Jay's Brick Blog

A blog about LEGO bricks

  • Home
  • About Me
  • LEGO Reviews
  • News
  • SW Advent Calendar
  • HP Advent Calendar

Review: LEGO 40148 – Lunar New Year Sheep

February 22, 2015 By Jay 4 Comments

Happy Chinese New Year! To usher in the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Sheep/Goat/Ram, LEGO released a super-special set that was only available in Asian countries. Why the confusion with what Chinese Zodiac this year? Apparently, there was some misinterpretation of the Chinese characters, which has led to people wondering if it’s the year of the Goat or Sheep. Personally, it’s always been the year of the goat to me, which is why I was pretty perplexed that we got a sheep from LEGO.

LEGO 40148 Lunar New Year 2015 Sheep - Box Front

Name: Lunar New Year – Year of the Sheep
Set Number: 40148
Pieces: 99
Price: Retail bonus in Asian territories
Exclusive to: Toys R Us, LEGO Certified Stores in Asia
Minifigures: N/A
Theme: Seasonal
Year of Release: 2015
Instructions: LEGO 40148 Year of the Sheep

I was quite lucky to have a friend of mine travelling to Australia and I engaged his help acquiring this set for me. I have to say that I’m a sucker for promotional and exclusive sets so it was pretty hard not to let this one go. Since this set isn’t available in Australia, I thought it’d be a great opportunity to share it with some of my readers since it’s the Chinese Lunar New Year and all.

The 2015 Lunar New Year Set commemorating the Year of the Sheep is available in Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and others through selected retail channels such as Toys R Us or LEGO Certified Stores. I got mine from Malaysia, where you had to spend RM150 (~AU$55) on LEGO to receive this set for free.

As you can see with the box art above, it comes in a small squarish packaging which shows off the set, and has some brilliant colourful text wishing LEGO fans a happy Year of the Sheep. The box is also meant to be a gift (more on that later) and there’s space to address it to someone.

LEGO 40148 Lunar New Year 2015 Sheep - Box Details LEGO 40148 Lunar New Year 2015 Sheep - Box Back

I really like the box, as it’s really colourful and has that unique promotional vibe to it as well as Oriental graphical influences such as a flowering cherry blossom tree. Apparently, this set was also available in Japan, who usher the Year of the Goat/Sheep in at the start of the year.

LEGO 40148 Lunar New Year 2015 Sheep - Red Packet

Also included in this set is a really cool Red Packet or “Ang Pau” as it’s more commonly to me. Yes, I know it’s not red, but yellow often works fine. Red Packets are a Chinese custom during the Lunar New Year where married couples fill these packets with money and gift them to unmarried individuals as a token of prosperity and good wishes.

When I was younger (and unmarried) this was one of my favourite things about Chinese New Year as you’d receive quite a substantial amount of money (especially if you have large families or visit your friends) in these red packets. I loved how LEGO went all out with embracing this element of the Chinese Lunar New Year and incorporated it into a LEGO set. The idea is to fill this packet with money, slip it into the box and gift it to someone, allowing them to receive both LEGO and money at the same time!

LEGO Malaysia Red Packet 2015

In Malaysia, they also handed out more traditional red packets at LEGO Certified Stores with any purchase of LEGO products. Here’s what I received.

I think it was a little silly to include the date on the front since that kind of prevents it from being used in the future. I got a whole stack of this – if you like and collect red packets, drop me a note in the comments and I’ll be happy to send you one if you cover postage fees 🙂

LEGO 40148 Lunar New Year 2015 Year of the Sheep

Here’s the completed build! It was a quick and easy build since it was a pretty small set, weighing in at only 99 pieces. It uses a lot of common pieces so you can easily replicate it without owning this set. You can find the instructions for the Year of the Sheep build on the LEGO website.

I think there was some miscommunication on LEGO’s end as well, as it looks nothing like a sheep and more like a goat. I don’t know about you, but to me sheep are usually a lot fluffier, don’t have obvious horns and don’t scale rocks. This is most definitely a goat.

LEGO 40148 Lunar New Year 2015 Sheep - Sheep Side View

Here’s how it looks from the side. The legs swivel back and forth allowing you to pose the Sheep-Goat in several different stances and it has a small 1 x 2 white plate as a tail, which is pretty adorable.

