"I dont know why they couldnt use kahuna" gonna take a wild guess that it might've been the same reason they eventually got told off for using tohunga

This is groundbreaking! Gathered friends, listen again to our legend of the BIONICLE. In the time before time…

Just imagine how much narrative potential 6 GSRs would have, when we just barely had 2.5 robots (Proto, Mata Nui 1 "Makutaverse", Mata Nui 2 [never made, just important for Teridax backstory]) in the 10 year run. I would really love to see the original plans for Hero Factory. I think it could give some very interesting new perspectives on a story that unceremoniously fizzled out over time.

Funny how at one point we thought the Legend of Mata Nui demo CD was the ultimate McGuffin for the community to get their hands on :)

I'm glad they called the Tarakava something with the word "boxing" because I always called them boxers when I was little, which made the Boxor very confusing to me

I think my biggest takeaway is the realization that I am older than Duckbricks.

45:00 I guess the Ahi (Jaller) being the son of Lhii (Lhikan) stayed in the form of Jaller inheriting Lhikan's mask?

Aaw man, this is why I love Bionicle. Still getting lore leaks all this time later!

The implication that the Rangi and Papa legendary backstory isn’t real, and Mata Nui was just part of the expeditionary robot team is absolutely wonderful.

I could theorize that the "Book 4: The Legends of Mata Nui" title was there as a direct reference to Star Wars starting with what would eventually be known as "Episode IV: A New Hope", coming back to that knowledge that Lego Star Wars really inspired the development of Bionicle as an original IP story driven theme. There are also references to droids in the story Bible, before they eventually went for biomechanical beings to differentiate themselves from SW and maybe not have copyright issues with it. Its kinda hilarious in hindsight, given the fact that the Technic Star Wars buildable figures were built with Toa Mata parts.

Even after the reveal of the Great spirit robot, it still felt like there was things we didnt know. It felt as if there was details ommitted from the story like what the matoran even did on the island and who they prayed to etc.

It sounded like they intended to reset the story every year or so on a new island/robot. I think starting fresh on new islands with new characters every year or so would have made it easier for them to continually bring in new fans. It also would have been a more fitting way of telling a story that's primary purpose is to sell the current toy line. The toy designers would have had more freedom as they wouldn't have to design new models after characters that have already been established. Problem with this is it would have been harder to retain older fans since they may have been only really hooked on a particular cast of characters that are no longer prominent in the story. It is difficult to reuse old characters without revamping them, as it goes against the main purpose of the Bionicle story, which is to market and sell the current toy line. The plot for each arc seems like it would have been quite formulaic, where on each robot, the goal would be to defeat the makuta and wake up the corresponding spirit. Using this premise six times over would be extremely difficult to retain interest.

I think the 8 masks thing explains the european misprints for the ruru and matatu

Phenomenal video. It’s really fascinating how the Turaga had an alternate name, the Quest for the Masks was more complex and involved Toa totems, there were Toa Nui alongside Toa Kaita is what I got from reading that page, and it was very reliant on the ultimately unreleased game. Really interesting how the game caused the Rahi attacking the island (an integral part of the early storyline) to be implemented. An incredible look at the development of BIONICLE. And what became of the Toa totems?

Bionicle stans eating GOOD on your channel! 😍

mindblowing that there was clear foreshadowing regarding the great spirit robot! and the little fact that there were 5 other GSRs :D

First of all, thank you so much for these! About the Kaita names: Akamai actually means wisdom, and Wairuha means valor in Maori, that's why they had them like that originally. The og story for Mata Nui, the other giants, and Makuta is really similar to the Maori mythology, which says that the gods tried to bring light to the world, one of them, Tumatauenga, the god of war and humans wanted to kill their parents(the sky god Rangi, and the earth goddess Papu), while another one, Tane, god of nature suggested they separate them, and together they tried until Tane succeded, but then one of the gods, Tawhirimatea, storm god got furious for what his brothers did, so he became their swore enemy.Tumatauenga also started a war against his brothers later, and killed almost all of them, and his creations, the humans battled in arenas and wars, and that to me is similar to Bara Magna stuff, even his name is almost Tuma. That boxing gorilla I'd assume was meant to be that boxing dude with the treads from the Voodoo island models, because they also wanted to use the 3 Rahi from the comic that you mentioned.I know the boxing guy was a hero in that, but to me, that model looks more like a gorilla that the Tarakava. It seems they reused a lot of og concepts for 2006: -the Piraka looks really close to the original Toa sketches, but also their "legend" version of their descriptions I think fits more the Piraka -the prototype of the Manas has a lot of similarities with Umbra: half Toa-half machine with wheels, they both have an axe, and the Kakama looks similar to the Great Ruru, both were guardians -the guardians were underground, like the Rahi originally(they also reused this for Rahi Nui, and the Maze of Shadows Rahi, though) -Vezon, who was basically the "final boss" like Makuta in 01, had the Ignika, which was basically like the "mask of Mata Nui". That Toa Nui concept I guess was reused for Takutanuva, I mean he dueled Makuta for the Avohkii, which basically was the og Mcguffin mask that supposed to awake Mata Nui(I know that's only used in the movie, but originally they planned the story to end there), and bring piece and light back, and while he wasn't like a big titan, he became one, and by fusing with someone, just like Toa Nui. It's also interesting that originally the 3 finger island was there before the Bohrok's awakening, I think the Makuta stone that's used to tell the legend seems like it was supposed to be inspired by that "island", while the Mata Nui stone seems like it was supposed to be inspired by the og giant canister that the Tohunga came from originally.Even the name Tohrok, who were Makuta's followers renamed for Bohrok, who came from that "island" like an invading force originally.

