Underworld

“I thought the Spectral Lands were where people pass through to whatever's after this life. So then what's the Underworld?”
“Similar, but only disgraced warriors end up there.”
— Arin and Ras, "Casket of Bones"

The Underworld was one of the realms before the Merge and is now part of the Merged Lands. It is the home to the Skulkin and the Greenbone Warriors and it is the resting place for disgraced warriors. For some creatures, it serves as a prison.[1]

After the Merge, it is no longer possible for individuals to be reborn there[2] and is now only accessible by the living through a single passage in a village that moves around Mysterium.

History

History[]

Background[]

At an unknown point in time, the Underworld came into existence alongside the rest of the other Sixteen Realms, where it would function as a purgatory for fallen beings and creatures who were disgraced in a fight before passing, trapping them in a state of limbo. At some point the First Spinjitzu Master would visit the realm.[3]

Afterward, Samukai would later die and end up in the Underworld and become its king, after dethroning the Bone King,[4] the previous king of the Underworld.

An Underworldly Takeover (flashback)[]

Following his banishment, Garmadon swore vengeance. Clashing with Samukai, he promptly won and declared himself King of the Underworld as a result. He then went on to begin his plans to get the Golden Weapons by using the Skulkin as an army.

Pilot episodes[]

The Golden Weapon[]

After his failure, Samukai went back to the Underworld to give report to Garmadon, saying that the ninja learned Spinjitzu and obtained the Scythe of Quakes. Upon hearing this, Garmadon was pleased, saying that everything is going according to the plan, much to Samukai's surprise.

Weapons of Destiny[]

Master Wu awoke in the Underworld after traveling there via the Fire Temple's lava. He was forced to stay hidden as the Skulkin patrolled the Underworld but snuck his way around them and headed toward Garmadon's Dark Fortress.

Meanwhile, upon recruiting the Dragons, the ninja relied on their new companions to travel to the Underworld. The Dragons quickly swooped down toward the land below, only to spin themselves into tornadoes which transported them through a swirling vortex. They then navigated through a hidden tunnel before finally arriving in the Underworld.

Kruncha and Nuckal were guarding the Dark Fortress, inspecting any incoming objects to the building. Both Skulkin Generals were unaware of the ninja, who were traveling quietly by stalactites. However, this plan failed as they found themselves mistaking the legs of Spykor for stalactites and fell in front of Nuckal and Kruncha. After Nuckal alerted his brethren to the intruders, the Skulkin began cornering their opponents as several Spykor dropped from the ceiling to join them.

While the ninja began tossing ideas back and forth for their next move, Jay suggested the Tornado of Creation. Each ninja whipped into a Spinjitzu tornado, all four combining into one giant whirling mass. The Skulkin and Spykor were pulled into the massive tornado and ended up trapped in a skeleton Ferris wheel. Taking this as their cue to find their master, the ninja immediately headed into the Dark Fortress.

Possession[]

Kingdom Come[]

While discussing the concept of the Sixteen Realms on a skiff, Fenwick showed the ninja an illusion of the Underworld.

Curseworld, Part II[]

Fighting over the Realm Crystal, Morro and Lloyd would arrive in the Underworld. After Lloyd was attacked by Spykor, Morro would attempt to leave him behind through a portal, only for the Master of Life to follow in pursuit.

Dark Island Trilogy, Part 3[]

Following his defeat at the Temple of Light, Clouse was banished to the Underworld, ironically finding himself at the same spot Garmadon had ended up in and likewise surrounded by several Skulkin.

Between Seasons[]

The Underworld was attacked by the Oni, with all of its inhabitants turned to stone.[5] However the effects reversed when the Ninja defeated the Oni in Ninjago.

Secrets of the Forbidden Spinjitzu[]

The Kaiju Protocol[]

While trying to open a portal to the Never-Realm, Wu and P.I.X.A.L. concluded the Traveler's Tea was not strong enough. They add more leaves, and instead, opened several portals to different realms, including the Underworld.

Dragons Rising, Season 1[]

During a clashing of realms known as the Merge, the Underworld was merged, its location currently unknown, with part of the realm placed under Mysterium. As a result, disgraced warriors can no longer be sent there upon death.[2] Several Greenbone Warriors that previously resided in the Underworld either relocated to a forest or to the Crossroads.

