Ninjago takes a new direction in 2012

 

  • Ninjago takes a new direction in 2012

    Posted by Huw, 21 Oct 2011 15:04. Filed under New sets.

    9443: Rattlecopter
    Ninjago, 2012
    More details...
    ©2012 LEGO Group

    I know, I'm a few days late adding images of next year's Ninjago sets from the German toy shop site, so my apologies for that.

    When I first saw the blurry retailers' catalogue scans I didn't know what to make of them, but now we have clearer pictures, well to be honest, I'm still not sure what to make of them... What is clear is that the foes are no longer undead skeletons, but what exactly are they now? Some sort of human/snake hybrid from ancient Egypt? It seems that this time round that it's the Ninjas in the vehicles: they've ditched their dragons in favour of some mean looking machines, and this helicopter looks particularly neat.

    What do you think? Are you a Ninjago fan? Do you like the direction the theme is going in?


    144 comments, latest one posted 19 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by Nightshroud99 in Canada, 21 Oct 2011 15:17

One of my subscribers mentioned to me that it's like Power Rangers, what with the different colored Ninjas and their colorful vehicles.
I have to agree.

Some of them I quite like, the flagship might be good for Pirates, while Cole's tank and Kai's bike would be good for Batman and Robin in the new superheroes sets.

The snake people however look bad.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 15:17

So the story seems to be thus:

Lord Garmadon is now a good guy.
Garmadon's son, Lloyd Garmadon, is now the bad guy.
Lloyd leads an army of snakes to attack Ninjago.

SNAKES! :P I hate snakes! :P XD Not really. :P

Posted by Meiko in United States, 21 Oct 2011 15:18

I like Ninjago a lot, and I think that it is a cool change to the theme. Because one of LEGO's intents for Ninjago was to be like BIONICLE and achieve that fan-base, they are having another idea in this wave (sort of like the change from Mata Nui to Metru Nui). I think it will make a lot more sense of the change when the next Television Episode airs. :)

Posted by DrDaveWatford in United Kingdom, 21 Oct 2011 15:19

Utterly bizarre.

On the plus side, at least it means that I won't be trying to buy ALL of the 2012 sets........

:-)

Posted by The Green Brick Giant in United States, 21 Oct 2011 15:28

A friend of mine, who loves Power Rangers, told me I need to buy all of these. :)

The sets are interesting to say the least. I love how the small set has some lime green and the new brick brick.

The helicopter is pretty neat and the lime green with just a touch of purple looks really nice. So nice in fact i kind of which thats the colors the Power Miners or new Dino theme would have been.

Posted by vamproe in United States, 21 Oct 2011 15:34

GO GO LEGO RANGERS.......MIGHTY MORPHING LEGO RANGERS

Posted by kbsig106 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 15:36

I'm not a fan of the Ninjago series and just see it as another "card play" type game trying to capitalize on the fad. Nothing to see here...

Posted by tman684 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 15:38

where is the green ninja mini fig? I WANT!!!

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 15:43

I have to say, NPU (nice parts usage) abounds in 2012. Look at the tongue and snout of 9445. Flag and cheese wedges? Nice. Look at the Jeep in 4209. Instead of using a sticker, two grilled tiles are used to make it look like a "Willys" Jeep. Look at 9495: The top-mounted turret uses a Technic piece on a bar to act as the gun-holder. Changing ways at LEGO?

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 15:44

@tman: Upcoming minifig, perhaps? :P Or just to emphasise the fact that there are snakes? :P

Posted by blomper in United States, 21 Oct 2011 15:45

The only thing I am not a fan of is the Plane, I like all the others.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 15:50

"...they've [The ninjas] ditched their dragons in favour of some mean looking machines"...
Think of the poor dragons, who are now unemployed! :P XD

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 15:50

@TooMuchLEGO: DX, ZX... what next? :P

Posted by charfdorn in United States, 21 Oct 2011 15:54

I think they had way too many printed snake heads left over from Pharoah's Quest, so they built a theme around it. But at least they're transformers? Um... brick bricks? I'm grasping at straws here. Lloyd Garmadon? Really?

Posted by Hello_World! in United States, 21 Oct 2011 15:59

The vehicles look great! not sure about the story though.

Here's the links to the sets Alemas mentioned: 9445 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=9445-1,
4209 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=4209-1, 9495 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=9495-1

Posted by Hello_World! in United States, 21 Oct 2011 16:00

Still no comment editing buttons!

