Old news: Legends Of Chima on eBay

 

  • Old news: Legends Of Chima on eBay

    Posted by Huw, 12 Sep 2012 14:42. Filed under New sets.

    Today, many AFOL sites published links to photos from an eBay listing for a pre-production sample of a Legends Of Chima set, which are marked 'company confidential'.

    The surprising thing about it is that it appears to be old news. The eBay listing ended in the middle of July but for some reason it's only just been spotted by the AFOL community.

    I'd just like to remind you that, while we like to see and hear of yet to be released sets as much as you do, we respect the LEGO company's desire to keep them under wraps, so we have a policy of not linking to or using such images.

    Anyway, if you do happen to be able to find it for yourself, you'll notice that the rumours were true and it does indeed appear to be a Ninjago replacement (or at least similar to it) complete with some sort of game element and playing cards, although the piece count shown on the packaging looks to be a bit out, by a factor of 10 or so!


    50 comments, latest one posted 8 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 12 Sep 2012 15:17

I am not very enthusiastic about this prospect at all, the idea is unoriginal and to use an ancient phrase 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' I am not a Ninjago fan, but so many people are, why replace it?

Posted by deskp in Norway, 12 Sep 2012 15:19

Theres also the Oin minifigure (from the hobbit) that was posted online 1. august but wasnt found by lego comunity before yesterday.

Posted by TheLEGOmaniac in Denmark, 12 Sep 2012 15:53

Yeah, I didn't know about it until today either. But oh well - I'm not particularly excited about this, it honestly seems so much like Ninjago that I don't see the point in replacing it. Oh, and by the way, I do believe 442 pieces is always what they put on the preliminary boxes :)

Posted by Kez in United Kingdom, 12 Sep 2012 16:05

^^^ I know about the oin figure aswell, I sent Huw 2 messages about this news and I also posted this news in the forum, it looks pretty cool though

Posted by Gandalf1 in United States, 12 Sep 2012 16:06

Wow. I would seriously be surprised if Ninjago ends any time soon because of this theme. I don't think it could ever be as popular as Ninjago has turned out to be.

Posted by MoonKnight in United States, 12 Sep 2012 16:19

A couple questions:

Will the ninjago television series continue or is it already done? This question might be ridiculous but I've never seen an episode but my nephews and a lot of other kids like it. It doesn't sound logical to continue the series but discontinue the toys. Will legends of chima have there own show to replace ninjago or maybe Lego is done with television for right now.

Also I'm very curious about The Dark Knight Rises Lego set coming in 2013. Does anybody know what it is or if there are photos on the Internet? (not saying to post links obviously) I'm not sure if these questions on TDKR set are valid but much would be appreciated if I could get some answers because I'm extremely excited for this set.

Posted by The Green Brick Giant in United States, 12 Sep 2012 16:20

And Ninjas fighting skeletons and snakes isn't lames?

It's one game set. Let's wait until we see what the play sets look like.

Posted by The_Creator in United States, 12 Sep 2012 16:28

Can I post a link to a unwatermarked image?

Posted by The_Creator in United States, 12 Sep 2012 16:30

*looks at pictures* WOW! and I thought Ninjago was lame this looks terrible...

Posted by rosney in United States, 12 Sep 2012 16:58

I thought it was BrickSet's policy (at least in practice) that once pandora's internet box is opened, things are fair game.

Posted by DarthLuke824 in United Kingdom, 12 Sep 2012 16:59

@ Ngclarkiv8

There are no Dark Knight Rises set pictures but there is a rumour about The BAT with Commissoner Gordon, Bane and Batman. Look here: http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Rises_set%28s%29

Hope this helps!

Posted by TBOC in United States, 12 Sep 2012 17:01

I'd like to remind you that Ninjago still has another year, so, it's not a replacement.

Posted by CM4S in United States, 12 Sep 2012 17:02

That grey rodent head on the left looks like it could be used for the sensei in TMNT (I don't watch it so I dunno the names)

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 12 Sep 2012 17:23

@tensor, it's a fine balance. It is well and truly open, but on this occasion I don't intend to republish.

