Ethan Crossfield 
A LEGO builder has found an inventive answer to a gap in the current Pokemon lineup by transforming the Halloween Pumpkin Lantern set into Charmander. The custom model uses no additional pieces, turning an autumn-themed kit into a compact recreation of one of Pokemon's most recognizable characters.
What Happened
Renowned builder Minute_Food_2881 created the Charmander model from LEGO set 40872, the Halloween Pumpkin Lantern. Rather than mixing parts from several kits, the builder relied entirely on the pieces included in that single set.
The pumpkin's orange elements form Charmander's body, while its yellow interior becomes the Pokemon's belly. Small green parts are used for the eyes and part of the display base. White elements from the set's miniature ghost provide additional details, and the lantern itself is repurposed as Charmander's flaming tail.
The result is a smaller, rounded character model that offers a different take from the official Charmander release associated with LEGO's newer Smart Play or Smart Brick-style Pokemon products. Those builds have a distinct appearance and may not appeal to fans looking for a more traditional brick-built figure.
Why It Matters
LEGO and Pokemon have expanded their collaboration with several recent releases, including standard builds based on Arcanine and Rayquaza. However, the current selection does not cover every version of the original Kanto starter trio in the same way. Earlier sets represented Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, while a conventional Charmander model remains less readily available outside the newer interactive-style format.
That makes this fan design especially useful for collectors who want a physical Charmander without waiting for another official kit. It also demonstrates how alternate builds can extend the value of a set beyond its intended theme. Parts chosen for a pumpkin, ghost, or lantern can become recognizable Pokemon features when the colors and shapes are rearranged carefully.
Minute_Food_2881's design is available through Rebrickable for $4. Since the instructions are based on the original Pumpkin Lantern set and do not require extra parts, buyers can use the same kit for both its official model and the custom Charmander build.
What to Watch Next
The Pokemon partnership is expected to continue, with leaks already pointing to additional LEGO Pokemon sets in 2027. Until more conventional character kits arrive, fan-made alternatives may remain an important part of the theme's appeal.
Minute_Food_2881 has already built a reputation for reworking LEGO sets, including several Millennium Falcon creations. Earlier this year, the builder converted LEGO's Eevee set into Bidoof without adding parts, followed by a highly accurate Pinsir interpretation from the same source set. Those projects suggest that the Charmander design is part of a broader pattern rather than a one-off experiment.
For fans considering the build, the main decision is whether they prefer the official set's intended decoration or the opportunity to turn it into a Pokemon display piece. The latter offers a cost-conscious route to a character that is not otherwise represented in the same traditional style.
Key takeaways for LEGO and Pokemon fans
- The Charmander model is made exclusively from LEGO set 40872, the Halloween Pumpkin Lantern.
- Orange, yellow, green, and white parts are reassigned to create Charmander's body, belly, eyes, and details.
- The original lantern becomes the character's flaming tail.
- Instructions are listed on Rebrickable for $4 and require no additional pieces.
- Minute_Food_2881 has also created Bidoof and Pinsir from LEGO's Eevee set.
Expert View
This is exactly the kind of fan creativity that keeps a LEGO collaboration active between official releases. The build does not replace a fully detailed Charmander set, but it gives collectors a practical alternative while showing how much flexibility can be hidden in a themed box. Until LEGO offers more traditional versions of every popular Pokemon, these alternate builds will continue to fill the gaps.
