LEGO NINJAGO designer comments on theme’s present and future
A senior designer for LEGO NINJAGO has commented on how the theme can be handled differently from IP-based ranges, as well as its future.
Recent interviews with LEGO NINJAGO senior designer Dimitrios Stamatis have revealed the genesis of the new Legends subtheme, that the team are open to more diverse minifigures, and the challenges of developing sets and a series in tandem.
Another notable quote from the discussions with the designer is now shining the spotlight on what it’s like to develop NINJAGO compared to IP-based themes, and the future of LEGO NINJAGO.
“No, and the more we see people liking what we do, the more engagement we get, the more we can do because there’s a case to be made that people support and want this,” shared the designer when asked by Stud City if there was any sign of NINJAGO slowing down soon.
This follows a tease from Brickworld Chicago for NINJAGO’s next chapter in 2026, when the theme will be turning 15 years old and celebrating its anniversary. It’s clear that the designer has a lot of passion for the theme, and as long as the fans keep supporting it, NINJAGO will have a reason to continue. A similar comment was made about NINJAGO Legends, as well.
The interview then turned towards the topic of IP and what NINJAGO allows for creatively, since NINJAGO is a property owned directly by the LEGO Group, unlike the likes of Marvel, One Piece and more. LEGO NINJAGO offers the designers an opportunity to represent themselves in the theme and sets, which cannot be said when tackling something owned by another company.
“We are fans of NINJAGO; we are not just doing a job at this point. We express a lot of ourselves in it, because we don’t work with an IP that has established stuff. Everything is ours, including the designs and ideas. Everybody who’s involved creatively is super engaged because it’s a rare opportunity to be able to do the coolest thing you can imagine.
“There are always struggles, because the reality is you can aspire to do more than is technically feasible. There are constraints and all the LEGO standards that need to be followed, which also dictate when we need to tone back some of the ideas, or switch directions for different reasons, from other themes stepping on our toes or needing to make space for other projects to flourish.”
LEGO NINJAGO’s development cycle still presents challenges, but Dimitris shares why he has been with the theme for nearly 10 years, finding a part of himself in the LEGO franchise.
“There are always challenges, but from a creative perspective, for me it speaks to who I am, and that’s why I’ve been engaged with NINJAGO for so long. I don’t see myself leaving it because it’s so me.”
While we wait to find out what awaits us in LEGO NINJAGO’s future, the new wave of sets is out now in the UK and Europe, and it will launch in the US on August 1. This is with the exception of the display-focused 71846 The Fire Knight Mech and 71847 The Guardian Dragon.
LEGO NINJAGO 2025 sets
| LEGO set | Price | Pieces | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30700 Arin vs. Dragonian | TBC | 48 | June 1, 2025 |
| 71823 Kai’s Dragon Spinjitzu Spinner | £8.99 / $9.99 / €9.99 | 54 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71824 Sora’s Dragon Spinjitzu Spinner | £8.99 / $9.99 / €9.99 | 56 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71826 Dragon Spinjitzu Battle Pack | £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 | 186 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71827 Zane’s Battle Suit Mech | £8.99 / $19.99 / €9.99 | 92 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71828 Lloyd’s Pull-Back Race Car | £19.99 / $29.99 / €24.99 | 181 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71829 Lloyd’s Green Forest Dragon | £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 | 128 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71830 Kai’s Mech Storm Rider | £44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99 | 333 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71831 Ninja Spinjitzu Temple | £34.99 / $39.99 / €39.99 | 158 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71832 Thunderfang Dragon of Chaos | £64.99 / $69.99 / €69.99 | 668 | March 1, 2025 |
| 71833 Ras and Arin’s Super Storm Jet | £44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99 | 510 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71834 Zane’s Ultra Combiner Mech | £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 | 1,187 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71836 Arc Dragon of Focus | £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 | 869 | March 1, 2025 |
| 71837 NINJAGO City Workshops | £219.99 / $249.99 / €249.99 | 3,244 | March 1, 2025 |
| 71838 Kai’s Motorcycle Speed Race | £8.99 / $9.99 / €9.99 | 79 | June 1, 2025 |
| 71839 Arin’s Spinjitzu Mech | £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 | 213 | June 1, 2025 |
| 71840 Rogue vs. Drix Race Car Duel | £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 | 111 | June 1, 2025 |
| 71841 Dragonian Storm Village | £34.99 / $39.99 / €39.99 | 305 | January 1, 2025 |
| 71842 Rontu the Master Dragon | £39.99 / $44.99 / €44.99 | 381 | June 1, 2025 |
| 71843 Rogue’s Mech Dragon Rider | £59.99 / $74.99 / €69.99 | 584 | June 1, 2025 |
| 71844 Ninja Combat Vehicle | £79.99 / $89.99 / €89.99 | 561 | June 1, 2025 |
| 71845 Lloyd’s Jet Mech | £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 | 1,112 | June 1, 2025 |
| 71846 The Fire Knight Mech | £109.99 / $119.99 / €119.99 | 996 | June 1, 2025 |
| 71847 The Guardian Dragon | £139.99 / $149.99 / €149.99 | 1,650 | June 1, 2025 |
| 71848 The Temple Bounty | £179.99 / $199.99 / €179.99 | 2,387 | June 1, 2025 |
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