Posted by rosney in United States, 12 Sep 2012 17:40

^Fair enough, thanks Huw

Posted by Ypres in Canada, 12 Sep 2012 17:43

I can't possibly express my dissapointment about NinjaGo ending without accidentally offending someone. To add insult to injury we're supposed to believe Legends of Chima will replace NinjaGo!? I always thought the game NinjaGo and all its side products were just silly marketing but the theme still provided a lot of unique builds during a time Lego kept making boring City/StarWars re-makes.

Legends of Chima is an insult to children. Choke on it Lego!

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 12 Sep 2012 18:06

@All, I think it's too early to draw any conclusions as to the 'quality' of LoC. Let's all wait until we've seen them 'in the flesh', shall we?

Posted by nightmarevalkyrie in United States, 12 Sep 2012 18:11

Huw can you please monitor the ages of people posting the comments I really believe some of these people posting comments are kids they're being biased as well as saying rude gestures

Posted by Okay in United States, 12 Sep 2012 18:34

Wow. I agree, a lot of the posters here need to mature a little and take a chill pill. How can you condemn an entire theme as "dumb/lame" just by looking at a grainy photo of a single unfinished package? Ninjago had the same reaction initially, and look how that turned out. Seriously, I bet those who are hating on this theme the most now are going to end up becoming its greatest fans. But why am I even arguing about this? It's always the same every time a new action theme is announced...

Posted by Orthobotrex in Philippines, 12 Sep 2012 18:37

^^ I do beleieve the age restrictions here are not the same as in the forum.

Posted by vamproe in United States, 12 Sep 2012 18:57

@ Okay....... I agree with you......when Monster fighters was announced, the haters came out in waves.....
@ nightmarevalkyrie ....... toughen up, :) haters are going to hate, collectors no matter what they collect tend to shoot first and then buy the items they shot holes in :)

I'm hoping for cool mutants, and will probably pick up a few snake people from ninjago....if and only if the TMNT (turtles) line is real. Can never have enough mutants to fight each other.

Posted by audiobean in Singapore, 12 Sep 2012 22:42

Lame and uncool.. They promised that it will be better than Ninjago but it's not. From the picture, at first impression it is no other than those toys that have 'already' caught attention of kids few years ago, i.e. Beyblade, card games, strings spinner.

The magic of Ninjago, is that they have infused Character into the theme, by having cartoons where it builds the storyline around humorous and cool characters i.e. Cole, Zane, Kai, Jay, Nya, Sensei Wu and the rests. It is the life of the toy itself that makes it interesting and they are going to end it. I'm a parent, and I can't bear to tell my son yet that Ninjago is ending in 2013, he likes it so much. And he is anticipating the next Stone Warrior wave.

I wrote a letter to LEGO last week requesting for a continuation of Ninjago. Likely it will fall on deaf ears..? Since they have already planned Legends of Chima sometime back (even the name is lame, at first glance it reads Legends of China, oh Firefox is correcting my spelling now, there is no such word as Chima in their dictionary..).

Posted by Roborider in United States, 12 Sep 2012 22:48

Agreed with people saying they need to hold off on calling this theme with only a few blurry pictures of one preliminary unopened set. Personally, I still don't like Ninjago much, but I know quite a few people do, and that it was extremely successful for the LEGO company. As of right now the wolf looking figure seems nice as a different werewolf head (this opinion may change once I have it in hand). The vehicles don't seem to impress me much if they are primarily composed of a few new single use pieces, like they appear to be, but then again, this is not easy to tell from just these pictures.

Posted by TBOC in United States, 12 Sep 2012 23:02

I'm pretty sure it's been confirmed that Ninjago has at least next year, after that, I don;t know, but it isn't ending next year.

