Evergreen Themes: Now and Then

[JimBee]

We all know the Lego “evergreen” themes- the most popular themes that Lego created (Castle, Pirates, City, and Space), but what of them? What makes them evergreen themes? This article will explore all four in depth, to just take a look back through the years and remember why these themes are so popular.

I now present you with my first section.

Castle

I chose to review the Castle theme first, because it is the one that I am most familiar with. Be aware, however, that this section does NOT include unrelated sub-themes such as Harry Potter, Belville, or Duplo.

The Castle theme has been around since 1978- a very long time compared not only to other, shorter themes, but also to the existence of Lego itself. Many of you will remember the famous Yellow Castle, the first Castle set ever. It featured a simple and classic design- the yellow walls and brick-built horses still remain in many of the minds of our Adult Fans of Lego as a fond childhood memory. Indeed, this was the first stepping-stone for a theme that would soon prove to be a favorite among Lego builders of all ages.

315 Yellow Castle, the first Castle set.

The Yellow Castle started it all- before long; Castle was off the ground. In the years 1978 through 1983, there were a few Classic Castle sets, but in 1984, new sub-themes started to appear. Lion Knights and Black Falcons were the first. The set designs were slightly varied and improved from the classic line. New figures and pieces were introduced, such as the horse.

A Black Falcon minifigure.

Both Black Falcons and Lion Knights continued on through the years. During this time, only a few sets (no more than ten) were released per year, and the majority of the sets were small in size. More sub-themes were introduced. Forestmen, a well-known and loved theme, was created in 1988, over 20 years ago.

6066 Camouflaged Outpost- one of two of the first Forestmen sets.

The Forestmen sub-theme took Castle by a different approach, more domestic, one could say. The epic, medieval, royal vibe from previous Castle themes was replaced by a quieter, secretive sort of feel. Instead of reenacting massive battles, children could now play out a Robin Hood-esque story, with smuggling, hiding, and that sort of thing. Forestmen also provided somewhat larger sets in general.

Even more sub-themes were making entrances to the Lego Castle world. Black Knights and Crusaders were first released in the year of 1990. They were very much similar to Black Falcons and Lion Knights (now near extinction), except for perhaps different minifigs and new set ideas.

6057 Sea Serpent, an interesting set with the new idea of watercraft in Castle from the Black Knights theme.

These recent sub-themes did not have much to add to the ever-growing Castle theme, but another sub-theme made its grand entrance in 1992, Wolfpack. While it only included three sets, Wolfpack stood out because it combined the “secretive” vibe of Forestmen with the classic vibe of the original Castle theme with a bit of paranormal reference.

6075 Wolfpack Tower- how eerie!

Before long, though, Wolfpack was gone and new sub-themes were making their way into Castle. Dragon Knights was first released in 1993, and though at first glance it might just seem like another Castle sub-theme, it actually introduced a different perspective of Castle. The inclusion of dragons, wizards, and other ideas of the sort reflect the fantasy theme that we see today.

6082 Fire Breathing Fortress introduced new fantasy elements, as well as that massive baseplate that we don’t see much of.

What happens after that? Yes, you guessed it, more sub-themes. Royal Knights (1995) replaced the previous classic sub-theme, just as those sub-themes did to their predecessors, and so on. Royal Knights didn’t have many new ideas to add, it was simply continuing on the heritage of regular, classic Castle.

6044 King’s Carriage- look familiar? Those shiny chrome parts must have been exciting when they first came out, because they still are!

Dark Forest was another sub-theme (1996), mimicking the elements of Forestmen. I think that this is one of the lesser-known sub-themes of Castle, perhaps because of its many similarities with Forestmen.

6024 Bandit Ambush- is there much of a difference between this and a Forestmen set?

Fright Knights was next in line for the sub-themes of Castle. This time, Castle took on a new, darker approach, with dragons, witchcraft, and of course, the “fright”. Many of these sets were promotion polybags, at stores such as Shell or Woolworths. Personally, when these came out, I thought they seemed kind of lonely. I passed on these as a child. That's not to say that these were bad sets, though.

