BIONICLE
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BIONICLE was a series of sets sold by LEGO with a storyline to promote them. It is noteworthy for being one of LEGO's most successful themes in the company's history. The name "BIONICLE" is short for Biological Chronicle.
History
The theme BIONICLE was first conceived by LEGO in the end of the 1990's as a plan for what was meant to be a successful, but original, line from LEGO. BIONICLE followed in the paths of previous lines such as Slizers (known as Throwbots in America) and RoboRiders. The line was introduced as part of the TECHNIC brand, and was released on December 30, 2000 in Europe. BIONICLE quickly became a financial success, becoming the best-selling LEGO product line in 2002. Most waves featured a new line of small sets in in the first half of the year, and new canister sets (occasionally boxed sets as well) semiannually. In 2004, BIONICLE became its own brand, leaving TECHNIC behind. Advancements in construction of the BIONICLE figures occurred mainly in 2004 and 2006, during which set designs became more posable. 2010 marked the last wave of sets and the end of new story media other than the web serials.
Story
The first story in 2001 focused on the Toa Mata, six warriors washed ashore on the island of Mata Nui, and being tasked with defeating the evil Makuta and awakening the Great Spirit Mata Nui by the Matoran villagers. The first sets were introduced, representing key characters. Also prominent in the year was the Mata Nui Online Game, a game that was played as Takua, wandering Mata Nui. The year concluded with the defeating of the evil infected Rahi, and the temporary vanquishing of Makuta. All the Toa featured unique elemental powers, and mystical Kanohi.
The next menace in 2002 was the Bohrok swarm, which rampaged across Mata Nui. After defending the island, the Toa Mata found that the Bahrag queens were controlling the swarms. Underground, the queens were dueled, and imprisoned in a Toa Seal. Energized Protodermis transformed the Mata to the Toa Nuva. In early 2003, the Bohrok-Kal stole the Nuva's powers by taking their Nuva Symbols. As the Bohrok-Kal were about to use the symbols to free the Bahrag and re-release the Bohrok hordes, the Nuva used their combined willpower and the legendary Kanohi Vahi to destroy the Kal. Later that year, the Avohkii, Mask of Light was discovered by Takua. He and Jaller went off to find the legendary seventh Toa that would wear it. All the while, Makuta released the Rahkshi, which defeated the Toa Nuva. At the mystical Kini-Nui, the Rahkshi were defeated, and Takua was revealed to be Takanuva, Toa of Light. Going to Mangaia, Makuta's lair, to fight him Takanuva emerged victorious in the defeating of Makuta, who was supposedly killed. He then discovered the underground former Matoran home, Metru Nui.
The Turaga's sagas revealed the ancient history of Metru Nui, and that they were Toa Metru 1,000 years ago, the 2004 story basis. Before his capture, the Toa Lhikan had given them the power to become Toa from mere Matoran. Finding the Great Disks the Metru had defeated the Morbuzakh menace. However, Turaga Dume had declared them traitors, and they were hunted by the ruthless Vahki enforcers, and Dark Hunters. Finding and rescuing a now Turaga Lhikan, they discovered that Dume was Makuta in disguise, and he had place the Matoran in spheres. Lhikan was killed, and Teridax trapped, though the Mask of Time was lost. In 2005, after discovering Mata Nui, the Metru returned, but were mutated by Visorak, a species controlling the city, into Toa Hordika. Meeting the Rahaga, the Hordika did several missions against the Visorak before their leader Vakama joined Roodaka, Visorak viceroy. Finding the creature Keetongu, the Hordika dueled and scattered the Visorak, while Roodaka was defeated (despite Makuta's escape), and Keetongu cured them to Metru. In the present, the Mata Nui inhabitants returned to Metru Nui.
