Bionicle

Bionicle is a toy line from the Lego Group that is marketed to 6-16 year old children. The line was launched in December 30, 2000 in Europe and June/July 2001 in Canada and the United States. The concept was derived from Lego Group's earlier themes Slizers/Throwbots and Lego RoboRiders. Both of these lines had similar throwing disks and characters based on classical elements. "Bionicle" is a portmanteau constructed from the words "biological" and "chronicle".

Story

The story of Bionicle is a science fantasy set in a world that is inhabited predominantly by biomechanical (part-organic, part-machine) beings. This world and its multiple races was once protected by a Great Spirit named Mata Nui, but he has since been cast into an unnatural sleep by the evil Brotherhood of Makuta, specifically Makuta Teridax, and the universe has begun to decay. This is a universal subject.

The following groups are the main characters in the Bionicle mythos; a summary of all of Bionicle's major groups can be found at Characters and groups in Bionicle:

• The Toa: Mata Nui's destined heroes and the main protagonists of the franchise. All Toa wear Kanohi Masks of Power and can control elements of nature. There are several exceptions like the Toa Metru, who were sort of robbed of their powers when they were transformed into Toa Hordika by Visorak venom.
• The Matoran: The most widespread and influential race in the Bionicle universe, as they are the civilians. The Matoran are not the strongest people but will often make brave stands against oppressors. The Matoran, along with the ex-Toa elders (called Turaga) who lead them, make up most of the franchise's supporting cast. They were called Tohunga in the early parts of the series, but were changed to Matoran during the bohrok saga. The main goal of Makuta is to turn the Matoran into dark slaves of his own.
• Makuta Teridax: The one who attacked Mata Nui and made him fall into a deep sleep,which would also later be a very life threatning, prefering to be known as "Makuta" or "the Makuta of Metru Nui", he is one of the most powerful beings in the universe and the primary antagonist of Bionicle. It has since been revealed that he leads a Brotherhood of similar beings, all of whom share the goal of usurping Mata Nui. These similar beings are also called "Makuta," and each is assigned to a particular island or area. The Makuta species has evolved past the point where physical bodies aren't needed in order for them to live. They exist as energy clouds made of antidermis, which will disperse if not contained in some sort of a vessel. The liquid form of a Makuta's antidermis can be used to enslave any unprotected being to the user's will. Makuta are also shapeshifters by nature, able to adapt their physical shells to achieve their goals in any given environment, providing the shell is designed to do so. The true name of the Makuta of Metru Nui was recently revealed to be "Teridax", although only other Makuta and a few members of the Order of Mata Nui know him by this name; he is simply known as 'the Makuta' to the Toa Nuva and Mahri. Makuta Teridax was also spotted in Mahri Nui, while possessing the body of a robot guard named Maxilos. Maxilos's armor was shattered, releasing Teridax's "body" into the water surrounding Mahri Nui. The Toa Hagah are currently seeking him with the aid of Zaktan, and Makuta Miserix is also currently hunting him. Teridax has achieved his plan and has taken control of the Great Spirit Mata Nui's body.
• The Dark Hunters: The Dark Hunters are an organization of bounty hunters and mercenaries. They tend to be on the side of the being who can pay the most, however, they vehemently consider the Brotherhood of Makuta their enemy due to the actions of Teridax in Metru Nui, so contact between the two organizations is strictly during battle. They wield enough power to drastically affect the plans of the Brotherhood and the Toa alike, but have been hired by the Order of Mata Nui to aid the Light in the Destiny War.
• The Order of Mata Nui: A secret society dedicated to serving the Great Spirit. A more recent addition to the story than other major groups; Order members have begun to appear as major supporting characters (though, for various reasons, sometimes as enemies of the Toa instead of allies). The Order has come out of hiding to openly challenge the Brotherhood, and to keep it busy during the Destiny War, the Order has hired the assistance of the Dark Hunters and all of the Skakdi inhabitants of the island of Zakaz. The Order of Mata Nui is abbreviated to OoMN by fans.
• Mata Nui: Mata Nui was the main character in the whole storyline. Makuta forced him into a coma-like sleep for a thousand years until he was revived by the Toa Nuva. During his sleep, he was dying. In the most recent story arc, the Toa Nuva awaken Mata Nui. However, due to Makuta's spirit possessing Mata Nui's body, he was unable to return to his own body and was banished to the Ignika by Teridax and now floats in space. Floating in the heavens, Mata Nui vowed to return to his universe one day.