Dragons Rising, Season 3[]

Casket of Bones[]

After arriving in the Skeleton Village, Ras, Arin and Sora noticed that a Re-Awakened entering the Underworld through a trapdoor. Ras tried to enter the Underworld through the trapdoor, only to discover that the passage has been disappeared.

After defeating the Monster Skull, the trio entered the Underworld, where they encountered Kruncha and Nuckal, who were playing bone rolling challenge. Ras demanded them to direct him to the Forge of the Forgotten, only for Kruncha to say that he needs to beat them in a bone rolling challenge. However, Ras knocked the two Skulkin's heads, which led them to Nuckal revealing how he can get to the forge. After putting the Skulkin's heads to their original place, Arin and Sora went after Ras, who already arrived at the forge. After opening the Casket of Bones, Ras told Sora that the forge is empowered when someone enters the casket. Hearing this, Sora asked how they get out, which Ras responded by saying they won't and started approaching Sora, saying that's why he tolerated Sora this long. However, Arin stopped Ras, saying that no one is going to die here today. Despite Ras trying to convince him that this is the only way they can bring back his parents, Arin said Sora it's his family too and tried to leave the forge with her. Disappointed in Arin, Ras tried to attack the duo, thus causing a battle between them. During the fight, Ras deflects one of the bones Arin threw at him with his Object Spinjitzu, which shatters the base of a floating rock formation, causing Ras to get buried beneath the falling debris, which allowed Sora and Arin return back to the Skeleton Village.

Under the Light of a Mechanical Moon[]

Ras activated the Forge of the Forgotten after sacrificing someone else to the casket, making a new Source Dragon Icon. Then he was summoned to his master's void by his master, where he told them that they are one step closer to their plans. After Ras came back, several Greenbone Warriors and Re-Awakened led by the Greenbone Leader arrived in the forge. The Greenbone Leader said that a mortal using the forge is a grave insult and they should kill Ras for using it. Knowing that he needs to fight, Ras accepted the challenge and approached at them. Eventually, Ras won against them and claimed the Greenbone Leader's helmet, leaving the Underworld with it.

Locations

Locations[]

Inhabitants

Inhabitants[]

Visitors

Visitors[]

Ways of entering

Ways of entering[]

Prior to The Merge[]

Before the Merge, there were several ways of entering the Underworld. The normal ways of entering available for most of the realms are usage of the Traveler's Tea, the Realm Crystal, and riding a dragon. However, there were specific passageways only for the Underworld, and those were: the secret passageway in the Fire Temple, riding a Skulkin vehicle or being banished using magic.

After the Merge[]

After the Merge, it is unknown if some of the previous ways of entering the Underworld still work. However, there is a new secret door available in the lands of Mysterium, where is a traveling passageway guarded by the Monster Skull who allows the inhabitants of the Underworld to enter the land but fights anyone else. Those who manage to defeat the Monster Skull through sheer strength are granted passage, as it is the only thing respected by the fallen warriors of the Underworld.

Appearance

Appearance[]

The Underworld is a dark realm where deceased lifeforms can become animate. Certain locations in Ninjago can transport people to the Underworld, the most notable one being the lava in the Fire Temple. The Underworld is home to the Skulkin and Greenbone Warriors who share the realm with the Spykor, which live along the ceiling stalactites.

Pieces of land stay afloat in midair, connected by long wooden bridges that the Skulkin regularly traverse over. They keep torches lit by each bridge to provide sufficient lighting.

LEGO.com description

LEGO.com description[]

The Underworld is the realm of the dead, populated by fallen warriors who have never fully realized or accepted their passing. It is home to the Skeleton Army, also known as the Skulkin. The Underworld is a dark place, where land masses float in mid-air and are connected by bridges constructed by the Skeletons. Dragons and Skeleton vehicles are able to travel between the NINJAGO world and the Underworld. Once there was a passageway to the Underworld inside the Fire Temple, but it was destroyed by Kai. Lord Garmadon’s Dark Fortress is still located here, symbolizing the fall of the late Samukai who once ruled the Underworld.[10]

Appearances

Appearances[]

Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu[]

Pilot episodes[]

