Ninjago 2014

[Aanchir]

Generally, precedent suggests it will stick with main characters rather than secondary characters. Just look at past character encyclopedias and visual dictionaries:

• LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary included Luke in his Yavin IV awards ceremony attire.
  
• LEGO Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia included Han in his Yavin IV awards ceremony attire.
  
• LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World included Harry in his dress robes from the Yule Ball.
  
• LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World included Harry in his outfit from Professor Slughorn's Christmas party.
  
• LEGO Batman: The Visual Dictionary included Batman in the semi-obscure Electro Suit.
  
• LEGO Ninjago: Character Encyclopedia included Lloyd in a new costume.

The same applies to figs exclusive to home media releases like DVDs. They tend to be main characters like Bilbo from The Hobbit, Vitruvius from The LEGO Movie, and Clark Kent/Superman from LEGO Batman: DC Super Heroes Unite, not secondary characters — even though most of those media have no shortage of secondary characters who could be realized as minifigures. Frankly, characters that even new viewers will recognize in an instant and remember from trailers and posters are likely to sell more product than characters you have to be familiar with the theme/source material to recognize, like Misako, Dareth, or Dr. Julien.

Now, there have been some recent exceptions to this trend. LEGO Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles has an obscure, unnamed Special Forces Commander. And LEGO Minifigures: Character Encyclopedia has a tin soldier, since the theme does not actually have any main characters or recurring characters of any kind. It's unclear what the new LEGO Friends: Character Encyclopedia will contain, since the cover art we've seen just promises "exclusive outfit and accessories" without any clarification of which figure will be wearing said outfit.

Still, I think it's most likely a main character. Nya is currently the only one who has appeared in a new costume that really fits the bill (the Ninja in their casual clothes would not likely have the same action-y appeal as her more ornate outfit). But it could just as easily be a character in a costume that has yet to appear in the show. Sensei Wu is a possibility that I'm seriously considering since we have not seen a non-evil version of him this year.

[Faefrost]

I would lead more towards Sensei Wu. As much as we AFOLs would prefer a new Nya, the actual core target market for the book is still at that "girls are yucky" stage of like. They would look at the girl fig offered and say "mom get me the Batman book instead". This is also why Lego tends to mostly sneak the female figs in in the larger action theme sets that have deeper pools of figures. The only low cost single hero sets I remember based on the female hero have been the MF mummy chariot (Ann Lee) Nya's Spinners and the Eris Speedorz and Eagle Legend Beast. OK the Samurai mech set too, but the point was the girl was in disguise there. even then a certain 7 year old male of my acquaintance had to do careful calculations of how much extra cool stuff was packed in to make up for getting the girl. Ie he also gets a gitd skeletal horse, or Eris's cool armor, weapons and wings, etc.

Yes sometimes the world really does work differently from how we are told it should.

[Aanchir]

I would lead more towards Sensei Wu. As much as we AFOLs would prefer a new Nya, the actual core target market for the book is still at that "girls are yucky" stage of like. They would look at the girl fig offered and say "mom get me the Batman book instead". This is also why Lego tends to mostly sneak the female figs in in the larger action theme sets that have deeper pools of figures. The only low cost single hero sets I remember based on the female hero have been the MF mummy chariot (Ann Lee) Nya's Spinners and the Eris Speedorz and Eagle Legend Beast. OK the Samurai mech set too, but the point was the girl was in disguise there. even then a certain 7 year old male of my acquaintance had to do careful calculations of how much extra cool stuff was packed in to make up for getting the girl. Ie he also gets a gitd skeletal horse, or Eris's cool armor, weapons and wings, etc.

Yes sometimes the world really does work differently from how we are told it should.

I wouldn't be so sure. I think the LEGO Group is starting to realize the significance of their female audience even within their boy-oriented themes. This year is the first year to have a female minifigure besides Nya, but instead of replacing her, both Nya and Pixal are a part of this year's minifigure character roster. This gives it the best gender ratio of any Ninjago year to date. Also, Legends of Chima has had a better gender ratio than Ninjago from its debut year, with four female characters in 2013 and even more in 2014.

The reason for both these things is probably connected with a statistic the Hageman brothers mentioned in this interview — there has been a surprisingly large female audience for the show, which they guess is around 30% of the show's viewers. No doubt this statistic caught the LEGO Group by surprise, considering that marketing for Ninjago has been very boy-focused from the beginning.

I agree that Nya is still just one of many possibilities, but it's a possibility that shouldn't be discounted. Particularly since Nya getting a new default costume in the show that isn't a variation on an outfit that appears in sets is somewhat out-of-the-ordinary — keep in mind that Sensei Wu's costume from the 2012 and 2013 sets never even made it into the show in any capacity!