2001–2003: Bionicle Chronicles

Main article: Bionicle Chronicles

For a thousand years, ever since the Great Spirit Mata Nui had fallen before Makuta's onslaught, the island of Mata Nui had been in the dark grip of the evil Makuta. The Matoran living there had defended themselves against Makuta's constant attacks for years, but one day, six heroic Toa arrived and began to challenge Makuta. Their names are Tahu, Toa of Fire, Lewa, Toa of Air, Onua, Toa of Earth, Gali, Toa of Water, Kopaka, Toa of Ice, and Pohatu, Toa of Stone. However, they would have to deal with clashing personalities, ever-growing threats like Rahi, Bohrok and Rahkshi, and a legend of a "Seventh Toa" before the island could be freed. An Av-Matoran named Takua finds himself as the Seventh Toa (The Toa of Light) and frees Mata Nui from the darkness by defeating Makuta Teridax. His name now is Takanuva, Toa of Light. (Takua thought he was a Ta-Matoran, and his appearance backed up this belief. In reality, the Order of Mata Nui had taken him and other Av-Matoran, erased their memory, and scattered them throughout the Universe.)

2004–2005: Bionicle Adventures

Main article: Bionicle Adventures

After Teridax's defeat, the lost city of Metru Nui had been found. The Turaga began to tell the Toa Nuva tales of the city's fall, a time when they were the Toa Metru: they spoke of the Morbuzakh plant monster that threatened to take over Metru Nui, of the Great Cataclysm when Mata Nui had been cast into endless slumber, and of the Great Rescue when the ruined city was conquered by the Visorak. The Toa Metru were mutated into Toa Hordika. They fought the Visorak as one of them fell to the shadows. The others sought Keetongu to reverse their transformation. After a climatic battle, the betrayer returned to his fellow brothers and sister, and defeated Sidorak and Roodaka, and dispersed the Visorak legions.

2006-2008: Bionicle Legends

Main article: Bionicle Legends

2006 - Ignition Once the tales of Metru Nui were told, it was soon discovered that the Great Spirit Mata Nui was not only asleep, but dying. Only the Mask of Life could save him, but a number of dark forces want the mask for themselves: A group of ex-Dark Hunters calling themselves "Piraka" (which in the Matoran language translates to "thieves and murderers") tried to claim the Mask of Life for their own gain. Their names were Vezok, Reidak, Zaktann, Avak, Thok, and Hakaan. They quickly enslaved the Matoran of the island of Voya Nui, nicknamed Doom Island by its inhabitants. However, six Matoran from Metru Nui, Jaller, Hahli, Hewkii, Kongu, Nuparu, and Matoro, arrived on the shores of the island. Lightning from the legendary Red Star struck the canisters they were traveling in, and it transformed them into the Toa Inika, who, in addition to the standard elemental powers granted to each indivual, were also granted the elemental power of lightning. They challenged the Piraka and the Order of Mata Nui members who were guarding the Mask. The Piraka beat them to the Chamber of Life though, but were swiftly defeated by a former ally and new body guard of the Mask of Life: the Seventh Piraka, Vezon. Vezon was created by an accident involving the Spear of Fusion and the Piraka Vezok. He fled to Voya Nui in search of the Mask for himself, but was instead cursed to guard it and was fused to the monstrous Rahi Fennrak. The Toa Inika won an ally in the Order member Axonn, who gave them a weapon that he said would help them get the Mask. When the Inika entered the Chamber of Life, Vezon promptly greeted them with a boulder to the massive doorway arch, which Jaller promptly countered with a lava pool beneath the feet of Vezon's mount, and they fell into the fiery liquid. No sooner than when Jaller prepared to go in after the Mask, Vezon rose, with Fennrak being transformed into the even more hideous Kardas dragon, and the two went on a rampage. Before the Toa could be wiped out, Jaller used the weapon Axonn had given the Toa, and it froze Vezon and Kardas in time. Matoro reached for the Kanohi Ignika, and it came off the back of Vezon's head. But the Mask was sentient, and knew it could not be used here. After causing Kardas to fire one last blast at Matoro, causing him to lose his grip on the mask, it flew out of the Chamber and dropped into the ocean surrounding Voya Nui.

