Best LEGO Pokémon Sets to Display

The theme launched to mark Pokémon's 30th anniversary and has grown into one of the strongest display ranges in the entire LEGO catalogue, running from a £54.99 desk companion to a jaw-dropping 6,838-piece centrepiece. Whether you're a lifelong Pokémon trainer or a seasoned LEGO collector, these sets are designed to be displayed proudly - not buried in a cupboard. Alongside each review you'll find the exact dimensions of the build and the case that fits it.

Last updated 11 August 2026 - now includes the full wave 2 line-up: Rayquaza (72168), Arcanine (72160) and Munchlax (72150), plus the two sets landing on 1 October.

Two bonus sets also launched alongside the first wave: the Kanto Region Badge Collection (40892), a gift-with-purchase exclusive, and the Mini Pokémon Center (40911), available through the LEGO Insiders rewards programme. Two further sets - the Iconic Trainer Moments: Poké Ball (72154) and an Up-Scaled Red Minifigure (40868) - arrive on 1 October 2026.

LEGO Pokémon wave 2: every set in the second wave (August 2026)

The second wave of LEGO Pokémon sets arrived on 1 August 2026 and adds three buildable display models: Rayquaza (72168), Arcanine (72160) and Munchlax (72150). Two more sets follow on 1 October. Wave 2 is also the wave that introduces the first-ever LEGO Pokémon minifigures, starting with Lorekeeper Zinnia in the Rayquaza set.

When did LEGO Pokémon wave 2 come out?

The second wave went on general sale on 1 August 2026, six months after the first wave landed on 27 February. Unlike the leaks that circulated earlier in the year suggesting sixteen sets, the August drop is a focused three-set wave, with the two larger 1 October releases treated as the tail of the same wave rather than a third one. All three August sets are available now.

What's new in wave 2: the first Pokémon minifigures

The headline change in wave two isn't scale, it's minifigures. Until now the theme has been entirely buildable models with no figures at all. The Rayquaza set includes Lorekeeper Zinnia, the first Pokémon minifigure LEGO has produced, and the October Poké Ball set follows with three more - Professor Oak, Red and a Picnicker - plus Pikachu and Eevee figures.

For collectors, that shifts what a LEGO Pokémon shelf can look like. Wave 1 was a set of standalone sculptures. The second wave starts building a world around them, and it's a fair bet that minifigure-scale sets become a bigger part of the theme from here.

LEGO Pokémon Rayquaza (72168) - Best wave 2 display set

Pieces: 1,083 | Price: £119.99 | Age: 18+

Rayquaza is the set wave 2 is built around, and the one most collectors will want. The Sky High Pokémon has one of the most recognisable silhouettes in the entire franchise, and LEGO has leaned into it: a long, serpentine body that coils and rises rather than standing flat, mounted so it genuinely looks airborne. It's also the set carrying Lorekeeper Zinnia, the first-ever LEGO Pokémon minifigure.

Build experience

At 1,083 pieces, expect around 3-4 hours. The bulk of the build is the segmented body, which is repetitive by nature but far less monotonous than it sounds - each section carries a slightly different angle, and the ball-joint connections between segments are what let you reshape the whole model afterwards. The head and jaw assembly is the highlight, with some clever angled work to get the distinctive shape right.

Display appeal

Rayquaza stands 38 cm tall on its stand and takes up 28 cm of width and 26 cm of depth. It's the tallest thing in wave 2 by a wide margin, and the vertical, coiling posture makes it the natural centrepiece of a Pokémon shelf - it draws the eye upward in a way none of the other sets do.

The posability is the real selling point. Because the body articulates along its whole length, you can genuinely re-pose it: tighter coil for a narrower shelf, a more extended S-curve if you've got the width. Very few LEGO display models let you change the footprint that much after the fact.

Display recommendation

The height is what catches people out. At 38 cm this won't sit under a standard shelf spacing, so plan for an open-topped shelf, the top of a bookcase, or a cabinet with a tall bay. It also has a lot of exposed surface area for its size, which means a lot of dust.

Our LEGO Rayquaza (72168) Display Case is sized specifically for this set at 350 mm wide × 450 mm tall × 300 mm deep, giving the model clearance without swamping it. Like the rest of the range it's 3 mm crystal-clear recycled acrylic with a 5 mm black acrylic base and metal corner cubes, so the structure holds up at that height without needing a visible frame.

