LEGO NINJAGO 2026 blacksmith was like 'working on an IP set'

LEGO NINJAGO's first 2026 set was comparable to working on an IP model for the designer, needing to stick to specific source material.

71858 Four Weapons Blacksmith is the first of LEGO NINJAGO's 15th-anniversary sets to be revealed, presenting numerous challenges during the design process and for designer Lee Chi Wing, it is described as being akin to working on an IP set.

"It was a very different design experience from making your own stuff," said Lee in an interview with DuckBricks. "This almost feels like working on an IP set because you have existing source material."

Comparing NINJAGO to an IP theme is interesting, since it remains a LEGO-owned property but has become much bigger than it was originally intended. Now, when the designers return to previous locations, they seemingly treat them as they would an IP building or vehicle.

71858 Four Weapons Blacksmith isn't entirely accurate to the source material, though, opting to eschew the features surrounding the shop, but these were left out of the model for a reason.

"We really wanted to make sure that this is one display piece that you can show around, and that's why we didn't include the water tower or the side builds, because it takes away from the building," Lee explained. "It's also stuff that's easy enough for fans who want to just build it themselves."

The level of accuracy achieved in 71858 Four Weapons Blacksmith was worth the challenges faced and parts left out, especially when you compare it to 2011's 2508 Blacksmith Shop. The most challenging part of the model to design might surprise you, though. It's not the roof or the rockwork around the base, but three features at the front of the shop.

"The most difficult part of the build, believe it or not, is the three columns in the front," continued Lee. "Because they are decorative, they are not really going to be supporting, given that I want to unfold the building.

"The middle one has always been such a headache to do because it overlaps the split line. It took me a lot of time to see exactly what I can do to make sure it is strong enough to stay together.

LEGO buildings don't often unfold in this way, especially when they have a central pillar. The solution to incorporate both features was to move the split line just enough to have two columns on one side and one on the other. The roof section being held up by the middle column was also moved, modifying the split line further.

LEGO NINJAGO 71858 Four Weapons Blacksmith will launch on January 1, 2026, retailing at £89.99 in the UK, $99.99 in the US, and from €99.99 in Europe.

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