Seabound is the fourteenth and penultimate season of the animated Ninjago television series (titled Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu before the eleventh season).[1] The series was created by Michael Hegner and Tommy Andreasen.[2] The season aired in April 2021, following The Island,[1] which aired in March of the same year. It is followed by the fifteenth and final season, Crystalized.

Ninjago: Seabound
Season 14
Seabound poster
Starring
No. of episodes16
Release
Original networkNetflix
Original releaseApril 4 (2021-04-04) –
April 30, 2021 (2021-04-30) (Canada)
Season chronology
← Previous
The Island
Next →
Crystalized
List of episodes

The season focuses on the main ninja character Nya.[3] It follows the storyline of her elemental powers being disrupted and how this is connected to an ancient mythical creature. The plot involves the ninja characters Jay, Zane, PIXAL, and Lloyd journeying deep beneath the sea to explore the mystery behind Nya's elemental powers .[4] The season introduces two antagonists named Miss Demeanor and Prince Kalmaar, with the latter being the season's main antagonist.[5] It is dedicated to Kirby Morrow, the voice actor for the character Cole, who died prior to the season's premiere.[6]

Voice cast

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Main

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Supporting

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Casting

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Seabound is the last season to feature Kirby Morrow as the voice actor for the main character Cole, which he had voiced for a decade since the beginning of the series.[36] On 25 November 2020, The Lego Group confirmed in a statement on Twitter that the actor had completed his recordings for the season and that it would be dedicated to his memory. The statement also said, "We mourn the tragic loss of Ninjago actor Kirby Morrow who voiced Cole for more than ten years. His dedicated portrayal brought a unique sensibility to the character and gave hours of joy to the countless fans who have enjoyed Ninjago since 2011."[6]

The voice actor for the main antagonist of the season, Kalmaar, was revealed to be Giles Panton by co-creator Tommy Andreasen on Twitter on 7 April 2021.[37][38]

Release

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Anticipation for the season grew in early 2021, prior to its release. This was fuelled by several story hints dropped in the preceding months by co-creator Tommy Andreasen on Twitter, which included the comment that, "one ninja will change dramatically in stories to come".[39][40] An official poster for the season was released in March 2021 on Lego Life, which depicted the six main ninja characters in mid-dive with Nya in the centre, emphasising her role as the focal character of the season.[41] On 16 May 2021, lead writer Bragi Schut confirmed on Twitter that Seabound is the fourteenth season of the series[1] but on 10 June of the same year, he clarified that he considers the fourteenth season to be both The Island and Seabound.[42] However, co-creator Tommy Andreasen previously stated on 18 May 2021 that he considers The Island and Seabound to be two different installments.[43]

Plot

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While trying to stop a criminal named Miss Demeanor from smuggling vengestone, Nya begins to lose control of her powers. Master Wu tells the ninja that the First Spinjitzu Master once controlled the elements but never wind and water because they belonged to Wojira, a storm sea snd sky spirit and god. Wojira fell into a deep slumber after a warrior pried both of the amulets off the serpent's forehead. Ray and Maya arrive to help Nya control her powers.[N 1] While P.I.X.A.L. and Zane are out on a mission, they experience an energy pulse from deep in the ocean and conclude that it affected Nya's powers. The ninja decide to investigate on the Hydro Bounty, a submersible vessel.[N 2]

Nya, Jay, Lloyd, Zane, and P.I.X.A.L. journey to the depths of the ocean with Maya stowed away on board. Unfortunately, the Hydro Bounty crashes causing them to be stranded.[N 3] Maya and Nya decide to use mechs to reach the energy source and discover an underwater temple. They find Kalmaar, the son of King Trimaar, trying to awaken the serpent Wojira.[N 4] He takes them prisoner and overhears Nya revealing the location of the Storm Amulet. Meanwhile, Jay decides to risk charging the battery in the Hydro Bounty using his elemental powers.[N 5] Nya and Maya are rescued by Jay and Lloyd but they are captured and taken to King Trimaar who accuses them of trespassing. Kalmaar performs a palace coup by striking his father with his weapon and declaring himself king of the Merlopians. His adopted brother Benthomaar learns the truth from Trimaar.[N 6] Benthomaar helps the ninja to escape Merlopia. They decide to travel to the island to obtain the Storm Amulet before Kalmaar can claim it.[N 7] The tragic tale of Benthomaar is revealed, a tale filled with treachery and betrayal, but also a glimmer of hope.[N 8]

