Ninjago

Fire Dragon Attack

A big, swoopy fire dragon with fabric wings and one very shiny golden Nya.

Brick Rated Score

3.8/5

Set 71753 · 2021

Pieces564

Minifigs4

Year2021

Set number71753

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The verdict

The fabric wings are what got me here.

LEGO swapped the old brick-built wing panels for a printed cloth membrane with black spines and flames, and when this thing rears up on its back legs at nearly two feet across, it genuinely looks like it could take off. It's a playset first, so the articulation is the whole point, and posing the jaw, tail and legs is a real joy. If you want a dragon a kid can actually swoop around the room, this delivers. If you want a rock-solid display piece, the wobbly back legs will frustrate you.

Best for: Ninjago-obsessed kids who want a dragon they can fly around the room, not park on a shelf

The full review

What it is

Fire Dragon Attack landed in June 2021 as part of the Ninjago Legacy line, LEGO's 10th anniversary run of updated classic scenes. The star is the dragon, and I mean that literally, because the four minifigures and the little skeleton bike are really just supporting cast around this 27cm tall, 59cm wide beast. The first time I stood it up with the wings out I let out a little laugh, because it takes up a serious chunk of table. The red and dark red back, the yellow underbelly, the black spines running down the spine, it all reads as fire dragon at a glance, no explanation needed. As a thing to swoosh through the air with a ninja on its back, it absolutely does the job.

The catch

I'll be straight with you about where it wobbles, and I mean that literally too. The back legs cannot really hold the full weight of the body on their own, so unless you tip the dragon into an almost upright pose or lean it on the front claws, it wants to topple. Builders flagged this everywhere, and it's the one thing that stops this being a great display piece. The shoulders are the other niggle. Because of the ratchet joint where the wing arms attach, spreading the wings fully out makes the shoulders look like odd bits of elbow rather than proper shoulders. At around fifty dollars for 564 pieces it isn't the strongest value on paper either, since so much of the count goes into the big dragon frame rather than side builds.

Who it's for

Get this for a Ninjago-loving kid who wants a dragon to fly around the living room, because as a playset it's a lot of fun and the articulation gives it real life in the hand. Fans chasing the Golden Nya figure will also want it, since she was one of the harder anniversary golds to get. I'd steer away if you're after a dragon that stands proud and steady on a shelf with no fuss, or if you already own one of the other, sturdier Ninjago dragons. This one is built to be played with, and it's happiest in motion.

The parts story

What the build is actually like, and the pieces worth knowing about.

The build splits into five numbered bags and moves quickly, which is exactly right for the 8-plus age it targets. The body, legs and tail go together smoothly and there are some clever techniques hiding in the frame, but the wings are where you slow down and pay attention. Threading the fabric membrane onto the wing arms is the fiddliest part, and it's also the most satisfying, because that's the moment the dragon stops being a pile of red bricks and starts looking alive. Most people finish it comfortably in an afternoon or two, and it stays engaging the whole way through.

The headline part is the printed fabric wing, which replaced the older brick-built wing panels and is a huge upgrade in how the finished dragon reads. The dragon head mold is a lovely piece too, with a posable jaw that gives it real character. On the minifigure side, the Golden Legacy Nya is the treasure, featuring a combined hair-and-headband piece in her signature blue and the gold anniversary printing that collectors chased. Kai and Zane arrive in pearl gold armor with shoulder pads, and skeleton general Wyplash rounds out the set as the villain. There's a solid haul of red and dark red slopes and spines here that are handy for anyone building creatures of their own.

Fun facts

01The Golden Legacy Nya was one of just seven golden minifigures LEGO released in 2021 to mark Ninjago's 10th anniversary, making her the most sought-after part of the set.
02The set retired in July 2022 after only about 13 months on shelves, and its value has since climbed roughly 41 percent above the original 49.99 dollar price.
03The fabric wings replaced the brick-built wing structure of earlier Ninjago fire dragons, and they stretch the model to about 59cm (23 inches) wide with the wings fully spread.
04Wyplash, the skeleton general in the set, is a callback to the very first season of the Ninjago TV series and the original Skulkin army.