LEGO Ninjago 2023 Discussion

[Darth Shadowthrone]

There's pictures of the Ninjago build-a-minifigure figures on Instagram! 

Looks like a fun selection tho as a casual fan I don't care to get more Core outfits. The more generic robes and the new hairpieces are useful tho

[Lemerbrix]

6 minutes ago, Darth Shadowthrone said:

There's pictures of the Ninjago build-a-minifigure figures on Instagram! 

Looks like a fun selection tho as a casual fan I don't care to get more Core outfits. The more generic robes and the new hairpieces are useful tho

Link?

[a guy from somewhere]

4 minutes ago, Lemerbrix said:

Link?

 Not sure if it counts as a leak but if you check RideXninjago leaks then you should see them on Instagram. Just want to be cautious about links and leaks.

I have seen the first 5 episodes of dragons rising, it is very very good. I’ll refrain from spoilers for now, but apart from some pacing issues, it’s far better than crystallised already. 

Edited June 1, 2023 by a guy from somewhere

[Darth Shadowthrone]

Here's a link - seven figures in all, it seems like! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs8TFATJufK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

[NinjaGoals]

Can anyone please tell me where I can watch the new season? Can’t find it on YouTube in English or on Netflix! 

Never mind, I’ve just seen it’s not released in the uk until Monday. 

[Lemerbrix]

Psa for anyone in the u.s heading to the lego store, there's a glitch in the system not allowing you to buy the summer sets

[Killian]

3 hours ago, NinjaGoals said:

Can anyone please tell me where I can watch the new season? Can’t find it on YouTube in English or on Netflix! 

Never mind, I’ve just seen it’s not released in the uk until Monday. 

The first 6 episodes are on YT in English 

I found more episodes in Chinese with alleged English subs, but I don't think the subs match what the characters are actually saying. It's pretty hilarious though. 😅

 

[THELEGOBATMAN]

1 hour ago, Killian said:

 

People thought Dragons Rising would be rated TV-Y while it is actually TV-MA 

[Classic_Spaceman]

I watched all ten episodes, and I really enjoyed them; the return to a 22-minute-long runtime was absolutely the right decision, and I am looking forward to seeing the second half of the season! 

Some non-spoiler comments: 
 - Buy the Cole and Zane EVO dragons, if you have not already. 
 - I am not sure why we got black-armoured Imperium hunters and guards, since they did not appear in the show (though this may be a matter of the show using prototype designs (which we can see with the Bounty, Hound, Heatwave dragon, and Sora's mech), and the black-armoured characters were later additions). Perhaps they will appear in the second half, or in later seasons. 
 - All dragons that we get in the sets (aside from the 4+ set) appear in the show (to include the Bounty dragon, surprisingly). 
 - I like the running theme of symbiotic relationships vs. exploitive ones. 
 - Basic Spinjitzu seems more powerful and versatile this season, which is cool and makes for some very enjoyable fights. 
 - Language matters! Some pacing issues that I felt while watching the episodes in Chinese were resolved when I actually understood what was going on. 
 - Arin is literally Batman. 
 - The Core Bone Warriors are from the Underworld, so that may mean that the Core comics are not canon (I have not read them, so I am not sure if their place of origin was stated). 
 - In future waves, we need a Dr. LaRow (Imperium scientist) Minifig, Sora's mech in flight mode, the Dragon Matriarch (green dragon), some better Imperium flyers, and more gold Imperium soldiers. 
 

[Killian]

1 hour ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

 
 - The Core Bone Warriors are from the Underworld, so that may mean that the Core comics are not canon (I have not read them, so I am not sure if their place of origin was stated). 

 

In the comics, the Ninja have travelled to The Sea of Sand in their Core vehicles and on their Core Dragons, and are training in a dark labyrinth of caves when the floor gives way and they fall into the Sanctum where the Bone King is imprisoned. It's unclear how long he's been there, but he's aware of Ninjago City. The Underworld isn't mentioned. The phrases "Bone King's cavern under The Sea of Sand" and "Underground Palace" are used later.

