This year is a special one for NINJAGO; the LEGO Group’s long-running original theme was never meant to become an ‘evergreen’ similar to LEGO® City and Friends. But the engaging stories and beloved characters mean LEGO NINJAGO is marking its 15th Anniversary this year. Over those 15 years, DK Books has published several NINJAGO-focused titles, including its popular Visual Dictionaries. The latest NINJAGO-themed one was published in 2019, so this Updated Edition is long overdue. It also features an exclusive new NINJAGO minifigure. Here’s an early look at the updated book and minifigure.
Product Details
Book Title: LEGO NINJAGO Visual Dictionary Updated Edition | Publisher: DK Books | Pages: 144 | RRP: £19.99 | ISBN: 9780241789940
LEGO elements: Titanium Zane | Availability: Published October 1st, 2026 (UK)
The first LEGO NINJAGO Visual Dictionary was published in 2014, with the first updated edition arriving 5 years later in 2019. If you are unfamiliar with the Visual Dictionary concept, they are basically a detailed look at an entire LEGO theme. The books take a detailed look at key aspects of a theme such as minifigures, sets and, in the case of NINJAGO, companion TV shows, games, movies and additional merchandise. The books are a great celebration of a LEGO theme along with providing an interesting overview of it. As mentioned, 2026 is a special one for NINJAGO, as it marks 15 years since the theme debuted. A lot has changed since the first sets were released. NINJAGO lore has expanded across several fronts, new characters have been introduced, and LEGO sets have become more detailed, so it really is the perfect time for an updated edition of the NINJAGO Visual Dictionary.
The book is broken down into chapters focused on key hero and villain characters, their vehicles and connected locations, plus how the world has been expanded beyond just the sets. The chapters showcase key releases depending on the subject. Pages are also dotted with Brick Facts; they offer snippets of information detailing how things were created, the use of special elements or other behind-the-scenes facts.
On the behind-the-scenes front, the book also dedicates several pages to how the LEGO NINJAGO Design Team creates the world of NINJAGO. This includes some interesting concept material. I genuinely love this sort of thing as it can offer unique insights into how LEGO sets are crafted. There’s nothing as cool as the original designs of the Minecraft minifigures in the Minecraft Visual Dictionary, but it’s still nice to see some behind-the-scenes material. I wish DK would create an entire book focused on LEGO design, bringing together how LEGO, Technic and DUPLO sets are created from concept to final design. But I guess it wouldn’t have a widespread appeal.
The book also features an exclusive minifigure, which is Titanium Zane. This is billed as a ‘remake’ of a similar minifigure released around 10 years ago. This shows a rebuilt version of Zane, thought previously to have been destroyed. It’s been completely redesigned and updated. It’s also a nice callback of sorts to the first NINJAGO Visual Dictionary, which also included a Zane minifigure. Admittedly, it feels less exclusive compared to some of the recent DK Books’ minifigures, including T’Chaka Black Panther and Jokerised Batman.
As the name suggests, the LEGO NINJAGO Visual Dictionary: Updated Edition does offer something new compared to past versions. However, some information has been repurposed, so expect some similarities. There is enough new content for NINJAGO fans to enjoy, especially the behind-the-scenes content at the rear of the book. The Zane minifigure is a nice bonus, but I’d have liked something a little more unique and exclusive. The LEGO NINJAGO Visual Dictionary: Updated Edition will be available from October 1st in the UK and Europe. In North America, the book will be published on November 10th.