Mini-movies[]

Season 2: Legacy of the Green Ninja[]

Season 5: Possession[]

Season 11: Secrets of the Forbidden Spinjitzu[]

Season 15: Crystalized[]

Ninjago: Dragons Rising[]

Season 1[]

Season 3[]

Season 4[]

Books[]

Graphic novels[]

Comics[]

Ninjago Magazine[]

Ninjago: Legacy Magazine[]

Video games[]

Trivia

Trivia[]

  • Before the Merge, it was the realm with the most entrances to it: dying with unfinished business, dragons, a physical entrance behind the lava fall in the Fire Temple (destroyed by Flame), the Skulkin's vehicles (when driven at very high speed), the Realm Crystal (destroyed by Lloyd), and Traveler's Tea.
    • After the Merge, access to the Underworld became more restricted. Despite being physically underneath the Merged Realms, the access portal to it has became trickier to open, with only the skeletons (its inhabitants) having free access to it. The portal now changes locations in Mysterium and, for the living to enter it, they need to defeat a guardian.
    • It is unknown what happened to the other methods of entering the Underworld after the Merge.
  • The Underworld was the first alternate realm seen in the show.
  • For some reason, set descriptions for 2013 sets (specifically 70501 Warrior Bike and 70504 Garmatron) claim the Stone Army comes from the Underworld.
  • In the show's early years, the Underworld was referred to by supplementary material as the place where all beings go when they die, as an "underworld" traditionally is in fiction. This was retconned however, is that in the current story, the Departed Realm was the true place beings go after they die before the Merge.
    • The Underworld's role is very similar to that of Purgatory from real-world religions, as both are an afterlife realm where disgruntled souls are sent to. Unlike Purgatory, it is unknown if a soul could have moved on to the Departed Realm if they come to terms with their death, or if they are to reside in the Underworld for all eternity.
      • Samukai's soul was eventually sent to the Departed Realm but as a result of dying a second time.
  • It's unknown whether unfulfilled souls from realms other than Ninjago went to the Underworld.[11]
  • In a trailer for Season 10, the Underworld was seen being temporarily taken by the Oni until they were defeated.[5]
  • The Underworld in Season 11 is re-used footage from the pilot episodes. However, it was footage from before the Ferris Wheel was created, so it appears that the Skulkin have taken it down.
  • The Ninjago website museum gave a slightly different explanation of the Underworld, stating "The Underworld is the realm of the dead, populated by fallen warriors who have never fully realized or accepted their passing."[10]
Gallery

Gallery[]

In Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu[]

Pilot episodes[]

Mini-movies[]

Season 5: Possession[]

Dark Island Trilogy[]

Season 10: March of the Oni[]

Season 11: Secrets of the Forbidden Spinjitzu[]

In Ninjago: Dragons Rising[]

Season 3[]

Concept art[]

Translations

Translations[]

Language Name
Bulgarian Подземния Свят
French Monde des Ténèbres/Royaume des Ténèbres
German Unterwelt
Hungarian Alvilág
Japanese 闇の世界 (Same name as "The Overlord's void" and "Nether-Space")
暗黒世界 (In several compilation episodes, Same name as "Cursed Realm" and "Departed Realm")
Polish Podziemia
Portuguese Submundo
Turkish Yeraltı Dünyası
References

References[]

  1. ↑ Mask of the Sensei
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://bsky.app/profile/docwyattbeyond.bsky.social/post/3m4xykpg57226
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "A Cold Goodbye"
  4. ↑ https://kids.lego.com/en-us/video/duckbricks-episode-8-explore-every-ninjago-realm-ever-34faad127ef64a0c8b88a4f8a1fafa13
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtlLYV6DoQE
  6. ↑ https://bsky.app/profile/docwyattbeyond.bsky.social/post/3lbqa6xro7s2q
  7. ↑ https://x.com/TommyAndreasen/status/838364420375986176
  8. ↑ Mother Earth
  9. ↑ 'Tales from the Merged Realms
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20160806083331/http://www.lego.com/en-us/ninjago/accessories/locations/the-underworld-season-0-09ff23fb81504e9da090000f7e473d3a
  11. ↑ https://x.com/TommyAndreasen/status/773933754280730625