This LEGO Going Merry Review dives into what makes the ship so special to build, especially for teens and young adults who grew up with the manga, anime, or Netflix live action. Building the LEGO Going Merry felt like stepping back into the world of One Piece — except this time, you’re the one assembling the ship instead of watching the crew board it. It feels familiar, charming, and fun.
Build Experience of the LEGO Going Merry
What stood out to me immediately is how consistently engaging the build is.
Everything — yes, including the hull — is built brick by brick, so the whole process feels hands-on and modern. Compared to older LEGO ships that used one big molded hull piece, the LEGO Going Merry keeps you involved from the very first steps.
Each bag brings a new section, and the pacing never dips. You move from shaping the deck, to building the kitchen, to forming the cabins, and suddenly you’re putting up Nami’s little tangerine spot. There’s always something interesting happening.
The contrast between the lower hull and the upper deck is especially enjoyable:
The bottom section feels focused and satisfying, watching the curved shape gradually come together.
The top deck is filled with tiny decorative details that tell mini-stories of the crew’s daily life.
Both sections are surprisingly calm and organized, not overwhelming at all. The instructions separate the complex-looking parts into simple steps so nothing ever feels messy.
Minifigures and Features — The Crew Makes the Ship Feel Complete
One thing I like: you get the full early Straw Hat crew in this one set.
Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji — all included, no extra sets needed.
The minifigures look expressive but not too exaggerated. Even Zoro’s mouth-held sword feels like the perfect touch, and the color choices make the characters pop without distracting from the ship.
Something that made me really happy:
there are studs and wider areas across the ship, so you can pose the crew together on the deck, recreate scenes, or build your own little moments. It adds a lot of playability while still being display-friendly.
Some roof sections also lift off to reveal interior rooms, giving the ship a layered, “there’s more than meets the eye” kind of charm. Even if you mainly buy it for display (like most people i see online), it works well as a playset too.
What Could Be Better
• Annoying round stickers.
Centering circular stickers is annoying if you want it to look perfect, and this set has 10 of those.
• The sheep head is cute… but fragile.
Bump it the wrong way and it might just fall off, especially the tiny jaw piece at the bottom.
• Plastic sails instead of cloth.
They are fine, but cloth sails would’ve added a more premium feel.
• Some areas are a bit small-scale.
The back cabin feels a bit compressed, and the minifigures can look oversized compared to sections of the ship.
None of these ruin the set — just things you might notice if you’re someone who pays attention to tiny details.
Is the LEGO Going Merry Set Worth Buying?
If you’re a One Piece fan, Yes.
The LEGO Going Merry hits the balance we look for in these type of builds. It feels nostalgic in a genuine way — because building it brings that early One Piece charm back into your mind piece by piece. Nothing feels overwhelming or frustrating. It’s detailed, but still relaxing, and the whole experience stays engaging from the hull all the way to the final touches.
For me, it lands perfectly between display piece I’m proud of and fun build I actually enjoyed from start to finish. I’m very happy with how it turned out as a LEGO and One Piece Fan, and I think any LEGO or One Piece fan will feel the same.
Final Rating:⭐ 4.75 / 5
Amazon Purchase Link: LEGO Going Merry (75639) Official Amazon Affiliate Link here ($139.80)
If you’re looking to enjoy more simple and sculptural building experience, this set LEGO Architecture London Set (21034) may just give you that. (for less than half the cost too!)
