Classic LEGO: Bionicle history, part 2
Posted by SprinkleOtter,
In the first part of this article, published way back in October, I discussed the early years of Bionicle 1999-2002. Now I will pick up the story in 2003:
The second wave of sets released in 2003 was centered upon the Seventh Toa and the Mask of Light. The majority of the story was told through the direct-to-stores movie, The Mask of Light.
Mata Nui had enjoyed a time of peace since the Bohrok Kal were defeated, and much of the damage the Swarm caused was repaired. The Matoran even created an arena for the game of Kolhii, a sport that was perfected during the Bohrok war. Just as the championship game was about to begin, Takua, the Ta-Koro [player], snuck off to explore a tunnel. Noticing that Takua was gone, the Ta-Koro goalie and captain of the guard, Jaller, went looking for Takua. When Jaller caught up to Takua, the outfielder had crossed a river of lava and discovered a strange totem on the other side. A convenient rumble caused Takua to drop the totem, where it rolled into the lava. From the melting totem emerged a strange, glowing Kanohi mask. After fishing the mask out of the lava, the source of the tremor was realized: a giant lavaflow. Takua was forced to throw the mask to Jaller, while the lava closed in. Tahu, who was surfing the lava flow, arrived just in time, and saved Takua.
With Tahu's help, Ta-Koro's team arrived at the Kolhii match a few moments before the game started. Though Takua played well, the victory went to Ga-Koro. While the Turaga congratulated the teams, the Mask of Light slipped out of Jaller's backpack, startling the Turaga. Though the Avohkii shined its light upon Takua, he craftily propped the mask upon his foot so that it shone its light upon Jaller, who the Turaga believed to be the Herald of the Seventh Toa. Jaller left the following the morning, insisting that Takua join him.
Shortly after the pair left, Makuta unleashed his newest minions upon Mata Nui- the Rahkshi. The Rahkshi were meant to hunt down the Mask of Light and ensure that there would be no Seventh Toa. The Rahkshi mistakenly believed that the Mask was in Ta-Koro, and attacked, quickly overrunning the village's defenses. Tahu and Gali battled the Rahkshi while the Matoran fled to safety outside the sinking fortress. During the fighting, Lehrak managed to strike Tahu's Mask, leaving two glowing green scratches. The Rahkshi pursued Jaller and Takua across Mata Nui, being slowed by the Toa numerous times. While journeying through the tunnels of Onu-Wahi, Makuta spoke to Takua through the shadows, and persuaded him to abandon the search for the Seventh Toa. Takua traveled to Onu-Koro, while Jaller continued on.
In Onu-Koro, the Rahkshi again struck, though they were defeated by the Toa Nuva. During the battle, the nature of the scratches on Tahu's mask became clear: they were laced with poison, which would corrupt the afflicted. Tahu turned on the other Toa, only to be subdued. While Takua and the other Matoran escaped the battle caused the cavern that Onua and Pohatu were in to collapse, burying them. Takua realized that it wasn't the Mask of Light the Rahkshi were after- it was him, the true herald- and set off to find Jaller. The two reunited, and continued their journey, while the remaining Toa tried to heal Tahu. By using their powers like they never had before, Gali, Kopaka, and Lewa were able to remove the poison inside Tahu, though they were left weak from the effort, and Kopaka left the group immediately after, for unknown reasons.
Takua and Jaller's quest came to an end at the same place that the Matoran made their stand against the Rahi: Kini Nui. While the pair was trying to figure out just what they were supposed to do there, the Rahkshi arrived, trapping the Matoran on the temple. As the Rahkshi closed in, Tahu, Lewa, and Gali arrived to protect the Matoran. A moment later, Kopaka arrived with Onua and Pohatu, of proclaimed that their brother had freed them. Tired of running, the Toa faced off against the Rahkshi, and, through unity, easily overcame them. Unfortunately, while the Toa were defeating the last of the Rahkshi, Turahk rose, and stalked towards Takua and Jaller, who were still atop the temple. The Matoran tried to run, a blast from Turahk froze Takua with fear. Knowing the Takua was destined to be the Toa of Light, Jaller leapt onto Turahk's staff as he was about to strike Takua down. Jaller managed to delay Turahk long enough for the Toa to arrive, and Takua was saved. However, the power coursing through Turahk's staff was too much for Jaller's body to bear, and he died a few moments later. Jaller's final words to Takua helped him realize his destiny, and Takua donned the Mask of Light. The Mask transformed Takua into a Toa, and he immediately defeated the Turahk, and used his power to turn a nearby mountain into a sculpture of previous Kanohi (seems kinda stuck-up to me, but he probably wanted to remember who he used to be).
