Lego Vs Playmobil

[Captain Roger]

Yes, today iv'e seen in a store lego set 6240:

is the same idea(2 pirates, raft and octopus) as Playmobil set 4291:

I have found it curious, thats all...what do you think?

[Ken is chill]

I had a playmobil set about a decade ago that was a raft with one or two pirates, and there have been other Lego pirate sets that were rafts. I don't think it's copying, just a common theme.

[Hound Knight]

Whoah... That's kida creepy. any idea which came first?

[Rijkvv]

I think Playmobil came first. However both LEGO and Playmobil have released rafts like these before.

[The Daphne Blue Strat]

I'm going with Richie and Ken: Playmobil's specific set was undoubtedly first, but...it's a raft. It's not like they copied a major set or even a particularly unique idea.

[Eilif]

One more vote, for Playmobile predates LEGO. It's probably not an example of one company copying each other, likely it's just two companies using a common theme.

However I wouldn't be surprised if LEGO's bringing back pirate's has caused Playmobile pirates to sell a tiny bit more, if only because it puts Pirates back on the minds of kids.

As a kid I liked Playmobile toys, they seem to be much like LEGO in their high quality, great play-value (ability to re-use and add to an existing toy or toy line) iconic european design, extensive accessories, and opportunity for creative role play and social development. Obviously LEGO is a construction toy and Playmobile is a playset based toy, but there are alot of similarities.

If/when I have kids, I'm going to do my darndest to introduce/indoctrinate them to LEGO and Playmobile.

[Commodore Hornbricker]

Least we forget that these scenes have appeared countless times in movies and literature. Most toys have always been copies of stories, legends, fairytales, real things...so you could find examples of every set that probably drew inspiration from someplace...That said...I'd have to say Lego copied Playmobil on this one

[Capt. Redblade]

I don't think this is a matter of which company copied which company, I think it's a matter of who copied Norse mythology first. As we see in Pirates of the Caribbean, the Kraken preexisted Lego and Playmobil. It's an INCREDIBLY common theme in Scandinavian folk tales for unfortunate seamen to have chance encounters with giant squid, AKA Krakens. Tales of these beasts go back past the 12th century, I think. In my opinion, no-one ripped off anyone else.

[gogobig]

I think that playmobil octopus is sweet :)

[Ratshot]

I don't think it's copying, just a common theme.

I agree 100%. With pirates, rafts play a key role.....kinda

[wednesdayware]

Minor point, but the Playmobile creature is an octopus, and the Lego is a Kraken.

[Lord Admiral]

The kraken is usually said to be a giant octopus. The two sets appear to be the same on the surface, but the subtle details make them quite different. Firstly, the Playmobil raft has a sail and a treasure chest, while the Lego set is just a mast, some rigging, and the crow's nest. And, if the Lego set were scaled to match the Playmobil set, the raft would be around four times bigger.

It's interesting to note that while the pirates in the Lego set have probably lost their treasure, and are floating on the remainders of their ship after its destruction at the tentacles of the kraken, the Playmobil pirates more likely came from an island or some other dry area (the sails have to be relatively dry, or the mast won't hold the weight), building their raft with flotsam and driftwood or salvaged parts from their ship. Maybe they're stealing the treasure from their captain and the rest of the crew. On the other hand, the Lego captain likely is no more.

[Shadows]

As said, similar results based on a common concept.

The Playmobil presentation is a lot livelier though, I must say that for them.

[Yloquen]

I checked all other LEGO sets including the octopus and all of them seem to be underwater. So - bringing it to the surface and combining it with raft shows that LEGO designers might have been influenced by Playmobil.

As said, similar results based on a common concept.

The Playmobil presentation is a lot livelier though, I must say that for them.

This pic - yeah, but the one on the box of LEGO set is pretty much the same. Admittedly, there's not much options when you have a raft and an octopus other than the octopus attacking the raft :)