LEGO® Monkie Kid™ review: 80047 Mei's Guardian Dragon

Monkie Kid and his bold companions charged into our collections a little over 3 years ago. I'm tempted to do one of those "how it started vs. how it's going" memes but that's perhaps redundant, as it's clear to see that the sets are still doing really well and continue to offer something a bit different. I'd appreciate wider availability but if the way to maintain a theme is by having it exclusive to LEGO.com in some regions, then so be it!

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.
LEGO® Monkie Kid™ 80047 Mei's Guardian Dragon
US$74.99/ £46.99/ 52.99€/ AU$84.99
605 parts
1 June 2023
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New parts in set 80047

Exclusive new prints

• 1x Tile Round 1 x 2 with dragon eye print left in Tan (6433541)
• 1x Tile Round 1 x 2 with dragon eye print right in Tan (6433542) 

Intended as eyes for the Guardian Dragon, there's lovely detail in these tiles, but unfortunately that only serves to highlight a problem that I will discuss later.

Recolour

• 8x Slope Curved 2 x 2 Inverted in Dark Turquoise (6439043 | 1750)

This part, first seen last year in Reddish Brown in 10305 Lion Knights' Castle and in White in 3 Super Mario sets, is now available in 7 colours across 18 sets. This was exclusive at time of writing, but two are also now in 43226 Disney Duos.

Rare parts

In one other set

• 4 x Brick Round 2 x 2 D. Tube with 45° Elbow and Axle Holes (Crossholes) at each end in White (6404625 | 65473) only previously in 71411 The Mighty Bowser
• 8 x Brick Round Corner 3 x 3 x 1 with Bottom Cut Outs [No Studs] [1/4 Arch] in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6349522 | 65617) only previously in 43207 Ariel's Underwater Palace
• 4 x Wheel Arch, Mudguard, 1 1/2 x 6 x 1 [Arch Extended] in Bright Bluish Green/ Dark Turquoise (6336512 | 62361) only previously in 31127 Street Racer
• 1 x Large Figure Weapon Sword with Axle in Transparent Bright Green/ Trans-Bright Green (6420280 | 2601) only previously in 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet
• 6 x Bracket 1 x 1 - 1 x 2 in Sand Green (6423397 | 79389) only previously in 10317 Land Rover Classic Defender 90
• 1 x Pin with Friction, Bar 2L and Towball in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6365695 | 80477) only previously in 71759 Ninja Dragon Temple

In two other sets

• 6 x Bracket 1 x 1 - 1 x 1 in Bright Yellowish Green/ Lime (6384590 | 36841)
• 4 x Dish 2 x 2 Inverted [Radar] in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6400656 | 4740) 
• 2 x 2601 Large Figure Weapon Sword with Axle in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6408777 | 2601)
• 2 x Technic Brick Special 2 x 2 with Ball Receptacle Wide and Axle Hole, No Arm Holes in Dark Brown (6360827 | 67696)
• 2x Minifig Neckwear Armor Shoulder Pads in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6426615 | 41637)

In three other sets

• 1 x Weapon Sword with Thick Crossguard (Roman Gladius) in Black (6349964 | 18034)
• 2 x Technic Brick Special 2 x 2 with Pin Hole, Rotation Joint Ball Half [Vertical Side] in Brick Yellow/ Tan (4279586 | 48171) or (6375375 | 48454)
• 2 x Plant, Pumpkin in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6357809 | 51270) is listed as being in two other sets, but let’s not forget it’s in 80049 too!
• 1 x Minifig Neckwear Shoulder Guards in Medium Lilac/ Dark Purple (6392222 | 37614)

…finally we have the new Family Mould that was introduced at the beginning of the year.

• 1 x 2665 Weapon Pack in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6410229 | 2665) is in three other sets - and also in Caz’s review of 80048 The Mighty Azure Lion.

Sticker sheet

A relatively small sticker sheet is included. The designs nicely carry through visual motifs of the build and of some of the elements used in it.

Minifigures in Mei's Guardian Dragon

Ink General

This baddie appears in two sets already, but is alone in his fight against our heroes in this set.

Mei Power-up

This is the same variant as appears in 80043 Yellow Tusk Elephant.

