Bionicle 2015 Discussion

[Clone 01354 Productions]

ToaofPlasma:

1) How dare you insult Lewa. He is cool-awesome, and I love-enjoy everything about him! (Sure the mask is different, but it is nice.)

2) Love the Akaku too; It looks exactly like the Mata one.

3) I'll just use the lavaboards as weapons. They do have technic axles, so.....

4) Why such hate for Gali's mask? I quite like it.

5) Yeah, I couldn't figure out the stand-image either, since the mask blended with the angled chest. And the lack of tan really does kill him......

6) Onua is TOO bulky. Gali was supposed to be a girl; did they exaggerate those traits? Pohatu was a fast runner; did they give him super-beefy legs? No. Hinting at things is okay, but exaggerating it to the point where Onua is shaped like an Earth is too much.

[CabooseBM]

Onua is big and strong and she is my friend.

But seriously I love Onua's design. Maybe not so much the gold, but everything else works really well.

Edited September 16, 2014 by CabooseBM

[Grima]

1) How dare you insult Lewa. He is cool-awesome, and I love-enjoy everything about him! (Sure the mask is different, but it is nice.)

this is exactly how not to write treespeak

[Element Lord of Milk]

hey guys i found a non-watermarked picture of Gali

I remember I always used to think of those things like Bionicle's weird second cousin twice removed. Some of the parts even look reminiscent of parts that didn't exist when they came out (Around 2004 or 5 I think?) . Like the chest armour looks like a CCBS chest add-on, or the forearms looking Like Vorox/Skrall armour.

That's Captain LN.01354/10.000 to you, sir!

And I don't think that TLG will announce the return this early; they will still try to keep the secret. (How did they keep the Mata Nui-plan a secret, yet this can't be kept from peering eyes?)

And also, I knew that the Knockoff photo was meant as a joke; I just remembered that time when someone referred to Omega Tahu, and everyone got crazy. I just tried to help.

I imagine that knowledge of the Mata Nui plan was confined to the story team until the last possible second, who likely had A) More loyalty to Lego, and B) Their jobs riding directly on the line. Most set leaks happen through retailers, who aren't directly attached to Lego.

[Still Raindrop]

I've become ok with Onua's bulkiness--I was strongly opposed to it before, because it generally doesn't make sense for an underground dweller to be huge, but it's more common in fantasy (and I'm sure there are some real-life examples). Plus, he's the one digging the tunnels!

I do hope that they keep his (or her) personality closer to what it was originally. (TVTropes terminology ahead) He was kind of the Big Guy (although Pohatu also fit that role, perhaps even better, leaving Onua as the Smart Guy), but if he was that, he was more of the gentle giant with a bit of genius bruiser thrown in for good measure. In Mask of Light, he seemed to be more of a boisterous bruiser, which I didn't like as much--especially since he was supposed to be wise and reserved.

tl;dr--I hope they don't turn Onua into Dunkan Bulk, story-wise.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Mariko

[the last chronicler]

Strangely I have to say:

Lewa is the most pleasant surprise. Like some of the other sets, I find vents in the mask a step down from the tribal look, but there is something about the way the "jaw" sections comes in on the sides of the structure that on the original mask was the "nose" that grabs my attention. He looks a lot wiser, and a lot cooler, and I think the color schemes might just work in spite of the illogical choice of yellow for jungle/wind.

Kopaka's Kanohi is the least like how expected it. I thought that between the masks that seemed the closest to the original form (Tahu, Onua, Kopaka), his would be the most dynamic, angry and least accurate.It ended up being the most similar, but the changes LEGO did make made it more cartoonish. I expected him to be thinner too, despite that I like the color scheme and overall design and he will be one of the first I get.

Tahu also tops the list, and I think the chest-piece lower legs on him and the thicker calves on Kopaka are both meant to replicate the bell-bottoms on the 2001 Mata. I'm way more fond of the Hau now, and I love his Golden armor and sword-lavaboard in combination, making this Tahu a great combo of his previous forms. He is Omega.

Gali's mask was actually a bigger surprise, it's annoying that her mask is going to be more ominous then that of most of the other Toa. I'm also sad that her weapon is more axe than pickaxe, she may be too similar to Lewa because of it.

I expect Onua to look better than people say he does, because black always looks more black in the art: enhancing contrast and clashing.

