With the introduction of the Castle Ninja subtheme which left it's traditional European setting and visited medieval Japan in the 16th century and featured Samurai and Ninjas.
2000 LEGO Sets
2000 was a year of transition and innovation for LEGO. The company introduced RoboRiders, Knights’ Kingdom, Life on Mars, Studios, and a Soccer/Football theme while retiring veteran designer Jens Nygaard Knudsen, creator of the minifigure. Star Wars launched its first Ultimate Collector Series sets—the X-wing Fighter (7191) and TIE Interceptor (7181)—establishing LEGO’s adult collector market. BIONICLE debuted in select regions, setting the stage for a major global launch. Recognized as 'Toy of the Century,' the LEGO brick entered the new millennium as both a cultural icon and a growing creative platform.