LEGO Auspicious Dragon (80112) review: This is LEGO's best-looking Lunar New Year set yet

1/10

Since 2019, LEGO's long-running Chinese Traditional Festival sets have long been a staple celebrating Chinese New Year, and for 2024, the company has released an incredible Auspicious Dragon (80112) model. The set makes for an incredibly detailed and beautiful display to usher in the Year of the Dragon.

It's available for purchase at: Lego.com| Amazon | Lazada | Shopee | Bricks World

Note: This article was first published on 29th January 2024.

2/10

The Auspicious Dragon is a set with 1,171 pieces and is priced at $129.90. LEGO says the set is suitable for ages 10+.

Fun fact: 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon, and could explains the slight-brown tone of this dragon.

It's available for purchase at: Lego.com| Amazon | Lazada | Shopee | Bricks World

3/10

The Auspicious Dragon set is essentially built as two main parts - the base (in the photo here) as well as the titular dragon. The base is filled with plenty of delightful oriental-theme details that you'd recognise if you are familiar with Chinese mythologies and old Chinese arts - just look at those curly clouds.

4/10

The dragon is built as the second part of the set that you connect to the base via the four ball joints. This is also possibly the most challenging part of the building process, as the dragon's body are connected via three sets of ball joints and they do require a fair bit of strength and care to snap together.

5/10

One of the best things I love above this set is that it comes with zero stickers. LEGO have gone with printed elements including the dragon scales - which I believe are unique to this set.

6/10

The set has an incredible level of detail. Notice the red underbelly, the layered scales as well as the spine (with spikes) adjoining the top of the body.

7/10

Here's a closer look at the front body of the dragon. I'm really glad that LEGO made the decision to go with printed elements for the scales rather than counting on stickers. This gives the dragon a much nicer look without being spoiled by outlines caused by stickers (also, LEGO stickers have a tendency to peel off after a while)

8/10

In most Chinese paintings of dragons, you'll always notice it clutching to or chasing after a pearl. Sometimes, these pearls could be in flames. It's really a neat touch by the LEGO designer to include a pearl element here; and it's pretty well designed too. Whether it's by design or coincidence, that the pearl is not actually in 'flames' is a nice thought - fire isn't kind to wood after all (reminder: 2024 is the year of the wood dragon).

9/10

I think it's really hard to disagree with me: The Auspicious Dragon set has a striking and awesome pose that will look great as a display set anywhere in the house. You can also alter the pose of the dragon, albiet only somewhat. Only the head, mouth, tail and the claw clutching onto the pearl can be adjusted.

10/10

This is the first time LEGO has created an oriental dragon and I think they have absolutely nailed it. Even if you ignore the cultural significance, the Auspicious Dragon still makes for an enjoyable build with some smart build techniques and I believe many will agree with me that it is one heck of an attractive set. I'm not sure how LEGO can top this for next year's Lunar New Year theme sets.