Jay's Brick Blog

A blog about LEGO bricks

  • Home
  • About Me
  • LEGO Reviews
  • News
  • 2023 LEGO Sets
  • 2022 Advent Calendars

Review: LEGO 40575 Year of the Rabbit

January 22, 2023 By Jay Leave a Comment

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, which officially ushers in the Year of the Rabbit! To celebrate, here’s a quick review of the new 40575 Year of the Rabbit, which is available now as a gift-with-purchase from LEGO.

40575 Year of the Rabbit is available when you spend US$85 / AU$140 / £80 / €85 or more on LEGO.com, stacking with all order GWPs. In Australia, it’s also available from the LEGO Certified Store and Myer when you spend AU$88, which is slightly easier to cross than AU$140 online.

40575 Year of the Rabbit is the 9th promotional LEGO set based on the Chinese Zodiac animals, and LEGO has been releasing one a year, in accordance with each year’s Zodiac Animal since 2015, beginning with the Year of the Sheep.

At this rate, LEGO looks committed to completing the cycle, which will eventually make this a 12-year commitment, and I honestly can’t believe we’re only 3 years away from finishing this set off, an incredible time commitment when you think about it.

To all celebrating the Lunar New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai to you! Let’s jump into this quick review of the Year of the Rabbit!


40575 Year of the Rabbit Set Details

Set Name: 40575 Year of the Rabbit
Set number: 40575
Pieces: 194
Gift with Purchase Threshold: US$85 / AU$140 / £80 / €85
Theme: Gift with Purchase, Lunar New Year
Release Date: 15 January 2023

The packaging of the 40575 Year of the Rabbit follows the same design as previous years, with an orange and yellow flip-top box. On the side is the Year of the Rabbit and corresponding year.

Here’s how the side compares when the whole series is stacked up. As you can see, it’s become more consistent from 2019 onwards!

Here’s the back of the box, with some diagrams to illustrate how the ears move, as well as a pictorial guide on the significance of the set, which contains a red envelope, and a section on the front where you can write a name, and gift this to someone that you’d normally give red envelopes to.

Like all other LEGO Chinese Zodiac animal sets, a hong bao or red envelope is included with the model’s design on it. During Lunar New Year, it’s customary for married couples to hand out these red envelopes which are filled with money as a gesture of good fortune and prosperity to unmarried individuals – mostly kids!

Here’s a look at the boxes of all nine LEGO Chinese Zodiac animal sets stacked up!

Only 3 more to go!

The model itself is pretty simple, and adheres to the design language and template set since Year of the Monkey, where big-eyed animals with slightly oversized heads sit on a platform. The Year of the Sheep, being the very first one had a dramatically different design, and is a bit of an odd one out, but I love it nonetheless.

The Rabbit model is quite cute, and has a simple black and white colour scheme which I like, as it provides some bold constrasty colours.

The head of the Rabbit can swivel 360 degrees, and here’s a look at the side. While this may look like a simple build, I really love the techniques used for its hind legs, which satisfyingly mimic the curves and shape remarkably well.

The Zodiac Rabbit’s face is also highly expressive, especially with the ability for the ears to be adjusted and displayed at different angles.

Zooming in, I also really like the simple yet effective snout, which really ties its entire look together.

And here’s how the Rabbut looks from the back. While the curves are nicely replicated, the tail does look a little odd, as it protrudes a bit too much. It would’ve been nice for a more spherical element to be used for more of a tufty tail, and is really the weakest part of the design for me.

And lastly, here’s a look at the base where the Rabbit can be affixed on.

And last but not least, here’s a look at all eight LEGO Chinese Zodiac animals for the 2023 group photo!

Update: Year of the Mouse added!

As someone with Chinese heritage, these are very special to me, and it’s been quite a journey collecting all of these so far.

When I first built and started the Year of the Sheep, the thought of completing the entire cycle of 12 Chinese Zodiac animals felt like such a far-off dream, but here we are, nine animals in and so much closer towards the end!

Personally, I’m still waiting for my own Zodiac animal (the year of the Snake) which will land in 2025, so only 2 years to go!

What I liked:

  • Fun engaging build
  • Colour scheme contrasts nicely against other Zodiac animals
  • Nice sculpting techniques used for a curvy animal
  • Affordable GWP threshold

What I didn’t like: 

  • Tail could be rounder and puffier

Final Thoughts:

As someone who has collected these since the very first Year of the Sheep, I look forward to each year’s LEGO Chinese Zodiac Animal release, and Year of the Rabbit is another fun addition to the series.