Posted by audiobean in Singapore, 12 Sep 2012 23:24

If LoC is not going to replace Ninjago, then I believe lots of judgement here, at least mine, will be different and I will look at it as a new series, a rather different point of view than as a Ninjago replacement. If it is viewed as a new series, well, LoC looks okay with imaginative characters and vehicles, with game elements, and kids will usually like it.

However to replace Ninjago and the whole merchandise (books, dvds, cartoons) that it has successfully created, is just, such a tall order in my opinion.

Posted by xccj in United States, 12 Sep 2012 23:49

Roboriders meet Ninjago? Strange stuff.

I can see the benefits of this theme. Action spinners are cool. And animal-based minifigs are always neat, especially after seeing some of the fish and snake figs that appeared in Atlantis and Ninjago. But I'd be more interested in seeing some of the sets before I form my opinion on the theme...

But at least now people have something to complain about it besides just the name. :P

Posted by JustinR87 in United States, 12 Sep 2012 23:50

The 442 pcs is a placeholder number like XXX. Atlantis example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fbtbnet/4357806140/in/set-72157623435633160/

Posted by itsaturkey in United States, 13 Sep 2012 00:00

Remember when Huw posted that picture of that weird Ninja fighting a skeleton? It was called...Ninjago, no Ninj-ago. Anyway, man what a dumb name, no one's going to buy those sets. Spinners? What a rip off...
That's what most of the people were saying three years ago(Or was it two years?) Now it's one of Lego's most popular themes. So now we're all going to call this theme, "lame and uncool?" It's one, grainy, preliminary picture!
This happens every time a new theme is announced.

Posted by TheMinifigFreak in United States, 13 Sep 2012 00:01

Will there be real sets, or are they simply just these "spinners"?

Posted by Dash Justice in United States, 13 Sep 2012 01:32

Looks like something M*ga Bl*ks would make. I know I shouldn't judge the whole theme from one set, but is looks horrible. Also, Legends of Chima? Seriously, what kind of a name is that?

Posted by vistuk in Slovakia, 13 Sep 2012 03:18

that is not finished pictures bat finished wil be awesume

Posted by Corellian Engineering in Belgium, 13 Sep 2012 04:19

Funny, reading most of the comments its the announcement and first leaks of Ninjago all over again. The unbelieve, "I dont get it", or even almost pure hate from the AFOL community for a new theme that at first sight doesn't fit in the image they have of the ideal Lego set.
It is strange that many AFOL's defend Lego's point of view , not being suitable for their core public, when rejecting projects on e.g. CUUSO, but when Lego comes out with a theme realy aimed at that public, they act as if this will end Lego as we know it..

But being a father of some 6 - 10 year old boys, I could experience the bullseye Lego hit with that mix of "historical" ninjas, freaky creatures and weird technology. The kids just loved the extra play feature that was introduced besides the building and brick stacking. They couldnt get enough of those spinners. And they weren't the only ones. Over here, Ninjago literally flew from the shelves the first months. And as an AFOL I even have to admit that though I never was interested in the spinner stuff, I could realy apreciate some of the building sets of the line. E.g. the Earth Dragon and the Fire Temple I bought for myself..

So, I am pretty sure that somewhere next year, those Chima creatures, backed up by some CM monsters, will defend their home planet against an invading Clone trooper army led by Darth Vader riding a dinosaur. Run them over with their cool bikes... and probably win the battle too. Taking advantage of the situation to free a Friends princess captured by Lord Garmadon. Because that is how kids play. Kids who these sets are ment for. Something AFOLs and TAFOLs sometimes tend to forget..

Posted by OuterRimTradingCo. in Australia, 13 Sep 2012 04:21

I think we're all a little spoiled. For those who are already writing off the theme based on one product which doesn't really show anything, just remember that not every product is designed specifically for you. It's not the worlds worst theme just because you don't like it. I remember people didn't like Ninjago but that found some love. I certainly remember people didn't like Friends but that well and truly found love.

If you don't like a theme, that's fine - it's just not for you.

Posted by bmwlego in United States, 13 Sep 2012 04:44

At least where I work Beyblades are still a hot toy with the kids. Will hold judgement on this line until I have a set in my hands and until possibly after I've built a set as well.

