Ninjago 2012

[Aanchir]

Just wanted to mention for the benefit of those not reading the TV show thread that Season 3 has been announced and it will in fact be premiering as soon as next month. It's unclear what this means for the future of the theme, but since this implies Season 3 won't be covering 2013-specific material, the possibility arises that the theme might not be continued in 2013.

Keep in mind that one of our main reasons for expecting the theme to continue was knowing that the TV show would be continuing for another 13-episode season. And Kevin Hinkle's clarification regarding Ninjago's end stated that sets would still be on store shelves in 2013, which says nothing about whether there will be new sets. It's a similar response to that which people got when asking about whether Kingdoms would be continuing this year.

Now, the possibility remains that there might be D2C products next year, meaning either a big exclusive set (that'd be quite nice) or just minor stuff like keychains. So I don't think it would be possible to get a straight answer from any LEGO employees about the theme's future-- it would be treated the same as any question asking about future, unannounced products. I've asked Kevin Hinkle anyway and await a response, even if it's as simple as "I can't discuss that".

Now, while I don't encourage skepticism, I think cautious optimism is in order. Which, to be fair, is the attitude I've had about Ninjago since early on. It's been an outstanding success, but success doesn't always equate with longevity.

[Kai NRG]

Just wanted to mention for the benefit of those not reading the TV show thread that Season 3 has been announced and it will in fact be premiering as soon as next month. It's unclear what this means for the future of the theme, but since this implies Season 3 won't be covering 2013-specific material, the possibility arises that the theme might not be continued in 2013.

Keep in mind that one of our main reasons for expecting the theme to continue was knowing that the TV show would be continuing for another 13-episode season. And Kevin Hinkle's clarification regarding Ninjago's end stated that sets would still be on store shelves in 2013, which says nothing about whether there will be new sets. It's a similar response to that which people got when asking about whether Kingdoms would be continuing this year.

Now, the possibility remains that there might be D2C products next year, meaning either a big exclusive set (that'd be quite nice) or just minor stuff like keychains. So I don't think it would be possible to get a straight answer from any LEGO employees about the theme's future-- it would be treated the same as any question asking about future, unannounced products. I've asked Kevin Hinkle anyway and await a response, even if it's as simple as "I can't discuss that".

Now, while I don't encourage skepticism, I think cautious optimism is in order. Which, to be fair, is the attitude I've had about Ninjago since early on. It's been an outstanding success, but success doesn't always equate with longevity.

It does strike me as though well probably be getting at least one set release to go along with this series - and of course there is always the possiblity of another season next year.

[DraikNova]

I'm guessing we might be getting one more wave this year we haven't heard about to go along with the new TV season and we will be getting another new season and at least one more wave of sets in 2013. Oh, please, Jay NRG with cobalt metallic blue shoulder armor ?

Edited June 20, 2012 by DraikNova

[Aanchir]

I'm guessing we might be getting one more wave this year we haven't heard about to go along with the new TV season and we will be getting another new season and at least one more wave of sets in 2013. Oh, please, Jay NRG with cobalt metallic blue shoulder armor ?

There's no way there's going to be another full wave we haven't heard about, since we know about the sets through December. At most we'll see a store exclusive set or D2C set since those don't tend to be revealed at Toy Fair or other events. TLG would have no justification for keeping a full wave of sets hidden for this long since it wouldn't allow much time for retailers to even order them.

Chances are this season will tie in with the sets on store shelves from this year's January and August waves, as well as characters from all 2012 sets (besides Pythor, who we might not be seeing again).

[Kai NRG]

There's no way there's going to be another full wave we haven't heard about, since we know about the sets through December. At most we'll see a store exclusive set or D2C set since those don't tend to be revealed at Toy Fair or other events. TLG would have no justification for keeping a full wave of sets hidden for this long since it wouldn't allow much time for retailers to even order them.

Chances are this season will tie in with the sets on store shelves from this year's January and August waves, as well as characters from all 2012 sets (besides Pythor, who we might not be seeing again).

There could also be a set wave based on this series in January. But judging from the trailer, all the new sets will fit in w this year's releases - unfortunatly

[horizon]

Are the december sets for other themes already known?

[Aanchir]

Are the december sets for other themes already known?

Most themes don't have sets released in December, though December is when January sets from the next year tend to start showing up. The main official release months are January and August, but it's slightly different for licensed themes (which may be timed according to a movie release) and staggered releases like the Ninjago spinners and Collectible Minifigures.

The only full wave of sets which we know is due for release later this year but which we haven't seen any sign of is sets based on The Hobbit, which are coming out this fall. They've been kept under wraps as is often the case with major licensed themes. There is no similar justification in the case of Ninjago, especially if the sets are supposed to tie in with a season that's beginning as early as next month.