Edited April 4, 2014 by Aanchir

[Faefrost]

I wouldn't be so sure. I think the LEGO Group is starting to realize the significance of their female audience even within their boy-oriented themes. This year is the first year to have a female minifigure besides Nya, but instead of replacing her, both Nya and Pixal are a part of this year's minifigure character roster. This gives it the best gender ratio of any Ninjago year to date. Also, Legends of Chima has had a better gender ratio than Ninjago from its debut year, with four female characters in 2013 and even more in 2014.

The reason for both these things is probably connected with a statistic the Hageman brothers mentioned in this interview — there has been a surprisingly large female audience for the show, which they guess is around 30% of the show's viewers. No doubt this statistic caught the LEGO Group by surprise, considering that marketing for Ninjago has been very boy-focused from the beginning.

I agree that Nya is still just one of many possibilities, but it's a possibility that shouldn't be discounted. Particularly since Nya getting a new default costume in the show that isn't a variation on an outfit that appears in sets is somewhat out-of-the-ordinary — keep in mind that Sensei Wu's costume from the 2012 and 2013 sets never even made it into the show in any capacity!

They are getting much better at including female figs, and giving them more interesting roles. But the truth still is that the core of the "action themes" audience is meant to be young boys. You don't tend to see many of the female figs in the smaller cheaper sets. In Chima the most common female is Eris who actually got a $35 set and a spinner. All of the others were in larger clan centerpiece sets. The Gorilla mech, The croc boat, etc. Ninjago same patern. Nya got a spinner or two, and a moderate $30+ set. Everywhere else she or Pixel has appeared have been more expensive multi minifig sets.

This is getting better. I think MF attracted a far broader female audience than they were expecting. Ultra Agents looks to have a few distinct female characters. But things aren't there yet. I think the only sets where the female character was the sole lead standalone hero were the Ann Lee Mummy set and the Samurai Mech. (I can't remember the figs in the Eris Interceptor? Was Lion boy in it with her?)

Figure the Action themes will be the last to leave the boys club approach.

[Aanchir]

They are getting much better at including female figs, and giving them more interesting roles. But the truth still is that the core of the "action themes" audience is meant to be young boys. You don't tend to see many of the female figs in the smaller cheaper sets. In Chima the most common female is Eris who actually got a $35 set and a spinner. All of the others were in larger clan centerpiece sets. The Gorilla mech, The croc boat, etc. Ninjago same patern. Nya got a spinner or two, and a moderate $30+ set. Everywhere else she or Pixel has appeared have been more expensive multi minifig sets.

This is getting better. I think MF attracted a far broader female audience than they were expecting. Ultra Agents looks to have a few distinct female characters. But things aren't there yet. I think the only sets where the female character was the sole lead standalone hero were the Ann Lee Mummy set and the Samurai Mech. (I can't remember the figs in the Eris Interceptor? Was Lion boy in it with her?)

Figure the Action themes will be the last to leave the boys club approach.

I'm not under any illusions that we're anywhere near true gender equality in sets, and in most cases a female minifigure is unlikely to appear in any sets without one or more male minifigures for the time being. But my point is that the LEGO Group is progressing, slowly but surely.

Eris's Eagle Interceptor did not include any lions or other supporting heroes. It just included Eris and two Raven baddies (Razar and Rizzo).

This year in Chima, Eris appears in not one but two small sets: the $10 Eagle Legend Beast and the $13 Sky Launch (a Speedorz set). Other female characters abound, albeit in larger sets. 70131 Rogon's Rock Flinger ($30) includes the female rhino Rinona, and 70133 Spinlyn's Cavern ($40) includes the female spider queen Spinlyn (the first female tribe leader unless you count Crooler) as well as Eris in her new costume. This makes it the first set in the theme with more than one minifigure in which female minifigures outnumber male ones.

In the summer there are lots of female characters: Eris in a new costume in 70142 Eris' Fire Eagle ($30), Maula the mammoth queen in 70145 Maula's Ice Mammoth Stomper (the first set to have a female villain as the title character), and Li'ella the lion in 70146 Flying Phoenix Fire Temple. I don't know yet whether any of the phoenixes, sabertooths, or vultures are female.

Either way, there have been six unique female minifigures introduced this year alone, out of around 37 new minifigures (not including the figs from the Legend Beasts, which are more or less identical to last year's version of those characters). That's a ratio of about 10% more than any year of Ninjago or Chima has previously offered, and that's progress.

