LEGO Ninjago
2011
LEGO Ninjago is a long-running and highly successful LEGO theme, launched in 2011, that focuses on a group of six teenage ninjas who use the fictional martial art of Spinjitzu to fight evil forces in the modern, East Asian-inspired world of Ninjago. It has become an "evergreen theme," meaning it is a core, continuously available part of the LEGO brand, supported by extensive multimedia.
Overview
Storyline: The narrative centers around the six elemental masters, led by the "Green Ninja" Lloyd Garmadon, who are trained by their wise mentor, Master Wu. They defend Ninjago City from various villains and monsters across many seasons of an animated television series.
Modern Setting: The theme fuses traditional ninja elements like dragons and ancient temples with modern and futuristic technology, including skyscrapers, vehicles, and mechs.
Multimedia Franchise: Beyond the physical toys, the franchise includes a long-running animated TV series (which transitioned to Ninjago: Dragons Rising in 2023), a feature film (The LEGO Ninjago Movie), video games, and theme park attractions.
Evergreen Status: Originally planned for a three-year run, its immense popularity led to its continuation and status as a staple theme alongside lines like LEGO City and LEGO Friends.
Key Characters
The main team of ninjas includes:
Lloyd Garmadon: The legendary Green Ninja and leader of the team.
Kai: The ninja of Fire, known for his hot-headed nature.
Jay: The ninja of Lightning, known for his humor and wit.
Cole: The ninja of Earth, typically the strong and steady member. Zane: The ninja of Ice, who is revealed to be a Nindroid (robot).
Nya: Kai's sister and the ninja of Water, who joined the team later in the series.
Master Wu: The ancient, wise teacher and mentor to the ninjas.
Notable Sets
The theme has produced over 500 sets, covering a wide range of vehicles, locations, and characters.
Ninjago City Line: A series of large, highly detailed modular sets for adult collectors, featuring intricate architecture and numerous references from the TV show (e.g., Ninjago City Gardens [71741]).
The Destiny's Bounty: The ninjas' iconic flying ship has had multiple iterations across different product waves.
Temple of Airjitzu: A popular large temple set known for its display value.
Ninjago Legacy/Core: Subthemes that re-release classic sets with updated designs, celebrating the history of the brand.
