Random set of the day: White Ninja
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 1269 White Ninja, released during 1999. It's one of 15 Castle sets produced that year. It contains 23 pieces and 1 minifig, and its retail price was US$3.
It's owned by 305 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you should find it for sale at BrickLink, where new ones sell for around $15.00, or eBay.
59 likes
27 comments on this article
Zane? Is that you?
I was gonna make a joke about Zane, but it turns out I already have:
https://brickset.com/article/123555/random-set-of-the-day-white-ninja-s-tank
And perhaps it's more accurate to say Pixal since it's a girl under that hood.
@MCLegoboy said:
"I was gonna make a joke about Zane, but it turns out I already have:
https://brickset.com/article/123555/random-set-of-the-day-white-ninja-s-tank
And perhaps it's more accurate to say Pixal since it's a girl under that hood."
I made a Zane joke in the same article, so I don't have anything, either.
Only the Ninja is worth mentioning, which is what they did.
@JavaBrix said:
"
Zane? Is that you?"
Zane doesn’t usually have eyelashes…even when he has minifig skin.
@Maxbricks14 said:
"Only the Ninja is worth mentioning, which is what they did."
Well I'd say that dragon flag is neat too (which was printed, but that wasn't worth mentioning back then, because they always used to be printed, not like in post 2004...)
This was part of a very odd series of small boxed sets, that were a random assortment of re-releases, repackaging and whats-not of sets from 1997-1999. I believe these were only ever available in the US? Some (mostly Town related ones) had odd re-branding, wildly assigning stuff like X-Treme or Res-Q to stuff that clearly wasn't that.
The original release of this set was a Kabaya exclusive, featuring all 4 characters of the somewhat elusive second wave of Ninja sets, which were not available at regular retail outside North America.
None of them were named as far as I know, but this one used to be known as the "White Ninja Princess" an ally of the "Emperor"/"Ninja Shogun", who seemed to be at odds with the red Ninja Master.
The second wave was oddly separated story-wise from the first, with no character relation/interaction being mentioned anywhere in between the two.
Still prefer this over Ninjago.
@SearchlightRG said:
" @JavaBrix said:
"
Zane? Is that you?"
Zane doesn’t usually have eyelashes…even when he has minifig skin."
Zane also isn't usually a girl.
@Atuin said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
"Only the Ninja is worth mentioning, which is what they did."
Well I'd say that dragon flag is neat too (which was printed, but that wasn't worth mentioning back then, because they always used to be printed, not like in post 2004...)
This was part of a very odd series of small boxed sets, that were a random assortment of re-releases, repackaging and whats-not of sets from 1997-1999. I believe these were only ever available in the US? Some (mostly Town related ones) had odd re-branding, wildly assigning stuff like X-Treme or Res-Q to stuff that clearly wasn't that.
The original release of this set was a Kabaya exclusive, featuring all 4 characters of the somewhat elusive second wave of Ninja sets, which were not available at regular retail outside North America.
None of them were named as far as I know, but this one used to be known as the "White Ninja Princess" an ally of the "Emperor"/"Ninja Shogun", who seemed to be at odds with the red Ninja Master.
The second wave was oddly separated story-wise from the first, with no character relation/interaction being mentioned anywhere in between the two.
Still prefer this over Ninjago."
The small wagon wheels are also quite cool. I disagree with you saying it's better than Ninjago though.
@Maxbricks14 said:
" @Atuin said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
"Only the Ninja is worth mentioning, which is what they did."
Well I'd say that dragon flag is neat too (which was printed, but that wasn't worth mentioning back then, because they always used to be printed, not like in post 2004...)
This was part of a very odd series of small boxed sets, that were a random assortment of re-releases, repackaging and whats-not of sets from 1997-1999. I believe these were only ever available in the US? Some (mostly Town related ones) had odd re-branding, wildly assigning stuff like X-Treme or Res-Q to stuff that clearly wasn't that.
The original release of this set was a Kabaya exclusive, featuring all 4 characters of the somewhat elusive second wave of Ninja sets, which were not available at regular retail outside North America.
None of them were named as far as I know, but this one used to be known as the "White Ninja Princess" an ally of the "Emperor"/"Ninja Shogun", who seemed to be at odds with the red Ninja Master.
The second wave was oddly separated story-wise from the first, with no character relation/interaction being mentioned anywhere in between the two.
Still prefer this over Ninjago."
The small wagon wheels are also quite cool. I disagree with you saying it's better than Ninjago though."