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 16:02

High-res Hero Factory here: http://www.majhost.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=254747

Posted by legoDad42 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 16:10

Definitely like others say...very Mighty Morphin Power Ranger-ee.
What I like though is that there are new graphics and elements from the mini-figs that would be great for customizing. Not sure if they're new sculpts but some parts/weapons look great...especially all the snake elements.

Posted by charfdorn in United States, 21 Oct 2011 16:11

Oh, props to that flagship for the first use (that I've seen, anyway) of the Lightning McQueen's face piece outside of Cars.

Posted by starfire2 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 16:12

i might get 9440 (small set) just for the new staff and snakes.

Posted by knuclear200x in United States, 21 Oct 2011 16:19

WHOO! It's Ninjas Vs. The SNAKE MEN! and is that a new "studless" 1x1 circle piece on those staffs? Awesome.

Posted by Doctor Leg O'Brick in United Kingdom, 21 Oct 2011 16:20

I agree with Nightshroud99, give Batman and Robin the machines! I will get the boat (for my pirates), the red bike, the smallest one and that tank that Cole's driving. Very Power Rangers with the transforming, like the Mega-zoids in show. Bad idea, nice parts.

Posted by Thrund in United Kingdom, 21 Oct 2011 16:29

As a kid, I would have loved a series where the good guys stayed the same and the enemies changed every year. They never really did that with any of the old Space or Castle lines.

As an adult, I use minifigures for my D&D games, and we should be running into Serpentfolk as the main enemy right around the time these become available, so I'm sure I'll be buying some.

Posted by BooMakuta! in United States, 21 Oct 2011 16:34

Cool but I'm set on Star Wars.

Posted by TheKingOfBuilding in United Kingdom, 21 Oct 2011 16:49

Ninjago has just... gone wrong. Seriously though, I love the vehicles and their designs but JET PLANES FOR NINJAS? In my opinion, that isn't a very good combination.

Also regarding those new 1x1 round tiles, how are you supposed to remove them from other bricks/plates? From what I see, there is no invert at the bottom to push them up with the Lego Games spanner (unlike on other tiles).

Posted by legomaniac in United States, 21 Oct 2011 16:53

The vehicles are hideous. Would of liked if LEGO just made a historically kinda accurate ninja and samurai sets. Like they did in 98 - 2000.
I guess they wouldn't sell well?

Posted by TheKingOfBuilding in United Kingdom, 21 Oct 2011 17:00

I agree with you legomaniac but the trouble is that nowdays, kids like more action. Lego even had to make the fire temple to be able to split in half so it would at least have some sort of play feature.

Posted by Ypres in Canada, 21 Oct 2011 17:08

Thanks for the pictures.

I really liked NinjaGo. I made it my number one 2011 priority to collect all four dragons and attain a copy of each ninja. I have no regrets because they were easily my favourite sets of this year. Unfortunatly 2012 lost the dragons (who would've guessed) and really lost my interest. Well I still think the minifigures are great so I'll try and find deals where I can get them. Surprisingly Destiny's Bounty is miles above the other sets in the line so either way I'm picking that up.

Posted by Pharoh of Dinosaurs in United States, 21 Oct 2011 17:15

I origanally hated ninjago because it was cartoonish and stereotypicall, but now I actually like these. I suppose the ninjas went to India or something. The snake people look quite imaginative and I think I might even buy the ship thing.

Posted by supersympa in Sweden, 21 Oct 2011 17:20

as somebody said, i will save some money not buying this theme....

Posted by Doctor Leg O'Brick in United Kingdom, 21 Oct 2011 17:25

As a whole, kids run to the NinjaGo section and basicly climb the shelf to get the sets, so with two waves and a video game, they will sell like Star Wars sets. But on the other hand, some kids refuse to buy action themes. Where I live (Erdington, Birmingham, UK) a kid said in Tesco he does not buy Atlantis because its "violent" and "kills marine life".

Posted by Retsnom Kcor in United States, 21 Oct 2011 17:35

When I first heard about the Ninjago theme, my hopes were high. I was expecting a nice reboot of the old Ninja theme. When I saw the sets, I lost hope. In my opinion, all they had going for them was the (obvious) fact that there would be Ninja minifigures, and the dragons. I'm actually kind of annoyed at LEGO's excessive use of skeletons as the bad guys, but whatever...

