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Bionicle is a line of toys created by the Lego Group that is marketed towards those in the 7-16 year old range. The line was launched in December 30, 2000 in Europe and June/July 2001 in the United States. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... A teddy bear A toy is an object used in play. ... Lego Group is a family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark and best known for the manufacture of Lego-brand toys. ... Next big thing redirects here. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

The Bionicle idea originated 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. The Slizers was a line of Lego toys released in 1999 similar to Bionicle or later releast Lego RoboRiders. ... The Roboriders was a series launched in 1999 by Lego after the Slizers but this theme was very short-lived because it was not popular. ... . Bön . Hinduism (Tattva) and Buddhism (Mahābhūta) Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether . ...

"Bionicle" is a portmanteau constructed from the English words "biological" and "chrionicle" (not "biomechanical" as in the common belief).^[1] A portmanteau (IPA: ) is a word or morpheme that fuses two or more words or word parts to give a combined or loaded meaning. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Franchise

The toys are posable, articulated characters and share some pieces with the Lego Technic line. Bionicles sets are from $5 to $100. Most expensive ones are Bionicle play sets such as the Piraka Stronghold. Characters in the toy line are based on a set of classical elements and Polynesian mythology. The line usually focuses on groups of six, with each member of a group being one of six recurring colors. In addition, members of heroic groups – primarily Toa warriors, Turaga elders, and Matoran commoners – are also matched to one of six elements (most villainous groups have different elements or none at all): Example of studded construction. ... . Bön . Hinduism (Tattva) and Buddhism (MahābhÅ«ta) Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether . ... Polynesian mythology is the oral traditions of the people of Polynesia (meaning many islands in Greek) a grouping of Central and South Pacific Ocean island archipelagos in the Polynesian triangle together with the scattered cultures known as the Polynesian outliers. ... For other uses, see Toa (disambiguation). ... The Turaga of Mata Nui. ... This article is about a fictional race of beings. ...

• Red (sometimes orange or yellow) characters are usually identified with fire.
• Blue characters are usually identified with water (and are nearly always female.)
• Green (sometimes teal) characters are usually identified with air.
• Brown (or other stone colors, like tan, yellow or orange) characters are usually identified with stone.
• Black (or grays and rarely purple) characters are usually identified with earth.
• White (and very rarely blue) characters are usually identified with ice.
• Gold and white characters are usually identified with light (although they are different colors(see Karda-Nui))
• Black and red characters are usually identified with darkness
• There are other colors for other "secondary" elements, but they are not featured as prominently in the main storyline.

Though the Lego Group had previously created building sets based on Lucasfilm's Star Wars films, the Bionicle line was the first Lego project to get a story developed in-house, being officially credited to Bob Thompson and Martin Andersen of LEGO (although Thompson has since left to form his own company, Good Story Productions), freelance UK writer Alastair Swinnerton and Christian Faber of Danish advertising company Advance. Bionicle was also the first in the company's history intended to last for multiple years - in fact, Lego is currently following a plan involving seven multi-year story arcs, providing a framework for roughly twenty years of storyline. It was also the first Lego product to have its own direct-to-video movies: Bionicle: Mask of Light, Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui, and Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows. Another movie is currently in progress, which will be released in 2009 if completed. It will probably be about the 2009 story line which is said to go in a 'other direction'. There's also be 2 more movies released in 2010 and 2011 Lucasfilm Ltd. ... This article is about the series. ... Alastair Swinnerton is a UK writer/producer known mostly for his involvement with Legos Bionicle, which he co-created with Bob Thompson and Martin Andersen of Lego and Christian Faber of Danish advertising agency Advance. ... A film that is released direct-to-video (also straight-to-video) is one which has been released to the public on home video formats first rather than first being released in movie theaters. ...

The Bionicle storyline is told mainly in the book series and comics, which are written primarily by Greg Farshtey. Greg is also a member of the BZPower fan community and often answers questions from forum members about Bionicle. Through his responses (which are posted in the Official Greg Discussion thread) and other posts, he often gives advance details of upcoming storyline points; as well as clarification about current or past storylines, and the occasional quote from an upcoming book. Aside from the toys in Lego Bionicle franchise, Lego has also marketed an ongoing book series, several video games (mostly for the Game Boy Advance), and three computer-animated movies. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

In 2007 a secondary website, BionicleStory.com, was established. The site provides a number of side story serials which intersect with the year's main storyline as well as with each other. The precedent established in 2007 and continued in 2008 is thus: One narrative serial, one serial in the form of a character's journal entries, and one serial produced as webcast audio files. A side story in fiction is a form of narrative that occurs alongside established stories set within a fictional universe. ...

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 Makuta, and the universe has begun to decay. Science fantasy is a mixed genre of story which contains some science fiction and some fantasy elements. ...

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: // In the fictional universe of Lego Bionicle, multiple species, races, and other groups exist. ...

• 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.
• The Matoran: The most widespread and influential race in the Bionicle universe, 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.
• Makuta: The one who attacked Mata Nui and made him fall unconscious, Makuta is one of the most powerful beings in the universe and the primary villain 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 have evolved past the point where they don't need physical bodies to live. They exist as huge energy masses, and can also shapeshift. The real name of the Makuta of Metru Nui is "Teridax." Although he seems reluctant to call himself by his real name, and is simply known as THE Makuta. The Makuta was also spotted in Mahri Nui.
• The Dark Hunters: The Dark Hunters are an organization of bounty hunters and mercenaries. Though secondary villains to Makuta and his Brotherhood, they wield enough power to drastically affect the plans of the Brotherhood and the Toa alike.
• 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 of Mata Nui is abbreviated to OoMN by fans.

