2023 Friends Rumours, Leaks, Information And Discussion

[Killian]

2 hours ago, Lemerbrix said:

Thanks, best to know before I flush $310 down the drain 

You know you can add connections wherever you want in these kind of builds, they seem pretty easy to modify as necessary 

[Lemerbrix]

3 hours ago, TeriXeri said:

I don't have the main street myself but instructions do help showing where the connection points are : 

Book shop https://www.lego.com/cdn/product-assets/product.bi.core.pdf/6400026.pdf 8x16 building on 16x16 plate

Barber shop https://www.lego.com/cdn/product-assets/product.bi.core.pdf/6400015.pdf 8x16 building on 16x16 plate

Corner shop https://www.lego.com/cdn/product-assets/product.bi.core.pdf/6400022.pdf  12x12 building on 16x16 plate

The corner shop is the only building that works a bit different due to the building using 12x12 out of the 16x16, so the sidewalk is only 4 stud instead of 8.

 

Yeah, thanks, I looked at a review and it aligns if you place the skate ramp on the corner, also the grass area of 41732 kind of prevents a good transition, but I guess I can mod it

2 hours ago, Maple said:

If you are lucky to have a Costco, the Main Street is $60 instead of $160. Also the corner in it is barely compatible with the other pieces of the set. It's design s strange.

I don’t have a Costco near me, or a membership for that matter

49 minutes ago, Killian said:

You know you can add connections wherever you want in these kind of builds, they seem pretty easy to modify as necessary 

Yeah, I know, thanks

[Killian]

Just realised that the Legend of Zelda/Lego Dreamzzz/Lego Elves/Possible Easter egg for a new Lego theme/possibly just a franchise in the new Friends universe that doesn't refer to anything else artwork seen on a couple of the stickers in set 41740 Aliya's Room also appears in set 41755 Nova's Room.

 

 

[Lyichir]

1 minute ago, Killian said:

Just realised that the Legend of Zelda/Lego Dreamzzz/Lego Elves/Possible Easter egg for a new Lego theme/possibly just a franchise in the new Friends universe that doesn't refer to anything else artwork seen on a couple of the stickers in set 41740 Aliya's Room also appears in set 41755 Nova's Room.

I noticed, it's cute! I like the way it's hidden behind a bookshelf—seems to be meant to hint that behind Nova's slightly edgy, serious facade she also has some shared interests with some of the other Friends that she's maybe a little embarrassed or insecure about. Which I think can be a very relatable challenge to overcome for kids as they try to project a certain sort of image to the world.

[Killian]

14 hours ago, Lyichir said:

I noticed, it's cute! I like the way it's hidden behind a bookshelf—seems to be meant to hint that behind Nova's slightly edgy, serious facade she also has some shared interests with some of the other Friends that she's maybe a little embarrassed or insecure about. Which I think can be a very relatable challenge to overcome for kids as they try to project a certain sort of image to the world.

I love that inclusion. I guess Nova's trying to portray this hardcore gamer image, but secretly has cutesy interests she tries to hide.

I can relate, my doll collection lives hidden away under my bed because I don't want the guys I hook up with to judge me when I have them over.

I'd hide my Lego too, but there's way too much of it everywhere in my apartment. While I'm aware there's nothing wrong with an adult collecting Lego and dolls; and I'd never judge anyone for their interests, I usually wait until I know someone before I'm super open about it since people in general tend to be judgemental and intolerant way more than supportive and non-critical. I mean, just look at how AFOLS treat each other 

[Lemerbrix]

According to the freinds 2023 announcement video, it seems the 2023 series will have Heartlake stories style of animation

[Killian]

12 hours ago, Lemerbrix said:

According to the freinds 2023 announcement video, it seems the 2023 series will have Heartlake stories style of animation

Yeah, we're apparently getting a special around February time to kick off the series. I wonder if they'll stick with this animation style, or if we'll get something similar to Girls On A Mission eventually? I think there's been at least 3 different animated styles over the 11 years of G1 Friends.

Also, who's that on Autumn's lap? It's not her dog Daisy.. It looks a bit like Aliya's dog Aira maybe, though the colour is wrong?

