History TearJerker / Ninjago

--->'''Kai:'' We can't do that to you! It's not fair!
--->'''Lloyd:''' "'Fair'? [[CallBack Fair isn't a word from where I come from!"

** When Lord Garmadon tactlessly goads the team to move on and to carry on their mission, Lloyd blows up in his former Father's face, heartbroken and furious about how heartless he was. Lloyd's outburst really shows how much he really cared for Cole, and SamuelVincent's [[HeReallyCanAct delivery]] only hammers it home.

** After the above conversation, Garmadon asks Zane about the next logical course of action, claiming that out of everyone that he should be the one with the most logical thought. Zane [[Tranquil Fury quietly, yet angrily]], responds, "At this moment, [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness even I am incapable of logical thought,]]" before also storming off angrily. P.I.X.A.L and the other Ninja follow suit.

'''Lloyd:''' [furious] Don't say it! Just don't! I don't want to hear that! I-I'm done, okay?! I can't be responsible for anyone ever again...

** Kai's reaction is much worse: He buries his head in his hands. From Kai's perspective, the only reason why he joined the Ninja was to save Nya. But this moment shows that all of his attempts to [[BigBrotherInstinct protect her throughout the whole series]] have now been rendered [[AllForNothing futile]]. Wouldn't you be

* The TV Special, Day of the Departed focuses on Cole as he makes his final stand since he is fading from existence. It holds many emotional moments.

** A short moment, but Jay is saddened at the thought that Cole didn't survive

* In ''The Traveler's Tree'' has plenty of sad moments.

** In the episode "Home" Zane states that he never gets a letter from his parents. Well, now we know why...

* After witnessing that Lloyd has become drastically older in "Wrong Place, Wrong Time", Lord Garmadon appears to be on the verge of a VillainousBreakdown, he looks completely heart-broken!

'''Lloyd:''' ''Son?'' You've been gone my whole life! There's nothing you can say.

* All of the Ninja except Lloyd and Kai being forcefully being turned evil, then telling Lloyd to leave and save himself. They fortunately get turned back to normal in the end.

* Lloyd being helpless to save his father after being captured by Pythor and the Overlord.
** The shot of Garmadon sinking through the water does not help.
** Lloyd's face. ''Lloyd's face.''

* Really, just the entirety of the last seven minutes of "The Titanium Ninja": Zane pulls a HeroicSacrifice (during which the viewer is shown his last memories flashing before his eyes, including his father telling him he was "built to protect those who cannot protect themselves") and is seemingly KilledOffForReal until the very last scene after his memorial shows he's still alive, just in Borg's systems.
** Zane's falcon perching on the statue and the snow that follows. If you weren't already crying, you are now.
** Then when Zane's voice asks P.I.X.A.L ''"Are we compatible?"'', a line P.I.X.A.L herself said when it looked like she would die earlier in the season, and the awestruck look on her face as she sees him again, and [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome the swelling music with the light female vocals that send a chill up your spine...]] This whole scene may be full of TearsOfJoy, but they are ripped from you like almost nothing else prior in the series.

** When the Ninja rescue Lloyd and return back to get their equipment for the upcoming battle, they meet up again with an old friend. However when he remarks on how they have all changed, when he mentions that Cole is now a ghost, Cole looks clearly distraught.

* Jay's conversation with Nya after Lloyd and Cole are sucked into the Sword of Souls.
** Jay: " They came to rescue me, and -- and now they're all gone." "Everyone's gone."
* While Nadakhan is hit with the Tiger Widow Venom to slow him down, the Ninja see to their horror that '''Nya ended up getting hit with it as well.''' What happens because of this can easily qualify as '''one of the saddest moments of the series alone,''' even if Nya's death [[DeathIsCheap didn't]] [[CosmicRetcon stick]]. It hits even harder for Jay, who literally had to watch Nya [[DiedInYourArmsTonight die in his arms]]. The fact that Jay had gone through CharacterDevelopment throughout the whole season as well as become closer to Nya makes this all the while tragic. Their last conversation together before Nya dies is truly enough to wrench a few tears.
-->'''Nya:''' You have to make your last wish! You're the only one who can stop him.\\

** Kai's reaction is much worse. He buries his head in his hands. From Kai's perspective, this moment shows that all of his attempts to protect [[BigBrotherInstinct his own sister]] throughout the whole series have now been rendered '''[[AllForNothing futile]]'''.