Fast forward to about last month, when I first heard about the 2012 NinjaGo sets. I heard mention of a possible green Ninja, and my attention was grabbed. Upon seeing these pictures... Not only have they apparently "Updated" the ninja figs, but the dragons are gone. AND there is no green ninja.

In short, I still don't like this theme.

Posted by legomarsfan in Bulgaria, 21 Oct 2011 17:36

Looks like a remake of the arctic setting in alpha team (the converting vehicles) but with more ninjas.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 17:37

@legomarsfan: INITIATE ALPHA MODE! XD No, wait, this'll be... INITIATE SPINJITSU MODE! XD

Posted by LEGOSLUG in New Zealand, 21 Oct 2011 17:40

@Alemas: You like ninjago then!
Initiate Spinjitsu mode! Attack stance! Prepare your mind!

Posted by LEGOSLUG in New Zealand, 21 Oct 2011 17:44

I am not a big fan of Ninjago, but I really don't think the 2012 sets are anything flash.........
What do you think?

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 17:47

Many sets feature the 1X1 round tile. This'll be much-loved by MOCcers. They can finally achieve a "studless" look to their models more easily.

Posted by LEGOSLUG in New Zealand, 21 Oct 2011 17:54

Yeah, these 1X1 tiles with no stud on top will go down well I think. I wonder if you will be able to order the studless 1X1 from shop.LEGO.com in 2012?

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 17:59

@No-one in particular (:P): Look here: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=9446-1 The top part of the black guy is new. It's a standard minifig torso that can go over the "neck" with something that goes over the bottom part. Interesting...

EDIT: Here's grogall's high-res picture: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/grogall/Ninja-Go/9446/b_9446_box_side.jpg Don't know whether he's Lloyd or Lord Garmadon; In a stand-alone spinner set, Lloyd is the shorter guy. Or maybe the preliminary story details are completely wrong... :P

Posted by Seagull in United States, 21 Oct 2011 18:06

Bizarre. Almost awful.

I'm speechless. :/

Posted by George G. in United Kingdom, 21 Oct 2011 18:18

Brick-bricks? BEST IDEA EVER! If the Jabba's Palace rumour is true, I hope it includes a lot of brick-bricks :)

In short, I will buy the smallest set as it actually looks moderately realistic and so I can get some brick-bricks!

Posted by wiredforsound in United States, 21 Oct 2011 18:21

While I like the general directions of the minifigures, I generally go for buildings over vehicles. So I only see myself buying the Shrine and maybe the Ship sets. I had hoped the theme would follow more of the old Castle Ninja theme, but instead has seemed to go more 'cartoony' with the 2012 sets which a bit of a disappoint to me.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 18:29

@George G.: The brick bricks will be much loved by MOCcers, too. At last, some detail! :P

Posted by Cligra in United States, 21 Oct 2011 18:31

Wow. I thought Ninjago made no sense BEFORE....

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 18:31

@Cligra: Now? :P

Posted by spearjr in United States, 21 Oct 2011 18:42

I love the baddies. I'm not too sure about the rest of the sets and may just pick up the figs I want through Bricklink.

Posted by Firox 5000 in United Kingdom, 21 Oct 2011 18:47

The sets are ok though I doubt I will buy many if any at all. The dragon sets were better IMO.

Posted by Thomson & Thompson in Canada, 21 Oct 2011 18:52

Love it. New parts, awesome transportation and a green Ninja? Still, won't be getting any.

Posted by spency13 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 18:56

I don't like Ninjago and I never did, but I do like those new cobras and the new tail pieces for the figs are pretty cool....

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 21 Oct 2011 19:14

@dixondog: Yes, it does. :P Horrified. :P

Posted by Hello_World! in United States, 21 Oct 2011 20:01

Alemas: The new body piece looks similar to this one: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=85946pb01

Posted by Skywalker1966 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 20:18

To be honest, Huw, I have absolutely no idea what to think. This year's NinjaGo seemed to be having trouble deciding whether or not it was going to be a classic ninja theme, or a Power Rangers rip-off. It seems that they are going all out toward the Power Rangers side for 2012. That said, while I think the sets look cool, I just don't think they belong in a "ninja" theme. Still, I do like the new minifig designs and the sets look somewhat reminiscent of Exo-Force, which I really liked for a while...

