Ninjago (TV series)
Animated series about teenage ninja fighting evil in Ninjago.
Ninjago, originally titled *Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu* until 2019, is an animated epic-fantasy superhero series from The Lego Group. It was developed alongside the Lego Ninjago construction toy line, which draws on the show’s characters and events. The story unfolds in the fictional realm of Ninjago and follows six teenage ninja as they fight evil. Danish producers Michael Hegner and Tommy Andreasen created the series. The Hageman Brothers wrote the storyline through the ninth season, after which Bragi Schut took over as head writer. The voice cast, recorded in Canada across the entire run, includes Jillian Michaels, Sam Vincent, Vincent Tong, Brent Miller, Michael Adamthwaite, Kirby Morrow, Andrew Francis, Kelly Metzger, Paul Dobson, and Mark Oliver. Jay Vincent and Michael Kramer composed the music.
Production ran continuously for more than a decade, with the tenth anniversary marked on January 14, 2021. Two pilot episodes debuted in January 2011, followed by two 13-episode seasons airing from December 2011 to November 2012. The Lego theme and series were originally planned for a three-year lifespan, with the second season intended as the finale. However, the show’s popularity and product sales led to thirteen more seasons, a special, a feature film, and a four-episode miniseries. The first ten seasons were produced in Copenhagen, Denmark, by Wil Film ApS. For the eleventh season, production moved to WildBrain Studios in Canada, and the title was shortened to *Ninjago*. The original series concluded on October 1, 2022, when the second part of the fifteenth season was released on Netflix in Australia and New Zealand, but the franchise continues with the sequel series *Ninjago: Dragons Rising*.
In Denmark, where the original production companies are based, the series premiered on Cartoon Network. In Canada, it aired on Teletoon and YTV. A sequel series, *Ninjago: Dragons Rising*, set in the same continuity, began on June 1, 2023.
**Synopsis** Most of the show takes place in the fictional realm of Ninjago, loosely inspired by East Asian myths and culture. Though it features historically styled buildings and traditional clothing, Ninjago is a modern setting centered on the metropolis of Ninjago City, with skyscrapers, contemporary and futuristic vehicles, electronics, mechanical exo-suits (mechs), and other advanced tech.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Action / Adventure / Science fantasy / Martial arts / Superhero
- Voices
- Jillian Michaels / Sam Vincent / Vincent Tong / Michael Adamthwaite / Brent Miller / Kirby Morrow / Andrew Francis / Kelly Metzger / Paul Dobson / Mark Oliver
- Theme Music Composer
- The Fold
- Open Theme
- "The Weekend Whip" by The Fold (seasons 1–7, 11–13, and 15) / "Ninjago Overture" by Jay Vincent and Michael Kramer (seasons 8–10 and The Island–season 14)
- End Theme
- "The Weekend Whip" by The Fold (pilot episodes–episode 41, bar episodes 12 & 34) / Various music by Jay Vincent and Michael Kramer (episodes 42–209) / "Inner Steel" by Ashleigh Ball (episode 210)
- Composer
- Jay Vincent / Michael Kramer
- Country
- Denmark / Canada (seasons 11–15)
- Language
- English / Danish
- Num Seasons
- 15
- Num Episodes
- 210 (+4 pilot episodes, 1 special and several shorts)
- List Episodes
- List of Ninjago episodes
- Runtime
- 22 minutes (seasons 1–10) / 11 minutes (seasons 11–15)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series began with two pilot episodes in January 2011, followed by two 13-episode seasons that aired from December 2011 to November 2012. Both the Lego theme and the series had an intended shelf life of three years, with the second season planned as the original ending. However, the success of the series and its product line led to the show continuing production, resulting in thirteen more seasons, a special, a feature film adaptation, and a four-episode miniseries. Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu was produced in Copenhagen, Denmark, by Wil Film ApS for its first ten seasons, then relocated to WildBrain Studios in Canada for the eleventh season, at which point the series was retitled Ninjago. The series concluded on October 1, 2022, with the second part of the fifteenth season released on Netflix in Australia and New Zealand.
The show is largely set in the fictional realm of Ninjago, a place loosely inspired by East Asian myths and culture, featuring a modern metropolis called Ninjago City. The plot focuses on six teenage ninja—Kai, Cole, Jay, Zane, Nya, and Lloyd Garmadon—who are Elemental Masters with powers such as fire, earth, lightning, ice, water, and energy. They are trained by their ancient master Sensei Wu in the martial art of Spinjitzu and operate from a flying junk ship named Destiny's Bounty. The series incorporates detailed fictional lore, including the history of the First Spinjitzu Master, who was born of both the Oni and the Dragon and created the island of Ninjago.
Key characters include Lloyd Garmadon, the Green Ninja and leader; Kai, the Red Ninja and Master of Fire; Cole, the Black Ninja and Master of Earth; Jay, the Blue Ninja and Master of Lightning; Nya, the Light Blue Ninja and Master of Water; Zane, the White Ninja and Master of Ice; and their mentors Sensei Wu and Lord Garmadon. The voice cast was recorded in Canada for the entire run, and the music was scored by Jay Vincent and Michael Kramer.
Reader's Guide
Ninjago holds significance as a long-running animated series that successfully tied into the Lego Ninjago construction toy line, sustaining production for over a decade beyond its originally planned three-year shelf life. Its narrative, centered on elemental powers, martial arts, and a detailed fictional lore, appealed to a broad audience and led to multiple seasons, a special, a feature film, and a miniseries. The series transitioned from Danish production (Wil Film ApS) to Canadian production (WildBrain Studios) for its eleventh season, reflecting its international scope. The show's legacy includes a sequel series, Ninjago: Dragons Rising, which debuted on June 1, 2023, set in the same continuity. The series concluded on October 1, 2022, after fifteen seasons, marking the end of a continuous production run that began in 2011. Its impact is evident in the enduring popularity of the Lego Ninjago theme and the show's ability to evolve its story and characters over time.
Did You Know?
- The series was originally intended to last only three years, with the second season planned as the ending.
- A sequel series titled Ninjago: Dragons Rising, set in the same continuity, debuted on June 1, 2023.
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