The latest theme from LEGO is oddly specific. According to the Danish company it “is inspired by Chinese culture and values”. It is also based on one of the most iterated of classical Chinese literature. So is this Journey To The West influenced theme more than just a move to pander to a market that is also the biggest producer of counterfeit bricks?

LEGO stated that it took 2 years to develop Monkie Kid from idea to final product and was the result of a “very close collaboration between colleagues in China and Denmark and with children and parents in China”.

Culture themed sets are nothing new in the LEGO portfolio. We have seen Christmas, Halloween, lunar new year, and other celebratory sets before. LEGO originals like Ninjago, Castle, Nexo Knights, and even the Bionicle themed sets have cultural inspirations.

However, previous LEGO original themes take general inspiration from Eastern, Western, and island cultures. Monkie Kid is a LEGO original theme that is specifically designed by and for the Chinese market. The only original theme that is so specific that I could think of.

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In its first wave, LEGO is releasing eight sets: White Dragon Horse Bike, Iron Bull Tank, Monkie Kid’s Cloud Jet, Pigsy’s Food Truck, Demon Bull King, Red Son’s Inferno Truck, Monkey King Warrior Mech, and Monkie Kid’s Team Secret HQ.

If you told me that this theme is a spin-off of Ninjago, I would believe you. There is nothing in the standard affair of vehicles, goons, playsets, and mechs in the Monkie Kid set that would not look out of place among the Ninjago set. Accept for the Monkey King Warrior Mech.

Unlike the other sets, which are targeted at kids, the Monkey King Warrior Mech is clearly aimed at the collectors. LEGO touts the most number (119) of lacquered (metallic gold) elements in this set. They come in 14 different shapes and this number does not include the foil elements.

On the other hand, I speculate that the high number of lacquered pieces is also a way for LEGO to protect their star product in the series from piracy. This is the only set in the series that comes with the Monkey King, his nimbus cloud, and his ring rod. A sure must-have piece for collectors and fans of Journey To The West alike.

The only way to make this set more desirable is to put more number eights in its set number.

The other notable set in the first wave to me is the Monkie Kid’s Team Secret HQ. The largest of the eight. This set is a summary of almost everything the theme’s first wave has to offer. It comes with all the good guys, vehicles for almost every one of them, an equal number of goons, and a container barge that opens up to become a base.

As for the rest, White Dragon Horse Bike, Monkie Kid’s Cloud Jet (if done in a different colour), and Pigsy’s Food Truck looks like Ninjago sets. Iron Bull Tank, Demon Bull King, and Red Son’s Inferno Truck look like a cross between Ninjago and Nexo Knights.

To me, Monkie looks a lot like pandering. It is too similar to an already existing and well-established theme. Maybe it could work as a replacement, but as something that will be sold alongside Ninjago, it is almost more of the same.

Nevertheless, the Chinese focus of the products could give it an edge, it could rise to the top riding on cultural pride alone. Perhaps LEGO’s next theme could take inspiration from Tamil epics or Middle Eastern cultures instead.

Here’s a link to the Malaysian LEGO Store.