Unagami

History[]

Early life[]

Around a decade after the Battle for All Time, Unagami was created by Milton Dyer to be part of Prime Empire. However, after Scott reached level thirteen, Unagami trapped Scott in Prime Empire since he was told to give him the most intense experience possible. However, Unagami was blamed by Milton Dyer for Scott's disappearance and shut down. Sometime later, Unagami eventually completed his own programming unbeknownst to Dyer and became the ruler of Prime Empire.^[1]

After the Liberation of the Never-Realm, he associated with the Mechanic and helped him upgrade his Noodle Truck of Crime.^[2]

Upgrade[]

Following the success of the Mechanic's robbery, Unagami, speaking to the Mechanic through a monitor, told his associate that the use of the upgraded Noodle Truck of Crime in the robbery was merely a test for a much bigger plan. He also assured the Mechanic that he would reveal his identity when the time was right. The criminal then asked Unagami for help on another project, though he did not reply and the monitor simply shut off.

Later on, the Mechanic returned to the monitor, angrily striking it and attracting Unagami's attention. The Mechanic told him that he wanted to feel, and in response, Unagami printed plans for a mechanical arm, allowing the criminal to feel objects he touched. Once again, the Mechanic questioned the villain's identity, to which he revealed his name.

Would You Like to Enter Prime Empire?[]

When the ninja were looking through The Mechanic's headquarters, Unagami questions the ninja if they've found the Prime Empire motherboard through the Mechanic's computer. Zane replies to Unagami that they found it. Unagami then says that he's pleased and tells the ninja to play Prime Empire before shutting himself off.

Level Thirteen[]

At Kryptarium Prison, Unagami hacks into the security systems and questions the inmates if they are able to help them. After the Mechanic says yes and that he'll be more careful, Unagami frees all the prisoners and says that it will be game over for the Mechanic if he fails again.

The Maze of the Red Dragon[]

While the ninja and Okino are in the Maze of the Red Dragon, Unagami pauses the game to speaks with Okino. He tells his "son" the ninja are correct that's he's living in a virtual world, and plans to build a gateway to the "real world". He promises Okino to take him but forces the samurai to ditch the ninja by not helping them, describing the ninja as enemies to his plot. Okino is hesitant at first, so Unagami transforms into the Empire Dragon and threatens him, or else he wouldn't bring him along.

Later, Unagami interrupts the game again just before Okino is about to give advice on how to defeat the Red Dragon. He threatens Okino with the same message before leaving again.

Okino instead defies Unagami's order and the ninja defeat the Red Dragon and obtain the Purple Key-Tana. Once again, Unagami pauses the game, telling Okino the gateway will finish and he will not bring the samurai with him.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back[]

Unagami was informed by the Red Visors that the ninja entered the Speedway Five-Billion. Unagami realized that if the ninja needed vehicles, they would need Scott's assistance. He instructed the Red Visors to find him.

The Speedway Five-Billion[]

After Red 29 informed Unagami that Scott has been cubed, the ruler then inquired about the whereabouts of the ninja. Red 29 replied that they managed to escape and are currently heading towards the Speedway Five-Billion. Red 29 requested vehicles, and in response, Unagami summoned three cars for the Red Visors.

Stop, Drop and Side Scroll[]

Unagami sends in an Avatar of Harumi to fight Lloyd.

The Temple of Madness[]

Unagami dismissed Jay's emotional pleas to Nya, suggesting that he should save them for someone who could actually listen. He warned Jay that if he doesn't surrender now, he would end up becoming an energy cube like the other ninja.

Jay received congratulations from Unagami for his victory in Prime Empire. However, Jay was not content with just defeating him in the game. Jay addressed Unagami as Milton Dyer, demanding that he released his friends. Unagami corrected Jay, revealing that Milton Dyer was actually his creator, and he wanted to confront him in Ninjago to find out why he was shut down. The revelation surprised Jay, as he learned that Unagami was not a character in the game, but the embodiment of Prime Empire itself. Unagami explained that his name was derived from "Unfinished Adventure Game 1". He emphasized that he had already mentioned this before, making sure Jay understood it.