As a build, it’s not too complex, and very beginner-friendly, while still delivering some clever building and sculpting techniques that will impress even seasoned builders.

These LEGO Chinese Zodiac animals are cute at their core, and make for delightful little display pieces that don’t rely on exclusive or hard-to find parts, which means that they’re easily replicated even if you missed out earlier additions.

Build [4] – Fun little build with some clever techniques
Real Value [3] – You’ll need to purchase LEGO to get one, but thankfully the threshold isn’t particularly high
Innovation [3] – Keeps to the established template and design language of the series
Coolness [3] – Great little build that is cute and looks good on display.
Keepability [4] – As part of a series, these are meant to be kept long term, and are great to display if you celebrate the Lunar New Year

Rating and score: 3/5 ★★★✰✰


Thanks for reading this short review, and happy Lunar New Year if you’re celebrating! I hope you receive plenty of good fortune, and gorge yourself with plenty of delicious food, and Lunar New Year snacks and cookies, and get to spend some quality time with your loved ones!

40575 Year of the Rabbit is available when you spend US$85 / AU$140 / £80 / €85 or more on LEGO.com

If you plan on purchasing 40575 Year of the Rabbit, please consider using the affiliate links found in the post to support the blog, as I may receive a small commission with each purchase.

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.

Subscribe to receive updates on new posts and reviews!

Filed Under: Gift with Purchase, LEGO Reviews Tagged With: 1hy 2023, 40575 Year of The Rabbit, chinese new year, chinese zodiac, gift with purchase, gwp, january 2023, lego review, lunar new year, seasonal, year of the rabbit, zodiac animals

« The 2023 LEGO 40581 BIONICLE Tahu and Takua official photos, product page and threshold now available
LEGO Shrek set crosses 10,000 votes and could become a future LEGO Ideas set! »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

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 4,033 other subscribers

Site Search

Buy LEGO

Buy LEGO

jayong28

Jay Ong | Jay's Brick Blog
Cheeky Easter Egg on the Commander Cody Helmet! 👀

#lego #LEGOstarwars #starwars
Here's your official look at 75349 Captain Rex and Here's your official look at 75349 Captain Rex and 75350 Clone Commander Cody helmets coming on 1 March 2023!

LEGO Star Wars celebrated 20 Years of Clone Wars with these 2 new additions to the Helmet Collection.

Hit the link in bio to see more!

#lego #LEGOstarwars #starwars #clonewars #legoleaks #afol #legos #75350 #75349 #reveal #rlfm
The new @lego Ideas A-Frame Cabin displayed alongs The new @lego Ideas A-Frame Cabin displayed alongside 21318 Tree House!

They go particularly well together!

Read my full review of the A-Frame Cabin on the blog via link in bio!

#lego #legoideas #lego2023 #legoreview #legoleaks #legonews #legophotography #legos #afol #21338 #reviews #rlfm
Ahead of its release, here's my early review of 21 Ahead of its release, here's my early review of 21338 A-Frame Cabin, a stunningly gorgeous set that's one of LEGO Ideas' best! 

Hit the link in bio to read my full review!

The build experience is exceptional, and this is such a great display model. 

21338 A-Frame Cabin
🧩 2,082 pieces
💵 US$179.99 / AU$279.99 / £159.99
🗓 1 February 2023 (for LEGO VIPs)
🎨 @justinramsden @concorers, Woon Tze Chee, @kenzafaten, @ashwinvisser

If you love LEGO, you need to consider getting this, because it's one of those special LEGO sets that packs so much fun in it. 

Also, what an incredibly photogenic model that's just begging to be taken into the great outdoors!

#lego #legoideas #lego2023 #legoreview #legoleaks #legonews #legophotography #legos #afol #21338 #reviews #rlfm
My @lego Ideas A-Frame Cabin finally arrived! 🌲 My @lego Ideas A-Frame Cabin finally arrived! 🌲

Can't wait to share my review! This one's a banger 💥

#lego #legoideas #lego2023 #legoleaks #LEGOnews #rlfm #reveal #reviews #21338 #afol
If only this was a real set! Got to see this aweso If only this was a real set! Got to see this awesome UCS Rivendell on display at @brickvention 2023, built by @rebecca.barter based on instructions by @legomocloc!

