Bionicle 2015 Discussion

[dviddy]

What's the difference between the two trans-orange Haus that I'm still super jelly of? One looks like it has some added opaqueness.

As seen in the other comparison pics, it's a lot to do with the angle, since they exist on a slant. Onua's mask is obviously a lot smaller, but that's compared to one of the biggest Mata masks anyway =P.

Yeah the one is mixed with something, not sure what or why. Front said on Flickr he wondered if it was GitD, but it is not. I think it honestly might just be a misprint where the plastic dyes hadn't flushed yet, the orange is much lighter in that one as well. These are apparently non-production parts anyway. One other of the orange haus I'm aware of has a slight color variance too, but otherwise they are all just trans-orange.

[Aethersprite]

Yeah the one is mixed with something, not sure what or why. Front said on Flickr he wondered if it was GitD, but it is not. I think it honestly might just be a misprint where the plastic dyes hadn't flushed yet, the orange is much lighter in that one as well. These are apparently non-production parts anyway. One other of the orange haus I'm aware of has a slight color variance too, but otherwise they are all just trans-orange.

They look really nice, I was hoping we'd see them in official sets in the future, one way or the other. The trans effect looks really good on masks.

[Mandate]

I'm all for more trans. parts. My latest BFTGM entry is finally nearing completion, and it stopped because I needed certain parts. After that, I didn't have the right parts to give it a secondary weapon, but once I bought Crystal Beast and Rocka Crawler... well, I'm all for more trans. parts

[Shakar]

Whoo man. Tahu looks great. Little gappy in his shoulders and hips, but otherwise. He's fantastic.

I agree, he looks great. Not my favourite Toa, but perhaps the best executed one as a set. Good colour scheme (though I'm curious to try out how solid orange. replacing tr. reddish orange, would look), good colour organization, good proportions. When I watched the TTV review one of my first thoughts was "Damn! He's ripped!". He certainly makes his 01 form look scrawny, but I think a tall, brawny physique suits his character well. I think it's alright for most Fire guys to look this big- it's no coincidence they gave the wide shoulders build to Fire Protector (along his Earth colleague, a more obvious choice).

After those three, I'd probably go Pohatu, Gali, Lewa. The Kakama has the right shape, and the vents mimic the cheek slits. The Kaukau has a similar design, but overall seems like a stylized version of the Mata Kaukau. The Miru seems the most altered. It has it's smile, but the added vents and segmented look on the face sets it apart from the original.

IMHO it is like this:

1)Akaku: obvious one. Its shape is more boxy and the top slits are vertical instead of horizontal, but otherwise it's the same mask.

2)Pakari: a lot less smooth, slightly wider, but impossible to not recognize.

3)Kakama: again, the general shape is spot on, it's clearly a Kakama, loses some points for lacking the sharp, slanted eyes of the 01 version.

4)Hau: the general shape is spot on, but they did make it more brute-like (strong jaw, even more aggressive stare), which suits Tahu I guess but is arguably less versatile.

5)Miru: the opposite of the Pakari: it's like a Miru spread onto an inorganic Calix, with some texturing added. As such, it looks a lot different but, at least to me, you can tell it's a Miru right away. Which is why I place it 5th instead of 6th.

6)Kaukau: the features are there (slits, goggles..), but you need to look hard. Doesn't mean I dislike it: it's a good blend between the 01 Kaukau and the MoL Kaukau Nuva (which look far better than the Nuva and Mistika monstrosities) and it's grown on me a lot.

Of course, this a resemblance scale, the Miru is yet again my favourite mask of the bunch.

[Kalhiki]

IMHO it is like this:

1)Akaku: obvious one. Its shape is more boxy and the top slits are vertical instead of horizontal, but otherwise it's the same mask.

2)Pakari: a lot less smooth, slightly wider, but impossible to not recognize.

3)Kakama: again, the general shape is spot on, it's clearly a Kakama, loses some points for lacking the sharp, slanted eyes of the 01 version.

4)Hau: the general shape is spot on, but they did make it more brute-like (strong jaw, even more aggressive stare), which suits Tahu I guess but is arguably less versatile.

5)Miru: the opposite of the Pakari: it's like a Miru spread onto an inorganic Calix, with some texturing added. As such, it looks a lot different but, at least to me, you can tell it's a Miru right away. Which is why I place it 5th instead of 6th.

6)Kaukau: the features are there (slits, goggles..), but you need to look hard. Doesn't mean I dislike it: it's a good blend between the 01 Kaukau and the MoL Kaukau Nuva (which look far better than the Nuva and Mistika monstrosities) and it's grown on me a lot.

I guess. I need some time with them before I make a decision.

Not sure about my favorite mask. The Kaukau is growing on my considerably, surprisingly.

Also, thanks for the pic, DV! The Pakari is shockingly small... At least it looks cool.

[Aanchir]

i get the feeling that the large sized toa is shorter than hero factory xl heroes. VBBN, if it's possible, can you put a size comparison between them and XL heroes (or hero) in your review later?

