Ninjago Summer 2020 sets Analysis and Thoughts!

Hello there! Thanks for dropping by.

Today, I’ll be talking through my thoughts and opinions on the new Ninjago 2020 sets, which will be expected to release around July 1st or August 1st.

First, a bit of context. These sets are based on the currently unreleased 13th season of Ninjago, which supposedly takes place in a board game world similar to that if Dungeons and Dragons (D’n’D). With that element in mind, all sets except one contain a tornado piece that doubles as a dice to move your characters along.

The side builds of the set are blocky, replicating “squares” on a game board that you can move to depending on what you roll on the dice. It’s a cool gimmick! But that’s enough of that.

On with the show!

1. Wu’s Battle Dragon

Starting off the list, we have Wu’s Battle Dragon, one of two dragon builds in this wave. Personally, I think this really looks very good! The dragon is small, but large enough to fit one Minifigure, and for a $20 set, what’s not to love?

Two figures are included with the set, those being Master Wu and a goblin figure called Bleck. I kind of wish there was another figure included, but I think it’s fine. I have a suspicion that Wu reuses the face and legs from 2019’s Landbounty set, but I think it’s fine as he does have a new torso. It’s also incredibly rare to get Wu in such a small set!

There is also a small side build which is holding this huge white sword. It’s a simple build, but it’s pretty effective and does its job well. I especially like the new green colour for the trans-fire piece! This is a must-buy for me, not least because Wu is my favourite character from Ninjago!

2. Journey to the Skull Dungeons

The next set is, I believe, going to sell for $30-35. The Journey to the Skull Dungeons set has been compared by lots of folks to the Duel on Mustafar set from Lego Star Wars, and I can kinda see the similarities.

Overall, the set is a fairly simple structure, basically being a staircase up to a higher platform which has a cage build attached to it to trap a figure. I love the printed wooden texture tiles, though! They look awesome.

You do get THREE of the ninja here, though! Jay, Nya and Lloyd all come in this set, which half completes the line of ninja for this wave if you’re a collector.

Another goblin / orc / troll figure comes in this set too. I wish there was another villain to even things out a bit, but that’s a nitpick. You’ll notice that another one of those giant swords that we saw from Wu’s Battle Dragon is included in this set, but this time it’s moulded in black.

Note that the back view of the box shows that the “stairs” can be repositioned, so I expect they’re hinged.

I also love the small crate side build that you can see on the back of the box! I believe those 1x1 modified tile “heart” pieces haven’t been moulded in good before so this is a new colour!

I think I’ll definitely be picking this set up!

3. Zane’s Mino Creature

I’ve actually only seen this set this morning, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. The main build is a hulking, armoured rhinoceros à la Wakanda, but whether or not it’s supposed to be an organic creature, I’m unsure. It could be robotic? I dunno.

The lack of ice detailing indicates that it is not an elemental creation, so it’s probably some beast that Zane befriends on the ninja’s journey.

This is an easy for me. I don’t particularly like the build, which is clunky, and I don’t like the exposed technic parts either.

Two small side builds are also present. The first is a a simple rocky terrain build, but it’s nothing special. The second is another one of those crate side builds with the golden love heart tiles, almost identical to the one we saw in the Journey to the Skull Dungeons set.

You’ll again see that that giant sword piece is moulded in white for this set, and 4 figures are included: Zane, Cole, and two goblins.

Though the Cole figure is great, the Zane figure is a bit of a mess with too many different colours clashing with each other and not complimenting each other well at all, giving me even more reason to on this set.

4. Skull Sorcerer’s Dragon

Well, this is certainly a very unique set. We’ve seen a lot of dragons throughout Ninjago’s run, but never have we seen anything quite like this! This is the Skull Sorcerer’s Dragon, and yeah - it’s a skeleton. The dragon definitely gives off a very eerie vibe, and I think it’s super cool!

