Series poster for Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu (2012)

Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu

2012–2022

Ended • 16 Seasons • 210 Episodes

Action & Adventure Animation Comedy Family Sci-Fi & Fantasy

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Overview

When the fate of their world, Ninjago, is challenged by great threats, it's up to the ninja: Kai, Jay, Cole, Zane, Lloyd and Nya to save the world.

Seasons

17 listed

Status: Ended
Seasons: 16 seasons
Episodes: 210 episodes
First aired: Jan 11, 2012
Last aired: Oct 1, 2022
Network: Cartoon Network

Latest episode: S16 E30 Roots (Oct 1, 2022)

Rise of the Snakes

13 episodes Jan 11, 2012 7.7

After years of peace, Ninja masters Kai, Jay, Zane and Cole are forced to come out of retirement to take on Lloyd Garmadon, the son of their archenemy. When Garmadon releases an army of sinister snake people to help him conquer the land of Ninjago, his evil plan goes awry as he loses control. Soon, Garmadon is himself taken prisoner by the manipulative snakes! In an unlikely twist of fate, Garmadon must join forces with the ninja to stop an enemy that prophecy warns will cast their world into eternal darkness.
Legacy of the Green Ninja

13 episodes Jul 18, 2012 7.0

Since Lord Garmadon's disappearance, Ninjago has been at peace; but when Garmadon's son releases the five ancient tribes of the Serpentine, the Ninja had to learn how to unlock their full potential to combat the growing threat.
Rebooted

8 episodes Jan 29, 2014 7.2

After a time of peace, the Ninja are called back into action as they learn the Overlord seeks to steal Lloyd's golden power to enable him to escape his digital prison and reign as the great prophesized destructor, “The Golden Master.” To aid his villainous plot, the Overlord created a new technological menace more powerful than any foe the Ninja have ever faced - Nindroids.
Tournament of Elements

10 episodes Feb 23, 2015 8.0

After the loss of Zane, the Ninja question whether they are still a team. But when they receive a mysterious invitation to take part in the Tournament of Elements, they get a clue that Zane may be well and alive. And our heroes set out to rescue their friend.
Possession

10 episodes Jun 29, 2015 7.3

In an epic quest to save Lloyd, the Ninja will travel to uncharted lands, meet new allies and gain powerful weapons, unlock unknown powers, all while battling the supernatural Cursed Spirits in an effort to stop a monstrous deity from cursing all of Ninjago.
Skybound

10 episodes Jun 9, 2016 5.8

A new evil named Nadakhan the Djinn is released and a new age of piracy begins. It is up to the Ninja to stop him.
Hands of Time

10 episodes May 15, 2017 4.8

In season seven, Kai and Nya finally learn the truth about their long lost parents, Master-in-Training Lloyd tries to fill in for a weakened Wu and an all-new Samurai X returns.
Sons of Garmadon

10 episodes Apr 16, 2018 8.2

The ninjas race to save Lloyd, as a more powerful-than-ever Lord Garmadon creates an enormous Colossi to help him rule Ninjago and defeat the ninja.
Hunted

10 episodes Sep 3, 2018 9.0

While Lloyd and Nya resist Emperor Garmadon's oppressive hold on Ninjago City, Young Wu and the rest of the Ninja are stranded in a barbaric realm where fierce dragons are being hunted down by Iron Baron and his gang of Dragon Hunters. Lloyd must endure in Ninjago City, the others need to find the fabled Dragon Armor if they ever hope to get back home to stop Emperor Garmadon once and for all.
March of the Oni

4 episodes Jan 19, 2019 7.3

The Oni are coming … As demonic darkness descends upon the realm of Ninjago, the time has come for our heroes to rise again and protect the land that all Masters of Spinjitzu call home. It is a world filled with a rich history and legacy, and it is from here where our ninja heroes must unlock an even greater power to defeat the darkness that is marching towards them. What could these shapeshifting dark forces be, why do they want to destroy Ninjago, and how can they be defeated?
Secrets of the Forbidden Spinjitzu

30 episodes Jun 22, 2019 6.7

Basking in the glory of their recent victory, the Ninja embark on a new adventure to explore a mysterious pyramid – just for a little light rest and recovery, of course. But has success lulled our heroes into a false sense of security? When the Ninja accidentally set an ancient threat loose, nothing could ever have prepared them for the mayhem that follows.
Prime Empire

16 episodes Jul 19, 2020 7.2

In the hyped video game, Prime Empire, you can be whoever you want to be. Jay, ever the avid gamer, can’t wait to start playing. But when hundreds of players, and Jay, suddenly start vanishing without a trace, the ninja need to get inside the game and find out who is playing Unagami. Now they must compete in adventures and difficult game worlds, win all three Key-tanas – and only then can they face the evil Unagami. Can they reach the final level and beat the game?
Master of the Mountain

