Children of Bionicle

[Kalija From Indian Lakes]

I'm having a son with my girlfriend that's due at the end of December this year. Finding out I was having a boy was the best thing for me, because I knew that meant I get to share in his toy experience. Ever since I found out about Bionicle's return next year, I plan to buy the new six Toa and leave them in storage unopened until he's 5 or so, thst way he has a chance at experiencing the magic Bionicle's story and characters had on me when I was his age. I'm hoping it'll be important to him.

 

I remember in 2001 I was about 6 when I got my first Toa Tahu. I got hooked because of the mysteriousness of it all; the CD contained strange stone carvings hidden on a beautiful island. The inhabitants were robotic in appearance but there was always something more to them. I'm hoping by the time my son's old enough he'll get to experience that as well, and maybe it's something we would be able to bond with. Even though I'll be his father, I'm still just as intrigued by Bionicle after all these years.

 

Maybe there's a topic similar, but my question is this: 

How old were you, and what year, did you become a fan, and what got you hooked for sure?

And if you were (or already are) in my position, would you introduce your children to bionicle?

[UnderscoreChronix]

If you're introducing him to the old Bionicle story, wouldn't it make more sense to buy him the original Mata?

[Sybre]

I got into Bionicle when I was 7 or something when I bought Rahaga Bomonga over regular LEGOs, and the building concept was just fascinating and I ended up getting more.

 

When I become a parent, you'd better believe I'd introduce my possible son to Bionicle! We would bond over decapitating villains and saving Matoran. It'll be awesome.

[The 1st Shadow]

I was 8 when I first got into it. Gali Mata was my first set, and you'd better believe I'll be introducing my kids to my collection.

[Kopekemaster]

I was six? Seven? Maybe? I don't know. It kind of feels longer than that, but, honestly, that was an absurdly long time ago. Anyway.

 

I'm planning to eventually go through, year by year, with any children I may have. So, introduce 2001's sets and story and games, then the next year, 2002, etc.

I think that would probably be the most straightforward way of doing it.

(oh yes and make sure that bs01 is blocked so they cant look up spoilers heh heh)

[Click]

I guess I was...four? I've been with it since the beginning, and I can still remember my grandma coming to the door on my birthday with a (second) Lewa Mata, and then going to the store later to get a Lehvak. I have pictures of me playing with Roboriders and Throwbots, which means I somehow played with them and avoided choking on the pieces at a pretty young age.

 

I think it would be pretty cool to take my kids up to the attic one day and open up a dusty old box of Bionicle pieces, and telling them to just build. If they're interested enough, I'll tell them the story too, but that's a ways off for me.

[Toa of Gallifrey]

I got into Bionicle when I was 9, back in 2009 via MLN. My first set was Raanu and I remember getting the other Agori, the Glatorian and Mazeka early on (plus some Toa Mistika, forget which). I remember reading up on the past story and falling in love with it. The mystery, the sci-fi, the complexity, I loved it all.

[Toa Smoke Monster]

I believe I was 12 or 13 when I became a fan of Bionicle, all the way back in 2001.

 

It was orignially the cool sets that kept me interested in the theme, but I really didn't get hooked to it until I discovered the Bionicle Chronicles books. I haven't left the theme since.

 

And yes, I would introduce my child to Bionicle if I was going to have one. I would want them to experience the joy that I did when I first got into it.

[Tuuli]

So... You pretty much have the same dream as us all. Only doing it much earlier. I plan on collecting the 2001 saga so that one day my Rasling will be able to enjoy the wonders and secrets of bionicle.

[Sumiki]

Got my first sets early in 2002 - early enough that the '01 sets were on sale in stores - and I was hooked pretty much immediately.
 
I'd totally introduce any eventual children to the storyline.

[25K Now!]

It was my sixth birthday. I got a Kohrak and Vakama as birthday presents. From then on, I fell in love.

 

Or something like that.

[Sir Kohran]

Congratulations on soon becoming a parent, I wish the three of you many years of happiness.

