LEGO® NINJAGO® review: mech sets 71806, 71807 & 71808

Over the years we've seen many mechs in the LEGO® NINJAGO® line-up and their builds have increasingly evolved through time. In 2024 the designers are introducing new elements to bring even more build options and play features.

Today we’ll be taking a look at 3 mechs from the first wave of 2024 sets; 71806 Cole's Earth Mech, 71807 Sora's Tech Mech and 71808 Kai's Fire Mech.

Products in this article were gifted by The LEGO Group; the author's opinions are their own. This article contains affiliate links to LEGO.com; we may get a small commission if you purchase.

All sets release 1 January 2024

71806 Cole's Elemental Earth Mech
$19.99/ £17.99/ 19.99€/ AU$39.99
235 parts
Set 71806 on LEGO.com

71807 Sora's Elemental Tech Mech
$19.99/ £17.99/ 19.99€/ AU$34.99
209 parts
Set 71807 on LEGO.com

71808 Kai's Elemental Fire Mech
$29.99/ £24.99/ 29.99€/ AU$59.99
322 parts
Set 71808 on LEGO.com

Last September, New E reporter Caz Mockett conducted an interview with designers Niek van Slagmaat and Lee Chi Wing during the RLFM Days, where they talked about the development of the sets:

We have a concept which is nicknamed “Mix ‘n’ Mech” or “Mechs ‘n’ Match” as they all have interchangeable parts! Because of the way that they’re built, we’ve created a new ratchet element for the waist to easily switch between the different upper torso sections of these mechs. We have one for our new character Sora, one for mainstay Cole, and then, of course, there’s got to be a red one!

– Niek van Slagmaat

New moulds

Brick Special 1 x 2 with Rotation Joint Pin (part 4920)

LEGO® Galidor is still alive! In spirit, that is:

This one is basically like a male version of the 4 plate-tall ratchet brick that we introduced in Optimus Prime last year [Brick Special 1 x 2 x 1 1/3 with Rotation Joint Socket, part 80431]. It’s one brick tall and it just has a “LEGO Galidor Snap” sticking out of it. It lets us create this linear rotation which has a click to it, which is something we can’t do in a compact space [until now] and we’re hoping to use it more throughout the line. It allows us to easily snap these off so we can switch the torsos... very much like LEGO Galidor as well!

– Niek van Slagmaat

The ratchet comes in the form of Brick Special 1 x 2 with Rotation Joint Pin (4920), found in each set once in White (6472887). The pin features the same teeth found on other pins in the Rotation Joint family like Technic Rotation Joint Ball Loop with Two Perpendicular Pins with Friction (47455) seen on the bottom left photo above in grey. 

The pin fits in standard holes, but is only functional when connected to the socket side of the family (top right), so the brick attached sideways has no click friction. As Niek mentioned, the cleanest fit is found with the Brick Special 1 x 2 x 1 1/3 with Rotation Joint Socket (80431), described last year by Zach, leaving a single module gap between the two elements (bottom right).

Brick Special 4 x 6 x 2 with Bar, 4 Studs (part 4986)

The other new mold is Brick Special 4 x 6 x 2 with Bar, 4 Studs (4986), coming 4x in Black (6466417) for Cole, 4x in Red (6466698) for Kai and 2x in Pearl Gold (6466418) for Sora. 

The additional element is the new shell piece, which allows us to build over joints and make it easier to cover up the parts of the mech you don’t really want to see like ball joints and hinges. It combines very well with the existing limb elements.

– Niek van Slagmaat

Caz noted the element seems to be a hybrid between Slope Curved 4 x 3 with 3 Layers, 1 x 3 Cutout on Underside (66955) and Brick Special 4 x 5 x 2 with Bar, 4 Studs (79896), seen above top in Dark Blue and Red.

Exactly. This is done in an effort to expand our shape-line in LEGO NINJAGO which means we can build models which are dominant age models – so these are all 7+ age mark – while maintaining an aesthetic which is pleasing, and making sure it looks super-cool. There’s a cross-hole connector going all the way through, which is very useful. There’s studs on the top, anti studs on the bottom, studs on the side and a bar at the bottom; all designed within the LEGO System in such a way that we can use and build around joints as well.

– Niek van Slagmaat

The mold has a 4 x 6 footprint, and all studs and the bar on the back line up when we build some scaffolding around the shell. 

The side studs line up with standard SNOT bricks. This means the underside sticks out a bit, similar to the new mold update for Plate Special 2 x 2 x 2/3 with Two Studs On Side and Two Raised. Just like how that plate lost its function as a stud reversal, we can’t place 2 of these new shells back to back and connect them with a plate on the side studs without stressing the parts. Of course you can put an axle through the top of the shells to achieve the configuration. Add a Technic Brick 1 x 1 with Axle Hole on that axle and you get a stud to place in a tongue for a Sarlacc!

If the mold ever appears in a green, it will make a great Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors, and maybe we'll see it pop up in the Botanical Collection at some point.

Other new elements

Recolors

Aside from the minifig parts there are 7 recolors to be found; 4 opaque and 3 translucent.

• Brick Special 4 x 5 x 2 with Bar, 4 Studs in Dark Blue (6472667 | 79896), found in 71808
• Brick Special 4 x 5 x 2 with Bar, 4 Studs in Black (6466691 | 79896), found in 71806
• Weapon Sword / Khopesh in Flat Silver (6461579 | 93247), found in 71806 and 71808
• Plate Angled 2 x 2 with Step and Hole in Center in Bright Light Orange (6466696 | 79846), found in 71808

• Brick 1 x 2 without Bottom Tube in Trans-Orange (6466832 | 3065), found in 71806
• Wave / Lightning with Axle Hole in Trans-Orange (6466697 | 2149), found in 71808
• Large Figure Weapon 6 Blade Ninja Star / Shuriken in Trans-Dark Pink (6466693 | 41125), found in 71807

Decorated elements

Most new prints can be found in the minifigures but we do get a single new printed tile: Tile Round 2 x 2 with new print in Pearl Gold (6467216), found in all 3 sets. There are no stickers to be found in the three sets.

