LEGO Star Wars brings the high-speed action of The Phantom Menace’s epic Mos Espa Podrace to collectors’ shelves. Having released just ahead of Star Wars Day (May the Fourth), LEGO’s brand-new diorama set and several other exciting new models are now available. However, this new podracing set is notably LEGO Star Wars’ first-ever prequel trilogy diorama model.

In 2024, The LEGO Group is celebrating both the 25th anniversary of the LEGO Star Wars and the specific 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace (1999). As such, LEGO’s new Star Wars offerings released in May include models from the first prequel movie and those spanning the greater galaxy far, far away. This includes the brand-new Mos Espa Podrace (75380) which was released on May 1st. To that end, here’s Screen Rant’s hands-on review of LEGO Star Wars’ Mos Espa Podrace (75380).

Box Art And Contents Overview For LEGO Mos Espa Podrace Diorama (75380)

The First Star Wars Prequel Trilogy Diorama Model

LEGO’s new Mos Espa Podrace Diorama (75380) is priced at $80 with a piece count of 718 pieces. Going without minifigures, this new diorama set instead focuses on the dynamic podracing scene from The Phantom Menace when Anakin Skywalker and Sebulba were neck and neck on the final lap of the Boonta Eve Classic. As such, smaller builds of their respective pods are depicted as they race through a canyon, just like in the first prequel trilogy movie.

Mos Espa Podrace Diorama’s 718 pieces are split among 6 bags. There’s also a mini-bag for additional accessories used during the respective builds for Anakin and Sebulba’s podracers. Thankfully, the model’s sticker count is limited with only two needed for Anakin’s podracer and six for Sebulba’s. The box art is also quite nice, featuring logos for both LEGO Star Wars’ 25th anniversary and The Phantom Menace. The back of the box also features the diorama’s dimensions alongside a live-action shot from the movie’s actual podrace sequence.

Build Breakdown For Mos Espa Podrace Diorama (75380)

Racing Through Tatooine Canyons

Beginning with the classic black base used in all LEGO Star Wars diorama sets, the full diorama base measures 12 by 5 1/2 inches. Likewise, LEGO dioramas also feature iconic quotes from whatever scene is depicted. In this case, this particular model features Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn’s words to Anakin just before the podrace began:

“Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel, don’t think. Use your instincts.”

Once the base is constructed, the instructions move on to the general landscape of Tatooine. However, the real fun begins once collectors hit the fourth and fifth bags containing the pieces to build Anakin and Sebulba’s podracers. Featuring some unique pieces including minifigure skis and ice skates, Anakin and Sebulba’s pods are quite detailed in ways the box art doesn’t quite do justice. Likewise, they’re also poseable, allowing for creativity in how they’re displayed. While the diorama also features a brick displaying LEGO Star Wars’ 25th anniversary, it’s odd that it doesn’t feature the more specific Phantom Menace 25th anniversary logo instead.It’s also quite easy to remove each pod and their respective stands for those who want to see Anakin in the lead rather than Sebulba. Finally, the build concludes with an impressively designed canyon arch which Anakin’s pod races through. This does quite a bit for the diorama in terms of conveying the true motion of the scene despite the static nature of the model, something that’s quite important given the high-speed nature of this iconic Phantom Menace sequence.

How Does Mos Espa Podrace Diorama (75380) Compare To Past LEGO Dioramas?

The Best of Multiple Star Wars LEGO Dioramas

While some collectors may justifiably balk at this new LEGO set’s $80 price tag, it’s worth mentioning that this new Star Wars diorama does feature the best features from past diorama models. For example, the Mos Espa Podrace Diorama’s base is the same width and length as 2022’s Dagobah Jedi Training Diorama (75330), meaning that they’re both tied for being the biggest LEGO Star Wars diorama set yet. This new podrace diorama is also very much the spiritual successor to the Death Star Trench Run Diorama (75329) which also focuses on smaller ship builds, depicting the iconic final action sequence from A New Hope.

Additionally, 2023’s Endor Speeder Chase Diorama (75353) has similar features to help convey motion, such as its subjects being positioned between more static structures such as Imperial speeder bikes racing through trees versus pods flying through a canyon arch. To that end, LEGO Star Wars‘ new Mos Espa Podrace Diorama is certainly a very dynamic diorama model despite its challenging price tag and lack of minifigures. It would certainly be an exciting addition for fans of the prequel trilogy and Phantom Menace in particular.

Click Here To Purchase Mos Espa Podrace Diorama (75380) on LEGO.com