LEGO’s Orange Cat Set Controversy Explained

LEGO often faces debate, but their newest animal set has really divided fans. The LEGO Orange Cat, designed to go with the popular LEGO Tuxedo Cat, is proving to be one of their most controversial releases lately.

The Orange Cat LEGO set seemed like a familiar approach at first – a realistic display model aimed at adult LEGO enthusiasts, especially those who love pets. But instead of being a simple, well-received release, it’s sparked a lot of conversation about whether the design is too similar to previous sets, how accurately the colors represent a real cat, and how well LEGO can capture the look of animals in general.

LEGO’s Orange Cat Set Has Divided the Fanbase, And Color Might Be the Real Culprit

A Familiar Build With Minimal Changes

A major point of discussion is how similar the new Orange Cat LEGO set is to the popular Tuxedo Cat set. LEGO hasn’t presented it as just a color change, but many fans have observed that the basic design is almost identical. However, it’s worth noting that there are some differences, although they are quite minor.

Key Differences Between the Orange Cat and the Tuxedo Cat Sets

Minor facial detailing changes, including small adjustments to eye contrast to suit the lighter fur
The Tuxedo Cat set had a piece-swap option to have an open mouth, whereas the Orange Cat set features an openable piece for the mouth
Some pieces on the side of the Orange Cat set are a bit spiky in order to give a more realistic feel to the fur, whereas the Tuxedo Cat set is “flatter” and rounder overall
Inverse position of the tail, wrapping around the cat’s left side instead of the right side of the Tuxedo Cat set
The headpiece no longer rotates 360 degrees and now has a stopping mechanism

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Even with the recent changes, many reviewers feel the set’s shape, stance, and how it’s built are almost the same as previous versions. This makes it seem more like a simple recolor than a truly new model, particularly when considering other LEGO sets planned for 2026. Some people online have even joked that, given the price, it would be cheaper to adopt an orange cat from a local animal shelter instead.

Why the Color Choice for the Orange Cat Set Matters More Than LEGO Expected

Surprisingly, people aren’t mostly upset about the set using an existing design. Instead, the biggest complaint is the particular orange color LEGO selected. Unlike common colors like black and white, there isn’t one single ‘orange’ found in real cats. The color used for the set is closer to bronze or cinnamon – a reddish-brown – and doesn’t reflect the wide range of orange cat colors you see in real life. Most orange cats are a brighter, more typical orange.

Deeper, darker ginger
Brighter and more saturated
Muted with brown or reddish undertones
Plain orange fur with no white parts, or at least lighter orange in place of white

Technically, cats are not “orange,” but rather the official definition is red.

Because of this, some cat lovers feel the LEGO set doesn’t represent the wide variety of colors and appearances you see in orange cats, making it difficult for owners to find a toy that looks like their own pet. It’s also frustrating because LEGO doesn’t offer many cute animal sets in general, so there are limited options to choose from.

Why the Tuxedo Cat Avoided This Problem Entirely

As a fan, it’s hard to ignore the fact that this design really reminds me of a tuxedo cat! The black and white coloring is super consistent, both in real life and with the colors LEGO usually uses. What’s cool is, there’s not much question about what a tuxedo cat should look like, which meant LEGO didn’t even have to worry about getting the colors exactly right. You see all sorts of different tuxedo cats, some with more white, some with funky patterns, but the basic black and white thing? That’s always there, and LEGO nailed that part.

Using orange adds a new level of difficulty. While simple two-color designs are easy, achieving a realistic and appealing look with orange—considering its warmth and vibrancy—is much harder, particularly for detailed LEGO sets made for adult collectors.

Fans Are Split Down the Middle

On one side, supporters argue:

The LEGO set is beautiful, charming, and visually appealing
LEGO was never aiming for perfect realism
The model still works as a decorative, stylized piece
Both the Orange Cat set and the Tuxedo Cat set can be combined to make a calico kitten

On the other hand, those unhappy with the set claim:

The orange shade feels flat and artificial
The design doesn’t justify a near-identical rebuild
LEGO missed an opportunity for modular color variation or pattern options

The reaction to this LEGO set reveals a growing challenge for the company: adult fans want designs that are both meaningful and creatively impressive, particularly when they cost more. While the Orange Cat set isn’t a complete miss, it didn’t achieve the same level of success as the previous Tuxedo Cat set. LEGO might have relied too much on a familiar design and underestimated how important the color itself is to people, which could explain why the Tuxedo Cat resonated with a wider audience.

This LEGO set gets mixed reactions. Some people love it as a charming display piece, while others feel the orange color isn’t realistic enough for their cats. Many fans online have suggested grey or tabby cat versions, showing there’s definitely interest in alternative colors. Ultimately, whether this 2026 LEGO set is worth buying quickly depends on if you like the orange color and don’t mind that it’s not a perfect match for your pet.

2026-02-07 23:35