Edited December 22, 2022 by Killian
Canine Confabulation

[Lemerbrix]

On 12/22/2022 at 4:33 AM, Killian said:

Yeah, we're apparently getting a special around February time to kick off the series. I wonder if they'll stick with this animation style, or if we'll get something similar to Girls On A Mission eventually? I think there's been at least 3 different animated styles over the 11 years of G1 Friends.

Also, who's that on Autumn's lap? It's not her dog Daisy.. It looks a bit like Aliya's dog Aira maybe, though the colour is wrong?

Well, to be fair, in Heartlake stories, Goldie (savanahs guide dog) looks a bit different than her actual piece in the sets, and looks similar to the dog in atummns lap, so maybe the just made daisy look like this

edit: daisy looks nothing like that dog, so question still unsolved 

Edited December 24, 2022 by Lemerbrix

[Maple]

New Elementary has a review of all the new parts, prints and recolors of the 2023 sets.

https://www.newelementary.com/2022/12/lego-friends-january-2023-new-blocks-on.html

[Lemerbrix]

2 hours ago, Maple said:

New Elementary has a review of all the new parts, prints and recolors of the 2023 sets.

https://www.newelementary.com/2022/12/lego-friends-january-2023-new-blocks-on.html

Interesting, the comments confirmed, that yes, you can give autumn a prosthetic using parts from your collection

[Maple]

Yes, or if you have Twitter. I didn't know there was a debate, I figured it would.

https://twitter.com/NewElementary/status/1606016972990386181/photo/1

[Fenghuang0296]

1 hour ago, Lemerbrix said:

Interesting, the comments confirmed, that yes, you can give autumn a prosthetic using parts from your collection

Oh that’s interesting. Good to know! That makes me like the part more. It looks like a standard clip with bar holder would fit, but they didn’t do that so I wonder if they’re saving budget for a new prosthetic hand piece in a future wave?

[Lemerbrix]

Had a snoop around Lego.com, here’s some things I found 

liann likes comic books, very nice that the comic obsession kid is female

Olly has some kind of fashion YouTube channel or something?

Leo plays sports, really nice how all 8 of the new friends has something from each of the og 5

ZAC LIKES ANIME

Autumn volunteers at the dog rescue center

Read somewhere that Leo is from Mexico, and zac is from Paris

[Killian]

On 12/24/2022 at 12:55 AM, Lemerbrix said:

Had a snoop around Lego.com, here’s some things I found 

liann likes comic books, very nice that the comic obsession kid is female

Olly has some kind of fashion YouTube channel or something?

Leo plays sports, really nice how all 8 of the new friends has something from each of the og 5

ZAC LIKES ANIME

Autumn volunteers at the dog rescue center

Read somewhere that Leo is from Mexico, and zac is from Paris

Yeah, Liann seems to enjoy the comic book art style as she's also the "arty" one of the new group like Emma used to be. She also loves skateboarding.

Olly is into fashion design and is good at doing it on a budget as his family doesn't have much money. He's chasing fame, like Andrea, with his YT channel.

Yeah, Leo has Stephanie's love of sports and cooking. I wonder if the two will interact? We still don't know what the teased plans for Stephanie are yet.

Aliya and Zac seem to be the overachievers of the group who will probably learn a life lesson about not stressing out over pushing themselves too hard in the comics/show. I love the little detail in set 41740 where Aliya needs Paisley's reassurance over her F graded school paper. 

Paisley's mother was a recording artist before she died, it'd be cool if her mother turned out to be Livi, the pop star character from a few years ago in the theme as a nod to Friends history.

I wonder if many of the main 8 will be from different countries since they're attending an International School? If so, I hope different accents will be well represented in the show.

The more I learn about this reboot, the more I realise how much thought, care and research Lego have put in to really round out these characters and to create plenty of varied storytelling elements for children. It doesn't feel like a Lego theme, it feels like a Fashion Doll franchise like Monster High or Rainbow High, but done very well. 

Wouldn't it be weird if Hasbro eventually brought out Lego Friends Dolls, like how Lego brought out Hasbro's Optimus Prime? 

