Cocoa

If you don’t have a huge parts collection, then this is definitely the way to go. Especially with the Gardens, there’s a huge variety of pieces. And the figures do sell, so buying extras on sale and selling the figures will make it a great deal. 100% agree. Very unfortunate it just doesn’t work with the cityscape, but I plan on putting it to the side of the city skyline, but not directly connect it. Perhaps I can start an area that is “old Ninjago,” that doesn’t follow the three-tier design but has traditional architecture and set on islands. I have seen many photos online of Shanghai, where the futuristic large city meets the old, traditional houses. Sorta want to try that here with new meets old. Modding the blacksmith shop and Spring Lantern Festival to fit the NC base would look great for this.

Guys, the day has come! My favorite is with Gardens to the left of Docks to the left of City. The arcade’s colors fit in so well with Gardens. Also love the combo of the Gardens to the right of the city. The cherry tree transitions fantastically.

The designer of the original Ninjago City, Nick Vas, posted buildings he has designed digitally, including an amphibian cafe and pet rock shop.

I wonder how the Monkie Kid HQ would look next to the city. For those who missed out on the movie bounty, it may be a great alternative, if not a bit colorful. It also takes almost the entire footprint of the Docks, even measuring to around the same height. Honestly the set looks super in-style with Ninjago City, so I’m considering it before it retires at the end of the year. Also 23:49 on BZPower review shows City and Gardens compared and attached.

Yeah I completely understand. I feel like with nostalgia and pure innovation taken into account, the City will definitely remain unrivaled. I love to see people's opinions on this set as I am very passionate about the Ninjago City line. Exactly, yes. When I say unseen, I am talking about when it's all connected. While they aren't suspension bridges, here are a couple of bridge models I can refer you to. I think a combo of these two would look gorgeous. By the Brother's Brick By Whiskey Shred

The designer admits the set did not go through very many changes other than refinement, so I can see that. I feel like incorporating the pagoda in the rear would've left it unseen, like the harbor of the Docks, but I do like the idea of a pagoda being a centerpiece. Reminds me of this MOC by Galaktek.

I think the distribution of the details and the type of details is what is better with the Gardens for me. I do think NC is an unrivaled set when you consider when it was released. However, the way things are done on the Gardens feels more "in your face" with the details, which I really enjoy. Ninjago City reminds me of a mall or resort, where the product is wowing, but the distribution is clearly calculated. The Gardens feels unhinged like an eastern Cyberpunk city, with its garish, high-contrast colors, clashing architectural styles, and incorporation of botanical nature. It's really up to you which aesthetic you enjoy more.

Honestly, I believe the Gardens blows the originals out of the water when it comes to the sheer amount of details and the wide variety of colors and techniques. However, I believe there are two areas where the City is better. The first area would be larger buildings. The buildings in the City had a huge footprint, while the Gardens' buildings are very narrow. However, some of that space goes into creating patios and walkways, something the original lacked in the back. Also, I am not a huge interior fan, so this change isn't a dealbreaker. The second area would be access. While the City had the elevator that tied everything together, the Gardens has no access to the street level from the old world. However, the original had a sketchy way to access buildings using those cell doors, while the Gardens at least has a proper walkway to the museum and apartment.

Not much to say, maybe it will end up being a great surprise like the first wave, or maybe it will end being mediocre like the second wave. I don't care for vehicles much, but I am interested to see Red Son's jet, considering tr. neon orange has been retired. I'm fear the Arachnid Base will be like the Flaming Foundry. But if we're lucky, it could be like some of those cool fortresses from Elves. Sorta like this but a little more subdued.

This is very true. Something happened in 2019 or so. The TLNM movie sets were the last great quality sets I remember. The quality went way down with Ninjago Legacy’s first wave, and the trend has continued since. Sticker sheets cut terribly, figures with lousy printing, and worse of all, LEGO’s own prints. My version of the Diner (produced 2020) has the worst print application I have ever seen. Crooked is an understatement. The huge demand for LEGO and the sheer quantity of sets being produced can create a negligence for quality control, which is what I fear is happening.

There was a promo with a shrine and rickshaw that Ashnflash covered on his channel. Perhaps that will be next month's promo? Honestly hope my store has the car available still but the ice skating rank ain't bad either. EDIT: Nevermind that promo is exclusive to Chinese brand stores. So much for no more regional exclusives.

In this LEGO DOTS video (0:33), the color has a yellow sticker, indicating its retirement following 2021. The only 2021 set to include tr. neon orange is 80106 Story of Nian, which will retire at the end of this year. Also, note the lanterns in 71741 are tr. light blue. I honestly have no idea why such a common color would be retired, other than I guess LEGO is trying to minimalize their color palette to only necessary colors. They discontinued the classic ice color, tr. medium blue, in 2018, and have colors such as coral and copper on a limited 4-year run.

