differentdragonpeanutknight

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

My Experience with... Ninjago!

Part 1 - From 'Funny Ninjas Go brrrr' to 'Bawling my Eyes Out'

Hey guys! So, remember when I asked you if I should talk about the things I like in here? A lot of people liked it, so.... I'll try doing that and we see how it goes, alright?

So I'll talk a lot about of my experiences with lots of media. Some books, TV shows, a bit of animes and movies... And a BUNCH of games because interacting with the surroundings is the only way to make my brain work lately... And those posts will be like essays or story times with a lot of rambling, because I'm writing this as I my mind goes off. *sweats*

I decided to start this with Ninjago, because- c'mon, everything here began with the silly lego kids show. And totally not because I'm not sure what else should I talk about. Yup. Totally not.

My first interaction with Ninjago came in mid 2014. I was one of those kids who grew up with subscription TV, so most of my time was passed by watching whatever was going on the screen. One day I was locked in, watching our late Disney XD.

That's when it happened. A call-out during the interval showing the Ninja out in space. Zane bugging out on his teached outfit, more ninja shenanigans, and Lloyd saying something like 'New Ninjago City being in danger". Seeing that, my first thought was 'Oh, cool. Lego makes PS2 games, so of course they would make cartoons too'.

Then my mind drift away from that and I never thought about Ninjago again.

A few weeks later, I was eating good ol' breakfast, watching Disney XD again when the next incoming show was the lego ninja show I saw before. I decided to take a look to see what was all that about.

Now okay, if you had to an early Ninjago episode to someone to watch, it would be "Home", "Tick Tock"... Not freaking "Once Bitten, Twice Shy". Not that is a bad episode, it's just... that's a strange starting point. Even so, that's what I got.

While I watched it the fancy blue guy, I couldn't stop but think 'oh. He's a loser. He's just like me for real' and kinda gotta attached to him quickly. I learned everyone's names as the episode kept going. After it finished, I ended up liking what I saw it and hoping to get to see more of it some time.

And then I completely forgot about the show again. XD

A few days later, I just got back from school and played Disney XD on my TV again. (Don't ask what was my obsession with Disney XD, I don't know as well) This time, Ninjago was passing over again. This time, it was the first episode of Season 2, though I didn't knew that yet. I watched the entire episode in silence, loving what was on screen. After the episode ended, I decided I should give it a try and watch the show properly. All of that while the Season 3 call-outs kept appearing.

That got me thinking... Lloyd was a kid on the episodes I watched, but he looked older on Season 3. Does that mean there's a huge time-skip a few episodes later? Oh, or what if the core four ninja somehow travel to the future to a apocaliptic Ninjago destroyed by a villain? Crazy ideas of a weird kid, folks. Those ideas made me playout a season to myself, and that's horrible to remember.

After that, somehow I watched "The Void" in the meantime, and then I really fell in love with the show. (Weird episode to truly start my obsession, but oh well) That's when I began to religiously watch Ninjago every single day of the week. Everyday, at 10:00 AM you would find me staring at the screen.

Jay and Zane were my favorites. Jay because I relate to his struggles a lot, and Zane because... Please early Zane is a peak character. I didn't had any strong feelings for Kai and Cole. They were just meatheads on my headspace. Nya was also just there to me, because for little me she was just there for female representation. (I mean, she kinda was, but-)

Then, I really liked Lloyd, loved Garmadon for his nuance, and had lots of fun with Pythor. Season 1 was a blast to go trough, and then we got to Season 2. Where my hot take is. Because like I said before, I'm a sucker for the Mega Weapon Arc. It was cool to see them all living some kind of life together.

Then for the second half of the season, things got really mixed up in my mind. I couldn't remember the episodes names nor what happens in them. The only one I knew vividly was "The Last Voyage" for the ship sailed hijinks and the great Zane moments. At that point, Zane was clearly my favorite character.