Well, I'll definitely spend at least a little bit on it, but I need to actually try them out first to see if they are any good. Besides, I always thought a LEGO version of the Power Rangers might be cool. :P

EDIT: Is it just me or does Cole's vehicle in "Cole's Tread Assault" look like the Batmobile? :P

Posted by skipper1011 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 20:21

Overall the models themselves look good, but seriously LEGO, helicopters,motor bikes,and jets in a NINJA theme!???! At least in 2011 we had dragons. The only thing speaking NINJA to me is the little "temple" in 9440. By the way, am I the only person to notice the new brick pieces in set 9440? Also, I noticed the brilliant usage of knights helmets in the engines of 9443. Overall the story line STINKS, but I like a lot of the techniques used in the models themselves.

@Blockman
Now that you point that out it does seem to have a resemblance to the Batmobile. It even has hints of gold here and there.

Posted by Skywalker1966 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 20:26

@Alemas: Yeah, I think it makes less sense now than it ever did before. Unfortunately, I'm also sensing that my little brother will be buying a ton of this stuff...

@dixondog: Yes, clear as day. Of course, I don't personally think it all looks too horribly atrocious.

Posted by BooMakuta! in United States, 21 Oct 2011 20:36

@George G. THERE IS GOING TO BE A JABBA'S PALACE?!?!?!?!?!

Remember last year when that guy said there was going to be a Death Star with 1,000,000,000,000 pieces and would cost 100 dollars? Yeah right. If there's a set like that, I'll...well, there won't be a set like that so I won't even think about it.

Posted by Ypres in Canada, 21 Oct 2011 20:40

I don't understand why so many people feel they need to say a work of fiction (ninjaGo) makes no sense. Obviously a few people haven't bothered to do the math behind DC and Marvel because there's not a lot of science to explain any of that either. I mean, does any of our popular fiction make sense???

Coming here to comment something like "glad I won't have to spend my money on this" is simply annoying to someone who was looking forward to these and got let down. Yeah, I'm saying If you never liked ninjaGo you don't need to wear out your keyboard stating that you still don't like it. Given the number of people that kiss the heels of the 2012 mediocrity (like City) I'm not too surprised there's a complete bias towards a theme which services the kids over adults.

Posted by mars4life in United States, 21 Oct 2011 20:41

It's way too weird. If they just didn't have all the futuristic vehicles it might be passable. The boat one looks like it might be ok though.

Posted by xrearx in United States, 21 Oct 2011 20:43

@legomanic and others with similar opinions, I completely agree with you, and if they won't be exactly like ninjas, at least be like Naruto in the sense that they don't use vehicles and aren't dressed in colorful unifroms, using powers like the series I mentioned.

Posted by jonbuddy in United States, 21 Oct 2011 21:12

Look, apparently my comment caused a controversy. I'm sorry that I said that, but on a website where h*ll and d**n are deemed acceptable and left untainted (or not deleted), I thought a commonly used ACRONYM would be okay.

So, again, I'm sorry.

I guess.

BACK ON THE ACTUAL SUBJECT AT HAND, I don't have any real Ninjago sets, and I don't plan on getting anyway...except for a possible surprise Christmas/Birthday present. :P

Posted by qitah in Australia, 21 Oct 2011 21:26

Well, the Ninjago story was always full of crack anyway, but leaving that aside, there are 19 new elements (a couple might be existing elements in new colours though) that i can make out in this line alone! Is it just me, or that a metric ton of new parts for us to play with? I don't see anything wrong with this equation and i am already planning to get my hands on some of these sets. :))

Mind you, it might be a different story for you if yr not a moc'cer though.

Posted by LEGOSLUG in New Zealand, 21 Oct 2011 21:54

@jonbuddy: Apology Accepted jonbuddy.
2012 Ninjago is dumb I am not getting any either

Posted by comandercody654 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 22:09

Meh these sets look okay....

Posted by Dlakii in Australia, 21 Oct 2011 22:42

This is definitely a strange direction for the theme, ostensibly ninja/feudal Japan-themed, to be taking; I don't particularly recall snakes and related iconography playing much of a role in the culture. If they were travelling somewhere else it'd be workable, and I am getting a bit of an Egyptian vibe from #9440, but we just did Pharaoh's Quest this year. On the other hand, maybe complaining about things making historical sense with this theme is a moot point; when the skeletons pulled out those motor vehicles in this year's run, pretty much all bets were off. Actually, that earlier comparison to Power Rangers someone here made strikes me as rather accurate and fitting for not just the 2012 run, but for Ninjago as a whole; it certainly makes the 2012 run's concept much easier to swallow.