The larger Toa are definitely not as tall as Hero Factory XL heroes tend to be. Onua is 23–25 modules tall (depending on how you have the 3M joint in his neck oriented), Kopaka is 26 modules tall, and Tahu is 27 modules tall. By contrast, Furno XL is 30 modules tall, and Rocka XL and Stormer XL are even taller (it's hard to be specific about their heights because like Onua, they each have an extra neck joint). Of course, Stormer XL and Rocka XL were both $25 sets rather than $20 sets, so the fact that they are bulkier is not really any surprise.

My favorite of the new masks is Gali's Mask of Water. Definitely a lot more feminine-looking than any previous mask she's had in sets, IMO. But the one I'd say is closest to the original is probably either Kopaka's Mask of Ice or Pohatu's Mask of Stone. In general, I feel like the masks bring together some of the best aspects of the characters' previous masks, including the Kanohi Nuva as they appeared in BIONICLE: Mask of Light.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Aanchir

[Mandate]

I'm not really sure if I like the new Pakari. The sides just look really... open, to me.

[arc]

I for one think the new pakari is extremely well done, maybe even better than the original. I guess it's size doesn't really bother me. Honestly, I think the nuva masks were a little oversized.

Edited November 6, 2014 by arc

[dviddy]

The new pakari is my least favorite of the new designs, tone honest. The size feels awkward in person, and the side prongs look weird on this one. I feel like the front looks like a wrinkled semi-collapsed version of the original. Not a huge fan.

I do love the new kaukau though. Probably my favorite of the new ones. Gali's old mask was just slightly too angular and modern compared to the other original five, and the new one is more in line with the others.

[Aanchir]

I for one think the new pakari is extremely well done, maybe even better than the original. I guess it's size doesn't really bother me. Honestly, I think the nuva masks were a little oversized.

The Nuva masks were definitely oversized. Of course, it worked for them to an extent, since one of the Nuva's defining characteristics was being bulkier than the Toa Mata, so bulkier masks suited them. The size of the Kanohi Nuva didn't bother me so much as some of the other design changes, like how organic they looked or how incredibly different many of them were from the previous versions. In fact, in later years I found their exaggerated size somewhat useful so the faces of larger models didn't seem out-of-proportion.

[Mandate]

I liked the Nuva because they feel like an actual upgrade over the Toa Mata. They look more armored, more covered up, and with clearly better weaponry than their previous forms (although aesthetically this wasn't always the case) they just looked like they had been empowered. Although I suppose the reason why I like the Nuva masks more than the Mata masks is because I saw the Nuva masks before the Mata masks, and more frequently too.

That being said, all of the new sets are aesthetically better than the originals IMO. The only one I don't really like is Lewa, and that's only because he uses almost entirely 4M shells. Rea throwback to Brain Attack, and most certainly in a way I don't enjoy.

[Lyichir]

That being said, all of the new sets are aesthetically better than the originals IMO. The only one I don't really like is Lewa, and that's only because he uses almost entirely 4M shells. Rea throwback to Brain Attack, and most certainly in a way I don't enjoy.

I feel the opposite. I'll take all the 4M shells I can get, especially in new colors like Lewa has. They're a very useful size of shell, given the fact that they cover bones quite differently depending on how you orient them and are small enough to work on all sizes of models. And I personally like the way they look on him. They give him a quirkier, lankier appearance than the others, one that I think suits Lewa just fine.

[Mandate]

I feel the opposite. I'll take all the 4M shells I can get, especially in new colors like Lewa has. They're a very useful size of shell, given the fact that they cover bones quite differently depending on how you orient them and are small enough to work on all sizes of models. And I personally like the way they look on him. They give him a quirkier, lankier appearance than the others, one that I think suits Lewa just fine.

While I agree with you on pretty much well all points, when you've got a set as tall as Lewa using them on the legs is a bit annoying, and it's obvious as to why the piston plating had to be used there. As a general rule most shells on longer legs don't detract from a lanky appearance, although there are exceptions.

[Kingslayer]

I liked the Nuva because they feel like an actual upgrade over the Toa Mata. They look more armored, more covered up, and with clearly better weaponry than their previous forms (although aesthetically this wasn't always the case) they just looked like they had been empowered. Although I suppose the reason why I like the Nuva masks more than the Mata masks is because I saw the Nuva masks before the Mata masks, and more frequently too.

That being said, all of the new sets are aesthetically better than the originals IMO. The only one I don't really like is Lewa, and that's only because he uses almost entirely 4M shells. Rea throwback to Brain Attack, and most certainly in a way I don't enjoy.

Agreed. Mostly will be replacing with lime size 5s

[TheDesuComplex]

To be honest, I hate the Nuva masks. The Mata masks look far better and I'm glad to see that the newer masks are built upon them.

[Aanchir]

To be honest, I hate the Nuva masks. The Mata masks look far better and I'm glad to see that the newer masks are built upon them.

Well, I do like that the new masks take SOME cues from the Nuva masks, specifically from how they appeared in BIONICLE: Mask of Light (since the masks in that movie had a lot of personality, and were probably the definitive versions of the masks/characters for many people). The Mask of Ice has some of the Akaku Nuva's cowl-like shape and sloped forehead (rather than the dome-shaped forehead of the original Akaku), the Mask of Stone has some of the Kakama Nuva's roundness, and the Mask of Water has the streamlined forehead of the Kaukau Nuva as well as a more pointed chin like it had in Mask of Light and BIONICLE: The Game.

