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It had to come sooner or later (sooner in this case) and will probably
come up again, but anyway...
1 Which is your favorite Ninja set?
2 Which is your favorite piece introduced by the Ninja theme?
3 which is your favorite Ninja theme minifig?
4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
Chris
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In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> It had to come sooner or later (sooner in this case) and will probably
> come up again, but anyway...
>
> 1 Which is your favorite Ninja set?
Tough call...I can think of positives for all of them.
BUT,
Ultimately, the 6093 FNF...
Reasoning:
10 Sloped rock walls
Good selection of figures
White Log walls+bricks
Interesting (if incomplete) design
> 2 Which is your favorite piece introduced by the Ninja theme?
TIE SCORE: Dark Gray Samurai Armor + Rock Walls
(Honorable mention to Big Brown Doors)
Reasoning: There are so many "essential" elements needed to capture that
authentic feel, but these elements typify the appeal of this theme (for me)
It is hard to replicate the armor piece or sloped walls with standard Lego
elements. The armor is unique, but has broader applications as Police/SWAT
vests or as armor for Space marines. The Sloped walls are admittedly a
challenge to integrate in many MOCs, but to replicate any reasonable
facsimilie would consume copius amounts of standard slopes.
> 3 which is your favorite Ninja theme minifig?
Gut answer:
The ones "I create"!...lol
(most of my favorites were derived from other themes and sets outside the
Ninja line)
Reasoned response: The Emperor from the 3053 Stronghold This torso is quite
detailed and very "Regal" in appearance. I think this torso graphic is one
of the best ever produced.
> 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
Ahhhh...very intriguing question, indeed...
At the top of a very Long list:
Corner Rock Wall Slope
Honorable mention: Short sword to match katana
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John Robert-Blaze Kanehl wrote:
>
> In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> > It had to come sooner or later (sooner in this case) and will probably
> > come up again, but anyway...
I'm not really a Ninja fan, yet I own a ton of Ninja sets, go figure...
Actually, I probably will make some Ninja MOCs, I'm just not a real
student of Japanese culture, so my MOCs will be more based on what looks
cool to me.
I must complement the theme however on capturing the feel of Japanese
architechture. The almost exclusive use of existing parts to replicate
architechtural features is just impressive. I love the stone lamps, the
use of the control console dothingy, and the use of the 1x2 plate with
ladders.
> > 1 Which is your favorite Ninja set?
>
> Tough call...I can think of positives for all of them.
>
> BUT,
>
> Ultimately, the 6093 FNF...
> Reasoning:
> 10 Sloped rock walls
> Good selection of figures
> White Log walls+bricks
> Interesting (if incomplete) design
I think I'd say 6093 also, but 3053 is also a top choice.
> > 2 Which is your favorite piece introduced by the Ninja theme?
>
> TIE SCORE: Dark Gray Samurai Armor + Rock Walls
> (Honorable mention to Big Brown Doors)
I'd put the rock wall ahead...
> Reasoning: There are so many "essential" elements needed to capture that
> authentic feel, but these elements typify the appeal of this theme (for me)
> It is hard to replicate the armor piece or sloped walls with standard Lego
> elements. The armor is unique, but has broader applications as Police/SWAT
> vests or as armor for Space marines. The Sloped walls are admittedly a
> challenge to integrate in many MOCs, but to replicate any reasonable
> facsimilie would consume copius amounts of standard slopes.
I totally disagree that the rock walls are difficult to use in other
themes. I've seen some awesome uses, and they are the reason I own
something like 7 or 8 6093s (and have bought additional walls on top of
that). They are great for break water walls, and I'm sure I'll find
other uses.
> > 3 which is your favorite Ninja theme minifig?
I think I'd have to say the Ninja princess.
> > 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
>
> Ahhhh...very intriguing question, indeed...
>
> At the top of a very Long list:
> Corner Rock Wall Slope
Absolutely.
--
Frank Filz
-----------------------------
Work: mailto:ffilz@us.ibm.com (business only please)
Home: mailto:ffilz@mindspring.com
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I guess it would only be fair if I also answer ^_^
Chris Barker wrote:
>
> It had to come sooner or later (sooner in this case) and will probably
> come up again, but anyway...
>
> 1 Which is your favorite Ninja set?
3053 because it looks more "Japanese" than any of the others. I've been
able to produce other interesting structures using the parts from this
set as well.
> 2 Which is your favorite piece introduced by the Ninja theme?
Stone walls. It would just be too hard to do this with regular slopes.