 

I haven't yet made any additions to the population, and in the highly unlikely event that I do, I don't think I'd share Bionicle with them. I don't currently do so with anyone offline, probably because I prefer it as my own personal interest. That's not to say I wouldn't play along if they took an interest in it themselves, of course.

Edited September 19, 2014 by Sir Kohran

[Lenny7092]

Congratulations on soon coming a parent! Anyway, when I was 6 years old while Bionicle was born, I bought my first set, which was Lewa Mata. I always loved and enjoyed the sets, so, I become a parent and have kids, I would tell his son about Bionicle and save my sets for him to play with to love it, like how I did. And then, also, I would tell him about BZPower, so he could become a new member of it and enjoy and love it as much as I do.

Edited September 19, 2014 by Lenny7092

[Pomegranate]

I must've been 6 or 7, and a row of Bohrok caught my eye in the LEGO aisle. A little bit later I happened upon the very first Bionicle book at a school book sale, and from there I was hooked for good. That was sometime in 2002, maybe early 2003 at the latest, that I got the book.

My little brother was born a few years after that and I actively tried to get him into it, and I think if all goes well in my life and I still have my collection of books and comics and stuff, I'll definitely try to introduce any kids I might have to Bionicle. It's something very special to me and I'd love to share that with 'em

Edited September 19, 2014 by Pomegranate

[TBK]

I was about 5 or 6 when I was browsing the shelves of our tiny cow-town Walmart. I was allowed to get one toy every time we went -- which wasn't often -- and at the time, I wasn't even really into LEGOs as much as I was Beast Wars (which was awesome as well, mind you). One time in 2001, a new LEGO line showed up on the shelf, and I was immediately enthralled with Toa Tahu and took him home. I was sold.

 

At the time, it was just the cool masks and pieces and everything about the Toa Mata's playability that captured me at first, and after a while, I began to wonder what the Toa were doing in the pictures of the back of those canisters, grabbing those shiny golden and silver masks and all. So I looked it up, and by the time I could keep up with the storyline, I was doubly in love with Bionicle because of its dark and mysterious tone, leaving something new around every corner.

 

My little brother thought I was a weirdo for staying a fan for so long, but now that it's coming back, he's a little excited too.

[Rooster Nui]

I got my first Bionicle set in 2001 when I was nearly three. Tohunga Matoro was my first set. I got him because my brother, who is eight years older than me, was hooked into Bionicle from the get-go and he wanted some of the Tohunga. We were never really interested in McDonalds, but we were lucky enough to get the sets without ordering any meals, and thus we returned home with three Matoros, because it turned out that my sister also got one. 

 

I became an actual fan of the story in 2004 when the Toa Metru had arrived in stores. It was then that I became aware of the great, complex story that Bionicle offered. If ever I have children, I'll definitely introduce them to Bionicle.

Edited September 19, 2014 by Rooster Nui

[Nidhiki of the Shadows]

I was also around 6 and it was 2001 when I first became a fan. Since the very beginning.

 

I plan on keeping all of my old sets and passing them on to my kids or grandchildren if I ever have any at some point. That way they can experience some the coolest toys of all time and I can save money buying new toys lol

 

-NotS

[Timageness]

I had been a fan of Throwbots/Slizers and Roboriders before Bionicle came out, and my parents (who either didn't know the difference between the three or didn't care to know) came home one day with a Turaga Nokama set for me. Unfortunately for them, I wanted more, and the local Wal-mart only had the Mata left in stock. I got hooked on the story when my first issue of the Lego Club Magazine arrived alongside Bionicle #4, and I remember counting the days for the next two months after seeing Lewa getting ambushed at Le-Koro. Would I introduce my kids to Bionicle later in life? Definitely. Congrats on the new addition to your family, btw.

[Archon~]

I was 7 in 01, that's when I became enthralled.

[Reya]

I was 7 when I first got my first Bionicle set, Toa Onua in 2001. I was just hooked by the fact that they were robots.

