a guy from somewhere

First up, a massive album. I decided to pull together all the pictures I took of my scrapped and work-in-progress-but-may-have-never-finished models. If theres anyone out there that wants to start building a Ninjago City, these where my first attempt at the idea. Feel free to use any techniques and designs you want, although I'll admit a lot of these are a bit janky. the main focus is on my original 2 16x32 modules, one of which I transplanted onto my skylines moc, which ill post here in a bit. If theres any questions you have regarding these old builds I will try my best to answer them, I understand some of these concepts may be a bit strange, like that dark green building with the unagami insignia. That was actually meant to be a hover board launch pad, with the boards stored in the dark green building. Thats sort of my head cannon with my own city Mocs, theres a team like the ninja that zip about on hover boards around the city. Theres the workshop where they can build, a hideout above the noodle shop below the workshop, a secret bunker in the skylines set that is found under the stone supports on the left side of the moc, a secret storage space for a suit behind the sushi stand and skyscraper in the business district, and the yellow building thats at the top of the city skyline moc is actually a base/home for one or two of the 'flyboarders' to live in and monitor the city.

Yes, I love Wiskey's square design with the central gate for boats, and his prime empire moc is also pretty damn incredible. Samsbricklab on YouTube also has a really cool set of buildings, the plaza hes built looks damn near perfect, although I think it does fall into the same trap the markets does with too much grey open space. BrickDaimyos monorail idea is something I desperately want to integrate, especially as I own the city of lanterns monkie kid set, but Id like there to be a cohesive flow between all modules and implementing a monorail track on my current MOCs and modding one onto the official sets would be too time consuming and parts consuming for me, plus it can off set the amazing look the sets already have. I try to keep all mods that change the official sets to a minimum. Eventually ill get some lanterns but not until after ive gotten the markets and modded it to my liking. I'd like to fill out the 8 stud wide walk way at the back with some small stands, which I have actually seen in the movie book from pictures online. The folks over on the "building screen accurate ninjago movie mechs" thread have been very helpful as they often work on auxiliary builds from the movie like the school bus, the sea monkey (and other boats), and some shark army vehicles. The elevator will be only 2 or 3 floors, and its only a small thing to test proof of concept. its built around an old 2 x 4 door frame that will be on a cable that goes to the top of the building, completely inside it. What is MILS? Ive never heard of that term, I'd love to be enlightened. Im guessing its lego related and not airway related? Im planning on putting the bounty on a stand of clear bricks hopefully above the city (it is a flying ship after all, thats kind of the point). And yes, I advise digging the book out if your going to build Mocs. I'd also say go small, build a 16x32 module first as it gives you enough space to get a feel for building design and style but isn't as big of a task as a 32x32. Go from the bottom up to the top, and if you can, build it whilst its sat next to a Ninjago City set like gardens or markets or the OG. It helps a lot with colours and styling. Ill follow this post up with the album of my skylines moc.