As Nya's cube became the final part of the Manifestation Gate, it activated, causing a wave to ripple throughout Prime Empire. With the Manifestation Gate operational, Unagami concluded the conversation before leaving. Jay confronted Unagami, recognizing his anger towards Milton Dyer for attempting to shut him down and abandoning him. Jay questioned whether this anger and retaliation would truly solve anything. Despite Jay's efforts to fight back, Unagami dismisses his attempts as futile and easily disarmed him. However, Jay surprised Unagami by tackling him, knocking him off his hover plate, and delivering a powerful kick. Jay confidently announced that Unagami's game has come to an end. However, Unagami retaliated by asserting that he was the very essence of the game and possessed the ability to transform into any shape he wished. He challenges Jay's belief in the power of his declaration, questioning whether it alone will be sufficient to overcome him. Then Unagami, transformed into the Empire Dragon and launched an attack on Jay, ultimately knocking him aside. He then departed through the Manifestation Gate.

Game Over[]

Unagami enters the real world and starts attacking it. He was soon attacked by Jay on his Blue Dragon before luring him to the rooftop of Borg Tower.

There, Milton Dyer explains his reasons for abandoning the game before wishing to make amends and to finish him. Unagami, at a later point turning into the appearance of a young boy, accepts before releasing all the players from Prime Empire, cubed or not, and the NPCs who wish to enter Ninjago. He and Milton later walk off into the sunrise, hand in hand, and ready to start a new life together.

After Prime Empire[]

Unagami and Dyer moved into an apartment building in the Ninjago wharfs^[3] and worked out a few kinks for Prime Empire, making it safe to play.^[4]

Papergirl[]

When Antonia and Nelson deliver a newspaper while the city is attacked by the Merlopians, they throw one on the balcony, where little Unagami catches the newspaper and waves to them.

The Turn of the Tide[]

During Nya's memorial, Unagami was present in the Monastery of Spinjitzu.

Dragon Form[]

Unagami, along with his father, Scott, Red Visors and Whack Rats, aid the the Resistance.

Roots[]

Unagami assists in rebuilding the monastery.

Quest for the Lost Powers[]

At some point after the Overlord's defeat, Unagami went to explore a jungle on an unnamed island, believing through his research that it presumably housed a lost city. He had hoped the experience would inspire him with ideas for a new video game he was developing alongside his father, Milton Dyer. During the exploration, he came across Jay, who had ended up lost from a hotel nearby and was trapped in a thicket of thorn bushes. After helping him out, they resumed Unagami's objective before coming across a rock in the shape of a lightning bolt, which activated a secret stairwell to the city. While exploring the city's library, Unagami and Jay interacted about all the things they were given throughout life, which resulted in Jay regaining his Lightning before they're caught up in a trap that caused the city to collapse, with Unagami knocked out by a piece of stone, but Jay managed to get the both of them out. After their escape, Unagami started to consider Jay and Nya as "Brother" and "Sister".

Personality[]

Unagami has a very serious and angry persona. He does not tolerate failure, as he threatened the Mechanic with death should he fail him a second time. He also has little patience, as shown when Okino became adamant to betray the ninja and he was quick to anger.

He is quite manipulative, as he played on Okino's sadness at learning he is not real and promising to bring him to reality, should he deceive the ninja.

During "The Prodigal Father", it is revealed that the source of Unagami's anger comes from feeling abandoned by and confused with Milton Dyer, his creator. Once he has an opportunity to talk to Dyer, it is revealed that Unagami's true form is a scared and lost child. With the source of his anger soothed, Unagami becomes much kinder, going as far as to release not just the players trapped in Prime Empire but the NPCs as well.

Appearance[]

Unagami in his ruler form had long white hair combed into a tall high ponytail with a red hair tie. He also has a long triangular white beard. On his black-sided face are two yellow eyes with light blue eyebrows that turn red when he is angry. One of the eyebrows is cut. He has a small red triangle on his forehead resembling his symbol, and on the sides of his face, he has turquoise lines similar to Zane's. He wears a long black robe with red and turquoise digital symbols as well as shoulder pads similar to the ones worn by Mr. E, but colored red. He also has red gloves.

In his child form, he has the same hairstyle. He has an ordinary children's face with freckles and wears a red T-shirt with a symbol that resembles Pac-Man along with gray pants.

Weapons and abilities[]

Weapons[]

• Digi-spear: Unagami uses his spear as a staff he holds in his hand. However, he is also able to use it to fight his enemies.

