LEGO NINJAGO 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple review

LEGO NINJAGO returns to its creative roots in 2022 with 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple, a set that attempts to capture the core identity of the theme’s staple locations.

The latest wave of LEGO NINJAGO, due in January 2022, determines that the key builds for the theme are temples, dragons and vehicles.

The new ‘Core’ spread lives up to that name by not directly tying into any major content from the show, allowing the NINJAGO design team to let their imaginations run wild – and consequently giving us one of the theme’s most interesting dojos to date.

— Set details —

Theme: NINJAGO Set name: 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple Release: January 1, 2022

lego

Price: £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 Pieces: 1,394 Minifigures: 8

LEGO: Available now

— Build —

While the set name of 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple is purposefully basic, the final model is anything but. The build comes in two sections, depicting a huge three-floored dojo and a smaller training area, with a bridge cleverly constructed using a rollercoaster track to connect them.

The exterior training area is easy to overlook but is packed with an impressive amount of detail, including a small pond, three stones and several flaming wooden pillars. Considering those aspects, this training area is clearly intended for Nya to use with a provided pair of power blast pieces letting you fire streams of water at the flames, putting them out by knocking the transparent pieces away.

This section is just one example of how the sides of the final model are not ignored, with another detail on the other side being a second entrance to the dojo, leading to the rocky basement where the technology-fuelled hideout can be found.

The monitor setup here displays images of various elements of the set, such as the mech and snake, with a lever construction that is as functional as it is compact. A stand for unused masks and a TV with Akita from a previous season can also be found nearer the wall, with the whole hideout able to be folded away for storage.

The middle of the basement features a washing area with a sink and bucket, allowing the team to keep themselves fresh after performing their usual heroic acts. Unfortunately, the final room of this level lacks any detail, primarily because it serves as the staging area for one of the main features of the set.

The included snake vehicle can smash through the wall here, splitting it into two sections. It’s a function we’ve seen before, but 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple’s comes with a twist: rubble suspended overhead falls to indicate that even more of the wall has broken upon impact.

The detail continues on the next floor up, with a stickered translation chart for the NINJAGO language – perfect for decoding the many fictional letters featured throughout the set.

The floors get smaller as they ascend, with the next area featuring two balconies that make displaying the eight minifigures featured in the set much easier, without having to hide them behind the walls of the dojo temple. This floor also holds a shrine dedicated to Master Wu, depicted on a small sticker with two golden swords beside it.

The top section of the model acts as the team’s storage area, with a singular window leading to the outside and more references to the theme and the world of NINJAGO. On the left is a newspaper that has had a cup of tea clumsily spilt on it, displayed with a clever build that can pose the cup in the various stages of spilling. On the right is a box with a trading card on top, one of the collectible items from the very first wave of NINJAGO sets.

A small mech for Kai with an attached shoulder cannon is also included, which holds the unique flag design that features only in 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple. It uses the same System Character and Creature Building System (SCCBS) as 71761 Zane’s Power Up Mech EVO and 71760 Jay’s Thunder Dragon EVO.

The snakes are equipped with a motorised battering ram to smash through the walls of the temple and the build is suitably chunky, but nothing special otherwise. While not as impressive as the main temple, their inclusions help to further play and the overall value proposition.

— Characters —

For those wanting to collect every minifigure in the NINJAGO Core wave, 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple is a great starting point with only two ninjas missing. Cole, Nya, Lloyd, Kai, Pixal and Master Wu are included, with Zane and Jay to be found in smaller sets.

The new outfits are comparatively simple next to previous NINJAGO designs, but the four ninjas’ robes reference their various elemental powers with patterns and colours key to each character. The arms are also coloured differently to carry on the design past the torso.

On the back, the same word in the NINJAGO language can be found, with the sticker mentioned earlier helpful in translating the word. Kai and Nya also feature their headband and hair elements.

Pixal and Wu sit alongside the main cast, with the former featuring a robotic suit of armour indicating her role as the heroic Samurai X in the white, blue and red colours that we’ve seen before. Her face features the purple wiring and green eyes from her original appearance with a silver hair piece – another consistent aspect of her design.

Master Wu wears tan robes with a white layer underneath as well as the usual traditional beard and hat. On the back of the torso, a set of six letters in the fictional language can be found, corresponding to each ninja in the team.

Both of the new black and orange snakes are included with 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple, and while these characters are outmanned when attacking the temple, you’ll quickly amass a sizeable army if you grab any other NINJAGO sets from this wave.

Like the fire snakes and the Maaray Guards before them, these snakes reuse the same headpiece, which is now starting to feel a little too familiar – although this is plenty understandable considering the 2022 wave is not based on any new content from the show.

However, some variation between the snake pieces would have been appreciated, especially considering that other parts are still in production thanks to the 2021 employee gift.

— Price —

For £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99, 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple looks and feels like nothing short of a steal, with an impressive model of a new home base for the ninjas at a welcoming price point for those who are new to the theme.

With two exclusive minifigures, the latest temple from NINJAGO is not only one of the best in the theme’s history but is undoubtedly worth the asking price – even to those who know nothing about the wider story of NINJAGO, and simply like the build itself.

— Pictures —

— Summary —

When it comes to big NINJAGO sets in early 2022, you have two choices, and they’re both very different. 71765 Ninja Ultra Combo Mech incorporates a novel play feature by combining multiple models into one huge build, but is also distinctly NINJAGO-esque, which may make it hard to integrate into other themes.

On the other hand, 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple delivers a location that straddles the line between traditional and modern, and can easily be reconfigured to suit either of those approaches alone. While it’s packed with present-day amenities – from a supercomputer to, erm, an air-conditioning unit – those sub-assemblies are easy to remove, leaving behind a classic dojo that could be repurposed in any wider LEGO layout.

And for NINJAGO fans? Well, the aim of NINJAGO Core has been described by designer Niek van Slaagmat as a way to introduce new fans to the theme, while still remaining true to the core identity of NINJAGO – and 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple is successful in both those missions. It feels familiar, but at the same time unlike anything we’ve ever seen before in NINJAGO, and with a fair price tag to boot. Don’t miss it.

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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— FAQs —

How long does it take to build LEGO NINJAGO 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple?

LEGO NINJAGO 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple will take you a surprisingly long time to build, with our recorded runtime being just over three hours.

How many pieces are in LEGO NINJAGO 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple?

1,394 pieces are included in 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple, along with eight minifigures – two of which are exclusive to this set.

How big is LEGO NINJAGO 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple?

Make some room on your shelf, as LEGO NINJAGO 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple measures a sprawling 32cm high, 54cm wide and 24cm deep.

How much does LEGO NINJAGO 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple cost?

LEGO NINJAGO 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple will set you back £89.99 in the UK, $99.99 in the US and €99.99 in Europe. It’s available from January 1, 2022.

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