With the Rahkshi defeated, Takanuva decided that it was time to take the fight to Makut himself. The Toa constructed the Ussanui (a flying sled) from designs stored in Takua's mind, and Takanuva placed a Kraata (the slug-like creatures that Makuta created to control the Rahkshi armor, similar to how Bohrok work) inside it, to guide him through the tunnels to Makuta's lair. Hahli also placed Jaller's Kanohi onto the sled, so that Jaller could see the journey through to its end, if in spirit. Takanuva then descended into the depths of Mata Nui (unknowing that Hahli stowed away in one of the sled's compartments), while the others debated following him. Takanuva arrived at Makuta's cavern, and entered to face Makuta. While Takanuva sent Hahli to summon the others so that Mata Nui could be awakened, Makuta challenged Takanuva to a game of Kolhii. While the game played out, Hahli told the gathered Toa, Matoran, and Turaga of Takanuva's request, sparking flurry of discussion (in which the words “He's a big machine!” can be heard. This clearly shows that this was all planned from day one). Inspired by Hahli's speech, they travel to Makuta's lair, where Takanuva has succeeded in tricking Kakuta into destroying the stasis tubes that house more Rahkshi.Seeing the arrival of an audience, Makuta brought the entrance to the cavern down, proclaiming that none would leave his lair alive, prompting Takanuva to attack, sending a Kolhii ball straight into Makuta's chest. As Makuta started to rise again, Takanuva leaped onto him and removed the Mask of Shadows from Makuta's face, causing him to stumble back into the pool of Energized Protodermis (the same substance that transformed the Toa Mata into Toa Nuva), carrying Takanuva with him.
This is where things started getting weird. A few moments later, a new, larger being emerged from the pool. Vakama explained that “Light and Shadow have become one,” in the being known as Takutanuva (even though the being in the movie looked nothing like the Takutanuva set). Takutanuva proclaimed that light had revealed the will of Mata Nui, and that their brother must be awakened (Makuta usually referred to Mata Nui as his brother). Takutanuva then lifted a massive stone gateway with Mata Nui's symbol, the Kanohi Hau, at the back of the chamber. While Takutanuva struggled to hold the door open for the gathered Toa and Turaga, Hahli ran past with Jaller's lifeless mask. Takutanuva stopped Hahli, and used his power to bring Jaller back to life (as I said- weird). However, this weakened Takutanuva too much, and he could no longer hold the door up. As the door slammed down, the Mask of Light was sent flying into the chamber with the Toa and Turaga. Vakama proclaimed they were going to awaken Mata Nui, and had Hahli and Jaller stand on Unity and Duty parts of the symbol on the floor. The Mask of Light was placed on Destiny, and the Avohkii began to glow, bringing Takanuva back to life, too. However, Mata Nui wasn't awakened. Next we see Takanuva, Hahli, and Jaller standing near the shore of Mata Nui, the Mask of Light's power penetrating the fog that surrounded the island, illuminating the path to Metru Nui.
The second half of 2003 added a new set of villain sets for the Toa Nuva to face, the Rahkshi. The Rahkshi were nearly identical, with only their color, weapons, spines, and Kraata being different. The Rahkshi were much taller than the Toa if they were unfolded to their full height, but were about as tall if kept somewhat crouched, like they were in the movie. Unfortunately, their staffs were connected to both hands, so posing them was difficult. Six single Matoran sets were released, forming three Kohlii teams. These Matoran had Kohlii sticks, which could be used in conjunction with their spinning bidies to hit the included Kohlii puck (not a ball, so play was more like hockey). There were also four large sets released in the second half of 2003, consisting of Takua and Pewku, Jaller and Gukko, Takanuva, and Makuta. The first two of these were standard Matoran, with special Rahi. Both had functions like flapping wings and feet that moved with the model was rolled across the floor. Takanuva consisted of, you guessed it, Takanuva and his sled. Takanuva was basically a standard Toa Nuva, with a gold mask and armor. Takanuva's weapon was what was supposed to be a Kolhii stick, but turned out more like a spear. Makuta was a massive figure, rivaled in size only by Exo-Toa. Makuta sported dark silver armor, the Mask of Shadows (which inexplicably had a second face on its top), and a large Kolhii stick. He also had the feature of being able to spin at the waist if a pin was turned, though this made Makuta somewhat unstable when standing. Makute also had room to house three Kraata, so that you could recreate the scene in the movie when Makuta pulls Kraata from inside himself. Luckily for Bionicle fans, the second set of 2003 products sold well, and the theme continued.
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19 comments on this article
Good article, I rebuilt my 2003 collection just yesterday, the only one I don't have is Takanuva. This, plus the following two years were for me the height of Bionicle in matters of playability. After they gave up on bigger and more complex sets (2001-2002), the 2003-2005 Titans were at least acceptable and enjoyable in building and then playing with, becoming really imposing to the rest of the collection. After that however, things went downhill (2006 was still good because of its 'freshness', then 2007 released all that wasn't explored in Inika building before and 2008 did well because of the vehicles). What we have now surely doesn't live up to these sets, they're just canisters with bland, uninspired design parts being sold for Titan prices, unfortunately.
Still gibberish to me. My 7 year old was watching an old bionicles film at the weekend and I have to say even in film form it makes no sense. I'm not a huge fan of hero factory as Lego sets but at least the stories are understandable.