 

Anybody know when/how the new Lego Friends Liann Polybag will be available? Don't want to buy the many Friends sets I want for the Blacktron thing if the Friends Polybag is coming soon, but only with Friends purchases

[Lemerbrix]

2 hours ago, Killian said:

Yeah, Liann seems to enjoy the comic book art style as she's also the "arty" one of the new group like Emma used to be. She also loves skateboarding.

Olly is into fashion design and is good at doing it on a budget as his family doesn't have much money. He's chasing fame, like Andrea, with his YT channel.

Yeah, Leo has Stephanie's love of sports and cooking. I wonder if the two will interact? We still don't know what the teased plans for Stephanie are yet.

Aliya and Zac seem to be the overachievers of the group who will probably learn a life lesson about not stressing out over pushing themselves too hard in the comics/show. I love the little detail in set 41740 where Aliya needs Paisley's reassurance over her F graded school paper. 

Paisley's mother was a recording artist before she died, it'd be cool if her mother turned out to be Livi, the pop star character from a few years ago in the theme as a nod to Friends history.

I wonder if many of the main 8 will be from different countries since they're attending an International School? If so, I hope different accents will be well represented in the show.

The more I learn about this reboot, the more I realise how much thought, care and research Lego have put in to really round out these characters and to create plenty of varied storytelling elements for children. It doesn't feel like a Lego theme, it feels like a Fashion Doll franchise like Monster High or Rainbow High, but done very well. 

Wouldn't it be weird if Hasbro eventually brought out Lego Friends Dolls, like how Lego brought out Hasbro's Optimus Prime? 

 

Anybody know when/how the new Lego Friends Liann Polybag will be available? Don't want to buy the many Friends sets I want for the Blacktron thing if the Friends Polybag is coming soon, but only with Friends purchases

No, but i want it, also, when you stated that many of the main 8 are from different countries, you don’t really have a good point, as autumn’s mom (Mia) is native to Heartlake city, but yeah I know Mia does go to Africa so yeah

[Killian]

52 minutes ago, Lemerbrix said:

No, but i want it, also, when you stated that many of the main 8 are from different countries, you don’t really have a good point, as autumn’s mom (Mia) is native to Heartlake city, but yeah I know Mia does go to Africa so yeah

I just assumed Autumn would be the American one. Though now you mention it, she could have been brought up in Africa by Mia and the family just moved back to HLC? 

The whole International School setup reminds me of Mattel's Generation Girl doll line from last century;  There was a Caucasian American actress girl, an African American up and coming fashion model, a British musician, an Australian skater girl, a Latin American athlete, a half German half Italian artist, a Japanese gamer and some DJ guy (I think he was American) all attending International High in New York (I think).  They all worked together on the school magazine Generation Beat and had inspirational adventures about being yourself and helping others etc.  The 2023 Lego Friends gives me big nostalgia for that franchise, though I expect Lego's offering to feel more intelligent, complete and well rounded by comparison.

[Lemerbrix]

3 hours ago, Killian said:

I just assumed Autumn would be the American one. Though now you mention it, she could have been brought up in Africa by Mia and the family just moved back to HLC? 

Good point! But then again, I’m kinda wondering where the others are from, it’s obvious that liann is Asian, but that’s 4 (3 if you don’t count your autumn theory) out of 8 new characters

[Killian]

13 hours ago, Lemerbrix said:

Good point! But then again, I’m kinda wondering where the others are from, it’s obvious that liann is Asian, but that’s 4 (3 if you don’t count your autumn theory) out of 8 new characters

Yeah, I wonder how much they'll lean into the International aspect of the new world building. I'm expecting characters celebrating Kwanzaa/Hanukkah/Holi/Eid/Quinceañera/etc or at least demonstrating different cultures. I wonder if Lego will ever give us a minidoll in a hijab, though I can imagine that'd be controversial with the arguments surrounding gender equality?

Also, after Stephanie (who was Barbie pretty much), I love that they haven't gone with the cookie cutter blonde, straight haired, blue eyed Caucasian girl this time around with Nova and Olly. Even Matilde seems to have teal eyes.

I wonder if Leo will be our sort of audience self insert character, he's the one who seems to be conceptualised as having to adjust to life in Heartlake the most and get to know everyone with all the insecurities that come with that. It's great that the male characters are as fleshed out as the girls this time around and aren't regulated to love interest/dad/background employee. 

