Oaky here are my ninjago race headcannon.
Also I’m probably not the only one seeing how Chinese coded are Kai and Nya like it so obvious in the first episode like their house is Chinese style mix with Japanese but we all know that China influenced Japanese and all of East Asian. Cause of how massive they were in power and territory.
Okay here is it:
Jay: see Jay as white like Irish and Swedish. Swedish cause of Norse mythology the god Thor's lightning gives very much Jay. His mom is Swedish is dad is Irish probably like a second-generation immigrant in America. Like I mean the red hair freckles he is a ginger that’s why Nadakhan had a hard time taking his soul cause he doesn't have a soul. Also his adoptive parents giving so much white midwestern like their names are Ed and Eddna having a junkyard living in a trailer.
Zane: he is the most difficult one since one half of the fandom headcannon him as Russian due to him looking like Ivan Drago the Russian boxer ans his powers being ice ans him growing up in a very snowy place. Ngl I also headcannon him as Russian and seeing that one let it go male animation you could see the vision in there. But the other half headcannon’s him as black which I totally see and like. Like how they give him vitiligo in some fan arts it’s so amazing and Arin asking for a similar to Zane hairstyle. I have seen some people headcannon him as albino which again I think is amazing.
I personally think the best solution is to make him like half black half white Russian but him to look similar to Cameran Boys so loeo everyone would be happy idk draw him however you want he is like I think racially ambiguous left so people can see themself in him easily then with the others. RIP Cameran you brought so much joy in our loves thought your amazing acting career.
Kai and Nya: Obviously Chinese/Japanese coded but more on the Chinese side. Rei and Maya are both Japanese names but Rei is also a Chinese name. I think Maya is Chinese cause of her clothing and Rei is like half Japanese half Chinese cause it’s know Japanese people are one of the best blacksmiths. Nya wearing a qipao in the first two seasons gives a massive hint ngl. Also them being ninjas, Nya having a kimono the pink one and the blue kimono which is obviously again a qipao idk how they had messed it up probably forgot about it. Her symbol bring Phoenix and Kai’s being lion which in Chinese mythology the Phoenix (Fenghuang) symbolizes rebirth, virtue, and harmony (often female), while the Lion (Shi) embodies strength, bravery, and protection. Also the fandom giving them the surname jiang. Also the rice field in their village are terrace style commonly found in China, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Lloyd: I see why some people headcannon him as white cause eof him having blond hair and green eyes looking like Adrian Agresste from MLB. But him being part oni which comes from Japanese mythology and being a part dragon coming from Chinese mythology and his uncle being named Wu. His mom’s name is Misako so we can make the best assumption he is at least 75 percent Asian Chinese/Japanese and I have seen some people headcannoning Misako as half white as she gives a lot of British archeologist vibes.
Cole: Cole again like Zane has the most diverse ethnicity headcannon. But for me his dad gives so much Italian vibes like him trying to pressure Cole to be a dancer aka join the family business and him running away finding another job. Also the way his dad’s outfit was like it gives Italian. His mom is in the other hand I personally see her as Japanese and Middle Eastern maybe Iranian or Turkish. Idk it just gives me this vibe and I really like it to be honest.
These are just MY headcannon. Okay, I’m not forcing them on anyone and the expansion I’m giving is more so you get why I chose these. Also draw them however you want it’s your fanart. These are just what I thought their ethnicity would be. I hope you like them.
If you wanna part two comment and I will give you more of my other race headcannon for the other characters.
That’s it from me! Case closed!! Vampy’s out!!!