Best for: Collectors who want the definitive wave 2 piece, anyone building a Pokémon shelf that needs a vertical anchor, and minifigure collectors chasing Zinnia.

LEGO Pokémon Arcanine (72160) - Best posable display build

Pieces: 1,190 | Price: £89.99 | Age: 18+

Arcanine is the quiet success of wave 2 and, piece-for-pound, the best value in the range at £89.99 for 1,190 pieces. It's a full-body quadruped build - all four legs, the flame mane, the striped flanks - and LEGO has got the proportions genuinely right, which is harder than it sounds on a Pokémon this well known.

Build experience

Around 3-4 hours. The interesting work is in the mane and tail, where layered curved slopes build up the flame texture without it looking blocky. The legs use a sturdier internal frame than you might expect for the size, which pays off later - this is a model you can pick up and reposition without it shedding pieces.

Display appeal

Arcanine measures 28 cm from nose to tail, 17 cm tall and 9 cm wide. That horizontal footprint makes it a different proposition to Rayquaza: it fits a standard shelf depth comfortably and reads best from the side, at or slightly below eye level.

All four legs, the head and the tail are posable, so you can go for a standing alert stance or something more dynamic with the front legs raised. Worth deciding before you place it - the pose changes the width it needs by several centimetres.

Display recommendation

The flame mane is a dust magnet. All those layered slopes and small exposed elements collect it faster than a smooth-surfaced build, and getting dust out of that texture without dismantling the model is genuinely fiddly. This is a set worth casing from day one rather than getting round to later.

Our LEGO Arcanine (72160) Display Case is built for exactly these dimensions at 200 mm × 200 mm × 300 mm, so the depth accommodates the full nose-to-tail length with nothing overhanging. At £43 it's one of the more affordable cases in the LEGO Pokémon range, and it's the same 3 mm recycled acrylic and 5 mm black base as the rest. You can add a mirror or printed backdrop if you want the flame detail catching light from behind.

Best for: Anyone who wants maximum build for the money, side-on shelf displays, and collectors who like a model they can re-pose on a whim.

LEGO Pokémon Munchlax (72150) - Best compact wave 2 set

Pieces: 757 | Price: £59.99 | Age: 18+

Munchlax is the entry point to wave 2 and the closest thing it has to Eevee - a small, characterful build at a price that doesn't require much thought. It's also the funniest of the three, which counts for more than you'd think on a display shelf: the permanently unimpressed expression is captured almost too well.

Build experience

Around 90 minutes to two hours. The rounded body is the interesting part, built up in curved layers to get that solid, heavy look without a flat-sided finish. It's a relaxed build with no difficult sections - a good one to hand to someone getting into adult LEGO sets for the first time.

Display appeal

At over 18 cm tall, 14 cm wide and 13.8 cm deep, Munchlax is almost a cube - the most space-efficient set in the entire LEGO Pokémon range. It sits happily on a desk, a windowsill or a shelf already full of other things, which is not something you can say about Rayquaza.

The arms and head are posable, and the set includes a few food accessories, so there's a bit of scope for changing the scene without changing the shelf space it takes.

Display recommendation

Small sets get knocked, moved and dusted far more often than large ones, simply because they live in busier spaces. That's the case for a fitted case here rather than the scale of the build.

Our LEGO Munchlax (72150) Display Case is a 200 mm cube, which suits the near-square footprint neatly with no wasted space around it. At £36 it's the most affordable case in the LEGO Pokémon range, and it pairs naturally with the Eevee case if you want two small sets sitting together in matching housings.

Best for: Desk displays, first-time buyers, anyone short on shelf space, and Eevee owners looking for a companion piece at the same scale.

Still to come: the October 2026 LEGO Pokémon sets

Two more sets close out 2026, both landing on 1 October.

Iconic Trainer Moments: Poké Ball (72154) - 2,239 pieces, £229.99. An opening Poké Ball diorama and, on paper, the new centrepiece of the whole theme. It comes with three minifigures (Professor Oak, Red and a Picnicker) plus Pikachu and Eevee figures, making it the most figure-heavy Pokémon set LEGO has made.

Up-Scaled Red Minifigure (40868) - 930 pieces. An oversized buildable version of Red with posable limbs and a rotating head, in the same vein as LEGO's other up-scaled minifigure builds.

We'll be reviewing both as they launch, and adding fitted cases to the range - bookmark this page and check back in October.

The first wave: still the backbone of a Pokémon shelf. The three sets that launched the theme in February 2026 remain the best-known and, in the case of the Kanto trio, by far the most ambitious builds LEGO has made for this licence. Here's how each one holds up.