Sense of the theme aside, the sets are quite nice with some interesting pieces; I'm REALLY liking the look of that kendo armour in particular. Looks like that's another good fifty dollars down the drain next year just for that. I admit I'm lamenting the lack of sets based on Japanese architecture and terrain in exchange for the greater focus on vehicles, but eh, there's still this year's.

also lol internet drama over childrens' construction toys

Posted by LegoC10 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 22:51

I personally think Ninjago, even though going a random direction, is going in a great direction, and should be really cool!

Posted by TooMuchLEGO in United States, 21 Oct 2011 23:00

@Alemas, at close inspection, I can only see four letters, and it looks a lot to me like "LORd," not "Lloyd." So apparently, Lord Garmadon found it necessary to grow an extra body. Or maybe he got plastic surgery.

Posted by skipper1011 in United States, 21 Oct 2011 23:23

@Ypres - you are right. ALL(most of us anyway) are being very critical of these sets while all LEGO is doing is trying to fit the interest of many children today. I really appreciate your thoughts Ypres.

Posted by giraffefreckles in United States, 21 Oct 2011 23:44

Looks like I'm getting the 9440 shrine as I prefer building-type sets. I may buy something just for the snake figure's tail. (They might might make great genies.) The batman-like vehicle might go to a nephew.

^As for more Japanese-like architecture, I can guess I can go squint at my Robie House.

The thing I really don't get is epaulets on ninjas. Eeeeeeek.

Posted by KillDeer in Canada, 22 Oct 2011 00:51

These are the first sets I've really actually liked in the theme.

Posted by The Reviewer in United States, 22 Oct 2011 02:29

Man Ninjago just keeps getting stupider and stupider.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 22 Oct 2011 06:43

@jonbuddy: Good buddy. ;)
@TooMuchLEGO: Hm, looking at grogall's high-res pics, the short guy in the 'copter set is Lloyd, and the big black guy in the boat set is Lord Garmadon. Lloyd seems to be fighting against the snakes... so it's LLOYD the new ally, NOT Lord! Not a very good ally, it seems: Lloyd seems VERY unsure of what he's doing... :P

Posted by sebulba in Australia, 22 Oct 2011 08:03

Haha Lloyd Garmadon! That's rich! The person at Lego who came up with that name deserves a pat on the back.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 22 Oct 2011 08:20

@sebulba: Do I sense sarcasm? :P

Posted by CaptainJonnyBoy in United States, 22 Oct 2011 08:51

I'm not a big fan of them, but they are definetly very unique, and actually kinda cool. I am amazed at how well Lego "sculpted" some of these sets, the snake vehicles are amazingly well-done. I see lots of cool weapons and pieces, and the new studless 1x1 is cool.

With so many awesome new pieces, I'd say it's time to... RESURRECT EXO-FORCE!!! Haha, just kidding.

Posted by BooMakuta! in United States, 22 Oct 2011 09:31

@Alemas yep. What a stupid name. He is the tiny guy who looks like "aaaah, the ninjas" on the Rattlecopter.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 22 Oct 2011 09:34

@BooMakuta!: He's more like "Aaaah, the snakes"! :P He seems to be an ally of the ninjas. :P And why stupid?

Posted by Thomson & Thompson in Canada, 22 Oct 2011 09:55

I might get a small set to get a cobra.

Posted by bionicle212 in United States, 22 Oct 2011 10:39

(I HATE SNAKES JOCK, I HATE'EM! )i'm not a big fan of ninjago, i'm looking at the dino sets :D

Posted by patrickalandau in United States, 22 Oct 2011 12:16

Does anyone know anything about why there are Lego Universe logos on all the sets?

Posted by giraffefreckles in United States, 22 Oct 2011 12:17

^^ yes, the cobras are growing on me, too. Especially the lime green ones.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 22 Oct 2011 12:20

@patrickalandau: There's a Ninjago area in LU.

Posted by merkinized75 in United Kingdom, 22 Oct 2011 12:57

I don't think Garmadon's a good guy (he's 50% taller now and sieging a ship), and I don't know about Lloyd, that heli is throwing snakes at him :P

Posted by sf1378 in United Kingdom, 22 Oct 2011 16:21

I don't like Ninjago at all. Its awful...I'm sure old whats his face who founded Lego would be rolling in his grave! Its the sort of thing if I had kids I'd buy through gritted teeth or allow my brain to glaze over if a kid told me about it....I think Lego should have reintroduced the Samurai/Ninja theme they used to have. I certainly won't be buying any of it.

