Hands of Time (sometimes referred to as The Hands of Time) is the seventh 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 15 to 26 May 2017, following the television special titled Day of the Departed. It is succeeded by the eighth season titled Sons of Garmadon. Hands of Time was the only season released in 2017 and was the last season to be produced before the release of The Lego Ninjago Movie.
The season introduces the two main antagonists called the "Hands of Time" (also known as the "Time Twins"), two brothers who are Elemental Masters and have the ability to control time. The storyline follows the Hands of Time as they retrieve four time blades scattered across Ninjago and involves the main ninja characters Kai and Nya following the Time Twins back through time. The season ends with a cliffhanger that involves Sensei Wu being lost in time, which was not resolved until the release of Sons of Garmadon.
Voice cast
Main
Jillian Michaels 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, Kai's sister
Paul Dobson as Sensei Wu, the wise teacher of the ninja
Michael Daingerfield as Krux/Dr. Saunders
Ian Hanlin as Acronix
Supporting
Jennifer Hayward as P.I.X.A.L. a female nindroid
Kathleen Barr as Misako
Kathleen Barr as Machia
Lee Tockar as Cyrus Borg
Brian Dobson as Ronin
Alan Marriott as Dareth
Vincent Tong as Ray
Jillian Michaels as Maya
Release
On 19 December 2016, a 60-second trailer to promote the season was released on the Lego YouTube channel. The season premiered on Cartoon Network on 15 May 2017 with the release of the first episode titled The Hands of Time. The subsequent episodes were released throughout May 2017 until the release of the season finale titled Lost in Time on 26 May of the same year.
Plot
Acronix emerges from the time vortex, after being trapped for 40 years, and Master Wu challenges him in combat. During the fight, the Forward Time Blade arrives through the vortex and Acronix uses it to hit Wu with a time punch that accelerates his aging. Acronix reunites with his brother Krux. Wu relates the history of the Hands of Time, twin brothers, who were once allied with the Elemental Masters, but betrayed them. Ray and Maya had forged four Time Blades, which Wu and Garmadon used to absorb the twins' elemental powers, before banishing them into the vortex. Krux had emerged from the vortex years ago and disguised himself as Dr. Sander Saunders, curator of the Ninjago History Museum.
The Hands of Time proceed with their master plan. Krux has bred an army of Vermillion warriors formed from snakes. The twins abduct Cyrus Borg and various workers from Ninjago City to build the Iron Doom, a time-traveling mech. The ninja attempt to fight the Vermillion but discover that they can immediately reform upon defeat. Kai visits Ninjago History Museum and fights the Time Twins with Nya. Krux tells Kai that his parents were traitors and helped the Hands of Time forge the Vermillion armour. The Vermillion recover the Slow-Mo Time Blade from the desert, but the ninja take it from them. The Vermillion then launch an attack on the Temple of Airjitzu and during the battle, the Hands of Time escape with both Time Blades and Wu as their captive. They retrieve the Pause Time Blade from the top of a mountain.
The ninja split up to rescue Cyrus, the workers, and Wu. Kai visits the Blacksmith Shop and confronts his father, calling him a traitor. His parents explain that they were forced to work for Krux and that 40 years prior they hid the Reversal Time Blade in a secret location. The Hands of Time force Kai and Nya to retrieve the Reversal Blade from the Boiling Sea. They travel to its location by creating a Fusion Dragon, but on their return are attacked by Krux and Acronix, resulting in Ray being hit by the Forward Time Blade, which rapidly advances his age.