Rolyat24

I wonder if TLG’s market research has shown that Ninjago can’t sustain a D2C all that often. It would make sense - the theme’s audience must skew much younger than those of Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, etc. and therefore be less able or willing to spend $300 every year. And sure, there are plenty of afols who buy the Ninjago City modules who aren’t otherwise fans of the theme, but even afols are being spread thin these days between all of the super expensive sets. And unlike a Collector’s Edition Hogwarts Express or Millennium Falcon, there aren’t any non-LEGO or non-Ninjago fans to draw sales from. Idk, just some speculation.

I agree, I think it’s a very very slim chance that Expecto Patronum is based on anything beyond the PoA climax, and with the piece count I think it’s gotta be a diorama/display set. I’m not particularly excited for something like that, but I think it’s a good direction for the theme overall. Do we have any information/speculation about when DA is retiring? I still haven’t picked it up, but if Gringotts really is compatible and looks good, I’ll have a hard time avoiding it.

My list is definitely a little too optimistic. Then again, if you had given me a speculated list this time last year that included Grimmauld Place, the Shrieking Shack, and the Ministry, I probably would have also thought that was too dreamy. I’m probably missing something from PS or CoS to be a bit more realistic. The only thing giving me any hope of the remaining second task champions is the fact that they really can’t show up in any other regular set and the ship would probably be a large set to only contain 3-4 minifigures.

Promobricks is teasing Summer 2023 information tomorrow, much earlier than I would have thought. Anyone have any last minute predictions? Here are mine: - Durmstrang Ship set with Krum, Karkaroff, 2nd task Cedric and Fleur, possibly a merperson or generic Durmstrang student - Mid-size Hogwarts expansion based on OOTP, with Fred and George fireworks scene and Umbridge’s office. - Larger Hogwarts expansion based on the Battle of Hogwarts - A somewhat surprising (IMO) DH set such as Shell Cottage, Lovegood house, or Malfoy Manner - No quidditch or gringotts mentioned, but also no word on potential D2Cs - Perhaps a smaller set based on the Third Task or the Inferi Cave?

It seems wrong to think Ninjago is “toast” now considering it just had the hugely popular Crystalized wave followed by two fairly substantial waves. If the summer wave only had like 4 sets then maybe you could draw some conclusions about waning popularity, but it looks like we’re still going strong. I also don’t think that the designers have any real risk of running out of ideas for future subthemes. There are plenty of existing genres/tropes that have never been covered in Ninjago and nearly infinite other possibilities that the team could just make up themselves. Personally I really like it when the villains are themed around existing elemental powers, so I’d like to eventually get some lightning-related villains. They’ve kind of skirted around the idea with the Island and Prime Empire, but maybe something more traditional in the same vain as the ice samurai etc.

Is anyone planning on modding the banners to fit in the modular Hogwarts? I imagine it will be tricky with the lenticular cardboard and the height, but if achievable it would look very cool!

I wonder if we’re getting ahead of ourselves by assuming we’ll see a new castle system this soon. There’s new leadership working on the theme now so we can’t exactly go off of previous patterns. Not to mention the 2018-2021 system used well known areas of the real castle, so was bound to be “complete” at some point, whereas this new castle in theory could keep going for a very long time. Of course, at some point they’ll want to make an updated Great Hall, which I suppose would be what ushers in the new system. But even then, there’s nothing really stopping them from making a new Great Hall in this same style. While I’m hopeful for a new system as early as 2024, I’m not entirely certain it’s guaranteed at this point.

We certainly don’t need a third cmf but I wouldn’t be surprised if one shows up eventually. Especially with new leadership working on the theme and given the (speculated) levels of success of the previous two series. I imagine the main audience for cmf is still children, and children aren’t going to care as much if there aren’t any brand new characters in the series. You could easily fill a series with updated minifigures of various major characters and they would still sell well. Throw in a few good army-builders that adult fans have been asking for or a relatively obscure house ghost and folks would be generally happy. As others have said, we still don’t know the theme of the final cmf series of 2023 and I wouldn’t be shocked if it was a Harry Potter series, even if I’d prefer to see something else.

I feel like we’re overdue for a troll set but also we did just get a bathroom set last year that is still on shelves. I doubt they’d sell multiple Hogwarts bathroom sets at once, unless they put the troll scene in a larger Hogwarts module based on PS.