** A short moment, kinda played for laughs but Jay begins to cry when he realizes that Cole might be gone for good, but thankfully this isn't the case.

-->(''Misako bursts out of a nearby Vermillion egg'')

-->'''Kai:''' You didn't have to face him alone!

* Cole saying "S- so we don't have a Master anymore??" after finding out that Wu had been lost to time.
* The start of "Dead Man's Squall" is a rather harsh one, with Zane being beaten to near-death by Mr. E being a ''painful'' sight to see. (And unlike other brutal fights in the series, we actually ''see'' the damage Mr. E inflicted on Zane) And once Zane is deactivated as a reault of his injuries, the soundtrack "Built to Protect" (The song that played during Zane's sacrifice back in Season 3) plays once again in the aftermath of the potential second death of the Nindroid, even playing through the opening sequence as well as if to hammer the severeity home.
* "Game of Masks". Hoo boy, where to begin? The episode starts with a flashback of Harumi's StartOfDarkness. It is revealed that her biological parents died during the Great Devourer's rampage and was adopted into the Royal Family and endured what is implied to be a stern education as well as having to spend most of her time locked in the palace and she blames the Ninja for their "failed efforts" to stop the creature and Lloyd for realizing the Serpentine who went on to release the Great Devourer.

* Lloyd being forced to watch as Garmadon "kills" his friends by ordering the Colossi to crush the Destiny Bounty with them still inside it, even though the ninja and Wu survived, Lloyd has no idea of that and, from his point of view, witnessed his friends getting killed by his father right in front of him, if the previous episodes and seasons weren't enough of a TraumaCongaLine for the poor kid, this seals the deal; even if he promises to defeat Harumi one day in spite of all that he's lost.

* In "Green Destiny" we get Emperor Garmadon ordering Lloyd to finish him off. Considering the fact that he seemed hesitant to actually kill Lloyd in previous episodes, adopted Harumi simply so that he could pretend that Lloyd wasn't his son, and saved him from certain death a couple of times when they fought (under the pretense of wanting to kill him himself) it can be interpreted as if Garmadon's guilt over hurting his son emotionally and physically has [[DrivenToSuicide driven him to suicide.]] Luckily Lloyd refuses to do so and merely has him arrested.

** During the scene, Kai is seen barreling his way through everyone in an effort to turn the Bounty around so they could save Cole, who disappeared into the darkness, even though it seemed fruitless to do so. Zane is the one who has to step up to Kai that they're too late and they had to go, less they face the wrath of the darkness themselves. Kai breaking down in tears and Nya's guilt stricken face says it all.
** [[OneWomanWail The music does]] '''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYFbia4mu6E not help!]]'''

** When Lloyd and Pixal were saved, literally ''everyone'' in the team rush to check on Pixal and Lloyd, asking if their okay. They seem a little more desperate than usual to make sure their friends are okay. It only makes sense, they just lost Cole.

-->'''Lloyd:''' (Looks at the other Ninja, and sees their broken expressions). What? What is it?
-->(Nya, Jay, Kai, and Zane say nothing, only giving Lloyd a sad expression)
-->'''Lloyd:''' (Realizing someone is missing) Where's Cole?
-->(More silence. Jay and Kai avert their gazes while Nya's lips start to quiver).
-->'''Lloyd:''' (Panicking, approaches Kai and shakes him) ''Somebody'' say something. (Looks at Nya, becoming desperate) ''Where's Cole?''
-->'''Zane:''' (Touching Lloyd on the shoulder, turning him around) He...h-he's gone.

** When Lord Garmadon tactlessly goads the team to move on and to carry on their mission, Lloyd blows up in his former Father's face, heartbroken and furious about how heartless he was. Lloyd's outburst really shows how much he really cared for Cole.

