Simba vs Simba: Which LEGO lion cub to buy
LEGO Disney‘s first The Lion King sets have made their mark with two figures of Simba and there are plenty of reasons to opt for one or the other.
The Lion King finally has LEGO sets via a pair of Simba figures, allowing couples, friends and family to build them together or provide you with options depending on your budget, space and more.
Both 43247 Young Simba the Lion King and 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub are available now and we’re here to help you decide which depiction of this The Lion King character to pick up and showcase in your home.
5 – One is much bigger than the other
The biggest difference between 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub and 43247 Young Simba the Lion King is their size. 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub is only made up of 222 pieces while 43247 Young Simba the Lion King has a staggering 1,445 elements.
This comes with a couple of caveats though. The increase in piece count means that 43247 Young Simba the Lion King is more expensive at an RRP of £114.99 compared to 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub at £17.99. Depending on your budget, 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub may be the better option and is small enough to fit comfortably on a desk too while 43247 Young Simba the Lion King may need a full shelf to itself.
4 – Big Simba is much more expressive
While 43247 Young Simba the Lion King is bigger and more expensive, consider that it’s also much more expressive. While the LEGO Disney design team have done an excellent job of depicting the adorable face of Simba in 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub, 43247 Young Simba the Lion King is far more expressive with its open mouth and whiskers and even the eyes are more pronounced thanks to the increased part count.
For fans of The Lion King or Disney animation overall, 43247 Young Simba the Lion King may be your best option despite its price for the suitably expressive and downright silly face.
3 – Small Simba is better for less-experienced fans
With its higher piece count comes more complex building techniques and 43247 Young Simba the Lion King will undoubtedly prove to be a challenging model for less-experienced LEGO enthusiasts.
Disney-centric fans with less of a LEGO collection may want to at least start with 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub for a more straightforward building experience that still faithfully captures the character. It’s a more budget-conscious commitment too and you’re free to pick up the larger model afterwards should you want a challenge.
2 – The various pose possibilities
43247 Young Simba the Lion King may be massive and detailed but it’s also considerably more static than 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub. The larger creation is permanently in a seated position and only the tail and head can be moved.
Compared to the big build, 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub can move all four legs and feet, as well as the head and tail. This means you can pose the lion cub character in a running, seated or standing pose to interact with the included insect accessories. 43247 Young Simba the Lion King seems intended for display while 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub is better-suited for play.
1 – Accuracy is key, but one does it better
From looks alone, 43247 Young Simba the Lion King is undoubtedly more accurate through its shaping, expressive face and detailed, singular pose and could be the preferred pick for animation enthusiasts.
That said, you shouldn’t overlook 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub since it still offers a recognisable depiction of the character at a fraction of the price.
Whatever Simba creation you pick, both LEGO Disney sets are on sale now for 20% off at GAME. That puts 43247 Young Simba the Lion King at £92 instead of £114.99 and 43243 Simba the Lion King Cub at £14 instead of £17.99.
That’s a considerable saving on either LEGO Simba build, leaving the rest of the decision up to you for as long as GAME’s sale lasts. Whatever your budget, available space or preference, there’s a LEGO Simba for you.
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Author Profile
- LEGO has been a part of my life ever since I was young. It all started when my brother passed down 7657 AT-ST to me. It’s guided me through my early years, through school and eventually through my degree in journalism. I still have all my collection proudly on display, including my many NINJAGO sets, my favourite of all the LEGO Group’s themes. Outside of Brick Fanatics I am an avid gamer and enjoy a good game of Dungeons & Dragons.
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