I don’t normally build LEGO Art sets, but this one looked interesting to me. #31212-1: The Milky Way was released on 15 May 2024. It contains 3,091 pieces and retails for $199.99. This works out to $0.065 per piece which isn’t bad, but the majority of those pieces are very small so it might not be the best ratio. Although, you do get some of the big Art plates so maybe it’s a decent balance. I got the set for $160 during Amazon Prime week from LEGO so the additional discount helped make it a little more worth it for me.
The front of the box shows the full set and it highlights that you can build this set with between one and five people. It also mentions that there is a soundtrack where you can listen to a podcast while you build if you want. The back has the set name in French and Spanish along with a few more pictures.
The set contains 31 numbered parts bags. They are split between the main box and then another box inside the main box. You also have three bags without numbers, the instructions, and the numerous Art baseplates.
There are six instruction booklets. In theory, you can split this build between six different people if you want to. I split it between my kiddos and my NLS.
Bags one through three build the frame. It’s a pretty simple build with black bricks and plates with tiles on the top. The bricks are mixed with 1x2s that have Technic axle holes to help hold the different builds in place later on.
I’m not going to write about each section as the build process is very similar. You take one of the Art plates/panels. Then you add some parts to the back to connect it later on. Next up you add the various parts on the front for the design. Finally, you connect plates/panels together. The build starts on the left side of the design and goes to the right.
There are some very fun pieces mixed in to include utensils, brushes, hermit crabs, cherries, windows, flowers, and gems. The build went rather quickly for me. The only real challenge was to keep up with where you were on the instructions. The first panel starts with bags four, five, and six.
Bag Four
Bag Five
Bag Six
Bags seven and eight finish up the first panel. One difference here is the addition of what is described as a satellite. The instructions provide some additional details on the satellite and what it is known for. I won’t spoil it.
Bag Seven
Bag eight
The start of the second panel.
Bag Nine
Bag 10
Bag 11
Wrapping up the second panel.
Bag 12
Bag 13
Bag 14
Starting the third panel.
Bag 15
Bag 16
Bag 17
Finishing up the third panel.
Bag 18
Bag 19
Bag 20
Starting the fourth panel.
Bag 21
Bag 22
Bag 23
Finishing the fourth panel.
Bag 24
Bag 25
Bag 26
Starting the fifth and final panel.
Bag 27
Bag 28
Bag 29
Finishing up the last panel.
Bag 30
Bag 31
Here is the final build. You connect all of the panels together and then add Technic axles to lock it into the frame. There is a LEGO Art attachment on the back to hang the piece on a wall with a nail or screw. Also, there is one final step which is adding in a tile that says “You are here.” It is next to a piece used as an arrow to show where Earth would be located in the picture.
Overall, I enjoyed being able to share the build with my family and getting to see it come together. It didn’t have all of the build techniques of an Icons set or the minifigures of Star Wars or Harry Potter sets, but it’s still cool to see how it all comes together in the end. Getting the set on sale helped too.
I don’t think this set is for everyone. You have to appreciate the final product and a lot of just stacking pieces on top of larger plates. If this set doesn’t look cool to you, then stay away. If you have done other Art sets and want to try something a little different with some different shaped pieces, it’s a nice change.
Happy building!
