Background :
LEGO Ritchie, a key member of the Whack Rats gang from the Prime Empire video game, appears is the sand green, rat. He wears orange pants and features purple hands, along with a unique ponytail hairpiece, which only a few other Ninjago, characters share. Ritchie's initial role in Ninjago is a supporting antagonist, where he works as one of Unagami's henchmen. He participates in the high-stakes Speedway Five-Billion race, using cheating tactics with his fellow rats in an attempt to win the Yellow Key-Tana and slow down the Ninja's progress. Ritchie initially shows loyalty to Unagami and Atta the Ratta, the Leader of the Whack Rats. He actively engages in combat with the Ninja, utilizing his quad bike, notably luring the Ninja into a Red Visor, ambush under the pretense of showing them a glitch shortcut.
Role :
In episode 134, "The Glitch," Ritchie leads the Ninja and Okino into a trap within the Forest of Discontent. He guides them to a glitched, purple, cubed room, which is immediately ambushed by Red Visors, who shoot at them. While the Red Visors fight the Ninja and Okino, Ritchie watches before leaving the room. Later in the storyline, Ritchie's role evolves significantly. After Unagami enters into Ninjago City, freeing all the NPCs, Ritchie and his gang cause chaos in the real world. However, once Milton Dyer makes amends with Unagami, Ritchie, along with many other Whack Rats, and the Red Visors, chooses to return to Prime Empire, finding it a better place to live. His alignment shifts over time; in the Crystalized Season and Dragons Rising series, he is as an ally of the Ninja, a citizen of Ninjago City.
Interactions :
Ritchie interacts with a variety of characters throughout his appearances. Key interactions involve the Ninja Team: Jay, Zane, Nya, Kai, Cole, and Lloyd. In the episode "Game Over" Ritchie notably fights Zane, who steals his quad bike. He engages in battles with the other Ninja during the Speedway Five-Billion. Ritchie directly talks with Lloyd while captured, attempting to deceive him about a game glitch. Outside the Ninja, Ritchie interacts with Unagami,, and fellow Whack Rats members: Richie and Targle. In later Seasons, he is seen alongside other allies and citizens of Ninjago, including Master Wu, P.I.X.A.L., and the new characters Arin and Sora from Dragons Rising.
Journey :
Overall, Ritchie's importance lies in representing the non-player characters' journey from being simple game enemies to individuals with free will, choosing their own destiny. He provides a minor, yet consistent, adversarial presence in the Prime Empire, arc before becoming a recurring background ally in later stories. His shift from a villainous "Whack Rat" to a helpful citizen which highlights, his redemption as former Prime Empire, NPC,