On the Island of the Keepers, the ninja warn Chief Mammatus to prepare to defend the Storm Amulet. However, Zane realises it is a fake and that the real amulet was taken by Clutch Powers to the Explorers Club.[N 9] Wu, Cole, Misako, Kai and Ray arrive at the Explorers Club and are forced to battle Kalmaar. Meanwhile, Nya uses her powers to call whales to bring the stranded Hydro Bounty back to Ninjago City.[N 10] As Kai is pursuing Kalmaar through the streets of Ninjago City, Antonia and Nelson obtain the amulet and are chased by Kalmaar, but he escapes with the amulet.[N 11] Benthomaar tells the ninja the tale of Nyad, the first Elemental Master of Water, who defeated Wojira by becoming one with the ocean. When Kalmaar tries to leave the city, Nya steals the amulet and Cole takes it to Shintaro for protection without realising it is fake, allowing Kalmaar to reawaken Wojira.[N 12]

Rising sea levels mark the invasion of Ninjago City by Kalmaar riding on Wojira, which forces the citizens to evacuate.[N 13] While the ninja are trying to save civilians, Nya challenges Kalmaar and Wojira.[N 14] Jay becomes trapped in his submersible vehicle and is saved by Benthomaar, but inhales water in his lungs. To save Jay and Ninjago City, Nya becomes one with the ocean, an act that can never be undone, causing the water to be removed from Jay's lungs.[N 15] A battle takes place between the ninja and Kalmaar in which Benthomaar breaks Kalmaar's trident causing him to lose control of Wojira. This results in Kalmaar being swallowed whole by Wojira. Nya transforms into a water dragon and defeats Wojira by destroying the Wave Amulet. Having merged with the endless sea, however, Nya can no longer remain on land and feels the ocean calling to her. After a tearful goodbye, she leaves the Ninja and returns to the ocean. Afterwards, the ninja hold a memorial ceremony to honor her and Nya is seen happily swimming with the whales in a final shot.[N 16]

Episodes

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1651"A Big Splash"Shane PoettckerBragi SchutApril 4, 2021 (2021-04-04)
When Nya loses control of her elemental powers, the ninja search for answers, which may lie with the former master of water, Nya’s mother.
1662"The Call of the Deep"Wade CrossBragi SchutApril 4, 2021 (2021-04-04)
Nya's mother, Maya, arrives with help on how to regain control of Nya’s power. Zane and P.I.X.A.L. discover something else that may be behind the disturbances.
1673"Unsinkable"Daniel IfeKevin Burke & Chris "Doc" WyattApril 11, 2021 (2021-04-11)
The ninja embark on a mission to uncover the source of a mysterious power signal that is disrupting marine life, and Nya’s powers.
1684"Five Thousand Fathoms Down"Shane PoettckerBragi SchutApril 11, 2021 (2021-04-11)
They discover the source of the energy pulse that has been affecting Nya’s powers, and come face-to-face with a dangerous new villain, named Prince Kalmaar.
1695"The Wrath of Kalmaar"Wade CrossBragi SchutApril 18, 2021 (2021-04-18)
Nya and her mother Maya try to escape the evil Prince Kalmaar, who intends to seize the throne of his father, the benevolent King Trimaar.
1706"Long Live the King"Daniel IfeKevin Burke & Chris "Doc" WyattApril 18, 2021 (2021-04-18)
Prince Kalmaar deceives the Merlopians and turns the ninja into fugitives after falsely attacking his father King Trimaar.
1717"Escape from Merlopia"Shane PoettckerBragi SchutApril 25, 2021 (2021-04-25)
Aided by Benthomaar, Kalmaar's adopted brother, the ninja fight their way through the palace to the Hydro Bounty and must escape Kalmaar's forces.
1728"The Tale of Benthomaar"Wade CrossKevin Burke and Chris "Doc" WyattApril 25, 2021 (2021-04-25)
The tragic tale of Benthomaar is revealed… a tale filled with treachery, betrayal, but also a glimmer of hope.
1739"The Storm Amulet"Daniel IfeBragi SchutApril 27, 2021 (2021-04-27)
Nya and the ninja race to obtain the Storm Amulet before Prince Kalmaar can obtain it and use it to awaken the doomsday serpent, Wojira.
17410"Riddle of the Sphinx"Shane PoettckerKevin Burke and Chris "Doc" WyattApril 27, 2021 (2021-04-27)
In Ninjago City, Wu, Cole, Kai, Ray, and Misako must get into the Explorer’s Club and recover the Storm Amulet before King Kalmaar and his troops.
17511"Papergirl"Wade CrossBragi SchutApril 28, 2021 (2021-04-28)
King Kalmaar attacks Ninjago City to obtain the Storm Amulet but runs into an unexpected obstacle in the form of a determined young papergirl.
17612"Master of the Sea"Daniel IfeKevin Burke and Chris "Doc" WyattApril 28, 2021 (2021-04-28)
Nya learns the history of the Storm Amulet. Wu, Kai, Cole, Ray, and Misako try to prevent King Kalmaar from escaping the city with the Storm Amulet.
17713"The Calm Before the Storm"Shane PoettckerBragi SchutApril 29, 2021 (2021-04-29)
Kalmaar awakens Wojira and sets his sights on the destruction of Ninjago City.
17814"Assault on Ninjago City"Wade CrossKevin Burke and Chris "Doc" WyattApril 29, 2021 (2021-04-29)
The ninja do all they can to evacuate the city as Kalmaar's assault on the surface-world of Ninjago begins.
17915"Nyad"Daniel IfeBragi SchutApril 30, 2021 (2021-04-30)
The ninja suffer a defeat at the hands of Wojira and Nya contemplates a decision that may save her friends and her city but could spell her own doom.
18016"The Turn of the Tide"Wade Cross and Shane PoettckerBragi SchutApril 30, 2021 (2021-04-30)
Nya leads the ninjas against King Kalmaar and Wojira in the final battle to save Ninjago City.

