Ninjago 2012

[Aanchir]

Not sure if anyone's posted this yet, but there's a 1-minute trailer for the Ninjago TV series. Here in the US, it will be debuting December 2 on Cartoon Network, according to the latest LEGO Club magazine.

In this video we see the Green Ninja for the first time, a snakeman crane with a wrecking ball (maybe a summer or exclusive set?), and various vehicles in the way they will be depicted in the show. There is a large green warrior of unknown identity-- possibly a mech-like vehicle for the Green Ninja? Apparently, indeed, Lloyd is responsible for releasing the snakemen, who according to LEGO Magazine are called the "Serpentine" here in the US and possibly elsewhere.

Edited November 7, 2011 by Aanchir

[Delta 38]

Rubbish, the current spinners are high quality and the chinese minifigs have a better head fitting headgear fitting then the non-chinese ninjago minifigs from regular sets.

That may be true, but whether they are better or worse, I don't really want to mix them in my collection for consistency reasons.

Also they're terribly expensive.

I quite agree, but at the same time maybe switching the Ninjago spinners to another production facility means that production elsewhere is improving? After all, I believe one of the European production facilities was recently expanded. Since I'm pretty sure one reason for producing these parts in China in the first place was because it could handle that volume of production, it's possible expansions to production elsewhere will allow global production to start matching the complexity of some Chinese-made parts.

Not trying to defend those allegations; just wondering at possible reasons for the switch to non-Chinese production for these sets.

I believe the reason was because people were convinced that all Chinese plastic is bad plastic, and the switch was because people were thinking that the spinner minifigs were inferior in some way.

So it looks to me that this was a consumer-orientated move, and I don't think the price will increase, personally. I think it was also stated that some parts like the tails are still Chinese, but that's to be expected.

[Jouster]

Can't wait to get my hands on that nifty scorpion vehicle.

[Aanchir]

That may be true, but whether they are better or worse, I don't really want to mix them in my collection for consistency reasons.

Also they're terribly expensive.

I believe the reason was because people were convinced that all Chinese plastic is bad plastic, and the switch was because people were thinking that the spinner minifigs were inferior in some way.

So it looks to me that this was a consumer-orientated move, and I don't think the price will increase, personally. I think it was also stated that some parts like the tails are still Chinese, but that's to be expected.

I doubt that the reason has anything to do with public perception. After all, how many parents look at where a toy was made before buying them for their kids? I suppose there are some socio-economically-minded parents who oppose outsourcing for a wide range of reasons, but I'm pretty sure the majority of parents and kids wouldn't think twice about buying a LEGO set just because of where it is produced.

We AFOLs, of course, know better. We recognize that there is a difference between Chinese-made and non-Chinese-made parts, even if some (like me) don't feel that it's a real difference in quality. Certain parts with more advanced printing are more likely to be made in China, and many parts have either slight or obvious differences depending on where they are made and what molds they use.

But to the average parent, products being made in China is commonplace, and I imagine a lot of buyers here in the U.S. who actually look at where things are made wouldn't necessarily think an Eastern European production facility is any better than a Chinese one. So I'm pretty sure the reason for the change in production is actually production-related rather than perception-related.

[Delta 38]

I doubt that the reason has anything to do with public perception. After all, how many parents look at where a toy was made before buying them for their kids? I suppose there are some socio-economically-minded parents who oppose outsourcing for a wide range of reasons, but I'm pretty sure the majority of parents and kids wouldn't think twice about buying a LEGO set just because of where it is produced.

We AFOLs, of course, know better. We recognize that there is a difference between Chinese-made and non-Chinese-made parts, even if some (like me) don't feel that it's a real difference in quality. Certain parts with more advanced printing are more likely to be made in China, and many parts have either slight or obvious differences depending on where they are made and what molds they use.

But to the average parent, products being made in China is commonplace, and I imagine a lot of buyers here in the U.S. who actually look at where things are made wouldn't necessarily think an Eastern European production facility is any better than a Chinese one. So I'm pretty sure the reason for the change in production is actually production-related rather than perception-related.

You have good points, however...

