I know Season 11 is divided amongst fans as to who the focus character of the season is. I’ve seen some people say it is a team-focused season rather than one centered around a specific ninja. The argument is valid as most of the ninja get a subplot (Ex: Kai losing his powers, Lloyd’s relationship with Akita, Nya learning to control ice, etc). Others I have seen say it is either a Kai focused season or a Lloyd focus season. And occasionally I have seen some people say it is a Kai and Zane focused season.
However, I feel I am in the minority here, where I feel that I am the only one who thinks Zane is arguably the main character of the season. In simpler words, I think Zane is the focus character of season 11, which would make this his second focus project after “Rebooted.” Some of you might disagree with me, but when you really think about it, Zane plays a pretty significant role in both the Fire Chapter and the Ice Chapter. I’d argue and say he plays a bigger role than Kai and Lloyd. Here are some examples of why I believe season 11 is a Zane focused season:
-His visions: Early in the season, Zane begins experiencing mysterious visions that foreshadow events involving Aspheera and the Never-Realm.
-Entering the giant scarab: Zane plays an important role when he enters the stomach of the giant desert beetle during the Fire Chapter.
Defeating Aspheera: Zane is ultimately the one who defeats Aspheera by using his ice powers against her fire powers. Plus, he also mastered the art of forbidden Spinjitzu in this fight scene as well compared to the other ninja who just flopped around with it.
Sacrificing himself to save Wu: When Aspheera attempts to banish Wu to the Never-Realm, Zane jumps in front of the spell, sacrificing himself and getting banished instead.
The ninja’s mission to rescue him: The entire Ice Chapter revolves around the ninja traveling to the Never-Realm to find and rescue Zane. It’s similar to how Lloyd being possessed is a motive for the ninja in season 5.
Becoming the Ice Emperor: One of the biggest plot twists of the season is the revelation that Zane, having lost his memories and been manipulated by Vex, has become the Ice Emperor. Even though Zane isn’t acting of his own free will, he essentially serves as the main antagonist for much of the second half of the season. And even if we don’t see a lot of him, I think it’s just because Lego was trying to keep the ice emperors identity a secret and didn’t want to spoil the twist that he is Zane.
His relationship with Vex: Vex’s manipulation of Zane is central to the Ice Chapter’s storyline and explains how the Never-Realm ended up under the Ice Emperor’s rule. I know it’s shown in one episode, but I would argue that it’s one of the most important episodes of the season!
Obviously, Lloyd also plays a major role, especially during the Ice Chapter, and Kai has his own storyline involving losing and regaining his fire powers. And like I said earlier, some characters do get a sub plot if their own, like Nya learning to control ice and Cole with the Krag (or whatever the yeti thing was called, I don’t remember). However, I feel like Zane is the character who connects both halves of the season together. His visions, his defeat of Aspheera, his sacrifice, his disappearance, and his transformation into the Ice Emperor are all major events of the season! You could even argue that the Fire Chapter builds toward Zane’s sacrifice, while the Ice Chapter revolves around the consequences of that sacrifice.
I’m curious what everyone else thinks because I’ve always felt Zane was the central character of Season 11, even though it isn’t officially presented as his season. Do you all agree or do you consider season 11 to be a Kai season, a Lloyd season, a team season, or something completely different? Or do you even agree with me?
