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‘Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu’ Still Spins Its Way Through 14 Years

A review of Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, where ninja warriors spin through the air to battle a dark lord named Lloyd Garmadon.

By mitch·2 min read
A ninja warrior spins through the air in a bright, dynamic pose.

“Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu” turns Lego sets into something closer to a Saturday morning cartoon than a toy commercial. The series follows a group of ninja warriors who spin through the air to fight a villain named Lloyd Garmadon. It is fast, colorful, and built around simple action set pieces that reward patience rather than demand it.

Trailer, via LEGO.

Lloyd Garmadon and the Spinjitzu

Lloyd Garmadon is the show’s central villain, a dark lord who stands against the heroes and their teacher, Sensei Wu. His schemes drive the season’s plots, from stealing sacred weapons to chasing the heroes across the city. He is the reason the series holds together, giving the team a target worth fighting.

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The spinjitzu technique itself is the show’s main selling point. Each hero spins and flies through the air to attack, a visual trick that carries the action sequences. It is simple, but it works. The show never overexplains it, letting the animation do the talking instead.

Where the Show Falls Short

Not every episode lands the same way. Some middle episodes rely on filler battles and repeat themselves without adding new ideas. The humor can also miss its mark, landing as jokes about ninjas that feel more like set-up than payoff. None of this breaks the show, but it keeps it from being perfect.

Lloyd Garmadon’s schemes drive the season’s plots, from stealing sacred weapons to chasing the heroes across the city.

What Works Well

The strengths are easy to see:

  • Lloyd Garmadon as a clear, driving villain
  • The spinjitzu technique as a fun visual hook
  • Strong character designs for each ninja
  • Simple stories that children can follow easily

These elements carry the show through its weaker moments. The animation is bright and clean, and the voice acting sells the characters’ personalities without needing dialogue.

“Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu” succeeds because it commits fully to its own rules. It treats its toys as real characters rather than props, and that commitment shows in every episode. The villains are threatening, the heroes are likable, and the action is satisfying.

The show is not perfect. Some episodes drag, and the humor misses occasionally. But the core idea — a group of ninja spinning to save the world — never loses its appeal. It earns its place as a strong entry in the franchise.

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