picture, I think everyone knows what a bonsai is. LEGO therefore goes with its interpretation of the thing with a construction of 878 pieces which will be sold for 49.99 € from January 1, 2021.

One could debate for a long time the interest of reproducing a plant element using plastic parts and invoke the snub to a certain conception of environmental protection, but that is not the subject of this article and everyone will have their opinion on the matter. Note that LEGO specifies in the pages of the instruction booklet that the sheets delivered in this box are elements in biopolyethylene made from sugar cane.

I would point it out for those who would not have followed everything from this change of raw material for certain elements manufactured by LEGO: This biopolyethylene is (fortunately) not biodegradable but it is recyclable via the same processes as conventional polyethylene. It should also be remembered that the use of sugar cane does not change either the manufacturing process or the mechanical and aesthetic properties of the plastic obtained at the outlet.

It is therefore proposed to us to assemble a bonsai, here a Japanese cherry tree, judging by the alternative foliage during flowering. If you are looking for where are the 878 elements of the set, know that 200 of them are to be poured loose in the pot, that there are 33 green leaves and that we also have 100 pink frogs and 40 flowers for branches in the process of flowering.

The assembly of this bonsai does not present a real challenge at the level of the base, the pot and the branches. There is hardly that the trunk which proposes some original techniques to obtain the desired "wood" effect. From a distance, this trunk with its shades of brown and its roots that plunge into the pot will be an illusion.

The 200 pieces that make up the substrate, a mixture of fine gravel and potting soil in real life, are to be poured loose into the pot. A bit lazy but the visual effect is convincing. Be careful when moving the model, avoid overturning the pot otherwise you will have to run after the pieces scattered around the living room.

The set allows you to vary the pleasures by replacing the branches with their green leaves by appendages in full bloom. It is not necessary to replace the sheets one by one, it is sufficient here to remove four sub-assemblies, three of which are identical, and to install the alternative modules so that the tree changes its appearance. This express modularity of the product is appreciable, it makes the change of season less tedious.

The cherry blossom tree is covered with pink frogs, which in principle represent the buds. I must admit that I have a little trouble with these hundred frogs scattered on the foliage: a few specimens around more classic flowers could have been a snap, here it is the visual overdose even if from a distance this dressing based on amphibians is an illusion.

In short, for around fifty euros, this product should please those looking to put LEGO as decoration on their shelves without having to expose ships or castles and this is a purely product. lifestyle which seeks to seduce an adult clientele not necessarily nostalgic for pirates or knights.

In my opinion, the real question should be asked: should you invest in a real bonsai or be content with this 18 cm high plastic imitation (support included) which vaguely pays homage to the traditional art of dwarfing of plants, an activity that requires real know-how and a lot more patience than putting together the 878 pieces in this box.

There is also a chance that you will one day find this product at Nature et Découvertes or on the shelves of another brand of this type, LEGO having announced a few months ago considering placing corners products for adults in stores that until now have not necessarily sold sets of the brand.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 7th January 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.

Penultimate step of the Post 2020 calendar in Hoth Bricks version with two very beautiful boxes from the LEGO Technic range put into play: The sets 42115 Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 (379.99 €) and 42107 Ducati Panigale V4 R (59.99 €): the common point between these two sets, they both have color difference problems on some parts that annoyed many fans and the winner will probably have to call customer service to obtain elements of replacement. But since he saved the modest sum of 439.98 €, he will certainly do so with a smile.

To validate your participation in this competition, all you have to do is identify yourself via the interface below and follow the instructions provided. As usual, it is a question of finding information on the official online store and then correctly answering the question asked. At the end of the participation phase, the winner will be chosen by drawing lots from among the correct answers.

Your contact details (name / nickname, email address, IP) are only used within the framework of this competition and will not be kept beyond the drawing of lots which will designate the winner. As usual, this no-obligation competition is open to all residents of mainland France, DOM & TOM, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

A big thank you to LEGO for allowing me to offer the series of pretty sets brought into play at the end of the year. The prize will be sent to the winner by me and by Colissimo, followed with insurance and signature on delivery (and suitable packaging) as soon as their contact details are confirmed by return email.

As always, I reserve the right to disqualify any participant who has attempted to defraud or hijack the entry system in order to increase their chances of winning. Hateful and bad losers to abstain, the others will have more chances to win.

Good luck to everyone !

Note: If you choose to identify yourself in the participation interface via facebook, be aware that in the event of a win, the personal information (name / first name / photo) linked to your account will be displayed in the widget.

Also in the official catalog pages that circulate on social networks, we discover the visuals of the four boxes based on the film Eternals which will launch a new phase of Marvel Cinematic Universe and whose theatrical release is scheduled for November 2021.

Angelina Jolie (Thena), Salma Hayek (Ajak) and Kit Harrington (Dane Whitman / Black Knight) will notably be showing. These four boxes will bring together Ajak, Kingo, Sersi, Ikaris, Thena, Makkari, Gilgamesh, Druig, Phastos and Sprite.

The public prices for France indicated below are to be confirmed.

It is in the pages of an official Canadian catalog currently circulating on social networks that we discover the first visual of the LEGO set 71741 Ninjago City Gardens, the big box of 5685 pieces and 19 minifigs which will complete the two portions of the megalopolis already on the market: the sets 70620 Ninjago City  (2017) et 70657 Ninjago City Docks (2018)

The catalog confirms a sale from January 14, 2021 with a VIP preview which will precede global availability scheduled for February 1, 2021. Estimated public price in France: € 299.99.

We will talk about this box again very soon on the occasion of a "Review ". Clutch Powers is in the set, just that suits me.

(With brick set)

Today we quickly go around the other small box under 10 € in the LEGO Technic range of the first half of 2021: the reference 42117 Race Plane. Like the set 42116 Skid Steer Loader, this small unpretentious box of 154 pieces is aimed at young fans who would like to gradually enter the LEGO Technic universe by discovering the potential of more or less complex elements and mechanisms that can be assembled.

This aircraft does a little worse than the skid steer loader on the side of the integrated functions, but it still allows you to learn some basic principles that will allow budding designers to move on to more sophisticated products.

It is therefore a question here of discovering how the wheels of the aircraft can cause the movement of the propeller, and the designer even thought of authorizing the observation of part of the mechanism via the two mobile elements of the cabin.

Some will immediately associate the machine with those who are competing in the very spectacular Red Bull Air Race and we could have imagined that LEGO would add two studs in the set to offer some fun aerobatic possibilities. A second box on the same subject with an airplane in different colors would also have added the possibility of having fun together and going beyond the construction of the airplane.

In short, even if adults accustomed to the LEGO Technic range are clearly not the target of this product with limited functionality, do not neglect this type of set when it comes to initiating a young fan more used to stacking bricks. than to associate gears with each other.

These small boxes are quickly assembled and a newcomer to the Technic universe will not have time to get bored or to feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the thing. The result obtained is visually very successful and it offers rewarding play possibilities for those who have just spent a few minutes trying to understand how the propeller sets in motion.

The contents of the set allow to assemble an alternative model, which I find visually a little less successful. This is always taken for the life of the product, we will not complain.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 4th January 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.