The 2006 story picked up from where the 2003 story left off. Shortly after the population relocates to Metru Nui, the Toa Nuva are sent to Voya Nui, to find the powerful Kanohi Ignika, to save the dying Mata Nui. There, they find the evil Piraka have enslaved the Matoran there other than a six-group fighting force with Antidermis, and are defeated. Matoran in Toa Canisters wash on the shore, and are transformed into Toa Inika. Helping Axonn against Brutaka, the Piraka and Inika reach the Ignika's last guardian, Vezon. Matoro claims the mask, and it dives underwater. Now in 2007 story, it goes into the Pit, where the mutated Barraki warlords wrest it from the Matoran of Mahri Nui. The Inika reach the seas, and are transformed to Toa Mahri, meeting the alive Makuta in the guise of Maxilos. After retrieving the Ignika, Mata Nui dies, but Matoro lets himself die to save Mata Nui. On a faraway island, new armor is given to the Nuva, and they are teleported to Karda Nui, to awaken Mata Nui for the 2008 story. Dueling Makuta warriors in the skies and in the swamp to stop the corruption of Matoran of Light to Shadow Matoran, they manage to gain access to the Codrex. Mata Nui awoke, and the Nuva went to Metru Nui to celebrate (the Makuta all died in an Energy Storm), they see that Teridax (the Makuta) has taken over Mata Nui, and the world is a gigantic robot, he merges Mata Nui's mind with the Ignika and launches it to space.
In 2009, Mata Nui arrives on Bara Magna, a war-torn desert planet where the Agori and Glatorian are trying to maintain their inter-tribal dispute resolving method of gladiator fights while the evil Skrall invade. Mata Nui arrives, and manages to defeat the Skrall and Tuma, their leader, and the traitor Metus. After noticing that the dwellings of the Agori form a robot, Mata Nui hatches a plan to reclaim his universe. Finding the power for the robot, he takes control of it, starting main 2010 story. Teridax arrives, and after a great battle involving Teridax's land forces versus a Glatorian and Agori alliance (who wins by the help of Tahu, using the Golden Armor failsafe), Teridax is killed. His body is abandoned in a mass exodus, the moons of Bara Magna merge with the planet to form Spherus Magna, and with the planet revitalized, Mata Nui retreats into the Ignika.
As the new society develops, perils such as Annona, and a Great Being (former kings of Spherus Magna, creators of Mata Nui) in disguise, and a mass murderer have emerged. Annona has been dealt with by being dreamed away from the planet by Sahmad with aid from a fusion.
Comics
From the beginning, comics have always played a large role in telling the story of BIONICLE. They were first released in June 2001, starting with The Coming of the Toa, detailing Kopaka washing ashore on Mata Nui, and meeting Matoro, Nuju and Pohatu. The main comic series continued until March 2010, when it was cancelled. The series featured two reboots, one to start 2006, and one to start 2009. They were included with LEGO Magazine shipments. There were many other promotional comics though, some coming with McDonald's purchases, or Lunchables boxes.
Books
In 2003, the book series began, chronicling 2001-2003. That year, Greg Farshtey became author of the books. Books provided the main story starting in 2004, with comics moving to a supporting role. It create a more in-depth story, with more content and information. The amount of books decreased every year, until in 2010, the last book, Journey's End, was serialized in America, with the only published content being exclusive to Poland. Many other promotional guide books were released, providing supplementary information to the main story. Many were in the Polish language starting in 2006.
Movies
There were four movies in BIONICLE. The first, Mask of Light, dealt with the hunt for Takanuva. The second the following year dealt with the rescue of Lhikan and the revelation that Teridax was masquerading as Dume. Movie three was late 2005, showing the story of Vakama's temporary betrayal and Roodaka's scheming ambitions. In 2009, a final film was released, showing Mata Nui's journey on Bara Magna. Two more were at one point planned, and the basic screen treatment of the next planned movie was released online after the plans were abandoned.
BIONICLE.com
The main page of BIONICLE.com has links to the other sections and features the Mata Nui Saga and a news feed. As well, there are links to the Agori Defender game, product pages for the BIONICLE Stars sets, and a link to the BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn section. Every half-year, BIONICLE.com would undergo a renovation.
- Products - The Products section gives a brief overview of sets, the sets being displayed are the BIONICLE Stars and summer 2009 sets.
- Fun Zone - The Fun Zone is the first linked section. It houses all the games and videos in BIONICLE, dating back to 2007. Games listed in the Fun Zone include Glatorian Arena 2, and movies in the section include the BIONICLE Battle Videos.
- Downloads - Various posters, screensavers, icons, and mp3 files are available for download here.
- Story - The Story section contains story for the year, along with character bios and stats. Weapon bios are available along with a list of comics converted into online format.
- Bio Codes - Bio Codes was a feature that allowed an inputted code from a BIONICLE set to generate a sticker reward of the set on My Lego Network. This also launched the My LEGO Network BIONICLE Campaign.
- BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn - This section features promotional clips and character bios promoting the 2009 film BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn.
