80036 The City of Lanterns features personal touch from LEGO Monkie Kid designer

A LEGO Monkie Kid designer has shared that the theme's biggest 2022 set so far includes a reference to a personal anniversary and more.

To celebrate his seventh anniversary of working at the LEGO Group, designer Justin Ramsden has explored the most expensive Monkie Kid 2022 model yet – 80036 The City of Lanterns – explaining seven details from the development of the build, such as one that celebrates his achievement.

Taking to Twitter, the LEGO designer revealed that the Lotus Hotel featured at the top of the build is intended to be a candle, using the collectable fire ring as the flame which is depicted as emitting from the hotel itself. This 'candle' sits on top of the set as the topper of a brick-built cake celebrating the anniversary.

Also explained in the social media thread was how 80036 The City of Lanterns came to be. LEGO designers Justin Ramsden and Nick Vás developed the side builds introduced in 80012 Monkey King Warrior Mech and 80011 Red Son's Inferno Truck and both wished to take the theme to the next logical step.

Now, 80036 The City of Lanterns has been released on the official online store as the result of an idea that stems back to the first year of LEGO Monkie Kid. The huge model has plenty of other secrets to find including a LEGO shop filled with older sets.

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