Arin (Ninjago)
| Character | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Arin |
| Occupation: | Ninja, Mech Racer (formerly) |
| Relationships: | Sora's Best Friend, Lloyd's Student |
| Fandom: | Ninjago: Dragons Rising |
| Other: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Arin is one of the main characters of Ninjago: Dragons Rising, along with his best friend Sora. He grew up idolizing the ninja, and taught himself Spinjitzu by copying their techniques. He is the only ninja who does not have an elemental power; however, his self-taught Spinjitzu is unique, and he has invented the technique Object Spinjitzu, where he gives Spinjitzu power to a thrown object.
Despite losing his parents in the Merge, Arin is a compassionate and kindhearted character, who always sees the best in people; however, he is more than willing to stand up and fight for the people and ideals he cares about. He's a clear stand-in for longtime fans of Ninjago, but his character goes far beyond that surface-level projection. As part of the Ninja team, Arin is often the most emotionally stable of the group, offering support and explanations when the other ninja are dealing with past trauma. His fighting skills still need work, but he's determined to keep at it and live up to the original ninjas' legacy.
History
Season 1: Part 1
Fans fell in love with Arin from the moment that Dragons Rising first began airing, on June 1, 2023. This part introduced us to Arin and Sora, and the new world of the Merged Lands as a whole. Going into the season, many fans were excited to see a new ninja who didn't have any powers, and Arin did not disappoint.
Season 1: Part 2
Season 2: Part 1
Season 2 of Dragons Rising focuses much more heavily on Arin than Season 1 did, now that Sora has completed her first character arc. This season has brought up Arin's struggles with not having an elemental power, and his frustration over being unable to improve his Spinjitzu. His building frustration, along with an interaction with Lord Ras where he suggests that Arin needs to find a new master, and a scene in Lloyd's visions[1] where Arin punches the camera, has led fans to speculate that an Evil Arin arc may be in store for Part 2, or in Season 3. This increased focus on Arin and budding fan theories has increased the fandom's focus on the character, leading to speculative fanworks and exploration of his dynamic within the team.
Common Pairings
Given Dragons Rising's focus on platonic relationships and found family, shipping with the new main characters is less prevalent than one might expect; many fanworks instead focus on these platonic relationships, and explore them in just as much depth as they would romantic ones.
Platonic:
- Arin & Sora
- Arin & Lloyd
- Arin & Riyu
Romantic:
- Sorin (Arin/Sora)
- Arin/Percival
Fanon/Common Tropes
- Evil Arin: Many fans have predicted an evil Arin arc based on the events of Dragons Rising Season 2: Part 1, in which Arin expresses frustration over his lack of progress with Spinjitzu. He is approached by the main villain, Lord Ras, who belittles him for his failures and tells Arin that Lloyd's training is holding him back; that he needs a master who will teach him to be stronger. This has caused fans to speculate that Arin will leave the ninja, and may attempt to learn Shatterspin to increase his strength.[2]
- Oni/Part Oni Arin: Arin's hood includes a metal piece with two horns on it, evoking imagery of the Oni; this parallels Sora's clear Dragon imagery. Fans have speculated that Arin may be part Oni, or connected to the Oni in some other way.
Fanworks
Fanfiction
Fanart
Other
Archives & Communities
- Arin's tag on Ao3
Resources
- Official Dragons Rising Season 2 playlist on Youtube
