Watch LEGO Ninjago: Day of the Departed
- 2016
- 1 Season
-
7.6 (199)
In 2016, LEGO Ninjago released a special episode titled "Day of the Departed." This episode serves as sort of a bridge between seasons 6 and 7 of the popular animated series. The premise of the episode is this: on the Day of the Departed, which is a holiday in the Yin Yang realm where Ninjago is located, the spirits of past villains return to the land of the living, seeking revenge on the ninja who defeated them. This presents a major problem, as the ninja are scattered across the land and don't have their powers anymore.
The main focus of the episode is on Cole, one of the ninja. He's struggling with the fact that he's lost his powers and feels like he's not contributing to the team anymore. Meanwhile, the spirit of one of his former enemies, Yang, has returned and is wreaking havoc in Ninjago City.
Cole goes on a journey to try and get his powers back, encountering the spirits of other villains along the way. Meanwhile, the rest of the ninja are dealing with their own problems. Jay and Nya are trying to stop a group of sky pirates from stealing the city's treasures, Zane is on a solo mission to stop a rogue AI from destroying the city, and Lloyd is dealing with the guilt of not being able to stop the villains from returning.
Overall, "Day of the Departed" is a fun and exciting addition to the Ninjago canon. It's great to see the villains return and cause chaos, and the ninja are as likable as ever. The animation and action sequences are top-notch, as always. The episode also hints at some things to come in season 7, which is a nice touch.
One of the standout elements of the episode is the focus on Cole. He's always been one of the more undeveloped members of the team, so it's great to see him get some much-needed character development. It's also interesting to see him struggle with not having his powers and feeling like he's not needed. It's a relatable issue, even for those of us who aren't ninjas.
The other ninja all get their moments to shine as well. Jay and Nya's storyline is a fun and lighthearted one, with some great humor and action. Zane's subplot is more serious, but still engaging, as he grapples with the idea of an AI running amok. Lloyd's storyline is perhaps the most emotional, as he deals with the guilt of not being able to stop the villains from returning. It's a nice bit of character work for him.
The villains themselves are also great. Yang is a standout, with his wisecracking attitude and tendency to break the fourth wall. The other returning villains are fun as well, even if they don't get as much screen time. It's always great to see characters from previous seasons return, and "Day of the Departed" delivers on that front.
The only real downside to the episode is that it feels a bit rushed. There's a lot going on, and some of the storylines could have benefited from more screen time. Cole's journey, in particular, could have been fleshed out a bit more. It's not a major issue, but it does prevent the episode from reaching its full potential.
Overall, "LEGO Ninjago: Day of the Departed" is a great addition to the series. It's fun, exciting, and features some great character development. It may not be as epic as some of the previous Ninjago specials, but it's definitely worth a watch. Fans of the series will love seeing their favorite characters back in action, and new viewers will find plenty to enjoy as well. It's a great way to bridge the gap between seasons, and sets the stage nicely for what's to come.