It’s a freezing cold February day, and I’m in New York City. This can only mean it’s time for Toy Fair once again. It’s 7am, which can only mean it’s time for the LEGO Media Event. Yes, bright and early while all the other toy companies are still snuggled in their beds, LEGO rouses all of the media from their slumber to show us the latest and greatest that they will be offering over the next several months. Fortunately, they also give us coffee. So, now that we’re all wide awake, let’s see what they’ve got on tap
As it did last year, this year’s Toy Fair coverage begins with LEGO. The biggest brand in the construction segment, and the #1 Toy Company in the world, the LEGO Group continues to produce quality sets of building toys, featuring both favorite licensed characters and their own original IPs. From Duplo to Juniors, Star Wars and Superheroes to Friends and Elves, and Technic to Architecture, LEGO has designed a diverse portfolio designed to make them a constant companion for all ages. This year, LEGO will introduce more than 300 building sets across all age ranges designed to carry on this grand tradition. Here is a look at what LEGO has in store for 2016.
NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE BROKEN UP BY THEME AND THEN BY MONTH OF RELEASE
LEGO continues their adventures in a galaxy far, far away as the LEGO Star Wars continues to build momentum after the record shattering release of The Force Awakens. Building on the film’s popularity, in addition to the new series of the Rebels animated series, the LEGO Group is also announcing a new LEGO Star Wars property. More info on that later in this report. First, here is the rest of the LEGO Star Wars lineup for this year.
The Force Awakens
MARCH
JUNE
Rebels
MARCH
JUNE
Saga
MARCH
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
75146 – LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar – 282 pcs – $39.99
As noted before, LEGO is introducing a brand new Star Wars animated property. Here are the details
LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures
To continue inspiring imagination and storytelling, LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures, an original animated series, will debut later this year. The show’s quirky heroes, the Freemakers, are a family of scavengers who build and sell starships from the scoured debris of space battles strewn throughout the galaxy. When the youngest Freemaker discovers a natural connection to the Force through an ancient artifact, his world turns upside down as he and his family find themselves in an epic struggle against the Empire to restore peace and freedom to the galaxy. Throughout their adventures, the Freemakers explore new worlds, meet new (and familiar) characters, and learn the true value of what it means to be a family. The series combines the excitement, action and adventure of a galaxy far, far away with a dose of brick-building humor for which LEGO content is best known. Two building sets based on the series launch this summer.
JUNE
Alex Giannini
Rob Hull