Review: 71713 Empire Dragon
Posted by CapnRex101,Dragons have appeared consistently across the NINJAGO range and the majority are associated with the celebrated ninja. 71713 Empire Dragon looks appropriately villainous though, featuring some interesting mechanical designs which are accentuated by dark colours.
Unagami accompanies this brilliant dragon and looks marvellous, although the dragon itself exhibits numerous visual similarities to 70652 Stormbringer. While the earlier creature was certainly appealing, I am hoping this example will deviate significantly from its 2018 predecessor and offer something completely distinct.
Minifigures
Each ninja is appropriately attired for their adventure within the digital universe of Prime Empire and Digi Lloyd looks great, although I generally prefer more traditional designs. The new head wrap component includes a white border around the eyes, thereby contrasting with the surrounding fabric. Lloyd's belt is notable too, featuring creases and contrasting with the remainder of his clothing which seems artificially angular.
Digi Kai is similarly dressed, featuring the same distinctive mask element. However, the colour scheme is completely different and the discs that decorate the torso and legs are unique. This design variation between characters is appreciated and the double-sided head looks great, displaying digital eyes on one side and a concerned facial expression on the other.
Both characters include white shoulder armour where their twin katana are stored. Once again, this armour appears suitably angular for the digital world. I love the printed health bars which are placed behind each character and they both wield interesting swords. The hilts are shaped like video game controllers and feature outstanding dual-moulded detail, including buttons around the textured grip.
NINJAGO villains frequently look exceptionally impressive and Unagami conforms to that tradition, featuring a lovely colour combination of black, white and red. I love his textured hair element and the matching beard. Both component are brand new and I can envisage the beard proving useful for other characters in the future because it seems quite versatile.
Medium blue and red bands cover this entire minifigure, including on the reverse of Unagami's robe which seems suitably regal for the ruler of Prime Empire. Concentric rings also appear across these elements, reminding me of characters from the TRON franchise. Moreover, the red shoulder armour complements the printed designs and is exclusively available with Unagami minifigures.
Arm printing would have improved this minifigure further, although I am fairly satisfied with its present design. Unlike in the aforementioned other sets, the villain lacks his favoured spear on this occasion. Presumably the deadly Empire Dragon is sufficiently menacing and he could wield the trans-orange Key-Tana that is provided, if absolutely necessary.
The Completed Model
Many dragons populate the NINJAGO theme and this creation has drawn comparisons with 70652 Stormbringer, given their matching stances and proportions. However, this model measures 39cm in length, with its tail fully extended, so is considerably smaller than the earlier animal. It looks wonderful though, featuring an interesting combination of black, red and trans-neon orange elements.
Teal components decorate the head which appears slightly strange, although I do think some colour was necessary here as black and dark bluish grey might look bland. Furthermore, I like the pearl dark grey engine which forms the snout and the dark bluish grey tendrils are marvellous, evoking traditional Japanese and Chinese dragons. I was also pleased to discover that the eyes are printed on either side of a 2x2 brick.
Stickers are present across this creature though, including on the neck where Unagami's triangular emblem appears. The neck joints offer reasonable articulation and the lower jaw is attached using a hinge, as demonstrated below. Moreover, you can adjust the spikes around the dragon's head which look splendid as their trans-neon orange and pearl dark grey colours match other areas of the model.
Pearl silver ice skates form sharp claws on each foot. This design looks reasonable, although I think their rectilinear shape should have been softened slightly. Stickers are positioned along the front legs, forming red streaks that reflect Unagami's unusual aesthetic. The trans-neon orange blades that extend from the legs are interesting too and these textured elements have been designed for the Prime Empire range.
Unagami sets between the forelegs. This dragon includes a dedicated cockpit which is unusual but seems appropriate here as this is not an organic creature, instead existing within the digital world of Prime Empire. The colourful control panel looks brilliant and I like the trans-neon orange windscreen that protects the pilot, along with the flanking stud shooters and adjustable armour plates.
The hind legs include considerably less detail than those at the front, although the teal highlights are fitting as they complement other areas of the dragon. Similar details are visible along the tail. Several small ball joints are situated here, offering considerable articulation which is ideal for creating dynamic displays. I like the pearl dark grey ingots as well.
Unfortunately, the hind legs appear somewhat awkward when in motion. They are relatively versatile though and the adjustable feet are useful for providing additional support. Furthermore, the option for outward movement is excellent, particularly at the front as that ensures the trans-neon orange blades do not interfere with the hind legs and elevates their position which looks notably impressive.
Overall
NINJAGO designers have almost perfected the construction of different dragons during recent years and 71713 Empire Dragon is a splendid addition to the selection. Its size is comparatively modest but feels appropriate for a set costing £24.99 or $29.99. Moreover, the minifigures are wonderful and I am especially delighted to see Unagami here as major villains are often restricted to the largest sets.
However, the teal highlights are unappealing in my opinion. I appreciate their even distribution across the model but black, dark bluish grey and trans-neon orange, alongside a few red streaks, would have been sufficient colours in my opinion. The hind legs also seem somewhat awkward. Nevertheless, I am impressed with this dragon and hope to encounter more villainous NINJAGO animals in the future.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your opinion of the set in the comments below.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review is an expression of my own opinions.