BIONICLEstory.com
In 2007, BIONICLEstory.com was launched for the Mahri wave of sets. It included information on the current story and allowed players to explore Mahri Nui and play Command Toa Mahri games. Three web serials were updated every two weeks on the page. It was revamped in 2008 to feature information on every year of the BIONICLE story, the plot, the location, and the characters. The characters and story part ceased updating in early 2009, but the story continued to host the web serials. After the final comic, the BIONICLE story continues only on web serials hosted on BIONICLEstory.com.
Sets
2001
Small
- 1388 Huki
- 1389 Onepu
- 1390 Maku
- 1391 Jala
- 1392 Kongu
- 1393 Matoro
- 8540 Vakama
- 8541 Matau
- 8542 Onewa
- 8543 Nokama
- 8544 Nuju
- 8545 Whenua
Canister
- 8531 Pohatu
- 8532 Onua
- 8533 Gali
- 8534 Tahu
- 8535 Lewa
- 8536 Kopaka
Large
- 8537 Nui-Rama
- 8538 Muaka & Kane-ra
- 8539 Manas
- 8548 Nui-Jaga
- 8549 Tarakava
Collectible
- 8525 Masks
2002
Small
- 8550 Gahlok Va
- 8551 Kohrak Va
- 8552 Lehvak Va
- 8553 Pahrak Va
- 8554 Tahnok Va
- 8555 Nuhvok Va
Canister
- 8560 Pahrak
- 8561 Nuhvok
- 8562 Gahlok
- 8563 Tahnok
- 8564 Lehvak
- 8565 Kohrak
- 8566 Onua Nuva
- 8567 Lewa Nuva
- 8568 Pohatu Nuva
- 8570 Gali Nuva
- 8571 Kopaka Nuva
- 8572 Tahu Nuva
Large
- 8556 Boxor
- 8557 Exo-Toa
- 8558 Cahdok and Gahdok
Collectible
- 8559 Krana
- 8598 Kanohi Nuva
2003
Small
- 8581 Kopeke
- 8582 Matoro
- 8583 Hahli
- 8584 Hewkii
- 8585 Hafu
- 8586 Macku
Canister
- 8573 Nuhvok-Kal
- 8574 Tahnok-Kal
- 8575 Kohrak-Kal
- 8576 Lehvak-Kal
- 8577 Pahrak-Kal
- 8578 Gahlok-Kal
- 8587 Panrahk
- 8588 Kurahk
- 8589 Lerahk
- 8590 Guurahk
- 8591 Vorahk
- 8592 Turahk
Large
- 8593 Makuta
- 8594 Jaller and Gukko
- 8595 Takua and Pewku
- 8596 Takanuva
- 10201 Takutanuva
Collectible
- 8580 Kraata
- 8599 Krana-Kal
2004
Small
- 8607 Nuhrii
- 8608 Vhisola
- 8609 Tehutti
- 8610 Ahkmou
- 8611 Orkahm
- 8612 Ehrye
Canister
- 8601 Vakama
- 8602 Nokama
- 8603 Whenua
- 8604 Onewa
- 8605 Matau
- 8606 Nuju
- 8614 Nuurakh
- 8615 Bordakh
- 8616 Vorzakh
- 8617 Zadakh
- 8618 Rorzakh
- 8619 Keerakh
Large
- 8621 Turaga Dume and Nivawk
- 8622 Nidhiki
- 8623 Krekka
- 8811 Toa Lhikan and Kikanalo
- 10202 Ultimate Dume
Collectible
- Kanoka
2005
Small
- 4868 Gaaki
- 4869 Pouks
- 4870 Kualus
- 4877 Norik
- 4878 Bomonga
- 4879 Iruini
Canister
- 8736 Toa Hordika Vakama
- 8737 Toa Hordika Nokama
- 8739 Toa Hordika Onewa
- 8740 Toa Hordika Matau
- 8741 Toa Hordika Nuju
- 8742 Vohtarak
- 8743 Boggarak
- 8744 Oohnorak
- 8745 Roporak
- 8746 Keelerak
- 8747 Suukorak
- 8762 Toa Iruini
- 8763 Toa Norik
Large
- 8755 Keetongu
- 8756 Sidorak
- 8761 Roodaka
- 10203 Voporak
Playsets
- 8757 Visorak Battle Ram
- 8758 Tower of Toa
- 8758 Battle of Metru Nui
- 8769 Visorak's Gate
Collectible
- Rhotuka
2006
Small
- 8721 Velika
- 8722 Kazi
- 8723 Piruk
- 8724 Garan