16 episodes Jul 6, 2020 7.3

The ninja are invited to the beautiful Shintaro Kingdom to celebrate the young Princess Vania’s birthday. At first glance, the Ivory City looks like a pristine place, but the ninja soon uncover a dark, obscure, long-forgotten underworld: The Dungeons of Shintaro. Once inside, they must fight their way to freedom through a maze of tunnels paved with dangers and strange creatures ruled by the merciless Skull Sorcerer. The ninja must choose their path wisely…
The Island

4 episodes Mar 7, 2021 6.5

The ninja embark on a rescue mission to a mysterious and uncharted island.
Seabound

16 episodes Apr 4, 2021 8.0

When Nya's powers are disrupted, the Ninja set off in search of answers and find themselves at the bottom of endless oceans where they discover that her powers are linked to an ancient mythical creature.
Crystalized

30 episodes May 20, 2022 9.6

The ninja have been locked up in Kryptarium Prison where they are surrounded by some of their old enemies. Here they learn a mysterious Crystal King is recruiting a council of evil enemies. To find out the identity of this new enemy, they escape from prison and become fugitives. Who is the Crystal King? Why is he gathering a powerful counsel? Get ready for another action-packed mission with the ninja!
Specials

87 episodes Jan 13, 2011

Reviews

3 min read

The Weight of Plastic

Let's be honest. When a television series exists explicitly to sell plastic tops, you do not expect much soul. I certainly did not.

I sat down with Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu expecting a loud, hyperactive 22-minute commercial for Lego's latest gimmick. And for the first few episodes, that is exactly what it is. Neon colors.

Shouted catchphrases. An exhausting pace. But then something strange happens.

The show forgets it's supposed to be a brochure and starts believing its own mythology.

The ninja team looking over the landscape of Ninjago

Creators Tommy Andreasen and Michael Hegner were handed a corporate mandate in 2011: make the kids want to buy these new spinner toys. (The original concept sketch by Andreasen even had the working title "Spinjago" scribbled on it). They could have done the bare minimum.

Instead, they built a sprawling, quasi-mythological world that borrows equally from Star Wars and Avatar: The Last Airbender. The original plan was to wrap the whole thing up after Season 2 in 2012, let the toys phase out, and move on. We are now well past a decade and over a dozen seasons later, entirely because the audience refused to let it go.

Audience Opinions

Audience 7.9/10

"A lively, character-driven ninja saga that grows into a surprisingly rich, emotionally engaging adventure far beyond a simple toy tie-in."

Colorful elemental ninja, distinct personalities, and steadily more ambitious story arcs make the series engaging well past childhood, with several seasons described as genuinely complex, suspenseful, and even moving. Strong 3D animation for its time, energetic action, memorable music, and better-than-expected voice work help it stand out, though uneven humor, occasional filler, and some sidelined supporting characters keep it from feeling consistently tight.

What viewers praise

Engaging character arcs The core ninja and key allies are seen as unique, relatable, and given real growth, with relationships and personal struggles that keep long-term viewers invested.
Increasing story depth What begins as a straightforward kids’ adventure evolves into multi-season plots with higher stakes, twists, and lore that feel substantial rather than disposable.
Impressive early 3D animation Visuals are frequently praised as some of the best-looking 3D work in comparable TV animation of the era, with fluid action and a distinct style.
Surprisingly strong voice work Voice acting is repeatedly called very good for a children’s series, with performances that match the characters’ personalities and emotional beats well.
Self-aware fun tone A mix of action, heartfelt moments, and tongue-in-cheek humor gives the show a playful, slightly self-aware edge that appeals to older viewers as well.

Common complaints

Filler and pacing dips Certain episodes and even whole stretches of story are criticized as unnecessary detours or filler that slow momentum without adding much to the plot.
Uneven comedy Jokes can be hit-or-miss, with some gags feeling juvenile or overused compared to the stronger storytelling elsewhere.
Toy-commercial stigma A recurring annoyance is the perception that the show is just an extended advertisement, which some viewers feel overshadows its narrative quality.
Underused side characters Supporting figures such as mentors and family members are sometimes treated as afterthoughts or comic relief instead of being developed as deeply as the leads.
Inconsistent season quality While several seasons are regarded as excellent, others are viewed as weaker or less focused, leading to a somewhat uneven long-term experience.

Recommended for

Action-adventure animation fans Teen and tween viewers LEGO and toyline enthusiasts Martial-arts fantasy lovers Character-focused kids shows fans Family co-viewing sessions

Buzz & Rumors

Public reports

BRICKS, BEEFS & SPINJITZU: The Real-World Drama Behind Ninjago

The ninja may save Ninjago City on screen, but off-screen? It’s petitions, AI scandals, creative shakeups and fan wars sharp enough to slice through a Serpentine.

