Released in 2024, LEGO Ideas 21349 Tuxedo Cat emerged as a beloved set with both longtime LEGO fans and those new to the hobby, thanks to its excellent value and playful display presence. In our purr-aising review, we wondered if LEGO might re-release the set in other colors so that cat lovers might build their own favorite cat, and it seems that the designers in Billund were thinking the same thing, as next month sees the release of 21376 Orange Cat. In addition to a new color coat, the set boasts 45 additional pieces, new eye color options, an improved mouth, and a mirrored tail design. Has the iconic cat lost any of its charm the second time around? Guest reviewer Jen Feeny and her newly adopted feline friend Marshmallow unbox and find out!  You can pick up the 1,755-piece Orange Cat starting March 1.

LEGO Ideas 21376 Orange Cat | 1755 Pieces | Available March 1, 2026 | US $99.99 | CAN $129.99 | UK £99.99

The LEGO Group provided The Brothers Brick with an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.

The Box and Contents

Like its predecessor, the Orange Cat comes in a portrait-oriented lidded box. A lipped frame atop of the interior box keeps the contents housed snuggly and makes it all the more enticing to your actual cat, or at least to mine. Inside are 20 paper bags and a single instruction manual.

The instruction manual opens with an updated introduction to fan designer, Damian Andres, along with a playful image of his original LEGO Ideas submission meeting the Orange Cat. There is also a feature on the enduring appeal of orange cats and a note from the LEGO Ideas Design Team outlining key differences between this set and Tuxedo Cat.



The Build

If you have built the Tuxedo Cat before, you can expect a familiar experience. I had not, but reviewing both instruction manuals side by side reveals very few structural differences beyond recolored parts.



Subtle sculpting updates in the base give the Orange Cat a slightly more organic feel. The fur tufting along the outer legs, created with the arch 2 x 2 inverted corner with recessed stud element, is especially effective and adds an uncanny look of fur in repose.



 

The instructions remain nearly identical until step 99, where the Orange Cat condenses several smaller steps into one and mirrors the adjustment on the opposite side. The mirrored shell over frame construction makes the build easy to move through and the hollow core keeps the model from being overly heavy or parts dense.

Bag 10 introduces another small deviation in the chest and front legs construction, swapping a Technic pin connection for a Technic axle at the paws. The end result is indiscernible, so I’d love to know what tweak it accomplished structurally.

Even when following instructions for a set, sometimes I like to add a personal touch. During Bag 12 I could not resist using the negative space inside the upper body to build a tiny orange cat vignette. It is charming enough that I wish LEGO had included something similar, at the very least an orange cat element for the instruction progress bar.

The most significant change to the construction of the upper body appears in the neck. A single red wedge element allows for a more realistic range of head rotation. Remove it and the head can spin a full 360 degrees. 

The new jaw construction also stands out. Using the Brick, Round 2 x 2 x 2/3 Half Circle Extended with 2 Studs and Curved Top element, the mouth is now hinged and can be posed open or closed.



The tail is mirrored from the Tuxedo Cat version, with LEGO joking that if you own both, they can sit side-by-side without their tails tangling.



The Finished Model

Visually, the finished model closely mirrors the Tuxedo Cat aside from its warm nougat coloring and subtle updates. It also remains remarkably lifelike. More than once, I have caught myself telling it to get off the table after spotting it out of the corner of my eye. Sorry, Marshmallow.

Final Thoughts

The LEGO Ideas Design Team shared that the Orange Cat exists because of the Tuxedo Cat’s popularity. That opens the door to future color variations, which is exciting news for cat enthusiasts. (I’ve got my fingers crossed for white next!)

Some fans have questioned its “orangeness” and absence of tabby stripes. Personally, I think Medium Nougat was a smart decision. Brighter orange tones might have pushed the model into cartoon territory ala Garfield. As for stripes, recreating them across the rounded body and tail without heavy printing or stickers would have been difficult while preserving the integrity of the original design.  

This set is tailor made for orange cat lovers, but it is also an outstanding Medium Nougat parts pack with more than 30 recolored elements. LEGO keeps the price aligned with the Tuxedo Cat while adding extra pieces, making this a strong value. 

The Orange Cat is a charming addition to the growing line up of polished display animals from the Ideas line. The jury is still out on whether it is addicted to lasagna.

LEGO Ideas 21376 Orange Cat | 1755 Pieces | Available March 1, 2026 | US $99.99 | CAN $129.99 | UK £99.99

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