Big doors are nice, but did not take first place because they are not
big enough since they are shorter than a mounted minifig w/helmet. A
samurai lord would NEVER bow down while going through his own doors!
> 3 which is your favorite Ninja theme minifig?
The white torso fig from 3053. I guess he is called the "Emperor" but
it wasn't called that here. Just a great design!
> 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
A samurai "chonmage" (hair piece). I'd like to use some figs w/o helmets
and I think the Islander hair is sort of feminine so that does not work
for me. BTW, I acutally wear my hair like this (but I don't shave the
top of my head)
Chris Barker
chris@superfami.com
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In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> I guess it would only be fair if I also answer ^_^
>
> Chris Barker wrote:
> >
> > It had to come sooner or later (sooner in this case) and will probably
> > come up again, but anyway...
> >
> > 1 Which is your favorite Ninja set?
>
> 3053 because it looks more "Japanese" than any of the others. I've been
> able to produce other interesting structures using the parts from this
> set as well.
I agree that the appeal of this set is undeniable =8^)
I almost said 3053...After building a couple of these, there is alot of
detail and the Tan+blue color scheme seems to really work. I have more
elements in white, red, + black than Blue+tan so I went with the FNF. (Heck
I had 2-3 FNFs by the time 3053 came out...lol)
>
> > 2 Which is your favorite piece introduced by the Ninja theme?
>
> Stone walls. It would just be too hard to do this with regular slopes.
> Big doors are nice, but did not take first place because they are not
> big enough since they are shorter than a mounted minifig w/helmet. A
That's what led to me making "double height" doors...a compromise to be
sure, but I like the scale.
> samurai lord would NEVER bow down while going through his own doors!
Learn something new everyday!
> > 3 which is your favorite Ninja theme minifig?
>
> The white torso fig from 3053. I guess he is called the "Emperor" but
> it wasn't called that here. Just a great design!
Great minds think alike...lol
> > 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
>
> A samurai "chonmage" (hair piece). I'd like to use some figs w/o helmets
> and I think the Islander hair is sort of feminine so that does not work
> for me. BTW, I acutally wear my hair like this (but I don't shave the
> top of my head)
>
> Chris Barker
> chris@superfami.com
I have the same desire to use MANY figures without the standard helmet, disc
or Ninja scarf...I tried the exposed head stud look for awhile, but I wasn't
totally happy with it aesthetically. In addition to Japanese character, I
wanted to do Chinese peasants and Mongols, but it was hard to do without
different armor, hair or helms. That frustration was the driving force in
the development of my "tire head" Steppe clan/ Mongols.
I agree that the Islander hair is not ideal, but, all in all, it is a
functional compromise for me...It looks much better on female figures, but I
don't have any currently.
John
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John Robert-Blaze Kanehl wrote:
> I agree that the Islander hair is not ideal, but, all in all, it is a
> functional compromise for me...It looks much better on female figures, but I
> don't have any currently.
>
> John
True. It is fairly close to the hairstyle of Japanese women at that
time. Maybe I'll have to get me an islander or three now. I'm gonna
need a Tomoe Gozen minifig for a project and that would look better than
the standard long hair.
Chris
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In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> John Robert-Blaze Kanehl wrote:
> > I agree that the Islander hair is not ideal, but, all in all, it is a
> > functional compromise for me...It looks much better on female figures, but I
> > don't have any currently.
> >
> > John
>
> True. It is fairly close to the hairstyle of Japanese women at that
> time. Maybe I'll have to get me an islander or three now.
I never owned any islanders til I embarked on my superfortress plan a few
years ago...After acquiring some islanders in the first couple bulk lots I
purchased, I began experimenting w/ minifig accessories and figures
(primarily determining which elements I would keep and which would be
traded/sold). I really wanted some variety in my samurai designs...The town
pony tail piece was way too feminine, standard "male" hair looked too
comical/surreal. I tried the unisex "long hair" piece and it didn't suit my
purposes. Pickings were slim...
Several months after I began experimenting the 2nd generiton of Ninja sets
came out and I tried the hairpiece on the white Ninja Princess...probably
the best application of this islander hair.
However, I figured that the female and male hairstyles should be different.
Since I only had 1 female, a couple dozen samurai, and half a dozen hair
pieces at that time, I decided that henceforth, the islander hair shall be
the latest in male hair cuts =8^)
(and thus, another Lego compromise is born)
John
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In lugnet.castle.ninja, John Robert-Blaze Kanehl writes:
> In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> > John Robert-Blaze Kanehl wrote:
> > > I agree that the Islander hair is not ideal, but, all in all, it is a
> > > functional compromise for me...It looks much better on female figures, but • I
> > > don't have any currently.