...the 2011 spinners were indeed made in China, but the 2012 ones are made in Billund. Bit late now though the disinformation is out there and the damage to sales is done.

(Mark Stafford on Brickset)

So the switch from Chinese manufacturing to European is apparently because the spinners sold badly. "The damage to sales" is probably true, but I'm almost certain it's not because of whatever plastic it's made of.

The real problem is, the spinner sets are too expensive. They're around $20 here, and you could buy a battle pack with that. I guess the assumption is because they sold badly, it had to be because of Chinese production. If the origin of the spinners were made clearer (as a ridiculous example, if the price tags had the country where the set was made in large print), there will undoubtably be less people buying. Probably because of a combination of the cost and people thinking "wait, this isn't standard Lego quality because it's Chinese, right?" But that's not what's happening. The spinner sets don't look any worse if you don't know what you're looking for.

Even people that do know and don't really care about supposedly lower-quality plastic issues would be cautious in buying spinners anyway because of the price tag. I was fine with the Toy Story minifigs, and collectible minifigs are mostly unique so they're fine too. With the spinner sets, it's kind of a waste to buy one spinner just for the minifigure when you could buy a small set to get the same one and with actual pieces. If they had started with booster packs from the start, I think they would have sold a lot better and could have halved the price.

Because of the rising cost of everything, I think people here are actually very cautious about where products are made. Everything these days is pretty much made in China, which doesn't necessarily mean they're bad, but when people see a product that's primarily made in Europe, such as Lego, they tend to trust the brand and product a lot more.

[horizon]

The spinners are not meant for the minifig collectors, they are meant for the people who like to play the game. Our son has collected a bunch of them through his weekly money and from gifts.

Lego marketed it incorrectly in shops, they placed the spinners among the regular sets. They should have placed it at the Lego games section.

They should have more 1 vs 1 sets.

The spinners in itself are kinda expensive compared to it all, that is true. You can find then at prizes between 7,50 - 10 euro's. At 7,50 it isn't that bad, but you need to find the right internet shop.

And for being chinese I highly doubt it has influenced decisions of people buying. Heck, before I visited eurobricks I never would have delved into where parts where made and wouldn't have cared either. Most people don't know about these things. It is a dedicated Lego fan only thing.

And some are just weird, like this:

"I don't really want to mix them in my collection for consistency reasons."

What consistency? Lego is Lego. I'll bring a bucket of Czech, Mexican, US, Danish & Chinese lego and no one will ever be able to tell where they are from.

So, it is prize issue only.

[Suspsy]

Ohhh, I'm liking those snake vehicles with stinging tails. And that wrecking ball!

Oh, and it's good to see that the dragons haven't been forgotten.

Edited November 8, 2011 by Suspsy

[Peppermint_M]

Good grief!

There is a barely perceptable difference in those parts made in the production facility in China and those made in Billund. Do you make as much issue with parts made in Poland and Mexico? The only difference in some parts is the finish, whatever problems occured in the beginning have been sorted out. There are a few printing issues, but then I have parts from the time when all production was in Europe and there are plenty of misprints right from the box, cracked arms and snapped hands from normal play (I still have all of my childhood LEGO, being a bookish and careful child).

Does it occur to you that only the spinners themselves were made in China? The same as all the other popular spinning top toys?

The only people with an issue with chinese plastic is a few bloody minded Adult Fans who seem to forget that the community of AFOLs is not representative of TLGs main demographic.

So, no more moaning about it in here, unless all the chinese made parts crumble into dust and the printing slides off like a waterslide decale.

[surrideo]

I can appreciate people buying the sets for personal purposes i.e completion of theme, minifig collection etc.

Moreso than any other Lego line, Ninjago is a brand. With its own cartoon,regular building sets, spinning tops, collectable cards,special edition weapons, videogame and promoted to the hilt here in the UK and Im guessing the same in the US.

I've not bought a lot of it personally(I got most of the basic minifigs in paper promotions this year) but my mother, a teacher, could tell you how popular the game has been in the playgrounds. Essentialy a very old fashioned game and for the purpose they were made for, the spinners and figures are standing up to a solid amount of wear and tear. So any slight misprinting or nick on a bit of plastic just seems churlish to mention, unless of course, as mentioned above they all crumble to dust.