Posted by Joefish in United Kingdom, 13 Sep 2012 07:29

Well, at least I was sort-of right about the sabre-tooth tigers from the tar pits, but it does seem to be a bit of a clone of Thundercats ideas.

Let's not read too much into those one-piece bikes as set content. They look like some sort of heavy inertial front wheel - something you set spinning with a rip-cord then drop on a surface to speed off. Maybe to knock down targets or bash each other and dismount the rider. But they would have to be one-piece structures to work well. Ordinary LEGO wheels and axles wouldn't have the right characteristics.

But you might as well criticise the spinning-tops Ninjago figures stand on for their lack of creativity. There's nothing to say these characters won't come with a separate line of more traditional action vehicles, just like Ninjago did. I really like some of the Ninjago vehicles (Mark Stafford's Storm Fighter and Samurai Mech are slick models and great parts packs) but I woldn't be seen dead spinning tops with minifigs on.

Posted by The_Creator in United States, 13 Sep 2012 08:31

@audiobean,
Just because you want TLG to continue Ninjago doesn't mean it will.
It got January of 2011-2013, be satisfied that it got 2 main waves(soon 3), 30 spinners, 30 sets, and 7 booster packs, I mean rhats aLOT and besides who knows what wierdness TLG could think up next if Ninjago continued...

Posted by LEGOIndianaMogens in Denmark, 13 Sep 2012 08:57

The first time i saw this, i thought it was a license theme. The lack of humans made it hard to tell.
The game in these looks confusing to me, it's not obvious like Ninjago. What are the bikes for? and why do they require metal wheels with blue tyres?

Btw, i have actually put the blue tyres on the metal wheels for these, when i was a trainee at LEGO earlier this year. I wondered what they were used for, but now i know.

I think the LEGO themes seems to be more and more uninteresting, for each year. At first i didn't like Power Miners (only because the rockmonsters had ugly eyes in the prototype), Space Police III, Atlantis and Ninjago, but later got used to them (mostly the first year of them). I don't think i will ever like this one.

Posted by Joefish in United Kingdom, 13 Sep 2012 12:02

Well, you seem to be letting slip a bit more confidential information!
If the wheels are metal, it'll be to make the rims heavier so that when you set them spinning with a rip-cord they keep spinning and will propel the bikes forward when you drop them on a surface. Light plastic wheels would just stop dead.

Posted by The_Mack in United States, 13 Sep 2012 12:16

Seems like a new version of those rip-cord motorcycles I had as youth. But how you battle them is kind of hard to tell.

Posted by RainingBoroSi02 in United States, 13 Sep 2012 12:44

I think the figs look awesome. Perfect for some Jedi knight MOCs.

Posted by LauraC in United Kingdom, 13 Sep 2012 13:40

I think these figures look awesome! But then my first Lego was the old Fabuland stuff and I'm all for some animal headed fantasy lego figures! :D

Posted by talorien in United States, 13 Sep 2012 14:02

I felt like some of the folks here feel about LOC when Ninjago came out. I had been hoping for a return to the Ninja sets of old with Samurai and eastern style architecture. So when the Ninjago sets came out I was truly disappointed.

Fast forward to today and the Ninjago sets are now some of my favorites. I have bought almost every spinner and any sets that had the Dragons and I have purchased many of the snake sets and vehicles. My stepson and I have spent countless fun hours playing with these LEGO sets. I am sure we will continue to enjoy this theme for as long as it goes on. I will be sad to see Ninjago go but I will definitely reserve judgment on LOC until the full reveal.

As an AFOL and a collector I am always happy to see new sets in almost any form. As long as it has mini-figures I am
probably going to be happy. I can't buy everything LEGO makes as much as I want to so if the theme does turn out to be a bust it will just free up more ca$h for other sets. I have to agree with HUW that is way too early to "judge" these sets.

@Okay
I also agree with your assessment that many haters will end up being purchasers if my own experience is anything to go by.

