Lego Legends of Chima: A Fantasy World of Anthropomorphic Animals

Lego Legends of Chima was a popular Lego theme launched in 2013 and discontinued in 2015. The product line revolved around the story of Legends of Chima, a 3D animated television series produced to coincide with the Lego theme. The storyline was set in the fantasy world of "Chima," inhabited by eight warring tribes of anthropomorphic animals that battle for a precious substance called "Chi." Alongside the TV series, Legends of Chima produced a range of associated media, including theme park attractions, video games, apps, and publications.

Overview of Lego Legends of Chima

The toy line of Lego Legends of Chima was driven by the storyline of the computer-animated television series. The story follows two former childhood friends, Laval from the Lion tribe and Cragger from the Crocodile tribe, who become bitter enemies. The two lead the battle among the eight tribes, threatening the once-peaceful land of Chima. The product line focused on Chima, a fantasy world inhabited by eight warrior tribes of animals that battle for an energy source called "Chi."

Development of Lego Legends of Chima

Lego Legends of Chima was developed to appeal to children and replace the Lego Ninjago theme, but was phased out to introduce other children's themes such as Nexo Knights. The Legends of Chima franchise aimed to promote the Chima universe with the aim of launching across multiple platforms, consisting of the television series, online content, construction sets, and video games.

In December 2014, Lego designer Samuel Thomas Johnson explained that the product line and the television series were closely aligned from the start, and the vehicles in the show were designed to match the models. The creative process for the toy line was explained further by Johnson, stating that they make functions and try to fit them in with animals and what animals do. If a vehicle doesn't have the traits of the animal it is meant to resemble, it doesn't make sense.

Launch of Lego Legends of Chima

Legends of Chima launched on December 26, 2012. The Chima franchise aimed to follow the success of the Lego Ninjago theme. Soren Torp Laursen, President of Lego Systems, commented that they were excited to launch a whole new world in Lego Legends of Chima to spark any child's imagination and invite them to the world of Lego building.

The playsets were released from January 2013 and included a larger range of products than previous themes. The product range included construction toy sets, racing vehicles, and a board game. The toy line also offered a battle play function that was similar to the Lego Ninjago spinner toys, which involved placing Lego minifigures on a spinning base. The vehicles included a Speedorz range, which were vehicles built from Lego bricks and powered by a ripcord to provide children with a racing challenge.

To promote the Legends of Chima product line, four windows of Hamley's in Regent Street, London were taken over by a window display from Boxing Day 2012 to February 8, 2013. The window display featured two 2.9-meter models of Chima's two main characters, Laval the Lion and Cragger the Crocodile, and a 3D recreation of Mount Cavora.

In 2013, a Lego Chima Challenge roadshow toured the UK to engage children in the Chima product range. The roadshow launched at Chessington World of Adventures on April 1, 2013, and ran for seven months until October 31, 2013.

Conclusion

Lego Legends of Chima may have only been around for a few years, but its impact on the Lego brand and its fans is still felt today. The theme's unique characters, creative storyline, and innovative building techniques make it a memorable addition to the Lego universe. Whether you're a collector or a fan of the television series, Legends of Chima is sure to remain a beloved part of Lego history for years to come.