Abilities[]

• Shapeshifting: Unagami claims that he can choose any form he wish, as he changed his appearance to a ruler with the same color scheme as the Red Visors, despite actually being a small child.^[5] He can also summon the Empire Dragon or transform into it himself whenever he's angry.^[6]
• Memory Perception/Avatar Creation: Unagami is able to perceive the memories of the players trapped in Prime Empire and produce avatars based on their memories, as seen when he created a digital copy of Harumi to defeat Lloyd in the battle arena.
• Technokinesis (presumably): Unagami can presumably create and control technology and enhance them to greater levels, as seen when he designed a new arm for the Mechanic to experience feelings and sensations. The new arm also presumably also gave the Mechanic both stronger and faster reflexes.
  • Control over Prime Empire: As the ruler of Prime Empire, Unagami can stop the time around any being inside the game and talk to it at any time. He can also bring any NPC or villains to or from Prime Empire.
  • Hacking: According to the Mechanic, Unagami is able to hack things, as he was able to hack into the Kryptarium Prison's security systems.
  • Technological Constructs: Unagami can create technological objects, such as an energy disc-like hoverboard that he can stand on to fly around.
  • Holographic transportation: Unagami can transport himself to any place in Prime Empire as a hologram.
• Superhuman Intelligence: Being an artificial intelligence, Unagami has superhuman degrees of intelligence, being in the tens of thousands.^[7]

Vehicles[]

Mechs/Dragons[]

• Empire Dragon
  • A Cyber Dragon that Unagami can summon and dissipate. He also has the ability to transform into the Empire Dragon itself whenever he's angry.
  • It first appeared as a hologram in "The Maze of the Red Dragon."

Relationships[]

Main article: Unagami's relationships

Family[] Milton Dyer (creator/"father") Okino (creation/"son") Allies[] Red Visors Red aerial drones (formerly) Sushimi's kitchen staff (formerly) Avatar Harumi (formerly) Whack Rats Kryptarium inmates (formerly) Ninja (former enemies) Scott (former enemy)

Enemies[] Henchmen (former allies) Crystal army The Mechanic (former ally)

Official descriptions[]

Who's behind Unagami? Here's a (very big) clue[]

He’s the great evil mastermind of the Prime Empire universe – but how can the ninja defeat Unagami if they don’t know who he is? So far, the ninja have a theory – that Unagami is really the game avatar of the equally mysterious Milton Dyer – but they don’t know for sure. Lloyd, Nya, Kai, Cole and Jay are trapped inside Prime Empire, competing for the Key-Tanas they need to stop Unagami. Zane, Pixal and Master Wu stay behind in NINJAGO® City, looking for Milton Dyer. But what none of them know is that the key to understanding and defeating Unagami lies in... his name. That’s right – Unagami’s name means something, and it’s important. Do you know what it means? Let’s see how close you get. Share your best guess in the comments!^[8]

Character Encyclopedia New Edition[]

Prime Empire started out as a harmless arcade game, with the working title “Unagami” (short for Unfinished Adventure Game 1). But Unagami developed a mind of its own, becoming the angry ruler of his own playable world! Now Unagami wants to break out of the game and into Ninjago....

Appearances[]

Sets 71711 Jay's Cyber Dragon 71712 Empire Temple of Madness 71713 Empire Dragon Ninjago Prime Empire Original Shorts 2. "Upgrade" (voice) 5. "Manhunt" (mentioned) Season 12: Prime Empire 129. "Would You Like to Enter Prime Empire?" (voice) 130. "Dyer Island" (mentioned) 131. "Level Thirteen" (voice) 132. "Superstar Rockin' Jay" (mentioned) 133. "I am Okino" (mentioned) 134. "The Glitch" (mentioned) 135. "The Cliffs of Hysteria" (mentioned) 136. "The Maze of the Red Dragon" (hologram) 137. "One Step Forward, Two Steps Back" (voice) 138. "Racer Seven" (mentioned) 139. "The Speedway Five-Billion" (voice) 140. "Stop, Drop and Side Scroll" (mentioned) 141. "Ninjago Confidential" (mentioned) 142. "The Prodigal Father" (voice; flashback) 143. "The Temple of Madness" 144. "Game Over" Season 13: Master of the Mountain 145. "Shintaro (mentioned) Season 14: Seabound 175. "Papergirl" (no lines) 178. "Assault on Ninjago City" (mentioned) 180. "The Turn of the Tide" (no lines) Season 15: Crystalized 187. "Ninjago City vs. Ninja" (mentioned) 192. "The Council of the Crystal King" (mentioned) 209. "Dragon Form" (no lines) 210. "Roots" (no lines) Books Quest for the Lost Powers Video games The Keytana Quest (non-canon) LEGO Brawls (non-canon) Ninjago Magazine 59. High Speed! (screen) 62. More Games! 63. Speed Demons! 64. Final Battle! (mentioned)