Edited April 8, 2014 by Aanchir

[Mandate]

I think it would make more sense that Pythor would be the Minifig, considering he's already a big character, as he's most likely the one who

stole the Overlord's hard-drive form, the incredibly baggy hood, the covered up leg region (gotta hide that tail somehow) and the eyes on the side of the head (not to mention the eye shape, and the snake bow and arrow) give it all away

Edited April 8, 2014 by JayWalker

[LegendsOfNinjago]

JayWalker might be onto something. I think "The Stranger" would be a cool addtion. Just kinda depends on how important he is to the series.

[TheLazyChicken]

I think it would make more sense that Pythor would be the Minifig, considering he's already a big character, as he's most likely the one who

stole the Overlord's hard-drive form, the incredibly baggy hood, the covered up leg region (gotta hide that tail somehow) and the eyes on the side of the head (not to mention the eye shape, and the snake bow and arrow) give it all away

This is excactly what I am thinking!

[PenPlays]

I think it would make more sense that Pythor would be the Minifig, considering he's already a big character, as he's most likely the one who

stole the Overlord's hard-drive form, the incredibly baggy hood, the covered up leg region (gotta hide that tail somehow) and the eyes on the side of the head (not to mention the eye shape, and the snake bow and arrow) give it all away

Might I confirm your suspicions...

This is from the description given on the new game Lego Ninjago: Nindroids.

...escape Pythor on Lloyd’s Golden Cycle...

[Mandate]

Might I confirm your suspicions...

This is from the description given on the new game Lego Ninjago: Nindroids.

Already confirmed really, I knew about Nindroids but forgot to mention it. Still though, it's not entirely confirmed that he will play a big part just yet, but given the insane amount of evidence there already is regarding who, "The Stranger," is, it's unlikely not to be him.

[Thelegomaster]

Already confirmed really, I knew about Nindroids but forgot to mention it. Still though, it's not entirely confirmed that he will play a big part just yet, but given the insane amount of evidence there already is regarding who, "The Stranger," is, it's unlikely not to be him.

So basically no one ever dies in ninjago, except for Dr.Julien who died twice and samukai who got vaporized into a portal of death

[PenPlays]

So basically no one ever dies in ninjago, except for Dr.Julien who died twice and samukai who got vaporized into a portal of death

Technically, he "poofed"

There was no portal 'til after he died.

On a separate note. Due to the Lego aisles being so barren of the Lego Movie sets, I've resorted to finish off the action themes. I always have this NEED for Ninjago, yet... I already own them all... Can't wait for the Summer sets to come out!

Edited April 10, 2014 by Penkid11

[Lyichir]

So basically no one ever dies in ninjago, except for Dr.Julien who died twice and samukai who got vaporized into a portal of death

Did anyone honestly think Pythor was dead? Considering he was eaten at the same time as Sensei Wu (who survived being eaten by the Great Devourer unharmed) and is known to be able to turn invisible (aiding his escape), it seemed pretty much a given that he was somewhere waiting in the shadows. Really I'm mostly surprised that it's taken this long for him to make his grand re-entrance.

Also, just to add to your death list, Kai's father has been dead since the start of the series.

[legoIgor123]

Did anyone honestly think Pythor was dead? Considering he was eaten at the same time as Sensei Wu (who survived being eaten by the Great Devourer unharmed) and is known to be able to turn invisible (aiding his escape), it seemed pretty much a given that he was somewhere waiting in the shadows. Really I'm mostly surprised that it's taken this long for him to make his grand re-entrance.

Also, just to add to your death list, Kai's father has been dead since the start of the series.

Good point, there was always a part of me knowing he was there in the shadows. I like the idea of the Stranger being the special minifigure. Maybe it could include a new molded bow as well, (although that is unlikely)

[Faefrost]

Did anyone honestly think Pythor was dead? Considering he was eaten at the same time as Sensei Wu (who survived being eaten by the Great Devourer unharmed) and is known to be able to turn invisible (aiding his escape), it seemed pretty much a given that he was somewhere waiting in the shadows. Really I'm mostly surprised that it's taken this long for him to make his grand re-entrance.

Also, just to add to your death list, Kai's father has been dead since the start of the series.

Has Kai and Nya's mother or Cole's mother ever been mentioned? It's assumed that Kai and Nya's Mom is dead and they are orphans running the Blacksmith. (A reasonable assumption could be made that Cole's Mom is simply out of the picture following "lifestyle differences" with his Dad? If you will.)