Accolades

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In 2022, Seabound received 4 nominations in the Animation Series category of the Leo Awards for Best Program (jointly with The Island), Best Direction for the "Turn of the Tide", Best Art Direction for "Nyad" and Best Sound for "Assault on Ninjago City".[44]

References

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Primary

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  1. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 1 "A Big Splash"
  2. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 2 "The Call of the Deep"
  3. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 3 "Unsinkable"
  4. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 4 "Five Thousand Fathoms Down"
  5. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 5 "The Wrath of Kalmaar"
  6. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 6 "Long Live the King"
  7. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 7 "Escape from Merlopia"
  8. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 8 "The Tale of Benthomaar"
  9. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 9 "The Storm Amulet"
  10. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 10 "Riddle of the Sphinx"
  11. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 11 "Papergirl"
  12. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 12 "Master of the Sea"
  13. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 13 "The Calm Before the Storm"
  14. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 14 "Assault on Ninjago City"
  15. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 15 "Nyad"
  16. ^ Ninjago, Season 14, Episode 16 "The Turn of the Tide"

Secondary

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  1. ^ a b c Schut, Bragi (16 May 2021). "15 is the season currently being written. Did you mean 14?". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  2. ^ Singh, Prerna (2021-01-26). "Ninjago Season 14: Everything We Know". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  3. ^ Yates, Jack (2021-03-03). "LEGO NINJAGO making waves as Season 15 poster revealed". Brick Fanatics. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  4. ^ "Ninjago: Seabound (2021) - Movie". www.moviefone.com. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  5. ^ "LEGO NINJAGO Seasons 14 and 15 are coming to the UK next week". Brick Fanatics. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  6. ^ a b "Speechless". Twitter. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  7. ^ "Lloyd". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  8. ^ "Kai". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  9. ^ "Jay". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  10. ^ "Zane". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  11. ^ "Cole". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  12. ^ "Nya". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  13. ^ "Sensei Wu". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  14. ^ "P.I.X.A.L." Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  15. ^ Michaels, Jillian. "She's back! Maya, former Elemental Master of Water". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  16. ^ Yates, Jack (2021-04-11). "Is this the release date of the LEGO NINJAGO Seabound sets?". Brick Fanatics. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  17. ^ "Cole Howard (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  18. ^ "Erin Matthews (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  19. ^ "Ron Halder (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  20. ^ "Misako Voices (LEGO Ninjago)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  21. ^ "Ray". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  22. ^ "Paul Dobson (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  23. ^ "Michael Adamthwaite (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  24. ^ a b "Brian Drummond (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  25. ^ "Kirby Morrow (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  26. ^ "Brynna Drummond (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  27. ^ "David Raynolds (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  28. ^ "Tabitha St Germain (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  29. ^ "Sabrina Pitre (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  30. ^ "Police Commissioner". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  31. ^ "Gayle Gossip". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  32. ^ "Darreth". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  33. ^ "Patty Keys". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  34. ^ "Sam Vincent (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  35. ^ "Jillian Michaels (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  36. ^ Countryman, Eli (2020-11-20). "Kirby Morrow, 'Dragon Ball Z' and 'Ninjago' Voice Actor, Dies at 47". Variety. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  37. ^ Yates, Jack (2021-04-11). "Is this the release date of the LEGO NINJAGO Seabound sets?". Brick Fanatics. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  38. ^ Andreasen, Tommy (7 April 2021). "Since 'Ninjago: Seabound' has started making its way into your lives, it is only fitting we reveal that this handsome devil is played by none other than the super talented @G_Panton". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  39. ^ Singh, Prerna (2021-01-26). "Ninjago Season 14: Release Date, Voice Cast, New Season Airs in 2021". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  40. ^ Andreasen, Tommy (17 June 2020). "... well ... one ninja will change dramatically in stories to come". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  41. ^ Yates, Jack (2021-03-03). "LEGO NINJAGO making waves as Season 15 poster revealed". Brick Fanatics. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  42. ^ Schut, Bragi (10 June 2021). "In my opinion Seabound and the Island are one season". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  43. ^ Andreasen, Tommy (18 May 2021). "I consider them as two chapters". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  44. ^ "2022 LEO AWARDS, Nominees by Program". Retrieved 2022-05-25.