2007 - Sea of Darkness The Mask landed in the hands of the disgraced warlords called Barraki, who had tried to usurp Mata Nui's position as universal guardian some 80,000 years before, but they were defeated by an army of the then-good Brotherhood of Makuta and Toa and were banished to the Pit (the area of the ocean on which Voya Nui floats) by Order of Mata Nui member Botar, who, to Teridax's annoyance, had interrupted the execution of the Barraki. The Mask released a pulse of life energy when the Barraki touched it, a call for help. The Toa Inika had made their way to the bottom of the ocean and were struck by the Mask's cry and, as a result, were transformed into the Toa Mahri to face the Barraki. With help from the Mahri Nui Matoran and Maxilos (Makuta Teridax), who stalled the Barraki's armies that were in pursuit of the Toa, the Toa Mahri captured the Mask and destroyed the stone cord linking Voya Nui and Mahri Nui, sending the island hurtling beneath the ocean to its homeland at the core of the universe, just above Karda Nui. Before they could reach Karda Nui, Mata Nui died. Matoro convinced Jaller there was still time to save the Great Spirit, and Jaller sent Matoro away with the Mask to fulfill his destiny. In the core, Matoro donned the Mask, and used it's power to return the Toa Mahri to Metru Nui. Then, his mind, body, and spirit merged with the Mask, creating in the process huge amounts of energy, which explode outward and surge through the Great Spirit. In the end, Mata Nui was revived at the cost of Matoro's life, but is still in a precarious sleep, and the Kanohi Ignika is lost in the core of the universe.

2008 - Battle for Power - Phantoka During the sea of Darkness storyline, the Toa Nuva had been pursuing missions to prepare the world for the awakening of Mata Nui. After the completion of those quests, the Toa were teleported to Artahka, and were given orders by Helryx, the first Toa, Toa of Water, and leader of the Order of Mata Nui, to retrieve the Mask and awaken Mata Nui. They were given new adaptive armor, weapons, masks, as well as aerial equipment that would enable them to fly. They would be forced to enter a great battle against the Brotherhood of Makuta in Karda Nui, the home of the Matoran of Light and the original home of the Toa Mata/Toa Nuva. However, it has fallen under the sway of seven Makuta: Antroz, Vamprah, Chirox, and Mutran, who stay in the skies to terrorize the villages and capture the last Matoran, and Bitil, Gorast, and Krika, who venture into the swamps below to find the Mask of Life. However, as a result of Matoro's merging with the Mask of Life, the skyborne Makuta, minus Mutran, are blinded by the brilliant explosion, but the Matoran they corrupted with shadow leaches, a creation of Makuta Mutran, now serve as eyes via telepathic link. After the two groups' first confrontation, the Toa Nuva split up, with Tahu, Gali, and Onua to search for the Mask in the swamps below, and Lewa, Kopaka, and Pohatu to defend the Matoran villages. Meanwhile, the Makuta in Karda Nui send a summons to the most powerful warrior of the Brotherhood of Makuta, Makuta Icarax, who, in Makuta Teridax's absence, has dreamed of seizing control of the Brotherhood. Before Icarax arrive though, the Makuta ambush the Toa Nuva in the villages, with Makuta Chirox declaring the Matoran Photok a "perfect subject for an experiment". The following battle results in Pohatu, Kopaka and their Matoran counterparts being defeated, leaving Lewa and the Matoran Tanma to flee. The Mask of Life, however, senses the above battles a decides to act on its own, rather than using pawns. To fulfill this desire, he uses matter from the surrounding area to create weapons, a glider board, and a body for himself (gender determined based on the two users of the Mask of Life being male, Matoro and a member of Jovan's Toa Team) in the form of a Toa. He soars out of the swamp to join the fight, eager to prove his worthiness. Meanwhile, Antroz has hung the unconscious Kopaka, Pohatu, Photok, and Solek from the cavern ceiling with shadow chains. He telepathically taunts Lewa and Tanma. They defeat the illusion and ambush Antroz, delivering a high speed, powerful blow to the jaw of Antroz. Lewa targets Pohatu with his skyblaster, the impact of which awakens the Toa. Lewa then targets Antroz. With Tanma glowing brightly, using his minor control over the element of light to fuel Lewa's weapon, Lewa unleashes the full power of his skyblaster. The barrage pummels Antroz, breaking his concentration on the shadow chains, and they disappear. Pohatu and Lewa then gather up the still-unconscious Kopaka, Photok, and Solek before they strike the cavern floor, and fly away to join the other Toa Nuva in the swamps below.

