The LEGO Art theme has evolved in the past few years to include famous pieces of pop culture and now we have transitioned to iconic art with the Hokusai – The Great Wave (31208). This set has 1,810 pieces and retails for $99.99 and it not only does it feature one Japan’s most famous pieces of art but one of the most recognizable pieces of art in history.
Like with other LEGO Art sets, there is a free Soundtrack that you can listen to while building which talks about the history of Katsushika Hokusai’s work. The front of the instructions also gives another insight at The Great Wave.
The building essentially takes place mostly on six 16×16 plates in light nougat and black. Unlike other older Art sets, you aren’t restricted to just using round studs and tiles. Instead you are treated with plates and wedges for the foundation.
The Rolling Stones (31206) introduced a 3D effect to its build and LEGO has done the same for the details in The Great Wave. Using white leaves and bird pieces, the large wave has a texture that seems like it is popping out of the frame. This same technique is also used for the lower wave at the bottom from left to right.
Another nice little detail in the set is that it fully uses printed parts. This includes two printed tiles on the top left for the wording which says “Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji / On the high seas in Kanagawa / Under the wave” as well as 1×1 round tiles for the men on the boats.
The last few bags is for the outer frame. The completed piece of work slots in the middle and connects to the brackets. Make sure you gently hold the art because the 2×2 plates on back tends to pop off easily, at least for me. When you finally get it on, it fits pretty snug and the art is secured by pushing the Technic pins in.
The LEGO Art theme has been getting more interesting as years go on and the Hokusai – The Great Wave (31208) is one one of the nicer sets that I’ve seen recently for the theme. When you look at it from far away, you can’t really tell that it was made from LEGO but you’ll most likely recognize what the subject is from. If I had more wall space, this is something that I would actually want to hang up.
I don’t really have any flaws for it besides the plates popping off on the back. I do appreciate the 3D texture the waves have and to have printed tiles for the wording is just icing on the cake.
The LEGO Art theme is growing and with an unlimited pieces of art to work with, pending licensing, etc., I hope to see more of classic works like The Great Wave turned into LEGO form.
Thank you to LEGO for sending in this set for me to review. The content above represents my own opinion and not the company. Review sets sent in does not guarantee a positive review.
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