Ever notice how the wooden characters in The Book of Life look almost brick-shaped already? Builder JR Brick Creations did, and the result is a LEGO® Ideas project bringing Manolo, Joaquin, and Maria to life in 1,142 pieces. Each figure stands on its own skull-shaped display stand, which feels exactly right for a story steeped in the Day of the Dead.

The designer put real thought into posability. Both male characters have triple-jointed arms echoing their movie designs, plus a swivel at the waist so you can pose them mid-swashbuckle. That is a lovely bit of technique, and it means these are not static shelf-sitters. Fancy re-staging your favorite scene? Go for it.

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Every detail earns its place. Manolo wears his black and gold jacket with that signature hair swirl and little ponytail, and his stand is decorated with guitars, a sword, and his muleta. Joaquin arrives loaded with sword straps and medals, including the green heart Medal of Everlasting Life, while his stand nods to the town's bread with a clever build. Maria stands slightly smaller in her red and white dress, and her enormous ponytail comes together from stacked slopes, which is the kind of brilliant shaping trick that makes you want to raid your own parts bin.

Every stand carries story references too, from Maria's two-headed snake to Joaquin's swords and Manolo's guitar accessory. Who knew so much narrative could hide in a display base?

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The Book of Life has a devoted fanbase, so a set built around its three leads could win plenty of votes. Right now JR Brick Creations sits at 587 supporters on the road to 10,000, with 34 comments already cheering it on.

If wooden figures reborn in plastic bricks sound like your kind of magic, head to LEGO® Ideas and add your support. Ready to help these three swashbuckle their way toward review?