In recent years, the LEGO Botanicals collection has blossomed in popularity with adult fans of LEGO. When the theme debuted in 2021, one of the first sets to sprout up was 10281 Bonsai Tree. The newest addition, LEGO Botanicals 10348 Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree, feels like a return to those roots, with another miniature tree potted for display in your collection, only this time with a different color scheme and an array of elements new to the LEGO parts portfolio. Let’s pull out the pruning shears and see if this might be the next Botanical kit to add to your garden of bricks.
LEGO Botanicals 10348 Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree contains 474 pieces and is available from June 1 for US $59.99 | CAN $79.99 | UK £54.99
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.
Unboxing and contents
The front of the box features the set on a black background and a cute maple tree icon.
On the back of the box, we find some lifestyle photos, a picture of a real maple bonsai tree, and specifications of the set.
Inside the box are six numbered paper bags. The first two are dedicated to the pot and tree trunk while the next four will focus more on the foliage. No stickers or printed parts are included in the set.
The instruction manual was definitely underwhelming. I personally enjoy all the little extra bits of information that we can find in some manuals, but here there is only one red page with some background about the tree. No words about the art of bonsai, no notes from the design team, and no little fun facts throughout the building process. A lot more was provided with the OG bonsai tree manual, which had an impressive 12 images of inspirational models.
The build
As expected, we are starting from the pot, which will be mostly completed at the end of bag 1.
We begin by building around a brick modified with two pins, which will provide the connection for the tree trunk later on. We continue by adding some studs to the sides of the build.
There are 4 small sub-assemblies for the corners of the vase that connect sideways, raising up the base from the table. They make good use of the 2 x 1 curved slopes with recessed stud, a new part for 2025.
Now we just need to tile up the sides of the pot and start a little landscaping. The pot isn’t very deep but it is very well designed and quite sturdy. Even though the patch of landscape around the trunk is small, it uses four different shades of green, from lime to dark green.
In bag 2, we start to see some interesting parts. We get our first taste of the swordleaf plant elements in orange, reddish orange, and red, a new mold for a smaller 3-leaf version, as well as an interesting selection of parts in tan for the trunk and branches. A hair tuft in olive green, brick round corner in lime, and some “D SNOT” in green are also notable.
We continue the build with some mostly lime landscaping before safely connecting the trunk to the base and adding the first set of branches.
Now it’s time to connect the first set of leaves. These three sub-assemblies will be repeated later on in the build multiple times, with just some slight color variations.
The similar shades and shapes could have proven frustrating, but thankfully the manual does a good job of highlighting the colors to use throughout the process. I really like the use of the 1 x 1 round tiles with bar and pin holder to strengthen the leaves’ connections.
In bag 3 we add some details on the side of the trunk, making it look more organic, and we discover another new part, a longer macaroni piece.
After extending the next row of branches and adding more leaves, I was left with two additional pieces of a sort that aren’t the typical sort that LEGO usually provides extra of. I thought I must have missed something, so I double and triple checked, but nothing. Two additional pieces on top of the ones stated in the parts list. Well… More parts for me.
The last bags are quite light and from now on it’s just more branches and more leaves until the top. The process is of course a bit repetitive, but I always find the building experience of the botanicals relaxing.
The finished model and bonsai comparison
The finished model is a beautiful, bright, and tall display piece. Like most botanicals, it offers the possibility to move and adjust leaves and branches. At the same time it is a very solid model that can be easily picked up without worrying that anything might fall off.
There are quite a few visible grey parts around the tips of the branches that might bother some people, but I guess those parts don’t exist in tan. Depending on the angle, they are mostly obscured by leaves.
I brought the OG bonsai tree out of storage for a little comparison. The pots shave a very similar size, excluding the brown support under the first bonsai. The maple tree is undeniably sturdier model; moving the bonsai tree with all those loose parts is always a little scary. Each tree is satisfying in its own way. The old bonsai had a greater variety of interesting building techniques, but the new model makes excellent use of recent additions to the LEGO parts portfolio for an organic look that really pops with color.
Conclusion and recommendation
What I look for in a LEGO set are: building experience, parts selection, and display value.
The Japanese Red Maple Bonsai building experience offers a nice relaxing flow. There are no particular wow moments in terms of techniques, but you can appreciate how well the designers translated the subject into LEGO. The pot uses some nice SNOT techniques and is impressively solid. The tree trunk and branches make the most of newer elements in tanto create very organic lines. The leaves can be a little bit repetitive, but it is expected in a botanical set. Maybe the only thing that missing is some unexpected part usage. In most botanicals, we see parts repurposed in surprising ways, like the pink frogs in the bonsai tree or hats and brushes in the tiny plants. Here the leaves are just leaves.
The parts selection is very very good. There are a couple of interesting new molds, on top of parts recently added to the portfolio. The choice of colors is great as well. I can absolutely see MOC builders picking this up for parts. There are lots of good parts for landscaping, in shades of green and tan. I’m looking forward to seeing all those leaves popping out in different mocs.
The display value is, in my opinion, where this set shines the most. It is a gorgeous display piece, tall and bright. It will definitely catch the attention of your guests, surprised at the fact that it’s made of LEGO. When putting the two bonsai trees next to each other, the maple outshines the OG. The only downside is that, as mentioned earlier, some might be bothered by the visible grey parts.
The Japanese Red Maple Bonsai is a beautiful set, one that I heartedly recommend to anyone looking to add a bit of LEGO life to their home or office. . If you love other Botanicals sets, you will likely enjoy this one as well. Lastly, for the right price, with many new molds and recolors, it could make a good parts pack for MOC builders like me.
LEGO Botanicals 10348 Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree will be available June 1st, retailing for US $59.99 | CAN $79.99 | UK £54.99. You may also be able to find it from third party retailers on Amazon and eBay.