LEGO 40148 Lunar New Year 2015 Sheep - Sheep Tongue

I really like the pink tongue, which adds so much to its appearance. The sheep is well designed, using lots slopes to give it a blocky yet organic look at the same time. The use of different greys for its feet are also pretty clever. If you had enough parts lying around, it shouldn’t be too hard to make your own legion of sheep-goats.

LEGO 40148 Lunar New Year 2015 Sheep - Sheep Platform

I also really liked the small stand, which is a patch of grass along with some rocks for the Sheep-Goat to scale. The platform has two jumper plates which allows you to affix the Sheep-Goat to it. Having a platform just makes this an excellent display model.

LEGO 40148 Lunar New Year 2015 Sheep - Poseable Sheep

Here’s how the Sheep-Goat looks on the stand, rearing on its hind legs.

jaysbrickblog.com

Here’s how it looks from the front. Admittedly, it looks way better from the side!

LEGO 40148 Lunar New Year 2015 Sheep - Happy Chinese New Year

See why I think it’s actually a goat? Real LEGO goat inserted for comparison!

What I liked:

  • It’s a Chinese New Year Zodiac animal!
  • Goat is designed really well
  • Looks great on display

What I didn’t like: 

  • Not available outside of Asia!

Final thoughts: It’s a shame that LEGO didn’t choose to release this worldwide. I think that this would’ve been a great exclusive that everyone could appreciate, especially since the Lunar New Year has become an international celebration.

The goat was a really pleasant build, and as an ethnically Chinese person, it does feel great that LEGO produced an exclusive set to commemorate an important cultural event. If you want your own one, I suggest picking one up from Bricklink as the prices on eBay are ridiculous. That said, unless you’re a purist collector who must own the box and red packet, you’re probably much better off using the instructions and making your own.

I think the Goat-Sheep is going to stick around my LEGO display area or on the entertainment unit for a while. It’s small enough that it’s quite inconspicuous and is a cute little brick-built animal that looks great on display.

Hope you enjoyed this quick review of the Lunar New Year Sheep. Wishing you a very happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!

Rating: 4/5

For more LEGO set reviews, be sure to check out the Review Hub!

Filed Under: LEGO Reviews, Seasonal Tagged With: 2015, 40148, lunar new year, seasonal, year of the sheep

« LEGO Winter Soldier Soldier polybag available with SHIELD Helicarrier pre-order
What is the LEGO Elves theme? »

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Brad says

    February 23, 2015 at 9:08 AM

    I was born in the year of the goat too, though I only know that because of a placemat from a chinese place I went to once as a kid, and I’m not Asian. I think this set would be pretty cool for me to have.

    Reply
  2. Jaclyn Ngan says

    February 22, 2015 at 1:17 PM

    I really, really want to own this set since I was born in the Year of the Goat but at the same time, I’m not willing to spend over RM300 just to get this freebie…

    Reply
    • Jay says

      February 22, 2015 at 1:26 PM

      It’s only RM150 to get it. That’s not too bad, considering the fact that there are so many new sets out on the market now!

      Reply
      • Jaclyn Ngan says

        February 22, 2015 at 2:41 PM

        RM150!!! wow, that’s…. that’s still quite a lot for me haha.

        Reply

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to Jay's Brick Blog. In here, you'll find independent LEGO set reviews, commentary on LEGO trends & news, bargain hunting tips and an inside look into the life of an average LEGO fan. Find out more about me here

Subscribe for updates

Enter your email address here to receive updates about new posts from Jay's Brick Blog - straight to your inbox!

Join 1,782 other subscribers

Like my page on Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget

Buy LEGO

Buy LEGO

jayong28

Jay Ong | Jay's Brick Blog
Today is "Chap Goh Meh" or the Lantern Festival, t Today is "Chap Goh Meh" or the Lantern Festival, the final day of Chinese New Year. 🏮

It's a bit of a strange one this year, with the pandemic throwing plans into disarray, and my family being further away than usual, so celebrations were a little different in 2021.

Thank you @LEGO for an excellent range of Chinese Traditional Festival sets. 🙏

@little.ong (and myself) really loved the Duplo Happy Childhood Moments set, and I especially enjoyed the new dumplings element! 🥟

Spring Lantern Festival is one of the best LEGO sets I've had the pleasure of building, and I also appreciated the foray into the mythological origins of Lunar New Year with Story of Nian. 🧨🧧🎆

More sets that celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the world, please! 🌏
More photos of the upcoming #LEGO Amelia Earhart T More photos of the upcoming #LEGO Amelia Earhart Tribute are now available!

