What was LEGO’s first theme based on an original ninja-inspired story world?

LEGO Ninjago was LEGO’s first major theme built around an original ninja-inspired story world.

The theme launched in 2011 with sets, characters and stories centred on ninja heroes including Kai, Jay, Cole, Zane and later Lloyd. Its fictional setting combines martial-arts adventure with vehicles, dragons, technology and elemental powers.

Ninjago was supported by an animated television series, Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, which premiered in 2011. The ongoing narrative helped connect products with characters and gave the theme a longer story arc than a simple collection of unrelated sets.

Ninjago is sometimes mixed up with Bionicle, another original LEGO universe. Bionicle began in 2001 and used a different construction system and mythology, while Ninjago primarily uses conventional LEGO bricks, minifigures and play features.