BIONICLE
is a storyline and series of sets sold by The LEGO Company. The name "BIONICLE" is short for Biological Chronicle. (A common misconception is that it stands for Biomechanical Chronicle.) The story centers around bio-mechanical characters such as Toa, which are generally large, powerful beings that usually serve good, though that is not a given. Also, the story stresses the Three Virtues: "Unity, Duty and Destiny."
Contents
History
The year was 1997, and this was an absolutely horrid time for The LEGO Company. For the first time in the history of the company, it had posted a loss. The LEGO Company needed a change in order for it to appeal to this new generation of youngsters. They realized that kids in this fast-paced modern world wanted something cool to play with that would encompass more than building blocks. Kids wanted a story behind those blocks, and to go with that story they wanted neat pieces that they could use to create their own play fantasies.
No, this was not the start of BIONICLE as one may expect it to be, this was the birth of the Star Wars line. Star Wars was a smash hit, and it almost took LEGO out of the red for 1999. However, although the sales for the sets were outstanding, a large number of royalties had to be paid to Lucasfilm in order to retain the licensing agreement for Star Wars. LEGO now knew that bricks with a story and focus worked, but the licensing agreement with Lucasfilm kept LEGO out of the black.
Meanwhile, LEGO's TECHNIC line, popular among adult enthusiasts but never well-received by the younger customers, had recently scored a surprise hit in the line of Throwbots(in Europe called "Slizers"). Although these small kits never even began to approach the fame of BIONICLE, they did carry many of the elements that would be found later in BIONICLE. Main characters had an elemental focus of sorts; a simple sort of storyline was hinted at; and the sets included the now commonplace ball-and-socket construction that allowed for extensive playability. And to top it all off, they came in cool plastic cases and had neat, collectible discs.
LEGO's next line, the RoboRiders, were a considerable failure, but were an obvious step toward BIONICLE: they had reduced the cast of characters from twelve somewhat ambiguous characters to six heroes fighting against an unseen evil. The story was becoming more focused, and a tie-in with the LEGO website featured a game allowing visitors to battle monsters using the robotic motorcycles.
Therefore, sometime in 1999 LEGO got the idea of creating their own story. No longer would they have to rely on Lucasfilm or any other outside company to create stories for them. This story -- this saga -- was BIONICLE. LEGO thinkers and design staff wanted to create something that would appeal to boys ages 8-12, yet could also be appealing to other groups. This saga creation would be a challenge for LEGO, as they have never actually created their own story before. As 2000 approached, it began to come together. Six heroes. An Island. Magic masks. A dangerous villain. A fight for control. Everything the typical boy likes in his toys.
The story came together and the sets were made. In January 2001, the creation known as BIONICLE became a reality in Europe. BIONICLE was a smash hit, and it took the continent by storm. Six months later, BIONICLE hit the shelves in the United States. The popularity of the sets was absolutely incredible. LEGO finally found another hit that would not rival any other theme in the area of actual profits.
Storyline aside, the sets introduced new but slightly similar designs from the TECHNIC and the old Throwbots/Slizers constructions, plus adding to the fun was the building factor that LEGO provides. Every piece from the old TB/Slizer pieces, as well as existing TECHNIC pieces. Just think, a skilled TECHNIC MOCist could gut their Manas motor into anything they made, and have another kind of remote controlled MOC. Along with that, there were the collectible "Great Kanohi Masks of Power," which were sold in packs with new Toa heads and eyes so you can put them on the Suva of that Toa. Each mask was designed with accuracy and skill, with the first mask made being the Kanohi Vahi, mask of Time. Over time, these were traded between neighbors and school friends, and with the introduction of a trading center in various BIONICLE forums, across cities and even nations. The sets themselves are now discontinued in production, but are still sold through various outlet stores as extra stock or auctioned off of auction websites.
Also sold were the small Turaga sets, which featured their own set of 6 masks, which were called Noble Kanohi, in the colors of secondary schemes, including orange, light blue and dark gray. These were also sold in the Kanohi packs randomly, and could be collected alongside normal Great Kanohi.
