A couple of weeks ago, the title of the new Ninjago Series: Dragons Rising was revealed. The series will arrive, along with new sets on the first of June in most of the world, although it might take a little longer to arrive elsewhere. – July 1 in Australia for example.

In the series we see the result of the Mergequake – the Realms that have been previously seen on Ninjago, as well as others not seen to date – join together to present a new world, with some familiar aspects. The series will focus on two new characters: Sora and Arin, along with a baby dragon names Riyu.

This will be a great opportunity for the Ninjago-Curious to step into the world, with no knowledge of previous canon necessary to watch the program, although the creative team assured us at a round table meeting a few weeks ago that there will be plenty of tidbits to keep the long time fans of the show happy.

I will post some of the highlights from round table – where the creative team discussed the discussed the new series, as well as the new sets – later in the week. Today, it is all about the new sets. While our old ninja are not front in centre in the new show, they are prominent in the new sets, along with the new heroes and a new villainous faction: the Imperium.

You can read through the press material, and browse through the new sets. The series maintains its Fantasy- Sciience Fiction roots, and so there are plenty of dragons, Mechs, Temples, and futuristic vehicles.

There is even a new Sphere element – used in a variety of ways: providing the gliding surface for new spinners; allowing race cars to mount spinning attacks, and providing an energy source/form of attack for the larger Dragon Models.

The Press Release

Today, the LEGO Group is revealing the new, merged realms of LEGO NINJAGO with brand new characters, products, and an animated TV show created with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. The products and TV show are launching June 1^st.

“We wanted to create a new LEGO NINJAGO world with exciting characters and elements that invites new fans in and stays true to the iconic legacy. So, as well as welcoming back our well-known ninjas, we are equally excited to introduce new fantastic ninjas and dragon characters. This follows research we did with kids back in 2021, which showed they really wanted dragons to be front and centre of the new story.” says Nigel Kong, Head of Product for LEGO NINJAGO.

Introducing new ninja characters Sora and Arin, and a baby dragon character Riyu. The new generation of NINJAGO characters will come together and must unlock their true potential to find the well-known ninjas, who have gone missing in a new world of merged realms. The ninjas will need all the help they can get to defend the source dragons who will unite their world forever or destroy it completely.

After 12 years of storylines, villains, character dilemmas across 15 TV seasons and 215 episodes aired in 191 countries and translated into 26 languages, a movie, mini-movies, video- and app games, more than 200 million LEGO NINJAGO sets sold, magazines, books, colouring books, graphic novels, trading cards, merchandise, clothing collaborations with cool brands, golden minifigures, 10^th Anniversary sets, hotel rooms, a LEGOLAND park ride, and a huge fan community – the world of LEGO NINJAGO is reaching new heights.

Show and sets coming June 1^st
The brand-new LEGO NINJAGO: Dragons Rising TV show is coming to broadcast channels and streaming services around the world from June 1^st. Part 1 airing in June consists of 10 episodes of 22 minutes each, while part 2 with an additional 10 episodes will be released in the fall. The show has been created with Unreal Engine, which enabled the team to be more collaborative and creative in the animation process, and to reach a higher visual quality than ever before. Find more information on show availability on www.LEGO.com.

We rise! The LEGO Ninjago Dragons Rising sets are on sale from June 1^st, 2023, on www.LEGO.com/NINJAGO and globally in LEGO stores and other retailers, including selected stores in USA.

The new LEGO NINJAGO includes a range of products featuring new and original characters, including:

For ages 4+: 

Kai and Ras’s Car and Bike Battle (71789) features a dragon car, an all-terrain vehicle, Kai, and Lord Ras minifigures, a piece of blue lightning in a display holder and 2 flame elements for kids to play out exciting moments from the TV series. (Price: 20.99 EUR/19.99 USD/18.99 GBP/34.99 AUD/469.9 TRY/8490.0 HUF/24.99 CAD)

Nya and Arin’s Baby Dragon Battle (71798) features 2 dragons, a jet plane, and a hideout cave with energy crystals, plus 3 minifigures to inspire countless hours of gripping role play.  (Price: 31.99 EUR/34.99 USD/26.99 GBP/47.99 AUD/699.9 TRY/12990.0 HUF/39.99 CAD)

For ages 6+ and 7+: 

Kai’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Flip (71777), Nya’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Drift (71778) and Lloyd’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Spin (71779) lets fans master Spinjitzu skills with interactive flipping and spinning toys.  (   Price: 9.99 EUR/10.99 USD/8.99 GBP/3990.0 HUF/199.9 TRY/13.99 CAD/16.99 )