Lychir already mentioned this, but I think it's important to address it again. Unfortunately, it is impossible for LEGO to rerelease the sets due to retired parts and colors. Many of the minifigure parts from the movie are retired, which would require LEGO to replace the minifig selection. While that is not too challenging, the color used excessively in the original City, tr. neon orange, is retired, so that would have to be replaced entirely.

Would be cool to see the Atlantis and Ninjago Movie parts in this Summer wave, though I think those are long gone. Also fear that LEGO has sent nobody a review copy of the Gardens yet and won’t do a press release. While the Docks didn’t receive one, it was an expansion and wasn’t a D2C. The Gardens is the 10th anniversary tribute and a D2C. Here’s hope there is one tomorrow or Thursday, but if not, I am glad to see some more photos. Some of these new close ups look gorgeous.

In the US, almost all the new 2021 sets were on backorder by the morning. Same happened with CNY a couple days ago. Perhaps there is more supply in your area, but to be safe, definitely order at midnight or call for store pick up if that’s available. I called the LEGO Store today and they haven’t heard the protocol on if they’re allowed to let people order via phone for pick up on release. But they confirmed they would have on the 14th and that’s good.

I read the article and I agree entirely. As the "ultimate Ninjago gift," let alone a D2C, this should get a press release by default. But unfortunately, it doesn't even sound like Brickset has been given anything past the photos we have. Luckily, the photos found by Brickset have much higher resolution than yesterdays'. But even if it is officially revealed on the 13th like the calendar would suggest, we may not see reviews until consumers post their own. But for anyone planning to buy this on the 14th, perhaps there won't be any long lines or website crashes.

Honestly, I'm calling the reveal to be on the 13th, if not some time today. Right when the January calendar was revealed, I noticed the 13th marked on LEGO's calendar for Ninjago, and that's when I knew LEGO would drag out this reveal to the very last minute. But honestly, we've seen so much of the Gardens already that the most we'll get out of a reveal are some reviews and international prices. Still, reviews are super valuable for seeing the set in detail and seeing what it will look like IRL. I remember you mentioned that, so I am looking forward. Enjoy the build and take your time. Also, in the expand section, both buildings are from the Gardens. One is the sand green building to the bottom right (Ronin's shop?), and the other building is the Ninjago fan's apartment.

I don’t know why this didn’t dawn on me earlier, but if the 32 x 32 structures can connect like the back of the box suggests, then the sidewalk and patio to the left are removable.

On the left is the sand green building from the bottom right. I hope we get another module, and they may even have one planned, but the chances of one being released most likely depend on how well this set performs. I feel like the novelty and grandeur of the original City is captured here, and that set has remained quite popular even after retirement, so I think this has a good chance of being a hit.

So the "Expand your Ninjago Gardens" segment actually shows two copies of the Gardens being connected. I'm surprised they'd promote connecting multiple copies of the same set, though, at the same time, the other blocks are retired and probably won't be reissued. I remember they encouraged this idea with Cafe Corner, and honestly it's worthwhile if you can afford it. If any of you buy two Gardens, I'd love to see them connected.

The way the Gardens is sorta cut off from the originals and just how different it is aesthetic wise could indicate the start of a new section for the city. Perhaps each section would have a unique lantern color? That is if LEGO releases more expansions.

I liked this set, but honestly this looks so much better than it did in the catalog. Seeing the city all together, I am so satisfied. THIS is exactly what I wanted since the City came out. And wow, the Gardens is actually larger than the original. Honestly it’s a dream come true.

Absolutely. Although I wouldn't expect it to be too straightforward. The NC designer Nick Vas built his copy of the city mirrored. When someone pointed it out, Nick commented, "I enjoy breaking my brain." Perhaps the Gardens will be easier since the base looks to be simpler without the elevator and bridge. Some sections don't have to be built much differently at all, i.e. the teal spire and center tree. If the release of this set is any indication, there's definitely an opportunity for a new expansion following the Gardens. That said, some have speculated this is the final set, one that will complete the block which began with the City and continued with the Docks. Personally, I can see LEGO going either way. Perhaps they'll do an expansion every two years? Also want to assure you there is no confirmation about Ninjago ending in 2022. I believe there was a tweet about Ninjago content up to 2022 being in the works. LEGO takes around two years to fully realize sets, as seen by Monkie Kid or 501st Legion. So basically, that tweet was just the creators' way of exciting fans for the future. Also, Ninjago is evergreen from what I know. So it will release new sets every season for the foreseeable future, like City and Friends.

Monkie Kid is a D2C theme in most countries so we probably won't see images until very close to the release.

I just looked at Golden Wu and Kai. I think this is like Kai and Lloyd from the movie. The torso prints are very similar, but there are slight differences to make them feel unique. I am unsure if I am allowed to post Wu on here to show what I mean, but the image I have is from an official catalog.