Ninjago (TV series)

LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu is a comedy-action family television show shown on Cartoon Network. It is based on LEGO's Ninjago theme, but its plot is only loosely based on the sets.

The first two episodes of the first season were released on December 2, 2011. The first proper season aired in February, March, and April 2012.

Before LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu

"Long before time had a name, Ninjago was created by the first Spinjitzu Master by using the four weapons of Spinjitzu: the Scythe of Quakes, the Nunchucks of Lightning, the Shurikens of Ice, and the Sword of Fire. Weapons so powerful, no one can handle their power at once. When he passed away, his two sons swore to protect them. But the oldest was consumed by darkness, and wanted to possess the weapons. A battle between brothers broke out, and the oldest was struck down and banished to the underworld.

Peace returned and the younger brother hid the weapons. But knowing his older brother's relentless ambition for power, he placed a guardian to protect them. And for fear of his own demise, a map for an honest man to hide." - Sensei Wu

Plot

The show can be divided into three parts: a pilot, consisting of four episodes, and two full seasons of thirteen episodes. There are also six Mini-Movies set between the pilot and the first season, which provide insight into the backstory of the show.

Pilot

In preparation for Lord Garmadon's return, Sensei Wu recruits four young men - Kai, Cole, Jay, and Zane - and trains them in the way of the ninja, tasking them with retrieving the Golden Weapons from their Dragon guardians. Along the way, they must unlock their Spinjitzu, become a team, and search for Kai's kidnapped sister, Nya. Opposing them in the hunt is the Skulkin army and their four-armed leader, Samukai, who is the former King of the Underworld and Lord Garmadon's second-in-command.

Mini-Movies

Following the disappearance of Lord Garmadon, the Ninja enjoy a short period of peace. During this time, Sensei Wu reveals bits of the backstory to his pupils, including how Lord Garmadon fell to the Underworld and usurped Samukai. The Ninja also take some time to enjoy their new Dragon mounts and defeat the plots of the remaining Skulkin, led by their Generals: Kruncha, Nuckal, and Wyplash.

Season 1

The time of peace comes to an end when Lloyd Garmadon attacks Jamanakai Village. Although the son of Lord Garmadon is more "mischievous child" than "dark overlord", he inadvertantly unleashes a much greater threat onto Ninjago - the evil race of snake-people known as the Serpentine. Led by the scheming Pythor P. Chumsworth, the Serpentine seek revenge on the people of Ninjago for sealing them away, and they plan to do so by unleashing the Great Devourer, a monstrous beast that consumes all in its path. Now the Ninja must stop both the Serpentine and Lloyd, all while bracing for the inevitable return of Lord Garmadon himself.

In addition to battling the forces of evil, the Ninja must also continue their training, overcoming physical and emotional challenges alike to reach their True Potential. Along the way, they will make new allies, learn new truths, and may even discover the identity of the legendary Green Ninja.

Season 2

The second season begins with the aftermath of the Ninja's battle with the Serpentine; the Great Devourer is no more, but Lord Garmadon has escaped with the four Golden Weapons. Gathering the remaining Serpentine under his command, Lord Garmadon travels to the Golden Peaks, where he unites the four weapons into an even more powerful Mega Weapon. With the power to create whatever he pleases, Lord Garmadon is more dangerous than ever, and the Ninja must quickly begin training Lloyd - revealed  to be the Green Ninja - so he may fulfill his destiny and stop his father from remaking Ninjago in his own image.

Midway through the season, a number of complications arise: Lloyd is aged to a teenager and reunites with his mother, Misako; Skales betrays Lord Garmadon and takes command of the Serpentine; and Lord Garmadon finds himself upon the fabled Island of Darkness, where he allies himself with the Overlord, the original source of evil in Ninjago. Lord Garmadon soon gains control over the Stone Army, an ancient force of indestructible warriors. Now, the Ninja must delve into the past - both their own and the world's - to find the power to save all of Ninjago from the most dangerous villains it has ever seen.

Cast

Ninja

• Kai (Vincent Tong)
• Jay (Michael Adamthwaite)
• Cole (Kirby Morrow)
• Zane (Brent Miller)
• Lloyd (Jillian Michaels)
• Sensei Wu (Paul Dobson)
• Nya (Kelly Metzger)

Allies

• Ed (Colin Murdock)
• Edna (Jillian Michaels)
• Lou (Kirby Morrow)
• Misako (Kathleen Barr)
• Dareth (Alan Marriott)
• Dr. Julien (Mark Oliver)

Major Villains

• Lord Garmadon (Mark Oliver)

Skulkin

• Samukai (Michael Kopsa)
• Kruncha (Brian Drummond)
• Nuckal (Brian Drummond)
• Wyplash (Michael Dobson)
• Bonezai
• Chopov (Trevor Devall)
• Frakjaw
• Krazi (Trevor Devall)

Serpentine

• Pythor P. Chumsworth (Michael Dobson)
• Skales (Ian James Corlett)
• Slithraa (John Novak)
• Mezmo (Michael Adamwaithe)
• Rattla (Paul Dobson)
• Fangtom (Mackenzie Gray)
• Fangdam
• Fang-Suei (Michael Adamwaithe)
• Snappa
• Skalidor (John Novak)
• Bytar (Kirby Morrow)
• Chokun (Vincent Tong)
• Snike (Brent Miller)
• Acidicus (Paul Dobson)
• Lizaru (Vincent Tong)
• Spitta (Kirby Morrow)
• Lasha (Brent Miller)

The Stone Army

• The Overlord (Ian James Corlett)
• General Kozu
• Giant Stone Warrior
• Stone Warrior (Scott McNeil)
• Stone Swordsman
• Stone Scout

Other Characters

• Captain Soto (Alan Marriott)
• First Mate (Brent Miller)
• No-Eyed Pete (Paul Dobson)
• Brad (Kathleen Barr)
• Gene (Kathleen Barr)
• Mailman (Michael Adamwaithe)
• Patty Keys (Cathy Weseluck)
• Mystake
• Gayle Gossip
• Tour Bus Driver

DVD Releases

LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu

The pilot episodes (Way of the Ninja, The Golden Weapon, King of Shadows, and Weapons of Destiny) were included in a DVD released by LEGO in late 2011. The packaging depicted the four episodes as two full-length episodes, titled "Way of the Ninja" and "King of Shadows." The combined episodes were depicted as a made-for-television movie.

LEGO Club DVD #1

A LEGO Club DVD was released in the November-December 2011 issue of the LEGO Club Magazine. If the viewer selected "NINJAGO" from the main menu, two katanas would slice across on the main menu, transforming it into the Ninjago menu. The viewer could then choose between three Mini-Movies: "Secrets of the Blacksmith," "The New Masters of Spinjitzu," and "Flight of the Dragon Ninja."

LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu Season One

All thirteen episodes of Season 1 were released on a two-disc DVD set. The first disc contains seven episodes, from "Rise of the Snakes" to "Tick Tock," and the second disc contains six episodes, from "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" to "Day of The Great Devourer."

LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu Rise of the Green Ninja

Half of Season 2 (from "Darkness Shall Rise" to "The Stone Army") were released on a one-disc dvd in late 2012.

Concept Art

In 2010, Bjarne Hansen illustrated concept art of scenes from the Pilot episodes and Season 1, later posting them publicly to Blogspot.