If The Underworld is below the surface of Ninjago (I can't be bothered to watch Masters of Spinjitzu to clarify), then possibly they could have fallen in to it? But if you can only access The Underworld through mystical means, then it's unlikely to be The Underworld in the comics.

If the comics are canon, it'd be cool if the 5 Bone Weapons are connected to The Merge.

On 5/26/2023 at 2:53 PM, a guy from somewhere said:

 we know tigers exist in Chima, so that doors still open. 

The fact that other realms can be viewed through the tears in reality that happen during merge quakes, and that there are still living creatures on the other sides of the tears that can come through, suggests that only parts of the other realms came to Ninjago. So if Lego don't want to involve Chima in Dragons Rising, they have an easy option to just say that the part of Chima where the anthro animals live and where the Chi energy appears didn't get caught up in The Merge.

[Classic_Spaceman]

On 5/26/2023 at 9:53 AM, a guy from somewhere said:

Yeah, in the clips we got of “meet Riyu” (I think it was that) Arin called him a tiger. And we know tigers exist in Chima, so that doors still open. 

Spoiler

When Arin refers to Lord Ras as a "tiger guy", Lloyd says something to the effect of "we've got tiger guys now?", indicating that Ras' species was not native to pre-Merge Ninjago. Later, Empress Beatrix calls Ras an "outlander", confirming that he did not originate from Imperium (also, Sora does not remember him from her childhood). While Ras being from Chima has not been confirmed, it is heavily implied and the most likely and logical scenario (especially since Doc Wyatt confirmed that all realms merged with Ninjago, not just some of them). 

Spoilers above! 
 

[a guy from somewhere]

4 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

  Hide contents

When Arin refers to Lord Ras as a "tiger guy", Lloyd says something to the effect of "we've got tiger guys now?", indicating that Ras' species was not native to pre-Merge Ninjago. Later, Empress Beatrix calls Ras an "outlander", confirming that he did not originate from Imperium (also, Sora does not remember him from her childhood). While Ras being from Chima has not been confirmed, it is heavily implied and the most likely and logical scenario (especially since Doc Wyatt confirmed that all realms merged with Ninjago, not just some of them). 

Spoilers above! 
 

Outlander was a term used by Chima inhabitants in season 2. 

[Classic_Spaceman]

1 hour ago, Killian said:

If The Underworld is below the surface of Ninjago (I can't be bothered to watch Masters of Spinjitzu to clarify), then possibly they could have fallen in to it? But if you can only access The Underworld through mystical means, then it's unlikely to be The Underworld in the comics.

The Underworld is a Realm, and can only be accessed mystically (via dragons, Traveller's Tea, the Realm Crystal, etc). 

1 hour ago, Killian said:

If the comics are canon, it'd be cool if the 5 Bone Weapons are connected to The Merge.

Even if the comics are canon, the Bone Weapons are not connected to the Merge. 

1 hour ago, Killian said:

The fact that other realms can be viewed through the tears in reality that happen during merge quakes, and that there are still living creatures on the other sides of the tears that can come through, suggests that only parts of the other realms came to Ninjago. So if Lego don't want to involve Chima in Dragons Rising, they have an easy option to just say that the part of Chima where the anthro animals live and where the Chi energy appears didn't get caught up in The Merge.

Except that we have an anthro animal character in this season, and it would be weird for have him come from a Realm other than Chima. As for the Mergequakes, they could just be portals from one part of the world to another. 
 

1 minute ago, a guy from somewhere said:

Outlander was a term used by Chima inhabitants in season 2. 

Arin gets called it by some Imperium kids, though, so it seems to be their name for anyone from another Realm. 
 

[NinjaGoals]

Does anyone know where it’s possible to get the 30650 Kai polybag in the UK? 