// In the fictional universe of Lego Bionicle, multiple species, races, and other groups exist. ... This article is about a fictional race of beings. ... The Turaga of Mata Nui. ... The Order of Mata Nui is an organization from Lego Bionicle storyline. ...

2001–2003: Bionicle Chronicles

Main article: Bionicle Chronicles

For a thousand years, ever since the Great Spirit Mata Nui had been put to sleep, the tropical island of Mata Nui had been in the dark grip of the evil Makuta. The Matoran living there had defended themselves against Teridax'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, Gali, Toa of Water, Kopaka, Toa of Ice, Onua, Toa of Earth, and Pohatu, Toa of Stone. However, they would have to deal with clashing personalities, ever-growing threats like 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. His name right now is Takanuva. Bionicle Chronicles is the first book series set in the Lego Bionicle universe. ... Mata Nui Mata Nui is a fictional island from the LEGO Bionicle storyline, and is the setting of the first story arc, known as Bionicle Chronicles. ...

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 and one of their own falls to the dark. Then, they all fight together and won. Bionicle Adventures is the second book series based in the Bionicle universe. ...

2006–2008: Bionicle Legends

Main article: Bionicle Legends

Once the tales of Metru Nui have been told, it is soon discovered that the Great Spirit Mata Nui is not only asleep, but dying. Only the Mask of Life can save him, but a number of dark forces want the mask for themselves: A group of thugs calling themselves "Piraka" have tried to claim the mask for their own gain.The Toa Nuva came to face them but they got captured fast.Then new heroes called the Toa Inika came and fought the Piraka. Their last battle was against Vezon and Kardas, whom Jaller had stopped in their tracks with a time-freezing Zamor given to the Inika by Axonn and they won, but the Mask of Life fell into the ocean into the hands of disgraced warlords called Barraki. Then the Toa Inika were transformed into Toa Mahri to face the Barraki. They also won that war. In the end, Mata Nui is revived at the cost of Matoro's life, but the Ignika is lost in the core of the universe, Karda Nui. For its retrieval, the Toa Nuva will be forced to enter the battle against the Brotherhood of Makuta to accomplish their destiny. Karda Nui is where Av-Matoran(Av is a prefix meanig light)originally came from. When Makuta turned bad, Av-Matoran were disguised as other types of Matoran and "seeded" onto other islands. The cover of Bionicle Legends #6: City of the Lost. ... The Order of Mata Nui is an organization from Lego Bionicle storyline. ...

Guides

Metru Nui-City of Legends

The Official Guide to Bionicle

Rahi Beasts

World

Dark Hunters

Encyclopedia Volume 1

Encyclopedia Volume 2

Controversy

In 2001, Lego faced legal action by Māori activists from New Zealand for trademarking Māori words used in naming the Bionicle product range.^[2][3] Lego agreed to stop commercial use of the Māori language.^[4] This resulted in changes being made a number of existing Bionicle words, while others were removed. Māori terms involved included: This article is about the Māori people of New Zealand. ...

• "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 mistakenly 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 crab and changed to "Pewku"
• "Tohunga" means "craftsman", "expert", etc.; it was used for the race of villagers and replaced with the term "Matoran"

Non-Māori words included: The following is a list of Matoran characters in the Lego Bionicle franchise. ... The following is a list of Matoran characters in the Lego Bionicle franchise. ... This article is about a fictional race of beings. ...

• "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.^[5]

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: The following is a list of Matoran characters in the Lego Bionicle franchise. ... Bionicle Chronicles is the first book series set in the Lego Bionicle universe. ...

• "Akamai means "clever" in Hawaiian, and is the name of a Toa Kaita
• "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 of Earth.

Since this controversy, Lego has been careful to make sure that all new Bionicle names are not common terms in other languages.^{[citation needed]} 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.^[6] Akamai Technologies, Inc. ... The Toa Mata; the first team of Toa to be seen in the storyline. ... For other uses, see Toa (disambiguation). ... The following is a list of Toa characters in the Lego Bionicle franchise. ... The Turaga of Mata Nui. ... The following is a list of Toa characters in the Lego Bionicle franchise. ... The following is a list of Toa characters in the Lego Bionicle franchise. ... The Turaga of Mata Nui. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Turaga of Mata Nui. ... The Order of Mata Nui is an organization from Lego Bionicle storyline. ...

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 "ax", which the character is noted for carrying, and Brutaka could be related to the word "brute" or "brutal". The Order of Mata Nui is an organization from Lego Bionicle storyline. ... The Order of Mata Nui is an organization from Lego Bionicle storyline. ...

Also, names of four (of six) Barraki warlords are based on animals, which their resemembles (for example, Ehlek resembles an eel, Mantax - manta ray). Other names are that of the Makuta, such as Vamprah, ("vampire") Miserix ("misery") Mutran (created from words "mutation" and "transformations", because Mutran is expert in creating beings), Chirox (most likely from "Chiroptera," the term for bats), etc.

Notes

Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 226th day of the year (227th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 226th day of the year (227th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 226th day of the year (227th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• BIONICLE.com Official Bionicle Website
• BIONICLEstory.com Official Bionicle.com subsite to feature storyline information
• BIONICLEsector01 Fansite BIONICLE Wiki, with more in-depth storyline information.