Anyone looking forward to the TMNT or Lone Ranger themes that are rumored to be coming out next year?

Posted by The_Creator in United States, 13 Sep 2012 14:23

^NOT TMNT :/ Lone Ranger??? :S

Posted by yamaki in Germany, 13 Sep 2012 14:53

Even I have to admit, Ninjago is a cool series. I really like some of the builds, the hero's ship is pretty decent. And would I have said that when seeing the first images of this series? Selling minifigs on spinners for 10€? Back then I said it's not gonna sell. So wait and see for this one.

Posted by chrismajor2124 in United States, 13 Sep 2012 15:14

This looks like garbage. Ninjago is soooo better. Period. What I want to know is why Lego seems so quick to replace themes. There's probably a reason, but COME ON! It's way too fast.

Posted by TBOC in United States, 13 Sep 2012 20:16

You people never listen, Ninjago still has next year, I'm pretty sure it's been confirmed by several people at Lego.

Posted by Dash Justice in United States, 13 Sep 2012 20:51

@Corellian Engineering and @talorien I actually quite liked Ninjago.

Posted by audiobean in Singapore, 13 Sep 2012 22:23

Some of us compare Ninjago as just another theme (3 years run is good enough), some see it as kids toy (which is true and that's the target audience). What I see is, Ninjago did something totally different in Lego history, that it has created a long running cartoon series in popular TV networks. In my country and many others, it's broadcast on Cartoon Networks and on the national cartoon channel too.

This is what created so much buzz about Ninjago, and this is what makes it the top selling theme, alongside Star Wars and City on the sales results! Marketing strategy aside, having cartoons alongside toys is actually good as long as the cartoons are done well (which is the case of Ninjago). Cartoons bring Life to the toy, it's not just how many sets Ninjago already has, it's the character and the stories behind it that people are buying. The scripts are pretty well done and I will miss it when Ninjago goes. I miss it because my son loves it, and because I see the value, humour, and the excitement that Ninjago cartoon has created among kids in a good way. There are many other cartoon based toys around, but none did it as good as Lego so far.

So yes, back to LoC, are they going to create a cartoon based on it? How much better the storyline could be with animal on vehicles, compared to good human characters with traditional values introduced in Ninjago (that kids will learn, i.e. hard-working, patience, focus on the important task, etc.)? I don't know at the moment. But to replace Ninjago with LoC, at the current impression, yeah, I'm very sceptical, but I hope to be impressed.

@TBOC, I thought that Ninjago is going to have another half-year wave in 2013 and that's it. At least that's what it seems at the moment.

Posted by Joefish in United Kingdom, 14 Sep 2012 06:52

The problem with selling lines like this to young kids is that it's very random whether it will 'catch' or not, and even when it does become a hit, kids in general quickly grow out of it. There will always be those that hang on to it but they will be in the minority, and it gets harder to sell the same thing to the next upcoming age group to keep up enough sales. So LEGO are being smart by anticipating the decline in sales and trying to get a new line up and running early, in case they have to re-think it.

As for how you play, there's a diagram on the box showing some sort of either avoiding obstacles or knocking them down like skittles. The characters are also carrying what look like rubber-tipped rods, so maybe there is an element of jousting to unseat the other player. Perhaps there'll be some sort of dividing rail or fence to guide the vehicles to line up against each other in a joust, rather than impact head-on.

Posted by the_real_indy in United States, 15 Sep 2012 17:56

I am sure a few people have mentioned this before, but it seems clear that the main reason they are phasing out Ninjago is simply because they do not want the four color-coded ninja characters to compete head-to-head for shelf-space and allowance-dollars versus the new TMNT license! Naturally, Ninjago was designed to mirror TMNT and other ninja-themed copyrighted games and characters, plus some awesome castles and dragons... So now Chima is a way for TLC to evolve the gaming aspects, while changing the characters so they don't siphon sales away from the Ninja Turtles!

Go TMNT! I'll definitely get all the small sets and the four Turtles!

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