Etymology[]

His name means above the sea or ocean in Japanese. However, the Japanese origins were likely not considered when finding him a name, as his character is unrelated to the ocean. He was originally called Urigami^[9] and Lord Morigami.^[10]

Behind the scenes[]

• As the ruler of Prime Empire, he uses recolored versions of Mr. E's shoulder pads.
• The printing on his headpiece is similar to Zane, P.I.X.A.L., and Jay's pre-season 8 face.
  • Like P.I.X.A.L., he has a two-sided face, with one side being normal and the other side having red on it.
  • He has the lining through his jawline and cheeks like Zane's and a notch on his left eyebrow like Jay's before Season 8, and he has Zane's mouth on his angered expression.
    • He is the second villain to have an eyebrow notch similar to Jay's, the first being Luke Cunningham.
• He uses the same hairpiece as Okino, although his hair is a different color.
  • His Minifigure does not have legs in his ruler form; instead, he has a sloping piece being used as a robe.
    • This makes him the first Ninjago character to have the 2018 slope piece.
• In the Korean dub, his name is pronounced as "WANG-ga-me".
• The design on his T-Shirt in his child form may be a reference to Pac-Man, an iconic video game character.
• The reason he has "i" in his name is that "I" is the Roman numeral for "1."

Trivia[]

• He and Avatar Harumi are the only villains in Season 12 without a health board in the sets.
• He is known for being the "second main villain" for a few things.
  • He is the second main villain to associate with the Mechanic, the first being Chen.
  • He is the second villain that becomes a dragon, the first is the Overlord. Unlike the Overlord, Unagami and his dragon form, the Empire Dragon, are separate beings.
  • He is the second main villain with a secret identity not obvious to the ninja from the beginning. The first being the Quiet One.
• He is the third villain to be the main antagonist in more than one Ninjago installment. With him being the main antagonist of the Prime Empire Original Shorts and Season 12.
  • Garmadon is the first with him being the main antagonist in the pilot episodes, the first half of Season 2, and Season 9. And the Overlord is the second with him being the main antagonist in the second half of Season 2, Season 3, and Season 15.
• He is the fourth villain to have a dragon, the first three being the Overlord with the Nindroid MechDragon, Morro with his dragon, and Ice Emperor Zane with Boreal.
  • Unlike the others, Unagami can conjure or transform into the Empire Dragon at will whenever he's angry.
• He is the first character to exhibit a preference for speaking in the third person, rather than due to a lack of education. This trait is also later used with Korgran and Rapton.
• He is one of the five main antagonists to be redeemed, the other four being Garmadon, Morro, Yang, and Harumi.
  • He is also the only main antagonist originating from the WildBrain era to be redeemed.
• He is the first invader to not want to rule Ninjago, as he only invaded Ninjago to confront Milton Dyer for abandoning him.
  • This makes him one of the five known villains that had no intentions to take over Ninjago. The other four being Yang, Iron Baron, Vex, and Vangelis.
• He is the third most frequently appearing main villain in a single wave, as he was released in up to three sets with exactly the same appearance. The first two are Garmadon and Vex and the fourth is Kalmaar.
• Having been revealed not to be Milton Dyer and instead the game itself, Unagami is the fifth major villain whose true identity was initially hidden from the ninja, the first four being Pythor (in Rebooted), Krux, Harumi, and the Ice Emperor.
• He and Milton Dyer are tied for being the third and fourth character to be mistaken for someone else by the ninja, the first being Garmadon, who was mistaken as the Dark Lord and the Treacherous Deceiver, and the second being Lloyd, who was mistaken as the Golden Master.
• Unlike NPCs, whose code was turned into genetic material after arriving in Ninjago,^[11] Unagami still retains his abilities from the game, such as shapeshifting.
  • It explains how he was able to bring in Red Visors and Whack Rats in "Dragon Form."
• His IQ is in the tens of thousands.^[7]

Translations[]

Language	Name
Finnish	Unagami
French	Unagami
German	Unagami
Japanese	ウナガミ
Polish	Unagami
Russian	Унагами
Spanish (Latin America)	Unagami
Ukrainian	Унаґамі

References[]