Thanks! So to answer in order, with the rumours of the biggest ninjago set ever circulating, I actually began in summer 2020 trying to build the original Ninjago City set using my own parts, so I downloaded the instructions and tried building it somewhat brick for brick using my own collection so I could connect it with the gardens. I ended up abandoning the project when I realised it would take too long, and it sat unfinished for quite a while with only the old city sector complete. I eventually picked back up with the release of the gardens, and build a 16x32 module from scratch. After that I condensed it down and scrapped that module, before reintegrating the street level sector onto the unfinished corner module, basically transplanting half the build. That is the 16 wide section that has a food shop and orange apartment above it, along with the unagami insignia and yellow house. I'll add it to the new album. Eventually we got the news of the markets and in anticipation I built the smaller Ninjago City workshops module, as it was easier to take with me and build due to me being away from my main collection, and then the 8 wide green grocer module. Then markets was revealed and released, and I built the current work in progress business district module with the canal and skyscraper and noodle shop. Now that I have access to my main collection of parts (and Bricklink order opportunities) I have been making steady progress upgrading and continuing to work on these 2 modules until im happy with them. Then I plan to build 2 more corner modules, and a straight 32x32 module. Im planning on buying 2 markets sets (obliterating my summer budget in the process) and using the parts from 1 to help build the new modules. It will be a busy summer. My final layout for the city will be a sort of rectangle, with a water space in the centre to put the new destiny bounty in. Unfortunately the fact that Markets extends so far back into the waterways is proving to be a bit of an issue with my design. The line between control and chaos is thin, and looking at the other city sets, I think the best way to do it is go for large, simple shapes, with little base detail, and then add the detail onto it. As for planning for future builds, I mostly look for inspiration online, wiskeyshred on YouTube and Legands of ninjago have some very good builds, as does zachsbricks. On instagram theres also some pretty nice builds, and a few hidden gems, such as samurai_z_fire's exceptional Ninjago City centre moc, I'll link it with the next post. I'll be taking inspiration from both, using the idea of a split diagonal water way through the build with a bridge over it. Finally I want to highlight Reddit user HAFL, who I'll also link, as their sketches and builds are next level. I also use official lego concept art and concept models (like the test models of the gardens shown in the new elementary interview) to get ideas, and ive been trying to find decent scans of the ninjago: making of the movie book, as it also features a couple of preliminary and test models of the original city set in development. Other than outlining a few key parts and a couple of back-of-the-napkin sketches, I mainly build freehand with little to no planning. I dont particularly like using stud.io as ive found it to be difficult to work with. One of the biggest problems ive had with the city modules is colour blocking, ive never been great at art and I struggle to mesh the colours as well as the official city sets do it. And finally, the lanterns. I didn't like the switch from trans neon orange to blue, and the new lantern design is built poorly IMO, falling off and falling apart at the slightest knock, so I opted out on them. Maybe with a future Bricklink order I'll buy a ton and add them back in. Links to others work: Reddit U/HAFL: Zachs bricks amazing builds: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctw9XBxJc69/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/CtZiegTLjZJ/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/CMXbWjpHf1Q/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/CKHRe4VpjHl/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/CEHjPc3Jkfs/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbc9ywKrurm/?hl=en Legends of ninjago: WiskeyShred: All of these people are incredible and masterful, and they all need to be highlighted more. Their work is amazing, and thats what I hope to achieve with my own city sets. Go and check them out and give them some love.

Now that im able to finally get some good pictures of my city set up, here it is in full. From left to right, you have the Ninjago City skylines, with a lower section based on the original Ninjago City set and a work in progress upper section, primarilly around the back and around the construction section with the blue tree. Then we have my 8 wide module, the green grocers, and the Ninjago City workshop, both of which I haven't added stand alone pictures as they can be found on my Flickr page. Skylines is my current favourite, ive recently upgraded the yellow building and I may post more pictures of it if anyones interested. Next up is my newest (so new its not even finished ) module, the business district, that comprises a modified custom version of pigsys noodles, and a shining skyscraper that will have an elevator inside. Around the back is a storage container with a hidden combat suit, for one of the many hoverboard flyers that zip about. Theres a way up to the roof of the noodle shop, and under a hatch theres a ladder that goes all the way down to the kitchen floor, giving full accessibility to minifigs. on the old city level, a canal way is present for boats to go back and fourth between, and a small house with bedroom above it can be found. The bedroom is my personal favourite part of this module, with the windows overlooking everything. I have a Bricklink order on the way that is chock full of city building parts, so I will post more pictures in a stand alone album once its complete. And finally, my mirrored gardens, which some of you may have seen before (along with a couple of mods) Let me know if theres any 'constructive' criticism you'd like to input, im always welcome for ideas. I also have a question for those that build custom modules, how do you find the fine line between being too cluttered and chaotic and too simple? All together it sort of feels like a cluttered mess, and id like to cut down on it, but other than that im pretty happy with it. I have plans to build one more module, Id really like to build a corner module but I desperately need a single straight 32x32 module now.

We do know there is some form of Christmas in Ninjago, in crystalized ronin refers to “the giving goat” when the ninja arrive in prison with him.