2008 - Battle for Power - Mistika After leaving the villages to explore the swamp, Tahu, Onua, and Gali are attacked by insectoid Makuta. Tahu, through no fault of his own, was already on the ground when he was attacked by Makuta Krika. Tahu had discovered a sphere buried in a stalactite. He tried to fly closer, but the sphere had a force field around it, which he slammed into and landed heavily in the mud. Krika then attacked with an ability that drained Tahu's strength, but the Toa quickly launched a blast of fire into the sky. Gali was flying over the swamp when she found a plant clutching one of the six keystones the Toa were looking for. No sooner than had she freed it, she was attacked by Gorast. Gali increased the moisture in the ground beneath Gorast, and the female Makuta started to sink into the mud. Gali offered to help her out if she would help the Toa. Gorast refused, vanishing beneath the surface of the swamp. Gali had time to muse only one thought: why Gorast did not care about the possibility of dying; the value of life to that Makuta. Her question was answered when Gorast sprang from the mud behind her, stating that life in this world does not matter, only the Great Plan of the Makuta mattered. Gorast pinned Gali and prepared to slay the Toa. Onua had better luck: he was captured by an army of one Makuta: Bitil, who had used his mask of Time Duplication to call a multitude himself from the past to aid him in the future. Onua easily defeated them, using his elemental control of earth to make the mud around the Makuta(s) erupt like a volcano, breaking the Makuta's concentration and shutting off Bitil's mask; eliminating the army created by it. Bitil pursued Onua, but Onua wheeled in midair and fired his adaptive weapon, which adapted to be a Nynrah Ghostblaster. The blast struck Bitil, forming a sphere around the Makuta that caused him to slam into the ground. Onua then looked over and saw Tahu's signal. He rushed to find Gali. He found her on the ground beneath Gorast. He flew up behind Gorast and lifted her high into the air, and then dropped her into the swamp below. Gali and Onua then rushed to find Tahu. Meanwhile, Krika has been speaking to Tahu, who has been building his strength. Tahu unleashed his power of fire, super-heating the ground beneath Krika, scorching the spikes of the Makuta and causing him to leap high into the air. Gali and Onua arrive, with Bitil and Gorast on their heels. Tahu activates his Mask of Shielding, which protects the three Toa against the shadow attacks of the Makuta, but they are trapped between the sphere and Makuta with no help in sight. Far to the west, an inter-dimensional portal appears in the swamp. Through it emerges Takanuva, who was attacked on Metru Nui by a Shadow Leech. This drained part of his "light", but he was rescued by reformed Order of Mata Nui agent Brutaka. Brutaka gave Takanuva the sundial Lewa retrieved from Mata Nui and a message to give the Toa Nuva. But Brutaka's Mask of Dimensional Gates was damaged, sending the Toa to a few alternate universes. One where he saved an entity and returned it to the City of Silver, another where he saw what happened many years later if Matoro failed to save Mata Nui's life and lastly, one where he saw what would happen if Nidhiki had betrayed Lhikan and sided with Tuyet. He was able to find his way back to his universe, and is now there to aid the Toa in their quest.