We all know that after we are long gone though, the lego will remain.....

[Lance]

Well, it seems the first and second episodes of season 2 will be airing on 21st and 22nd of November respectively! So (presumably) everyone needs to tune in to Cartoon Network

Will this be for the UK?

If so, it may be an indication of an early release for the new sets!

Teaser image for season 2

Edited November 8, 2011 by Lance

[Delta 38]

There is a barely perceptable difference in those parts made in the production facility in China and those made in Billund. Do you make as much issue with parts made in Poland and Mexico? The only difference in some parts is the finish, whatever problems occured in the beginning have been sorted out. There are a few printing issues, but then I have parts from the time when all production was in Europe and there are plenty of misprints right from the box, cracked arms and snapped hands from normal play (I still have all of my childhood LEGO, being a bookish and careful child).

That may be true, and I can't be certain either. I've spent a couple of hours trying to analyse them through the packaging, and personally, I can't find anything wrong with them.

The most logical explanation for why production of the spinners' parts are mostly in Billund now is probably because word has circulated about them being cheap plastic, even if that isn't necessarily the case.

Does it occur to you that only the spinners themselves were made in China? The same as all the other popular spinning top toys?

I did think of that at first, and then I saw others complaining about minifigure quality. My initial plan was to buy every spinner for the base alone, regardless of the figure itself, but the price of $20 a spinner put me off that entirely.

Bottom-line is, whether you hate them or are impartial to them, the spinners have changed as a result of disinformation about quality issues.

Now, back on topic... Cole's vehicle's underside looks a lot plainer. It's just the underside of the vehicle with a little bit of green.

The preliminary images had a vine/snake tail theme to it, which looked cooler. The transformation feature also seems to be flipping over the vehicle and rolling the cockpit, due to the way the cockpit is positioned. Note the engine part behind the cockpit is missing on the transformed version, so it's probably as simple as that. A bit lacklustre when compared to the other sets and considering the underside.

[Lyichir]

That may be true, and I can't be certain either. I've spent a couple of hours trying to analyse them through the packaging, and personally, I can't find anything wrong with them.

The most logical explanation for why production of the spinners' parts are mostly in Billund now is probably because word has circulated about them being cheap plastic, even if that isn't necessarily the case.

I did think of that at first, and then I saw others complaining about minifigure quality. My initial plan was to buy every spinner for the base alone, regardless of the figure itself, but the price of $20 a spinner put me off that entirely.

Bottom-line is, whether you hate them or are impartial to them, the spinners have changed as a result of disinformation about quality issues.

Now, back on topic... Cole's vehicle's underside looks a lot plainer. It's just the underside of the vehicle with a little bit of green.

The preliminary images had a vine/snake tail theme to it, which looked cooler. The transformation feature also seems to be flipping over the vehicle and rolling the cockpit, due to the way the cockpit is positioned. Note the engine part behind the cockpit is missing on the transformed version, so it's probably as simple as that. A bit lacklustre when compared to the other sets and considering the underside.

There's definitely a more complex function there--having partially built the set on LDD, I can tell that there's some function triggered by pushing on the rear section; note the technic construction attached to the rear wheelbase. Perhaps all that does is invert the cockpit section? I agree that the underside is less impressive now, but I suppose it's probably sturdier. I wonder if the snake-y transformation has to do with the hypno-staff that appears in that set?

Anyway, I'm very excited for the Ninja vehicles for next year. I was skeptical when we first heard about them, but the elemental patterning combined with the amazing functions have made them into must-gets for me.

[Darth Nihilus]

Dammit, my internet is down for 4 days and I come back to see so much news?

okay, watched the trailer and noticed a major spoiler:

The green ninja carries the Nunchucks of Lightning, and is therefore Jay.

Not sure if I'm just jumping to conclusions or if I'm right. Make of it what you will.

[ice dragon]

Well, the Green Ninja could have just stolen them from Jay. The Green Ninja might be your typical anti-hero.

[Zergos]

Well, the Green Ninja could have just stolen them from Jay. The Green Ninja might be your typical anti-hero.