Wow! Lots to love here! My pick of the wave is definitely the second task. As others have mentioned, great updates to Krum and the Merperson! Even if the shark head is a bit inaccurate, it’s certainly passable. I do have to wonder if there’s any possible set left that could give us second task Cedric and Fleur. I think the only possible set (outside of a cmf or other oddity) would be to shoehorn them into a Durmstrang ship set. It’s not impossible, considering such a set would only really contain 2 named characters otherwise. Pass the gillyweed though because I won’t hold my breath. I like the Room of Requirement fine enough. I’m actually quite fond of the Hogwarts modules, and I think this’ll look great in my display. I’m curious to see what it looks like from the back when the sides are folded in. I think we’re sure to see more from DH this summer. Speaking of the Hogwarts modules, I do feel like the designers have missed a lot of opportunities for smaller locations within Hogwarts in favor of these larger sets we’ve gotten recently. Last year, I was hopeful for more modules like the Polyjuice Potion Mistake. Small, single rooms packed with details. I feel the designs have regressed a bit to the interior quality of the pre-2021 modules, without the exceptional exteriors those ones had. The house banners exemplify this to the max. Between these and the moments books, there were 10 fairly iconic locations that could have made excellent smaller Hogwarts modules. Instead, they are packed into these gimmicky sets that in my opinion accomplish neither their role as a Hogwarts room nor really as a book or banner. On their own, they’re nice little displays for sure, but I can’t help but imagine how awesome the modular Hogwarts could have been if places like the classrooms and common rooms had been included. As for the banners, I may end up picking up a couple in any case for the great interior details and minifigures. I love all of the cardigans and quidditch sweaters!

TLG revealed the Spidey sets today, which are set to be released in March 2023. That means we can’t be far away from Harry Potter set pictures. I’m surprised we haven’t gotten more details from any leakers.

This right here makes me think that whatever the nature of the reboot in summer 2023, the designers are considering it a clean cut. Even if we keep the same main characters, maybe we’ll get new styles for dragons, mechs, temples, etc. This could even signal the end of the Core subtheme, although I kinda hope it sticks around for a few more years.

Are the winter HP sets usually released in March worldwide? Or do some regions get them in January? Just wondering about the likelihood of seeing official images soon.

I’ll give my full thoughts now that the wave has been revealed: 71780: Nice little car, it does look pretty bulky despite the low piece count. Pass. 71781: I like the new Lloyd figure, and it is nice to see a substantial build for the skeletons. I do wish Core did more with the villains. I might buy it. 71782: I agree that the “out of the box” image makes Cole’s dragon look very awkward. Still, I love the head and horns. I’m looking forward to seeing some reviews to get a better idea of just how awkward the low front legs are. Definite purchase. 71783: I like the concept of the mech bike. It is a little pricey and not something I’d usually purchase, but I may pick it up after reading some reviews. 71784: Not much to say here, other than this is yet another lightning jet. It’s a good price but because it’s so small I feel like the previous two lightning jets did a much better job. Pass. 71785: Beautiful mech. I don’t buy every Ninjago mech, but I think this one is a definite purchase. I love the unique shaping, color scheme, and the full on artillery of weapons it’s armed with. It’s also nice to get a large mech for Jay, who has only had small ones in the past. I like the minipix robot! 71786: As a collector of Ninjago dragons, this one is a definite purchase. Very similar to Lloyd’s dragon from 2022, in that it’s unique and massive. I’m not super convinced by the lower jaw and wings, but overall I think it looks great! 71787: The brick box is a lot more fun than I thought it would be. I’m interested to know if the two “trainees” are going to have any sort of background or if they’re just meant as insert characters for young builders. Maybe at a discount I’d pick it up. 71800: Nya’s dragon, while small and blocky, does a better job IMO than either of the two EVO dragons from 2022. The front legs are definitely too simple but beyond that the shaping is surprisingly decent. I think the worst part about all of the EVO dragons have been their wings, and that trend continues this year. Still, I’ll pick it up, especially as this is only Nya’s 2nd-and-a-half dragon. Overall, I’m a fan of this Core wave and think it’s better than 2022’s. I like the villains and the variety of those minifigures. It’s perhaps a bit disappointing that the ninja don’t have updated suits, but I can overlook that. At least they aren’t still using the Legacy 1 suits that lasted forever. I’m hoping the spinners/gimmick sets get revealed soon, as those will almost definitely feature some new minifigure designs (fingers crossed for Zane, Cole, and Nya)

Has this been confirmed somewhere? I thought it was just speculation

Assuming the antagonists of this next core wave are skeletons, I’m wondering if it’ll be a new faction or a repeat of the Legacy-style ones. I’d personally hope for a new faction, although I wonder how they would be visually unique from what we’ve already had.