Yellow Tusk Elephant

Only previously seen in 80045 Monkey King Ultra Mech and 80043 Yellow Tusk Elephant.

Mr. Tang Power-up

Has a new printed torso in Flat Silver (6444473).

I'm a real fan of these harmonious designs, where the established style of Mei’s outfit is reflected in Mr. Tang's but with enough variation to distinguish it. The same is true of Monkie Kid's Power-up suit that featured in 80045 Monkey King Ultra Mech.

Building Monkie Kid set 80047

It's been school holidays in the UK and that meant I had help on this review again from my son. "Dad, if I help on this review, can I have the set afterwards?" he said. What kind of father would I be to deny such enterprise? Terms were agreed and I was relegated once again to 'camera monkie'. 

 

Initially I thought we were in familiar dragon building territory here. Layered plates, bricks and brackets creating a rough overall shape to be locked into place for support and then clad with tiles, slopes and curved slopes.

However, it became apparent fairly quickly that the whole construction of the body would be tilted on an angle. It's a great technique that allows some nice shaping of the torso, but also creates a lovely effect of dragon scales. 

I was also intrigued by the sub assemblies that form what will be the belly of the dragon. Seemingly attached by only a small number of studs, the familiar method of locking things together with plates over brackets really does earn its keep here, creating a very sturdy result.

Okay, the head looks incredible, but those fabulously printed tile eyes are getting lost. What I am actually seeing for the eyes instead is that open bar end of a 32828 in Tan. I might just be me, but it's a real struggle to make myself see the eye as intended.

Here is the picture from the instructions. Without the deep shadow caused by the hole in the end of the bar, I can focus much more easily on the printed eye. On the actual model though I have to keep refocusing.

I wondered whether the problem was the eye requiring some contrast to the white of the head, so I quickly added a pupil in Photoshop. I think it's only marginally better. The 32828 is available in Pearl Gold, perhaps that might also have helped? In the grand scheme of things, it's no biggie, but it does detract from the overall appeal.

The legs use Maxironi (65473) and neat use of plant leaves (15469) gives the impression of frilled scales. I'm not wholly convinced by the forms created for the back legs, especially given how good the shaping on everything else is. 

'Wings' made predominantly in Pearl Gold adorn each side, with inbuilt stud-shooting cannons. Connected at the shoulder, they add some real bulk to the build. I liked how they looked more before they were attached though; some nice attention to detail and the way the elements fit together create a very pleasant form.

A whippy tail is almost compulsory on this kind of dragon. The Hinge Plates 2 x 4 with Articulated Joint (3639 & 3640), which I so loved in LEGO Space sets as a child, have been used effectively for this purpose – albeit an idea we have seen before.

The finished Guardian Dragon

It's a dynamic-looking beast, seemingly poised ready to pounce! We were unsure whether this was a robotic creature or if it was indeed just an interpretation of a mythical dragon.

There has been an established colour palette for Mei's vehicles so far, mostly predominantly White body work with Lime and Teal accents. It is a pleasing combination and I am pleased to see that the palette here follows on from the previous sets, and builds on them by adding more gold bling!

The build was fun. I enjoyed watching it come together and my son clearly enjoyed the process.

So, after everything was finished, my son insisted we apply the stickers as this was to be his set from here on out. They certainly add finesse and a good degree of decoration.

Conclusion

Surprisingly, this is only the second full dragon that the theme has produced. It is a traditional creature, or is it a mechanical beast? Either way it is a great looking model that adds something different to the current selection of products, partially owing to that neat and slightly unusual construction of the body. 

This is a strong and dynamic model but I would welcome some kind of side build for the baddie to aid play value here. The colour scheme is fresh and attractive, but I'm struggling to overlook that eye problem.

I couldn't recommend this as a parts pack as the quantities aren't really there. However, the price seems entirely reasonable for what is included. A discount on that price would certainly make some of my harsher criticisms melt away but that seems unlikely given the level of exclusivity at retail.

On the whole, it's a decent addition to the theme.

READ MORE: Our Techniques Using LEGO® Plate Special 1 x 2 with Pin Hole On Side Will Surprise You

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