Review: 40516 Everyone is Awesome

Brickset.com

June is Pride month, so to celebrate it and diversity both in the AFOL community and within the company, LEGO is releasing a very interesting set: 40516 Everyone is Awesome.

Never before has a set included so many monochromatic minifigs (monofigs), so it's a great way to kick-start your collection of them, particularly as many of the elements in it have never been produced until now.

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Source: https://brickset.com/article/59474

Phoenixio

I really like the colors included, I'm totally getting this for the minifigs.  I'll use them on my modular street to make it look like street performers!

Do we know if the set is exclusive to Lego.com?  I suspect they'll fly off the virtual shelves very quickly, and was thinking of maybe going to a nearby store to pick one up?

Yellowcastle

Incredible review @Huw.

mr_benn

It's basically a gateway set to monochrome collecting isn't it?  Absolutely love it.

1265

The majority of folks will be buying this set like crazy not because of the messaging but because of the figures and parts.  It's a win-win for TLG.

Bosstone100

I want one as well. I'll pick extras up to share on here. I'm in the US. Anyone else want to try as well?

SumoLego

1265 said:

The majority of folks will be buying this set like crazy not because of the messaging but because of the figures and parts.  It's a win-win for TLG.

And sometimes a set is just a set for a positive cause - and not just simply pandering, messaging, signaling, etc.  If the back of the box said 'If you don't buy this, you're a terrible person', then maybe I'd object to it.  

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

I'm very delighted with this set, and I look forward to hoarding a bunch of them!

SumoLego

mr_benn said:

It's basically a gateway set to monochrome collecting isn't it?  Absolutely love it.

As any good substance trafficker knows, the first taste is (relatively) free, and then you have to pay.  I predict some of the more difficult colors to get that are not included in this set are going to increase in value and decrease in availability...

1265

It'll be interesting to what the names of the minifigs will be.

Phoenixio

1265 said:

It'll be interesting to what the names of the minifigs will be.

You think they'll have names, not just colors?

1265

Phoenixio said:

1265 said:

It'll be interesting to what the names of the minifigs will be.

You think they'll have names, not just colors?

My first thought was a plain color name.  But who knows.  That's why I find it interesting as to what the names will be.

TheFew

Even though I have 44 different monochromes now... just try to stop me buying this! For the monochromes the set offers it is really good value! 

Bumblepants

I am probably alone in this but the most exciting thing in this set to me is1x2 bright green plates coming into existence. Got 500 coming!

vizzitor

Bumblepants said:

I am probably alone in this but the most exciting thing in this set to me is1x2 bright green plates coming into existence. Got 500 coming!

I don't think you're alone. Fairly sure all of the 300+ comments in the announcement and review on the main page were specifically about the bright green 1x2 plate.

Bumblepants

vizzitor said:

Bumblepants said:

I am probably alone in this but the most exciting thing in this set to me is1x2 bright green plates coming into existence. Got 500 coming!

I don't think you're alone. Fairly sure all of the 300+ comments in the announcement and review on the main page were specifically about the bright green 1x2 plate.

I avoided even looking at the comments as they are usually not worth reading even on a regular playset. "Minidolls bad!" "Too expensive!" "Disney boils puppies!" Etc. I only hang out here.

DeMontes

comments comments on the front page were not too bad. Huw and his team moderated well and with a light touch. I’m excited by the monofigs and the new colours too, same as lots of others.  I did read the comments and they don’t bother me too much although I did reply twice despite telling myself I would resist the urge 😂😂.

one thing is for sure, this is a photogenic set, lovely photos @Huw 😍😍

Yellowcastle

I read each comment because I just wanted to understand the discourse.  Most were excited about the set for any myriad of reasons.  But the complaints/concerns (from both sides) really frustrated me.  LEGO is going too far....LEGO is not going far enough...Brickset is censoring.../rant.

Paperballpark

I think this set is going to get a lot more people into monofig collecting. You get 11 of the 43 currently available (not counting prototype or 'factory' figures) for a very good price. Some of the other 32 will cost you as much as this set alone...!

DeMontes

Yellowcastle said:

I read each comment because I just wanted to understand the discourse.  Most were excited about the set for any myriad of reasons.  But the complaints/concerns (from both sides) really frustrated me.  LEGO is going too far....LEGO is not going far enough...Brickset is censoring.../rant.

I think it’s fair to say that comments also follow a distribution curve of opinion with some saying too far sexualising a toy (this might have been the one I replied to) and others saying it should have been more obviously supportive of LGBTQIA+ rights on the box etc.  The vast majority fit into happy either with the set of colours or the set as a statement of support. I do my best not to get too offended as a gay atheist and equally try not to offend those who may have different life experiences.

anyway, MONOFIGS 🥰🥰🎉

karrit

I want this set for the minifigs.  Just wish there were even more colors included.  Maybe they will eventually do an ethnic diversity set like Crayola did to represent all the different naturally occurring skintones worldwide.

