Ninjago: Dragons Rising is a CGI comedy-action family television show and the sequel of Ninjago. The show was first announced at San Diego Comic Con 2022 and it began with its first season on June 1, 2023 on Netflix.
Official description
In the series, many legendary realms have suddenly combined into one, but their union is unstable. A Spinjitzu Ninja Master must train a new generation of heroes to help find Elemental Dragons who can save the planet before the forces of evil use the same dragon energy to destroy this new world.[1]
Two teenagers from different worlds use their newly discovered Ninja powers to defend dragons from villains who want to use their life-force for evil.[2]
Premise
The loosely East-Asian inspired, anachronistic, modern-esque setting of Ninjago was once the only populated continent on a mostly empty planet. After the event known as "The Merge" takes place, the fantastical and varied Sixteen Realms have been combined into one world, with new islands and continents surrounding and colliding with Ninjago and the Dark Island. In the Merged Realms, otherworldly beings and locations that were only seen sparingly are commonplace, and no longer separated by alternate dimensions.
In the previous series, the world of Ninjago was protected from the forces of evil by a team of six elemental ninja (Lloyd, Kai, Nya, Jay, Zane, Cole), who were trained in the art of Spinjitzu by the wise and ancient Master Wu, son of the First Spinjitzu Master. After a cataclysmic event combined the Sixteen Realms into a single entity, the Merged Lands, the world was forever changed and the ninja were among the many presumed lost, displaced across the land. Years later, Green Ninja Lloyd Garmadon, and his fellow classic ninja mentor the next generation of teen heroes - Arin, Sora, Wyldfyre, and a young dragon named Riyu - to master their powers and learn the way of the ninja. New friends, legendary ninja, and mystical dragons are united to protect the Merged Realms from villains who want to conquer the new world.
Main plot
Season 1 (2023)
Season 2 (2024)

Over a year after the Liberation of Imperium, Lloyd began having visions of the Wolf Clan and the Blood Moon. Meanwhile, Ras and Jordana discovered the Shadow Dojo and reassembled the Wolf Clan, launching an invasion of the Cloud Kingdom for intel on the Blood Moon ritual that could free the Forbidden Five. The ninja struggled against them, especially when Cinder, the new Elemental Master of Smoke, used Shatterspin to defeat them. After another vision from the Source Dragons, the ninja traveled to Egalt and Rontu's domain to learn Rising Dragon technique to counter Shatterspin. As the Wolf Clan attacked the Finders to capture Bonzle, a living spell that could free the Forbidden Five, Cole, Zane, and Bonzle sought safety with her creator, Gandalaria. Just before the Blood Moon petrified Egalt and Rontu, Kai mastered Rising Dragon, and the ninja confronted Ras, who planned to sacrifice the Writers of Destiny in the Nether-Space. Although Ras kidnapped Bonzle and opened a portal, the ninja fought the Wolf Clan at the Shadow Dojo to stop the ritual while Cole, Zane, and Gandalaria worked to save the Cloud Kingdom. They ultimately disrupted the ritual, but Kai and Bonzle were trapped in Nether-Space, and Nokt was freed. After their failure, the Wolf Clan were sent to an unknown location by Ras' master.