6007 Bat Lord- just look at that gloomy background…

1998 introduced Ninjas. This was one of my favorite sub-themes of Castle. Even though I never got any Ninja sets, I still remember playing with them at a relative’s house. This line featured Asian culture- a nice change-up from the classic lines that kids and adults alike would love. New types of weapons, minifigures, and sets were prominent here.

6045 Ninja Surprise featured new flying technology in the Castle world.

1998 also provided old themes such as Dragon Knights and Crusaders to make another appearance, this time with Kabaya sweets in Japan. The sets were repeats of a few small “impulse” sets from previous years.

Ninjas continued it’s second and final year in 1999, and in 2000, Knights Kingdom I started. This sub-theme wasn’t all too different from other classic sub-themes, but supposedly the minifigures were more “characterized”. There weren’t just generic soldiers anymore- there were named knights that each made several appearances in various sets. An interesting marketing strategy was also made possible by this sub-theme. In the sets 4816, 4817, 4818, and 4819, a different chrome part was included with each set. If the buyer collected all four sets, they would be able to combine the chrome sword, shield, armor, and helmet to create a chrome knight. I say that this strategy is interesting because it hadn’t really been used before in Lego Castle.

An image of the chrome knight when all four chrome pieces are assembled onto one minifig. (Thanks to WhiteFang for the image).

The following years (2001-2002) provided for more remakes of old sets with the new Legends theme. In 2004, Knights Kingdom was reincarnated with KKII. This line featured two types of sets: Bionicle-like action figures and normal System-scale sets. Most unlike other Castle sub-themes, this line had defined characters with very few generic minifigures.

8771 Jayko- obviously, these did not sell well. I remember getting this one, and destroying it almost immediately.

8779 Knight’s Castle Wall

Ultimately, KKII was a failure. Some children might have liked it, but some AFOL’s refer to the line as “Castle Superheroes”, and that's not a compliment.

KKII continued on through 2006 with more action figures and System sets each year. Perhaps the line was improving with sets such as these:

10176 Royal King’s Castle

Finally, in 2007, the line we see today started. This fantasy-era sub-theme was a large improvement over KKII, with better sets, ideas, new pieces, and new minifigures. The Lego Group worked with Lego MOCers to come up with these sets. The attempt was most successful, I would think.

7036 Dwarves Mine- a whole new take on Castle.

The Fantasy sub-theme features mythical beings such as living skeletons, trolls, orcs, dwarves, and dragons. Of course, the race of men was included as well. With a wide variety of sets to choose from, Castle is now better than ever.

10193 Medieval Market Village- just released this year, this set takes on a more domestic approach with detailed houses and market stalls rather than battle devices.

So now we are in the present, 2009, with Lego Castle continuing to grow and provide new sets and ideas. In fact, Lego Castle has barely stopped through these 30 plus years. So why does it continue? Why is it considered an evergreen theme? The answer is simple- Castle and medieval themes appeal to children and adults alike. Whether it be enacting massive battles, building huge castles and towers, or MOCing your own Castle creations, Castle has something for everybody.

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So, that was my article. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. Please feel free to participate in the poll above and leave any comments, questions or concerns you have.

[Teddy]

This is a great article.

It was a very enjoyable read.

Especially with the inclusion of some links here and there.

Not too much, not too few, but exactly right.

Edited June 18, 2009 by Teddy

[Captain Blackmoor]

I loved reading this. It is great to see the sets getting better and better over time.

Great work!

[The Rancor]

I loved reading this. It is great to see the sets getting better and better over time.

Great work!

I would agree that the sets have got better over time, but my favourite is still Ninja!

Those nice ninja costumes, flying parachute things and Japanese Castle hideouts are my favourite ever subtheme of the Castle line.

I hope a similar line will be released in thje next few years, but I doubt it

I still think, however that the yellow castle is THE iconic Castle set and should always be in the future.

It's a great article Jimbutcher, and interesting to read as well

I would hope that Space in general is also an evergreen theme

[Raven Brickroft]

Hmmm~ I have to say that you missed on stating something about the Dark Knights (Blue Dragon) and the introduction of ovoid shields. I also think you missed on the Dragon Knights (Green Dragon) even though you DID put a picture of their largest set.