After that, everything got mixed up on my mind again. The Dark Island just wasn't for me I guess. Then we got to all the Overlord overthrowing Garmadon and I felt... Nothing much? I liked more when it was Father vs. Son. The Overlord was just another evil guy that wasn't as close as fun and charming as Pythor. Then, after everyone got their happy ending in the end, I felt in awe.

Then, a day before starting Season 3, I kept wondering what was going to happen. The evillest guy was defeated, Garmadon was saved, everything was fine. Maybe the ninja will train more people to be ninja for the world? Maybe there's going to be new characters?

And hey, I got a silver star for guessing them training (okay, more teaching, but-) kids. Huh.

I really liked the start of Season 3. We got new and interesting characters on Cyrus Borg and Pixal. (Okay, maybe not early Pixal, but Pixane is too pure for my heart) We have a start full of chaos, the Overlord returns, there's Nindroids like Zane now, and oh my God-

I felt really enraged with the love triangle, especially on Nya's and start getting annoyed with her on screen. Jay dropped a like for me for his atitude, and Cole... I was feeling nothing for Cole back then. Kai got a few points for his solo episode though, I start to see him as a goofball. I loved Lloyd and Garmadon's interactions, especially with how moody Lloyd was. Then Pythor came back, the Overlord was getting funny to see throwing tantruns, and when I noticed the days passed and I was already on the finale.

I was not ready for it. Not with Zane being my favorite character. As the scene kept going and the things were clicking on my head... Well I... Okay, first of all, I'm a EXTREMELY PASSIONAL PERSON. I get too attached to the smallest things. My family makes fun of me for that all the time.

So yeah, I reacted horribly. I was crying, bawling my eyes out, screaming at the screen and pleading for Zane not to die. Both me and my young brother cried at it. And then there was the funeral, and I felt horrible. Then, just to toy with my feelings, the last scene of the season shows that maybe Zane survived somehow.

And... That was the end of Ninjago for me. Those were the episodes. After that, the show just got itself on repeat from the Pilots to "The Titanium Ninja" everyday. That didn't stop from watching them, though. It was everything I had.

Little by little, I disconnected myself from it. There was no more episodes to watch, I pratically had all 40 episodes engraved in mind, so that was it. Me and my brother just moved on to the next big thing.

That is, until 2015, on our winter, when a new call-out appeared on the TV screen...

But that's a story for the next time, because GOD I wrote too much and this part is too long already. So until next time, guys! Hope to see you again!

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

Heya! I posted a new chapter of my Ninjago AU right now!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/52871977/chapters/172265710

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

Trust me, I know this feeling a LOT. The fact that I have other fucking 4 stories being written on my head (one of them possibly seeing the light soon), plus my Ninjago AU, it's a lot.

PSA: Writing a book can take a looooong time. If you've been working on your project for a year, two years, five years... you're not doing anything wrong. If you've written three drafts and thrown them all away, if you can only write a hundred words a day, if you put your book down for six months and pick it up again only to be baffled by what you've written... Congratulations. You're not inefficient or slow. You're just a writer. Welcome to the writing life.

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

Quick question about your AU. Does the people of Ignacia help the siblings when their parents disappear ? Like, do the siblings have some kind of nice Grandma to help them ?

They did have a LOT of people looking out for them. It's just that a few years on that made Kai think they weren't going to get anywhere just following what the grown-ups wanted. So he took matters into his own hands.

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

Hi, you're okay ?

Let me answer this in a way that doesn't leave anyone concerned.

I'm doing fine, I'm just laying low on tumblr for now XP

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

Okay, time to take notes and decide where to start. (Will probably be my story with Ninjago)

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

Keep that in mind cuz Kai will be going trough a lot of a identity crisis next book.

Ooooooo

Thinks about how much, especially in the early seasons of course

Kai just wants it to be him.

He wants to be special.

Because he never used to be.

He was never anyone before.

Never noticed, only scraping by with Nya.

He gave up his entire life to become a child soldier so that he could help Nya.

He did everything for her. And outside of that, who was he? A ninja. No he can’t just be a ninja.

There are already 3 other ninjas just like him. What was the point of any of this, if there are others who have trained longer than him, are better than him.