I do have to say that in general, the new masks feel more like the originals to me than the Kanohi Nuva did in 2002. This just goes to show how much better the LEGO Group has gotten at maintaining continuity between different versions of characters than they were back in the days of BIONICLE G1, and hopefully it bodes well for whatever new versions of these characters we might get in the future.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Aanchir

[Shakar]

I hate the Kanohi Nuva as well, except maybe the Miru (still inferior to the Mata form). Only the Akaku felt like a proper upgrade over the Mata form, the others were mostly "let's take the simple tribal-esque masks you love and stretch them until they're deformed veiny messes". If the Toa get upgraded forms in 2016 (which is very likely, they need to sell hero sets to avoid a 2003-like fiasco), I hope they get masks that actually look good.

Ninjago'd by Aanchir, anyway I do agree with him. It's true that they got better at keeping a sense of continuity.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Shakar

[dviddy]

When you say "mess like 2003", remember that was the year sales -peaked- for the line. Not having hero characters available was certainly poor marketing, but sales didn't slump until the next year.

[DuckBricks]

I hate the Kanohi Nuva as well, except maybe the Miru (still inferior to the Mata form). Only the Akaku felt like a proper upgrade over the Mata form, the others were mostly "let's take the simple tribal-esque masks you love and stretch them until they're deformed veiny messes". If the Toa get upgraded forms in 2016 (which is very likely, they need to sell hero sets to avoid a 2003-like fiasco), I hope they get masks that actually look good.

Ninjago'd by Aanchir, anyway I do agree with him. It's true that they got better at keeping a sense of continuity.

Yeah, they Nuva masks seemed more organic than even the Inika masks to me...

[Shakar]

When you say "mess like 2003", remember that was the year sales -peaked- for the line. Not having hero characters available was certainly poor marketing, but sales didn't slump until the next year.

That's a surprise, I honestly thought that the peak was 2002. I guess the good sales were thanks to the Mask of Light wave, then? Everywhere I go, I hear the Bohrok Kal were a failure in terms of sales.

(and, just to be precise, I called 2003 "fiasco", I used "messes" in reference to the Kanohi Nuva)

Yeah, they Nuva masks seemed more organic than even the Inika masks to me...

I... think you might be right. The Inika masks, despite their love-it-or-hate-it grins (the worst offender was the Suletu anyway, the others had normal mouth-like slits), at least had more regular shapes compared to the bloated Nuva masks. I certainly like masks like the Iden or the Calix far more than any Nuva mask, actually.

And speaking of those two, am I the only one who thinks the new Miru and the new Kaukau kinda look like the Calix and the Iden respectively? I think it's cool since those were my favourite Inika masks.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Shakar

[Aanchir]

When you say "mess like 2003", remember that was the year sales -peaked- for the line. Not having hero characters available was certainly poor marketing, but sales didn't slump until the next year.

Everything I've ever read says that sales peaked in 2002. But it's true 2003 might have been even stronger if the LEGO Group had been able to predict and satisfy demand for BIONICLE (retailers complained to LEGO the next year that they had been unable to stock as many of the year's most popular product as they needed).

[DuckBricks]

Unfortunately Tahu mata is the only Toa Mata I have for actual set comparisons, but here you can see the mask on Onua

(I still need to get pictures of the new pakari next to the old one)

I guess it's not that small, but I feel like it could be a little wider or something.

Hey, just realized this image makes Onua look like he has a smokestack on his back! (Just noticing)

[Mandate]

Oh my gosh... I just watched one of the Mixelsodes... If the new BIONICLE is anything like this (and I have some reason to believe it WON'T, thankfully) I will have lost hope in any new lines for the next few years.

*although the Mixelsodes do fit the entire idea behind Mixels*

[dviddy]

I'm not sure how the rest of the people with review copies are getting on, but I have one major complaint so far- these masks do not stay on very well. every time I try to move the head the mask falls off, just from the tightness of the neck joint (force you have to apply to turn head can sometimes cause you to pop the mask off), let alone the eyepiece launching mechanism.

The skull spider masks stay on far better, not sure if it's the shape of the mask or just luck of the draw.

Also I'm quite surprised at how poor the eye color is- standard sunlight hardly lights up the eyes, I find that light has to be directly shining down on the eyepiece to really get it going.

I'm not having this problem with the mask or head. I tried a variety of different masks on heads (and also my review set), and the masks stay on pretty securely unless I purposefully knock them off.

[VBBN]

I'm not having this problem with the mask or head. I tried a variety of different masks on heads (and also my review set), and the masks stay on pretty securely unless I purposefully knock them off.

Indeed I've found that the masks are staying on more securely now- The neck joints have gotten past their initial extra tight stage, which I think is what was causing me my issues as I don't have to put as much force on the head to turn it. I still keep popping them off with the eyestalk on accident, but perhaps that is user error on my part.