I really hope the set designers find a way to sneak in the final elemental master we’re missing (Chamille) before any sudden changes in the storyline and sets. It would be a shame if we ended up with all but one!

Fans have been speculating about a next generation of ninja basically since 2013 when the original “reboot” was announced. I do think it could work, so long as the designers don’t solely rely on new characters to keep the sets fresh. I’d hate to see them retread old ideas when the last few years have seen such unique and creative subthemes. I suppose it is a risk that people might stop buying once their favorite characters are no longer the main heroes, but (anecdotally) it seems like sales have already been lower in recent years. Maybe a next generation would reinvigorate the theme while keeping old fans around. If a new team does form, I’d like to see a different set of elements/colors for them. I’d also prefer the new team not be made up of previous side characters or elemental masters.

Looks like the “Ray the Castaway” GWP will come with a (spring?) green fish, silver fish, red crab, and blue and yellow parrot. Nothing too exciting there, but a good amount of animals. I was hoping for the return of the hermit crab!

Having just built Dumbledore’s Office, I’m curious what everyone thinks about the current representation of the invisibility cloak. I like the fabric design; I think it’s really a very pretty cape. But I think the shaping of the cloak around Harry leaves something to be desired, not least because it doesn’t cover Harry’s head. I know the 2010-2011 line had the rounded cloth that just kind of sat on top of a minifigure, but I found that it would often just fall off. Could a plastic invisibility cloak ever work? Or perhaps a piece of stiffer cloth that’s creased to form a sort of pocket? I really don’t know if there’s a better way to represent it.

Looks like Legacy is officially dead. I’ve come to terms with that, as the subtheme had a great run and was probably approaching “modern” Ninjago too quickly to remain viable. I do appreciate Core and EVO for what they are; they don’t lock designers into only remaking old sets (with some exceptions). With Legacy, there were naturally a lot of comparisons to be made to the original sets. Meanwhile Core seems better at taking old ideas and reimagining them. Plus, we get some brand new ideas mixed in. We would never be getting a $100 ice dragon or Jay’s Titan Mech under the Legacy theme. I’m optimistic and looking forward to more information and pictures!

With 3 minifigs in each banner set, there aren’t too many options. I doubt they’d do heads of houses again, and there aren’t really any other 4 professors closely associated with each house. The obvious choice, as many have mentioned, would be the house ghosts, but something makes me doubt that TLG would go that route. I’d love to be proven wrong though. Beyond that, I can only think of two options: A) 3 students (perhaps one named character and two generic students, or one each of quidditch/robed/sweater) or B) Hogwarts founder and two students. I’m not sure B is super likely with the D2C castle still on shelves, but it would be an interesting move. What I’m really excited to find out about are the builds for all 6 of these sets. I have a feeling I’ll want to skip on the banners unless they look stunning or can be easily integrated into the existing castle. For the 2nd task set, I have a hard time imagining a build worth that price tag. Generic underwater scenery doesn’t sound very appealing. As for the Room of Requirement, I’m hoping they keep with the precedent of Hogwarts expansions from 2022. In my ideal scenario, we’d see something closer to the Polyjuice Potion Mistake, where the set truly feels like a module to add to the castle. But since the designers seem to have moved away from that, I’m hoping for at least something dynamic, similar to the Hospital Wing or Dumbledore’s Office.

They really have been teasing us with the golden weapons for years. How hard would it be to create an accurate element for each of them? Even a trans blue chain would be entirely within the realm of possibility and would improve the nunchucks immensely without requiring a new mold.

I know we’ve known about the quotes for a few weeks now, but does anyone else find the quotes that were chosen to be somewhat random? There are several fairly iconic quotes that take place in and around the Hogwarts Express, but the ones included don’t stick out to me as memorable or important. It’s been a few years since I’ve watched the movies though, so maybe I’m misremembering the relevance/importance of these quotes? Curious what others are thinking.

Probably going to be a pass for me. It’s a beautiful set that looks like it’ll be fun to build and impressive on display, but not something I’m willing to shell out several hundred dollars for. Still, looking forward to seeing more pictures!