Pohatu is extremely aesthetically pleasing, but his phantoka-y mask and crap-load of silver makes him look the most HF-like of them. Maybe Lego thinks brown is a huge risk and that's the reason for the low part count? I notice the LEGO teaser has the six colors on 1 by 1 tiles, but maybe something has changed for Pohatu because his tile is yellow?

Overall I'm excited, but I do think the biggest flaw is that unlike 01 the style of the Kanohi seems to randomly fluctuate between simple and complex, and they lack the consistency they had before. I may try and use some of these new masks as noble masks for the classic series though, although with Gali's design I may use the protector mask as a noble Kaukau instead. I'm hoping the shells can shift to a more mechanical in style as well as the series goes on.

[CabooseBM]

I wouldn't mind if Onua was like Duncan Bulk, If she got to keep the character development Dunkan started to get in Savage Planet, where he was the Big and Dumb guy but was actively and effectively working to better himself and learn more. It would have been a fun dynamic if it kept going.

Of course there's always the threat of her starting to get that development and then it getting dropped, like what happened to Bulk. And I don't know if that's worth the risk.

Edited September 16, 2014 by CabooseBM

[Still Raindrop]

I wouldn't mind if Onua was like Duncan Bulk, If she got to keep the character development Dunkan started to get in Savage Planet, where he was the Big and Dumb guy but was actively and effectively working to better himself and learn more. It would have been a fun dynamic if it kept going.

Of course there's always the threat of her starting to get that development and then it getting dropped, like what happened to Bulk. And I don't know if that's worth the risk.

I like the idea, but I still think it's more suited to Pohatu--he always seemed to be the big, strong (even without a Pakari), friendly, but not always too bright character. Onua was one of my favorites, and he wasn't that way at all. Before it was established that the Toa were all the same age, he was said to be the oldest, and to have deep wisdom. Which makes sense for an earth character. I guess I'd be ok if their characteristics switched--I would just rather avoid having two characters who were too similar.

The last chronicler, I agree about Kopaka's mask. From the wobbler, it looked to me like he was looking to his right, and his mask was chiseled, similar to the art in his first comic appearance. The closer images show that this isn't the case.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Mariko

[CabooseBM]

I like the idea, but I still think it's more suited to Pohatu--he always seemed to be the big, strong (even without a Pakari), friendly, but not always too bright character. Onua was one of my favorites, and he wasn't that way at all. Before it was established that the Toa were all the same age, he was said to be the oldest, and to have deep wisdom. Which makes sense for an earth character.

Yeah, that's a fair point, I was positing how that could be a good thing and work well for the character. Like Gali and her really mean mask design.

I mean, I would love just as much, if not more, if Onua is described as "Wise as she is strong." =)

[Quisoves Pugnat]

I may be completely mistaken in assuming this as I don't really have any evidence to suggest this is the case, but it seems plausible to me that this is a spur-of-the-moment announcement by Lego in response to the recent leaks, and the intended (and full) announcement would still take place at Comic Con. It would explain the sudden, out of nowhere appearance of this announcement and the somewhat convenient timing of it taking place right after set leaks.

Except that this hasn't come out of nowhere. Only seven days ago, we had the reveal of the Bionicle Product Page placard (apparently uploaded the same day.) Combining that with the statement that the NYC reveal is of a "brand new theme," I am inclined to think that LEGO has been planning this all along. This doesn't mean that Bionicle won't have a presence at Comic-Con, but I imagine that LEGO would not want two major reveals to occur right on top of each other.

[SirPuddings]

He was kind of the Big Guy

For you...

please pick up the reference

[Kalta the Noble Mind]

I like the idea, but I still think it's more suited to Pohatu--he always seemed to be the big, strong (even without a Pakari), friendly, but not always too bright character. Onua was one of my favorites, and he wasn't that way at all. Before it was established that the Toa were all the same age, he was said to be the oldest, and to have deep wisdom. Which makes sense for an earth character. I guess I'd be ok if their characteristics switched--I would just rather avoid having two characters who were too similar.

i felt the pohatu and onua completely switched personalities in MoL, with Pohatu being eloquent and regal while onua was gruff and lowbrow/blue collar. onua should have acted like toa mata nui while pohatu was supposed to be more like MoL's hewkii.

[Gatanui]

i felt the pohatu and onua completely switched personalities in MoL, with Pohatu being eloquent and regal while onua was gruff and lowbrow/blue collar. onua should have acted like toa mata nui while pohatu was supposed to be more like MoL's hewkii.