Coming March 2021 globally, but if you're in Australia, it's available from today onwards from @legocertifiedstores_anz!
Very impressed by the minifigure designs of Chief Very impressed by the minifigure designs of Chief Mammatus and Thunder Keeper from the new #LEGONinjago 71747 The Keeper's Village.

Love the Polynesian influences that have inspired #ninjagoseason14 - The Island!
Hey @lego, I think i understand what #vidiyo is al Hey @lego, I think i understand what #vidiyo is all about now.

Step aside @musicbyllama!
Really enjoyed building and reviewing the new #LEG Really enjoyed building and reviewing the new #LEGONinjago 71747 The Keeper's Village from Season 14 - The Island 

Hit the link in bio to read the full review

For #Ninjago fans, it doesn’t get much better than this. 71747 The Keeper’s Village is packed with value and is a great centerpiece to Season 14 – The Island.

I have a soft spot for location, or structure-based Ninjago builds, so The Keeper’s Village strikes that itch in the best of ways.

The jungle lair sets the scene and provides a rich backdrop that works really well as a small playset and display piece.

Combined with a very generous helping of 5 minifigures, there’s a ton of value and playability built into the set, especially the stone pillar which works remarkably well as a “big enemy” for the Ninjas to deal with – it very much gives off a “mini-boss in a video game vibe”.

The highlights for me would be Chief Mammatus and Thunder Keeper’s designs. As a big fan of the Islanders theme, I love that #LEGO could callback to those designs in a fresh new way, utilising the tech and innovation that’s now possible through minifigure design.

Whether you’re an adult fan looking for a set that’s a bit more kiddy, outlandish and fun, or you’re planning to buy this for a young child who wants an engaging playset, I can highly recommend 71747 The Keeper’s Village.

Rating and score: 4/5 ★★★★✰
Thanks @lego for sending over the new #LEGONinjago Thanks @lego for sending over the new #LEGONinjago Season 14 sets ahead of their March release!

My first review of 71747 The Keeper's Village is already live on the blog! Speed build is live on YouTube as well! 

@justhypeofficial Kai Plushie just chilling as he's now a regular fixture on all #ninjago videos!
Happy Valentine's Day to this 10/10 stunner. 🌹 Happy Valentine's Day to this 10/10 stunner. 🌹 

Sharing photos from Japan because we miss travelling (and food!) but being in lockdown with you for 5 days isn't too shabby of an alternative.
Happy "Niu" Year! 🐮 May your hongbaos be fat, Happy "Niu" Year! 🐮

May your hongbaos be fat, cookies be crunchy, and mandarins juicy 🍊💦
Swipe to check out @LEGO's Lunar New Year sets!

恭喜發財 

Just missing the Dragon Dance and Dragon Boat Race as they're in storage!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • LEGO 40450 Amelia Earhart Tribute Gift with Purchase revealed!
  • Review: LEGO Brickheadz Pets German Shepherd, Shorthair Cats, Goldfish & Budgie (40440, 40441, 40442, 40443)
  • Is LEGO planning to announce a NASA Mars Perseverance Rover?
  • LEGO Fan Media sites caught up in Australian Facebook News Blockade
  • First look at all the new LEGO Vidiyo sets – Beatboxes and Bandmates!
  • Review: LEGO Ninjago 71747 The Keeper’s Village
  • Review: LEGO Duplo 10943 Happy Childhood Moments

LEGO Reviews

Review: LEGO 76025 Green Lantern vs Sinestro

(Loot from Australia 2) Review: 7950 – Kingdoms – Knight’s Showdown

Review: LEGO 70327 The King’s Mech

Review: LEGO Ninjago – Secret World of the Ninja

Review: LEGO 10249 – Winter Toy Shop (2015)

Retro LEGO Review: 6071 Forestmen’s Crossing

Review: The LEGO Ninjago Movie

Categories

Archives

Jay

Jay is passionate about LEGO and the endless creative adventures made possible by this complex interlocking brick system.
Learn more →

Popular Posts

Copyright © 2021 · WordPress · Log in We may earn a commission when you use one of our offers/links to make a purchase.