EDIT: Just found some decent-quality images of 9574 Lloyd ZX:

• Package
  
• Contents
  
• Assembly
  
• Versus 9573 Slithraa (this one's been seen before)
  
• Customized with 9557 Lizaru
  
• Spinning

Edited June 20, 2012 by Aanchir

[Kai NRG]

Most themes don't have sets released in December, though December is when January sets from the next year tend to start showing up. The main official release months are January and August, but it's slightly different for licensed themes (which may be timed according to a movie release) and staggered releases like the Ninjago spinners and Collectible Minifigures.

The only full wave of sets which we know is due for release later this year but which we haven't seen any sign of is sets based on The Hobbit, which are coming out this fall. They've been kept under wraps as is often the case with major licensed themes. There is no similar justification in the case of Ninjago, especially if the sets are supposed to tie in with a season that's beginning as early as next month.

EDIT: Just found some decent-quality images of 9574 Lloyd ZX:

• Package
  
• Contents
  
• Assembly
  
• Versus 9573 Slithraa (this one's been seen before)
  
• Customized with 9557 Lizaru
  
• Spinning

SO it's likely that there would be a release actually in january, but availible in mid dec (lilke last year)?

Edited June 20, 2012 by Kai NRG

[DraikNova]

Lloyd ZX looks awesome! Going to have to add my own customisations though, using gunmetal kunai.

[Sid Sidious]

They've kept CM8 completely under wraps until about last week, and that was when they only showed the pirate and the Czech names of all of them. That one Star Wars set (Pre Viszla's fighter?) wasn't revealed until it was almost on shelves. Lego seems to enjoy keeping us in the dark this year, so if they are making another wave of Ninjago, I wouldn't be surprised that no information about it is available.

[DraikNova]

Probably trying to make us so worried that we'll buy every set just out of relief that Ninjago isn't ending.

[Aanchir]

They've kept CM8 completely under wraps until about last week, and that was when they only showed the pirate and the Czech names of all of them. That one Star Wars set (Pre Viszla's fighter?) wasn't revealed until it was almost on shelves. Lego seems to enjoy keeping us in the dark this year, so if they are making another wave of Ninjago, I wouldn't be surprised that no information about it is available.

But both of those sets were at least mentioned at Toy Fair in February. Pre Viszla's fighter was even on display (Minifigures Series 8 just had a placeholder box). Some sets have been mostly kept under wraps, but I can't imagine any way it would be in TLG's best interest to keep a full wave of sets in a high-demand theme unknown not only to the fans, but also to the retailers who are supposed to stock them.

If there is going to be another wave of Ninjago this year, I can't imagine when it would be, since Ninjago sets all the way through the September wave of spinners and booster packs were on display at Toy Fair. It would also risk cannibalizing the sales of the already-known waves. Even if the show will have enough airtime to promote another full wave of sets in 2012, there's no reason to assume the market can support that when the Ninjago theme for this year is already pretty huge.

I asked Kevin Hinkle on Flickr to clarify whether there would be a new wave of products in 2013, and he replied as follows:

According to what I've been told, there should be one more wave of new products. I don't however have any time frames on when these should be available.

However, since he wasn't able to give any kind of time-frame, I can't tell for sure if he is talking about a new wave of model sets or the already-known September wave of spinners and booster packs. I've asked him again (this time mentioning the September wave specifically) just to be sure.

[Kalhiki]

What we haven't taken into consideration, it seems, is the possibility of a Season 4. Perhaps Season 3 is just a continuation of 2 and a filler that's not going to promote new sets. Seeing that there are still Serpentine, the Season could still be promoting the "Year of the Snake" sets. Then, closer to the beginning of next year when new sets usually come out, Season 4 will arrive.

However, judging by the preview, it seems that Season 3 is wrapping things up. But who knows. Garmadon could still escape, and Lloyd will fight him later.

Kalhiki

[Jouster]

Season 3 Episode 1

[DraikNova]

Thanks, but that goes in this topic: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=67683.

[Kai NRG]

But both of those sets were at least mentioned at Toy Fair in February. Pre Viszla's fighter was even on display (Minifigures Series 8 just had a placeholder box). Some sets have been mostly kept under wraps, but I can't imagine any way it would be in TLG's best interest to keep a full wave of sets in a high-demand theme unknown not only to the fans, but also to the retailers who are supposed to stock them.

If there is going to be another wave of Ninjago this year, I can't imagine when it would be, since Ninjago sets all the way through the September wave of spinners and booster packs were on display at Toy Fair. It would also risk cannibalizing the sales of the already-known waves. Even if the show will have enough airtime to promote another full wave of sets in 2012, there's no reason to assume the market can support that when the Ninjago theme for this year is already pretty huge.

Can I ask waht makes you so sure that LEGO is keeping any new ninjago release secret from retailers? Itn's it possible that they could know and not us?

It seems likely to me that there would be a wave in DEC, out in time for Chritmas, just like last year.

What we haven't taken into consideration, it seems, is the possibility of a Season 4. Perhaps Season 3 is just a continuation of 2 and a filler that's not going to promote new sets. Seeing that there are still Serpentine, the Season could still be promoting the "Year of the Snake" sets. Then, closer to the beginning of next year when new sets usually come out, Season 4 will arrive.