As cool as I think this could be, I dont particularly see the appeal, as Christmas themed ninjago figures aren't my deal, and I dont think I absolutely need tons of microscale models of sets, although a microscale Ninjago City skyline that can all connect together could be very cool. Advent calendars are also obscenely expensive these days, and it would be another set to add to the pile that im already trying to complete. The only draw for me would be exclusive show accurate figures like a Dr Julian or a mailman, or maybe a commissioner figure? But I wouldnt want Christmas minifies, as their use is limited outside the set.

I think you get a pass if its comic con, unless you really really go for it. It seems dumb considering how many people are trying to get complete collections. Maybe build it with own parts if the instructions become available?

New set is coming for comic con, polybag of a source dragon. Guessing it’s the one that is trapped by imperium. https://assets.legal.services.lego.com/ecerts/6484261_363_usdoc_en_10329553.pdf

Agreed, as much as I like big sets Ninjago always hits it out of the park with small sets. Not as much as city, but still pretty good £20 sets. Hopefully we see the return of something like legacy battle sets, or even better the core £10 sets like the jet and car. It also makes the wave a bit more manageable in price.

We got an updated list from Priceyplasticproduct on insta, apparently 71801,71802 and 71803 are all $10, then 71806 and 71807 are $20 sets, and 71808 is $30 and 71809 is $65. Whist these 2 lists don’t line up really, I’m more concerned if this one is the legit one and not the discord leak. There’s only a couple of sets and I’m willing to bet that all the $10 are gimmick dragon power spinjitzu sets. That means it’s only 4 sets for a January wave. That’s too few right?

I think they may be in the massive Lego city downtown set, I know that that set has a few trading cards in. Im about to begin construction on my next module for the city. Going to take the wooden buildings into consideration, and also a record store of some sort and a MOC of MK’s noodle house from the first monkey mech set. Any suggestion or ideas on what else I should add to it? It’s going to have a water canal flowing through the lower city as well, linking the front to the back.

All on YouTube

Having finished the bounty, here are my overall thoughts on it: Build is very solid and strong apart from the front, and is pretty heavy to hold. You can stand figures in the lower hull living space, and on the ships deck. The dragon is pretty fiddly to get into the hull, as theres so many moving parts theres a lot of options for it to go south. The ship itself is also pretty sizeable, at 53cm long, not far off the box size and listed specification. I absolutely love the shaping of the hull, even if it is a bit weird with how the mast takes up a ton of space. Speaking of which, by far my least favourite part of the ship is the mast. It feels incredibly flimsy and moves about a ton, the sails cant go all the way up or down, and just kinda sit in the middle, which in my opinion sums up my problem with the set. It feels like its trying too hard to be either a sea ship or an airship, and thus barley accomplishes both tasks. The engines at the back feel good, but a little small, and the lack of a function is somewhat fustrating, however given the fact that we wouldnt have had any interior then, im happy with the compromise. The dragon storage at the front is a cool gimmick, but as I have 2 dragons, I will most likely be modding mine to fully cover the deck, have the 2 dragons either side and in the hull have living quarters for the ninja, im thinking a kitchen, and a rec-room instead of the back being all cluttered up. I do like the forward deck with the plants and games board and tea set. The back cabin feels empty but I can fill it with stuff to be modded. I love Riyu's house at the top as well, despite not particularly liking the height of the section (that blue and yellow cabin is far too tall) and the balcony at the back is amazing. I like the option for putting a head on the front of the ship, I believe the designers did intentionally put the click hinge part there for that reason. If anyone has any ideas for mods to the set please let me know! ill be posting pictures of the bounty and my dragon combined tomorrow. Overall, Id give it a 7-8 out of 10. Not the worst set ever, but it has some flaws that needed addressing. It feels like a Frankensteins monster bounty, so many good ideas but it needed more time for it to be thought over and the design figured out. All of these ideas are pretty good (save for that bounty sail mechanism) but they feel like they've been cobbled together, or as I theorised when it was first revealed, slapped onto a canceled legacy possession bounty, and made to fit the design. I just wish I liked it more. Hopefully with a bit of modding I can sway my own opinion. If your on the fence about buying it, I would wait for a discount and then you should be 100% happy with it. Dropping £130 on something and it ends up somewhat half baked is not a feeling I particularly enjoy. Now that I think about it, a scrapped together bounty could be really cool, and a welcome change to the regular bright flashy brand-spanking-new-only-to-be-destroyed-next-episode sorta bounties we get. Im thinking post apocalyptic mad max style.

