Ninjago S12 - Tumblr Posts
“He only started complaining once everyone else was in Prime Empire. It's literally something he does to put the others at ease. It cannot get any clearer than that.”
Look at what happened in Hunted. When he broke. The others were scared and worried about him. And when he snaps back his usual vocal self, the others are so relieved. Of course Jay is going to double-down on his freak-outs after that, because he realizes how integral they are to the team’s morale (and honestly are probably a coping mechanism for himself to keep calm— not a necessary one, given that we see him do just fine without it, but one that nonetheless still helps)
“Look at him kick Red Visor butt without even an OUNCE of complaint about being without powers”
You know what makes this even more impressive? Prime Empire locks a lot of fighting skills behind upgrades. That means Jay’s been tactical in his fights in how he levels up to unlock more of his abilities and/or is fighting with them anyway despite not properly unlocking them
As for the League— Jay probably needed those kids just as much as they needed him. We see how crushing loneliness is for him. Those kids keep him going— they believe in him, and in turn he believes in himself (he makes that homerun, so to speak). Of course he’s going to do something flashy and cheesy like superstar rockin’ Jay— that’s what’s going to attract kids to join the safe space (the other would be normal Ninja Jay, but he recognizes that would put a target on the back of his establishment and he’s trying to make a safe spot).
Heck, it’s even more obvious that Stardust is Red-Visor free territory— Scott has a tunnel directly from his secret base there. We know Scott would never risk that opening to Unagami if he didn’t know it was safe. And it’s possible Jay’s snuck kids in that way before to keep the attention off Stardust.
This guy found himself trapped within a video game (that we all agree lured him in, right? It did the same to everyone else that played it, and Jay’s the EM of Lightning so it’d absolutely want him in the game) as possibly one of the oldest players (at least in the first wave) with a bunch of kids who range from scared to not realizing they’re in danger, in a world without his powers or fighting skills at first, and he adapts. He forms a safe spot for kids (heck, some of recruits go out like him not only because they idolize him, but because they know others idolize him and are more willing to trust them for help), keeps them entertained and safe so panic doesn’t set in, fights Red Visors, learns how the world operates—
And all that happens in the short time before his team arrives.
The shorts tell of a focus season that got a bit cut in development— it’s possible they were part of the season when Libber was still planned to be involved— and are some of the best Jay characterization in the Wildbrain era.
Prime Empire may not be a good focus season, but it’s still a great season— and personally, I can always count on this amazing fandom for the most incredible Prime Empire content
yup thats right folks. its my monthly jay analysis post.
But now!!! Its about Prime Empire.
Ok guys look. Prime Empire is a terrible focus season. Jay had absolutely no character development and no power development. Nada. Nothin. Its just a “focus season” because he came up with the plan to make the villain good again and had more lines than usual (plus his little “abandoned” speech.)
HOWEVER!!! The Prime Empire shorts do say something. So, as we know, the Wildbrain seasons tend to poopoo on Jay’s character and boil him down to the funny cowardice character who is the weakest of the team. But something the shorts do attest to is the fact that Jay is STILL a ninja! The MOMENT he went into Prime Empire and saw something unjust he stood up to it. He tried to warn people. His desire to protect people goes beyond his job its his identity.
(i'm so sorry for the crappy captions. Youtube's gonna youtube.)And like the meme I posted earlier, he handled himself pretty darn well without the others. He didn't even complain about being alone. He accepted his situation pretty quickly and was already starting to fight against Unagami before the ninja found their way in. (Which you could argue could be because he is experienced with the situation in Skybound.)
And about the League…everyone makes fun of it but i beg yall to think about it for a hot moment. Who all was in Prime Empire?
Thats right. Kids.
When Jay fights the red visors in the shorts, you see the squeals of a bunch of players once they recognize him. Its very childlike and you have to realize that these people are just avatars.
All the people we saw get sucked into the game were kids. Of course theyd flock behind a ninja! And Jay had no problem taking them in and entertaining them and keeping them safe because that was his job! And they all dressed up like him and acted like him because he was their idol!!! And Jay wasnt complaining lol.
Jay acts all unsure of himself most of the time, but Skybound and Prime Empire make it canon that he is a great leader! And an even greater ninja! Sure, compared to Cole he's not as strong. Compared to Nya his personality might not stick out. His power isn't focused on like it is with Kai and Zane...and he isn't the main character chosen one like Lloyd. But these small scenes in his focus seasons remind us that he still was chosen to protect people and is very gosh darn good at it!
I mean, look at him kick red visor butt without even an OUNCE of a complaint about being without powers. (WHILE LOOKING LIKE A SOPPING WET CAT THIS MAN) But yeah appreciate this fight scene please.
Anyways, Jay doesn't get enough credit as a ninja. We forget he was trained for longer than Kai, has one of the most dangerous and powerful elements, is the reason the team can handle intense situations without freaking out, is the master of not one--but TWO chained weapons (known to be one of the most difficult types to master!), and is the ENTIRE REASON THE BOUNTY FLIES??? without ever being acknowledged for any of these! Cut him some slack guys he's awesome. Prime Empire does him so so so dirty.
@emperor-pavoom
I never drew unagami before so I gave it a good ol try
Ngl unagami's design is too hard for me personally to work with so I tried to reinterpt it without changing it much.
I'm not a fan tbh of unagami's design or s12 aesthetically, it's too lazer tag less retro video games. I honestly wish it was more video game-isk.
I'm like 90% sure he's designed of a glitch not video games hence the lines but it's giving me like malware from OV but like....more eye bleeding. I am being a little mean to unagami lol its not a bad design just a little too reliant on patterns.
Interested in seeing me draw something? Read here
Have a good day or night everyone
Bun, feedback