Much to the delight of die-hard fans, the LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising team came together at San Diego Comic-Con to celebrate the show. Pamela Keller (LEGO/exec producer), Chris “Doc” Wyatt and Kevin Burke (head writers), Ryan Burns (LEGO/exec producer), Deven Mack (voice of Arin), and Sabrina Pitre (voice of Sora) arrived on the SDCC stage to get deep into the show, its future, and the beautiful heart of friendship and family at its center.
We won’t bury the lede, there were a few super exciting LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising announcements made at the series’ San Diego Comic-Con panel. Firstly, the highly-anticipated part two of the show’s second season finally has a release date window. Ninjago: Dragons Rising season two, part two, will officially release in early October of 2024. That’s practically around the corner! Additionally, at the SDCC panel, Ryan Burns revealed that Ninjago: Dragons Rising is also officially greenlit for season three! What a joyful slew of news.
But the happy announcements don’t even end there. There are also mysterious future excitements on the way. At the SDCC panel, it was noted that 2026 is a big year for Ninjago. Though, of course, classic and current Ninjago stories would be celebrated, the franchise would hopefully introduce something new and unfamiliar to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Let the speculation begin.
In addition to these revelations, the cast and creators of the show also shared some behind-the-scenes stories and their personal meditations on the series and characters. For example, Arin’s love of pies actually comes right from his voice actor Deven Mack, but Mack didn’t even know it. Doc and Burke had actually worked with Deven Mack before on the animated show Super Dinosaur, based on a comic created by Robert Kirkman. On their first day of production on the series, Mack had baked a Super Dinosaur-themed pie that really resonated with the writers. When it came time to create Arin, the duo had Mack in the back of their heads and hoped he might play the role. This was long before casting even began to be a thought, of course. But even still, Doc and Burke wrote in this particular habit of Mack’s into the DNA of Arin.
Hilariously, when Mack was called to audition, he wanted to give someone else a shot at the role, so purposefully made his voice sound younger than he thought it should be. Still, he was given the role and asked to age up his voice. When he finally read the full script and as Arin couldn’t wait to enter a pie competition, he truly understood the role was meant for him. And thus is the fate and circumstance of the casting.
Speaking more widely about the show’s impact and what they want its fans to take away, the panel shared some heartfelt sentiments. With Arin, his ability to find positivity and the bright side of any situation really shines. Meanwhile, Sora’s fierce protection of her friends and her bonds with the creatures around her is worth admiring. Additionally, her ideology is so different than her parts and everything they tried to impose on her, but she really shows that you don’t have to follow along with what people think you should be. You can do what you believe is right.
The show also really stresses that family isn’t necessarily what you’re born into. You can build your family with the people along the way, even if they are animals or other creatures. Those are the people who love you for who you are, no matter what. It’s a powerful message.
Of course, the whole Ninjago: Dragons Rising team hopes to tell engaging stories and keep their characters and their journeys fresh.
As to what fans can expect next from LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising? The creators noted that the City of Temples is filled with people who worship and study Source Dragons. Events are put together in honor of Source Dragons and the energy they use, and everyone comes together to compete. But now, after the merge, Mergelands Masters from every single realm will come together to have this tournament. Additionally, Doc and Burke tease the character of Dareth in the show’s future. They note that they aren’t confirming that Dareth will appear, but they are not denying it either. Specifically, they will say, “The weight of Dareth fan expectations hangs heavy on their shoulders.”
The SDCC panel was certainly an exciting time for fans of LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising. And it sounds like there is only more excitement to come.