Posted by itsaturkey in United States, 22 Oct 2011 18:06

Well...eh...how do I say this...Football armored Ninja's flying jets shooting snakes at human-snake crossbreeds is certainly creative.....But really "Wha-?" Some interesting pieces and colors, but just meh. It's painful to see Lego attempt to make an epic story when they already had one. (Bionicle anyone?) You need the balance of creativeness, grand scale, and characters. If it's too creative, it's just weird or comical. If it's not creative at all it's just boring. Hopefully Lego will find some way to incorporate a epic story in HF (Which I must say is getting much better Story wise) I hope I haven't ranted on too much about my opinion :)

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 22 Oct 2011 18:46

@itaturkey: That first sentence made me laugh. :P

Posted by DXninja9000 in United States, 22 Oct 2011 19:20

Two words: Power Rangers. I like Ninjago, But the Power Rangers look is kinda weird....

Posted by benjadude11 in United States, 22 Oct 2011 20:14

Wait I don't understand... are they ancient warriors in classical temples, or are they high-tech commandos with jet planes and monster trucks? Ninjago needs to make up it's mind.

Posted by Zordboy in Australia, 22 Oct 2011 22:09

I really liked the Ninjago 2011 sets (I bought all the dragons, and LOVED THEM SO MUCH).
It does look like they've moved past skeleton villains, into snake monster villains.
I'll probably pass. But I love the Blue Ranger, sorry, the Blue Ninja's jet.
(as you can tell from my nickname, I'm a huge Power Rangers fan)

Posted by BJMdotLEGO in United Kingdom, 23 Oct 2011 05:46

I don't care for all the stupid cars/bikes/planes sets, but I have to say I will eb getting http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=9446-1 . That boat (sanpan?) looks great.

Posted by Zordboy in Australia, 23 Oct 2011 06:57

^ Agreed that the boat looks the most fantastic of the bunch.

Posted by OuterRimTradingCo. in Australia, 23 Oct 2011 08:46

It's a theme where anything goes. Why shouldn't ninjas fly jet planes and skeletons drive motorcycles?

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 23 Oct 2011 09:13

@dixondog: Here you go: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=453157 High-res pics. :P

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 23 Oct 2011 09:21

@dixondog: No problem! :) As for the brick bricks, have a look here: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/grogall/City-2010/4438/a_4438_box_front.jpg Look at the chimney and the foundations!

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 23 Oct 2011 09:32

@dixondog: No problem, again. :P As for Garmdadon... I have no idea. :P More powerful, perhaps?

Posted by Thomson & Thompson in Canada, 23 Oct 2011 09:35

I'm getting the Venomari Shrine. It's awesome. 100th comment!

Posted by Thrund in United Kingdom, 23 Oct 2011 10:15

Looking at the high-res pictures, the most notable thing is the variety in the minifigs. All the ninjas have different and interesting torso prints, and there are several new heads and headpieces for the snake warriors. Also, each of the snake staves seems to have its own unique printed 1x1 tile.

I'd be tempted to just pick up the shrine and then get some of the figures on Bricklink, but I doubt they'll be cheap.

Posted by KillDeer in Canada, 23 Oct 2011 11:39

That boat is seriously the Pimp-Diggity

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 23 Oct 2011 12:14

@KillDeer: What's THAT? :P

Posted by crazyawesomeyeah in United States, 23 Oct 2011 12:23

...smh lego needs to do a better job at making more interesting sets... vehicles, seriously? there shoulda been a giant snake here or something

Posted by DXninja9000 in United States, 23 Oct 2011 13:48

A list of ninja types:

Regular (Early 2011)

DX (Later 2011)

Kendo (Early 2012)

ZX (Later 2012)

Hope this was helpful!

Posted by DXninja9000 in United States, 23 Oct 2011 13:51

@ Huw: Do you get ALL these new pics from German websites?

Posted by Thomson & Thompson in Canada, 23 Oct 2011 15:34

^^Thank you!

Posted by BooMakuta! in United States, 23 Oct 2011 15:54

^@Alemas, reply: I think Lloyd is evil. And Power Rangers/Ninjago is dumb.