Thanks, Gus. :) Heh, I actually think I have three Takanuvas, from different lots I've purchased. :P I can see why they gave up on the more complex sets- that was for Technic, not a constraction line. That and the more complex sets had an issue with being able to stand upright- namely the lack of it. :P
Canisters? I wish! They're just flimsy cardboard boxes now (though I guess that's better than those awful bags...). But the price, I think, is more of a reflection of the times- inflation. That and half of the new Toa are Titan-sized.
@ woony2.
That's understandable, the story was complex. While that was Bionicle's greatest strength, it was also its downfall.
Hero Factory, on the other hand, had next to no story. That probably helped it with a younger audience, but isn't fit for sustaining a theme for several years.
My favorite thing to collect were that Kraata! The little boxes they came in were so cool!
I was reading yes part BEFORE it got wierd , and I was thinking 'so it was LOTR with just pippin and frodo hauling the ring , and borimir wasn't killed by orcs , and instead of dark spirits the big bad armored guy sent suits of armor with slugs inside them after the fellowship.' Well then the weird crap happened and... Ugh. I mean I loved the Toa inika year but I don't understand why they HAD to bring back jaller in such an odd way.
Then I remember this is bionicle and it gets very very weird when we hit 2009-2010. Plus it's also supposed to be branded as toys so stuff like bringing so an so back allows them to make more toys of said person.
Can't wait to see what you write on the 2004 and 2005 metru-nui years (2004 was much much much better than 2005 , I wish they woulda just made 2005 a half year story.)
I love the 2003 Kohli Matoran, but it ticks me off that we never got any Onu-Matoran (Earth) or Le-Matoran (Air) in this wave. So now everyone else can be upgraded save for two entire tribes of Matoran ... sigh ...
Nice article! So BioSector01 says that Takutanuva "infused part of his life force" into Jaller's mask... Very odd. It would have been easier for fans to comprehend if he had just summoned Jaller back down from the currently-defunct Red Star...
Wow... I wish Bionicle had been like THAT the whole way through. Because seriously, that story (and SprinkleOtter's summary) are just masterful. Now who wants a CCBS Takanuva?
Nice review! But what's up with Kakuta? :P
"Inspired by Hahli's speech, they travel to Makuta's lair, where Takanuva has succeeded in tricking Kakuta into destroying the stasis tubes that house more Rahkshi."
Thanks, Legozebra. :) Yeah, I know, but it's still weird. :P
Thing is- we didn't know much at all about the Red Star then. Kinda would have ruined the surprise.
@SprinkleOtter Good point, completely forgot about that. Greg Farshtey even stated (I believe it was in that "Ask Greg" topic) that technically Jaller SHOULD have come back from the red star, but it was better for the movie if Takutanuva revived Jaller himself rather than some random star beaming down Jaller...
I remember buying one of the Rahkshi and, although having no clue of the storyline (by this point it had just become incomprehensible), I really liked the design of the toy.
I also bought the Makuta toy, and I really liked him too. I adjusted the design a little to make his eyes stand out a little more, but I thought it worked really great as a Lego supervillain (the design was very malevolent looking).
I have never felt so old and out-of-touch...
@ Legozebra.
Heck, for all we know, Takutanuva created a link between the Mask and the Red Star, so that the teleporter could work. Makuta had studied it, after all. :P
@ Zordboy.
Yeah, Makuta was great- the only thing I'd change on him is to make his neck one solid piece, so that it couldn't pop off. :P
Thanks, PicnicBasketSam. :) I'd be up for the Bionicle Reboot having a Takanuva. :)
@SprinkleOtter
Yes, my bad. I didn't get used to describe medium sets as other than 'canisters' after collecting them over a decade. =P
I still don't have any Bio 2015, but I have around six sets which come with these plastic bags. Even cardboard boxes are better than these.
And even though I understand the pricing is hugely influenced by inflation and I can only pity about it, it is at least absurd to see that a protector set (which measures over 16 studs in feet) cost the same as an Inika (around 27 studs, plus much more detailed pieces, huge canister and light-up weapon).
And even though the three 20 dollar masters come to the same size as a 'Titan' (not exactly on the size of the biggest ones such as Dume & Nivawk, Roodaka or Brutaka), their building is no different of the other three ones. That, to me, is a great let down since building has been (at least in the times you're revisiting in such articles) the difference between pricing among the line and has been the major difference of this line (compared to other action figures, as 'shifting' is the differential for Transformers)), way before they coined the terms 'constraction' and 'ccbs', which at many times serves more as an excuse for lack of innovation rather than a serious approach into exploring a 'building system' (just like after the Piraka).
There's not much to do either, for me there only remains the option of acquiring the sets I mentioned in my last comment through second hand or to get random lots of pieces. =/
@ Gus.
I know what you mean. :P
I can't even begin to justify the prices on the new Protectors, though they finally seem large enough to get in on the action.
Yeah, Titan sets during Bionicle's original run all had some element of Technic building. Shame they don't anymore.
Well, if you need any help with that, I can probably get you original Bio sets for less than EBay. Prices there are a little jacked up for all the fees EBay tacks on. :P