One of the most recognisable Japanese artworks, The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai will join the LEGO Art theme in January 2023!
A tribute to Katsushika Hokusai’s iconic and influential woodblock painting, 31208 Hokusai The Great Wave features a unique three-dimensional LEGO build, featuring layers and elements of different shapes to portray the lines and depth of Hokusai’s original artwork.
31208 Hokusai The Great Wave will be released on 1 January 2023, and will be available from LEGO.com or your local LEGO Store, and will retail for US$99.99 / AU$169.99.
In Asia Pacific, the set will be available from 1 February 2023 onwards.
See below for regional pricing and product pages
- 31208 LEGO Art Hokusai The Great Wave [US] – US$99.99
- 31208 LEGO Art Hokusai The Great Wave [AUS] – AU$169.99
- 31208 LEGO Art Hokusai The Great Wave [UK] – £89.99
- 31208 LEGO Art Hokusai The Great Wave [EU] – €99.99
- 31208 LEGO Art Hokusai The Great Wave [CA] – CAD$139.99
This is a really unique LEGO Art set, which has evolved from the dot and stud-heavy format to more 3D-like canvases, none more impressive than The Great Wave, which introduces texture and segments of the Great Wave off Kanagawa that emerge from the painting, to great effect.
It takes several cues from 31206 The Rolling Stones, which was the first LEGO Art set to head towards this 3D-model direction, and amps it layers and layers of plates, as well as interesting parts usage like white birds, and 3-leaf plants to mimic the sea spray that makes this painting such an icon.
Like any LEGO Art model, this is a superb display piece that is designed to not only be a relaxing and interesting build, but also to elevate your living spaces with one of the most influential art pieces of all time.
Here are more lifestyle photos supplied by LEGO.
Like many of the previous LEGO Art sets, there is also a specially created soundtrack/podcast that you can tune into during your build to elevate your experience.
I’m really excited by this set, and was halfway building it before I had to leave for my Christmas break, but I hope to share my completed review hopefully before the New Year or right after, so keep an eye out for it!
It’s one of the most novel LEGO Art sets yet, and if you’re into Art, or have had the privilege of seeing Hokusai’s The Great Wave in person, you might just be the person LEGO is thinking off when they were developing this set.
31208 Hokusai The Great Wave will be released on 1 January 2023 from LEGO.com or your local LEGO Store.
What do you think of 31208 Hokusai The Great Wave? Does this appeal to you and will you be picking this up in 2023?
To get the latest LEGO news and LEGO Reviews straight in your inbox, subscribe via email, or you can also follow on Google News, or socials on Facebook, Instagram (@jayong28), Twitter or subscribe to the Jay’s Brick Blog Youtube channel.
I think this is stunning. Could be my first Day 1 purchase in ages. Must admit I was cold on the Art sets until I did one and found it remarkably cathartic as well as a great display piece. Such a clever idea and this one is wonderfully executed. I think the hues of the background and frame are just right, but yeah being Lego you can make it whatever colour you want.
The pictures suggest the 3D effect looks better here than on Starry Night. Parts of Starry Night stuck out too far and make it awkward for hanging or display. This effect is more subtle and does a good job of giving some depth to the waves.
I will definitely be adding this to my list! I’m currently building Van Gogh’s starry night and can’t wait to display it. This looks just as amazing. So glad Lego is creating more art themes that we can put on our walls. I’m running out of shelf space!
I think I’ll get it but replace the ‘frame’ with one in black to fit with my decor
Cool. Lego needs more manga style!
If Lego teams up with Studio Ghibli they could well have a very popular product on their hands. I have a large print hanging up on my wall depicting all main characters from Howls Moving Castle – makes me smile every time.
First impression was confusion why the top part/ background is so… peachy? I have seen the wave before and did not remember it looking so top heavy and high contrast. And after double checking I am confused why they went for that particular shade. I’m really hyped for this set as it looks otherwise stunning but probably will try and mod that part!
I’m not sure if the designers wanted it to pop out more, or if it would be a simulation of how the colors would look on a fresh print. The original colors would be likely to have faded quite a bit through the ages.
Yes, after your review and seeing the original in Japan many years ago… I will definitely be buying this set!