Never said it's "better". Just said I prefer it :D
@TheOtherMike said:
" @SearchlightRG said:
" @JavaBrix said:
"
Zane? Is that you?"
Zane doesn’t usually have eyelashes…even when he has minifig skin."
Zane also isn't usually a girl."
In fairness, it's kind of weird that he has any gender at all. Doctor Julien, any comments? Did you set out to make your robot anatomically correct, or was that something that just happened while you were assembling it? Is this why you were forced to retreat into the woods? Doctor Julien? Doctor Julien, stop trying to dodge the ques- hey! He's getting away! Get him, the people demand answers!
At least this version isn’t trying to insist that “vehicle” (using the term loosely) is a tank. Just focus on the ninja princess, that’s what most people will be getting this set for
Seeing all the Zane references, it was interesting to see the somewhat rare white ninja headwrap return for Ninjago.
Aside the hard to come by anniversary minifig collection from 2010, it was exclusive in this color to 4 sets, 2 of them region exclusive promo sets, the other 2 not that well distributed either and also (for the time) in more costly sets.
There was a slight difference though, Zane's (as well as the other post 2010 releases of this piece) was made from a more robust ABS, whilst the original was polypropylene plastic, prone to tiny wear, especially around the back scabbard.
I loved this series, had to get them all back then. I miss these ones
@Crux said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @SearchlightRG said:
" @JavaBrix said:
"
Zane? Is that you?"
Zane doesn’t usually have eyelashes…even when he has minifig skin."
Zane also isn't usually a girl."
In fairness, it's kind of weird that he has any gender at all. Doctor Julien, any comments? Did you set out to make your robot anatomically correct, or was that something that just happened while you were assembling it? Is this why you were forced to retreat into the woods? Doctor Julien? Doctor Julien, stop trying to dodge the ques- hey! He's getting away! Get him, the people demand answers!"
Dr. Frank-N-Furter would like a word.
Accessories and prints were great in this theme but the builds were lacking. Today we have the parts to build more realistic Japanese architecture, but the builds are bordering sci-fantasy...
If the two swords, two axes are not enough to get the job done, can always resort to choking hazard.
Nice little set. The cart isn't perfect but you can mount the swords on the front to skewer opponents. And it's just a great parts pack. Those tan log bricks, brown axes, katana, flag and wheels are great. And of course the fig that was otherwise only available in the largest set of the wave (and technically the minifig set Vol 5)
Just got the white ninja torso from Bricklink, had to make another ninja for my builds. I don't have the right head for her (outside of the Emperor's fortress set) but another ninja color is nice regardless of the face underneath.
I love the prints from this era. The flags, the stone slopes, the rotating doors, and the horse barding.
Twin katana, but only one clip on the Ninja hood. Neither version of this set shows it in the box art, but I’m guessing you’re supposed to put them in the red clip tiles so they’re pointy bits forward?
@Crux said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @SearchlightRG said:
" @JavaBrix said:
"
Zane? Is that you?"
Zane doesn’t usually have eyelashes…even when he has minifig skin."
Zane also isn't usually a girl."
In fairness, it's kind of weird that he has any gender at all. Doctor Julien, any comments? Did you set out to make your robot anatomically correct, or was that something that just happened while you were assembling it? Is this why you were forced to retreat into the woods? Doctor Julien? Doctor Julien, stop trying to dodge the ques- hey! He's getting away! Get him, the people demand answers!"
Well, you hang around with a group composed almost entirely of males, things are going to rub off.
I don't have anything to say here; just that it always makes me happy to see classic!Ninja show up here :D
@Atuin said:
"None of them were named as far as I know, but this one used to be known as the "White Ninja Princess" an ally of the "Emperor"/"Ninja Shogun", who seemed to be at odds with the red Ninja Master."
The US Mania Magazine seems to have said that the White Ninja Princess was the leader of the Red Ninjas in fighting against the "Emperor", who was mentioned as a distinct person from the Shogun of the previous year's sets. That said, I don't always find that Mania Magazine's story details entirely consistent with other media, so it's anyone's guess how accurate any of that is; but it's also the only story source I've seen for Ninja Year 2.
And in the previous year, each colour of Ninja was a distinct faction from each other, so it would definitely be more consistent within the theme if the White and Red ninjas were also at odds with each other... I suppose we're unlikely to get any kind of solid answer at this point though...!