Why did he have to throw away his life for this.

No. It needs to be something more. He needs to be the green ninja. Because then he’ll be someone, for once. It’ll have been worth it. He’ll be strong enough to take care of everyone.

He’ll be someone that’s crucial. Not just one out of 4. He’ll be someone that they CAN’T leave behind.

Because. His life is better now. Both he and Nya have a safe roof above their head (most of the time) they have a FAMILY. People who care for them.

And Kai knows that he can’t be the reason that they’re left behind.

He needs to be special enough to be noticed. Special enough to be worth caring for…

He needs to be someone great.

He needs to be someone indispensable.

Kai ninjago…. You’ll always be famous…..

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

You guys don't know what's going trough my head right now.

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

Ranking the Ninjago seasons in my own stupid opinion, the Finale: SIMPLY PEAK

There's no reason to mince words this time, cuz those are my all time favorites that I wouldn't mind rewatching all over again.

4. The Merged Lands + Quest for the Dragon Cores

I think is an agreement in the fandom that Dragons Rising was the breath of fresh air Ninjago needed, right? Especially after Crystalized showed to us how milked the og cast was. Yeah, some of the old cast is still here. Yeah, Lloyd is still a main character. But the situations they are been put here are new for them, and that's awesome.

Also, the new character are really well put together, and I say that about both Arin and Sora, and the rest of the side characters. (Except Dorama. Fuck Dorama) I think Arin, Sora and Wyldfire later are well-written and each of them has a good way to viewers to relate to them.

And speaking of characters, there's Ras and Beatrix. I don't care what people say, I love Beatrix as a Season 1 villain. She was exactly what the show needed to begin with. A delusional, unhinged woman that doesn't know when to stop. And Ras left a impressive good impression with the little screen time he had.

Also the animation is gorgeous. It's even better on the most recent seasons, but it was a literal blast back them. Ninjago never looked so good.

3. Seabound

Remember when I just said I love unhinged villains, yeah Kalmaar is one of my favorite villains just from how much of a bastard he is. Of course, he's not the only reason this season is here. I just feel like... This season's storytelling is really something else, the writers really outdid themselves on pulling all our emotional strings.

Do I like how Cole, Kai and Zane were handled this season? Absolutely not. Buuut nothing's perfect. Also, with how much I love characters like Nya, Jay, Maya or Benthomaar? Everything's fine. To be honest the season finale was the third time Ninjago made me cry, and I don't care with what Crystalized undid to the emotional chords, that's still one of the best finales ever.

2. Hunted

This season is so good. Actually so amazing. Everyone is the best here. Even characters with low screentime like the Elemental Alliance make their time worth it. Lloyd is at his best by going trough the Hero's Journey. Nya doesn't do much, but she's a solid anchor for Lloyd. Mystake is simply an amazing person that deserves the best. Despite some mid season jokes, Dareth sticks his landing as a good character. Come on, the guy was one the few people left to fight against Garmadon's power.

Speaking of Garmadon, he's such an upgrade from his zombie-like self from the previous season. He's not scary, of course not, it's a kids show. But he intimidates. And he has presence. Harumi is also kinda there, but her ultimate fate was a beautiful send off to her character and the actions she took.

Now, for the First Realm side. First of all, I loved how this season has too storylines going on back to back. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but there was enough good things happening on screen to keep me going. Even the Iron Baron. He's a weak villain by himself, but godamnit he's such a failman that I can't help but respecting for being such a loser. Of course the shitty guy who wouldn't survive by himself would lie about the Oni to keep his power.

As for the rest of the ninja, despite not being the main characters in this, serve their roles well as supporting characters for young Wu. Kai wasn't annoying yet and had his moments. Cole was being the best parent friend of them all. Zane didn't have any "quirky robot joke" to throw at us. And Jay was being the jerkass he is. And I love them all for that.

And then there's Wu. Hot take but this is one his best seasons. I didn't thought making both Lloyd and Wu go trough the Hero's Journey in the same season could've worked, but to me they were nuanced enough to work. And I love young Wu design. Fight me.