[Lemerbrix]

32 minutes ago, Killian said:

Yeah, I wonder how much they'll lean into the International aspect of the new world building. I'm expecting characters celebrating Kwanzaa/Hanukkah/Holi/Eid/Quinceañera/etc or at least demonstrating different cultures. I wonder if Lego will ever give us a minidoll in a hijab, though I can imagine that'd be controversial with the arguments surrounding gender equality?

Also, after Stephanie (who was Barbie pretty much), I love that they haven't gone with the cookie cutter blonde, straight haired, blue eyed Caucasian girl this time around with Nova and Olly. Even Matilde seems to have teal eyes.

I wonder if Leo will be our sort of audience self insert character, he's the one who seems to be conceptualised as having to adjust to life in Heartlake the most and get to know everyone with all the insecurities that come with that. It's great that the male characters are as fleshed out as the girls this time around and aren't regulated to love interest/dad/background employee. 

Has Lego ever made a hijab? I know some people who wear one, but I’ve never seen Lego make a mold for one

also, the new line seems a lot focused on representation and equality, with characters like autumn, jordin (minidoll with vitiligo), etc so I’m assuming that almost every character has some sort of self insert in them, honestly, I releate to nova and Leo the most 

[Aanchir]

3 hours ago, Lemerbrix said:

Has Lego ever made a hijab? I know some people who wear one, but I’ve never seen Lego make a mold for one

Nope, just turbans and keffiyehs. I agree, a hijab would be nice to see in the future, although it might be a bit tricky to make one that looks good on minifigs and mini-dolls alike, since the hijab is draped over the shoulders, and minifigs have different shoulder proportions from minidolls.

[Lemerbrix]

2 minutes ago, Aanchir said:

Nope, just turbans and keffiyehs. I agree, a hijab would be nice to see in the future, although it might be a bit tricky to make one that looks good on minifigs and mini-dolls alike, since the hijab is draped over the shoulders, and minifigs have different shoulder proportions from minidolls.

Yeah, Lego might have to make different molds for one

[Classic_Spaceman]

41758 - Advent Calendar / 231 Pieces / 6+ 
 

6 hours ago, Aanchir said:

Nope, just turbans and keffiyehs. I agree, a hijab would be nice to see in the future, although it might be a bit tricky to make one that looks good on minifigs and mini-dolls alike, since the hijab is draped over the shoulders, and minifigs have different shoulder proportions from minidolls.

Agreed. I wonder if LEGO could sidestep the religious connotations by reusing the part in a Ninjago or Monkie Kid wave as a generic desert/post-apocalyptic protective scarf (with goggles and a mask printed on the head), similar to Lucy’s TLM2 hood piece. 
 

[Lemerbrix]

11 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

41758 - Advent Calendar / 231 Pieces / 6+ 
 

Agreed. I wonder if LEGO could sidestep the religious connotations by reusing the part in a Ninjago or Monkie Kid wave as a generic desert/post-apocalyptic protective scarf (with goggles and a mask printed on the head), similar to Lucy’s TLM2 hood piece. 
 

Good point, Also, excited for the advent calendar 

edit: looked at the piece in question, that could make a perfect hijab if you were to remove the goggles

Edited December 29, 2022 by Lemerbrix

[Killian]

Just been re-watching Lego Friends: Girls on a Mission and remembered how I wished they'd put recurring characters like Jeremy Dore, Dr Alvah, Ricky, Joey, Carter Greene, Hazel, Lucas, Laura, Barney etc. in sets. Especially the villains, it limited the adventure scenarios that kids could act out with the toys.

I hope the new 2023 show uses more characters appearing in sets in significant roles so the play experience for kids feels more complete.

[Lemerbrix]

1 hour ago, Killian said:

Just been re-watching Lego Friends: Girls on a Mission and remembered how I wished they'd put recurring characters like Jeremy Dore, Dr Alvah, Ricky, Joey, Carter Greene, Hazel, Lucas, Laura, Barney etc. in sets. Especially the villains, it limited the adventure scenarios that kids could act out with the toys.

I hope the new 2023 show uses more characters appearing in sets in significant roles so the play experience for kids feels more complete.

Yeah, something that Heartlake stories did quite well