[I Scream Clone]

Nice work Jim, its like a review of a whole genre rather than a set review! It def helped fill in my dark ages gaps too, cheers and well done on an informative fact filled topic.

[CDC]

Man, i love those old castle sets!

[WhiteFang]

This is a very good informative summarised Castle theme review since 1978 till present day. It's really very helpful to read through this summarised approach of yours where it is able to depict various factions over the past decades or so, constantly evolving till the Fantasy Era. Castle has come a long way, and it's one of the best evergreen themes ever designed by TLG.

Looking back at those Classic Factions, I love those human factions, such as Black Knights, Black Falcon, Forestmen and stuff like that. I missed practically of these great sets during my childhood, as I am much inclined towards Classic Town during that point in time until I gotten my first castle set which is the Black Knights Castle. As it moves on, Ninja is the only Asian/Oriential theme that has surprised castle collectors, by viewing it from a very different perspective. Those Ninja sets and minifigs are extremely well designed, and I am pleased of what they have done. I do wish there will be such similar theme return once more. While those KK series, I can't said I am really fond of them that much, but I can't hate them 100%, as I even bought some sets during this period. For a long time, the current direction of Fantasy era, is ain't the greatest by past standards, but it's definitely a very great theme for castle collectors to start with.

Thanks for sharing this with us! Look forward to more of your evergreen articles in the near future.

[Tom Bricks]

Great article I enjoyed reading it. It's nice to see the history of a line every once and a while. I can't wait for the Pirate one.

Edited June 18, 2009 by Tom Bricks

[JimBee]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I enjoyed writing this as much as you enjoyed reading it.

I would hope that Space in general is also an evergreen theme

Thanks, and yes, Space is an evergreen theme. This includes Life on Mars, Mars Mission, Space Police, Classic Space, etc.

Hmmm~ I have to say that you missed on stating something about the Dark Knights (Blue Dragon) and the introduction of ovoid shields. I also think you missed on the Dragon Knights (Green Dragon) even though you DID put a picture of their largest set.

Thanks for the tip about the shields- I'll do some research on that. However, I did say a bit about both of those sub-themes, if you take a closer look. Or did you mean that I should have said more?

Nice work Jim, its like a review of a whole genre rather than a set review! It def helped fill in my dark ages gaps too, cheers and well done on an informative fact filled topic.

Thank you, I had quite a few surprises myself when researching. I didn't even know that Dark Forest existed!

For a long time, the current direction of Fantasy era, is ain't the greatest by past standards, but it's definitely a very great theme for castle collectors to start with.

Thanks. I still think it's the best, but maybe that's just because it's the newest, and it came after KKII.

Great article I enjoyed reading it. It's nice to see the history of a line every once and a while. I can't wait for the Pirate one.

I haven't decided on which of the three remaining themes do review next, but the next article won't be for a while.

[gormadoc1]

This article was excellent it is like a time line that gives a description of the hi

story of castle. Excellent job well done.

[alex12]

Great article i really enjoyed reading it.

I had forgotten how much i miss the wolf pack .

More thieves and vagabonds in lego castle today is what i say.

[Martijn]

We all know the Lego “evergreen” themes- the most popular themes that Lego created (Castle, Pirates, City, and Space), but what of them? What makes them evergreen themes?

Easy. City is a natural fit for Lego, and middle ages, pirates and science fiction are always popular settings, not just for Lego.

Look at roleplaying games, for example. The most popular settings there are medieval fantasy, science fiction, modern, oriental and swashbucklers. (Clearly Lego still needs ninjas as a main theme.)

[Sir Dillon]

Nice article. It didn't really contain anything I didn't already know, but it was still an interesting read.

It seems to me in some cases your personal views may have been mixed with fact. For example, you said Knights Kingdom II was a failure. Did you find a report on the sales or are you just going by opinions? While I don't know for sure it wasn't a failure, just because most of the members of this and other sites didn't like the theme doesn't mean it sold poorly. The line lasted for three years, which is longer than many others did.

