This is Toa Metru Vakama, red toa of fire. The set was released in 2004. Let's take a look at it

Box/Instructions

This set does not comes in a box, but it comes in a transparent canister with a red lid. The canister shows Vakama swinging around Ta-Metru with his disk launcher.

The instructions are not what we see now-days, they're kinda different (well, they're from 2004, so . . .) but they are decent. I feel proud of having some 11 year-old instructions!

The build

The build is really an enjoyable one, specially the part of the torso and head area. Since I am a very fast builder, I built it like in 10 minutes or less, but that's just me. All I want to say is that you'll enjoy the build pretty much.

The completed model

The completed model is awesome, and what a better way to review it by discussing its pros and cons.

Let's get to them: (starting with the pros)

1) His points of articulation.

He has 6 points of articulation, on the ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, and neck. This point allow posing more easy, and it's always good to have them.

2) The fact that he has knees and elbows.

This is a pro because before 2004, the bionicle sets didn't have knees or elbows, but this toa metru have, and they were super revolutionary, and people loved them because of this new addition. Knees and elbows provide new ways of posing, and posing won't be an issue.

3) His color scheme.

Vakama has a very concise color scheme, consisting of dark red (wine) and dark gray. It looks fantastic and it really resembles his element.

4) His weapon.

For weapon, Vakama has a big disk launcher, and not in red (like the toa mata) but in silver. The color of his weapon is a definite pro. And the fact that is launches a translucent red Kanoka disk, is amazing

5) The double purpose.

Another thing that this new weapons had, is storage. For instance, Vakama can store his weapon on his back, but not only that, the disk launcher becomes a jetpack!

6) The gear function.

Something amazing that Vakama has is his gear function. This gear function was introduced by the toa mata in 2001, but surprisingly, Vakama has it! The gear function consists of a lever on his back that you can turn and his arms rotate!

7) The head

This toa metru had new heads that had a ball joint connector instead of a socket joint, allowing more mobility. The eyes were also new, they were colored translucent pieces that did slide into the head and were connected with an axle rod.

8) the mask.

The mask was new. Instead of having a stud connection, now it has an axle rod attatched to the head for connection. This design is way sturdier.

That's for the pros, now let's move to the cons:

1) The awful blue pins.

This awful blue pins in his hands totally break the color scheme. I'm pretty sure something can be done to change that.

2) The white axle rod in his chest

This also breaks the color scheme completely, but if you imagine that this is a heart-light, then it win't be a con for you.

Overall opinion

I think that this is a really nice set, if it weren't for those cons, it would be a perfect set. If you have any doubts, here I leave to you a link for a detailed review of Vakama on youtube from my friend Eljay from TTV Channel. See you guys later, and I hope I was helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQU2vUE1HJk

I got this set a couple years ago. Vakama is a couragous and ambitious toa of fire. He is a definite best seller. He has very good looking armor, but his arm movment is limited-a definite con. I think bionicles are very good. All LEGOs are very well created and I think LEGO is worthy for an award.

I got this set 5 years ago and pledged i would get all others of this line. Vakama has great design and a disk launcher. i wish bionicles would stay like this instead of all the new ones. If you get Onewa and Matua as well you can combine the three to make a scorpion like creature.

The colors aren't original as the turaga, but the crimsom colored huna is great. The disk launcher are his only weapon, not a good thing, because all matoran can use a one too. But the fire disk is available only in this set. Putting the disk launcher on his back it looks a jetpack, but is strange a toa of fire can fly.

This is my favorite TM so far. Well, at least from the ones that I have.
The crossbow is one of the greatest weapons ever used for Toa. The launcher really works(imagine that), and goes farther than a regular launcher. Or at least from what I've seen.
The mask is rad, I mean super rad, I mean, oh what the heck, Its REALLY REALLY cool.
The one con is that they used one of those peices used on Rahkshi to turn their gears on him to turn his gears to work the arms. Not that its not a good use, but it just looks wierd.
Also, with the crossbow, it sticks up real high and makes him look kinda funky.
But still, it is all made up for with the absolute coolness, or shall I say warmness of Vakama.