2008 - Battle for Power - The Final Battle With the battle in the skies ended for now, both sides of the Mistika have been reinforced by their Phantoka allies. With the Toa Nuva's shield down, Makuta Krika deals a heavy blow that stuns Toa Gali, and he carries her deeper into the swamp. While there, Krika claims that if the Toa awaken Mata Nui, a horrible future will come to pass, so Gali must leave to prevent that. No sooner than when those words left the Makuta's mouth, a powerful blast of light flew across the Makuta's face. He looked skyward to find the worst fear of the Brotherhood of Makuta: Takanuva, the legendary Toa of Light, with his power lance still aimed at the Makuta, ready to destroy his armor. Krika retreated into the swamp. Gali, confused at the Toa's transformation, wanted answers, only to be told to wait until the Toa were assembled. On their way to return to the Codex, the object of the massive battle, Takanuva and Gali encountered Pohatu. The trio were on their way to the Codrex when they were attacked by a swarm of Mutant Niazesk, an enlarged insect-like Rahi whose sting was deadly. Takanuva prepared to fire a blast of light from his Power Lance, but, worried the Rahi might still make it through, instead called upon the devastating power of shadow the leech had given him. The blast was more than enough to convince the Niazesk to flee, but it also convinced Pohatu that Takanuva was a Makuta impersonator. Takanuva came incredibly close to being annihilated before he convinced Gali to reopen the telepathic link she had used to communicate with him when he was the Matoran Chronicler only a year before. Gali did so, against the wishes of Pohatu. Gali slumped to the ground, overwhelmed by the information in the Toa of Light's head. While they were joined, Takanuva saw himself for the first time after his transformation, a sight that caused him the shudder. Gali told Pohatu that, even thought he was not the innocent, eager hero they once knew, this was the Toa of Light. The trio finally returned to the Codex, the battle between the Toa and the Makuta still raging. Takanuva raised his Power Lance and opened fire on the Makuta, causing a hasty retreat. With all of the Toa reassembled, a newcomer appeared, The Toa Ignika, the living embodiment of the Mask of Life. Ignika quickly reported that he was on a countdown to the elimination of everything in the Universe. He told of how he was forged, and that the Great Beings intended him as a fail-safe if the Universe went wrong. Takanuva then reported that when the Toa reawaken Mata Nui, a massive energy storm will erupt in Karda Nui, and destroy everyone and everything in the cavern. No sooner than when he finished the report, the Makuta returned, and a massive battle erupted once more. The Toa rushed to fit the keystones they retrieved into the Codrex. With the energy field down, they entered the complex, never knowing Antroz was on their heels. Before more Makuta could make it in, Tahu retrieved the keystones to raise the energy field once more. Inside the Codrex, the Toa Nuva discovered niches in the floor, similar in size and shape to the canisters that they used to make their way to the island of Mata Nui. Onua hit a button on a nearby console, and the floor slid down to a cavern far below. The niches were then replaced by large light stones, and three metal cocoons erupted from the floor. The cocoons then disappeared, leaving behind three vehicles. Then, Makuta Antroz sprang from the shadows into the cockpit of one of the ships, the Jetrax T6. His mind merged with the ship, allowing him to see through the ship's sensors. Lewa and Pohatu both jumped aboard the Axalara T9 and Rockoh T3, and pursued Antroz.

2008- Battle for Power- Restoring the Light Meanwhile, Takanuva leaves the Codrex, intent on finding a way to reverse the Shadow Leech effects on himself and the Shadow Matoran. He and the free Av-Matoran capture Radiak, one of the Shadow Matoran created by the Makuta. While hauling him to Karda Nui's western portal, Mutran's assistant, the Shadow Matoran Vican, flies up. He reports that the scream of a Rahi called a klakk shattered the hold shadow had over him, and he no longer wished to serve the Makuta. Takanuva, seeing the truth in his eyes, began searching for the Rahi. Ironically, Radiak was the one to find the creature. He attacked the rahi, intent on destroying it, but the creature's cry broke the shadow spell. Although Radiak's mental state was restored, his armor, mask, and elemental ability remained as when he was fully in shadow. Radiak then reported the Makuta actually wanted Mata Nui to awaken for reasons he did not know. Takanuva ordered the Matoran to leave Karda Nui before the energy storm erupted, but then, Takanuva was attacked by eight Makuta: Chirox and seven incarnations of Bitil. Under the sway of shadow, he lost control to rage and started attacking them all, taunting them that their greatest wish, a Toa of Shadow, was now in existence and they could choke on the knowledge he was not theirs, and declaring that this battle would not be a Kolhii masquerade; that any Makuta that got near him would die. He blasted a hole in Chirox's armor and charged into the midst of the Makuta, never noticing one of the Bitils was about to strike him down, but the time clone never got the chance. A bolt of light fired by Kopaka aboard the Jetrax T6 stunned the Makuta, causing Bitil to lose focus on his mask and the time clones created by his mask disappearred. Before Takanuva could destroy Chirox though, Kopaka brought him to his senses, allowing the Makuta to flee. Takanuva reported to Kopaka what he had learned from Radiak, and Kopaka left aboard the Jetrax to warn the other Toa Nuva. Takanuva resumed his search for Matoran and came across Gavla. He managed to put himself and the Matoran in the path of the Klakk's scream, and the mental shadow dissolved in both of them. Takanuva told Gavla to leave, for her to join the other Matoran. And then the storm came. It was a massive, brilliant entanglement of light and energy that grew with each passing second. As Takanuva flew to the western portal, he noticed the foolish Makuta Mutran attempting to study the storm. Mutran's life was ended as an energy bolt incinerated his armor and his essence. Takanuva, without regret for not trying to save the Makuta, flew away to join the Toa Nuva.

