Review: LEGO Ninjago 71748 Catamaran Sea Battle

Without transition, today we take a quick look at one of the five new boxes in the Ninjago range that will be available from March 1: the reference 71748 Sea Battle Catamaran (780 - € 74.99).

The last trailer dated the special episode "The unknown island" had allowed us to see the contents of this box in action and there is something here to have fun with two floating craft accompanied by six characters. You already know that the LEGO Ninjago range is not one of the ones I particularly like or collect, but LEGO kindly offered me to take a tour of the novelties of March 2021 and so it was the opportunity for me to return to a world that my children put aside for a few years after having accumulated many boxes in their toy boxes.

The set offers plenty of fun without having to go back to the cash register and that's already great news. The contents of the box invite to embark on a nautical pursuit between nice ninjas and colorful villains under the orders of Chief Mammatus. The two catamarans are quickly assembled but they seem to me sufficiently detailed to mark on the one hand the techno-futuristic aspect of the machines usually piloted by the young ninjas and on the other the tribal / artisanal side of the boat of the villains of the season to come.

The functions integrated into the two machines are limited: that of Kai can vaguely deploy to go into attack mode while that of the "Guardians" has two detachable side modules to vary the situations and a retractable jaw which allows to ram the enemy machine.

The two boats are also equipped with coin-throwing devices: two Stud Shooters on one of the floats and two Spring-shooters on the central structure for the Chief Mammatus catamaran and two Spring-Shooters for that of Kai. The wicked catamaran also has a cell to lock up a young ninja by folding the bones onto the figurine. Nothing crazy, but that's always taken for those who want to have a little fun.

Each of the two boats is equipped with a fabric sail which in my opinion will have a little trouble withstanding the onslaught of the younger ones. the accessory creases, tears and gets dirty easily and I would have preferred a washable and stronger flexible plastic sail. The impressions on these two sails are very successful, and their presence really gives volume and presence to the two boats.

There are a few stickers to stick on to dress the two machines and the youngest will probably have to get help to put those which decorate the curved nose of the Guardians catamaran. The other stickers are easier to stick and the two boats also benefit from these nice graphic details.

The assortment in minifigs is very balanced here and the tribe of the "Guardians" is really very successful with high-level pad printing and accessories with exemplary finish. The level of detail on the torso, legs, mask and shield is impressive and flawless.

Le Thunder keeper and Rumble keeper use identical torsos and legs, but the heads are unique. We find all the members of the colorful tribe in other sets of the range, they are not exclusive to this box which is however the only one to bring together the three figurines.

As for the young ninjas, the three characters delivered in this box, Jay, Kai and Zane are in an "Island" version and LEGO does not skimp on the pad printing. They set off in search of Misako, Wu and Clutch Powers, all three missing on the Unknown Island, and their outfits are logically embellished with tactical equipment.

In short, the LEGO Ninjago range rarely rests on its laurels and designers generally know how to maintain the interest of long-time fans by offering ever more original products. This box offers a rather successful content which should appeal to both those who are new to this universe and those who are faithful to this range since 2011. It's original, it's playable and the minifigs are really successful. What more could you ask for apart from perhaps a more contained price?

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 1er March 2021 next at 23pm. "The" I try, I participate "are automatically deleted, make an effort.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.