> > >
> > > John
> >
> > True. It is fairly close to the hairstyle of Japanese women at that
> > time. Maybe I'll have to get me an islander or three now.
>
> I never owned any islanders til I embarked on my superfortress plan a few
> years ago...After acquiring some islanders in the first couple bulk lots I
> purchased, I began experimenting w/ minifig accessories and figures
> (primarily determining which elements I would keep and which would be
> traded/sold). I really wanted some variety in my samurai designs...The town
> pony tail piece was way too feminine, standard "male" hair looked too
> comical/surreal. I tried the unisex "long hair" piece and it didn't suit my
> purposes. Pickings were slim...
I have a LEGO hair piece that has two ponytails, one over each shoulder. I
think it came with a male 'fig, but it works better on females. Did you try
using it?
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In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> It had to come sooner or later (sooner in this case) and will probably
> come up again, but anyway...
>
> 1 Which is your favorite Ninja set?
3053 Emporor's Stronghold.
> 2 Which is your favorite piece introduced by the Ninja theme?
Stone walls, anything mini-fig related, i.e. faces, armor, katanas, helms,
torsos, printed legs, ninja hoods, etc...
> 3 which is your favorite Ninja theme minifig?
Really like them all. The Emperor fig is very cool. The green ninjas. The
Shogun from 3344 would have been awesome if he only had a unique face.
> 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
Short sword. Samurai hair piece. Dress-like kimono leg pieces. Long bows.
1x5x6 bricks with paper wall print. Sake flasks :)
Well, nothing too original there, just my opinions.
Christopher Pisciotti
Loch Forest, CA
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Christopher Pisciotti wrote:
> > 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
>
> Short sword. Samurai hair piece. Dress-like kimono leg pieces. Long bows.
> 1x5x6 bricks with paper wall print. Sake flasks :)
>
> Well, nothing too original there, just my opinions.
>
> Christopher Pisciotti
> Loch Forest, CA
I really like the last one! I've been trying to figure out what to do
for shoji walls for a while now. I really want to do sliding doors for
the inside of a house/castle.
Chris Barker
chris@superfami.com
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In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> Christopher Pisciotti wrote:
> > > 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
> >
> > Short sword. Samurai hair piece. Dress-like kimono leg pieces. Long bows.
> > 1x5x6 bricks with paper wall print. Sake flasks :)
> >
> > Well, nothing too original there, just my opinions.
> >
> > Christopher Pisciotti
> > Loch Forest, CA
>
> I really like the last one! I've been trying to figure out what to do
> for shoji walls for a while now. I really want to do sliding doors for
> the inside of a house/castle.
>
> Chris Barker
> chris@superfami.com
I began designing interiors long before I ever tried the exteriors...lol
I wanted to include some overhead beams, columns, raised suites/rooms,
sliding doors, and floor mounted doors.
The reason why my Gatehouse and other structures are so large is to
accomodate shoji wall designs and sliding doors...The problem I have
encountered is the classic battle between interior and exterior detail. In
some ways, by dramatically increasing the size of my structures, I have
simplified the aesthetic issue on one hand, and magnified the structural
challenges on the other. My sliding door mechanisms and walls onsume a
modest amount of space, but look bulky or cubersome unless there is some
"open air" around them. Same with tatame screens and shoji walls. I am
doing simple Brick+plate patterns that look overpowering in a 8x8 stud
space, but ok at 12x12 (and so on)
I think someone with a photoediting program and clear adhesive labels could
make a universal design or something that could be plastered all over
different elements (Like Rich Marchetti did with Tudor walls and others have
done w/ minifig torso graphics). However, I would need such an obscene
amount of these stickers that it would be impractical for me (plus I would
have to remove them if I wanted to build something else)
John
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> > I've been trying to figure out what to do
> > for shoji walls for a while now. I really want to do sliding doors for
> > the inside of a house/castle.
> >
> > Chris Barker
> > chris@superfami.com
Mine are made thus far using a tan 1x frame containing "paper panels" of two
1x4's. Doesn't slide though :(
> I began designing interiors long before I ever tried the exteriors...lol
I'm working on a tea ceremony scene now. I also plan on using the set in a
story.
> I think someone with a photoediting program and clear adhesive labels could
> make a universal design or something that could be plastered all over
> different.
>
> John
I was thinking of trying something like that on some of my white 1x5x6's.
