Ninjago

Rontu the Master Dragon

A dragon that moves like a real animal, wrapped around a set that plays it safe.

Brick Rated Score

3.5/5

Set 71842 · 2025

Pieces381

Minifigs4

Year2025

Set number71842

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The verdict

I picked this one up mostly for the dragon, and the dragon delivers, the jaw opens, the wings flap, the tail swings, and there are two separate riding spots on its back so Lloyd and Sora can actually fly together.

I will be honest with you though, once the novelty of posing it wears off there is not a lot of build left to chew on. This is a solid pick for a Dragons Rising fan who wants Season 3 characters on the shelf, and a skip if you are hunting for a set that surprises you piece by piece.

Best for: Dragons Rising Season 3 fans who want a poseable dragon and its riders, not a complex build

The full review

What it is

The first time I got Rontu's jaw to snap open with the tail curled up behind it, I actually laughed, because it looks like it is mid roar. This is the dragon from season 3 of Dragons Rising, and LEGO clearly spent the piece budget on making the animal itself feel alive rather than on a big backdrop or vehicle. You get articulated legs, wings that flap, a swinging tail, and two separate spots to perch minifigures so Lloyd and Sora can ride together, which is a small touch that makes a real difference when you are posing it for a shelf photo.

The catch

Where I have to be honest with you is the build itself. At 381 pieces and a straightforward construction sequence, this is not a set that is going to test your skills or throw a clever technique at you halfway through. One reviewer I trust called it one of the most forgettable Ninjago builds of the whole Summer 2025 wave, and I understand where that is coming from, the shape is satisfying but the path to get there is fairly linear. The community rating backs that up too, sitting around 3.7 out of 5, which tells you people like the result more than the journey.

Who it's for

Get this one if you are following the Dragons Rising story and want Wyldfyre, Zarkt, Sora, and Lloyd all in one box riding a dragon that actually moves the way a dragon should. Skip it if what you love about LEGO is the building process itself, because this one is closer to assembling a display piece than solving a puzzle, and with the set due to leave shelves by the end of July 2026, decide soon either way.

The parts story

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

Building Rontu is quick and satisfying rather than technical, you work outward from a central spine that houses the ball joints for the legs and wings, and the articulation clicks into place easily rather than fighting you. The jaw hinge and tail joints are the parts that reward patience, get them snug and the dragon holds a pose without drooping, which matters a lot once you start photographing it.

The standout here is the dragon's head and wing mold work, purpose built for the Dragons Rising line and not reused from older Ninjago dragon sets, giving Rontu its own distinct silhouette. The four minifigures carry the real value for collectors, Lloyd Garmadon, Sora, Wyldfyre, and Zarkt are all Season 3 specific prints you cannot easily get elsewhere, and at roughly 11 to 13 cents a piece depending on your region, the part count to price ratio is fair even before you factor in the figures.

Fun facts

01Rontu is set to retire from LEGO shelves by July 31, 2026, so its run lasts just about a year from its June 2025 release.
02The set includes stud shooters tucked under each of Rontu's wings, a detail easy to miss until you are mid battle scene.
03All four minifigures, Lloyd Garmadon, Sora, Wyldfyre, and Zarkt, come from the Dragons Rising Season 3 storyline the set is built around.
04Despite the character pedigree, one respected reviewer named it one of the most forgettable builds of the entire Summer 2025 Ninjago wave.