Minifigures

The good guys are represented by Cole (71806), Sora (71807) and Zane and Kai (71808). The heads are all from the July 2023 wave of LEGO NINJAGO sets, but most of the body parts are new.

Cole

• New molded Wrap with Black Mask in Oranee (6468747 | 4910)
• New printed Torso in Black (6469027)
• New printed Legs in Black (6464356)

Sora

Sora is a bit boring in that she doesn’t feature any new elements. She has been seen with her Coral hair once before in 71799 NINJAGO City Markets, with the bandana being the only addition here.

Zane

• New molded Wrap with White Mask in Medium Azure (6469028 | 4910)
• New printed Torso in White (6469558)
• New printed Legs in White (6464361)

Kai

• New molded Wrap with Red Mask in Dark Red (6473615 | 4910)
• New printed Torso in Red (6469417)
• New printed Legs in Dark Red (6464343)

The wave introduces new baddies. Each set comes with a Wolf Mask fig in various forms. They all come with a new mold for Wrap with Dark Blue Wolf Mask in Medium Azure (6468746 | 4919) and a new printed head (6464352), torso (6469272) and legs (6464354) in Dark Blue. 

The version in 71806 (left) wears a Minifig Neckwear Armor Shoulder Pads in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6315048 | 41637) which has been seen in 3 other sets. The Claw Warrior (bottom) found in 71807 is the most elaborate with Wolverine claws, a neck bracket and either additional claws or some sort of energy effect. The version in 71808 (right) is the most basic, but that is compensated by the introduction of another character; Jordana, seen on the left.

Jordana comes with a recolor for Hair Ponytail and Fringe in Dark Red (6468881 | 13785) and Minifig Neckwear Fur Collar in Sand Blue (6468880 | 26066). Her head in Yellow (6464357) and torso (6469005) and legs (6464359) in Dark Blue feature a new print.

Other elements of interest

This article is already getting long so I’ll limit this section to elements that have appeared in a single set previously.

• Brick Special 4 x 5 x 2 with Bar, 4 Studs in Bright Red/ Red (6371691 | 79896), found in 71808
• Brick Special 4 x 5 x 2 with Bar, 4 Studs in White (6365685 | 79896), found in 71807
• Slope 45° 2 x 1 Double / Inverted with Bottom Stud Holder in Dark Blue (6470882 | 3049), found in 71807, is the odd one in the group, as it has appeared in 3 sets. Seeing the last appearance was back in 2010 I did include it.
• Bar 1L with Clip [Cut Edges and One Side Hole] [Full Clip] in Bright Orange/ Orange (6439042 | 3484), found in 71806
• Plate Special 2 x 2 x 2/3 with Two Studs On Side and Two Raised - Updated Version in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6470186 | 4304), found in 71087, is still fresh, as it was introduced in December 2023.
• Animal Body Part, Horn Stacked 45 deg. with Axle Connectors in Black (6422988 | 2142) was only used in a Cole set, but is now found with Sora in 71807.

The builds

We're starting with Cole’s mech, which is the smallest in appearance, but makes up for his height by being very bulky and wielding a massive hammer. The chunky look fits very well with the Elemental Master of Earth, and the new shell elements make the mech look like a rock monster.

Sora is the complete opposite, controlling a sleek, slender mech that towers over the others. This mech has the same beautiful color scheme as her bike found in set 71792 Sora's Transforming Mech Bike Racer. The new shells are used as a sort of skirt or hip protectors. They look cool, but they can’t rotate back to front along with the legs. 

Kai looks fierce in an all red mech with gold accents. Zane is standing idly by though. It would have been nice if he got some small vehicle like a glider, but instead has to rely on his own strength.

The baddies come in with their own builds as well. Cole has it the easiest, as his Wolf Warrior just carries a recolored sword. Sora’s Wolf Warrior has the ability to fly around, with a small alien tree as a stand. Kai has to battle both Jordana and a Wolf Warrior in a small mech.

Mixing up the mechs

Despite the different looks, the build of all three mechs feel a bit similar. This is intentional though, as they are designed to be pulled apart and mixed up, just like the glinching from LEGO Galidor. 

The mechs break up into 4 sections: Hips & Legs, Torso, Arms and Weapons. The torso and hips can be split pretty easily thanks to the new rotation brick, but the arms take some more convincing. Luckily, the mechs are constructed sturdy enough to handle the tearing apart. You could also break up the legs and hips, but given how the legs have different lengths, doing so would result in limping mechs. 

Note that set 71817 Lloyd's Elemental Power Mech has the same glinching function, but is not included in this review.

Conclusion

These mechs offer great playability in a budget-friendly package. With the apparent overload of large sets LEGO is releasing lately, it’s good to see that smaller sets have not been forgotten. The mixing is a nice gimmick, encouraging children to come up with creative combinations. And of course it also gives an incentive to buy all the mech sets!

The packs bring the basic needs for your own mech designs, with the new rotation joint providing new possibilities in a tight space. The shells are a great addition to the existing shell pieces, and with a bit of imagination they can be used outside of mechs as well. One negative is that I did notice the weight of the weapons can sometimes drag the arms down while posing.

See all LEGO NINJAGO sets on LEGO.com

In closing, I do need to warn you to be careful while you’re glinching as mistakes are easily made, resulting in abominations...

READ MORE: LEGO® Spring Festival review: 80112 Auspicious Dragon

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