I am keeping my 2001 collection with the hope of one day giving it to my kids. But I doubt they will have the same level of appeal for them. It sounds like a great idea and you should go for it!

[ActivePalpitation]

In 2002 or 2003, I was 4 or 5 and I got my first Bionicle sets. In fact, they may have been my first Lego sets.

 

I recieved two Bohrok, Tahnok and Lehvak. They were great.

 

I'll probably buy the Toa Mata sets for my kids when I have them so they can live out something I didn't get to.

[Nidhiki of the Shadows]

You know, buying new Bionicle sets for your kids and sharing this passion - a tight connection - must be beautiful.

 

-NotS

[Jahu]

I was six, and my older brother got Kopaka and Pohatu Mata at his birthday party. Naturally, I became extremely envious of the toys and captivated by the story and wound up getting either my own Pohatu Mata or Tahnok for my first set.

[dotcom]

I became a fan in very late 2003, so when I was about seven. First thing I really saw about it was MoL, and it pretty much hooked me instantly. It was just really cool for a seven year old.

 

I can't even think about having children right now, but...if I did, I would definitely try to introduce them to Lego. And since a lot of my lego is Bionicle, that would be the natural thing to do.

[ShadowBionics]

I do not foresee myself having children anytime soon. Hypothetically if I were to, I would definitely love to share the story and toys that were a large part of my childhood with them, whether they are boys or girls (There are female fans after all, so you never know).

 

I got into Bionicle in 2001 when I was about 8, about to turn 9. Onua was the first set I ever got. The first thing I ever saw about bionicle was the commercial featuring the Toa Mata ("Toa" back then), and that was what hooked me. I liked the idea behind buildable action figures and I enjoy robotic-looking beings and science fiction. So it was natural that I did become a fan. I got into the storyline by visiting the Bionicle website much later on and I found out they had comics for the storyline. 

I do not foresee myself having children anytime soon. Hypothetically if I were to, I would definitely love to share the story and toys that were a large part of my childhood with them, whether they are boys or girls (There are female fans after all, so you never know).

 

I got into Bionicle in 2001 when I was about 8, about to turn 9. Onua was the first set I ever got. The first thing I ever saw about bionicle was the commercial featuring the Toa Mata ("Toa" back then), and that was what hooked me. I liked the idea behind buildable action figures and I enjoy robotic-looking beings and science fiction. So it was natural that I did become a fan. I got into the storyline by visiting the Bionicle website much later on and I found out they had comics for the storyline. 

[Adventurer]

I was introduced the first year - so I think I would have been about 6 at the time. I followed onto it from the previous two lines which I would have been following since I was about 4-5 I'd imagine (having been a fan of Lego in general since birth basically ). If I were in your position I'd probably attempt to introduce my son to Bionicle, but not force it upon him if it wasn't his thing. I have a younger half brother who I'm going to try and get into the new line, but if he prefers the other lines then I'm not going to make him.(Obviously ). But if they were into it, would make for some great family bonding I reckon, so definitely worth a shot!

 

EDIT: In regards to introducing them to the older stuff - I find starting with something current is probably better because it would a) have the excitement factor of being new, advertised, going to the shops and getting them, finding out what the new sets are etc... which was always an excitement factor for me (and still is ) and b) allow them to discuss it with friends and take advantage of the social side of it. Of course if they were interested in the current sets you could then go back and introduce them to the old stuff.

Edited September 20, 2014 by Adventurer

[Kalija From Indian Lakes]

I read all the responses haha.

 

Looking at them, it's pretty cool to take a step back and see just how much the line really means to all of us. We're all a family in a good ol fashioned nerd way.

 

I definitely appreciate all the congratulations and advice by the way!

[Shadow Destroyer]

Wow, congratulations on that, man. I personally don't see myself having kids until at least 20 years from now, so you'll definitely be way ahead of me on that. 

 

I became a fan in 2001 when I was six years old, right after I bought Onua mata as my first set. I was instantly hooked! At this rate, I have no idea if I'll show my children what Bionicle is, but I'll probably be keeping my sets anyway, so I guess they really won't have a choice.