-->'''Lloyd''': ''(Screaming)'' There's more to life than ''SURVIVING!!'' ''AGH!!'' ''(Storms off in anger)''
** After the above conversation, Garmadon asks Zane about the next logical course of action, claiming that out of everyone that he should be the one with the most logical thought. Zane angrily responds that in a time like this, even ''he'' is incapable of logical thought, before also stomping off angrily, followed by a sadden Pixel.
*** Kai later mentions in his conversation with Nya that she's the only brains they had left because Zane is too grief stricken to think properly. And he's a ''Nindroid''.

** Master Wu is devastated to hear the news about his student and sorrowfully mourns his death quietly while Misako wordlessly comforts him.
** The team's expression when Kai reforges the Scythe of Quakes. Kai's voice cracks as they lament that it had belonged to Cole. Kai then gives the weapon to Nya, telling her that Cole would've wanted her to have it. Nya does faithfully continue to use the weapon in the final battle despite not being the Master of Earth.

* In "Endings", the death of Lloyd, whose death impacted Lord Garmadon that he backed away from the group mourning for him. He turned out to be alive after a few seconds, but still...

** Some days later, the ninja hold a funeral for Nya. Jay only expects a couple of people to show up. Instead, ''everyone'' (including the Geckles, the Munks, the paperkids, the Serpentine, Jay's parents) showed up at the monastery to honor her, going all the way down the mountain.

** Zane shut off his emotions entirely in order to avoid dealing with the grief, and for several episodes he continues to have them shut off. And later on when he does briefly turn them on while the team's detained in Kryptarium Prison, he's left screaming in terror from everything that's happened before they're turned back off.

-->'''Cole:''' Whatever happened to "Ninja Never Quit?"\\
'''Lloyd:''' [combo anguished and furious] Don't say it! Just don't! I don't want to hear that! I-I'm done, okay! I can't be responsible for anyone ever again...

* "The Shape of Nya"

** Despite having been reunited, the grief from Nya's departure hasn't left at all, with Jay and Kai in particular having incredibly high tensions about being in the team. It gets to the point that the two break down into a fight at the episode's end after a mission gone poorly. It's only Nya managing to reach the Ninja that breaks up the fight, as the two were both ready to outright quit the team.

-->'''Cole:''' Whatever happened to "Ninja Never Quit?"

** Lloyd became a window washer and refuses to return, blaming himself for what happened to Nya, and harshly telling off Kai for trying to relay their "Ninja never quit" quote to him.

** Some days later, the ninja hold a funeral for Nya. Jay only expects a couple of people to show up. Instead, ''everyone'' (including the Geckles, the Munks, the paperkids, the Serpentine, Jay's parents) showed up at the monastery to honor her, going all the way down the mountain.

* The start of "Dead Man's Squall" is a rather minor one in the grand scheme of things, but Zane being beaten to near-death by Mr. E is a ''painful'' sight to see (And unlike other brutal fights in the series, we actually ''see'' the damage Mr. E inflicted on Zane), with the soundtrack "Built to Protect" (The song that played during Zane's sacrifice back in Season 3) playing once again in the aftermath of the potential second death of the Nindroid, even playing through the opening sequence as well to hammer the severeity home.

** This is now also HarsherInHindsight, with Cole’s voice actor, Kirby Morrow, passing away on Nov 18th 2020.

** This is now also [[HarsherInHindsight]], with Cole’s voice actor, Kirby Morrow, passing away on Nov 18th 2020.

*** This is now [[HarsherInHindsight]] With Cole VA, Kirby Morrow, passing away on Nov 18th 2020.

* Cole sacrificing his life to get the Airjitzu Scroll and becoming a ghost as penance. Not only is he technically ''dead'', he also lost the ability to, quote, "''feel anything''". Watching Cole cope and struggle with being a
bodiless deceased spirit is heartbreaking. Knowing that he will probably be a ghost forever makes it all the more worse.
*** This is now [[HarsherInHindsight]] With Cole VA, Kirby Morrow, Passing away on Nov 18th 2020.