Arin, Sora, and Riyu go to the Administration to find Arin's parents but discover all records are missing with Agent Walker. They narrowly escape capture and meet the dying Matriarch, who gives Lloyd a map and the Source Dragon of Motions warns that the killer might target her kind by partaking the Tournament of the Sources. Meanwhile, Kai and Bonzle evade the Forbidden Five, who are plotting their escape. In the City of Temples, they encounter Roby, Frak, Bleckt, the Wolf Clan, Zeatrix, and Jay, who has allied with Ras, creating tension. Arin learns from Ras that Sora deceived him about his Object Spinjitzu and that Wu caused the Merge, straining his relationships with them. Cole discovers the Monastery of Gates, and during the tournament, Lloyd was attacked by Zeatrix. Frak rebels against Ras and is expelled from the Wolf Clan after losing to Sora. Injured, Lloyd withdraws, leaving Sora and Nokt to compete in the final. Arin and Cole witness what seems to be Wu's spirit, confirming his role in the Merge. Nokt wins the tournament, which was rigged by Bleckt, and claimed all the Elemental Powers, while Rox takes control of the Wolf Clan and attacks. Nokt frees the Forbidden Five and battles the ninja and Ras, who reluctantly team up while Lloyd uncovers Ras' influence over Arin. Riyu and Nya rescue Kai and Bonzle from the Nether-Space. After a confrontation, Roby retrieves the stolen Elemental Powers from Nokt. The Forbidden Five escape with Ras hostage, while Arin pursues them, leading to the destruction of a portal gate caused by the Five and marooning them all in another realm. Ultimately, Sora was declared Champion of the Sources, Wyldfyre and Roby became a couple, Frak joined the ninja, Nya and Kai embarked on a quest to find Jay, the Source Dragon of Motion honored Lloyd with a Dragon Icon, and Arin helped Ras heal so they could search for Arin's parents.
Cast
- Main article: List of Ninjago: Dragons Rising cast and characters
Team
- Arin (Deven Mack)
- Cole (Andrew Francis)
- Frak (David Kaye)
- Kai (Vincent Tong)
- Lloyd Garmadon (Sam Vincent)
- Nya (Kelly Metzger)
- Riyu (Brian Drummond)
- Sora (Sabrina Pitre)
- Wyldfyre (Kazumi Evans)
- Zane (Brent Miller)
Allies
- Alfonzo Frohicky (Andrew McNee)
- Bonzle (Michelle Creber)
- Euphrasia (Bethany Brown)
- Fritz (Vincent Tong)
- Gandalaria (Tabitha St. Germain)
- Geo (Peter Kelamis)
- Spitz (Sabrina Pitre)
- Wu (Paul Dobson)
Villains
Administration Agents
- Denholt (Kazumi Evans)
- Karit (Mark Hildreth)
- Prentis (Ian Hanlin)
- Roderick Allen (Michael Adamthwaite)
- SsssSsss Underwood (Rhona Rees)
Greenbone Warriors
- Bone Guards (Kelly Metzger, Kelly Sheridan; Episode 13)
- Bone King (Richard Ian Cox)
- Bone Warriors (Unknown)
Imperians
- Beatrix Vespasian-Orus (Nicole Oliver)
- Claw Hunters (Deven Mack; Episode 1) (Ian Hanlin; Episode 8) (Michael Adamthwaite; Episode 31)
- Dr. LaRow (Ashleigh Ball)
- Imperium Guards (Alessandro Juliani; Episode 6) (Ashleigh Ball; Episodes 7-19) (Ian Hanlin; Episodes 7-9) (Paul Dobson; Episode 18) (Andrew Francis; Episode 18)
- Melvin (Vincent Tong)
- Jordana (Diana Kaarina)
- Rapton (Giles Panton)
- Zeatrix Vespasian-Orus (Nicole Oliver)
Wolf Clan
- Cinder (Ian Hanlin)
- Jay Walker (Michael Adamthwaite)
- Nokt (Deven Mack)
- Ras (Brian Drummond)
- Rox (Emily Tennant)
- Zarkt (Michael Adamthwaite)
Other villains
- Dorama (Mackenzie Gray)
- Fedulian (Brian Drummond)
- Howlers (Richard Ian Cox) (Sabrina Pitre)
- The Mechanic (Michael Antonakos)
- Bleckt (Vincent Tong)
Other characters
- Arin's parents (Kelly Sheridan) (Brian Drummond)
- Arrakore (Mark Hildreth)
- Caregiver bot (Joanne Wilson)
- Crag-Nor (Mark Hildreth)
- Dale (Jason Simpson)
- Egalt (Andrew Francis)
- Emcee (Sabrina Pitre)
- Grab-Barg (Deven Mack)
- Gulch (Andrew McNee)
- Hantro (Sabrina Pitre)
- Intelligent George (Bill Newton)
- Kreel (Kelly Sheridan)
- Koenig (Vincent Tong)
