We continue our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide with a review of The Child (set #75318) from LEGO. If you missed our review of the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary 1oz Silver Coin from New Zealand Mint click here.
Vital Statistics
Theme: Star Wars
Name: The Child
Item: 75318
Price: £69.99 UK/$79.99 USA
Ages: 10+
Pieces: 1,073
LEGO Website Description
Turn the cuteness factor up to the max with this LEGO® Star Wars™ The Child (75318) build-and-display model. Authentic details of this popular character, affectionately known as Baby Yoda, are recreated in LEGO style, with posable head, ears and mouth for different expressions, plus the Child’s favourite toy – a gearshift knob (element included) – for it to hold just like it does in Star Wars: The Mandalorian.
Totally charming
A super gift idea for kids aged 10+ and any Star Wars fan, it includes clear building instructions so even LEGO beginners can enjoy the fun, creative process. This buildable model also comes with an information sign and the Child LEGO minifigure to complete a charming display.LEGO Star Wars for all!
The LEGO Group has been recreating iconic starships, vehicles, locations and characters from the legendary Star Wars universe since 1999. LEGO Star Wars has become a hugely successful theme, with a wide range of sets for play and display to excite fans of all ages.• Fans can build their own charming, brick-built toy model of The Child (75318) from Star Wars: The Mandalorian, reproducing authentic details in LEGO® style to create a delightful display piece.
• This new-for-November-2020 buildable model captures all the cute features of this hugely popular little Star Wars™ character, including a posable head, movable ears and an adjustable mouth for different expressions.
• The set includes a gearshift knob element – the Child’s favourite toy – which can be placed in its hand, plus an information sign and the Child LEGO® minifigure to complete a delightful display.
• This 1,073-piece, collectible LEGO® Star Wars™ building toy makes the best birthday gift, Christmas present or special occasion surprise for kids aged 10+ and all Star Wars: The Mandalorian fans.
• Measuring over 7.5” (19cm) high, 8.5” (21cm) wide and 5” (13cm) deep, this brick-built model of the Child won’t take up too much space, but is sure to make a big visual impact wherever it is displayed.
• Piecing together this battery-free building toy is a great way to relax on your own or with family and friends. So take your time and enjoy creating a fantastic Star Wars™ build-and-display model.
• Thinking of buying this for a Star Wars™ fan who is new to LEGO® building kits? No worries. It comes with step-by-step, illustrated instructions so they can take on this challenge with confidence.
• There are LEGO® Star Wars™ sets to thrill fans of all ages, whether they want to recreate famous scenes, role-play their own stories or simply build and display the authentic replica construction models.
• No need to summon the Force to connect or pull apart LEGO® bricks! They meet the highest industry standards to ensure consistency and a perfect, easy connection.
• LEGO® bricks and pieces are comprehensively tested and analysed so you can be sure that this collectible LEGO Star Wars™ construction toy meets the highest safety standards on Earth – and in galaxies far, far away!
Review
The LEGO Star Wars version of The Child, set #75318, was officially announced by LEGO towards the end of September, after having been available to purchase earlier at Cactus Belle Étoile in Luxembourg in August. It was officially released on October 30th.
The Child continues LEGO’s release of large-scale Star Wars figures over the last few years, which has included BB-8, D-O and Yoda. The figure comes with a plaque containing vital information about the The Child, along with a space to display the accompanying minifigure version.
The rectangular portrait style packaging features The Mandalorian in minifigure form in the top right hand side of the box, denoting the set’s theming (part of the The Mandalorian LEGO Star Wars sub-line). The set is aimed at ages 10 upwards.
Inside the Box
The set is comprised of 1,073 pieces and these are broken down into 8 stages, each with sequentially numbered bags. The 164 page manual is easy to follow, but care needs to be taken when placing the numerous dark tan pieces, as it is easy to miss a step and go wrong.
The Build
Like most of the other large scale figures before it, the first stage is to build a Technic frame. Stages 2 – 6 concentrate on building the rest of the body and arms, with stages 2 – 5 each adding elements to base plates which are then affixed to one of the four sides of the Technic frame. Most of this part of the build involves building up The Child’s coat using dark tan bricks, and as previously noted, care should be taken to ensure each step is followed carefully as it is easy to miss a step and make a mistake. The finished detail, using a combination of different elements with both flat and exposed studs, manages to replicate the fabric of the coat, and when comparing with the source material I think it looks as good as could be expected considering it is LEGO.
Stage 6 adds the arms and hands which are connected to the body using Technic pins, and the hands feature adjustable fingers. Unfortunately, the fingers do not posses the ability to grip, so the included control knob, taken from the Razor Crest, is attached to the hand using a stud.
The final two stages concentrate on the face and the building of the plaque. The majority of the face is built in stage 7 using some very clever techniques, by building backwards and sideways. The tan elements used for the inner ear are visible from the rear of the head, which is unfortunate, as these could have been hidden. The eyes feature round 2×2 printed convex plates which work well here. The head is connected to the main body using a ball socket joint, allowing the head to move 360 degrees. Stage 8 adds the top of The Child’s head and the plaque. The completed head includes articulated ears and mouth, and together with the ability to move the whole head, it is infinitely posable, allowing the creation of many scenes from The Mandalorian.
The plaque is 6 studs high by 12 studs wide, and the sticker provides a few details about The Child. There is an inconsistency regarding the height of The Child; the sticker states 33.7cm whereas the life-size figure from Sideshow Collectibles is 41.9cm high.
The included minifigure of The Child was first made available with the Razor Crest set (#75292) and this release is exactly the same. It shares its body with other LEGO baby minifigures, albeit printed, but its unique head is made from rubber and manages to capture lots of detail despite its small size.
I thought it would be interesting to photograph The Child with Yoda (#75255) which was released last year. Although the scale is different they look good together, but I much prefer the techniques used to build The Child’s head, and his eyes look so much better too.
Overall
The completed model is fantastic, measuring 20cm high, roughly half the height of the on-screen character. Whilst the head shape could be improved a little, that would require many new elements and I think the designers have done exceptionally well to bring The Child to life. Of the many sets I have built in 2020 this is easily my favourite, not just because it is The Child, but due to the techniques used and the resulting model.
The set is able to capture many of The Child’s expressions of wonder and delight and it is truly impressive feat to achieve this with LEGO bricks. I would not hesitate in recommending this set as a gift for a loved one, or even yourself. You will not be disappointed.
Thanks to LEGO for sending us the set to review. Any opinions expressed in this review are our own. Please support Jedi News by purchasing your LEGO here for the UK, USA and Canada — happy building!
The Jedi News 2020 Holiday Gift Guide continues tomorrow with some books available from Sideshow Collectibles.
