No other LEGO® theme has single-handedly had a greater impact on the LEGO Group than Fabuland. That’s not an exaggeration, Fabuland formed the concept of storytelling through play, which led to the creation of themes such as NINJAGO and DREAMZzz. Fabuland experimented with expanding LEGO storytelling beyond the brick through merchandise, books and a TV series. Fabuland also introduced several LEGO elements which are still in use today. So it is only fitting that the sixth LEGO House exclusive set pays tribute to such a beloved and important part of LEGO history just as it did with the Wooden Duck, Moulding Machine and the LEGO Minifigure. The new set will be available exclusively from the LEGO House LEGO Store from Saturday but here’s an early look at this whimsical return of LEGO Fabuland.
Product Details
Set Name: LEGO Fabuland Tribute | Set Number: 40506 | Pieces: 1026 | Theme: LEGO House
Number of Bags: Bags x ?? | Instructions: Paper booklet | Stickers: sheet x 1 | Characters: Edward, Joe, Lucy and Clive | Insiders QR: No | RRP: 649DDK
Availability: Exclusively on sale at LEGO House in Billund
If you are a fan of the LEGO brand, you will most likely be aware of the LEGO House attraction based in Billund. This unique celebration of the LEGO brand has been offering special products even before opening its doors in September 2017. In the proceeding years, a series of exclusive sets have been produced annually celebrating special moments in LEGO history. These have included the Wooden Duck, a Brick Moulding Machine, a set showcasing the talents of LEGOLAND model maker Dagny Holm, a large-scale minifigure and a set focused on the three classic LEGO Building Systems. The latest set to join them is the Tribute to Fabuland, a theme which holds a special place in many LEGO fan’s hearts. Introduced in the 1970s, Fabuland featured many unique concepts at the time. Although it featured buildable elements, it also introduced plenty of unique items. It also ditched minifigures for anamorphic animal characters. The theme lasted for 10 years before being retired but it never was forgotten. Easter Eggs for the theme regularly crop up in LEGO sets including the upcoming NINJAGO City expansion. Fabuland figures were even featured in the second LEGO Movie. Now four Fabuland characters have been transformed into buildable characters for the latest LEGO House set.
In the original Fabuland sets, the instructions featured illustrated stories, which could be enjoyed as the set was being built. In keeping with those original instructions, this set also features a story in the instructions. As you build the first section of the set, you find a new series of illustrated scenes. The instructions are also split into separate booklets one for the base, one for each character and the tree so the set can be built by others at the same time.
The build begins with a common trait of the LEGO House sets, its black display base. This has become a feature of all the sets and offers a nice connecting element across all the sets despite them focusing on different subjects. Fabuland is a colourful world but only a fraction of that is captured on the base with a green piece of grass. This becomes a stage for the four Fabuland characters to be displayed.
The only other piece of scenery is a lone Fabuland tree, added to the base at the end of the build. This iconic Fabuland foliage is similar in style to the diecast tree found in early LEGO kits. It’s scaled up nicely and manages to capture the appearance of the element it’s inspired by.
Fabuland is filled with a wonderful cast of characters, including Joe Crow, Dr Lucy Lamb and Clive Crocodile who are featured in this set. They are joined by Edward Elephant, who has become a sort of ‘poster boy’ to the Fabuland series thanks to being the lead character in the Edward and Friends stop-motion animation. Edward loses some of his charm in his brick-built form. his role in the Fabuland Band is the conductor.
Clive is Fabuland’s resident know-it-all and appeared in several sets. The crocodile character is playing an accordion instrument. Unlike Edward, Clive features cartoon-style eyes, which are represented by the white 1×1 round tiles. It may seem wrong that Clive’s teeth are green but this matches the original Fabuland figure.
Joe Crow, as the name suggests is a black crow, he’s also one of Fabuland’s rarest residents. Joe appeared in two styles, one of which had him wearing a red flight cap. Which is the version the buildable version is inspired by. Joe is playing a drum in the Fabuland band and when he’s wearing the drum, it makes the head lean upwards.
Lucy Lamb has had quite the journey from Fabuland to LEGO House. In the Fabuland sets, Lucy was a nurse, now she is a doctor and when she isn’t practising medicine, she’s practising the French Horn. Similar to Joe, Lucy has two versions. The early version of Lucy has black eyes, whereas the later version has cartoon eyes.
Each of the characters has their accessories, Edward’s is the simplest with a conductor baton and a sheet of music. This uses the set’s only sticker, which features all four characters visiting a Fabuland-style version of the LEGO House. Joe’s drum is like the ones worn in marching bands and includes a pair of drumsticks. Both Lucy’s and Clive’s accessories are a lot more detailed. The accordion is entirely blue making some of its detail a little lost, but the colour style is in keeping with the accessories featured in the sets. Lucy’s French Horn is a little tricky to piece together but once it’s fixed together it’s fairly stable.
As each character’s body is built the same way, they can all use each other’s accessories. Due to the way they are mounted on the display stand, they can also be mixed around to create different line-ups. That includes the tree is is also connected to the base by a pin plate. So you can get creative and craft your own scene.
Fabuland is an interesting moment in LEGO history, without it, there would be no NINJAGO, Friends, CHIMA or any of the other many themes which have a story at their core. We would also lack a few neat little elements still finding their way into sets today. So it’s a genuine delight to see Fabuland celebrated in this way, it’s just as important as the subject of past LEGO House sets. Its limited availability may annoy some, but LEGO House sets are the only way these sorts of tributes to moments in LEGO history make sense. Most of all it’s a wonderful set to build, not overly complex nor lacking in detail. It may not inspire a second coming of Fabuland but hopefully, it will inspire those unfamiliar with the theme to appreciate how delightful Edward and his Fabuland friends were. Learn more about LEGO Fabuland here.
The LEGO House Limited Edition 6: LEGO Fabuland Tribute set is available exclusively from the LEGO House in Billund from March 1st, 2025. To learn more or book tickets to LEGO House visit here.
27th February 2025
I was very excited when this set was announced. I’m a massive Fabuland fan. I’ve collected every set, every figure. I have dozens of books, VHS tapes and records, pens, jigsaws and playing cards. I even have the ultra rare pop-up Theatre set.
I’m going to Germany in the summer and will drive to Billund, specifically to get this set, but to also introduce my five year old son to the greatest toy in the world!
But, now having now read a number of reviews and having seen the set in close-up photographs, I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed…
Disappointed that I can’t get there any quicker!