- Lava-Tides (Brent Miller) (Vincent Tong)
- Lava-Tide Leader (Marÿke Hendrikse)
- Lava-Tony (Unknown)
- Levo Vespasian-Orus (Ron Halder)
- Lobbo (Brian Drummond)
- Marcus (Aidan Drummond)
- Matriarch of the Mountain Dragons (Brenda Crichlow)
- NinjaFanInfinity (Diana Kaarina)
- Percival Tartigrade (Aidan Drummond)
- Roby (Ryan Beil)
- Rontu (Kazumi Evans)
- Scroll-Worms (Ian Hanlin)
- Security Bots (Sam Vincent)
- Security Bots (Temple City) (Brian Drummond)
- Source Dragon of Energy (Paul Dobson)
- Source Dragon of Life (Niah Davis)
- Source Dragon of Motion (Diana Kaarina)
- Source Dragon of Strength (Michael Adamthwaite)
- SpinjitzuForDays99 (Deven Mack)
- Spirit of the Temple (Richard Newman)
- Suetonius (Ian Hanlin)
- Sora's parents (Jason Simpson) (Kathleen Barr)
- Tope-Epot (Brian Drummond)
- Zant-Tanz (Garry Chalk)
- Zur (Paul Dobson)
- Zarkar (Vincent Tong)[3]
Episodes
- Main article: List of Ninjago: Dragons Rising episodes
Trivia
- This series was originally a Netflix original series in the United States, unlike the previous series. However, at some point in January of 2024, Netflix removed the "Original Series" branding.
- This series also is available in Disney+ Hotstar in India.
- LEGO Ambassador Network member, DuckBricks, relayed information he received during a LAN meeting with Asa Tait and Niek van Slagmaat:[4]
- Overview of premise: "A cataclysmic event combines the sixteen mystic realms of Ninjago, both familiar and new, into one world. Two teenagers from different worlds (literally) set out to become heroic ninja and use their newly discovered powers to defend the secret dragons, who will unite their world forever or destroy it completely."
- Overview of dragons in the series: "The bond between dragons and ninjas runs deep. Dragons hold the keys to Elemental Powers, and the secret of mysterious new dragons which have the power to save the newly united world or destroy it forever."
- Overview of the ninja's role in the series: "We have new main characters, but the original heroes of Ninjago are still here fighting the good fight. Lloyd, Arin, and Sora will remain the heart of this team, but the makeup of the team can and will change from year to year. Other slots will be filled with a mix of new and returning ninja each year."
- In response to follow-up questions he asked:
- "None of the original six ninja are really going anywhere, but there will be some years where they just simply will not feature that much in the story itself, however that doesn't mean that they will be completely absent from the main story. While they may not feature in the main TV show, we could see some shorts, comics books, all sorts of smaller episodes where you could see each of the ninja on their own adventures, showing that basically since the world has expanded, the different team members are kind of going to be off doing their own thing."
- In response to follow-up questions he asked:
- From a slide titled The Future of Ninjago: "This is now a show that is serialized from season to season. It's not going to be like something we're used to with Prime Empire and Master of the Mountain, for example, being completely unrelated. You could pick up one season and just pick up another one and they would not really tie into each other. No, this is a serialized show now, which means they are building to a massive conclusion, even more so than Crystalized, and this has been planned out for years to come".
- "Ninjago is pivoting to 'huge stories' that run across years".
- There will be new characters to "join competing Spinjitzu dojos".
- In Season 2 there is the Shadow Dojo led by Lord Ras which acts as a counterpoint to the ninja with their fighting technique Shatterspin.
- Another art martial dojo is introduced in this season, the Training plateau of the Dragon Masters, led by the Dragon Masters Egalt and Rontu, where they teach Spinjitzu and Rising Dragon technique.