2008- Battle for Power- Mata Nui Rises After fleeing through a small portal and out of Karda Nui, the energy storm reached full strength. The Toa Nuva realized that they had successfully awoken the Great Spirit, completing their destiny. Mata Nui rises as a massive being, larger than all of the islands formerly seen, combined. As his face rises from underneath the now uninhabited island of Mata Nui, the island falls apart. The Toa just barely made it out alive. When they get back to Metru-Nui they gather together in celebration when suddenly a wind blows in and Makuta Teridax announces that just before Mata-Nui was revived, he took control of him and forced his mind out. Mata-Nui's mind has been sealed in the Mask of Life and thrown off into space. Their universe is doomed. As the mask floats through space, the voice of Mata Nui says "I will return".

2009

2009- Glatorian The BIONICLE story now continues in a new world, a new planet called Bara Magna. Bara Magna was an immense planet covered in mostly desert, volcanoes, and mountains, but a catastrophic disaster 100,000 years ago, split the planet into three pieces, the largest now supports the population and the other two segments act as moons. The villagers of this world are the Agori. The Agori together make up six different tribes, each affiliated with a region. The Rock Tribe is made up of rock Agori, and an army of Skralls, another race on Bara Magna. They are the strongest and fastest race in all of Bara Magna, and they make up the majority of the races. The work solely for the Rock Tribe under their leader, Tuma. All Skralls are named Skrall, as part of their culture. If one earns a name, then Tuma grants a Skrall a new name. The next tribe is the Jungle Tribe. They live in oasises in the desert made of plant life. Another tribe is the Ice Tribe, which live on the snowy peaks of the Quartz Mountains. The Fire Tribe resides in the volcanoes, and is led by Agori Raanu. The Water Tribe lives by the Sea of Liquid Sand on Bara Magna. The Sand Tribe used to be intelligent, until the disaster destroyed their village. In crisis, they devolved into monsters and now they roam the deserts hungry for other Agori. A new movie will be arriving in late 2009 with a two planned sequels the first sequel in 2010 with the final (6th) film in 2011. The 2009 film will follow the 2009 storyline with Gresh being the main character along with the returning character from 2001-2008 series. While the identity of the returning character has not been revealed, leaked pictures of the Summer 2009 Bionicle canister sets would suggest that this character is Mata Nui. A few images have been labeled with the name Mata Nui, though it hasn't been confirmed.

The desert only supports so many resources, so each tribe has a Glatorian to battle for the resources. The victorious tribe collects all the resources for themselves. The Jungle Tribe's Glatorian is named Gresh. The Fire Tribe's former Glatorian is called Malum. The Ice Tribe has Strakk. The Water Tribe has a Glatorian named Tarix. The Skrall Stribe has a Glatorian called Skrall [1]. All these compete for their tribes for resources.

Guides

• Metru Nui - City of Legends
• The Official Guide to Bionicle
• BIONICLE : Rahi Beasts - A book featuring winning creations of a contest held by LEGO
• BIONICLE World
• BIONICLE: Dark Hunters - A book similar to Rahi Beasts
• BIONICLE Encyclopedia Volume 1
• BIONICLE Encyclopedia Volume 2
• Bara Magna - A map and story of Bara Magna
• Bios - Bios of the Glatorian, Agori, Warriors, and Mistika

Extra Stories

The website Bioniclestory.com features several web serials and podcasts related to the main story.

Late 2007

• Dreams of Destruction
• Gali Nuva's Blog
• Into the Darkness

Early 2008

• Federation of Fear
• The Mutran Chronicles
• Dark Mirror

Late 2008

• Dwellers in Darkness
• Brothers in Arms
• Destiny War

Early 2009

• Reign of Shadows

Bionicle.com also featured a series called Takanuva's Blog, describing the events of 2008 through the eyes of the character Takanuva, but has now been taken off the site.