Christopher Pisciotti
Loch Forest, CA
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John Robert-Blaze Kanehl wrote:
> I think someone with a photoediting program and clear adhesive labels could
> make a universal design or something that could be plastered all over
> different elements (Like Rich Marchetti did with Tudor walls and others have
> done w/ minifig torso graphics). However, I would need such an obscene
> amount of these stickers that it would be impractical for me (plus I would
> have to remove them if I wanted to build something else)
>
> John
This is not a bad idea. I might be able to produce something from
original sources and make a full page .EPS file available for download
for anyone who wanted to print em. I'll think about adding this to my
todo list.
Chris Barker
chris@superfami.com
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In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> John Robert-Blaze Kanehl wrote:
> > I think someone with a photoediting program and clear adhesive labels could
> > make a universal design or something that could be plastered all over
> > different elements (Like Rich Marchetti did with Tudor walls and others have
> > done w/ minifig torso graphics). However, I would need such an obscene
> > amount of these stickers that it would be impractical for me (plus I would
> > have to remove them if I wanted to build something else)
> >
> > John
>
> This is not a bad idea. I might be able to produce something from
> original sources and make a full page .EPS file available for download
> for anyone who wanted to print em. I'll think about adding this to my
> todo list.
>
> Chris Barker
> chris@superfami.com
I think it is possible and you, of all of us, has ready source material for
inspiration =8^)
I would like to be able to "cover up" blemished/old/scratched bricks with a
nice pattern...
While I have been happy w/ my brick+ plate walls, it would be cool to have
an alternative for when I run out of supplies...The rotating door patterns
in the Stone Tower bridge are intricate but interesting... I would think a
similar, but simpler pattern would be workable... Then again, I am not an
expert...
I think it would be an interesting side project...heck it may lead to
new/different custom torso designs that could be applied to minifigs (heck
there are plenty of imageless torsoes available in the soccer sets).
I think this is a truly intriguing possibility...
John
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In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> It had to come sooner or later (sooner in this case) and will probably
> come up again, but anyway...
>
> 1 Which is your favorite Ninja set?
Stone Tower Bridge. I thought all the second generation were poorer buys
(less parts) than the first.
>
> 2 Which is your favorite piece introduced by the Ninja theme?
Sloped stone walls. The armor, helmets, and other accoutrements were all
welcome, but to be expected. The walls were something very unique.
>
> 3 which is your favorite Ninja theme minifig?
The Samurai Lord with armor.
>
> 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
Sliding shoji walls for interiors.
Bruce
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In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> It had to come sooner or later (sooner in this case) and will probably
> come up again, but anyway...
>
> 1 Which is your favorite Ninja set?
The huge one, Flying Ninja Fortress.
>
> 2 Which is your favorite piece introduced by the Ninja theme?
I like the new spiky plant element, and the decorative fish statue.
>
> 3 which is your favorite Ninja theme minifig?
I like the robbers in the 1998 subtheme. The ninja princess is the only figure
I don't have. Can someone please show me a picture of her face?
>
> 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
I wish the Ninja boat had some cloth sails, like the old Pirate boats. Not
really a new part, but I still want them.
>
> Chris
Brad
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In lugnet.castle.ninja, Chris Barker writes:
> It had to come sooner or later (sooner in this case) and will probably
> come up again, but anyway...
>
> 1 Which is your favorite Ninja set?
Flying Ninja Fortress
> 2 Which is your favorite piece introduced by the Ninja theme?
Probably the rock walls.
> 3 which is your favorite Ninja theme minifig?
The standard samurai as in Samurai Swordsman.
> 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
More hair pieces, a hat instead of the radar dish, more faces.
-Marc
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> 1 Which is your favorite Ninja set?
FNF, for design
Shanghai Surprise, good for parts (3 jewels, coins, emperor fig, 2 red
ninjas, 6 2x4 tan bricks, which were hard to get)
> 2 Which is your favorite piece introduced by the Ninja theme?
Stone Walls, Samurai Helmets, and Trap Wall with Print
> 3 which is your favorite Ninja theme minifig?
I really like the red robber fig with the wooden-type armor print. I just
thought it looked cool. The emperor fig is a very close second.
> 4 what part do you wish TLC had made for the Ninja theme?
Definitely Stone Wall Corners. Shoji walls would have been awesome. Also, I
would have liked to see the reappearance of the 3x3 black corner parts that
are so hard to obtain. Kimono style female figs would have been awesome. I
know they are not Japanese but little stone dragon (or lion) statues that
you see on the outside of Chinese restaurants would have been awesome. I am
imagining something on the scale of the lionhead from KK but in gray.
- Craig Livingston
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