The smallest set in the summer 2022 Harry Potter wave is 76400 Hogwarts Carriage and Thestrals. The set name really sums it up here – other than the minifigures and a very small bit of scenery, a carriage and some thestrals is all you get! Is it a good pocket money pickup? Let’s take a quick look at this set, featuring 2 minifigures and 121 pieces, which will be available starting June 19th for US $19.99 | CAN $24.99 | UK £17.99.
This set is based on a license The LEGO Group has with the Warner Brothers films, not J.K. Rowling directly. The transphobic views expressed by Rowling do not reflect the values of The Brothers Brick or, indeed, those of The LEGO Group. The magical world Rowling created, in which many who felt a bit different could see themselves, meant a great deal to so many people, including those that Rowling now demeans. TBB affirms each individual LEGO fan’s choice to claim a piece of the world for themselves, or to reject it entirely.
The LEGO Group provided The Brothers Brick with an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.
Contents and build
Inside the box are the instructions, a single unnumbered bag, and a loose adult Thestral. The bit of scenery adds some green to brighten up the mix. Let’s not dissemble, though – you’re here for the baby Thestral:
It’s cute! I’m sure it’s going to be popular. But it’s much more a miniaturized adult Thestral, or maybe an adolescent, than the spindly-legged baby with a too-big head wobbling on a tiny neck that we see Luna offer an apple. Those are tough proportions to pull off in a single mold, but the head could have been bigger at least. It’s also not a goat, though of course that’s completely unfair to the element designer. It is a very similar size, though. A paranoid LEGO fan might think we were being taunted a little.
The rest of the set is unremarkable. The carriage is serviceable, able to seat both minifigures, and there are a few greebles. The scenery is also quite basic, offering an impression of a tree. There’s nothing wrong with either of these builds in a low-end set, but neither is a reason to make the purchase.
The Minifigures
The choice of Harry and Luna makes sense for the subject matter, as Luna explains to Harry why he is able to see the Thestrals after Sirius’ death, and they visit a baby Thestral with the apple later. Both minifigures are also unique, though Harry’s printing is a combination of his common dark blue sweater over a Hogwarts uniform with Gryffindor tie, both of which have appeared frequently. Luna’s appearance is quite different from her other minifigures, and is a decent representation of her on-screen outfit. Both have back printing and alternate expressions.
Finished Build and Recommendation
This set is all about the Thestrals. The adult appeared before in 75951 Grindelwald’s Escape, and is a nice mold, with the wings fading from black towards transparent. The baby is of course entirely new, and will undoubtedly receive a lot of interest. If you don’t have many Harry Potter sets, this isn’t a bad one to pick up on a whim. If you’ve been collecting Harry Potter sets, though, the Thestrals on their own come short of feeling like good value at $20, and we recommend passing, or at least waiting until a sale.
76400 Hogwarts Carriage and Thestrals contains 121 pieces and 2 minifigures. It will be available from the LEGO Shop and worldwide starting June 19th for US $19.99 | CAN $24.99 | UK £17.99 or from Amazon. It may also be available from third-party sellers on eBay.
The LEGO Group sent The Brothers Brick an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.
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