Controversy

In 2001, Lego faced legal action by Māori activists from New Zealand for trademarking Māori words used in naming the Bionicle product range. Lego agreed to stop commercial use of the Māori language. This resulted in changes being made a number of existing Bionicle words, while others were removed. Māori terms involved included:

• "Huki" means "hammerstroke", "quaking", or "convulse"; it was used as the name of a stone character and changed to "Hewkii".
• "Kahu", meaning "cape" or "cloak", and "Kewa" were used for types of birds; they became one and the same as "Gukko birds". (However, a recent advertisement for the Toa Mahri listed Kongu as a "Kahu" bird rider.)
• "Maku" means "wet"; it was used as the name of a water character and changed to "Macku".
• "Puku" means "stomach", "belly", etc.; it was used as the name of a pet Ussal crab belonging to Takua the Chronicler. The crab's name was changed to "Pewku".
• "Tohunga" means "craftsman", "expert", etc.; it was used for the race of villagers and replaced with the term "Matoran"

Lego made up for the name changes in 2003 by introducing a new holiday to the Bionicle story line after the defeat of the Bohrok-Kal, ‘Naming Day’. When ‘Naming Day’ comes Matoran who had done heroic deeds are honored by having their name lengthened.

- In game named Mata Nui Online Game 2 The Final Chronicler there were used some Finnish words: - * Marka/Märkä means wet in Finnish - * Kylma/Kylmä means Cold in Finnish - * Lumi means Snow in Finnish - * Pakastaa means Freeze in Finnish - * Jaatikko/Jäätikkö means Ice Field - * Tuuli means Wind in Finnish - * Pekka is a popular Finnish boy's name - * Kivi means Stone in Finnish - * Arktinen means Arctic in Finnish - * Jaa/Jää means Ice in Finnish - * Talvi means Winter in Finnish

Non-Māori words included:

• "Jala" was used as the name of a fire character and changed to "Jaller".
• "Koli" was used as the name of a sport and changed to "Kolhii".
• "Hoi", "Kuna", and "Vako" were used as names of different Rahi animal species; Kuna are now called "bog snakes" and Hoi are now "shore turtles", but Vako have not been seen since.
• "Suva"- not likely a Māori Word- the bionicle name of their "temples". It is the capital and largest city of Fiji.

However, a number of Polynesian and Melanesian terms still remain the same, specifically ones introduced early in the storyline during Bionicle Chronicles. Here are some examples, though this is by no means a complete list:

• "Akamai means "clever" in Hawaiian, and is the name of a Toa Kaita. Ironically, it is the second Toa Kaita, Wairuha, that is the wiser, cleverer one.
• "Kanohi" is the Māori word for "face" and is the Bionicle word for "mask"
• "Toa" is the Māori word for "champion" and is the title held by Bionicle's main heroes
• "Kopaka" is the Māori word for "cold" or "ice" and is the name of a Toa of Ice
• "Onewa" is the Māori word for "basalt" and is the name of a Turaga and former Toa of stone
• "Pohatu" is the Māori word for "stone" or "rock" and is the name of a Toa of Stone
• "Tahu" is the Māori word for "burn" and is the name of a Toa of Fire
• "Turaga" is a Fijian title for village chief and used similarly in Bionicle
• "Whenua" is the Māori word for "earth" and is the name of a Turaga and former Toa of Earth.
• "Koro" is a Fijian word for "village" and is used similarly.

Since this controversy, Lego has been careful to make sure that all new Bionicle names are not common terms in other languages. The closest exception to this is the character named "Umbra". The use of "umbra", at least, was considered acceptable because of Latin's status as a dead language.

It should also be noted that an increasing number of made-up Bionicle names have English-language roots; for instance, the name "Axonn" is based on "axe", which the character is noted for carrying, "Hydraxon" is based on "hydration", and Brutaka is related to the word "brute" or "brutal". This is also present in the names of certain Barraki like Kalmah (calamari), Carapar (carapace), and Mantax (manta); Matoran names such as Solek (solar), Photok (photon), and Radiak (radiate); and also with Makuta such as Mutran (mutate and transform), Vamprah (vampire), Chirox (chiroptera), Antroz (antrozoidae), Bitil (beetle), Krika (cricket) and Gorast (Ghost)

External links

• BIONICLE.com Official Bionicle Website
• BIONICLEstory.com Official Bionicle.com subsite to feature storyline information
• BIONICLEsector01 Largest and Most Accurate BIONICLE Wiki
• BZPower Largest unofficial BIONICLE fourm