Ninjago: Dragons Rising

This article is about the 2023 TV series. For the 2011 TV series, see Ninjago (TV series). For the line of Lego toys, see Lego Ninjago.

Ninjago: Dragons Rising is a computer-animated television series produced by WildBrain Studios and The Lego Group. It is based on the Lego Ninjago brand of construction toys and a sequel to Ninjago (2011–2022). The series premiered on Netflix on 1 June 2023. Part 1 of the first season of the show premiered on Netflix on 1 June 2023. Part 2 of the first season was released on 12 October 2023, with a second season set for release in 2024.

Ninjago: Dragons Rising
Ninjago: Dragons Rising Season 1 Part 1 poster
Genre	Action Adventure Science fantasy Martial arts Superhero
Based on	Lego Ninjago
Written by	Kevin Burke Chris "Doc" Wyatt Hanah Cook Liz Hara Eugene Son Glen Lakin
Directed by	Rich Johnson Daniel Ife Shane Poettcker
Voices of	Deven Mack Sabrina Pitre Sam Vincent Brian Drummond Vincent Tong Kelly Metzger Brent Miller Kazumi Evans Giles Panton Paul Dobson Andrew Francis Michael Adamthwaite
Theme music composer	Jody Thompkins Theofania Pavli
Opening theme	"We Rise" by Theofania Pavli
Composers	Jay Vincent Michael Kramer
Country of origin	Canada Denmark
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	20
Production
Executive producers	Jill Wilfert Keith Malone Asa Tait Lars Danielsen Robert May Pamela J. Keller Kevin Burke Chris "Doc" Wyatt Stephanie Betts Josh Scherba
Producers	Jason Cosler Ryan Pears
Running time	22 minutes
Production companies	WildBrain Studios The Lego Group
Original release
Network	Netflix
Release	1 June 2023 (2023-06-01) – present
Related
Ninjago Legends of Chima Nexo Knights Lego Dreamzzz

Synopsis

Season 1

Part 1

Sometime after Crystalized, a phenomenon known as "The Merge" combines Ninjago with the rest of the sixteen realms of creation, introducing new threats, and causing chaotic aftershocks called Mergequakes. Years later, Lloyd befriends two civilians: Arin and Sora, the former, a fan of the Ninja, and the latter, a technopath from the totalitarian kingdom of Imperium. The three are tasked with finding the rest of the scattered ninja and combating the Claws of Imperium, who covet Source Dragons in order to drain their elemental energy as a resource.

Part 2

The ninja, having successfully rescued the dragons trapped in Imperium, set out on a quest to find the three Dragon Cores, that can stop the Mergequakes. They split off into three teams: Lloyd and Arin, Nya and Sora & Kai and Wyldfyre. Together, they search the Merged realms looking for the cores, coming across new elemental masters, Cole, and even new creatures. But Empress Beatrix manages to steal the Dragon Cores in order to power her weapon, so she can destroy the realms for good.

Voice cast

Main article: List of Ninjago characters

• Deven Mack as Arin, a civilian who idolized the Ninja in his youth. He lost his parents after The Merge and somehow managed to teach himself Spinjitzu, an ability thought impossible. He also inadvertently invented Object Spinjitzu.
• Sabrina Pitre as Sora, known in her past as Ana, a technological engineer originally from Imperium who gained recognition for creating a hard light hologram projection device called Photac. She defected from Imperium when she found out how cruelly they treated dragons, leading to her parents and classmates shunning her. After The Merge, she befriended Arin and lived in the Crossroads, becoming a mech racer. She discovers that she has technokinetic powers that were boosted in the presence of Riyu, until she unlocked her True Potential.
• Sam Vincent as Lloyd Garmadon, the legendary Green Ninja and chosen guardian of Ninjago, and the son of Misako and the former supervillain Garmadon. He wields elemental energy and remains in Ninjago City to prevent Mergequakes and train Arin and Sora.
• Brian Drummond as:
  • Riyu, a baby dragon said to have great power, and like his kin he's capable of boosting an individual's powers in close proximity.
  • Ras, a black and purple colored tiger warrior who served on Imperium's military, aiding the Claws in capturing Source Dragons until he was stripped of his position and escaped to recruit Jordana for his master. He's physically strong and wields a hammer.
• Nicole Oliver as Beatrix, the former power hungry empress of Imperium who orders the capture of as many Source Dragons as possible in an effort to colonize the Merged Realms.
• Vincent Tong as Kai, Nya's brother and the hot headed Master of Fire whom Lloyd tasked with surveying the Merged Realms to look for the rest of their teammates until he caught up with him and Nya in the Realm of Madness. During their hunt for the Dragon Cores, Kai decided to take Wyldfyre under his wing.
• Kelly Metzger as Nya, Kai's sister and the Master of Water who lived with the Craglings of the Realm of Madness following the Merge, helping them prevent Dragons from stealing the Cragling's species' life energy.
• Brent Miller as Zane, the Ice Ninja who was kept in suspension for years after The Merge.
• Kazumi Evans as Wyldfyre, a feral pyrokinetic human who was raised with a dragon Heatwave as well as an Imperium robot. After Heatwave was captured by the Claws she sought to rescue him. She joins the Ninja in their search for the Dragon Cores, eventually becoming Kai's protégé.
• Giles Panton as Rapton, the field leader of the Claws of Imperium who traps many dragons.
• Diana Kaarina as Jordana, a scientist who claims to be Sora's rival. She managed to extract pure Source Dragon energy for Beatrix and Ras' master.
• Paul Dobson as Master Wu, the Ninja's mentor who has lived for thousands of years. He goes missing following The Merge but his teachings live on in Lloyd.
• Andrew Francis as Cole, the Earth Ninja, who ended up in the Land of Lost Things helping those who ran away from home.
• Michael Adamthwaite as Jay, the Lightning Ninja, who ended up as the manager of the Administration. He does not remember who he was and his travels with the other ninja.