LEGO Pokémon Eevee (72151) - Best entry-level display set

Pieces: 587 | Price: £54.99 | Age: 18+

The Eevee set is the most accessible entry point in the first wave, and it's arguably the most universally praised of the three. At just 587 pieces, it's a quick, satisfying build - but don't let the modest piece count fool you. The finished model packs in a surprising amount of personality.

Build experience

Eevee comes together in around 90 minutes. The techniques are straightforward but cleverly designed, creating smooth curves and that unmistakable fluffy collar. It's an ideal weekend build that doesn't demand an entire dining table.

Display appeal

Standing 19 cm tall, Eevee is perfectly sized for a desk, bookshelf, or bedside table. The head rotates on a ball joint, all four limbs move forward and backward, and the tail clicks into multiple positions - so you can change up its pose whenever you fancy a refresh.

A hidden easter egg inside the head reveals bread tiles representing all eight Eeveelutions - a lovely touch for long-time fans.

Eevee's compact footprint (15 × 21 cm) makes it one of the most shelf-friendly LEGO sets around. It fits comfortably on a standard bookshelf without requiring any rearranging - and at this size, protecting it from dust is straightforward and affordable.

Our LEGO Eevee (72151) Display Case is built to fit this set exactly. The internal dimensions (15 × 19 × 21 cm) match Eevee's measurements precisely - from perky ears to bushy tail - so there's no wasted space and no awkward gaps. It's made from 3 mm crystal-clear recycled acrylic with a 5 mm black base and metal corner reinforcements, so the case itself feels solid without drawing attention away from the build. You can also choose between a clear or mirror back panel if you want the set visible from both sides or prefer a cleaner backdrop.

At £40, it's one of the most affordable ways to keep a LEGO set looking showroom-fresh - and because the case packs flat and assembles in minutes, you won't be wrestling with it after a 90-minute build.

Best for: First-time LEGO Pokémon buyers, desk or shelf displays, anyone on a budget who still wants a proper collector's piece.

LEGO Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball (72152) - Best mid-range display set

Pieces: 2,050 | Price: £179.99 | Age: 18+

This is the set most people picture when they think "LEGO Pokémon." The 2,050-piece Pikachu and Poké Ball delivers serious visual impact, with a dynamic pose that looks like Pikachu is bursting out of its Poké Ball mid-battle.

Build experience

Expect around 6–8 hours for this one. The Poké Ball itself is an engineering highlight - it opens and closes convincingly, and the colour separation between the red top and white bottom is impressively clean. Pikachu's construction uses some inventive SNOT (studs not on top) techniques to achieve those rounded cheeks and expressive face.

Display appeal

At 35 cm tall and 39 cm deep, this set commands serious attention. The lightning bolt display stand crackles with energy, and the studs on the base spell out "25" - a nod to Pikachu's Pokédex number. You can display it in two configurations: battle stance (Pikachu leaping from the open Poké Ball) or resting mode (Pikachu mounted on the stand with the Poké Ball closed alongside).

The ability to swap between two distinct display modes is a genuine selling point. Rotate it seasonally or whenever you want a fresh look without buying a new set.

Display recommendation

This set's dimensions (35 × 26 × 39 cm) mean it needs a proper display spot - a standard Kallax shelf won't cut it. A dedicated display case sized specifically for this set keeps dust off while letting visitors appreciate the build from every angle. LED backlighting works brilliantly here; a warm glow behind the lightning bolt stand brings the whole scene to life.

Best for: The Pokémon fan who wants a statement piece without the premium price tag. Perfect for a living room display shelf or home office.

LEGO Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise (72153) - Best premium display set

Pieces: 6,838 | Price: £579.99 | Age: 18+

This is the flagship set, and it's monumental in every sense. At nearly 7,000 pieces, it's one of the largest LEGO sets ever produced and the undeniable centrepiece of the Pokémon launch. You're building all three fully evolved Kanto starters - Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise - each on their own biome-themed base that connects into a single epic display.

Build experience

Clear your schedule. This is a 20–30 hour build spread across multiple sessions. Each Pokémon is essentially its own standalone set: Venusaur rises from a jungle base, Charizard stands atop a volcanic platform, and Blastoise emerges from a beach setting. The build variety keeps things fresh - you're never repeating the same techniques for too long.