[a guy from somewhere]

So, I figured its been enough time for me to collect my thoughts and feelings about dragons rising. First off, non spoiler talk - 

This is honestly one of the best seasons of ninjago ever, hands down. The story, the characters, the visuals, the lighting, the music (oh my god the music) and the ideas and options it leaves open, damn it is just incredible. I wouldn't say its above seasons 8 and 9, but it isn't below it either. I'd say its on par with them. I loved the early season esq storyline where its a bunch of smaller adventures that culminate in one big plot, although thats mainly in the first half (or quarter?). I would say go into it with an open mind, and it does take some getting used to, but it has definitely solidified its position as being a top season so far. Hopefully the second half of the season stays just as good. My only criticism would be some pacing issues, it does feel very fast and abrupt, and at some points a bit slow, but im gonna chalk it up to the team being used to trying to fit 10 mins of content in to an episode and not 20, so theres gonna be a couple things to get used to. Now, for the spoiler bits - 

Spoiler

Amazing introduction to the season, really enjoyed the merge scenes, they where chaotic in the best way possible. The music throughout these 2 episodes is also incredibly good, starting with the merge theme and the "hero's arrive" theme. Seeing an event from someone who isn't a ninjas perspective is also really cool, and I love Arin generally. He's a very fun character. Sora is also pretty good, although she comes off a little moody and brass at times. Ive seen some people theorise she's evil, I doubt that but she definitely has something strange about her. Not sure how I feel about tech powers as well, it seems kinda strange that there was an elemental master of tech in the past, before all the tech. Or maybe there isn't, we haven't had that explained yet. The 2 also get along well together. The music that plays when Arin finishes his story in the junk yard is great, possibly one of my most favourite tracks yet. The race is pretty good, but pretty short. Love Labbo, hes great and he seems to have a surprisingly mature backstory with family troubles. We got absolutely robbed by the mech bike set, im certainly gonna be modding my own copy. Rapton is my favourite of the imperium guys, he is so damn good. Written perfectly and voiced perfectly. "UNICORNS HAVE HORNS ON THEIR HEADS. THATS HARDCORE!" Ras is also interesting. I hope he is from chima, and hes one of the few villains that is genuinely serious and doesnt underestimate the ninja. He seems to have an anterior motive or plan regarding Riyu, who is also amazing. I love that dragon to bits. Strangely its one of the only creatures that the show seems to have gotten right design wise, all the other animals look really weird and not really off the same animation style. Like the mayors cat in crystallised. The episode with the matriarch dragon was great, I love imperium as a faction. The interaction between Ras and Rapton are great. Good remaster of "taking the bait" as well from season 1, always happy to hear that track. Interested to hear about the whole energy power up the dragons provide. I also want to pose the question of why didn't Arin just go to the monastery after the merge, surely if he wanted to find the ninja thats where you would have gone first right? 

 

The next few episodes are great, fun little side quests that set up different plot points. Not really a fan of Dynamo or whatever his name is, he kinda annoys me, but hes unique. The Craglin episode I felt kinda dragged on a bit but it was fun seeing the crew rejoin and fight, also interesting to see not all dragons are good. The cloud kingdom episode was a complete 180 from what I expected, I always hated the idea they could manifest destiny, but I loved the design of the realm. The new show kinda ret-conned the whole thing, looks like they're just very good at predicting things. Also, new master of wind, thats cool to see, but im kinda disappointed she didn't join the main team. Hopefully she comes back in the future, but regardless its cool to see the new host. Also kinda weird that Nya stays at cloud kingdom, considering its been years since the merge happened. The 6th episode was great, I liked seeing Soras backstory, and the lightning dragon battle was done great. Cool to see the hero's lose again as well. The photacs are cool, if a little overpowered for the plot. Makes me want to get multiple hunter hounds. The introduction of Wyldfire is done perfectly, she's a great character, although I dont really sit well with her backstory, if I keep thinking about it. Surely whatever civilisation she came from would have sent a rescue party after the aircraft went down right? And her having the element of fire is super strange. Ive seen some people say her power is "heat", which im gonna be honest seems ridiculous but we do have an elemental master of lightning sooooo go figure. It also begins the multi episode arc of the imperium battle. 