@TheOtherMike said:
" @Crux said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @SearchlightRG said:
" @JavaBrix said:
"
Zane? Is that you?"
Zane doesn’t usually have eyelashes…even when he has minifig skin."
Zane also isn't usually a girl."
In fairness, it's kind of weird that he has any gender at all. Doctor Julien, any comments? Did you set out to make your robot anatomically correct, or was that something that just happened while you were assembling it? Is this why you were forced to retreat into the woods? Doctor Julien? Doctor Julien, stop trying to dodge the ques- hey! He's getting away! Get him, the people demand answers!"
Well, you hang around with a group composed almost entirely of males, things are going to rub off."
Archer.Phrasing.gif
@ThatBionicleGuy said:
"I don't have anything to say here; just that it always makes me happy to see classic!Ninja show up here :D
@Atuin said:
"None of them were named as far as I know, but this one used to be known as the "White Ninja Princess" an ally of the "Emperor"/"Ninja Shogun", who seemed to be at odds with the red Ninja Master."
The US Mania Magazine seems to have said that the White Ninja Princess was the leader of the Red Ninjas in fighting against the "Emperor", who was mentioned as a distinct person from the Shogun of the previous year's sets. That said, I don't always find that Mania Magazine's story details entirely consistent with other media, so it's anyone's guess how accurate any of that is; but it's also the only story source I've seen for Ninja Year 2.
And in the previous year, each colour of Ninja was a distinct faction from each other, so it would definitely be more consistent within the theme if the White and Red ninjas were also at odds with each other... I suppose we're unlikely to get any kind of solid answer at this point though...!"
The white classic ninja is the explorer, the red classic ninja is the pilot. Yellow classic ninja is the scientist, blue classic ninja is the fighter, black classic ninja is the spy, and green classic ninja would be the mech-suit pilot, but who ever heard of ninjas piloting mechs? That would just be weird.
That could only ever happen in purple classic ninja's dreams.
@Crux said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @SearchlightRG said:
" @JavaBrix said:
"
Zane? Is that you?"
Zane doesn’t usually have eyelashes…even when he has minifig skin."
Zane also isn't usually a girl."
In fairness, it's kind of weird that he has any gender at all. Doctor Julien, any comments? Did you set out to make your robot anatomically correct, or was that something that just happened while you were assembling it? Is this why you were forced to retreat into the woods? Doctor Julien? Doctor Julien, stop trying to dodge the ques- hey! He's getting away! Get him, the people demand answers!"
Lt. Tasha Yar: What I want now is gentleness. And joy... and love. From you, Data; you are fully functional, aren't you?
Lt. Cmdr. Data: Of course, but...
Lt. Tasha Yar: How fully?
Lt. Cmdr. Data: In every way, of course. I am programed in multiple techniques. A broad variety of pleasuring.
Lt. Tasha Yar: Oh! You jewel, that's exactly what I hoped!
The ninja would blend in very well amongst a Blacktron 2 army.
@JavaBrix said:
"
Zane? Is that you?"
Nah, it's the White Ninja Power Ranger
@Crux said:
" @ThatBionicleGuy said:
"I don't have anything to say here; just that it always makes me happy to see classic!Ninja show up here :D
@Atuin said:
"None of them were named as far as I know, but this one used to be known as the "White Ninja Princess" an ally of the "Emperor"/"Ninja Shogun", who seemed to be at odds with the red Ninja Master."
The US Mania Magazine seems to have said that the White Ninja Princess was the leader of the Red Ninjas in fighting against the "Emperor", who was mentioned as a distinct person from the Shogun of the previous year's sets. That said, I don't always find that Mania Magazine's story details entirely consistent with other media, so it's anyone's guess how accurate any of that is; but it's also the only story source I've seen for Ninja Year 2.
And in the previous year, each colour of Ninja was a distinct faction from each other, so it would definitely be more consistent within the theme if the White and Red ninjas were also at odds with each other... I suppose we're unlikely to get any kind of solid answer at this point though...!"
The white classic ninja is the explorer, the red classic ninja is the pilot. Yellow classic ninja is the scientist, blue classic ninja is the fighter, black classic ninja is the spy, and green classic ninja would be the mech-suit pilot, but who ever heard of ninjas piloting mechs? That would just be weird.
That could only ever happen in purple classic ninja's dreams."
I did joke once that with the frequency of getting the named Ninjago Ninja's you could just use them in the same manner as the classic space figures. Just armies of coloured ninja's all over your display.