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 23 Oct 2011 16:35

^ soz no but theres some decent pics of city on this page http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=486170&n=47

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 23 Oct 2011 16:47

@BooMakuta!: He seems to be attacking the snakes. :P

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 23 Oct 2011 17:14

^ i don't think anyone has especialy since not even blurry ones have been released yet apart for the build a batman type ones

Posted by itsaturkey in United States, 23 Oct 2011 21:29

Alemas@ Thanks! :P That's basically what they are! :P

Posted by VBaskin2010 in United States, 24 Oct 2011 01:47

I Think They're Going On The Righteous Path Of The Ninja!

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 24 Oct 2011 05:48

i have to say i prefer last years ninjago by far but next years isn't that bad if u take the time to look through the link that alemas gave us. Thanx again for this pics alemas ;)

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 24 Oct 2011 06:10

@JonnyRonny: No problem! :)

Posted by macmon in Philippines, 24 Oct 2011 08:43

I prefer the ancient, dragon theme for the ninjas. Now its more of vehicles.. which is not my preference.

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 24 Oct 2011 08:49

^same but i have to say the new kai has a lot more detail

Posted by legogeek in United States, 24 Oct 2011 11:14

Wow, didn't think Ninjago was this popular among adult collectors...? LOL

2012 is headed in a direction I have no interest in. I liked the idea of Ninjago. I like the overall theme and architecture. Didn't like the vehicle aspect in 2011, and like it less in 2012. Wish they would have gone in a more historic/fantasy direction.

But hey, it's popular and the kids seem to like it! :oP

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 24 Oct 2011 11:16

@legogeek: Well, kids are LEGO's target audience... :P

Posted by BobaFett2 in United States, 24 Oct 2011 12:45

Now we have not one, but TWO Power Rangers look-alikes. First is the obvious HERO Factory, which is practically identical in many regards. Now, Ninjago is conforming to this idea - the old bad guys become good guys, the Power Rangers get new powers and new costumes, vehicles (Zards), and other stuff.

I like some of the parts but I really didn't like Ninjago in the first place.

Thumbs down.

Posted by mrwhizzard in United Kingdom, 24 Oct 2011 14:40

I think Ninjago's 2012 direction has a lot to do with the tie ins, in particular the forthcoming cartoon series on Cartoon Network.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 24 Oct 2011 14:45

@mrwhizzard: CARTOON SERIES?!? O_O

Posted by DXninja9000 in United States, 24 Oct 2011 18:14

Btw, about the Kendo ninja...

Kendo is Japanese fencing [:P]

Posted by DXninja9000 in United States, 24 Oct 2011 18:17

@BooMakuta! I only like NinjaGo because I missed the old ninja theme. I would prefer a regular ninja theme than NinjaGo, but I'll take what I can get. NinjaGo is kinda goofy.

Posted by sarlacc98 in United Kingdom, 24 Oct 2011 18:39

llyod garmadon???

Posted by Zordboy in Australia, 24 Oct 2011 19:44

*Zords*, not "zards". And there's too much Power Rangers haters, boo I say, boo ;).

Posted by AETerry in United States, 24 Oct 2011 23:08

I'm not a huge fan of the Ninjago series. Mainly as I personally don't like the spinners. That aspect is too much like beyblade to me and just doesn't appeal. Way back with the Oriental theme, I got several ninjas. So I don't feel a need for adding too many more.

But I can see it's perfect for Kids and Teens who may not have been born or old enough when the first Ninjas were around.

The 2011 theme with skeletons looks awful to me. What I see for 2012, I like some of the vehicles they're showing this time around and I do like many of the snake-men minifigures and am planning on getting some of them.

Posted by THE BLACK KNIGHT in United States, 25 Oct 2011 00:16

I think they have ruined the ninja theme
with all these vehicles, its supposed
to be in atcient china so whats with them.

personally I like the old ninja theme.

Posted by LostInTranslation in United Kingdom, 25 Oct 2011 02:14

^ Ninjas originated in feudal Japan, FYI. Still, I don't think they had helicopters or trucks there either... Some of the colours of these sets are interesting and, as others have said, the boat looks the best of the bunch, but the rest? Not my cuppa tea.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 25 Oct 2011 08:06

Ninjago now seems to be a kids' theme. A bit like Exo-Force, then. :P Hang on, Huw loved Exo-Force... :P

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 25 Oct 2011 09:29

@dixondog: Yes, he did. :P Still does, actually. :P

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 25 Oct 2011 11:13

^ is that read straight off his page alemas???