- 8725 Balta
- 8726 Dalu
Canister
- 8727 Toa Jaller
- 8728 Toa Hahli
- 8729 Toa Nuparu
- 8730 Toa Hewkii
- 8731 Toa Kongu
- 8732 Toa Matoro
- 8900 Reidak
- 8901 Hakann
- 8902 Vezok
- 8903 Zaktan
- 8904 Avak
- 8905 Thok
Large
- 8625 Umbra
- 8626 Irnakk
- 8733 Axonn
- 8734 Brutaka
- 8764 Vezon & Fenrakk
- 10204 Vezon & Kardas
Playsets
- 8624 Race for the Mask of Life
- 8892 Piraka Outpost
- 8893 Lava Chamber Gate
- 8894 Piraka Stronghold
Collectible
- Zamor Spheres
2007
Small
- 8929 Defilak
- 8930 Dekar
- 8931 Thulox
- 8932 Morak
Canister
- 8910 Toa Kongu
- 8911 Toa Jaller
- 8912 Toa Hewkii
- 8913 Toa Nuparu
- 8914 Toa Hahli
- 8915 Toa Matoro
- 8916 Takadox
- 8917 Kalmah
- 8918 Carapar
- 8919 Mantax
- 8920 Ehlek
- 8921 Pridak
Large
- 8922 Gadunka
- 8923 Hydraxon
- 8924 Maxilos & Spinax
- 8935 Nocturn
- 8939 Lesovikk
- 8940 Karzahni
Playsets
- 8925 Barraki Deepsea Patrol
- 8926 Toa Undersea Attack
- 8927 Toa Terrain Crawler
Collectible
- 8934 Squid Ammo
2008
Small
- 8944 Tanma
- 8945 Solek
- 8946 Photok
- 8947 Radiak
- 8948 Gavla
- 8949 Kirop
Canister
- 8685 Toa Kopaka
- 8686 Toa Lewa
- 8687 Toa Pohatu
- 8688 Toa Gali
- 8689 Toa Tahu
- 8690 Toa Onua
- 8691 Antroz
- 8692 Vamprah
- 8693 Chirox
- 8694 Krika
- 8695 Gorast
- 8696 Bitil
Large
- 8697 Toa Ignika
- 8698 Vultraz
- 8699 Takanuva
- 8941 Rockoh T3
- 8942 Jetrax T6
- 8943 Axalara T9
- 8952 Mutran & Vican
- 8953 Makuta Icarax
- 8954 Mazeka
Collectible
- 20005 Klakk
2009
Small
- 8972 Atakus
- 8973 Raanu
- 8974 Tarduk
- 8975 Berix
- 8976 Metus
- 8977 Zesk
Canister
- 8978 Skrall
- 8979 Malum
- 8980 Gresh
- 8981 Tarix
- 8982 Strakk
- 8983 Vorox
- 8984 Stronius
- 8985 Ackar
- 8986 Vastus
- 8987 Kiina
- 8988 Gelu
- 8989 Mata Nui
Large
- 8990 Fero & Skirmix
- 8991 Tuma
- 8992 Cendox V1
- 8993 Kaxium V3
- 8994 Baranus V7
- 8995 Thornatus V9
- 8996 Skopio XV-1
- 8998 Toa Mata Nui
Collectible
- 20012 Click
2010
Small
- 7116 Tahu
- 7117 Gresh
- 7135 Takanuva
- 7136 Skrall
- 7137 Piraka
- 7138 Rahkshi
Combination and Alternate Models
Early on, an integral part of BIONICLE sets were the combination models. Many early sets combined or had instructions for an alternate model. Some of these models were featured heavily in story such as the Toa Kaita, while others such as the Infernavika received scattered mentions. Some were non-canon. From 2001 to 2005, building instructions for combination models and alternate models were included in most sets' instruction booklets, and additional building instructions could be found elsewhere such as the LEGO Club website or various LEGO magazines. In 2006 combination models made their last appearance in instruction manuals, although they continued to appear as occasional magazine features or online content.
See also
External links
- BIONICLE.com
- BIONICLEstory.com
- BIONICLEsector01 - HEROsector01's sister Wiki about BIONICLE
