The LEGO ONE Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship (set #75639) represents a landmark collaboration between LEGO and the world-renowned One Piece franchise, bringing one of anime’s most iconic vessels to life with impressive detail and authenticity. This 1,376-piece masterpiece arrives 28 years after LEGO’s initial foray into pirate-themed sets, and it proves worth the wait. Whether you’re a dedicated One Piece enthusiast, a serious LEGO collector, or someone seeking a meaningful building experience, this set delivers exceptional value and endless entertainment. The completed model measures over 13.5 inches high, 15.5 inches long, and 8 inches wide—making it an impressive display piece without dominating your entire shelf.
LEGO ONE Piece Going Merry Pirate Ship Breakdown
What’s Included
This set includes five authentically detailed minifigures representing the core Straw Hat Pirates crew: Monkey D. Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. Each character comes with appropriate accessories and positioning that reflects their roles aboard the vessel, creating a cohesive narrative that brings the ship to life. The 1,376 pieces translate to roughly 10 cents per piece—a reasonable cost that reflects LEGO’s premium quality standards.
Design and Authenticity
The Going Merry’s design faithfully recreates the ship from the One Piece universe with remarkable accuracy. The most striking feature is the distinctive sheep figurehead at the bow, a signature element that immediately identifies the vessel to any fan of the series. Below this figurehead sits a stud-shooter cannon with a hidden play feature designed to launch studs, adding interactive entertainment without compromising visual integrity. The ship’s two sails feature the iconic Straw Hat logo with matte finishes that provide a more authentic nautical aesthetic. Circular tiles decorated with detailed elements representing sheep horns encircle much of the ship’s exterior, paying homage to the ship’s builder Kaya.
Interior Features and Playability
One of the set’s greatest strengths lies in its clever interior spaces. Multiple hatches throughout the deck lift away to reveal different functional areas—the bow hatch opens to a small room, while the mid-ship area contains storage for crates and display spaces for “Wanted” posters. Most impressively, the entire stern section can be removed to reveal the largest interior space: the crew quarters and kitchen where Sanji works. These interior spaces demonstrate LEGO’s understanding that collectors want both play-ability and authentic details. The deck also features tangerine trees, a charming detail that references Nami’s love of fruit and adds visual interest to the upper deck.
Build Experience
The construction process is engaging and satisfying, with modular design allowing builders to work systematically without becoming tedious. The recommended age range of 10+ is appropriately calibrated—younger builders might benefit from adult assistance, while teenagers and adults will appreciate the complexity and find the building process rewarding. LEGO’s Builder app enhances this experience by providing digital 3D instructions. One practical tip from reviewers: removing the ball-tipped mast elements before inserting the large plastic sail sheets makes assembly considerably easier.
Size and Durability
The Going Merry is well-constructed for both display and play. While it’s lighter than some other LEGO pirate ships, this is an intentional design choice that benefits both durability and handling. The ship doesn’t require excessive reinforcement and remains easy to handle and reposition. The more compact size actually appeals to collectors who prefer elegantly proportioned models over massive showpieces. This set emphasizes detail and authenticity over imposing scale, making it perfect for shelf display while remaining playable.
Value Assessment
At $139.99 USD (or $199.99 AUD), this set consistently receives praise for exceptional value. It delivers far more than just a vehicle piece—you’re getting an entire story with authentic characters, functional play features, and impressive display potential. For One Piece enthusiasts, this is essentially a must-have. When compared to aftermarket alternatives priced around $50, the LEGO version’s superior build quality, officially licensed accuracy, compatibility with the broader LEGO ecosystem, and overall craftsmanship justify the price premium.
What Collectors and Fans Think
Perfect Recreation for One Piece Devotees
“This set captures the essence of the Going Merry better than I expected. The detail work is incredible, and having all five original crew members as minifigures means everything about this set feels complete and authentic. Worth every penny.”
Satisfying Build with Great Display Appeal
“The building experience was genuinely enjoyable—not tedious like some large sets can be. The interior spaces are clever and rewarding to discover. Sitting on my shelf now, it’s become a real focal point of my collection. This is what LEGO sets should be.”
Outstanding Value in the Current Market
“Compared to other LEGO sets in this price range, you’re getting exceptional quality and detail. The sails look professional, the cannon actually works, and the overall construction quality exceeds my expectations. Highly recommended.”
A Crossover Done Right
“As both a LEGO fan and anime enthusiast, I was skeptical about licensed collaboration sets. But this proves that LEGO and One Piece respect each other’s design philosophies. The result is a product that honors both the source material and LEGO’s standards.”
Final Verdict
The LEGO ONE Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship (75639) stands as a triumphant entry point for LEGO’s expansion into anime-based sets. It successfully balances impressive aesthetics with playable features, offers authentic character representation, and provides exceptional value at its $139.99 retail price. The 1,376-piece construction translates into 8-10 hours of engaging building, followed by years of display satisfaction for collectors. Whether displayed prominently on a shelf or used as a centerpiece for creative One Piece adventures, this set delivers a meaningful and memorable building experience. For any fan of One Piece, quality LEGO sets, or pirate-themed collectibles, this purchase proves more than worthwhile. This is a set that respects both the source material and LEGO’s design philosophy—a rare and delightful achievement in the world of licensed building sets.