Now, if you were keeping up the seasons, you knows who's the winner.

1. Tournament of Elements

Yeah so. Let's see. Unhinged and carismatic villain? Check. A serious, bitter henchman that loathes one of the heroes? Check. A elimination game? Check. A game of masks where no one can trust no one? Check, check, check. This season has everything I love in stories. It is enganging, everyone has a role to play in it, and everyone plays amazingly. And come, this was the first big moment of world building. We found out there was more than was told to was. There was more elemental masters around Ninjago, and even if they were not all really flashed out, they left a good impression and a small fandom to each of them. *Hugs a Ash plushie*

Ahem. So, as for the characters. The main group at least. Like I said, no one was left behind. All of them brought something to the story. Lloyd was the emotional anchor between the viewers and Garmadon. Garmadon himself peaked here and nothing beats his character journey into a martir. Despite this being supposed to be his season and he kinda losing this position in the last few episodes, Kai was the perfect balance of hot-head and thoughful schemer. If wasn't for his plan, maybe things wouldn't have ended well for the heroes, and let's not forget that part of his plan depended on his skills to convince Skylor to join his side.

As for the remaining characters, despite having minors roles, they had weight on the overarching narrative. Jay was there to be the suspicious one, to not trust in anyone and only changing this when he accepted everyone there deserved a chance. If it wasn't for Cole, the elemental masters won't even have tried to escape the noodle factory. Zane had his last good story there with all the story of discovering himself again and embrancing who he is, even if he's not the same Zane from before. And Nya, she was on a roll. Infiltrating the island, going undercover, stealing the spell page. If it wasn't for her actions, that's was another thing that would've ended badly to the heroes.

And that's for me, this is the best season. It's not perfect, not any of them are. But they're all good in their own way. Even *shivers* Crystalized.

That's it for today. Thanks for keeping up with my rambles! 😊

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

A new chapter from my Ninjago AU was posted right now!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/52871977/chapters/167863084

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

What about the love triangle of season 3 in your AU ?

Don't worry about that. Cole has... another person in his mind, and Nya is smart enough this time to not take the stupid love machine seriously.

As for Jay... Let's just say he's a very insecure person that can't take some things well.

But all things considered, this plotline was heavily changed because I can't stand it.

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

What are the Ninja favorites animal ?

We'll be having a special one this time around!

Nya: Cats. She likes their independent nature.

Kai: Dogs. He likes their sense of loyalty.

Jay: Hamsters. Also a specific chicken in the future.

Zane: Falcons and birds in general.

Cole: Any animal docile enough for him to pet, but mostly cats and dogs.

Lloyd: Cats as well. He always wanted to have one.

Tory: Wolves. He vibes with them.

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

Ranking the Ninjago seasons on my own stupid opinion Pt. 5: Amazing Work

Everyone knows how this goes by now, so onto next placement:

9. Master of the Mountain

Asked me a few years prior, and I would put as the best season, simply by how they gave us a good portrayal of Cole's characters. But I grew trough my opinions as the years. It's the best season? No, not from a long shot, but it's really endearing how well put Cole is in all of this. Sure, the other ninja are not the best version of themselves, but they're not supposed to be. All of them play their roles significantly well, but Cole is the one supposed to shine this time. Wu also plays a good part, and even Vangelis is a mid villain compared to the rest of the Ninjago's hall of villainy, he serves his role well. And don't get me started on the side characters of this season. Yes, the genckle and the munce can be a little exhausting to deal with, but Vania is such a sweet person to have around, and the upply are a fun group that goes well with Cole and Wu. Definetely one of my favorite batches of side-characters.

