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Monkey Kid

por baixinho, em 15.05.20

Sim, eu sei que já apareceram imagens deste tema há umas semanas atrás, mas hoje é o anúncio oficial e portanto aqui vai a minha opinião sobre esta novidade. Mas só depois do habitual press release.

LEGO® Monkie Kid™ - a new hero is born, a new story is waiting to unfold

The LEGO Group’s first ever Chinese inspired theme sees the legend of the Monkey King from the classic Journey to the West novel reimagined in LEGO sets and minifigures

Inspired by the 500-year-old story of the Monkey King, LEGO Monkie Kid is the LEGO Group’s take on a new, untold chapter of the legendary tale. Featuring eight exciting sets, an animated mini movie and TV series, LEGO Monkie Kid is the first ever LEGO theme to be inspired by a Chinese legend and is rooted firmly in the country’s culture and values. The theme’s sets are packed with fun, excitement and an epic story just waiting to unfold…

The tale begins when an ordinary boy, Monkie Kid, finds Monkey King’s legendary staff and he becomes the chosen one. Together with his brave and loyal friends, Monkie Kid begins his quest to stop the Demon Bull King and his army of Bull Clones from taking over the city.

Paying tribute to stories known and admired by so many children and parents in China and Asia, this latest LEGO play theme brings new life to the iconic Monkey King fable and provides a common ground for children, parents and grandparents to build and play together.

“I am super excited about the launch of LEGO Monkie Kid. This fantastic new play theme is deeply inspired by Chinese culture and built on an esteemed story that is treasured by all generations. We know kids will be delighted by the world of LEGO Monkie Kid, and I can’t wait to see how they immerse themselves in building, role playing and creating new stories through this theme. This is a very exciting innovation for the LEGO brand and one that demonstrates our commitment to building a strong future in China,” says Julia Goldin, Chief Marketing Officer at the LEGO Group.

With a modern Chinese twist, LEGO Monkie Kid celebrates bravery and friendship and lets children engage in great building experiences whilst helping them to develop their imagination and creativity. Paul Huang, General Manager of LEGO China, says: “The launch of Monkie Kid is another important milestone in our journey to provide the creative LEGO play experience to many more Chinese children. Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, the new theme line is created with inspiration from China, for China, and at the same time empowers children around the world to be brave, resilient and optimistic through creative play with LEGO bricks.”

Children can look forward to eight action-packed sets with colourful characters, impressive vehicles with exciting new and hidden features - plus a blue cat with an orange mohawk! The sets are a result of two years of close collaboration with children and parents in China to ensure they are authentic to local culture. Never before has the LEGO Group launched a theme inspired by one culture and with so much attention to local details, values and traits.

“I have been touched and inspired by China’s rich history and culture, the passion and pride of the people and the incredible creativity of China. It has been an honour and privilege to be able to immerse myself in China’s culture of storytelling, in particular - Journey to the West and the Monkey King. The epic stories and incredible characters have been a huge inspiration to the LEGO design team and me. It is with deepest respect for Chinese culture and the 500-year-old legend that we have created the next chapter in the story of the Monkey King – The Monkie Kid,” says Simon Lucas, Senior Design Director at the LEGO Group.

LEGO Monkie Kid will launch worldwide on May 16th on LEGO.com, in LEGO Brand Retail Stores, LEGO Certified Stores, LEGOLAND and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers with early access for:

  • China mainland from May 15th in LEGO Brand Retail and LEGO Certified Stores, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, and TMall Flagship stores only.
  • Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong from May 15th in LEGO Certified Stores, and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers only.

For more information, visit www.lego.com/themes/monkie-kid/about

  • LEGO® Monkie Kid™ consists of:
    • 80006 White Dragon Horse Bike
      • 259 pieces, RRP: CNY 299,00/EUR 29,99/USD 34,99
    • 80007 Iron Bull Tank
      • 430 pieces, RRP: CNY 449,00/EUR44,99/USD 49,99 
    • 80008 Monkie Kid’s Cloud Jet
      • 529 pieces, RRP: CNY 499,00/EUR 49,99/USD 59,99
    • 80009 Pigsy’s Food Truck
      • 832 pieces, RRP: CNY 599,00/EUR59,99/USD 69,99
    • 80010 Demon Bull King
      • 1,051 pieces, RRP: CNY 799,00/EUR 79,99/USD 89,99
    • 80011 Red Son’s Inferno Truck
      • 1,111 pieces, RRP: CNY 999,00/EUR 99,99/USD 119,99
    • 80012 Monkey King Warrior Mech
      • 1,629 pieces, RRP: CNY 1.299,00/EUR 129,00/USD 149,99
    • 80013 Monkie Kid’s Team Secret HQ
      • 1,959 pieces, RRP: CNY 1.599,00/EUR 169,99/USD 169,99

Portanto, a LEGO reparou que há crianças na China e que elas são muitas. Muitas mesmo. Então toca a fazer algo com que elas se possam identificar mais facilmente do que os polícias, ladrões e bombeiros que os restantes miúdos, aparentemente, gostam.

Ok, eu sei que não é assim tão simples mas basicamente há um mercado todo novo para conquistar.

A minha primeira impressão foi.. mas isto não é demasiado parecido com NinjaGo? Não vai haver redundância de produtos no mercado? Ahh, mas o NinjaGo é o tal tema que era para durar uns dois aninhos e passados quase 10 anos ainda anda por aí a dar cartas. Portanto vende e é lucrativo. Portanto (eu sei, outra vez) deve haver espaço para outro tema do género, mas agora dedicado às tais crianças de um certo país populoso.

Monkey Kid é pensado nisso desde o início e a LEGO não o esconde. Não fico admirado com este passo e até o acho lógico em termos empresariais. Também não me choca a questão da aculturação de alguns valores da LEGO tendo em conta que a empresa já se vendeu ao mercado há já algum tempo, veja-se o exemplo de alguns temas licenciados.

Mas se este tema foi pensado nas crianças chinesas (e arredores), será que é interessante para um comum AFOL ocidental como eu?

O tema propriamente dito não me interessa, até o acho mais básico em termos história e valores que o NinjaGo e pelos vários vídeos promocionais que vi é de uma simplicidade maniqueísta constrangedora. E não me venham dizer que as crianças só percebem histórias onde os bons e os maus estão em equipas bem definidas que os filmes do Miyasaki estão aí para provar o contrário.. e eu adoro quando o meu filho prefere vê-los em vez de outra coisa qualquer.

Em termos de construção vi vários pormenores interessantes e algumas peças ainda mais interessantes. Como AFOL é nisso que me concentro e, para mim, estes sets valem apenas por isso. 

 

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