There has been a lingering fear since The LEGO Ninjago Movie was announced. What might happen to the popular Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu series on Cartoon Network? Will it go away to redirect all focus on the movie universe? Will it reboot? Return in 2018? Time travel into oblivion?
A definitive, official answer has yet to present itself. However, Friday’s North American premiere of the LEGO Ninjago: The Hands of Time season offered up evidence today that there will be a bright tomorrow as far as the TV series is concerned.
Spoilers for The Hands of Time will be openly discussed from this point forward so proceed at your own risk.
Update: The Hageman Brothers were already talking about Season 8 during a The Hands of Time premiere episode live chat on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/pjhausner/status/864376844082176000
Now we have to rewrite all of season 8.
— Dan & Kevin Hageman (@brothershageman) May 16, 2017
In the LEGO Ninjago: The Hands of Time finale, the nefarious elemental masters of time, Crux and Acronix, were thwarted by Master Wu as they barreled through time travel in the Iron Doom. The three were headed somewhere in the distant future, “Lost in Time;” the final episode’s ominous title.
As Nya, Kyle, freshly promoted Master Llyod and the rest of the gang came to grips with what just happened, the final image was of Sensei Wu and a promise by Kyle that they wouldn’t stop until he was found and returned home.
In other words, cue Season 8 with Wu, Acronix and Crux all returning.
The LEGO Ninjago Movie bows on September 22nd. Using the standard three month window for home video, that will put The LEGO Ninjago Movie 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital release just before Christmas.
The earliest I would expect Ninjago Season 8 to debut on The Cartoon Network in this timeline is spring 2018. A May release, exactly a year from now, seems like a safe bet.
Regardless of when Season 8 surfaces, at least we know the Ninjago TV universe, which continues to entertain seven seasons in thanks to creators Kevin Hageman and Dan Hageman, will live on.