Display appeal

Individually, the figures stand between 18 and 23 cm tall. Connected, the combined base stretches to an imposing 50 cm tall and 54 cm wide. Venusaur's movable vines, Charizard's posable wings and limbs, and Blastoise's articulated water cannons all add dynamic energy to any display.

Each Pokémon can also be displayed separately on its own biome stand, which gives you flexibility - though it's worth noting that Charizard's volcano base sits in the middle of the triptych, making three fully independent displays slightly awkward unless you rearrange.

Display recommendation

A set this size demands planning. You'll need a shelf, sideboard, or dedicated display surface at least 55 cm wide. For the full combined display, a large custom acrylic case protects the build from dust and accidental knocks - especially important given the investment. If you have pets or live somewhere prone to vibrations, museum putty on the base corners prevents any shifting.

For those displaying the three Pokémon separately, individual cases for Venusaur and Blastoise work well, with Charizard benefiting from a warm backlight behind its flame wings.

Best for: Serious collectors and Pokémon fans who want the ultimate display piece. This is a generational set - the kind you build once and display for years.

Bonus sets: Kanto Badge Collection & Mini Pokémon Center

Kanto Region Badge Collection (40892)

This 312-piece set recreates all eight Kanto gym badges - Boulder, Cascade, Thunder, Rainbow, Soul, Marsh, Volcano, and Earth - housed in a Poké Ball-inspired case with a working catch. It was available as a gift with purchase when buying the Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise set during launch week.

As a display piece, it's a lovely companion to any of the main sets. The case stands upright or flat, and the badges themselves are removable - perfect for showing off to fellow trainers.

Mini Pokémon Center (40911)

Available through the LEGO Insiders programme for 2,500 points, this 233-piece micro-scale Pokémon Center is packed with details from the games: a healing station, cosy seating area, and sliding doors that actually open and close. It makes a charming desk display alongside the Eevee set.

Which LEGO Pokémon set should you buy?

Six sets, three price tiers and two very different waves. Here's the short version.

Choose Rayquaza (72168) if you want the standout piece of wave 2. It's the tallest, the most re-posable, and the only one carrying a minifigure - which makes it the collector's pick of the second wave by some distance.

Choose Arcanine (72160) if you want the most build for your money. 1,190 pieces at £89.99 is the best value in the range, and the horizontal stance suits a standard shelf far more easily than Rayquaza does.

Choose Munchlax (72150) if you want the cheapest way into wave 2, or a desk piece that sits happily alongside Eevee. At £59.99 for 757 pieces it's the easiest set in the range to justify.

Choose Eevee (72151) if you want a quick, affordable build that looks fantastic on any shelf. It's the safest entry point and the easiest to find space for. At £54.99, it's also a solid gift for the Pokémon fan in your life.

Choose Pikachu and Poké Ball (72152) if you want the best balance of visual impact and value. The dual display modes keep it feeling fresh, and Pikachu's dynamic pose is genuinely eye-catching. This is the sweet spot of the range.

Choose Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise (72153) if you want the definitive LEGO Pokémon experience. Nothing else in either wave - or most of the LEGO catalogue - matches its scale and ambition. If you grew up with the original 151 Pokémon, this set is a love letter to your childhood.

How to display your LEGO Pokémon sets

Dust protection. Acrylic display cases are the gold standard for keeping LEGO builds dust-free. Shoebox-style cases work particularly well because they're lightweight, stackable, and let light in from every angle. Purpose-built cases sized to each specific set ensure a snug fit without wasted space. Arcanine's flame mane is the single dustiest surface in the range - case that one early.

Lighting. Subtle LED lighting transforms any LEGO display. For the Pikachu set, warm-tone LEDs behind the lightning bolt stand create an atmospheric glow. For Charizard, a warm backlight behind the wings adds drama without overpowering the build. Rayquaza responds well to a cooler light from below, which picks out the green segments as the body coils. The general rule: aim for a gentle glow, not a spotlight.

Placement tips. Eevee and Munchlax work anywhere - desks, bookshelves, bedside tables. Arcanine wants a standard-depth shelf viewed from the side, at or just below eye level. Rayquaza needs 38 cm of vertical clearance, so an open-topped shelf or the top of a bookcase rather than a fixed-spacing unit. Pikachu needs a wider shelf or dedicated display surface (at least 40 cm deep). The Kanto trio demands a sideboard, wide shelf, or display cabinet with at least 55 cm of width. For all of them, avoid direct sunlight to prevent colour fading over time.

