Kai - Core (The Island/Evo Legacy Fusion)
njo705 · Ninjago
Core / Legacy Era · 2022 (First appeared in the Ninjago Core line)
Figure ID
njo705
Theme
Ninjago
Year Released
2022 (First appeared in the Ninjago Core line)
Rarity
Common; widely available in multiple low-to-mid-range Ninja sets and books.
Head
Yellow head with determined/angry dual-sided expression, orange-red mask scarf, and black wrap-around headgear consistent with the Core design language.
Torso
Black torso with red and gold trim, featuring the 'Core' lion emblem in the center; red sash belt and detailed gold lapel printing. Arms are solid black with black hands.
Legs
Black legs with red diamond-patterned printing on the knees and hips, mirroring the 'Evo' and 'Core' design aesthetic intended for younger builders.
Accessories
Includes the Dragon Sword of Fire (molded in translucent orange/gold), an oversized elemental weapon characteristic of the 2022 Core and Crystalized waves.
Color Scheme
Dominant black secondary to the traditional red, with gold accents. This 'stealth' focused palette distinguishes the Core versions from the classic all-red suits.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on the torso (front and back) and legs (front). Features sharp geometric patterns that lack the complexity of movie-scale figures but emphasize durability.
Variants
This specific version (njo705) is the standard 'Core' Kai. Variants include the 'Legacy' version with different leg printing and the 'Island' version with sleeveless elements.
Condition Notes
Common wear points include 'silvering' on the black torso corners and friction wear on the hand-to-sword connection. The translucent weapon is prone to bite marks and stress fractures if bent.
Estimated Value
Used: $3.00 - $5.00 USD; New/Mint: $6.00 - $8.00 USD. Value is kept low by high supply across multiple sets.
Price (New)
Available in sets ranging from $9.99 (Kai's Fire Dragon EVO) to $39.99 (Ninja Ultra Combo Mech).
Compatible Sets
71762 Kai's Fire Dragon EVO, 71765 Ninja Ultra Combo Mech, and multiple 2022-2023 Ninjago activity books.
Character Background
Kai is the Master of Fire and a primary protagonist of the Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu series. This outfit represents a 'back to basics' design aimed at bridging the gap for new fans.
Design Notes
The Core line was designed to be 'evergreen,' moving away from specific TV season tie-ins and returning to iconic color-blocking and recognizable character motifs.
Similar Minifigures
njo745 (Core Kai - Polybag version), njo636 (Legacy Kai), and other Core ninja such as Lloyd (njo702) or Jay (njo703).
Collectibility
Moderate to low. Recommended for completionists or those building an army of variants, but not a primary investment piece due to mass production.
History
Part of a rebranding effort by LEGO in 2022 to provide a consistent look for Ninjago characters across toy aisles, regardless of current TV show continuity.
Interesting Facts
The weapon shown is part of the 'Evo' upgrades system, where characters 'level up' their gear in the accompanying instructions/lore.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed with the other five Core Ninja to show the unified geometric design language of the 2022 wave.
Modification Potential
The black torso and red accents make these parts popular for 'Dark Side' or Sith-themed Star Wars customs.
Overall Assessment
A solid, well-designed play figure that captures Kai's essence. While not rare, it is an excellent example of modern Ninjago printing quality and accessory design.