Ninjago impressions

[timber_wolf899]

I've been looking at the ninjago images on legoshop.com for the last couple of days.

You know I'm honestly not sure how i feel about it. The ice dragon is interesting, and new weapons are always cool. But......we have this odd ninjapunk thing going on. It is great to see LEGO being creative/thinking outside the box; however, how well has it been executed? Is the Turbo Shredder good or strange? Is the fortress anything but a parts pack just waiting for a BOGO sale?

[Shadowviking]

The best theme ever. I can understand your reservations but you must let the ZenGo flow through you. Learn the might of Spinjitzu! NinjaGO!

[JoshWedin]

Download the theme song and listen to it on your Ipod constantly. You will soon love NinjaGo.

Josh

[Athos]

The whole theme seems goofy to me. That being said, I like the new bone piece.

Steve

[Ye Olde Republic]

I kind of see it as TLG's way of getting in on the beyblade (type) games. Some fellow has already got his hands on one of the sets and apparently the spin mechanism is just your fingers, so if you aren't good at spinning the tops you'll be frustrated. Personally, I really like the idea of a somewhat fuedal Japanese theme, or at least themed pieces, so I'll probably pick up some of it.

[timber_wolf899]

I'm thinking i'll want the dragons, possibly some of the temples/forts on sale but none of those goofy vehicles.

Ok magic fortresses and vehicles may have worked for HE-man, but fo rninjago?....

[Frank_Lloyd_Knight]

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?S=2505-1
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?S=10192-1
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?S=7093-1

I'm beginning to think that skeletons are worthy of a theme unto themselves.

But of all the Ninjago sets, I find an odd attraction to the Spinjitzu Dojo. It seems like the only set of the bunch with a couple of details giving at least a token nod toward Japanese architecture. The ice dragon is also an attractive monster.

[ffilz]

The Dojo definitely has some appeal, as does the ice dragon. Unfortunately, the prices turn me off...

I do hope the new bent skeleton arm skeletons start appearing other places. The straight arm skeletons were nice for being able to better pose them, but the arms are too long and they look ridiculous with swords held high. The new bent arm should give poses much closer to minifigs, though it still lacks rotatable hands.

Frank

[Rogue Shadow]

I thought it was cool...until they assigned elements to the ninjas and started the "spinjitsu" thing. That sounds a little...dumb. (And ninja is one of my favorite themes of all time too...)

[ELMAS]

From what I heard, it is targeted to attract new people, namely Pokemon, anime-type of crowd.
I am not particularly fond of the theme other that for some figs and parts. Kind of the same for the Pharaoh's quest. Again, some cool parts here but not planning on stockpiling mummies.

[JoshWedin]

I just got two of the sets (Ice Dragon and "Nuckal's ATV) and I really like them. Interesting pieces and the figs are pretty cool. New ninja torsos with the gold are sweet. That dragon head is going to come in useful for something. Also the spinner piece spins really really well. I was surprised at how long it spun.

Josh

[Aliencat]

Yes I have one that outspins even me, it's great

[timber_wolf899]

I'm quite excited about the dragons.

Do you guys think the crystal king parts 'work' for the ice dragon torso?

[KarenJ]

My son really likes the stuff. He's squarely in the Lego marketing target (8), so I guess it's a good thing.
We were at the Lego store yesterday and he was looking for the dude with 4 arms (Lord Garmadon?).

I'm a little concerned about the Dojo. Are the windows sticker-ed or printed? And what do the characters on the windows and signs actually represent? I would hope TLG didn't go into a tattoo parlor in the bad part of Copenhagen and ask for the traditional Japanese character for "peace" and instead got the character for "you're a sucker".

[domboy]

From what I heard, it is targeted to attract new people, namely Pokemon, anime-type of crowd.
I am not particularly fond of the theme other that for some figs and parts. Kind of the same for the Pharaoh's quest. Again, some cool parts here but not planning on stockpiling mummies.

Ninjago is not for me either, but I disagree on the Pharaoh's Quest theme... I'm really liking the look of those those sets!! I guess there's something about ancient Egypt that intrigues me, so I find them quite appealing. Also I missed all the previous adventurer's sets anyway...