This year also featured possibly the only year with masks we now consider "Misprints." Two Noble Kanohi, Ruru and Matatu, were accidentally produced in each Toa color. Reports also came up that there were White Hunas and other various masks. Another couple of misprints were a light yellow Kaukau and a light blue Kaukau which were the same color as Kopaka's eye color. Also involved in collectibles were two Copper-colored masks, Huna and Komau.
2002
With the success of 2001, LEGO decided to continue the story of their popular Toa and their adventures protecting the Matoran. However, they took a new direction to the story, with the introduction of the Bohrok and their dreaded Krana. Not only did we find an enemy that had no concern for those around it, but it didn't even think about it or anything else, except for what the Krana told it. A robotic monster with only a Krana to activate it was what the Bohrok was in essence, which made the storyline now focus on who was behind them. The sets themselves had actual working moving gears, including a head attack and a headplate opening feature, which launched the Krana at an enemy. Along with that, Krana packs filled with a Krana and Gold and Silver Kanohi were sold throughout the year. Rounding up the year were the dreaded Bahrag twin queens, the fearless Exo-Toa exo-skeleton suits, and the brand-new Toa Nuva. At the time, the Toa Nuva sets were without a doubt the most exciting Toa we had seen, until 2004 on where we saw larger, more flexible sets. Meanwhile, in the last comic of 2002, we were introduced briefly to "The Kal," a mystery revealed later to be the Bohrok Kal, which began the first half of 2003.
Early 2003
The Search for the Silver Krana Kal was on. The Bohrok Kal hit shelves, and located in 5,000 Kal sets were White Metal Krana Kal. Meantime, in 72 special Kal sets, they had a Sterling Silver Krana Kal. Each one were in the shape of a Xa, and each featured a black velvet bag and a proof of authenticity card, which numbered which Sterling Silver Krana Kal the person had purchased. 2003 was a unique year in which all canister sets were actually enemies of the Toa Nuva, as compared to the later years of one set of good guys and one set of bad guys. In this story arc, we also got to purchase the small packs of Krana Kal and Kanohi Nuva masks, with three Krana Kal in each box matched with two Kanohi Nuva, which were the new Kanohi collectible.
Also sold at this point were the Toa Nuva, which were released in November/December of 2002. By the end of the Kal arc, the anticipation of the BIONICLE movie was built up. Nobody knew what it could possibly mean, or what kind of story to expect, but they knew it was coming soon.
Summer 2003
The next canister sets were expected out, and they did with a bang. The feared Sons of Makuta, the Rahkshi, were sold and people were impressed with them. At last, a bending leg, hip movement (kind of), and a moving head. It was more than most people ever hoped for. They were ran on the slug-like Kraata, a rubber collectible sold in tubs, an upgrade from the box design of the Kanohi and Krana packs, which looked like the Kraata stasis tubes the Turaga had used throughout the years to seal away Kraata that were seen. They were sold in 42 colors, 6 shapes at a time. Inside of later-packaged Target Rahkshi packs were Shadow Kraata, straight purple colored Kraata that came in all 6 stages. Also, a shoe was sold featuring a transparent orange Kraata(non-canon), which is highly collectible and rare to find these days. It seemed, story-wise, we had found a worthy opponent to the Toa Nuva, sometimes even too much for them to handle. But wait, we were then told of the arrival of a new Toa, one who could challenge even Makuta. But WAIT! We even get our first taste at buying the Master of Shadows himself, Makuta in the plastic himself. We also bought our favorite Matoran sets, including Hahli, Macku, Hewkii, Hafu, Matoro and Kopeke. Also, inside of two box sets were Jaller and Takua, two future Toa destined at different times. Inside of the Jaller box set was a Gukko, and inside of Takua's was his trusty pet Pewku. Takanuva's set was the Rahkshi-body built Ussanui, the vessel he and the Toa Nuva constructed that sought out Makuta through the Kraata. The Ussanui had six silver Rahkshi backs with no spines, which represented the six Rahkshi that were defeated. Each back could hold one Kraata, making for a total of six. At the end of this storyline, we were introduced to the legendary Metru Nui, a city where all the Matoran came from, and must go back to. Also, we were told of the heroic Toa Metru, whom the Toa Nuva know best as the Turaga of Mata Nui.
