Bionicle 2015 Discussion

[Shakar]

White backgrounds, eh? We're back to 2006. :P

Anyway, not sure of what to think. The sets with backgrounds look final (once again, Lewa and Tahu are the most finalized ones, oh well- at least Fire Defender joins the crew), but the others don't. In fact they look like they're at an even earlier stage, on par with the new Ninjago sets (seriously, check those!). The Earth sets clearly had tr. purple bones in the display, whereas they're just lilac here. And I was pretty sure Pohatu was tan, that colour was way different than the silver bits on sets like Gali or Stone Defender....but if he's silver I'll be ok with it. For now, I'm judging the sets this way:

The great: Kopaka and Tahu, they look top notch. Well, Kopaka's staff and lower legs are pretty awful, and Tahu's silver feet must disappear (just....why?) but still- those masks! These two are the ones closest to their classic forms and are awesome sets in general. Love Kopaka's big shoulder pads on top, Breakout Bulk style.

The good: Onua and Pohatu. Onua is MASSIVE and has a clever weapon design. Pohatu's mask is similar to the old Kakama, he looks good and has nice colours. The Bohrok eyes are a neat surprise. Also, I do really like the Skull Spiders- very simple yet creepy (better than their Lord, actually)

The "not awful, but I'll wait for better pics": Gali and Lewa. I'm totally ok with Gali's colours (azure shells! At last!) but that recycled weapon and that mask look pretty bad. The weapon might change though (see paragraph at the end of the post). Looks like she has shoulder pads built in a way similar to Kopaka's (I wonder if that hints at a new torso piece or not).

And now Lewa, my favourite Toa. Since he's pretty much finalized, looks like I'll have to accept him the way he is (thethingsidoforlove.jpg). The secondary colour is an easy fix, and in any case I appreciate the fact we're getting more keetorange shells (since I have a keetorange MOC in the works, this is way more than welcome in my book).

Now for the big issue, the Miru: I can't help but feel a bit trolled to see what is probably my favourite mask ever revamped in a way that looks absolutely nothing like the original form....but I can't lie, that mask does look really cool. It's a mix of alien tech and tribal looks rolled into one, which pretty much describes 2001. And, it looks pretty youthful, which fits Lewa. It's very likely it will grow on me (it already is).

The meh: I still can't bring myself to be interested in the Protectors (guess it's official now). And the LoSS's legs are Technic? Awful, I'll probably get one copy for parts and that's it. Nice print though (I can finally easily make a character with eyes on their chest!).

And in general, the random use of Technic annoys me- the weapons should look clean, they look MOCish this way. Second, it's official, the boring and fat 2.0 torso is back yet again (seriously come on). Finally, the biggest one.. looks like there are going to be functions. If they dont't ruin the poseability or the looks (yeah, keep on dreaming Shakar) I might keep them.

The bad: we still don't know if the Defenders use the same mask or not. And It doesn't help only one got the final box..privilege. But I'm losing hope.

Did anyone notice that the golden mask looks a lot like the mask Vultraz had?

King Vultraz the Master of Shadows confirmed for Big Bad. Late 2015 to 2018 is going to be all about alternate dimensions, with side stories told via online serials.

Finally, II'd like to point out something that might give you an idea on just how preliminary these sets are. 70221 from the new Chima sets (and those pics look waay more finalized than BIONICLE and Ninjago) uses a new hooked piece on the vehicle wings, which looks VERY similar to the blade display!Gali used on the bottom tip of her weapon. I think it's very likely the final Gali set is going to use that piece, for two reasons:

1) That is totally a part made for constraction sets, and no BIONICLE set uses it in the pics.

2) For now, she and Kopaka are the only Toa without a unique weapon piece. I think both are getting one in the final sets. Kopaka's use of the Guurahk staff is just way too random (something I'd expect to see in a Matoran set, not on a Toa).

[Kalhiki]

Check out the Skull Spider in Tahu's picture. Looks GitD, don't it?

The creepy factor just went up for these things. Glowing skulls at night... *shudders*

[Antrozek]

I hope the spear piece of Kopaka (and the one behind Pohatu) are placeholders too. they are Rahkshi spear pieces. while looking good, it sort of breaks the aesthetic of the other Masters weapons a bit.

and Chro! yes im working on something little **link**, But I guess I'll have to change the mask designs now that we got clear pics on em

[Quisoves Pugnat]

Well, this is exciting!

My opinions on the Toa have definitely improved, and the Protectors continue to look promising, though I'm not certain a $10.00 price-point is justified for them.

Tahu and Kopaka seem to be the only Toa with obvious callbacks to their previous forms, while the others are unrecoginizable. Not that I mind, as long as the models are good.

Gali looks much better up-close, though rather oddly menacing (shades of Takadox, for sure.)

Lewa looks pretty good, though I don't think I'm the only one surprised by his mask. Who thought it would look so porcine? I'm still not certain as to what those horn-like things are.