Securing your display. If you have pets, children, or live in an area prone to vibrations, museum putty on the base corners prevents sets from creeping or toppling. It's especially worth doing on Rayquaza, where the height and the coiled posture put the centre of gravity higher than it looks. It's removable, non-damaging, and costs very little for the peace of mind it provides.

FAQ

What is in LEGO Pokémon wave 2?

The second wave of LEGO Pokémon contains three sets, all released on 1 August 2026: Rayquaza (72168, 1,083 pieces, £119.99), Arcanine (72160, 1,190 pieces, £89.99) and Munchlax (72150, 757 pieces, £59.99). Two further sets follow on 1 October 2026 - the Iconic Trainer Moments: Poké Ball (72154) and an Up-Scaled Red Minifigure (40868).

When did the LEGO Pokémon second wave come out?

Wave 2 launched on 1 August 2026. Earlier leaks suggested a much larger sixteen-set wave, but the actual August release was three sets, with two larger releases held back to 1 October 2026.

How many LEGO Pokémon sets are there?

There are six main LEGO Pokémon sets across two waves. Wave 1 (February 2026): Eevee (72151), Pikachu and Poké Ball (72152), and Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise (72153). Wave 2 (August 2026): Rayquaza (72168), Arcanine (72160) and Munchlax (72150). Two promotional sets - the Kanto Region Badge Collection (40892) and Mini Pokémon Center (40911) - were available at launch, and two more sets arrive on 1 October 2026.

Which LEGO Pokémon sets have minifigures?

Only wave 2 sets. The Rayquaza set (72168) includes Lorekeeper Zinnia, the first-ever LEGO Pokémon minifigure. The Iconic Trainer Moments: Poké Ball (72154), arriving 1 October 2026, adds Professor Oak, Red and a Picnicker, plus Pikachu and Eevee figures. None of the wave 1 sets include minifigures.

How big is the LEGO Rayquaza set?

The finished Rayquaza model stands 38 cm tall, 28 cm wide and 26 cm deep on its display stand, making it the tallest set in the LEGO Pokémon range. Because the body articulates along its full length you can adjust the coil to reduce the width if shelf space is tight.

What is the biggest LEGO Pokémon set?

The Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise set (72153) is the largest at 6,838 pieces, making it one of the biggest LEGO sets ever produced. The combined display measures 50 cm tall and 54 cm wide. In wave 2, Arcanine has the highest piece count at 1,190, while Rayquaza is the tallest finished model at 38 cm.

Are LEGO Pokémon sets suitable for children?

Every set released so far, across both waves, is rated 18+ and designed as an adult display model. They feature complex building techniques and aren't intended as play sets. That said, older teenagers with LEGO experience would likely enjoy Eevee or Munchlax in particular - both are shorter, more forgiving builds.

What display case fits LEGO Arcanine (72160)?

Arcanine measures 28 cm nose to tail, 17 cm tall and 9 cm wide, so you need a case with at least 30 cm of depth to avoid the tail or muzzle overhanging. Our LEGO Arcanine display case is 200 × 200 × 300 mm, sized specifically for the set.

What display case fits LEGO Pikachu and Poké Ball (72152)?

You need a case with at least 40 cm depth, 30 cm width, and 38 cm height to comfortably house the Pikachu set in battle stance. A dedicated case sized for this specific set is the best option for a clean fit.

How should I protect my LEGO Pokémon sets from dust?

An acrylic display case is the best way to keep dust off your LEGO Pokémon builds. Cases designed specifically for each set ensure a perfect fit while allowing visibility from all angles. For smaller sets like Eevee and Munchlax, a compact shoebox-style case works well. Larger sets like Rayquaza, Pikachu or the Kanto trio benefit from purpose-built cases with enough clearance for dynamic poses and display stands. Arcanine's layered flame mane traps dust more than any other set in the range, so it's the one most worth casing straight away.

Can you display the Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise separately?

Each Pokémon sits on its own biome-themed base - jungle, volcano, and beach - that can stand independently. However, Charizard's volcano base is designed as the centre piece of the triptych, so displaying all three completely separately requires a bit of creative rearrangement.

Will there be more LEGO Pokémon sets in 2026?

Yes. Two more sets arrive on 1 October 2026: the Iconic Trainer Moments: Poké Ball (72154), a 2,239-piece opening Poké Ball diorama at £229.99 with five figures, and the Up-Scaled Red Minifigure (40868) at 930 pieces. Nothing further has been confirmed beyond October.

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