SpongeBob SquarePants is 27 years old this month and that means a lot of adults have grown up with the show, and will be very interested in this new Lego set.
Different Lego sets are aimed at different types of people, in terms of their interests, age, and ability. Some themes are so popular, such as Star Wars and Harry Potter, that they include low priced sets aimed primarily at kids and bigger, more complicated ones meant for adults.
That’s been the norm for years but now marks the first time that SpongeBob SquarePants has ever had a Lego set aimed at its older fans. Although that’s not an entirely new concept for kids’ shows in general, as previous sets based on Sesame Street and various Disney properties, including Winnie the Pooh, have demonstrated.
There was a line of Lego SpongeBob SquarePants sets back in the mid-2000s but this new one is a massive improvement on those, in terms of accuracy, building techniques, and amusing deep cuts from the show.
The set is named SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom and does exactly what it says on the tin, with recreations of SpongeBob’s pineapple home, Squidward’s Moai-shaped house, Patrick’s rock, and Jellyfish Fields.
They look really good too, with the complicated skin of the pineapple recreated very well, and Squidward’s house looking as close to the show as you can imagine, for something made out of Lego.
Each building has a detailed interior, with SpongeBob’s TV and bed, as well as Squidward’s bathroom and clarinet practising area, plus his rooftop area with removable sun lounger. Even Patrick’s rock lifts up, so you can see what’s inside.
You’ve also got the boatmobile, the Bikini Bottom sign, and the Bubblestand from one of the earliest episodes of season one. There are lots of other hidden references to famous episodes too, some of which only long-term fans will pick up on.
There’s also a bunch of minifigures, including SpongeBob himself, Patrick Star, and Squidward, plus brick-built version of Gary the snail and DoodleBob, from the episodes Frankendoodle and Doodle Dimension.
However, there are some obvious omissions from the list of minifigures, in terms of major characters – with no sign of Mr Krabs, Plankton, or Sandy Cheeks – so that offers some hope that this isn’t going to be the last set based on the show.
The Bikini Bottom set is numbered #11386 and is made up of 1,794 Lego pieces. SpongeBob’s house reaches 24cm high, although how long the display is depends on how exactly you arrange all the individual parts.
Altogether, it’ll cost £189.99 when it’s released on September 1 this year, although you can pre-order it right now from the Lego website.
If you’ll need to wait for a birthday or Christmas for that, there is an alternative, with a SpongeBob SquarePants BrickHeadz being released the same day. BrickHeadz are basically the Lego equivalent to Funko Pop! and the SpongeBob one costs just £10.99.
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