Kopaka, if the comments here are anything to go by, is shaping up to be the marmite Toa. I like him, though I can see why some don't. He looks like a winter-warrior.

Onua looks like an impressive build, though rather oddly bulky as Toa go (though if this is a complete reboot, that may not matter.) He definitely seems to have some sort of Technic, function, for which I am excited.

Pohatu looks the least impressive, and is probably the set with the least value-for-money. That said, he's not bad. He seems to harken back to the first wave of 2008. His boomerangs are reminiscent of his Phantoka form's propellers, and his Kanohi looks like a cross between Photok's and Solek's.

Tahu looks at once quite ordinary and yet remarkable. Not a bad set by any means. He seems like this wave's golden mean.

Skull Krata is not as complex as I'd hoped, and his face is too stylized for my tastes. He could be worse, though.

All in all, I like the direction of this first new wave of Bionicle. It certainly blends tribal ambiance and advanced technology, like 2001, but does so in a new way, the way a good reboot should. This also promises a CCBS with increased Technic-interactivity, for which I am very happy. The box-art is also quite striking, conveying the feel of this wave rather well. It all seems so alien and yet so familiar.

P.S. The Skull Spiders are, amusingly, bone-heads. #VOODOOMASTER2015 confirmed. :P

Edited September 15, 2014 by Quisoves Pugnat

[Grima]

Finally, II'd like to point out something that might give you an idea on just how preliminary these sets are. 70221 from the new Chima sets (and those pics look waay more finalized than BIONICLE and Ninjago) uses a new hooked piece on the vehicle wings, which looks VERY similar to the blade display!Gali used on the bottom tip of her weapon. I think it's very likely the final Gali set is going to use that piece, for two reasons:

1) That is totally a part made for constraction sets, and no BIONICLE set uses it in the pics.

2) For now, she and Kopaka are the only Toa without a unique weapon piece. I think both are getting one in the final sets. Kopaka's use of the Guurahk staff is just way too random (something I'd expect to see in a Matoran set, not on a Toa).

There's no evidence of that piece being in any color but those flame colors, though. Not to mention the lines between system and technic have blurred over the years; the idea of a technic-compatible piece being introduced in a system line isn't unthinkable (plus if we see new ultrabuilds they could well use them.) Plus I'd assume these pictures all came from the same source; any one of them is probably as final as the other.

And they aren't the only toa without a unique weapon piece; Tahu doesn't have a unique weapon piece, as he shares his board swords with Kopaka, and his other swords are bland-old Breakout blades.

I'm fine with the return of the Guurahk staff if the days of personalized elemental weapons are truly gone; it's nice to have at least one classic piece there.

[Shakar]

And, more proof that these pics are older than the display shot and some colours are going to change: the spiders in the sets without background are all grey, while we know there are three different colours (GitD, bright blue and..silver?).

And sorry Grima, I didn't see your post. I'll reply tomorrow, going to bed now..

Edited September 15, 2014 by Shakar

[Chro]

yes im working on something little **link**

<3

[TwistLaw]

I'm fairly sure classic BIONICLE pieces like Guurahk's staff are just place holders.

Remember, LEGO buries unused molds after a while. Those pieces are out of production since... 2009?

[Timeline15]

im working on something little **link**, But I guess I'll have to change the mask designs now that we got clear pics on em

Why are the toa in leather underwear?

In seriousness, I like that Kopaka, Lewa, and Gali seem to have shoulderpads. It's something I've often tried to do on mocs, to no avail.

[Grima]

I'm fairly sure classic BIONICLE pieces like Guurahk's staff are just place holders.

Remember, LEGO buries unused molds after a while. Those pieces are out of production since... 2009?

That doesn't necessarily mean "gone forever"; the Kopaka sword wasn't used since 2004, then reappeared in 2010, six years later. meanwhile, the Guurahk staffs were last used in 2010 (not 2009), five years ago. They could bring it back if they wanted to.

Besides discrepancies with the skull spiders, these are pretty much exactly what we can see on the wobbler, which has more finalized images. (If you look, the Guurahk staffs are actually visible there if you're looking for it.) I'd say we can count on their return.

[Mesonak]

A few thoughts/observations:

-These are clearly from a far earlier developmental stage than the display, if not in set design than in packaging design. Small things such as the lack of backgrounds/golden masks and the uniform Skull Spiders lend credence to this.

-The Ignika, I believe, was probably a concept at some point in development that was scrapped and will not be seen in the final packaging images. Even if it IS a continuation, there's no way that mask would remain unchanged when everything else has been redesigned so thoroughly.

-LoSS (or Skull Krata? lol, probably also prototype) has way more pieces than any of the Masters yet costs $5 less...huh? It's probably all the technic, but regardless, it's a bit odd.