Haha yeah maybe that is what happens!

[Mirandir]

Not sure if anyone's posted this yet, but there's a 1-minute trailer for the Ninjago TV series. Here in the US, it will be debuting December 2 on Cartoon Network, according to the latest LEGO Club magazine.

In this video we see the Green Ninja for the first time, a snakeman crane with a wrecking ball (maybe a summer or exclusive set?), and various vehicles in the way they will be depicted in the show. There is a large green warrior of unknown identity-- possibly a mech-like vehicle for the Green Ninja? Apparently, indeed, Lloyd is responsible for releasing the snakemen, who according to LEGO Magazine are called the "Serpentine" here in the US and possibly elsewhere.

The Wreckingball is a 1 HY store exclusive set.

[SpiderSpaceman]

Just to make sure we all caught it, the spinner/booster sets won't be manufactured in China after all (besides the pieces that come individual in baggies - think Jack Sparrow hair, Toy Story alien heads, Atlantean warrior heads - the fancy printed and painted parts)

Which rocks because I think a fair smattering of the good figs are spinner exclusive, and I'm not gonna be grabbing much in the way of sets now that I've got all my skeleton vehicles

I guess I am gonna need a snake tailed snakeman and one of the staffs, but I'll get enough goods to hold me off a while just out of spinners.

source

Edited November 10, 2011 by SpiderSpaceman

[Nabii]

What? My comments from Brickset are being taken out of context on Eurobricks? When did I say anything about spinners not selling well? I definitely didn't, spinners are actually doing great.

I was complaining about the *potential* damage of the way Brickset was presenting next year’s spinners as including cheap low quality minifigures from China, and that once that misinformation was out there it's impossible to take it back as even when corrected as most people will not return to read it again. As others have said any difference is negligible and will be pretty much irrelevant to most purchasers, the China figures are from identical moulds, the colour mix has been an issue, but this has been solved.

What's not great for LEGO production is the complexity of having to ship parts around the planet before packing them into LEGO boxes this is the ONLY issue as far as anyone I've spoken to at LEGO is concerned and this was the issue that was solved by making the new design spinners in house next year - nothing else.

[SpiderSpaceman]

When did I say anything about spinners not selling well? I definitely didn't, spinners are actually doing great.

I'm hooked on the spinners. The Lego Universe tie-in did it's job. "Saaaaay, wrecking stuff with tornado martial arts is a good idea after all!"

Super-gratifying fun. do wish the standard head skeleton spinners had come with their signature hats though.

[Delta 38]

What's not great for LEGO production is the complexity of having to ship parts around the planet before packing them into LEGO boxes this is the ONLY issue as far as anyone I've spoken to at LEGO is concerned and this was the issue that was solved by making the new design spinners in house next year - nothing else.

Oh, my mistake. That makes sense, I guess, but aren't collectible minifigures also in the same boat?

And maybe it's relative to location, as prices here are rather high.

Edit: I might have been misinterpreted. I don't mean the spinners aren't popular. They definitely are, but the prices here seem to put most off.

Edit again:

The Wreckingball is a 1 HY store exclusive set.

What's HY mean? The wrecking ball thing is nice, but I like those stinger vehicles.

Edited November 11, 2011 by Delta 38

[Mirandir]

What's HY mean?

"Half Year". The wrecking ball is a first half year set.

[Omicron Squad Leader]

"Half Year". The wrecking ball is a first half year set.

Cool. Do you know if the small stinging vehicle is a summer set?

[J4ke]

Hah, that trailer was awesome.

Cole's dragon with a big hotair balloon was lulz, as was the Jay almost summoning(?) his jet. I'm fairly sure they got a Wilhelm scream in there too.

[Darth Nihilus]

@The Omnicient Mirandir( ), can we expect the Ninja-MECH as a set?

Edited November 11, 2011 by darthnihilius

[Mirandir]

Cool. Do you know if the small stinging vehicle is a summer set?

This one?. It's a 1st half year set.

@The Omnicient Mirandir( ), can we expect the Ninja-MECH as a set?

Did you see a vehicle in the first season that wasn't released as a set? I don't expect it to be any different in season two so the answer is most likely yes.