Ninjago Anniversary Effect: How the 15th Anniversary Is Shaking Up the Minifigure Market

The Ninjago theme celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2026, and the impact on the Bricklink secondary market is unmistakable. What started as a niche LEGO theme in 2011 has grown into one of the most collected and traded categories on the platform, and the anniversary has poured fuel on the fire.

We analyzed sales data for 1,106 Ninjago minifigures across every sub-theme, from The Golden Weapons to Dragons Rising, to quantify the surge in demand, rising prices, and tightening supply over the past six months.

The data paints a clear picture: this is a seller's market, and the window of opportunity is wide open.

Sales volume: a sustained surge

Ninjago minifigure transactions have climbed steadily since late 2025, and the momentum shows no signs of fading. Used sales more than doubled between October 2025 and January 2026, when they peaked at over 25,600 transactions in a single month. New condition sales have been even more dramatic, nearly tripling over the same period as sellers release sealed inventory to capitalize on rising prices.

The numbers are striking. From October to March, used sales surged 129% while new condition sales grew 196%. January marked the peak in used volume, likely fueled by anniversary announcements and renewed collector interest heading into the new year. New condition sales continued climbing through March, which suggests sellers are actively pulling sealed inventory off the shelf to meet demand.

Ninjago vs. the rest of the market

A natural question is whether this surge is specific to Ninjago, or just part of a broader market uptrend. The answer is clear: Ninjago is dramatically outperforming.

Comparing March 2026 to March 2025, Ninjago used sales grew 83% year-over-year, while all other minifigure themes combined grew just 22%. That is nearly four times the growth rate of the broader market.

But volume is only half the story. Prices tell an even more compelling one. The weighted average price of a used Ninjago minifigure rose from $4.88 to $7.55, a 55% increase. New condition figures saw a similar jump, going from $5.10 to $7.70 (+51%). Meanwhile, the rest of the minifigure market saw used prices rise just 12%, from $5.88 to $6.59.

This confirms the anniversary is driving genuine incremental demand and real price appreciation for Ninjago specifically. Sellers sitting on Ninjago inventory are not just riding a rising tide. They are in a category that is moving significantly faster than the rest of the market.

Sub-theme breakdown: where the action is

Ninjago spans over 30 sub-themes and 15 years of sets, and the anniversary effect is not hitting them all equally. Understanding which sub-themes are driving the most activity (and which carry the highest premiums) is essential for sellers looking to position their inventory.

Legacy leads in raw volume with 2,674 used sales in March, which makes sense given its massive catalog of 142 figures. But the real story is in the older sub-themes. Rise of the Snakes figures command an average of $23.16 per sale despite being from 2012. Rebooted sits at $21.59, and The Hands of Time pulls in $18.10. These early-era figures are the most sought-after by collectors and carry the highest premiums.

At the other end, newer sub-themes like Core ($3.52 avg) and the Ninjago Movie CMF series ($2.93 avg) offer high volume at accessible price points, perfect for sellers focused on turnover rather than margin.

Biggest price explosions

Some individual figures have seen price increases that are hard to believe. Among minifigures with at least 10 sales in both March 2025 and March 2026, here are the most dramatic movers.

Jay (Airjitzu) from the Possession sub-theme takes the top spot with a staggering 643% price increase, jumping from $3.28 to $24.37 in just one year. What was once a low-value figure has become a serious collector's item.

The DX variant lineup (Zane, Cole, Kai) tells a similar story. These early figures from the original Ninjago run have moved from the $5-11 range into $30-42 territory, with price increases ranging from 268% to 437%. The NRG variants have crossed the $75 mark, with Kai NRG up 294% and Cole NRG up 272%.

The pattern is clear: the further back you go in Ninjago history, the more dramatic the price appreciation. Collectors are not just chasing the theme. They are specifically hunting down the earliest figures.

The premium tier: high-value figures

For sellers and collectors focused on higher-value inventory, the Ninjago premium tier is remarkably deep right now. Over a dozen figures are actively trading above $75 used, with the most expensive reaching into the hundreds.

