Rise of the Snakes (also titled Rise of the Serpentine on the DVD release) is the first season of the computer-animated television series Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu (titled Ninjago from the eleventh season onward). Michael Hegner and Tommy Andreasen created the series. It revolves around the adventures of four teenage ninja who live in the fictional world of Ninjago and fight against the forces of evil. The season aired from 2 December 2011 to 11 April 2012 following the pilot episodes. It is succeeded by the second season, titled Legacy of the Green Ninja.
Rise of the Snakes introduces the central character Lloyd Garmadon (voiced by Jillian Michaels). It follows the story arc of the character's development to becoming the prophesied Green Ninja. In this season, Lloyd is depicted as a young boy who serves as a minor antagonist to the ninja team. The storyline focuses on his attempts to become an evil warlord by taking control of five Serpentine tribes before turning from the path of evil. Lord Garmadon returns as an unlikely ally of the ninja team, while Pythor P. Chumsworth and a legendary snake named the Great Devourer are introduced as the season's main antagonists. The season also develops the character of Nya as she maintains a secret identity as the mysterious Samurai X.
Voice cast
Main
Jillian Michaels as Lloyd Garmadon, the green ninja and Elemental Master of Energy Vincent Tong as Kai, the red ninja and Elemental Master of Fire Michael Adamthwaite as Jay, the blue ninja and Elemental Master of Lightning Brent Miller as Zane, the white ninja and Elemental Master of Ice Kirby Morrow as Cole, the black ninja and Elemental Master of Earth Kelly Metzger as Nya, Kai's sister Paul Dobson as Sensei Wu, the wise teacher of the ninja Mark Oliver as Lord Garmadon
Recurring
Ian James Corlett as Skales
Michael Dobson as Pythor P. Chumsworth
Paul Dobson as Acidicus
Mark Oliver as Dr. Julien
Colin Murdock as Ed
Jillian Michaels as Edna
Brian Drummond as Kruncha and Nuckal
Kirby Morrow as Lou
Mackenzie Gray as Mistaké
Mackenzie Gray as Fangtom
John Novak as Slithraa
Production
Development
Brothers Dan and Kevin Hageman, who were the writers for the series from its initial launch until the tenth season, developed the idea for the character of Lloyd. Series co-creator Tommy Andreasen stated that Lloyd's story arc as the Green Ninja was conceived immediately after the character was created, although the mystery of the identity of the Green Ninja was built up over the course of ten episodes and finally revealed in the episode titled The Green Ninja.
Animation
The animation for the first season was produced at Wil Film ApS in Denmark. The season was created with a 22-minute format that would continue until the release of the eleventh season.
Direction
The episodes for Rise of the Snakes were directed by Justin J. Murphy, Michael Hegner, Martin Skov, and Peter Hausner.
Release
The first episode of the season titled Rise of the Snakes was released on 2 December 2011 on Cartoon Network. The subsequent episodes were released throughout the following months until the season finale Day of the Great Devourer, which was released on 11 April 2012.
Plot
When Garmadon is spotted in Jamanakai Village, the ninja instead find his son, Lloyd Garmadon, trying to terrorise the villagers. Kai discovers a scroll that foretells the prophecy of the Green Ninja, who will rise above the others to defeat a dark lord, and wonder which of them will be the chosen one. Lloyd uncovers a tomb containing the Hypnobrai, one of the five Serpentine tribes. The tribe's general Slithraa attempts to hypnotize him, but accidentally gives Lloyd control of the tribe. Lloyd and the Hypnobrai build a treehouse fortress with the aim of conquering Ninjago, but it is destroyed by the ninja. When they return to the Monastery of Spinjitzu, they discover that it has been burned down and find a new home on board Destiny's Bounty. At the Hypnobrai tomb, Skales takes control of the tribe and banishes Lloyd from the tomb. Seeking revenge, Lloyd uncovers the Fangpyre tomb and makes a deal with the general Fangtom. Lloyd and the Fangpyre plan to attack the Hypnobrai, but when the two Serpentine generals meet, they become allies and Lloyd escapes. Lloyd opens the Anacondrai tomb and finds Pythor inside, who pretends to befriend him. Lloyd is eventually taken into the care of Master Wu on board Destiny's Bounty.