Early 2004
The Toa Metru were sold in the early part of the year, with new masks (that actually are their Noble Kanohi in Great form, suggesting in time the Toa Nuva will turn into Turaga and their masks would also transform into a Nuva Noble form) and new body shapes. Adapting the Rahkshi leg bending design and improving it, the Toa Metru's whole leg was built upon ball-and-socket design, with a new double-sided hipjoint holding onto the ball hip and the ball piece of the bottom leg section. Along with that, each design was designed to be almost independent from the other, with small modifications including height adjustment and neck position. Along with neck positions were actual head pieces designed for the purpose of movement on the head, a technique which evolved from the Rahkshi design, and was used on later sets right up to present time. Though they hadn't yet adapted the arm bending technique to today's standards yet, they had progressed further than the Toa and Toa Nuva arms which hadn't flexed at all. Matoran sets were also introduced, which a backstory for each which suggested one of them was a traitor and had sold them all out to a mysterious 4-legged being and a giant brute. Each backstory for the Matoran suggested they were jealous of the new Toa Metru originally when they were but Matoran themselves, and each also had a reason to betray the other. In a funny twist of real life, when BIONICLE novel and comic writer was looking for a traitor, he looked back at the Mata Nui Online Game Comet Ball Trader who sold infected Koli balls to Matoran, gave him a name, and ended up using him as an example. Along with that, he wrote a backstory in a later novel to suggest how come he joined with Makuta. During the first half of the year, we were face with two obstacles, the Morbuzakh and the Vahki, which made sure EVERY citizen worked at their job and also made sure they weren't breaking the law. Since at the time the Toa Metru were not working and were actually doing somewhat illegal tactics according to Vahki law, including breaking into the Fire pits and the Great Furnace, as well as keeping six other Matoran from working, they were public enemy #1. After the Morbuzakh was defeated, and the Six Great Disks were found, they decided to go to the Coliseum and show proof they were indeed Toa. But unfortunately for the Toa Metru, the leader was not who they suspected it was. It was also announced there would be a sequel to BIONICLE: Mask of Light in the fall, named BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui.
Summer 2004
We were officially introduced to Turaga Dume in this story arc, as well as Nidhiki and Krekka, 2 new Rahi named Nivawk and Kikanalo, Toa Lhikan, and also the introduction of the third group of evil we had met ever, called the Dark Hunters. This arc also introduced many story elements, including the existence of a Brotherhood of Makuta, of an Order of Mata Nui, and various other elements to the story. Also in the story we were introduced to a much younger, but still evil, Makuta. Disguised as Dume, Makuta saw the Toa Metru as a threat to his plans, along with the Toa who had given them their power, Toa Lhikan. He had hatched a plan to put all Matoran into pods to put them in deep sleep for many years until they had their memories wiped, where he would then reawaken them all and then introduce himself as their new leader. To finish the task, he had hired Vakama to craft and forge the Kanohi Mask of Time, the Vahi. Also sold in this year was the feared Vahki, with different powers and a multi-pose option, between a bi-ped and a quad-ped design. Within the same year, we had gotten our first taste as to why they had hidden the truth from the Matoran, for they didn't want them to come back to a city with the evils of it. But the next year REALLY showed them why they didn't want them to go back yet, and how far the Toa Metru would have gone to save the Matoran.
Included in the Vahki later sales were Gold Vahi and Disks of Time, around the same time as the movie's release.
2005
All year, we were shown the same storyline, which is a tradition that has carried on thus far into 2006 and 2007. We were introduced to the Toa Metru returning to Metru Nui to rescue the remaining Matoran. Along the way, however, they first met the most feared Rahi on the planet: the Visorak. After being infected with the Hordika venom, the Toa Metru were saved by the Rahaga, six former Toa transformed by the evil viceroy Roodaka. Along with Sidorak, the Horde king, they were determined to conquer Metru Nui in the name of the Brotherhood of Makuta, with Roodaka's deeper secret of freeing Makuta being kept to herself. When the Toa reawoke, they found they were no longer Toa Metru, but hideous Toa Hordika, half Toa and half Rahi. The Rahaga told them they no longer possessed Mask powers, but they had the ability to use their elemental power through Rhotuka spinners. The sets of the Rahaga were smaller than normal Matoran from 2003, with the new Rhotuka spinner on their back. The Toa Hordika also featured Rhotuka, as well as a solid head piece with no mask attachment. Along with that, they featured a new arm which was lifted up and down through gears.