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 25 Oct 2011 11:23

@JonnyRonny: What?! :P

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 25 Oct 2011 11:39

errrrrrr im getting really annoyed with my brother posting comments, sorry alemas

Posted by KillDeer in Canada, 25 Oct 2011 14:53

You guys didnt know they had monster trucks and jets 800 years ago in Japan?

Posted by LEGOSLUG in New Zealand, 25 Oct 2011 15:04

@KillDeer: I certainly didn't!

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 25 Oct 2011 15:14

@LEGOSLUG: Me neither. XD

Posted by TooMuchLEGO in United States, 25 Oct 2011 16:44

Personal opinion: Ninjago is no longer cool. Redesigning my dojo into a real dojo that isn't a wall. :p

EDIT: @Alemas: Do you reply to EVERY LAST COMMENT or something?! :P

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 25 Oct 2011 16:49

@TooMuchLEGO: Yeah, we have too many LEGO buildings that are actually facades... :P

Posted by Hello_World! in United States, 25 Oct 2011 18:11

JonnyRonny: You can change your password to prevent that.

KillDeer: Really?!??!! ;-)

EDIT: Hay there back!!

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 26 Oct 2011 02:53

^^ yer but i left it signed in by accident

Posted by AgentWHO in United States, 26 Oct 2011 13:06

Apparently this has some new tile... 1x1 round tile!

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 26 Oct 2011 14:09

Look at the jetpack thing on Kai: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=9443-1 A gun holding one of the thrusters? And, it seems, snow-shoes? NPU (Nice Parts Usage), again!

EDIT: Whoops, looks I'm wrong: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/grogall/Ninja-Go/9443/c_9443_detail_1.jpg What is it?! It's not a space gun...

EDIT 2: Oh wait, it IS! Turns out it also holds the snow-shoe!

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 26 Oct 2011 15:35

@TooMuchLEGO's edit (late, I know. :P): Yeah, when I can. :P

Posted by itsaturkey in United States, 26 Oct 2011 16:40

Okay, here is what I can gather about the story from the sets.
Somehow Snake People replace the Skeletons. Lord finds the six elemental Snake staffs and controls the Snake People and also gets bigger. Llyod runs away, unsure if he wants to kill people for a living, and is adopted and saved by the Ninjas. The Ninjas must find all the staffs to stop Lord. Notice a staff is in every set and has a different 1 x 1.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 26 Oct 2011 16:50

@itsaturket: Yeah, probably Lloyd is unsure whether to join his father or fight against him... :P Oh boy, father/son relationship themes will abound for sure in the storyline, then! :P

Posted by nuno1004 in United States, 27 Oct 2011 12:44

I just care about price..... lol

Posted by itsaturkey in United States, 27 Oct 2011 22:46

Alemas: Yeah, Oy Vey! :P
Dixondog: Yep :) You just have to look and see what they have in common (Staffs) What are different (Staffs) and what are in each set (Staff) So, obviously these staffs are significant to the story, what could they do? Well since there are new enemies and Lord is upgraded, I took it the staffs had powers, powers to mutate snakes to human-snake hybrids Hmm? Also look for who is fighting who, Llyod seems scared and confused, the snakes are attacking him (Taking him back to dad to have a talk? :P) and a Ninja is supposedly saving him, ergo most likely he will join the Ninjas. All you need is a lot of imagination :) (And a couple hours help too.... :P)

Posted by tkf in Russian Federation, 28 Oct 2011 19:54

When i see the first NinjaGO sets in 2011, i thought what the hell, it is much worse than old ninja series. Why the ninjas are fighting with skeletons? I could admit it, but why skeletons ride on Let's Rock style vehicle.
But then i saw new sets now, my opinion has changed. Yes there are some ugly sets like 9444 or 9445, but look at 9442, 9443 or 9446. LEGO Universe has given new blood to ninja go sets, now there are more LEGO spirit in there. So i'm already interested what price here at russia will be for this sets.

Posted by Be-Burger in Israel, 29 Oct 2011 03:55

@itsaturkey - but we already know that Lord Garmadon has joined the good guys, and his son Lloyd is now leader of the badguys... at least I thought that...

EDIT: Notice in this picture: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/grogall/Ninja-Go/9443/c_9443_detail_1.jpg that the short guy, most likely Lloyd, is standing BESIDE the bad guy and the snakes, while the ninja is standing by himself. I think that the good guys would stand by the good guys, and the bad guys would stand by the bad guys ;)

Commenting has ended on this article.