Community discussions on Reddit praised the season's lack of "filler" and its strong focus on the character Cole, which begins to take root in this opening episode.
Critics and fans generally view "Shintaro" as a solid, though character-driven, introduction to the season's darker themes: [S13E1] Shintaro
The story begins with the ninja receiving an invitation to the fabled Kingdom of Shintaro for the birthday of Princess Vania. Master Wu, who has been feeling out of place and "feeling his age," joins the team on their journey. En route to the Ivory City, the ninja's airship, the Destiny’s Bounty , is attacked by "dire bats"—vicious aerial predators from the Shintaro mountains. They are ultimately rescued by the Winged Guards of Shintaro, led by Hailmar, who escort them to the gleaming city. Critical Reception Community discussions on Reddit praised the season's lack
The episode titled is the premiere of Ninjago's 13th season, Master of the Mountain . It first aired in Australia on July 6, 2020, and later in the United States on September 13, 2020. Episode Summary En route to the Ivory City, the ninja's
Ninjago Season 13, Episode 1 “Shintaro”: Analysis & Review
Reviewers on YouTube noted the episode's effective balance of casual humor and setup for Master Wu's potential character arc regarding his aging.
While the arrival at the Ivory City was praised for its music and visuals, some critics found the mid-episode fight with the dire bats to be less memorable than previous season premieres.