- "New lands filled with new dragons".
- "Builds on the characters and lore that we love".
- The reason for the focus on dragons is that in 2021, a survey was ran and research was done with kids that showed that they wanted dragons to be front and center of the new story, according to Nigel Kong, the LEGO Group's Head of Product.
- According to Asa Tait, they wanted the bond between the heroes and their dragons to replicate the feel of the earlier seasons, instead of them only being energy beasts the Ninja can summon at will.
- There is a 3-4, and possibly up to 6-year planned story.[5]
- Kevin Burke states they'll make more seasons if the public keeps watching.[6]
- Chris "Doc" Wyatt confirmed that the ending of the show is planned, but its timing remains confidential.[7]
- However, he also stated that the end of Dragons Rising will not be the end of Ninjago or its canon installments.[8]
- Chris "Doc" Wyatt confirmed all seasons will involve dragons.[9]
- Unreal Engine is utilized in the development of the show.[10][11]
- Like with the original series, the seasons have special weapons or artifacts that are important parts of the main plot.
- The Dragon Cores in Season 1.
- The Mallet and Gong of Shattering in Season 2.
- The Prismatic Blades in Season 3.
- The series' working title was Ninjago: United, referencing to the realms merging.[12]
Gallery
Logos
Other
Translations
Language | Name |
---|---|
Chinese (Simplified) | 幻影忍者: 神龙崛起 |
Chinese (Traditional) | 旋風忍者: 猛龍崛起 |
Czech | Ninjago: Dračí povstání |
Danish | Ninjago: Dragerne vågner |
Dutch | Ninjago: De Drakenstrijd |
Finnish | Ninjago: Lohikäärmeiden nousu |
French | Ninjago: Le Soulèvement des Dragons |
German | Ninjago: Aufstieg der Drachen |
Greek | Ninjago: Η Άνοδος των Δράκων |
Hebrew | נינג'גו :עליית הדרקונים |
Hungarian | Ninjago: Sárkányok birodalma |
Italian | Ninjago: La rivolta dei draghi |
Japanese | レゴ ニンジャゴー: ドラゴンライジング |
Korean | 닌자고: 드래곤 라이징 |
Norwegian | Ninjago: Dragene våkner |
Polish | Ninjago: Powstanie Smoków |
Portuguese (BRA) | Ninjago: Ascensão dos Dragões |
Portuguese (POR) | Ninjago: A Ascensão dos Dragões |
Romanian | Ninjago: Ascensiunea dragonilor |
Russian | Ниндзяго: восстание драконов |
Spanish (LA) | Ninjago: El Ascenso de los Dragones |
Spanish (ESP) | Ninjago: El renacer de los dragones |
Swedish | Ninjago: Drakarna vaknar |
Thai | นินจาโก: มังกรผงาด |
Ukrainian | Ніндзяґо: Зліт драконів |
Vietnamese | Ninjago: Rồng thần trỗi dậy |
Turkish | Ninjago: Ejderhaların Yükselişi |
References
- ↑ https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/lego-ninjago-dragons-rising-to-arrive-on-netflix-in-june-2023/
- ↑ https://www.netflix.com/title/81519765
- ↑ https://x.com/VincentTong007/status/1843653029624766802
- ↑ https://youtu.be/qonDvotEuSg?t=64
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Vi6UZO8SK6w?t=1161
- ↑ https://x.com/kevinburke20/status/1683279606370144256?s=61
- ↑ https://bsky.app/profile/docwyattbeyond.bsky.social/post/3lb6offudm22e
- ↑ https://bsky.app/profile/docwyattbeyond.bsky.social/post/3lbcr2qexus24
- ↑ https://x.com/otherland71/status/1684303196855103488?s=61
- ↑ https://thehdroom.com/tv/ninjago-dragons-rising-trailers-and-june-1st-netflix-release-date-in-us-169873/
- ↑ https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2023/may/lego-ninjago-2023
- ↑ https://x.com/otherland71/status/1745597142885167104