-The Guurahk staff piece is interesting; I predict it will remain. That piece was used in the Stars Rahkshi so it isn't exactly ancient. Glad to see some parts from BIONICLE returning (Bohrok eyes YEAH)

Edited September 15, 2014 by Mesonak

[TwistLaw]

That doesn't necessarily mean "gone forever"; the Kopaka sword wasn't used since 2004, then reappeared in 2010, six years later. meanwhile, the Guurahk staffs were last used in 2010 (not 2009), five years ago. They could bring it back if they wanted to.

Besides discrepancies with the skull spiders, these are pretty much exactly what we can see on the wobbler, which has more finalized images. (If you look, the Guurahk staffs are actually visible there if you're looking for it.) I'd say we can count on their return.

Yeah, but during those times the same line (BIONICLE) was produced without interruptions, making it easier to reuse old pieces (e.g. mask of shadows in '08).

It seems a little harder for me to see pieces of a discontinued line coming back alongside the theme, buy you may never know

[K-Nut]

Haven't looked much into Action Figures since the early days of Hero Factory, and though I was fond of that, It's very nice to see the return of Bionicle with the classic Toa. I'll definitely pick up a full set of them for nostalgic regions if nothing else.

[Timeline15]

do you literally drop everything when ever anything Bionicle related happens, Mezo? you always have a video out as soon as any news occurs. I just have visions of you lurching awake in the middle of the night going "the fandom needs me!" XD

[Antrozek]

man we really need pictures with the BGs. I really like the defender's homes in the Fire defender Background.

maybe that's what the defender's box BGs will have. direct pictures of their villages. while the masters are "out in the wild" Box backgrounds. questing for the masks

[Aethersprite]

Colour me impressed. Other than Lewa and Gali's Kanohi, all of them are a nice homage to the originals! Kanohi-wise, my favourite is definitely Pohatu's. I'm definitely getting all the Toa, and maybe a few Protectors here and there.

LOSS doesn't look so impressive, though. Might give that one a pass.

[Grima]

Yeah, but during those times the same line (BIONICLE) was produced without interruptions, making it easier to reuse old pieces (e.g. mask of shadows in '08).

It seems a little harder for me to see pieces of a discontinued line coming back alongside the theme, buy you may never know

It stretches believability that something as important as the weapon would still be a placeholder when everything else in the wobbler image is pretty final. it would be like if Tahu's image had him wearing Furno's helmet as a placeholder.

Also, it seems ludicrous that Pohatu has fewer pieces than his Protector, and it is, but not as ludicrous as you think if you take into account that the Protector's piece counts are inflated by the ammo for the weapons. Even if they don't have spares, it gives each of them six extra pieces. And they are most likely going to have spares.

Edited September 15, 2014 by Grima

[Timeline15]

It stretches believability that something as important as the weapon would still be a placeholder when everything else in the wobbler image is pretty final. it would be like if Tahu's image had him wearing Furno's helmet as a placeholder.

I agree, why would a single weapon piece not be finished and need a placeholder, when ALL the other new molds are in these images?

[TheBrickPal]

Thanks for the unintentional present, LEGO. All 2015 leaks on my birthday (and the return BIONICLE no less!).

I really like what I am seeing here, and signs are pointing even more towards a continuation, due to the word "Kraata" on the Lord of Skull Spiders box, and the Kanohi Ignika in the corner of every box. What is even more interesting is the fact that the packaging style is VERY similar to the one used for the Legends of Chima Speedorz for this year. Overall, bring on 2015!

Edited September 15, 2014 by Puffle Pal26

[Timeline15]

actually, weren't the kraata wiped out by the golden armour? That would suggest a reboot. I hope I'm wrong.

[Grima]

I don't think "Krata" means this is a Kraata. Even if it is the final name, I should think they would have caught a misspelling like that if they truly mean the same Kraata. I can't think of any typos that made it into the final products before, and there's no point in changing the spelling.

[Mesonak]

do you literally drop everything when ever anything Bionicle related happens, Mezo? you always have a video out as soon as any news occurs. I just have visions of you lurching awake in the middle of the night going "the fandom needs me!" XD

Pretty much, yeah. I had so many things I was supposed to take care of today and they all got upended because of this news.

"Hello, I'm Mesonak, and I have a problem."

[Chro]

I can't think of any typos that made it into the final products before,

Which means nothing here, as these images are far from the final packaging.

[Quisoves Pugnat]

actually, weren't the kraata wiped out by the golden armour? That would suggest a reboot. I hope I'm wrong.

That's presuming that "Krata" is a misspelling, which we have no proof for, especially when it refers to a great big spider, not a slug-like creature.

[King of Nynrah]

actually, weren't the kraata wiped out by the golden armour? That would suggest a reboot. I hope I'm wrong.

Not all of them... only the ones of the Rahkshi outside the robot at that time

I really like what I am seeing here, and signs are pointing even more towards a reboot, due to the word "Kraata" on the Lord of Skull Spiders box, and the Kanohi Ignika in the corner of every box.

Uh... how does the inclusion of the Ignika (which is still in the story and doing great) and Kraata (ditto) hint towards a reboot?