** Sensei Wu as a child, and his confused, frightened expression as he watches his brother become consumed and infected by evil.
* Think about having your own beloved family member turn evil, not because they want to, but a situation beyond their control (bitten by a snake and infected/corrupted/consumed by the wicked evilness in it's venom), dividing your family and becoming an evil, villainous dark lord. They are conciously aware of this, but cannot overcome their evil compulsion due to being corrupted by the evil in their blood. To make it even worse, his own beloved child (whom he adores) is the chosen one destined to meet in battle to defeat him. This plight is truly just heartwrenching.

* Really, just the entirety of the last seven minutes of "The Titanium Ninja": Zane pulls a HeroicSacrifice (during which the viewer is shown his last memories, including his father telling him he was "built to protect those who cannot protect themselves") and is seemingly KilledOffForReal until the very last scene after his memorial shows he's still alive, just in Borg's systems.

** Jay and Cole's feuding reaches an all time high. As they both practice on dummies that have a picture of the other on them before their match, they each destroy their respective dummy. At first they both look satisfied. That is until the dust clears and they realize what their feud is doing to their friendship.

* Keep in mind, LLOYD was the one who banished Garmadon to the Cursed Realm. The kid hardly knew either of his parents very well, and was forced to banish one of them to what was more or less a place worse than hell. No wonder the kid was off on his own for a while in Shadow of Ronin.
* In the first episode of season 5, Lloyd is possessed by Wu's bitter ex-student Morro who was released from the Cursed Realm when Lloyd had to banish Garmadon. In the ensuing battle with Kai, Lloyd briefly surfaces and begs Kai to help him. Poor kid.

* Cole sacrificing his life to get the Airjitzu Scroll and becoming a ghost as penance. Not only is he technically ''dead'', he also lost the ability to, quote, "''feel anything''". Watching Cole cope and struggle with being bodiless deceased spirit is heartbreaking. Knowing that he will probably be a ghost forever makes it all the more worst.

* The ninja defeat Morro, the Preeminant and all the ghosts, but Garmadon is now gone forever, and Cole is ''still'' a ghost. In addition, Wu's grief over losing Morro is quite sad.

** After Jay's wish begins taking effect, [[CosmicRetcon not only are you seeing time being rewound, you are watching Jay and Nia's love being rewound as well.]] Fortunately, their memory is the one thing that ended up sticking.

-->'''Lloyd:''' (Looks at the other Ninja, and see's their broken expressions). What? What is it?

* "Dungeon Crawl" beginning with a flashback of Cole visiting his sick mother in the hospital.

* "Dungeon Crawl" beginning with a flashback of Cole visiting his sick mother in the hospital.
* Meta: On November 18, 2020, Creator/KirbyMorrow, Cole's [=VA=] ever since the series first started, unexpectedly passed away due to unexplained causes at the age of 47.
** Another meta: The kid who was the inspiration for the character Jake died at the age of 9 in 2021. There was some confusion with his voice actor being dead, but [[https://twitter.com/TommyAndreasen/status/1353091004082085891 he's]] [[ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated alive]].

* Meta: On November 18, 2020, Creator/KirbyMorrow, Cole's [=VA=] ever since the series first started, unexpectedly passed away due to unexplained causes at the age of 47.

* Meta: On November 18, 2020, Creator/KirbyMorrow, Cole's [=VA=] ever since the series first started, had unexpectedly passed away from unexplained causes at the relatively youthful age of 47.

* Meta: On November 18, 2020, Creator/KirbyMorrow, the voice actor for Cole since the series began, passed away.

* "Dungeon Crawl" beginning with a flashback of Cole visiting his sick mother in the hospital.

-->'''Misako:''' Wu, why did you fail me?

(''Apparitions of the heads of all the ninja appear around Wu'')

-->'''Wu:''' I- I made a mistake, an error of judgement! [[CannotSpitItOut I should've told you I loved you before you went to]]- -->(''Garmadon bursts out of another nearby egg'')