Imperium Dragon Hunter Hound (71790) features a monster toy and 3 minifigures. The set will have fans travelling to Imperium for a daring mission with Jay and Lloyd, as they take on the Imperium Claw General, who is riding a fearsome Photac Beast. (Price: 20.99 EUR/19.99 USD/18.99 GBP/34.99 AUD/469.9 TRY/8490.0 HUF/24.99 CAD)

Zane’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Race Car (71791) features a ninja car, 2 hover flyers and 4 minifigures. Fans can push down the car’s spoiler to activate its dragon power and launch a stealth spinning attack.  (Price: 34.99 EUR/34.99 USD/29.99 GBP/62.99 AUD/13990.0 HUF/799.9 TRY/39.99 CAD)

For ages 8+ and 9+:

Sora’s Transforming Mech Bike Racer (71792) features a mech, a dragon and 3 minifigures. Fans can jump in the mech’s cockpit before transforming it into a souped-up bike to enter a high-speed chase with Rapton on his glider. (Price: 47.99 EUR/47.99 USD/42.99 GBP/72.99 AUD/1099.9 TRY/19690.0 HUF/59.99 CAD)

Heatwave Transforming Lava Dragon (71793) features a ninja dragon, a hovercraft vehicle and 5 minifigures. With Kai, Lloyd and Wyldfyre, fans can transform Heatwave into battle mode and fight back by firing its purple dragon power element at the dragon hunters. ( Price: 52.99 EUR /54.99 USD/46.99 GBP/84.99 AUD/1199.9 TRY/21290.0 HUF/69.99 CAD)

Lloyd and Arin’s Ninja Team Mechs (71794) features 2 battle mechs and 5 minifigures. Fans can help master Lloyd and Arin jump inside a pair of awesome mech suits or combine the two mechs to create 1 larger fighting mech. (Price: 84.99 EUR/79.99 USD/74.99 GBP/139.99 AUD/1899.9 TRY/34990.0 HUF/99.99 CAD)

Temple of the Dragon Energy Cores (71795) is a NINJAGO Temple set which features 6 minifigures including Cole, Kai, and Nya. The set will bring fans on a trip into the World Forest to explore the Temple of the Dragon Energy Cores. (Price: 94.99 EUR/94.99 USD/84.99 GBP/149.99 AUD/39990.0 HUF/1999.9 TRY/119.99 CAD)

Elemental Dragon vs. The Empress Mech (71796) features a dragon, mech, ninja flyer and 6 minifigures. With this set, fans can team up with baby dragon Riyu, Sora, Zane, and Jay to battle Lord Ras, Empress Beatrix, and an Imperium Guard.  (Price: 104.99 EUR/129.99 USD/94.99 GBP/2299.9 TRY/41990.0 HUF/169.99 AUD/169.99 CAD)

Destiny’s Bounty – race against time (71797) will take fans to the skies and fly above the merged world. The set features the Ninja Airship, 2 Dragons and 6 Minifigures. (Price: 149.99 EUR/159.99 USD/129.99 GBP/249.99 AUD/3199.9 TRY/63990.0 HUF/209.99 CAD)

For ages 14+:  

LEGO NINJAGO City Markets (71799) is a highly detailed set featuring a whopping 6,163 pieces! This is NINJAGO’s biggest ever building set with 4-floors and includes: A cable car, a bakery, a boat, apartments, an elevator, a rooftop food court and so much more. Standing at 20 in. (50cm) high the set comes with 21 minifigures – including Blacksmith Kai, Urban Sora, Urban Arin, Detective Zane, Hounddog McBrag, Gayle Gossip, Chamille, Miss Demeanor and Dareth. For fans who love a large and intricate build, they can experience all the colour, excitement, and vibrancy of NINJAGO City. With over 6000 pieces, this set is the largest Ninjago set ever released! (Price: 369,99 EUR/369.99 USD/319.99 GBP/549.99 AUD/8499.9 TRY/159990.0 HUF/479.99 CAD)

Concluding Thoughts

I am intrigued by the the direction the series is taking under the new Showrunner, Asa Tait. With the previous creative force, Tommy Andreasen moving over to the upcoming LEGO DREAMZzz, this is a time to relaunch the Ninjago storylines. The old ninja will appear, but they are far from central to the storylines.

As for the sets, there are a few that really catch my eye, including 71792 Sora’s Transforming Mech Bike Racer; 71795 Temple of the Dragon Energy Cores; and of course the new 71799 Ninjago City Markets. I am intrigued by the aesthetics of the new dragons, and look forward to having a closer look to some of these in months to come. I had the opportunity to see prototypes of some of these sets at the Fan Media days last year, and it is certainly a very strong wave.

Suffice to say, there is plenty here to appeal to my inner Space and Castle Fan! Which sets appeal to you? Why not leave you thoughts below, and until next time…

Play Well!