I have definitely seen Toa Nui mocs over the years, but nobody knew it was considered in the beginning

Strange how we never got Toa Nui officially this must have happened late in dev since the turaga and matoran had nui forms. I would love to make a toa nui but I only have tahu available, the other toas are well deconstructed and the parts are either completely gone or damaged, so I need to wait until I can buy them.

Amazing video! I saw you on lego masters and im so happy you got to be apart of a show like that! Amazing collection, hopefully I can get there someday

I've waited for this for decades! So glad to have all this info presented to the public, thanks again for sharing! Edit: I believe the 8 were the 6 great masks plus the ruru and matatu, which explains why we got those 2 noble masks in Toa colors!

The Makuta as mentioned in the story bible was also mentioned similarly on the original website described as the following. "No creature that speaks has seen the Makuta and returned. His lair could be in every shadow, every scrap of darkness. Some say he has three heads. Others say he can change into many forms. Only one thing is known for sure: if he is not stopped, his power and evil will grow to dominate all of Mata Nui. The legend says the Makuta is a whirling, kicking, screaming, clawing beast. He--or IT-- could be many things at once - cobra, tiger, hawk. Each must be defeated before the Makuta emerges from deep inside the surface of Mata Nui and replicates into a vicious swarm of separate and equally deadly beasts. And if this happens, the beings of Mata Nui will know untold harm. So the legend says." It's interesting because I know back then I always imagined "The Makuta" as some demonic Chimera type beast, almost an ultimate Rahi...opposed to the Humanoid form we got later in 2003. I'd love to see someone make an 2001 style moc of this beast in its most original authentic form. Imagine seeing a massive 3 headed monster with multiple functions and infected Hau face...I used to imagine that the cave in the Po-Koro background of the 01 Rahi was the entrance to the "beasts" lair 😂 I really hope one of our talented moc'ers can make this a reality.

Reading the Original Story Bible and remembering the Maori controversy early on, it is shocking seeing what could have been. They straight up ripped off the Maori gods Ranginui and Papatūānuku into "Sky Father Ranganui" and "Earth Mother Papatuanuku."

Just finished going through it; very fascinating, and a lot of it can actually still be found in early published materials, e.g. the Quest for the Masks card game booklet. The biggest new pieces of information is confirming that originally 8 great masks were planned, and the idea of the other giant robots (the search for which probably would have been the seed for future seasons. (since in this version, Mata Nui already awakens at the end of 2001) The story bible also dovetails with what Alastair Swinnerton wrote about his part in creating Bionicle, and how Pokemon was a major influence on how Bionicle was conceptualized. It is rather hilarious/cringe-inducing how non-chalant the attitude towards polynesian & other non-European cultures was (esp. using Haka, Tohunga, and Kahuna), apparently in part because using these terms wouldn't offend "the usual lobby groups" (aka Christian ones; this was the era of Harry potter book burnings after all). Just imagine the uproar if the Matoran for instance 'partook Communion' with the Toa 😅

While I'm ok with the no love thing as it kinda makes sense, the reasoning for it not existing is odd. Basically Greg said it was because they are unable to sexually reproduce, almost as if he is under the impression that love and sex and inter-connected, that you have to have sexual intercourse when in love. But that always bothered me. You can have romantic love without reproduction, just look at Toy Story, where we see toys fall in love with each other but are unable to reproduce. So why we couldn't just have that, I don't know. It doesn't bother me but it was an odd reason to exclude it.

I distinctly remember playing the Mata Nui online game as a kid, and getting to the part in Onu Koro where you listen to the villagers talk to the Turaga. The mention of an impenetrable structure, potentially stretching across the entire island gave me a distinct sense of dread. Like, an impending doom of depleted resources. So as I was thinking about this, I started looking at one of the posters I had up on the wall, depicting the Island and the mask side by side. It clicked then. The features of the island formed a face: The volcano was the mouth and the top right bay was the eye. Since the Island is named after their deity, who is "asleep", I drew the conclusion that Mata Nui was literally the island itself. Many years later, I was pleasantly surprised when this was revealed to be the case! I'm sure many other kids cracked the code as well. I mean, the game drops a heavy hint when it mentions the structure is as organic as the shell of an "ussal crab".

