Ninjago is Why LEGO Should Keep Inventing

If you’ve been a lifelong LEGO fan such as myself, you’ll know that many LEGO Themes have come and gone. Some popped up around specific movies or events, such as the LEGO Harry Potter sets which launched between 2001 and 2011, or those related to the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. However, these themes are not LEGO creations, but rather areas of the industry were LEGO flexed their financial muscles, and locked down a lucrative contract. However, LEGO has invited hteir fair share of themes as well, and while they are not always as popular as LEGO might have liked, themes like Ninjago are reasons why LEGO should never quit.

I’ve said it before while reviewing a number of Ninjago LEGO sets – Minifigure Collection, The Lighthouse Siege, and various LEGO Dimensions Ninjago sets – but when Ninjago first came on the scene, I laughed and brushed it off as another attempt by LEGO to hit a home run with LEGO fans. I kept thinking back to LEGO Agents (2008-2009), LEGO Power Miners (2009-2010), and LEGO Ultra Agents (2014-2015). These were all great ideas at one time I’m sure, but they never panned out into successful LEGO franchises.

Lets jump to 2011, shall we, with the release of the first Ninjago Themed LEGO sets. LEGO did everything with Ninjago that they would end up doing with LEGO Chima including sets (obviously), but also a TV Show and everyday merchandise for kids such as backpacks and clothes. However, Ninjago succeeded, were as Chima did not. Ninjago is moving into year 7 of existence, while Chima only managed two measly years.

But I want LEGO to keep coming up with ideas like LEGO Chima. First, kids still love the franchises, whether they became big hits or not. I have a number of LEGO Chima sets in my home, and my son plays with them almost daily, and in fact does a lot of crossover between Ninjago and Chima. I’ve seen a lot of people rag on LEGO for some of their releases, but I always think to myself, “If LEGO always played it safe and pumped out their successful themes – City, Creator, etc. – we would never get things like the LEGO Ninjago Movie, set to premier next month.

Keep experimenting with new franchises and themes LEGO. I want more bit hits like LEGO Ninjago!