[Aanchir]

Has Kai and Nya's mother or Cole's mother ever been mentioned? It's assumed that Kai and Nya's Mom is dead and they are orphans running the Blacksmith. (A reasonable assumption could be made that Cole's Mom is simply out of the picture following "lifestyle differences" with his Dad? If you will.)

Kai and Nya's mother is mentioned in the short story "In His Footsteps", which is featured in both the American chapter book Kai: Ninja of Fire and the European Kai storybooks/guide books (published by various depending on country/language, but illustrated by Ameet Studio, a Polish publishing company). In the European books, she even appears in the illustrations.

I don't believe Cole's mother is ever mentioned in any Ninjago media at all.

[Master_Data]

The First Spinjitzu Master is also presumably dead.

Let's hope we get The Stranger somewhere down the line. If they destroy the Overlord this year, who will be left for them to fight in future sets? The Overlord has been the main enemy so far, so maybe they will save this Stranger for next year"s sets.

[TheLazyChicken]

Ok so after watching this episodes I saw the stranger was Pythor. Also the "Golden Master" is the same one from the Battle for Ninjago set.

[PenPlays]

Ok so after watching this episodes I saw the stranger was Pythor. Also the "Golden Master" is the same one from the Battle for Ninjago set.

Wrong thread, first. Second. We've had this information since the press release of Ninjago Nindroids (Pythor) and NY Toy Fair (The Overlord/Golden Master)...

Nice to see it confirmed, however.

Edited April 17, 2014 by Penkid11

[TheLazyChicken]

Wrong thread, first. Second. We've had this information since the press release of Ninjago Nindroids (Pythor) and NY Toy Fair (The Overlord/Golden Master)...

Nice to see it confirmed, however.

I didn't know that the stranger was Pythor until today... I really need to catch up.I also did know about the thing about the Overlord/Golden Master but I didn't know the serpentine had something to do with it.

Edited April 17, 2014 by TheLazyChicken

[PenPlays]

Speaking of Pythor...

His new Albino-condrai colors are sweet!

I wouldn't mind having a minifig of him in the future. I just hope that, if Lego gives the minifig the green light, he will have his head/neck exposed with a white Wyldstyle hood at his back. As much as I love the ominous "Stranger," it's the head that counts, not the hood.

[Aanchir]

Speaking of Pythor...

His new Albino-condrai colors are sweet!

I wouldn't mind having a minifig of him in the future. I just hope that, if Lego gives the minifig the green light, he will have his head/neck exposed with a white Wyldstyle hood at his back. As much as I love the ominous "Stranger," it's the head that counts, not the hood.

Seems like a cool idea, but at the same time, my brother points out that Wyldstyle's hood piece is fitted to a regular (cylindrical) minifigure neck.

Also, I am a bit doubtful about the likelihood of Pythor/The Stranger showing up as a fig, since so much of his design seems to be made up of palette swaps of existing decorations like Pythor's original head or Jedi robes from Star Wars.

I think it can sometimes be easiest to predict which minifigures are designed to appear in physical form and which are not based on how much effort went into giving them unique, distinctive designs. For instance, Jay's parents' clothes are palette swaps of existing minifigure decorations, as is Nya's party dress. On the other hand, Nya's new costume in the show is completely unique and has strong "branding" in the form of her trademark phoenix emblem, so it seems like it'd be a really viable candidate for appearing in physical form in one way or another.

The most likely avenue through which a new character costume would appear in physical form this year is the Character Encyclopedia. But here's something I hadn't considered — do you think that there might be a promotional minifigure for preorders of LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids like there have been for so many other LEGO video games? In that case, we might see not one but TWO figs that are not available in regular retail sets.

[Tobias_Jay]

The most likely avenue through which a new character costume would appear in physical form this year is the Character Encyclopedia. But here's something I hadn't considered — do you think that there might be a promotional minifigure for preorders of LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids like there have been for so many other LEGO video games? In that case, we might see not one but TWO figs that are not available in regular retail sets.

Usually portable-only games don't get exclusive pre-order minifigs (Laval's Journey and LEGO Battles: Ninjago). I am not saying rule it out completely (I definitely would love one) but, based on past experiences, it doesn't seem to likely.

[PenPlays]

I believe that I may have rushed when building Overborg Attack...

I just found out today that the Overborg has a double-sided head, featuring his purified form.

I've had this set since Christmas...

Edited April 19, 2014 by Penkid11

[Thelegomaster]

I believe that I may have rushed when building Overborg Attack...

I just found out today that the Overborg has a double-sided head, featuring his purified form.

I've had this set since Christmas...

Whoops, I just figured that out too, I guess I was just excited for Lloyd and the vehicles