I think Pohatu's personality was fitting but Onua and Lewa were messed up.

-Gata

[Aethersprite]

this is exactly how not to write treespeak

I know, I cringe every time I see it written wrongly...

Also, this may be a little premature, but seeing the heavier use of Technic (due to the return of functions) got me thinking - what are the chances of us getting vehicles in future waves? Ussanui and the Mask of Light saga for 2016, anyone?

[Chimaninja454]

Ehh. I have noticed that they are a bit similar to MB's Halo Wars buildable figures, but a mixture with LoC's Speedorz packaging from 2014, but with three siges (S, M and L), and I think that it is interesting to see what TLG does something new to the action figure thingy. :P

[Timeline15]

tl;dr--I hope they don't turn Onua into Dunkan Bulk, story-wise

The writers clearly didn't know what to do with Bulk. They kept saying he was the smartest in savage planet, with no actual demonstration of this. This was the guy who hid BEHIND EXPLOSIVES in 1.0. Luckily enough, all the heroes were stripped of character entirely in invasion from below.

I mean, I would love just as much, if not more, if Onua is described as "Wise as she is strong." =)

Sorry if I've missed something, but why do you keep referring to Onua as "she". It hasn't happened.

Anyway, I liked Pohatu and Onua in Mol, they felt like actually good friends, though I will admit Onua should have been a bit wiser rather than burly miner type, but I loved the super upbeat Pohatu.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Timeline15

[Jetrax99]

Yeah, that's a fair point, I was positing how that could be a good thing and work well for the character. Like Gali and her really mean mask design.

I mean, I would love just as much, if not more, if Onua is described as "Wise as she is strong." =)

Will you please drop the whole female Onua thing? It's getting old and it won't happen. At all.

[Logan McOwen]

Will you please drop the whole female Onua thing? It's getting old and it won't happen. At all.

Yeah, I don't get it either...

[Shakar]

I don't see how much trouble some pronouns can bring. Let Caboose do as he wishes, it's not that he's forcing others to call Onua female.

[Jetrax99]

Yeah, I don't get it either...

People got into a whole debate about monogender matoran vs multigender matoran, some people brought up the whole genderswap bit, and Caboose has been doing that female onua thing ever since then.

I don't see how much trouble some pronouns can bring. Let Caboose do as he wishes, it's not that he's forcing others to call Onua female.

Still, it's getting old and a bit annoying, just like "hype train" and "omega tahu". That stuff can only go so far before being overdone.

[Timeline15]

I've said it once and I'll say it again. Removing the established gender norms for the elemental tribes is good. Changing the gender of specific pre-existing characters is stupid, and benefits nothing.

Him calling Onua female isn't "a choice" or anything, it's just factually incorrect. I don't just choose whether people I know are male or female in my eyes, because it's not up to me. The character of Onua is male. Calling him otherwise isn't debatable, it's just incorrect.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Timeline15

[Jasonified]

It'd be cool to get vehicle sets, but nothing will ever top the T series.

[Timeline15]

It would certainly be cool to get vehicles in the summer wave, I had immense fun with the 09 ones. But the return to the 2001 feel makes me think it's unlikely.

[Aethersprite]

It would certainly be cool to get vehicles in the summer wave, I had immense fun with the 09 ones. But the return to the 2001 feel makes me think it's unlikely.

Why not? It's a new take on 2001, and we did get several Technic-heavy vehicles in HF. I would like to see more vehicles with constraction elements in them - given that Bionicle's not so limited to 'realistic' vehicles like HF is, I hope that we get more unique vehicles.

[SirPuddings]

I've said it once and I'll say it again. Removing the established gender norms for the elemental tribes is good. Changing the gender of specific pre-existing characters is stupid, and benefits nothing.

Him calling Onua female isn't "a choice" or anything, it's just factually incorrect. I don't just choose whether people I know are male or female in my eyes, because it's not up to me. The character of Onua is male. Calling him otherwise isn't debatable, it's just incorrect.

I agree with that too, having mixed gender elements would be absolutely amazing, but completely rewriting already established characters is unnecessary, having fresh new characters to show off would be nice.

It would certainly be cool to get vehicles in the summer wave, I had immense fun with the 09 ones. But the return to the 2001 feel makes me think it's unlikely.

Yeah, I'd definitely love to see vehicles some time in bionicle's future.