The second half of the year featured the Visorak. However, in the United Kingdom it was reversed in sets released from the United States. The Visorak had a full head piece, and the first of its actual kind, lack of cloned-sets design. It wasn't exactly perfect, but it was a start for some people. The legs differed, the head designs were different, and also different mandibles from each other. Also sold in the later year was Roodaka, the Viceroy of the Visorak, and Sidorak, the King of the Horde. Along with them was the legendary Keetongu, a yellow-orange Rahi of good who knew many antidotes to poison. Finally was the release of the playsets, 3 different sets based on various scenes played out in the novels and the movie. These playsets also were the only ones to feature the most sinister Kahgarak, Visorak who could release the Zivon beast who devoured everything in front of it, including its favorite meal, the Visorak themselves. Also, Kahgarak's Rhotuka power put anything that hit it into the Field of Shadow, which unless they kept a cool head and followed a Kahragak out (if it was trapped as well), could never escape from. BIONICLE 3: Web of Shadows was also released in this year, and it showed the ending of the Toa Metru's story, then had the return to Metru Nui coming up next year. But a sad truth would lead the Toa Nuva and six brave Matoran to a journey so messed up, they nearly didn't come back.
2006
Mata Nui is dying. These four words almost rocked the BIONICLE world so much, the Toa Nuva set off INSTANTLY to find the fabled Mask of Life, the Ignika. Along the way, they met and were defeated by the first half of the year's Canister sets, the Piraka. These six beings, rogues from the Dark Hunters, quit and left to search Makuta's old lair on Mata Nui, where they found his armor and an eerie green mist. Instantly, they knew they had to go to Voya Nui, the island which held the Mask of Life, and recover it. It was a great profit, and they knew they could get more money from it than The Shadowed One himself even had. As they went, they used Toa canisters left over from the days of the Toa Mata, and set sail for the island of Voya Nui. But during their encounter with
Makuta's lair, they also met the Mana-Ko, and unleashed a tool of such power, it split Vezok into two beings, Vezok and Vezon. The sets all featured light-up eyes, rubber faces and spines, and a brand new tool called the Zamor Launcher. Also featured were brand new parts including the special right arm that allowed them to use their tools correctly and fold them under the arm to use the other end. Also sold at this time were the Voya Nui Matoran sets, and Zamor packs filled with bronze, silver and gold Zamor.
During this time, the novels told of the journey of the Brave Matoran to Voya Nui. Their names were Jaller, Hahli, Kongu, Hewkii, Nuparu and Matoro. Also traveling partially was Toa Takanuva, who had agreed to follow them only because he felt it was safer if he went along with them. Following them along the way was the Ignika, psychically tracking them as they journeyed into Karzahni's realm, where no Light could penetrate. Takanuva woefully waved goodbye to them as they went forward without him, and he went back to Metru Nui. Once inside, Karzahni gave them new Kanohi and took their old ones, except Kongu used a Suletu (Mask of Telepathy) he found along the way instead. Once there, they met a Matoran of Light who told them of the World that Feeds the World, a mystic place where he came from. Karzahni had thought this Matoran died before, but he was really hiding in relatively peaceful areas, and he built a new set of Toa Canisters. The Matoran from Metru Nui rushed into them and escaped, all the while Karzahni had decided that there was far more to the world than his realm and Artakha, so he must destroy it himself. Along the way, the Matoran were hit with Lightning from the Red Star, which energized them with Toa power and lightning, giving them the name Toa Inika (Inika means energy from a star). These sets were introduced and advertised through their strobe-light tools which glowed either red, blue or green, depending on which tool you had. Each head was designed with a rubber mask, and could not accept any other mask. This presented some problems for some builders who wished to use the new masks on custom characters but wanted the original eye color of that character, not the green they had. The journey went on for the Ignika as these Toa saved the Matoran from the Piraka and stopped them from obtaining the mask. Other sets sold in the Summer of 06 include Vezon and Fenrakk, a combiner set called Vezon and Kardas, Axonn, Brutaka, Umbra and finally 3 more playsets designed with these new figures. Also introduced was the character Botar, who was a servant of the Order of Mata Nui who had taken all law-breaking citizens to The Pit, including Brutaka. Unfortunately for everyone else, Brutaka would soon be heard from again... as well as six new powerful beings that never stepped foot on dry land since the day they got there...
