Kai from The Lego Ninjago Movie has a Concussion: A TLNM Theory
No, I'm serious. He has a concussion for most of the movie. There's proof. There's proof of the cause, proof of concussion symptoms- and it actually explains some of his actions.
Section One: The Impact
How did Kai get a concussion? Simple. Meowthra.
That's not sped up- that's the original speed of the movie clip. And I had my engineering/physics major student friends do the math on what was a surprisingly sober voice call- that impact, assuming the IRL dimensions and plastic weight of the Fire Mech (look, it was for fun, so the math might be a bit off, but also there was arguing and the word "counterpoint" was used like five times and they opened Microsoft whiteboard and it was glorious)
Here's the complicated math for those curious, I have not a clue, don't ask me, I'm a fine arts major
The consensus was "oh he's so dead", but we agreed that if Lloyd's arm can be removed and re-attached that lego physics are in play and Kai lives- but yeah, that's definitely enough force to get a concussion, especially from the whiplash.
Section Two: The Aftermath/Symptoms
So Kai has a concussion, or at least, should. Big deal. Cartoon physics. It's not like he actually displays symptoms of a concussion throughout the mov- OH WAIT HE DOES.
Exhibit A: The Scene We All Refuse to Acknowledge as Canon
I really dislike the scene of all the ninja being pissed at Lloyd for using the Ultimate Weapon. Like- first of all, Lloyd JUST learned about it, HOW do all of you know about it? And second- the movie sets up that this group is tight-knit. They are universally hated- Lloyd the most, but the others by proxy. They would NOT disown him as their friend for this, a mistake he made as a last resort (Garmadon was literally winning) and didn't know the consequences of because Wu didn't tell him besides cryptic warnings. Their reactions do not line up with the bond the film portrays their group has.
Rant aside-
Lloyd: Oh my gosh, you guys are okay! Nya: Barely! Cole: You used the Ultimate Weapon. Not cool! Kai: Dude, our mechs are totalled! Nya: Now that cat's destroying Ninjago. Jay: We were the only people that didn't hate you. And now we hate you. Zane: Deleting all data related to treating Lloyd as a friend.
Kai's line is interesting. At first glance, it's just a normal line that fits with the others being upset at Lloyd (which STILL DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AND COLE HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ULTIMATE WEAPON AAAAARGH)- but on second glance, he (and Nya, sibling trio for the win) is the only one who's line is more of a statement than a criticism against Lloyd. Cole, Jay, and Zane? All targets at Lloyd. But Kai? It's a statement- and yes, the way he says it with anger is more targeted at Lloyd, but what if it wasn't? What if that wasn't how he meant to say it?
Concussion Symptoms Displayed: Irritability and other personality changes ; ringing in the ears
What if Kai meant to say it with shock, with a "dude" as exclamation rather than a focus subject (aka that Kai's addressing Lloyd as dude out of habit, not as Lloyd being the reason for the mechs being totalled)? But the concussion has his ears ringing, and he's irritable and snappy, and it comes out all wrong and he doesn't realize it?
((PS: My original theory was that they all had concussions and that's why they act that why towards Lloyd lmao)
But okay. That's not the strongest evidence. Good thing I've got more.
Exhibit B: A Continuation of The Scene We All Refuse to Acknowledge as Canon
Master Wu: Students, are you willing to give Lloyd a second chance?
Kai, after a few seconds of delay, very loudly, followed by a strange expression: NOPE.
Concussion Symptoms Displayed: Dazed or vacant stare ; confusion ; forgetfulness ; ringing in the ears ; delayed responses
Kai looks confused. His expression doesn't match with anyone else, before or after the question. It's almost a bit dazed, very confused, as if he didn't hear the question right- possible forgetfulness or ringing in the ears (the latter also a possible cause for his increased volume). He also delayed compared to everyone else- and this isn't the only time this happens.
Exhibit C: Spinjutzu Practice in the Jungle
Tumblr won't let me upload more than one video so I'll show it in screenshots-
Concussion Symptoms Displayed: Dazed or vacant stare ; confusion ; delayed responses ; concentration trouble ; memory issues
Kai starts the spinjitzu late with a delayed reaction to start and a delayed reaction to turn back around - and looks confused the whole time through. And sure, maybe it's a "haha he's slow" joke, but the movie hasn't really made any of those jokes up until this point. And yes, I do HC he has ADHD, but combined with the above... this feels like a concussion to me. The fact he has the dazed look the whole time, the fact he's delayed compared to everyone else (they're all finished and he's still turning), the fact he might've forgotten how spinjitzu goes and is having trouble remembering it despite doing it just fine at the Warehouse earlier in the film pre-Meowthra- it's all very suspicious to me.
Exhibit D: Constantly Pushing Someone Away When it's Established He Likes Physical Contact With His Friends
At the beginning of the movie, Kai greets Lloyd with open arms (literally)
and is shown to love the hug between him, Lloyd, and Zane
That dude loves physical contact. He's a hugger. And we know Kai is a protector by nature- just look at him in the show. Heck, look at him later in the film when he, hyped on adrenaline fuel, carries Cole to safety from the Valley of General Unhappiness attack
(also he fully throws Cole to the ground after this- more signs of confusion, he's dizzy and doesn't know what's going on and is just reaction on impulses).
But in the scene of confronting a caged Garmadon on the bridge, this happens.
Here? Jay holds onto him from behind, Kai stands protectively to defend him, all good. Physical contact doesn't bother him.
Jay climbs over his back? All good.
Then suddenly-
Then suddenly gets irritated, throws Jay off, dusts off his gi, looks confused/remorseful for a second- and Jay looks hurt and confused, as if he wasn't expecting Kai to react like that.
Concussion Symptoms Displayed: Irritability and other personality changes ; confusion ; delayed responses ; headache
Maybe there was a sudden spike in headache pain, maybe irritation struck, and Kai, who by Jay's reaction seems normally fine with Jay handing on him like a shield, suddenly snaps.
Now, of course, it could be a case of "haha funny joke in an animated movie", but I just spent several hours writing out all my thoughts and analyzing frame by frame, so I'm going to take it as evidence because there is a very odd pattern going on with scenes with Kai post Meowthra attack displaying various concussion symptoms.
There's likely more exhibits- these are just some of the scenes I've looked at with this theory in mind- but like. It's interesting just how often it appears, and all post Meowthra attack- the moment of concussion. And before anyone argues "oh but he wouldn't be able to go on the journey with a concussion", first of all, this is a Kai we're talking about, he'd go on the quest with a broken leg and hide it if he had to, and second of all, adrenaline can do quite a lot, and Kai likely doesn't even realize he has a concussion because of said concussion.
Also, if the HC of Lloyd's element being both an elemental power booster (he's connection, he strengthens those he has tight bonds with) and a healing ability, maybe Kai's concussion is constantly kept in-check by the power of Greeeen, and he's in a constant loop of "concussion lessening and strengthening" as he keeps jarring it with more physical activity.
Feel free to add your own thoughts to the matter!