I will see if I can get some good pictures of the modules together In a few weeks, im away from my main setup at the moment. My corner module is slowly undergoing renovations and I am yet to get enough barriers for all the sets, but I will see what I can do. Appreciate the feedback!

Thank you, I have recently acquired more parts for the final 16x32 module ill be building, I'll take that into consideration. I bit the bullet yesterday and traveled into Cardiff, my somewhat local city to hit the LEGO Store. I managed to get some pretty good pick a brick parts (those hyper rare 1x1 tiles in sand blue are there for the parts enthusiasts among us) along with a ton of clear wall panels, the new city doors, grey masonry bricks and yellow girders, so I brought a few. I also got the build a mini figure set, so I have the exclusive Arin and Sora with their heads and hair. They had all the ninjago sets on display, so you can see them in hand. Markets is impressive, looks very stunning IRL, as does the empire mech vs dragon set. I had struck it from my list of sets to get in the wave, but am now reconsidering as the dragon is huge. I cant quite describe the scale, but it is enormous. The temple of dragon cores looks very gorgeous in person as well, I was half tempted to get it, and the titan mech duo doesnt look too bad but still overpriced IMO. But the main reason I went, was to pick up the new bounty. After building half of it (took a break after bag 7 as im building with a friend, he has another set coming so we will finish them together) honestly its pretty darn good. It was weird building the dragon (again) and the structure is pretty sturdy. The back hull has good space inside but unfortunately I dont think figures can stand in it with the roof on. The size is pretty good, about what I was expecting, but I will be emailing lego to suggest they change their specifications so they match the actual build and not the box the set comes in, as I feel like thats pretty misleading. My own dragon that I built, the red one, does fit inside the hull as well, so when im done ill take some pictures and show them here to see if you folks like the colour swap or not. overall, pretty happy so far. My only complaint is the lack of mini figures, for the price and size, it sucks. We should have had emperor Beatrix and a regular claw guard alongside it, or a hover chariot for Rapton. Also the mould marks are becoming increasingly visible and apparent, which isn't great. Quality is slipping. But overall im pretty happy with it. I also want to note the LEGO Store employees are still the greatest people ever, they where amazing

Unfortunately it is a design oversight, I’ll be replacing my copy with a minifig stand like what they do at the back of the build.

Agreed. On the topic of season 4, I watched the finale yesterday, heres some of my thoughts -

Wait what? This isn’t Twitter business is it? Don’t use it, that’s just another reason to add to the long list of why if so…

So the way I see it, dragons rising is basically 2 season, split over the second half of the year. 10 episodes each of 20 mins, which is a lot of content to produce. I don’t think we will get another season of dragons rising until next summer, which means no content for the winter wave….. apart from dragons rising part 2. Usually I’d say core would be the winter wave but as they specificly said it’s gone that leaves 3 options. 1) we get a completely new wave of sets with no show tie in, could be an experiment to see how well sets sell without the show but core already did that 2) we get a second season in the winter of dragons rising, maybe 10 episodes not 20, as that’s a lot of content to animate and such. Then the sets for the winter wave are based on this. 3) what I think the most likely option is that we get sets based of dragons rising season one, but more spoiler type sets, and mainly based of the second half. I think the matriarch dragon is going to be a definite, as whislt she didn’t have much of a role in part 1, she’s definitely set up to be a major plot point character at some point, and Lloyds legendary dragon is being retired at the end of the year so they will want to keep a big Lloyd dragon out on shelves. I also think an imperium temple battle could be likely, with Euphrasia, doctor Larow, and maybe wyldfire plus some ninja? Some more weird spoiler characters. Doramo? The fireworks dude? Hopefully we see more hover chariots and gold imperium claws as the first wave did not do them justice. I’d also like to see maybe Chima cameo of some sort, say in part 2 they expand Ras’s backstory and it turns out here’s from Chima and he’s working with someone from there. I just think it would be cool to get a nod to that in the sets. Really though we know nothing about part 2, those descriptions for the episodes where confirmed false, the only real info we know was that picture of a mud mech, which I guess could be a set for Cole? But IMO it’s just a muddy samurai X mech from crystalized so we will have to wait and see. If we have no info on the winter sets by the time part 2 has finished airing then we can speculate away then.