Trivia
- BIONICLE's traditional logo did not appear during the course of 2006 or 2007.
2007
Ancient evils who ruled distant lands in the world of Metru Nui, the lands underneath the domed sky, were the evil Barraki. They had gained so much power, they almost challenged Mata Nui's own rule. But Makuta and several other beings challenged the Barraki, capturing their lands for themselves and were about to imprison the Barraki. However, the Order of Mata Nui's own servant, Botar, took them from within Makuta's sight, and took them to a place nobody knew existed. Except for the residents.
The Barraki sets were sold, and the first thing that occurred was the controversy of Pridak's red coloring on the white body. He was depicted as a Shark, and most parents thought the red was blood, which made sense from the point that he was indeed a shark. However, various media reported that the coloring wasn't blood, it was just the color scheme chosen. Also sold at this point were four smaller sets, 2 Matoran and 2 Rahi named Hydruka. Another great controversy was the introduction of Sea Squids in the Barraki sets. This new addition displeased many fans and players, as the squids were easy to break and hardly able to function/launch. Around this time, the Ignika had fallen into the mutating waters of the Pit, and also the areas around Mahri Nui were poisoned with this water. Mahri Nui had fallen off of Voya Nui, and unluckily landed on The Pit, attached by a Stone Cord which kept Voya Nui from drifting away from it. At this point, the Toa Inika's journey was to go under the waves and recover the Ignika. Later on we find the mask is actually breaking up from the mutation in the water. Also sold at this point was the feared Nocturn, a Lieutenant of Ehlek's army.
In summer of 2007, the Toa Mahri began selling and being advertised on the BIONICLEstory.com website, with minigames released alongside Story Serials written by Greg Farshtey, and a Toa Nuva Blog written by Gali Nuva to chronicle the journey in preparations of the reawakening of Mata Nui. Also involved in this story was Makuta's own fight with Karzahni, clearly mutated by the waters of The Pit. Also sold at this point was Karzahni with two Matoran and a trap, Hydraxon the Pit Jailor, Maxilos and Spinax, Lesovikk, Gadunka and three more playsets. When the year ended, various previews and Comic #10 showed that Voya Nui sank into the water when the Mahri shot the Stone Cord after taking all the Matoran from Mahri Nui to Voya Nui, destroying Mahri Nui in the process. Also, we witness the death and rebirth of the Great Spirit himself, Mata Nui. Alas, the price for his life was that of Toa Matoro. The year ends sadly as he is mourned by his friends and allies, and honored for the task he took to save Mata Nui's life.
2008
2008 features the return of old favorites: The Toa Nuva. This time, however, they are released in their Adaptive Armor forms, which gives them new weapons and masks shapes, and they are sent to Karda Nui. They are evidently split into two teams in the storyline. Alongside the Toa, 2008 also features the Makuta and Av-Matoran. The canister sets for Winter 2008 are placed under the call-sign "Phantoka" and introduces new projectiles: Midak Skyblaster for Toa and Tridax Pod for Makuta. Summer 2008 will feature the other three Toa as they do their tasks in Karda Nui.In summer 2008 will feature the Mistika, with the other three Toa Nuva, and the rest of the Makuta. They all feature Nyrah Ghostblasters, and have hit stores. In the end, Mata Nui has risen, but Makuta Teridax's spirit is in Mata Nui's body. The Mask of Life has Mata Nui's spirit in it and is possibly going to Bora Manga.
2009
2009 features Vorox, Malum, Tarix, Gresh, Straak, Skrall.
External Links
- The Official BIONICLE Website
- BZPower fan site
- BIONICLEpedia a wiki about Bionicle
- BIONICLEsector01 a wiki about Bionicle, the original source of this page