However, judging by the preview, it seems that Season 3 is wrapping things up. But who knows. Garmadon could still escape, and Lloyd will fight him later.

Kalhiki

Yeah. Judging by the trailer (and of course that could be deceptive!) there isn't anything too terribly new. Lego's idea could just be to promote the summer sets, and also last Jan (really last Dec) release.

[Aanchir]

Can I ask waht makes you so sure that LEGO is keeping any new ninjago release secret from retailers? Itn's it possible that they could know and not us?

It seems likely to me that there would be a wave in DEC, out in time for Chritmas, just like last year.

I'm talking about an actual 2012 release. I agree, a wave in December is indeed likely if the theme is continuing next year, but that's because that's when January 2013 sets start showing up. So it wouldn't be another wave of 2012 sets at all, and has no bearing on this particular discussion.

If there was another wave of 2012 sets planned, then the retailers would need time to order the sets in advance. We know the official release for another wave won't be before September because TLG already revealed the September wave at Toy Fair. What incentive would they have to hide a full wave of sets that would come out before then?

For that matter, why would they cram a full wave of sets into a brief pocket of time between the September wave and the 2013 wave? That would just flood store shelves and diminish the sales of the August and September sets. Diminished sales are not something TLG wants.

A store-exclusive set would make more sense than a full new 2012 wave because a) it wouldn't have been revealed at Toy Fair except under very special circumstances and b) it wouldn't have the same debilitating effect on the sales of the rest of the Ninjago lineup as trying to throw a full new wave of sets onto the same shelves as sets that are still fairly new.

I'm not saying another Ninjago wave this year is impossible, but it seems like terribly bad business and most of the evidence we have points against it.

[DraikNova]

I call Serpentine Moving Fortress or Orobourus Arena!

[TheRedGuy]

Season 3 Episode 1

DAMN YOU KORE- Wait, never mind.

[Kai NRG]

I'm talking about an actual 2012 release. I agree, a wave in December is indeed likely if the theme is continuing next year, but that's because that's when January 2013 sets start showing up. So it wouldn't be another wave of 2012 sets at all, and has no bearing on this particular discussion.

If there was another wave of 2012 sets planned, then the retailers would need time to order the sets in advance. We know the official release for another wave won't be before September because TLG already revealed the September wave at Toy Fair. What incentive would they have to hide a full wave of sets that would come out before then?

For that matter, why would they cram a full wave of sets into a brief pocket of time between the September wave and the 2013 wave? That would just flood store shelves and diminish the sales of the August and September sets. Diminished sales are not something TLG wants.

A store-exclusive set would make more sense than a full new 2012 wave because a) it wouldn't have been revealed at Toy Fair except under very special circumstances and b) it wouldn't have the same debilitating effect on the sales of the rest of the Ninjago lineup as trying to throw a full new wave of sets onto the same shelves as sets that are still fairly new.

I'm not saying another Ninjago wave this year is impossible, but it seems like terribly bad business and most of the evidence we have points against it.

OK, I agree that Lego probably won't try to force a whole new wave in between what you call the 2013 release and the sept. release. But how early do you think that the 2013 release could start showing up?

[PenPlays]

OK, I agree that Lego probably won't try to force a whole new wave in between what you call the 2013 release and the sept. release. But how early do you think that the 2013 release could start showing up?

They usually start hitting shelfs as early as early December (TRU usually first). Last December, my Lego Store was the last place to have them out of the places that I check regularly.

[Kai NRG]

They usually start hitting shelfs as early as early December (TRU usually first). Last December, my Lego Store was the last place to have them out of the places that I check regularly.

But I mean on the Lego website; most of the 2012 Jan release was a vailible there around Dec 20th. I think it's possible LEGO pushes it back into Nov this year (although of course it won't necessairally happen).

[CM4Sci]

This guy'd be a pretty neat minifigure!

-Sci

[Aanchir]

Regarding the likelihood of new Ninjago sets in 2013:

I asked Kevin Hinkle to clarify whether we could expect a new wave of sets in 2013. His response was that yes, there should be one more wave of new products, but he couldn't offer any time frame. Just to be certain I had all the bases covered, I asked him if this new wave was separate from the September wave we were already expecting. His response was that he wasn't quite sure if the September wave was the one communicated to him by the marketing team, but his guess is that there will be another new wave after those which have already been shown.

So we still don't know what to expect with any certainty, but let's be honest with ourselves-- typically we don't even have this much of an idea what to expect until a list of the next year's sets has been leaked.

In other news, we've got a press release about next month's new season of the TV series. It doesn't really tell us anything to expect that hints at possible new sets, but rather just a recap of who the key characters are. It does mention there will be a new online game on the Cartoon Network website, though it doesn't sound all that appealing from the description alone. I wish there were more heavily story-driven LEGO online games these days...

[DraikNova]

Weird that an entire season without sets is being released, though. Hopefully 2013 won't just be the sets for the second season of the show.