Listen again to the story of the Bionicle

I think the 6 GSRs became Metru Nui, Voya Nui, Mahri Nui, Karda Nui, and Bara Magna, the 5 other main locations in the BIONICLE theme. Also they should’ve stuck with the 6 Great Spirit Robots idea, would’ve made an incredible storyline that could’ve been continued in serials possibly even past 2011. Toa Nui should’ve been kept as a Combination Model also. I’m guessing Nga Rara was the original name for Metru Nui? I agree also that Mortal Masks should’ve been a name that was retained.

17:07 Inspirational cues

This is the way of the BIONICLE!

I've built a Toa Nui. There's photos on your discord now but I'll photograph it properly and DM you tomorrow

HOW IN THE WORLD DOES DUCKBRICKS HAVE ONLY 122K SUBS?!?!

Thank you so much for you and Faber for sharing this

You reckon 6 normal masks as we got and then the Gold and Silver ones?

More prototype sets please! pre-2001 if you have them

It would seem our Chronicler has a new legend to regail us with, lost knowledge of a story that could have been. Gather friends...

Fascinating stuff! I hope to see videos of (or at minimum, the documents posted) the remaining Bionicle story bibles-considering the revelations in 2001's bible, the ones for 2002 and 2003 especially could be really insightful as to the theme's continual evolution. I'd also be interested to see the Hero Factory story bible, as even though I wasn't a fan of the theme, we know it was supposed to build up to its own revelations that unfortunately never came to fruition.

What I make of the 8 masks is the 6 kanohi plus the two Makoki (6 coloured masks plus the gold and silver one).

So happy Atrioc shared the story bible with you!

My body cannot contain physically contain the hype right now. Must make more fan content now

Instantly clicked on this video. Unity, duty, and destiny!

Dang, I wish I had seen this video sooner because I had actually built a Toa Nui some time ago.

Man tetsuya takahashi was really cooking.... wait? This isn't xenosaga oh?

Absolutely amazing...will we get a video talking about the voodoo island comic?

That explains why the GSR looks like the Toa mata! There was supposed to be 6!

Great video

I really want a Bionicle ttrpg now. The world needs it.

This was planned to be a game, and previously the doc mentioned Onua would gain the akaku because he had poor vision, so my assumption for the 8 is that each Toa only had to collect 8/12 masks, and the 8 would change depending on the Toa. Or they wanted this to be the gym badge equivalent from Pokemon. Some of the legends of the toa as god-like figures managed to make its way into products, the Quest for Makuta board game included some of the blurbs in the story bible when it introduced the Toa in the instructions.

Thanks for sharing and the whole more Meta nuis could still be used to restart the theme should Lego wish to... Like the OG story is complete but what about the rest and where did they come from?

Tarakava alt build looks kinda gorilla ish. i think theres even a prototype of it that's probably what they intended to be a set before they decided to have 2 rahi in a box. I still maintain that Maku and hahli were originally the same character or atleast Maku was meant to wear a Kaukau and that's why it's just maku and kotu (inu). I firmly belive Hahli was made for 2003 which explains why her first appearances are in the 2003 animations to set her up for mnog 2 her appearance in book 4 and later mask of light. Maku likely has a Huna due to some issue with the kaukau. If you or anyone else can shed light on this to confirm or deny it i'd apreciate it.

I knew pokemon influence Bionicle! Why else would rock and earth be separate elements

Do you think you’ll ever do anything with the lore of Exoforce?

I cried

Hero Factory story bible!

you should make an announcement video for the mini contast with some rules you want to be followed

I can hear WCS mocing already

any tips on how to buy alot of bricks cheaply? ps good video

On "Kahuna Tohunga", besides the fact that it kinda sounds awkward, they are also cognates? ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi "kahuna" and Reo Māori "tohunga" are derived from same word and have a pretty similar root meaning. It would be sorta like "the Wrights, led by the Wrecht Wrights".

If theres Book 4... Where are the Books 1-3?

Another Maro original!

Maybe I just havent gotten to it in the video yet, but doesnt 'Nga Rara' sound fairly close to 'bARA maGNA'? Maybe that was another casualty of the naming changes

I want a church that preaches exactly that bible

🍻

The toa nui is not a new idea lol. There have already been dozens of images of mocs online.

Lego: we don't want Christian\Roman themes Also Lego: Mata-Nui is Lucifer/Prometheus

Insane soyjak thumbnail

Did you forgot about Ninjago Retold already?

Doesn't talk about how the kaita comination toa changes