Send in the Clowns: A Deep Dive on LEGO Clowns

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Halloween is the perfect season to talk about clowns. Whether you find them funny or frightening, they’ve always danced on that fine line between joy and unease. When I was a child, a clown or two would come to my birthday party every year. I loved it. Since then, clowns have remained one of my lifelong fascinations from Birthday gifts to Halloween decor.

So when LEGO revealed that the new One Piece sets would feature a pirate clown, I jumped at the chance to make my obsession come full circle. Doing research for this article has certainly been a highlight!

Join me as we explore the history of LEGO clowns before we check out the new Netflix One Piece set to determine if Buggy the Clown is a worthy contender to join LEGO’s already massive circus troupe of clowns. Let’s get down to clown around.

What Makes a Clown a Clown?

During my research for this article, I started wondering what actually makes a clown a clown? Not every clown has the same look or routine, but they all share a few familiar traits.

Oversized, brightly colored clothing is the starting point—think wide stripes, giant polka dots, and bold primaries like red, yellow, and blue. A jumbo bow tie or floppy necktie is almost mandatory. Then comes the makeup: an oversized red nose, exaggerated mouth, and expressive eyes that can look cheerful, sad, or menacing depending on the performer’s intent. Big, poofy, or curly hair usually in bright, unnatural colors completes the look.

Image via Clownopedia

Most clowns also rely on props: unicycles, rubber chickens, balloons, cream pies, or anything that can turn chaos into comedy. Their style sets their tone with circus-themed, funny, sad, or even scary as common types, and their mannerisms are exaggerated to provoke a reaction. Love them or fear them, clowns are designed to make you feel something.

IMage via Freepik

Clowns have always walked a strange line between comedy and discomfort. Rooted in European theater and the traveling circuses of the 19th century, they evolved from court jesters and pantomime performers into the grease-painted icons we recognize today. The white face, red nose, and exaggerated grin amplify emotion so even the back row can see it. That blend of humor and unease has kept clowns relevant for centuries, from the big top to modern pop culture.

A Brief History of LEGO Clowns

My sympathetic nervous system response kicks in when I see anything clown-related (meaning: I get excited!) so researching this article has been a delight. The first clown-related character I could find in a LEGO set was released in 1965, long before the minifigure era. The first true clown minifigure didn’t arrive until 2010, complete with printed face and full costume.

Since then, nearly forty sets have included a clown, from DUPLO to Dacta to Dimensions and more. I had no idea there were so many until I started digging… and now I might have to start a new collection! This list is by no means definitive, but it is a good attempt (not including the many clown goons found in the LEGO Batman Movie, LEGO books, and video games). Here are some scans of the more interesting finds, as well:

As you can see, I have my work cut out for me. I was not even born yet when some of these sets were released!

Clowns in the Community

LEGO builders love a good spectacle so the fan community has an extensive history of cool clown MOCs. Here are a few of my favorites.

Jeff Cunningham’s wearable LEGO clown head was a convention favorite, letting visitors literally put on a clown face.

 

Joker’s Funhouse by Paul Hetherington is another standout. Paul has quite a few MOCs with circus-themed decor sprinkled into them. Some of which include jesters and mimes.

 

Builder city son reimagined pop culture horror with Pennywise the Dancing Clown from IT, translating the sinister energy of the film into an impressively unsettling LEGO recreation.

 

Larry Loomis wowed convention crowds with The Greatest Show on Earth, a large circus-tent layout full of activity. He added both minifigure and DUPLO clowns, alongside a tightrope act, elephants, and a ringmaster directing the show.

 

Photo credit: Paul Hetherington

Dan Brown has one of LEGO’s glued circus-themed store displays (created by the Enfield LEGO shop) in his Brick Museum in Bellaire, Ohio. Although I have never been to Dan's museum (yet), Paul Hetherington has.

Even Citizen Brick has joined circus with custom-printed clowns that vanish faster than you can say “Step right up!”—proof that there’s always room for mischief under the Big Top.

I’m sure there are hundreds more clown-related and circus MOCs out there, so for now we will shift our focus to LEGO’s newest clown about town.

Buggy the Clown’s Circus Tent

75637 Buggy the Clown’s Circus Tent from Netflix’s One Piece is a cutout of a circus tent (approximately 6.5 in. x 6 in. x 5.5 in.) with a large clown’s face above the inside front entrance.

Inside the tent are a few trunks and barrels, plus blue and yellow seats for the audience. There are some fun additions too, like a wheel to spin minifigures around, a dunk tank, and a hanging basket that fits a minifigure high above the ground.

Two wanted posters decorate the outside of the tent, with each set containing two randomly selected from eight options. The posters in my set were Monkey D. Luffy and Arlong. This small-ish build fits well on a tabletop and makes a bright, compact display.

For the unaware like me, One Piece began as a comic book series and was later adapted into a Netflix show, premiering on August 31, 2023. The popular Japanese manga follows Monkey D. Luffy, who gains rubber-like powers after eating a mysterious Devil Fruit. (You can read so much more about it in our other BrickNerd article.)

Because I had never watched or read One Piece before writing this article, I was hoping the instruction booklet would include a short write-up about the series (as some of the Botanical sets do). Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case but doing my own research, including watching Episode 5, was genuinely fun.

My favorite part of the set is definitely the Buggy the Clown minifigure, particularly his hat and printed face. On the other hand, my least favorite part is the roof attachment, which was a little finicky to connect to the rest of the build.

So do I recommend this set? Absolutely! If you love quick and fun builds, the circus, or One Piece, this set is an easy purchase. Now, if you are a fan of clowns, then this set is a must-buy! It’s a set that doesn’t take itself too seriously, which feels perfectly fitting for a clown.

Cutain Call

Whether you’re a big fan of One Piece or a lifelong clown enthusiast like me, Buggy the Clown’s Circus Tent is a fun and fitting addition to LEGO’s ever-growing troupe of clowns. It’s wild to think that what began with a simple clown figure in 1965 has grown into a colorful, chaotic circus of characters spanning decades, themes, and even fan-built masterpieces.

Clowns take many forms—silly, sad, and yes, sometimes scary. But they all serve the same purpose: to make us feel something. They’re equal parts chaos and charm. LEGO keeps that same spirit alive, blending humor, nostalgia, and a dash of absurdity. Between official sets and fan-made MOC marvels, there’s always another act waiting to take the stage.

Now, with Buggy officially joining the lineup, the LEGO clown crew just got a little louder, a little weirder—and a whole lot more exciting. I, for one, welcome our new pirate clown overlord.

LEGO One Piece 75637 Buggy the Clown's Circus Tent is available now for around $55 US | $65 CA | €50 EU | £45 UK | $80 AU.

DISCLAIMER: This set was provided to BrickNerd by LEGO. Any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.

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