No, it’s there for anyone who wants to read it. I’m just saying my personal opinion on the whole spoiler part 2 thing. Thank you for the info though, it’s gonna be tough keeping the thread going for a while now. No show news or set news for a few months at least, just discussion on the now available sets. Going to be picking the bounty up soon so I’ll see what I can mod with that. but back to your question, don’t remove it. Anyone’s welcome to read it, I won’t because I don’t want to be spoiled but for anyone else? Read away.

We don’t actually know yet, they haven’t been seen. I’m assuming it’s some way they interact with the dragon cores, although I have no clue. I know very little about dragons rising part 2. I see the spoiler post above me but I won’t be clicking it I’m afraid. Just got to hold out till October 1st.

Back at it again, here's my custom 8 wide module for the Ninjago City sets. Gonna be honest, this one was a pain. I understand why most people will choose 16 wide if they wanted to go smaller, there just isnt enough space to flesh details out. Happy how it did come out though, obviously nothings perfect but I think this lines up well with the others. The final few pics showcase it next to my Ninjago City workshop moc, I particularly like how the street opens up at the back. Details include - Aquarium at the base, along with a large support beam, and a path that leads to the back of the city streets. Wrecking ball (or Hammond) seems to have found a new spot for his new business, with a little tea shop. Directly above the store, in keeping with the tradition of trying not to waste space, is a garage for a hover bike. The second level consists of a green grocers, although sparse due to the space limitations, I think its the best I could manage. Above it is a balcony and little garden shed, complete with a shrine in the very back and a tree growing out of it, with a vending machine behind it. Above that, is a storage bay that is really just a place for me to chuck little trinkets and interesting parts, plus an excuse to put in a head in a jar, something my friend begged me to include in the city somewhere. At the very top, a landing pad for hover boards can be found, with a winch to get up there. As stated previously, the final pics are it next to the Workshop module, and I think it pairs very nicely. I have parts available for a final 16 wide module with a canal running through it, I figured theres enough paths but not enough water way connections that lead to the back of the city, so that will be my next project. For now though, I will be taking a break from the city skyline building. Let me know what you think and what I can improve on! Always open to suggestions and constructive criticism.

I agree, I have a bad feeling that this will be it for avatar. Also has everyone seen the delays that came out today? Pretty big delays now for the movies, number 3 is being pushed back to December 2025, 4 to 2029 (that’s a 3 year delay from 2026!) and number 5 is being pushed back till 2031. Absolutely wild, i understand sometimes movies have to be delayed but I’ll be interested to see what caused something like this.

Flag is a sticker, plus a 2 x 4 slope on the back.

Brought the hunter hound as an appetiser for the new wave, love the build. looks very menacing, and I figured you guys would want to see it compared to the bounty dragon that I built before for a size comparison. The hound is slightly bigger but more spindly, and I also managed to get some red eco joints from the core bone mech, and they look pretty good. I also have another project that I'll show off in a bit. Other than that, figures are great, the mask gap is a little annoying IRL but is easily looked past. the claw hunter looks great, its a shame we didn't see him in the show. Hopefully part 2 will come round on it. Also, those episode names and descriptions for part 2 have been confirmed by Doc, so no spoiler there thankfully. I have a question for anyone who has the new bounty yet, what is its actual length? Lego.com specs say its over half a meter long but I dont think thats right, im guessing they have the dragon next to it, which is kinda false advertising. I dont believe its 51cm long but if anyone has it in hand and can measure it that would be great.