When the lives of many winged reptiles are in constant danger in Ninjago Dragons Rising, just who can save them will require new and old heroes of the realms uniting. That premise defined season one, and it made for a decent continuation. It wasn’t all that memorable or standalone very well since it had to deal with establishing why old fans should care about Arin, Sora, and Wyldfyre. When I wanted to see the old team and only learn they’ve been individually sent across the multiverse, I got worried!
Thankfully half the team manage to find their way home. They’ve reunited in The Merged Realm and are the new masters to teach the new team some tricks. While I didn’t get much from the first season, I still appreciated the fact there is some continuity between the various series. What’s presented isn’t trying to recon. But in order for the series two to excel, it had to delve into why Dragons are suddenly very important. What fans get to learn is that these dragons are the embodiment of ideas Greek theologians would speak of–had they been aware of the big bang.
In this animated series, there are four known creatures to represent motion, strength, life, and energy. I like to think of them as the Mortis Gods from Star Wars. These manifestations really concern matters of creation, and just when I thought Ninjago forgot its Asian roots, the ideas presented here are firmly rooted in old world theology. Although dragons are not always regarded as creator gods, Rontu and Egalt represent something greater that the series has yet to fully realise.
I like the fact that the old team will have to start anew to earn their fangs. Lloyd, Kai, Nya, Arin, Sora, and Wyldfyre are not the fighting unit they should be, and it’s not until episode 7 from the second season that they figure out what’s holding them back. Here, The Green Ninja has to face his fears, and conquer his demons since he now can see into the future. Kai and Nya aren’t harmonising until they remember the game they once played, and for the rest of the team, their issues have yet to be revealed. Ultimately, it’s about being able to move with the world, and it’s rare to find a film that addresses the fact that the entire universe is always in motion.
Although Zane and Cole are working in the side-lines, just what they have to do mostly concerns rebuilding the dojo and teaming up with Gandalaria. They’ll need her help since the new threat involves magical elements even the Oni are afraid of! And because she created Bonzle, what she knows can sway the tide of battle. This magical entity is humanoid, but as for whether its gender-neutral depends on hearing what pronouns I hear used. This individual has a lot of self-aware properties to like, and hope the future bodes well for it to become a formidable magic user.
Also, Lloyd has nightmares concerning a future he doesn’t want to happen.
Meanwhile, Lord Ras is serving a greater force nobody can figure out. Whoever this entity is, he’s as powerful as Galactus from the Marvel Comics Universe. In the series, perhaps equal in power as the source dragons! And when his heralds is a group known as The Forbidden Five, what’s being set up has me excited! These individuals were once human elemental masters, but something corrupted them and standard Spinjitsu is not enough to stop them. Season two feels very much like Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back because the team has to do more than unlearn what they know, but add to their skill.
The next ten episodes should come out by the end of the Summer because to wait any longer will have me biting my nails in anticipation. The biggest resolution I want to see is in what role Jay has to play. He’s working for The Administration, and I’m of the firm belief they are this series’ answer to the Time Variance Authority (TVA). They keep track of all the things going on in the LEGOverse. As for when the former blue ninja can regain his memories, that’s a subplot I’m eager to get answers to.
Ninjago Dragons Rising Promotional Trailer