Imperium looks amazing visually, I love the colours and the city layout, and the design choices are great. The rampage through the city was cool to see, although it does kinda drag on a bit. The empress makes her main appearance in the final few episodes, she seems alright but massively egotistical and annoying. Dr Larow is also mildly infuriating. These final few episodes do give us more questions than answers though, mainly with what happens to Kai Nya and Zane. First off, why the heck is there a monastery, for the ninja no less, under the kingdom of imperium, with Zane in it? We know the city was intact when it merged, as Arin sees it on the horizon. So that monastery for the ninja was there all along? Also why was Zane just under it in a pod? What was he doing there? How did he end up there? Also how did all the ninja end up in there? Why was there just some random portal under the monastery that led there, and a random portal in cloud kingdom? Who is the weird Wu ghost? Is he actually dead then? And why is Ras imprisoned at the end but not Rapton?Also the imperium just have a massive, and I mean massive dragon just sat under the city, and I have seen no one talk about this, but that was the cause of the merge? "In the act of confining me, imperium have threatened the very fabric of existence". Also freeing him would destroy the world. I was under the impression the source dragons where the ones with the orbs, like the lightning dragon. But I guess not. Lloyd has some weird visions, but animated beautifully. Looks a lot like that one legacy reimagined short where a dragon guards the golden encased ninja. I really hope we get more explantations on it in part 2, but its gonna take a while. October 1st cant come fast enough. 

 

Finally, I wanted to talk about the sets. We haven't seen much of the sets in the show so far, only about half of them in total. Pleasantly surprised both the mech and the lightning dragon make an appearance though, although the dragon is way more important. The bounty looks pretty different from the show to set, im not entirely sure why the decision was made to cut the entire front of in the show, but I kinda prefer the wider design. Also cool to see the blue dragon also has some big significance in the show. The hunter hound seems pretty accurate, or as accurate as you can get with the weirdly designed creatures of the show. Still no black members of the CoI, hopefully they show up in part 2 as a more elite squad that serve Ras or something, but given his imprisonment, I find it unlikely. Shame the gold guys are relatively uncommon. Speaking of which, Heatwave transforming dragon seems to be the most accurate set of the wave, although the dragon itself is missing the dilosophorus frills. The only other set of the wave thats somewhat accurate is the mech bike, but ive talked enough about that. Not counting spinners or the 4 plus sets, the only other sets we have yet to see is the Zane car, the team mechs and the temple of energy cores. Figure wise, ive talked about the claws but we should have gotten Arin with his hood and hair in some sets at least, considering we haven't seen his suit in the show yet. Sora also needs her hair in the sets, and the empress needs a cape. 

 

Overall, this is by far one of the best seasons so far. Loved every second of it, and now I need to find a way to get all the sets to go with it. Hopefully My questions get answered in part 2 but so far ninjago has a bright future ahead of it. 

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by a guy from somewhere

[Vindicare]

Finished building Markets...what a build it was. It has everything you expect from a Ninjago Modular. The tram is a delight(although I need to come up with a handle for the crank as it’s a slow go otherwise). Details & build techniques are great. It’s not even top heavy to move with everything on it, which is a nice bonus. 

[THELEGOBATMAN]

Ordered the Elemental Dragon vs. the Empress Mech, Nya's Dragon Power, and Kai and Rapton's Temple Battle. Can't wait to build all of those. 

Also, gonna watch the new season (or rather the first half of it) today. Really excited, the reception seems to have been positive so far.

[Killian]

15 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Except that we have an anthro animal character in this season, and it would be weird for have him come from a Realm other than Chima.

Merlopians and Serpentine aren't from Chima though. And Chima Tigers don't look like Ras. I hope he is from Chima though, and we at least get to see Chima characters in background scenes, even if Lego don't want to revisit those characters. Though Chi would be a good plot point for a season or 2 of DR. It's also about time we had some non-human Ninja in a society where humans are just one of many species, (Nindroids are made by humans and can pass for human, so they don't count) Lloyd's looking like some kind of yellow master race supremacist these days LOL. Riyu's not getting any ninja training    😅

Lego aren't afraid to revisit dead themes, set 71460 references Space/Pirates/Adventurers/Castle/and arguably Vidiyo, and Castle but it's British Wizards got a relaunch so why not Chima? If Chima characters became part of Ninjago's main cast and were popular, a new Chima theme could be a Ninjago spin off and have lots of crossover stories, everyone loves crossovers!

