Back in 2021, a series of sets were introduced called Hogwarts Moments. Each set depicted a different Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft class hidden within a book. Opening the book revealed a classroom background and various accessories. After six different sets, the concept has evolved to become House Banners, these offer a similar sort of set. Instead of classrooms, the scene inside each banner represents one of the four different Hogwarts Houses’ common rooms. After taking a look at the previous sets in the series here’s a look at all four Hogwarts House Banners.
Each set has a slightly similar configuration to the Hogwarts Moments classrooms, in that they are enclosed builds which open to reveal a larger play area. The main difference is that the canvas of the area is slightly bigger and much of the buildable details are applied to the background instead of extending from it. These details still offer a nicely textured surface and additional details are achieved through stickers. On the subject of stickers, the sets introduce a new type of lenticular graphics. Those of a certain age will remember things like rulers or action figures which featured lenticular images which would change depending on the angle it’s viewed from. These recreate things such as the moving paintings which fill the halls of Hogwarts, flicking fireplaces and even cheeky Nifflers. The lenticular sheet is a similar size to a 16×16 plate and is slotted into the back of each banner. The elements are placed on the interior of the banners in such a way as to frame parts of the lenticular sheet.
Although much of the detail is built directly onto the inside of the banners, there are also a few minibuilds which portray other bits of furniture. Although built separately, they can be slotted or connected to the inside of banners to be stored when the set is closed. This is much easier to do than it was with the Hogwarts Moments sets.
With the set opened up it can stand on a flat surface easily enough especially as the banner tips can be folded up but when the set is enclosed in the banner form it’s a little trickier to display. Each banner has a hook, so it can be hung on a wall. They could probably be stood on a shelf, providing they are leaning against a surface.
As each banner represents a different Hogwarts House, the interior represents each of the four Houses’ Common Rooms. So some of the details featured inside each set are tied to key moments, characters or props related to Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. The connections to the Houses are incorporated in a number of different ways. Most obvious is the colours used for the actual banner part of each set along with the unique printed disc. Inside the stickers, lenticular graphics and accessories are all relevant to the Houses. The same can be said for minifigures. These are relevant characters to the Houses and include three different styles of uniform – robes, cardigans and Quidditch kit. Here’s a look at each set and its minifigures.
Gryffindor House Banner
Set Name: Gryffindor House Banner | Set Number: 76409 | Pieces: 285 | RRP: £29.499/$34.99/34.99€
The Gryffindor House Banner includes minifigures of Harry Potter, Angelina Johnson and Neville Longbottom. Although some of these characters have appeared in other sets, the versions featured in the House Banner are all brand-new. The set also features various items a Golden Snitch and the Sword of Gryffindor, along with removable pieces of furniture including chairs, candlesticks and a chessboard.
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Slytherin House Banner
Set Name: Slytherin House Banner | Set Number: 76410 | Pieces: 347 | RRP: £29.499/$34.99/34.99€
The Slytherin House Banner features minifigures of Draco Malfoy along with Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini who are making their debuts in the 2023 sets. As with other House Banners, all three versions of the characters are unique to this set. Additional buildable elements include a table, sofa and potions stand. There’s also a hidden message found within the small cupboard.
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Ravenclaw House Banner
Set Name: Ravenclaw House Banner | Set Number: 76411 | Pieces: 305 | RRP: £29.499/$34.99/34.99€
Included in the Ravenclaw House Banner are Cho Chang, Luna Lovegood and Michael Corner minifigures, with Micheal having one of the best alternate faces of any of the House Banner characters. Although this House Banner has fewer pieces of removable minibuilds in the form of two chairs and two lamps, it makes up for it with the addition of a Cornish Pixie.
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Hufflepuff House Banner
Set Name: Hufflepuff House Banner | Set Number: 76412 | Pieces: 313 | RRP: £29.499/$34.99/34.99€
The Hufflepuff House Banner has to be the best of the bunch. As well as featuring Cedric Diggory, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott minifigures, the interior is the most fun to look at, has the best lenticular background and includes the most additional elements. These include a table of treats, a chair, a chest of tools and some gardening tools plus plants.
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Overall
Although similar to the previously released Hogwarts Moments, the House Banners are a better-configurated build than those were. I like that they have pieces which can be slotted into the set once closed and doing so is far easier than it was with the Classroom-focused sets. The use of a banner as the exterior shell of each build is fun but it does make them tricky to display unless you either have them opened out or hung on a wall. Although each set is fairly similar in both appearance and build experience, the Hufflepuff House Banner is by far the best of the bunch.
Understandably, the Harry Potter brand has become extremely polarising. The opinions expressed by the creator of the series aren’t in line with many others. However, there are those who still enjoy the Wizarding World. This review is merely taking a look at some of the newly released sets and does not support the thoughts of the creator.
This set was requested by BricksFanz and provided by the LEGO Group for review purposes. The thoughts within this review are that of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