This is @lego Lord of the Rings at its finest, and the immense scale was breathtaking to behold in person!

#lego #lordoftherings #legolordoftherings #lotr #Brickvention2023
Happy Lunar New Year! 🧨 May prosperity and goo Happy Lunar New Year! 🧨

May prosperity and good vibes hop into your life in the Year of the Rabbit 🐇

#lego #chinesenewyear #lunarnewyear #legochina #yearoftherabbit
Love a good @lego Classic Space Art rainbow! Buil Love a good @lego Classic Space Art rainbow!

Built by @snowlaina & @genslego and was on display at @brickvention 2023!

Will forgive the M-Tron slight for the time being 😠

#lego #LEGOClassicSpace #legospace #legoart #Brickvention2023
Happy Lunar New Year to all who are celebrating! 🧨

Here's some @lego Chinese Zodiac Animals so far, including this year's Year of the Rabbit GWP! Omg forgot the Mouse 

Only three years to go to finally complete the series!

#lego #lego2023 #legonews #lunarnewyear #chinesenewyear #yearoftherabbit #legochina #legoleaks #rlfm #reviews #40575
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Follow on Facebook

Jay's Brick Blog

2 hours ago

Jay's Brick Blog
LEGO has also revealed the 75351 Princess Leia (Boushh) Helmet, which joins Captain Rex and Clone Commander Cody as a trio of new LEGO Star Wars Helmets arriving in March 2023! ... See MoreSee Less

LEGO also announces 75351 Princess Leia (Boushh) Helmet! - Jay's Brick Blog

jaysbrickblog.com

Clones and Prequel Helmets aren’t the only new addition to the LEGO Star Wars Helmet Collection, as LEGO has also revealed 75351 Princess Leia (Boushh), which will also be available from 1 March 202...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Jay's Brick Blog

10 hours ago

Jay's Brick Blog
Here's your official look at Captain Rex and Clone Commander Cody helmets coming on 1 March 2023! ... See MoreSee Less

LEGO 75349 Captain Rex and 75350 Clone Commander Cody Helmets revealed, celebrating 20 Years of the Clone Wars! - Jay's Brick Blog

jaysbrickblog.com

LEGO Star Wars is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Clone Wars, and I can now officially reveal the latest two new additions to the LEGO Star Wars Helmet Collection – 75349 Captain Rex and 753...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Jay's Brick Blog

15 hours ago

Jay's Brick Blog
This week, two gorgeous marine-themed LEGO Product Ideas crossed the 10,000 vote mark, putting them in the running to be turned into official LEGO sets!They're two dramatically different designs, and I especially love the simplicity and aesthetics of the Humpback Whale. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if available!Congrats to both winners on this achievement, and good luck in the Review Round! ... See MoreSee Less

Humpback Whale and Baby Green Sea Turtle cross 10,000 votes on LEGO Ideas! - Jay's Brick Blog

jaysbrickblog.com

It’s not all Shrek Swamps that are getting the attention on LEGO Ideas, this week 2 incredibly unique marine-themed sets also crossed the 10,000 vote mark – Les Briques de Loïc’s Humpback Whale...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Recent Posts

  • LEGO also announces 75351 Princess Leia (Boushh) Helmet!
  • LEGO 75349 Captain Rex and 75350 Clone Commander Cody Helmets revealed, celebrating 20 Years of the Clone Wars!
  • Humpback Whale and Baby Green Sea Turtle cross 10,000 votes on LEGO Ideas!
  • Review: LEGO 21338 A-Frame Cabin
  • Photos and highlights from Brickvention 2023
  • LEGO Shrek set crosses 10,000 votes and could become a future LEGO Ideas set!
  • Review: LEGO 40575 Year of the Rabbit

LEGO Reviews

Review: LEGO 76107 Thanos: Ultimate Battle

Review: LEGO 76045 Kryptonite Interception

Review: LEGO Build-a-Minifigure (BAM) Q3 2022 selection

Review: LEGO 40466 Chinese New Year Pandas

Review: LEGO 4002022 10 Years of Friendship (2022 LEGO Employee Gift)

Review: LEGO DuckTales (40477) and Daisy Duck (40476) Brickheadz

Review: LEGO 40548 Spice Girls Brickheadz

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

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · WordPress · Log in We may earn a commission when you use one of our offers/links to make a purchase.