Do you have an article or something about AFOLs helping create the current line? I've heard rumours about fans' help with the Medieval Market set, but besides that can't remember anything. Did fans help create the Dwarves' Mine?

[JimBee]

It seems to me in some cases your personal views may have been mixed with fact. For example, you said Knights Kingdom II was a failure. Did you find a report on the sales or are you just going by opinions? While I don't know for sure it wasn't a failure, just because most of the members of this and other sites didn't like the theme doesn't mean it sold poorly. The line lasted for three years, which is longer than many others did.

Good point. I was thinking the same thing. While most AFOLs disliked KKII, I can't actually say that the line didn't sell. I would edit that out, but it's probably bad form to change an already published article. All I can say is that I was wrong here.

Do you have an article or something about AFOLs helping create the current line? I've heard rumours about fans' help with the Medieval Market set, but besides that can't remember anything. Did fans help create the Dwarves' Mine?

No, I don't have an article, but I'm almost certain that TLG stated that they had help from AFOLs with the 2007 line.

[Spyder]

Rarely do I ever read articles as long as this online, and they have to be good ones. And guess what, I read through this thing twice! This had some nice information in it, sort of like a picture/review timeline. it kept my attention very well, and now I can't wait until your next evergreen theme topic. I agree with you that KKII was a fail, but it is an opinion. I would like to see Lego have soldiers fighting other soldiers in the future, but for now I think Castle is doing really well. Lego has hit a sweet spot with the Crownies and the trolls. It is something that appeals to both kids and adults. Great job on the article, and I hope you do Space next!

[Clone OPatra]

I never thought as Ninja as a castle subtheme, I just thought it was its own thing. If Ninja is a subtheme, then why would Vikings not be? Just because they have next to no buildings?

Still, it was a very nice article. The only improvement I would suggest for future articles is to include a picture of at least one iconic set that really represents each subtheme. You do this for some subthemes in this article, but you don't really show the essence of KKI or Fright Knights because you only show the chrome-laden guy from KKI and Basil the Batlord from Fright Knights. Overall, though, you've done a great job!

[Ratshot]

That was very Lego educational, I will be sure to reread that. Thanks a lot

[def]

Really nice article, I enjoyed it a lot.

At least 20 of those 30 years I wasn't looking at Castle Lego, and one thing that might make an article a bit more interesting would be to go a bit more in depth on sets, such as fan favorites, and why they got that way. As a non-Lego historian, I'd like to read that. Maybe the DX Castle book this fall will cover it though.

But, great all the same. Thanks for putting this together

That was very Lego educational

Legucational?

[Ratshot]

Legucational?

Come on, it works

[Spyder]

Come on, it works

Legocational sounds better. You just try and pronounce Legucational, it sounds like your combining legs, and education.

[blueandwhite]

Nice article.

The one thing I have a bit of difficulty with is the identification of the "Crusaders" as a new faction. I mean, the crusaders are essentially the lion knights. They weren't even identified as crusaders until 1992 when the US and Canadian catalogues labeled them as such. All of the crusaders sets were actually released a year earlier without being identified as such. The same could also be said of the Black Knights who first appeared with 6085. While they got fancy armour, plumes and shields in 1992, they were certainly on the scene before that.

For me, the big difference between the older lines was that there was some level of continuity between 1986 and 1992 with figures and themes carrying over for several years. It's one of the things I really appreciate about the current castle line. The Crownies and their foes have been around for three years. It's that continuity that really drives a line (along with the introduction of fresh ideas).

I hope we see another one of these articles from you in the future.

[Martijn]

The one thing I have a bit of difficulty with is the identification of the "Crusaders" as a new faction. I mean, the crusaders are essentially the lion knights. They weren't even identified as crusaders until 1992 when the US and Canadian catalogues labeled them as such.

I was a bit confused by that too. Originally I didn't know the lion knights as "crusaders", but when I came to this forum, I quickly learned that they were called that here. And now a big article messes up the new terminology I'd gotten used to.

[General Armendariz]

A very informative article. I hope the next article is pirates

[Nikau]

Reincarnating forest men would be awesome, whenever I look for lego in garage sales I hope for some.