These were the first of the Ninjago themed sets and based on the pilot episodes which were the first installments in the Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu series. Through the LEGO sets, we are introduced to the four original ninja Kai, Jay, Cole, and Zane, Nya, Sensei Wu, and Lord Garmadon. In a number of waves, sets depicted dragons, Skulkin vehicles, battlegrounds and spinners depicting the ninja in both their trainee and DX variants and their elemental powers which included Earth, Ice, Fire, and Lightning.
2011 LEGO Sets
2011 introduced Ninjago, which quickly became one of LEGO’s most successful original themes and the foundation of a long-running multimedia franchise. Other launches included Pirates of the Caribbean, coinciding with Disney’s On Stranger Tides, the sci-fi Alien Conquest, and Master Builder Academy, a design-focused building program. LEGO also experimented with digital-physical integration through Life of George, an early augmented reality experience. Collectible Minifigures Series 3–5 strengthened LEGO’s growing collector market, while internal employee-exclusive sets like Moulding Machines became prized rarities. Several themes concluded this year, including Harry Potter, Ben 10, Power Miners, Toy Story, Prince of Persia, Space Police III, and BrickMaster.