Lunar New Year Dragon (Schleich)

For a great many people, including myself, the coolest monsters of all will always be dragons. Indeed, when I was four years old, my mother made me a terrific dragon costume for Halloween using Bristol board to craft a headpiece and green egg carton bottoms (this was back in the days when they were made of styrofoam) tied together with string for a tail. I was the proudest child in kindergarten that year. So I reckon it is only fitting that my first proper review for the Monster Toy Blog should be of a dragon. Behold, I give you the Lunar New Year Dragon from Schleich!

Released in 2024 to mark the Year of the Dragon, this toy is a limited edition repaint of the 2011 “Auruun” dragon from Schleich’s Bayala series. It is all done up in metallic golden with black claws and bright green eyes. Dark red is applied to its beard, whiskers, horns, and the areas around its eyes, and runs down the length of the spine all the way to the tip of the tail. It is nowhere near as elaborately painted as its predecessor, but it certainly looks very regal and powerful this way. And it is one of the largest Schleich toys currently in production, measuring an impressive 28 cm long and standing 11.5 cm high at its arched neck.

This is clearly an Asian dragon through and through, what with its long, serpentine body, small limbs, and whiskered and horned head. And given that it has five digits on each foot (as well as the fact that it’s representing an animal from the Chinese zodiac), it is specifically a Chinese dragon. Korean dragons are very similar in overall shape, but usually have four digits on each foot. And the feet of Japanese dragons only have three digits. 

The dragon’s head features flaring nostrils, a short, cone-shaped beard at the end of its chin, long, flowing whiskers, big, staring eyes, and curved horns and a flaring mane sprouting from the back. Unlike many other dragon toys, the mouth on this one is firmly shut. This, along with all the aforementioned features, gives it a more benevolent appearance, albeit a ferocious ones. European dragons are commonly depicted as malevolent and savage beasts, but Chinese dragons are associated with prosperity and good fortune.

The dragon’s neck and tail feature two rows of jagged fins flanking a single row of scutes, while the main section of the torso and the upper arms have much larger and smoother fins jutting out from them. Chinese dragons are usually depicted without wings, for their flying ability is said to be mystical rather than physical.

The underside of the neck, torso, and tail are protected by very large, grooved, leaf-shaped plates. And covering the rest of the dragon are overlapping scales much like those of fish. Indeed, the Chinese dragon is commonly associated with water and ancient legend tells of how carp that were strong enough to swim upriver and leap over the falls of the Yellow River at a spot called Longmen or Dragon Gate would be transformed into dragons.

Overall, the Lunar New Year Dragon is quite a dynamic and impressive toy that ought to appeal to fans of all ages. Keep in mind, though, that it is a limited edition and retails for more than most individual Schleich products. I managed to purchase this one while it was on sale for $30 at Amazon Canada, but the price has since nearly doubled. So best of luck in your hunt for one!