Episodes

Season 1 (2023)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	1	"The Merge"	Daniel Ife	Kevin Burke & Chris "Doc" Wyatt	June 1, 2023 (2023-06-01)
2	2		Shane Poettcker
3	3	"Crossroads Carnival"	Daniel Ife	Hanah Cook	June 1, 2023 (2023-06-01)
4	4	"Beyond Madness"	Shane Poettcker	Kevin Burke & Chris "Doc" Wyatt	June 1, 2023 (2023-06-01)
5	5	"Writers of Destiny"	Daniel Ife	Kevin Burke & Chris "Doc" Wyatt	June 1, 2023 (2023-06-01)
6	6	"Return to Imperium"	Shane Poettcker	Liz Hara	June 1, 2023 (2023-06-01)
7	7	"Mindless Beasts"	Daniel Ife	Eugene Son	June 1, 2023 (2023-06-01)
8	8	"I Will Be the Danger"	Shane Poettcker	Kevin Burke & Chris "Doc" Wyatt	June 1, 2023 (2023-06-01)
9	9	"The Calm Inside"	Daniel Ife	Kevin Burke & Chris "Doc" Wyatt	June 1, 2023 (2023-06-01)
10	10	"The Battle of the Second Monastery"	Shane Poettcker	Kevin Burke & Chris "Doc" Wyatt	June 1, 2023 (2023-06-01)
11	11	"The Temple of the Dragon Cores"	Daniel Ife	Kevin Burke & Chris "Doc" Wyatt	October 12, 2023 (2023-10-12)
12	12	"Gangs of the Sea"	Shane Poettcker	Eugene Son	October 12, 2023 (2023-10-12)
13	13	"Wyldly Inappropriate"	Daniel Ife	Liz Hara	October 12, 2023 (2023-10-12)
14	14	"The Last Djinn"	Shane Poettcker	Hanah Lee Cook	October 12, 2023 (2023-10-12)
15	15	"They Call It Doom"	Daniel Ife	Kevin Burke & Chris "Doc" Wyatt	October 12, 2023 (2023-10-12)
16	16	"Land of Lost Things"	Shane Poettcker	Glen Lakin	October 12, 2023 (2023-10-12)
17	17	"The Administration"	Daniel Ife	Eugene Son	October 12, 2023 (2023-10-12)
18	18	"Absolute Power"	Shane Poettcker	Hanah Lee Cook	October 12, 2023 (2023-10-12)
19	19	"We Are All Dragons"	Daniel Ife	Liz Hara	October 12, 2023 (2023-10-12)
20	20	"The Power Within"	Shane Poettkcer	Kevin Burke & Chris "Doc" Wyatt	October 12, 2023 (2023-10-12)

Production

Development

The new series was produced following the final season of the Ninjago television series, which had been on air since 2011 and concluded in 2022. For the new series, animation company WildBrain Studios moved to Unreal Engine 5 to improve on the animation quality of its predecessor.^[1]

Writing

The lead writers for the series are Chris "Doc" Wyatt and Kevin Burke. Wyatt confirmed on Twitter that Ninjago: Dragons Rising is a new show, rather than a continuation of the previous Ninjago series, which had been on air for 11 years.^[2]

Release

The series was initially revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2022. It was released on Netflix on 1 June 2023 in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Latin America, and in other territories later in the same month or the next except for the UK, where it was released on ITVX on 5 June 2023.^[3][4]

Reception

The Hollywood Reporter gave the first season a positive review, saying that it looked just as good as the previous Ninjago series.^[5]

Other media

Several playable characters and a new level based on the series were launched in Lego Brawls in June 2023.^[6]

References

1. Bradley, Dan (27 April 2023). "'Ninjago: Dragons Rising' Trailers and June 1st Netflix Release Date in US". TheHDRoom. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
2. Wharfe, Chris (18 April 2023). "LEGO NINJAGO writer clarifies Dragons Rising is 'not a season title'". Brick Fanatics. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
3. Milligan, Mercedes (27 April 2023). "Netflix Builds on 'LEGO Ninjago' Franchise with New Series". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
4. "New Ninjago series coming soon". Lego.com. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
5. "Spider-Man, Gremlins and Ninjago: What THR's Kid Critics Are Saying". The Hollywood Reporter. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
6. "LEGO Brawls - Official Ninjago Dragons Rising Trailer". IGN Africa. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.

External links

• Ninjago: Dragons Rising on Netflix  
• Ninjago: Dragons Rising at IMDb