LEGO is bringing SpongeBob SquarePants back in a much bigger way than anyone probably expected.
The new LEGO Icons SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom set 11386 is a 1,794-piece recreation of one of the most recognizable neighborhoods in animation. SpongeBob’s pineapple is here. Squidward’s Easter Island-style house is here. Patrick gets his rock. There’s even a little Jellyfish Fields section tucked alongside everything else.
It looks ridiculously fun.
Then you get to Gary.
Gary Looks Fine — Until You See the Other Side
Gary the Snail is included as a brick-built character rather than a traditional minifigure, and from the intended display angle he fits into the set nicely. His pink shell has the familiar swirl and spots, and there’s no mistaking who he is.
The problem becomes much more obvious when Gary is viewed from another angle.
His shell construction is heavily designed around being seen from one side rather than as a fully rounded character. Fans examining LEGO’s official images have pointed out that the opposite side of the shell lacks the same finished appearance. Gary’s eyes have also attracted criticism because the small green pieces representing his eye stalks don’t receive detailed eye printing.
It gives the character a strangely unfinished quality when he isn’t positioned exactly the way LEGO intended.
For a tiny background build, maybe nobody would care. Gary isn’t exactly a background character, though.
It Feels Stranger in a $220 LEGO Set
This is where the complaint becomes harder to dismiss.
The LEGO SpongeBob Bikini Bottom set costs $219.99 in the United States, with pricing set at £189.99 in the UK and €209.99 in Europe. LEGO is also selling it under the Icons branding with an 18+ age recommendation, putting it firmly in collector territory rather than treating it as a cheap SpongeBob playset.
At that price, people are going to inspect the little things.
And there are a lot of little things here.
SpongeBob’s pineapple opens to reveal familiar rooms. Squidward gets a bedroom, living room, bathroom and even a rooftop area. There’s a boatmobile, his clarinet and music stand, plus references scattered throughout the build for longtime viewers to find.
DoodleBob somehow made the cut too.
So when a major character like Gary looks noticeably less complete from certain angles, it sticks out more than it otherwise would.
LEGO Clearly Built Bikini Bottom as a Display Piece
There is an explanation, even if it won’t satisfy everybody.
LEGO describes the set as collectible home and office decor, and the entire model is essentially arranged like a wide display. It measures around 21 inches across, with the three famous homes positioned so that the front-facing view recreates Conch Street.
Gary follows the same philosophy.
Put him in the intended position and the problem is much less noticeable. Turn him around, move him elsewhere or simply inspect the model from behind and the illusion starts falling apart.
That isn’t necessarily a manufacturing defect. It looks more like a design compromise — one that saves pieces and keeps Gary compact while assuming most owners will leave the character facing forward.
Still, LEGO fans have never been famous for only looking at one side of a build.
The Rest of the Set Is Loaded With SpongeBob Details
Gary’s odd construction shouldn’t completely overshadow what is otherwise a surprisingly ambitious SpongeBob comeback.
LEGO hasn’t produced a regular SpongeBob SquarePants theme for years, making set 11386 a pretty significant return for the franchise.
The three main minifigures are SpongeBob, Patrick and Squidward, while Gary and DoodleBob use brick-built designs. The model also includes interiors rather than simply giving collectors hollow building facades.
SpongeBob’s house includes his living room and bedroom. Squidward gets considerably more space, including his bathroom and rooftop lounge. Patrick’s rock opens up as well.
It feels like something aimed squarely at people who watched SpongeBob as kids and now have enough disposable income to put a $220 Bikini Bottom on a shelf.
LEGO knows exactly what it’s doing there.
LEGO SpongeBob Returns September 1
The LEGO Icons SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom 11386 set officially releases on September 1, 2026, with pre-orders already available through LEGO.
The Gary situation probably won’t be enough to kill enthusiasm for it. If anything, the reaction shows how closely fans are already looking at the set.
And despite that slightly awkward snail, LEGO’s return to Bikini Bottom is packed with the sort of ridiculous details SpongeBob fans are going to recognize immediately.
Now LEGO just has to make the Krusty Krab.