 

On an unrelated note... Lloyd's beard sucks for someone who must be about 28+ years old by now.

Edited June 3, 2023 by Killian
Mergequake Milkshakes

[Meaf]

Just got a new job so hopefully I'll be able to pick up the Markets relatively soon. I probably won't be grabbing anything from the rest of the summer wave immediately, but I do have my eye on a few things (definitely want to get the transforming mech at some point). 

Also, question for other people who live in the US: is it worthwhile to order sets from Europe if they're significantly cheaper over there? I know the shipping is way more, but I was looking at Bricklink yesterday and saw that the Elemental Dragon vs The Empress Mech was being sold by a store in Germany for $60 less than it costs at retail in the US. I haven't ever ordered any Lego from overseas before so I was just wondering how that tends to work out and if there are any problems with it usually.

[Fenghuang0296]

Am I the only one who thinks it’s weird that there are inconsistencies between the show and sets? The Lloyd and Arin Team Mechs just don’t appear at all, and Arin hasn’t even put on his ninja suit yet.

Unless this is a Crystallised situation where this is only the first half of this year’s show? I mean obviously Dragons Rising isn’t over yet, but is the second part slated for later this year or next year alongside a new wave of sets?

[a guy from somewhere]

3 hours ago, Fenghuang0296 said:

Am I the only one who thinks it’s weird that there are inconsistencies between the show and sets? The Lloyd and Arin Team Mechs just don’t appear at all, and Arin hasn’t even put on his ninja suit yet.

Unless this is a Crystallised situation where this is only the first half of this year’s show? I mean obviously Dragons Rising isn’t over yet, but is the second part slated for later this year or next year alongside a new wave of sets?

Yeah, this is only DR part 1, part 2 releases October 1st. I’m assuming the team mechs, the race car and the temple of dragon energy cores will be in the second half, which is pretty good considering the number of sets. We’ve seen half of them already, the mech bike, the hound, the bounty and the lightning dragon battle. 

[Killian]

3 hours ago, Fenghuang0296 said:

Am I the only one who thinks it’s weird that there are inconsistencies between the show and sets? The Lloyd and Arin Team Mechs just don’t appear at all, and Arin hasn’t even put on his ninja suit yet.

Lloyd and Arin are only just getting to know each other, it's probably too soon for the dad carrying his new kid on a chest mounted baby carrier situation. Plus they haven't had any real downtime to design and build a mech. If P.I.X.A.L shows up, she'll probably knock a few mechs out quickly. Could be her that returned the old Bounty to the Monastery, helping out secretly again. Perhaps Wu gave her instructions on what to do if the Coalescence occurred, to put Zane in storage etc?

I'm curious about why Arin's suit will have horns. Is he part Oni too?

The ghost with Wu's voice was interesting. I wonder if that spirit minifig from the Temple of the Dragon Energy Cores that seems to be made up of many souls is all the people who disappeared in the Merge, so it can use any of their voices? Or perhaps it's P.I.X.A.L doing a techy thing and copying people's voices again... Or the WuBot?

Weird how Lloyd hasn't expressed any concern for the whereabouts of his parents.

[Killian]

Spoiler

Also weird how when Sora needed Riyu to activate her elemental power to deactivate the Photacs, but Riyu wasn't available; she didn't get another Source Dragon to do it. There was at least one dragon of the same type as Riyu right there with them. Unless not all dragons of Riyu's species are Source Dragons? Maybe it's like Elemental Powers, only certain Minifigures can do it; not all of them?

 

[Killian]

Speaking of Ninjago...

In the new Lego Dreamzzz comic there's a kid wearing that Green Ninja shirt from Lego City a couple of years ago.

 

[Killian]

On 6/2/2023 at 6:04 PM, Classic_Spaceman said:

 - Arin is literally Batman. 

 

And Wyldfyre literally has the same origin story as Superman. Explains the recent lack of Lego DC sets. Ninjago is DC now.