Phoenixio

DeMontes said:...those who may have different life experiences.

That's why to me the branding is perfect.  Why make the distinction it is aimed at LGBTQ+++ when in reality, the goal of those minorities is to not be treated differently?  It's an amazing colorful product, with a title that embodies the spirit of the movement: Everyone is awesome.  See in the set the message you want, or just fantastic minifigs, it doesn't matter!

On another note, it's looking like this set really made the monofig community pop up.  Are there resources about this?  Even Huw is mentioning it in his recent Fairy Folk article.  @Paperballpark said there are 43 that could be made?  I knew of a few manequins and statues, but it's interesting to see that people have actively pursued monofigs.

KungFuKenny

Phoenixio said:

On another note, it's looking like this set really made the monofig community pop up.  Are there resources about this?  Even Huw is mentioning it in his recent Fairy Folk article.  @Paperballpark said there are 43 that could be made?  I knew of a few manequins and statues, but it's interesting to see that people have actively pursued monofigs.

This thread will help you out...or tempt you down a slippery slope of epic proportions! 

https://forum.brickset.com/discussion/22975/collecting-certain-parts-only#latest

Aanchir

karrit said:

I want this set for the minifigs.  Just wish there were even more colors included.  Maybe they will eventually do an ethnic diversity set like Crayola did to represent all the different naturally occurring skintones worldwide.

Wow, blast from the past! I remember having the "multicultural" pack of markers back when I was a kid!

Truth be told, LEGO has already produced SOME sets like you're describing… Duplo ones, at least, specifically as part of the LEGO Dacta/LEGO Education category. Which makes it all the more amusing to me that people are acting surprised that LEGO would dare create a set that promotes specific political or cultural values.

Sure, I wish we lived in a world where multiculturalism was not politically contentious (and as a child, I was naive enough to believe that we did!), but some of the comments on Brickset's article about the LEGO Friends redesigns a few years back should illustrate just how far we are from that ideal (most flagrantly exemplified by a comment proclaiming "This is so terrible.… multiculturalism is bad for everyone.")

It would definitely be great to see a set celebrating ethnically diverse System minifigures or mini-dolls to as great an extent (or greater) than some of those Duplo sets in the future — especially on account of how much more creative "mix-and-match" potential minifigures and mini-dolls have compared to Duplo figures.

But oh, lordy… I dread the sort of stuff people would say about THAT sort of set, especially in the lawless frontier (relatively speaking) that is social media.

Paperballpark

Phoenixio said:

On another note, it's looking like this set really made the monofig community pop up.  Are there resources about this?  Even Huw is mentioning it in his recent Fairy Folk article.  @Paperballpark said there are 43 that could be made?  I knew of a few manequins and statues, but it's interesting to see that people have actively pursued monofigs.

Oh there's definitely people who pursue them! I currently have 53 (including 2 incomplete ones missing hands and 9 unofficial 'factory produced' transparent ones):



I also keep a spreadsheet updated with what parts are available, which you can see here.

Phoenixio

I saw it in the other thread, but still, impressive display.  I'm not as big a fan of the transclear ones, but definitely, the upcoming set looks like it's a huge starter kit.  I could see someone going for a grey, tan, light green and maybe some extra purple/pink shades to get a good set!

Great resource as well, your spreadsheet!

FireFox31

Is there any speculation about how long this set will be available?  I can't easily rush to a store in the first days of June before they're gone.  I hope it will be available for 18 months like a typical set.  Or longer like a D2C set, because its message is permanent.

Astrobricks

FireFox31 said:

Is there any speculation about how long this set will be available?  I can't easily rush to a store in the first days of June before they're gone.  I hope it will be available for 18 months like a typical set.  Or longer like a D2C set, because its message is permanent.

It will be available at Lego.com, right? And at $35 it will qualify for free shipping. Or do they make you add something to get to $35.01?

todler

Astrobricks said:

It will be available at Lego.com, right? And at $35 it will qualify for free shipping. Or do they make you add something to get to $35.01?

$35 for free shipping in the US! In the UK we have to order over £50 ($70)

todler

It will be available at Lego.com, right? And at $35 it will qualify for free shipping. Or do they make you add something to get to $35.01?

Just looked at the US website and free standard shipping is $35.01 and up. Another rip off for Europe/UK

Cymbeline

Free shipping in the U.S. is equal to or greater than $35.00...

SumoLego

Just do what we all do - buy a keychain or something on clearance...

MaffyD

SumoLego said:

Just do what we all do - buy a keychain or something on clearance...

Expensive key chain to get it up to £50 ! :-)

SirBen

SumoLego said:

Just do what we all do - buy a keychain or something on clearance...

Or a single gear from Bricks and Pieces...