Casting Chaos & Fan Revolt

When The LEGO Ninjago Movie rolled in with a shiny celebrity cast—Jackie Chan, Dave Franco, Kumail Nanjiani and more—long-time TV fans did not take it well. The original TV voice actors were swapped out for big names, and the fandom went straight into riot mode on social media and forums.
One especially dramatic Change.org petition begged Warner Bros. and LEGO to keep the TV actors, calling them “the soul of Ninjago” and accusing the studio of trying to “ruin the Ninjago Movie.” The creator urged fans to sign so executives could “feel our wrath” and vowed, “We shall not let this ruin our childhood.”
The petition eventually closed with under 200 supporters, but the emotional damage was done: to this day, the TV vs. movie-voices debate is one of the fandom’s longest-running feuds.^[1]^[2]

Writers’ Exit: The Hageman Brothers’ Farewell Waves

In 2018, Dan and Kevin Hageman—essentially the “First Spinjitzu Masters” of the TV series—announced they’d written their final episode after eight years and 81 episodes.
Their multi-tweet goodbye was officially classy (“Writing Ninjago is truly the highlight of our career”)^[3], but fans quickly spun it into speculation: was this creative burnout, behind-the-scenes clash, or just Hollywood moving on? (Speculation, not confirmed.)
The brothers revealed they’d helped pick their successor, praising new lead writer Bragi Schut and saying Ninjago was “safe in his capable hands (unless the Overlord comes back).”^[3] Of course, that line only fueled more fan-reading between the bricks about studio meddling and tonal changes.

Corporate Scandals & AI Slop

In 2024, LEGO got blasted for sneaking AI-generated Ninjago character art onto an official kids’ site quiz. The images looked obviously artificial—with one Kai image even sporting what looked like a Naruto-style headband, which raised IP and ethics eyebrows.
Ninjago co-creator Tommy Andreasen didn’t just quietly DM someone—he publicly called it out, saying the AI images were “completely unacceptable” and stressing, “Art should be made by artists.”^[5]
After fan outcry, LEGO yanked the quiz and told press the AI use was “a test which happened outside of our usual approval processes,” insisting they have “a clear policy not to use generative AI to create LEGO content” and promising it “won’t happen again.”^[5]
The corporate line was very “we love human creativity, but also AI is interesting,” which only made the fandom side-eye harder as fans debated whether future Ninjago content would quietly get more machine-made “help.”^[4]^[5]

Fandom Wars, Cancellations & “The Day Fans Quit”

YTYouTube·The Day Ninjago Fans Quit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_asoaVgxXg
The great Season 8 redesign drama remains infamous in fan spaces. When the show shifted designs and tone to line up more with the movie era, some adult fans dramatically declared they were done with Ninjago. YouTube drama channels immortalized it in videos with titles like “The Day Ninjago Fans Quit,” turning aesthetic tweaks into full-on fandom lore.^[6]
On Reddit, long-timers rant about how fans “always” find something to complain about—every new short, season or redesign gets dissected and dragged, prompting meta posts begging, “Can Ninjago fans for once not complain!”
Streaming removals stirred fresh outrage: when key seasons vanished from Netflix, petitions launched to get them reinstated, with fans describing the cuts as an insult to a decade-plus of devotion. (Unverified motives, but the uproar was very real.)

AI Voice Clones & Actor Protection

Modern twist on old-school contract drama: Dragons Rising voice actor Deven Mack (Arin) discovered YouTube channels using AI recreations of his voice to make Ninjago characters “sing.” He publicly asked that these videos be taken down, calling out the misuse.
Fans responded by launching a petition demanding platforms remove AI-cloned performances using his voice without consent, framed as a stand for “justice” for Ninjago voice actors.
Combined with the earlier AI art scandal, it’s turned Ninjago into a mini frontline in the wider entertainment battle over AI vs. real people.

Cultural Controversy & Thought Pieces

Outside the LEGO bubble, critics have taken aim at the franchise’s aesthetics. Some essays and forum debates accuse Ninjago of “Western appropriation of Japanese culture,” calling its mashup of Asian-inspired motifs and Western storytelling “ripped and mangled straight” from Japanese culture.
Fans and commentators push back, arguing the world of Ninjago is a fantasy blend rather than a direct representation, but the critique resurfaces every few years—especially when new media or merch leans harder into stylized “Eastern” visuals.^[11]

A Real-World Loss That Changed the Show

In 2020, actor Kirby Morrow, beloved as the voice of Cole, died at 47. Variety and other outlets reported the news, and the Ninjago team later issued a heartfelt message about his contribution and what he meant to the community.^[14]
Fans gathered across Reddit, TikTok and Facebook groups to mourn, share clips and memories, and speculate—respectfully—how the show would handle Cole going forward. Unlike most Ninjago drama, this moment united the fandom in pure grief.

Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.

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