Jay NRG sits at the very top of the market at $237 used and $434 new. This is a figure that has firmly established itself as one of the most valuable minifigures on Bricklink. Behind it, Jay DX ($160), Lloyd Possessed ($140), and the Airjitzu variants of Cole, Nya, and Lloyd all trade above $120.

What makes this premium segment particularly interesting is the gap between used and new prices. Jay NRG commands an 83% premium in new condition. Nya Airjitzu jumps from $135 used to $246 new. For sellers holding sealed inventory, the returns are exceptional.

Akita deserves a special mention: 31 used sales at $82 average represents strong liquidity at a high price point. This is not a figure that occasionally sells for a lot. It sells often for a lot.

Volume movers: the bread and butter

Not every profitable Ninjago figure costs $50+. At the other end of the spectrum, a number of figures in the $2-10 range are seeing massive increases in transaction volume. These are the figures that keep stores busy with steady, reliable sales.

Kai - Legacy leads the pack with 152 used sales in March, up 111% from a year ago, at a modest $1.80 average. At that price point, these are impulse buys for collectors filling gaps in their collection. Jay - The Golden Weapons is a standout in this group too: 155 sales at a 262% price increase, going from a budget-friendly $2.61 to a more meaningful $9.46.

The Legacy and Skybound sub-themes dominate this segment, offering sellers high turnover at accessible prices. For stores that prioritize volume and quick inventory rotation, these figures are essential stock.

Supply is tightening

While demand has surged, the supply side has moved in the opposite direction, and that is where things get really interesting for sellers.

Over the past five months, the number of used Ninjago lots available on Bricklink has dropped from 112,836 to 91,753, a 19% decline. That is nearly 21,000 fewer lots on the market. New condition listings have held up somewhat better, dropping just 3% from 71,870 to 69,598, likely because sellers are adding sealed inventory to take advantage of the higher prices.

This combination of rapidly rising demand and falling supply is the classic setup for sustained price appreciation. Every month, more figures are being bought than listed, and the gap is widening.

A global phenomenon

The Ninjago anniversary effect is not limited to one region. It is playing out across every major Bricklink market. All five tracked regions show strong year-over-year growth in used sales, ranging from +63% in Canada to +85% in the United States.

What differs across regions is the price level. The US and Australia command the highest weighted average prices ($10.77 and $12.52 respectively), while Europe and the UK trade at lower price points ($5.17 and $4.42). This gap creates opportunities for cross-region arbitrage, where sellers in lower-priced markets can potentially list inventory that attracts buyers from higher-priced regions.

Europe leads in total new condition volume with over 24,000 units sold in March alone, nearly double the US figure. This suggests European sellers hold larger quantities of sealed Ninjago inventory and are actively moving it.

Key takeaways for sellers

1. Early-era figures are exploding. DX, NRG, and Golden Weapons figures have seen 200-600% price increases. If you have any of these in inventory, now is the time to list them. If you do not, keep an eye out when sourcing. Bulk lots from the 2011-2013 era could contain hidden gold.

2. The premium tier is deep. With over a dozen figures trading above $75 used, Ninjago has one of the richest high-value minifigure markets on Bricklink right now. Jay NRG alone is approaching $250 used.

3. Volume figures move fast. Legacy and Skybound variants in the $2-6 range are seeing 90-110% sales growth. High turnover at lower margins can still be very profitable, especially when combined with other items in the same order.

4. Supply is draining fast. Used listings are down 19% in five months. Fewer sellers competing for more buyers means better prices and faster sales for those who hold inventory.

5. New condition commands massive premiums. The gap between used and new prices is significant across the board. Jay NRG trades at $237 used versus $434 new. Lloyd Possessed goes from $140 to $215. Sealed inventory is extremely valuable right now.

6. The trend has legs. Anniversary events, potential new set releases, and the natural nostalgia cycle suggest this elevated demand will persist through 2026. This is not a spike, it is a sustained shift in collector interest.

Data sourced from BL Metrics, covering 1,106 Ninjago minifigures across all sub-themes tracked on Bricklink. All prices in USD. Analysis based on worldwide sales data from October 2025 through March 2026.