I just wish we could have see more of Shintaro as the place itself... We were robbed of that 🥲

8. Rise of the Snakes

The kickoff of this show, and what a way to begin things! We have a bit of world building with the Serpentine, a lot of backstory for Wu and Garmadon, the introduction of Lloyd to the cast, and each member of the team has their time to shine in here. Of course, some more than others *cough cough* Kai and Zane. But all of them receive a lot more to themselves. Maybe Cole and Jay's episodes aren't the best at picking things that already exists for them, but ooh Kai and Zane's role in this season is amazing. Zane's story, especifically, it's one of the highlights of the early show, everyone agrees on that. As for the villains, the Serpentine gimmicks are pretty cool, and Pythor is a icon in Ninjago's hall of villainy. So yeah, this season is pretty good, saving the...dated script.

7. Possession

The worldbuilding in this is so great to me! We have the integration of the 16 Realms, more about Wu, more about the past, and a lot of good interaction between the characters to booth. This season has a lot of good moments, we have Kai being a good brother to Lloyd, Cole turning into a ghost, Lloyd turned into a hostage by the villains, the growth of Nya's character in a whole and the new role she gets put into the team, the introduction of Ronin into the cast, and his story is amazing to watch trough; and the character of Morro as well, who plays his role really well. My only complain is that this is the beggining of the end for Zane and the constant nindroid jokes.

6. The Blood Moon + The Tournament of the Sourceress

Okay let me start with this by saying that this season is not perfect. At all. Not one of them is. But I need to get out of the way the flaws this season has. Flaws that came from how Dragons Rising is structered. Because the two packs of episode we got are mostly disconnected from each in vibes, atmosphere and feelings. And that's because we have two events instead of the usual single event uniting the two halves of the season. This makes a lot of characters besides the main important ones feel... sidelined in a way. We barely had any moment with the new elemental master, we barely had anything involving the Wolf Clan. Cinder was underutilized for sure, some plotlines didn't have the proper screentime to unfold.

But I can't lie. Lloyd, Arin, Sora and Ras were just amazing troughout the entire 20 episodes. The heroes struggles, not only with themselves, but with each other as well, gave us a lot for them. And Ras was a really cunning villain, as always. Yes, the highs of this season are REALLY high to me.

5. Sons of Garmadon

This is a complicated one. It used to be my number 1 pick, but things changed and here we are. Not gonna lie, I see this as the breaking point of the show. At this point, you have to decide if you're fully commited to the silly lego kids show or not. And this is the season for it. We have a more grounded set for a change. A biker gang leaded by a bunch of punks, the animation received a boost in quality, the Ninja team received their redesigns from the movie, and harumi was (mostly) a really interesting and human villain.

But then, we also Dragons and Onis throw into the mix and a ceremony to revive especifically the bad side of Garmadon XD ( I LOVE THIS SEASON, I PROMISE).

So this is it for now, so... Until the last part! ^^

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

"Nya loves cats."

Ah yes, her and Sora are gonna get along great.

Oh yes, cat coded characters count on that XD

[differentdragonpeanutknight]

Thanks @8fmg8! I'm not the best lorekeeper of this fandom so yeah, there's a lot of info, and DR doesn't mind to change or rework anything from the past, so watch the writers creating a completely new third option for the case of Amber.

Somehow I know they're going to do something about it. Skylor is not dead, so they're keeping her for something.

Have any theories about how the elemental power of Amber fits in all the Source Dragon lore?

That Amber Spiral story gave the it some backstory (apparently being man-made and all that), but now Dragons Rising has me questioning if the Source Dragons had a level of involvement with it...

First of all, thank you for considering my opinion, of all people. Really, I mean it.

Second of all, from the crumbs the writers gave us, Amber originated from trees that contain Source Dragon energy, so it's not completely man-made like they told us in the past. So my own current theory that goes with this, is that Amber was originally another other material that was able to contain elemental powers, like Dragon Ivory. Amber came from trees blessed by the Source Dragon of Life, so it had those special conditions.

But, when the original master of Amber enters the picture, he crafts the first chronosteel and finds a way to transmit the abilities of Amber to his own body. That creates the Power of Amber we know today. So either: A. The Source Dragons recognized the powers of Amber as their own, and adopted the element to their branches, or B. It works as a elemental power because that's what the purpose of the first master of amber wanted to his creation.