MERCHANDISE REVIEW: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Newt Scamander’s Case

Stephanie O'Connell | 17 November 2017 | Reply

MERCHANDISE REVIEW: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Newt Scamander’s Case

Running Press
October 2017
Novelty Toy, $17.99
Reviewed by Steph O’Connell

Toy / Merchandise / Film tie-in

6/10

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them takes fans to a new era in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, decades before Harry Potter and half a world away. Inspired by the Hogwarts textbook, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, written by J.K. Rowling’s character, Newt Scamander, the film follows a magical mix-up that takes Newt on a chase around New York City looking for the magical creatures that have escaped from his case.

This kit contains a collectible miniature replica of Newt’s leather case, complete with sound of the Niffler, along with a 48-page book of short profiles of Newt and the beasts and full-color imagery from the film.

Newt Scamander’s Case is the next in a long line of “awesome things you can get for the Harry Potter fan who has everything”. These little, pocket-sized kits make great novelty gifts and stocking stuffers, and they’re all fantastically well-designed.

This one comes with a vinyl exterior, complete with flexible handle and scuffed-up surfaces to give the authentic feel of a case that has been lugged across the world as Newt did research for his book, and when you open the case, Niffler’s hands (paws?) poke out and his tell-tale Niffler sound can be heard. And, of course, there’s the little booklet with stills of Newt and his fantastic beasts from the film.

Upon first opening this set I was struck by how great a job the creators did on the case, and I couldn’t help but feel a kind of childish glee when I lifted the lid on the case and saw (and heard) Niffler.

Unfortunately the joy does fade reasonably quickly with this set (and it doesn’t take long for the noise to become annoying on its small loop) and, unlike the Time Turner Kit by the same company, this isn’t something you can easily add to your outfit to show off your geekdom.

In short, this is a great design but with limited longevity, and it doesn’t go the distance like some of the other items in this range. However, it’s still a pretty decent novelty gift for the Harry Potter fan in your life, and would go great with a set of the Hogwarts text books.