I love how every feature on the dragon is pointed or jagged to replicate an actual skeleton, and the colour scheme just WORKS! The black, white and hints of trans-neon green elements just compliment each other in a very creepy fashion. These colours also harken back to the colour scheme of the Sorcerer himself. I think my favourite part of the dragon is the “ribcage,” which is “wrapped around” what appears to be a trans-neon rock piece from Lego City. think it looks superb!

Upon closer examination, it appears that you can actually remove the trans-neon green rock piece from the rib cage of the dragon. Neat!

Note also that the dragon’s wings are ripped - they have holes in them to further emphasise the decaying state of this skeleton dragon. Spooky!

There are actually 2 side builds in this set, which I’ll look at now. At the top left, you’ll see that Nya is holding one of those giant swords moulded in white which we have seen before, and that small side build features lava detailing as well as a stone statue build.

The bigger side build is actually flatter, but I do like the skull head which is being used as a candle in the middle of the build, again with that nice green flame piece. You may be thinking these side builds are relatively basic and uninteresting, and I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that, however there is a reason which we’ll see a little later.

The set also comes with two more of those crate side builds / weapon storage builds, and they’re a welcome addition though perhaps a bit repetitive.

The set also comes with a great selection of figures, with a balanced number of good guys and bad guys.

5. Fire Stone Mech

This set is a pretty good mech, on the level of Lloyd’s Titan Mech as well as the recently revealed Monkie Kid mechs. The Fire Stone Mech shows that Ninjago is just as competent as ever with their mech builds, featuring a towering mech which is half metal, and half stone!

It’s a strange concept, but it WORKS. I love the contrast between the two kneecaps of the mech, where one of the kneecaps is a sleek, smooth slope whereas the other kneecap is a rocky slope piece. It’s just cool!

Something that I’ve never seen before for a mech of this size is the ability to hold TWO figures! Now THAT is cool!

The mech also has a stud shooter arm, which adds to its value as a toy.

The Minifigure selection also feels appropriate, with Kai and Cole (representing the Fire and Stone elements of the mech, respectively), Nya, as well as two of those green orc guys that we previously saw in the Journey to the Skull Dungeons set.

The collectible item in this set appears to be the giant sword piece but in black this time.

Skull Sorcerer’s Dungeons

This is the big one! This set is actually huge, with a lot of things to talk about! This is the Skull Sorcerer’s Dungeons, his own personal lair where he concocts his evil schemes. From the outset alone, the set makes a visual statement with the huge brick built skull that decorated the outside of the lair.

They really give you this whole layout to put together, with 3 distinct pathways that your character can take, just like how you make choices on what way to go in Dungeons and Dragons. The centre path greets you with two flaming skull heads, and takes you directly to the lavafall, where lava is blocking the entrance to the skull sorcerer’s hideout. Instead, you’ll have to find another way in. Note also the fish in that pale green colour - a new colour for the fish, if I’m not mistaken!

On the right hand side, a huge cage is present to remind you that this is indeed a dungeon where the skull sorcerer imprisons his enemies.

Over on the left, you’ll take the high road entrance.

A wooden ladder gives you access to a higher part of the structure, which allows you to cross a rickety old wooden bridge. The back of the box shows us that if you spin the large gray post, you’ll also spin the bridge, plunging anyone not attached securely into the lava below.

The top of the structure features a ribcage-like element, which looks pretty striking. This is where the skull sorcerer sits, I think.

I would be surprised if the skull structure didn’t have an interior. It certainly appears to be deep enough to have an interior, so I expect there will be some detailing inside too.

Lastly, as I mentioned earlier, these sets are based off the 13th season of Ninjago which is set in a DnD style universe where they need to beat the skull sorcerer to escape. With the emphasis on board games, it’s hardly surprising that the side builds of the sets together to make one super huge boardgame-like build!

With that, I’m officially finished reviewing the Season 13 Ninjago sets! I think I’ll take a look at the Legacy 2 sets next. Let me know what you think about this wave in the comment section below! Do you like the Season 13 sets? Which ones, if any, will you be picking up?

Thanks for reading!

~Master Wu