REVIEW: Hermione Granger Brickheadz

Set 41616 – Hermione Granger

Following from my recent review of Harry Potter and Hedwig, this post reviews another Brickheadz figure from the Harry Potter universe: Hermione Granger. Together with Harry and Ron, Hermione makes up the “trio” and it is hard to imagine a display series of Harry Potter figures not including all three of them. But is this figure a fair representation of Hermione? Read on for my review…

Background

As the Harry Potter and Hedwig set, the Brickheadz figure with Hermione was released in 2018. It is the smallest of the three sets with characters from the Harry Potter movies, with the third Brickheadz set being a larger one that include figures of both Albus Dumbledore and Ron Weasley.

As explained in my review of the Harry Potter and Hedwig set, Brickheadz is really LEGO’s version of the large-headed Funko-pop figures that are hugely popular among collectors.

In 2018, LEGO really flooded the market with Brickheadz figures across all their licences and own themes, while 2019 saw almost no new releases. It seems to be ramping up again though and I wouldn’t be surprised to see additional Harry Potter characters being released later in 2020 or early 2021. If you want a collection of them all, it may be a good time to start as prices are increasing.

The purpose of this review series is to give readers a good idea of what to expect ahead of such an endeavour.

Box and content

The front of the box uses the general colour scheme we have seen used in the 2018-2020 Harry Potter sets with the misty blue background. The LEGO logo and Brickheadz logos make up the top and the Harry Potter logo is down in the lower left corner. The main feature is a photo of the front of the completed Brickheadz figure. Underneath it, in a black banner of bricks, is the name of the figure along with the number “51”. The number refers to the number in the series of Brickheadz figures released for general retail sale.

Turning over the box is surprisingly another photo of (mostly) the front of the figure, which also is used to show that the figure can be attached to its black base for display. Not photos from any other angle, which might have made more sense. Instead there is a teaser for the Harry Potter and Hedwig set, urging people to start their collection. It probably works.

It is worth mentioning the side of the box as well, which shows a photo of Hermione (well actually of Emma Watson), in her Gryffindor robes and not surprisingly carrying a book.

Enough about the box – let’s see what is inside it.

In the box, you find two bags of bricks, a 6×6 black plate (used as base for the figure) and the instruction manual. As mentioned in the previous review, the manual is the same thin paper with not “exclusive” collector type material about the subject. Simply instructions and a part list – with no information about Hermione – or Brickheadz figures in general. I still feel that is a missed opportunity for a product targeting collectors.

The build

With just 127 bricks, this is a fast build. The torso core is quickly done, using very few bricks overall, representing a female Hogwarts student in skirt and grey sweater, with a white shirt and Gryffindor tie just showing in the V-neck. Both the skirt and V-neck use printed bricks. It is great not having stickers in these sets.

Most of the bricks are used for the head, in particular the hair. The head itself is about the height of the torso and with plenty of exposed studs to the sides ready for you to add detail. First the face, followed by the sides and back and finally the top.

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For the hair, applying all the small slopes, plates and curved 1×1 tiles (there are many) does a good job recreating Hermione’s rather bushy hair.

Here is the finished model as seen both from the font and the back.

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Brickheadz figures are typically given an assesory or two to hold in their hands that reflects the characters. Hermione has not surprisingly been given a book (with a tile depicting the Wingardium Leviosa spell) as well as a wand.

Conclusion

So, is it any good? In terms of build experience, it is a simple build and as said, doesn’t take longer than drinking a coffee. But I still enjoyed adding the detail of the hair.

To be fair, this is not a set you buy for the build experience though. It is for display. As such it works fine and captures the character Hermione Granger well with her bushy hair and a good choice of accessories that reflects her personality.

By itself, it is a bit dull though – simply because of the colour, with grey and brown dominating. It looks a lot a whole lot better along with the other figures in the series.

As for the Harry Potter set, prices are increasing, though this should be the most affordable of the three sets. On Bricklink, recent sales (as per mid May 2020) average around US$20 for a new in box set, about twice the original price. This is pretty much equal to the lowest priced one (new in box) offered now and with the average price of those for sale being ~US$47. As always, you can however find it cheaper used, in particular on local sales pages if you have the patience to wait for an offer to show up.

Next up is the review of the third set, which as said includes both Ron and Dumbledore. I’m looking forward to complete my collection.

Till then, Build the Magic!