[Tea-rex]

Congrats on a kid man!

 

Yeah anyway, continuing the tradition, I was about... Six? When I heard of Bionicle ViA my friends, which was when I won my first bionicle (Balta) through a pass the parcel. Soon after, I went donw to my local Toymaster and bought umh.. Redaik? I believe. Then it all escalated from then. (Actually, my third one was Jaller, but the Mahari version. XD).

Edited September 21, 2014 by alijar

[Gatanui]

We were either six and five or seven and six years old when we got our first BIONICLE sets. I remember we found the Turaga in a toy store (I remember it was a sunny day) and our grandparents got them for us. In the instructions there were those pictures of the Toa, which of course made us curious. My brother got Lewa later and inside was that poster with story information. I guess it was that poster and BIONICLE.com that got us hooked in. Later I got Matau, then we got Pohatu and Gali and when I got Lewa and it had the CD in the canister, there was no turning back anymore.

 

-Gata

[Tahu3.0]

i was 6 when i bought Bionicle sets in the early 2007 my first set was jaller inika and kalmah but i promise to my possible son that i will give him the old toa mata on my shelf.

[Wazdakka]

Methinks it was Christmas of 2003 (I was around five) when within my stocking, I found that Santa had deposited a bizarre cylindrical object. Inside, it contained a strange robot from Lego, but unlike any Legos I'd ever seen. It took me a while to assemble, as the joints were hard to lock into place and hurt my little fingers sometimes. However, when I finished, Onua Nuva brandished his chainsaw treads. Now, this did not really hook me, but it got me interested. I got my paws on Bohrok Pahrak (perhaps even before, but I only remember Onua clearly). Then, around this time, I journeyed to my state's Legoland, where I discovered a life-sized Lego statue of Tahu. I also remember finding the little comics in the Rahkshi canisters. Finally, the movie came out. I remember we rented that as soon as possible at our local Blockbuster/Hollywood (RIP video stores). I do not think there was ever one specific moment after which I said, "Wow! I'm into this!" so I basically just gave a summary of my early Bionicle recollections. 

 

I would definitely introduce my kid(s) to Bionicle - why not? I mean, I have (and intend to hang on to most) many of the old toys which are just gathering dust on my shelves and there are new ones coming, so why not dust off my Mata and see if they're appreciated? It's from Lego, so it's always high-quality and durable, it's creative and fun, there's a wonderful story, and it's something that I like too. 

[Flintsmith]

My son was 6 in 2001 and we had fun all through the Bionicle years.  We went to Legoland often and often won the building contests and Halloween costume contests,

 

I don't think that it's a coincidence that now he's off to college studying Engineering. 

[Makuta Miras]

First off, congrats, Wiser Whenua! The next generation of Bionicle fans is coming... 

 

Anyway, on-topic, I got into Bionicle in 2007/08, my first sets being Dekar and Defilak, bought for me by a friend for my sixth birthday, in 2007. I had an edition of the Lego Catalogue from 2007, and as soon as I saw the Mahri I was dead set on getting them, but mainly Hahli. Because wings. In 2007, I also got Nuparu Inika, Kongu Mahri, Takadox, a maskless Tahu and a maskless Kopaka with Turaga Nuju's head. When 2008 rolled around, I was completely awed by Bionicle's presence in the Lego Club Magazine, and from there I went on Bioniclestory.com, read up on all of the story, read the comics over and over again, got really hyped for Tahu Mistika, and was really disappointed when I discovered that a present which I had for my seventh birthday from my sister was in fact a giant tub of jellybeans instead of Lewa Phantoka, which just happened to be in almost the exact same shape as a Phantoka canister. The next present I opened was Lewa Phantoka. And from there I just kind of went full nerd mode, and the Phantoka have in fact remained my favourite line to this day. If I ever have children (And that's a REALLY long way off for me: I'm only just in my tenth year of school!), then Lewa Phantoka and Tahu Mistika will have to become family heirlooms. A Chrome Hau as well, once I get one.