Beyond the butthole

I assume by now that you are familiar with the butthole tiger, or as LEGO likes to call it “31129 Majestic Tiger”. This 2022 Creator set has become iconic for it’s attention to detail. I’m talking about the butthole. The same way that everybody is talking about the butthole.

But I want to go beyond the butthole. Because there is way more to this set than the butthole.

When it comes to Creator animals not all of them are hits. It can be tricky to make organic shapes out of LEGO and throw in the complexity of a limited part count and designing for a 3-in-1 product and it’s understandable that not everything is great. 31129 Majestic Tiger works.

I think this is a set that is greatly helped by scale. If this set was forced to come in 100 parts less I really think it’d be much worse set. The finished product measures 14cm high and 33cm long which doesn’t sound that big on paper but it’s hefty.

There is an absolutely astounding level of articulation in this set. You can create a huge variety of different poses which makes this an outstanding display piece. You can have it standing up looking fierce or down low stalking prey.

The articulation also allows you to create poses that really accentuate the butthole.

I think what most surprised me about this set is that it’s not just a good end product. The build is actually really fun. Not challenging but some really great techniques and part usage that will keep you engaged as you progress through it. The fact that the stripes have been created without a single sticker is fantastic. There are some printed elements but less than you would probably guess just looking at it.

The body features a pear shape with panels created and clipped in to a central section at an angle. It helps make the model more natural in appearance. The legs also make great use of angles and curves.

I have heard some people say that the head of the tiger is a weak part of the build but I think its great. I love it’s yellow eyes and cute pink nose. The opening jaw also helps when you are trying to create particular poses.

If you are handing this to a kid to build and play with I think you are going to be surprised by how well it holds up. You know those models where you just know they are going to fall apart when a kid touches them? The tiger is not one of those. With so much articulation there is definitely some weaker points but not weak points.

Now let’s address the sphincter in the room. 31129 Majestic Tiger has a butthole. It’s pink and round and it is absolutely hilarious. It wasn’t until I had build the model that I realised the butthole is actually there for a reason. The back legs are attached to a 2 x 2 modified Technic brick with Pin Holes and 2 Rotation Joint Sockets. As far as I know there is no version of this element without the holes. Without the flower pieces added there would still have been just be a hole. There are certainly ways you could have designed around it but when life presents you a chance to add a butthole to a LEGO model you take it.

The tiger build also includes a small sub-build with a stream and a bird. I didn’t originally think this part was necessary but in the end I liked that it gave the tiger something to hunt.

Alternate Builds

I only build the tiger model for this one because it’s honestly great and I don’t really want to take it apart. If you are the kind of person that does all of the builds for your 3-in-1 model either buy 3 copies or save the tiger for the end.

The first of the alternate builds is a cute red panda. It’s smaller than the tiger but still really cute. The body is not as detailed but I think they have really nailed the face.

The final build is a koi fish. I really like this particular build as well and I’m almost tempted to pick up a second copy of the set to have this on display too.

Final Thoughts

This is absolutely going to be a contender for set of the year. It’s affordable, a great build and an outstanding display piece that kids can also play with. I can’t actually think of a negative? The butthole certainly isn’t a negative.

Price

Australian RRP for this set is $79.99 and I think that’s fair for the size. Thankfully being a general release Creator set there are plenty of options under RRP. The best price is Kmart at $59. Honestly this is a must buy at $59.

Full Gallery

This set was sent to me by LEGO. Opinions about this set, and LEGO buttholes more generally, are my own.