Sons of Garmadon is the eighth season of the computer-animated television series Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu (titled Ninjago from the eleventh season onward). The series was created by Michael Hegner and Tommy Andreasen. The season aired from 16 April to 25 May 2018, following the seventh season titled Hands of Time. It is succeeded by the ninth season titled Hunted.
The eighth season was the first season to be produced following the release of the 2017 film The Lego Ninjago Movie, which had significant impact on its development. The season adopted the new character designs from the movie, including face and hair alterations for the main ninja characters that differed significantly from the previous seasons. This was a particularly controversial move for existing fans of the show. The central character Lloyd Garmadon was given a new voice actor Sam Vincent, replacing Jillian Michaels.
The season introduces the character Princess Harumi as the season's main antagonist, who is revealed to be the leader of a criminal biker gang called the Sons of Garmadon. The storyline follows Harumi's plan to steal three Oni masks in order to resurrect Lord Garmadon in a purely evil form. The season also resolves a cliffhanger that occurs at the end of the previous season titled Hands of Time, in which the main character Master Wu is seemingly lost in the time vortex. The eighth season sees the return of the character, who has been aged backwards to appear as a baby. The season ends with the return of Lord Garmadon and the defeat of the ninja, resulting in a cliffhanger that is resolved in the subsequent season.
Voice cast
Main
Sam Vincent as Lloyd Garmadon, the Green Ninja
Vincent Tong as Kai, the red ninja and Elemental Master of Fire
Michael Adamthwaite as Jay, the blue ninja and Elemental Master of Lightning
Brent Miller as Zane, the white ninja and Elemental Master of Ice
Kirby Morrow as Cole, the black ninja and Elemental Master of Earth
Kelly Metzger as Nya, the Elemental Master of Water and Kai's sister
Britt McKillip as Princess Harumi
Supporting
Mark Oliver as Lord Garmadon
Jennifer Hayward as P.I.X.A.L. a female nindroid
Paul Dobson as Sensei Wu, the wise teacher of the ninja
Caleb Skeris as Wu (baby) Kathleen Barr as Misako Alan Marriott as Dareth Tabitha St. Germain as Mystake Michael Donovan as Samurai X Garry Chalk as Killow Maggie Blue O'Hara as Ultra Violet Ellen Kennedy as the Empress Richard Newman as the Emperor Alan Marriott as Hutchins/The Mechanic Brent Miller as Mr. E Michael Adamthwaite as Luke Cunningham Michael Donovan as Police Commissioner Kelly Sheridan as Gayle Gossip
Production
Character design
Sons of Garmadon was the first season to be produced following the release of the 2017 film The Lego Ninjago Movie, which was the third film in The Lego Movie franchise. The season title and opening scene were revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2017. The eighth season adopted new designs for the main ninja characters that had appeared in the movie, including new hair and face designs. This was a particularly controversial change with existing fans of the show. As a result of the controversy, co-creator Tommy Andreasen released a statement on Twitter confirming that the eighth season was a continuation of the preceding storyline and stating, "Several characters like Zane and Cole have had major updates during the series' long run. Usually these changes happen within the episodes. This time however since time has passed since the end of Hands of Time, the changes are simply there. Where it may raise questions as you first encounter it, most of these changes will be touched upon in the episodes. The most notable change you have already seen on Lloyd. The other Ninja, though they may have some adjustments, will be using the original face rigs from the series and be voiced by the original voice cast, so rest assured that these are in fact the characters you know and love." Sons of Garmadon was also the first season in the series in which the character Lloyd Garmadon was voiced by Sam Vincent, replacing Jillian Michaels as voice actor.
Animation
The animation for the season continued at Wil Film ApS in Denmark. For the eighth season Wil Film made changes to their production pipeline to make visual improvements to the show.
Direction
Peter Hauser was the season director, with Louise Barkholt as producer.
Writing
The season was written by Dan and Kevin Hageman, who were also the season's executive producers and the original writers from the beginning of the show.