LEGO's Going Merry: Why This One Piece Ship Sails Beyond Just 'Good Enough'
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
LEGO's new Going Merry Pirate Ship from 'One Piece' isn't just another brick set; it's a wonderfully whimsical and interactive build packed with clever details and, crucially, comes with the *entire* Straw Hat crew, bucking the trend of scattered minifigures and showing a genuine understanding of what fans want.
Right, so apparently, LEGO's got a secret pact with the universe's best ship designers. I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it's wilder than it first appeared. You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit too well? That's what LEGO just did with the Going Merry Pirate Ship from Netflix's 'One Piece'. They've gone and proven, yet again, that when it comes to brick-built vessels, they're practically wizards.
Fair dinkum, LEGO's got a history of knocking it out of the park with ships. From the utterly colossal Titanic to the space-faring Endurance, they set a high bar for detail and complexity. But it’s not just the historical or sci-fi behemoths where they shine, is it? They’ve been slinging out fantastic fictional ships for ages – the classic Pirate Ship from 2020 still holds its own. And now, the Going Merry sails in, continuing that glorious tradition, but with a definite 'One Piece' twist.
See, Monkey D. Luffy isn't your average gruff pirate captain, and this LEGO model absolutely nails his innocent, whimsical vibe. It's probably the friendliest-looking pirate ship I've ever clapped eyes on. Rounded edges, chunky decorations, and little secrets tucked away below deck – it’s less 'terror of the seas' and more 'adventure with your mates'. And honestly, that’s exactly what the Straw Hat Pirates are all about, isn't it?
The build itself sounds like a proper treat. Ten bags of bricks, one sheet of stickers (always a bit of a challenge, those), and you're off. You start with the hull, which isn't just a hollow shell. Nope, you're building in the galley and quarters, but you're also cleverly creating these hollowed-out sections for hidden crates and upper decks that slide in seamlessly. It gives off strong modular building vibes, which is brilliant for interactivity. Want to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic? Too bad. Want to rummage through the Going Merry's quarters? No worries, mate, pull it apart and stick it back together!
And the details, oh the details! They've clearly been reading the digital tea leaves and listened to the fans. A pizza in the galley for Luffy – because what else would he eat? Nami’s tangerine trees at the aft, the mighty sheep figurehead leading the way, and a collection of Wanted posters below deck. You get four random ones out of eight total, which, okay, isn't quite a 'gacha' mechanic, but it definitely adds a collector's thrill, doesn't it? (Though, I reckon they could've just given us all eight, just sayin').
Then there are the masts and that iconic straw hat Jolly Roger sail. But here's where my inner wizard notices a clever trick: the riggings aren't the usual thin black thread. They're plastic cords. Now, some purists might grumble, but for posing and playability? Genius! No more fiddling with tangled strings, just sturdy 'ropes' ready for some swashbuckling photo ops. Imagine the elaborate scenes you could stage with all those exposed studs on deck.
Speaking of staging scenes, here's where LEGO truly made a surprisingly good decision: you get the *entire* Season 1 five-person pirate crew! Monkey D. Luffy (straw hat included, naturally), Zoro (three swords, one for his mouth – brilliant!), Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. No spreading them out over multiple sets, forcing you to buy three different boxes just to complete your crew. That, my friends, is what I call respecting the player. It’s a move that should honestly be standard for these character-heavy sets. I’m genuinely excited about Zoro’s third sword attachment; it's those little touches that show genuine care.
This Going Merry set is the flagship (pun absolutely intended, because why not?) of the new LEGO One Piece line, born from the LEGO/Netflix partnership that gave us the live-action adaptation. It’s a simple, straightforward build, which gives it a plucky, cartoonish look that perfectly suits Luffy's ragtag bunch. At $139.99 for 1376 pieces, it seems like a fair price for a detailed, interactive model and a full crew.
If this is what the initial launch looks like – a great build, fantastic details, and all the core characters – then I reckon we're in for some proper grand line adventures from LEGO and Netflix. Here's hoping this is just the beginning for One Piece in brick form because, honestly, this set makes a fantastic first impression. What would a curious gamer actually want to know? Well, beyond the 'what', it's the 'why' this one feels different, and mate, it's because they nailed the spirit of the adventure.
Tags: LEGO, One Piece, Netflix, Collectible, Gaming Culture
Original article: IGN South Africa