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21 comments on this article
Anyone else hearing Blue Monday in their head right now? Maybe some Daft Punk or Depeche Mode? Just me? Okay...
Reminds me a bit of Mega Man X Command Mission or something like that, combined with some similarities to 2152 Robo-Raptor. I haven't really been following this theme ever since Ninjago City seems to have come to an end, but this one is a great value for KFOLs that blows the average LSW design out of the water.
Great set for a great price.
Could be my first Ninjago set...
I personally really like the teal highlights. That unagami minifigure is really cool!
I like the TRON dragon - this new wave has some nice sets, including this one.
With a discount...
Good review! This is definitely nowhere close to the caliber of the theme's most impressive dragons, but it definitely has a really cool and unique cyberspace aesthetic, and helps to make up for the theme's lack of other substantial "bad guy" vehicles in this wave.
Even so, I'm leaning towards skipping this particular set, since all the characters appear in other sets I find more enticing, and it doesn't seem like the sort of set I'd regret missing out on after this wave has ended. As much as I love Ninjago, I'm always looking for opportunities to save some money and resist that ever-so-tempting "collect-them-all" mindset.
I find it interesting that you didn't acknowledge a particularly clever Easter egg in this set — the control panel sticker displays the Konami code (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konami_Code), one of the most widely-known and widely-used video game cheat codes. It can be seen clearly on BrickLink's image of the sticker sheet: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=71713stk01
@CopperTablet: Not gonna lie, this wave gives me major MegaMan vibes, albeit for a different generation of games: the MegaMan Battle Network games of the 2000s, which re-imagined the series's traditional robotic characters as virtual "NetNavis" (Network Navigators) in a cyberspace setting!
I enjoyed those games a bunch as a teenager, and have long envisioned how cool a LEGO theme with a similar cyberspace setting might be. So far, this Ninjago subtheme is the closest we've come to that idea I've had in my head!
I built this one without the stickers so I could convert it into a regular dragon, and I must say it’s pretty disappointing without them. For £25 it’s nice enough but it just feels unfinished. Probably could have benefitted from some more pieces and a slightly higher price tag.
I love the fact that Unigami's design is of a pac-man game!
@Aanchir: it's weird how you pointed that easter egg out because I've just read the news on the code's creator - Kazuhisa Hashimoto's recent death.
Have to disagree there, Capn, the teal is what makes this model. Especially on the head.
I love the colors and the TRON-meets-Gridman aesthetics.
Interesting color scheme but I think it works, though I've kind of fallen out of the theme over the past few years so it doesn't really interest me.
I was going to make one Sci-Fy Asian market but focus is a big factor, as are funds.
No Ninjago news from New York Toy Fair, I take it?
@CopperTablet what did you mean by Ninjago City coming to an end?
Not a bad set; I wish Lego would cut back on Kai though. His Digi form is available in three other sets, whereas Digi Nya is only available in one and we have yet to see a Digi Zane.
Gives me some Spyrius and Ice Planet vibes. Great looking set.
Ninjago's featured some fantastic dragons, the last couple of years (Stormbringer is, I think, one of my favourite sets of all time), and this guy is no exception. If they were going for, "evil digitised dragon", they nailed it. I think he looks absolutely brilliant.
I'm annoyed at the number of stickers (particularly since his eyes were printed), but that aside, he's still on my wish list.
Huw or CapnRex101 I didn’t know we’re else to let you know, but the ninjago legacy combo charger poly bag is listed under the subtheme prime empire not legacy.
@SearchlightRG said:
"(...) we have yet to see a Digi Zane."
Perhaps Digi Zane will be... human... somehow....
While being a big fan of trans-neon colors and Nexo Knights, this wave simply doesn't have the same attraction what Nexo Knights had to me in 2016, getting me back into LEGO.
I do like the Cyber Dragon more then this set, maybe that's because it somehow gives me Insectoids nostalgia vibes with the blue and transparent neon yellow wings.
But that set also has the advantage of 2x the parts
@SearchlightRG and @bananaworld: Believe it or not, there's already a confirmed design for Digi Zane — he shows up on one of the Ninjago trading cards from the latest series! https://www.stick-it-now.de/sammelkarten/2020/lego-ninjago-trading-cards-serie-5-2020/lego-ninjago-trading-cards-serie-5-2020-nr.-30
It is surprising that he doesn't show up in any sets this wave, and when set details for this wave were first emerging and I hadn't yet caught up on "The Ice Chapter" of the latest TV season, it had me VERY worried that Zane might've reached the end of his ninja journey (for example, either dying or remaining in the Never-Realm).
Since the summer wave this year is apparently not going to be "Prime Empire" related, I suspect any physical minifigure for Digi Zane will probably end up as some non-standard release like a book exclusive, accessory pack exclusive, polybag exclusive, or a promo release like the Bricktober assortments and Target minifigure cubes from past years.
Great set and minifigures!