FrozenPancake_

In spite of this Netflix series, it doesn't seem to be doing so well. :/ I have trouble finding the sets in stores. Seriously, they're very hard to find where I live. And I live in America. I also live in America, WI to be exact. The stores near me had all the sets but now there are just a few of each, if that. However, this means they sold a lot of Bionicle sets, they just have not restocked them. So Bionicle isn't doing great but I wouldn't say it isn't doing well either. Eh, I guess our retailers are just unreliable. XD At least Barnes and Noble has 'em, or so I hear... As for my Walmart, I saw a couple Tahus, three Umaraks, a Terak, and a guitar Ketar. I just went to my ToysRUs yesterday and they have restocked all their Bionicle. However last time I was at my Walmart they had 1 Tahu left, a few Umaraks, a couple Onuas, a few creatures, and like 10 Pohatus! I guess they thought he would be a good seller but reality shows otherwise. So I guess it is hard to gauge how well Bionicle is doing. What if someone made a poll to see how well people think Bionicle selling? I agree with Shadowed Dallior that LEGO needs to step up the publicity if Bionicle is ever going to really take off. LEGO just isn't putting a lot of effort into commercializing it. It's doing terribly where I live. XD And I second-- no, wait, I third-- that LEGO really needs to step up the marketing. I'm sure it'd do well if it were as well-marketed as Ninjago and Nexo Knights. First off, it needs to be on the front page of LEGO's site, as well as featured on their Facebook page. (The page should have a link to the Bionicle page too.) Secondly, make more commercials. Third, bring back Cryoshell. No, seriously. The ads would be so much more appealing with Cryoshell songs in the background. Fourth, get it on the front of LEGO Club for at least 3 issues throughout the year. Make lots of comics too. Maybe bring back the DC comics and include issues with the magazine? Last but not least, more promotions! Make more (widely available) polybags, a bit of merch, and throw in a $10 Bionicle set for free with larger purchases on LEGO's Shop@Home service. This would help get Bionicle in front of more kids and adults, and they'd realize how cool it is. Next thing you know, the fandom just got a little bigger. *snip* Your fourth suggestion is preposterous. I don't know if you're aware, but the Lego Club magazine only gets six issues per year—you're essentially saying that Lego should make a full half of its magazine issues be headlined by one of their smaller themes. And as has been pointed out in this very topic, comics are not a strongly performing medium these days, compared to in Bionicle's heyday. Lego's recent tendency to favor graphic novels seems to have been more successful for them, with Ninjago's graphic novels frequently making the New York Times bestseller list upon release. Your final suggestion, again, sounds like a cool thing for fans, but maybe not the best business decision. Lego has a lot of themes to promote, and can only give away so many freebies each year. Keep in mind that last year there was no shortage of promotions, with two convention-exclusive masks and another free with Lego.com purchase—and that's not including the Skull mask polybag (contrast much bigger and more successful themes like Ninjago, which have NEVER had a convention-exclusive figure and typically only include common figures and parts in polybags). Meanwhile, the idea of Lego giving away free $10 sets with large purchases sounds extremely desperate and probably wouldn't be done except as a last resort. Keep in mind that a big part of the reason for exclusive polybags being given away as gifts with purchase is that giving away actual retail sets for free is just going to tick off Lego's retail partners, who have to try and move that same set at full price. Oh, I forgot that Club is a bimonthly magazine, I haven't been getting them since December. XD Excellent point, but what I'm trying to say is that the big themes already have enough marketing and publicity, such as Ninjago and Nexo Knights. Like I said, I believe it has tons of potential to do well if it's spotlighted more frequently. That's a big part of why G1 was successful-- LEGO put a lot of effort into their marketing. Granted, LEGO was nearly bankrupt, so they were desperate. Nowadays, the company is a corporate giant. (And the world's biggest tire manufacturer. ) As for graphic novels, that's the way to go, and it's actually happening. I guess it's just that part of me wishes that they had the same aesthetic as the DC comics for G1. In the promotions department: I see why $10 freebies aren't the best idea, but we should have promotions for the average bear. Most of last year's promotions were Comic-Con exclusive, and LEGO's primary target audience, kids, don't usually come to Comic-Con. Also, Comic-Con is rather expensive. I think that more attainable freebies would be more successful for marketing. However, if it's true that G2 isn't doing so well, then maybe it's time for that last resort.

It's almost as if there's too many popular Disney characters to fit in one minifigures series. Also, Baymax and Hiro are on the border line between Disney-Disney and Marvel-Disney. It honestly doesn't surprise me that they aren't included. Plus, i'm preeeetty sure Baymax would be a Bigfig, he's too big. o: So, Baymax is to Disney Minifigures as Ridley is to Super Smash Bros.

In spite of this Netflix series, it doesn't seem to be doing so well. :/ I have trouble finding the sets in stores. Seriously, they're very hard to find where I live. And I live in America. I also live in America, WI to be exact. The stores near me had all the sets but now there are just a few of each, if that. However, this means they sold a lot of Bionicle sets, they just have not restocked them. So Bionicle isn't doing great but I wouldn't say it isn't doing well either. Eh, I guess our retailers are just unreliable. XD At least Barnes and Noble has 'em, or so I hear... As for my Walmart, I saw a couple Tahus, three Umaraks, a Terak, and a guitar Ketar. I just went to my ToysRUs yesterday and they have restocked all their Bionicle. However last time I was at my Walmart they had 1 Tahu left, a few Umaraks, a couple Onuas, a few creatures, and like 10 Pohatus! I guess they thought he would be a good seller but reality shows otherwise. So I guess it is hard to gauge how well Bionicle is doing. What if someone made a poll to see how well people think Bionicle selling? I agree with Shadowed Dallior that LEGO needs to step up the publicity if Bionicle is ever going to really take off. LEGO just isn't putting a lot of effort into commercializing it. It's doing terribly where I live. XD And I second-- no, wait, I third-- that LEGO really needs to step up the marketing. I'm sure it'd do well if it were as well-marketed as Ninjago and Nexo Knights. First off, it needs to be on the front page of LEGO's site, as well as featured on their Facebook page. (The page should have a link to the Bionicle page too.) Secondly, make more commercials. Third, bring back Cryoshell. No, seriously. The ads would be so much more appealing with Cryoshell songs in the background. Fourth, get it on the front of LEGO Club for at least 3 issues throughout the year. Make lots of comics too. Maybe bring back the DC comics and include issues with the magazine? Last but not least, more promotions! Make more (widely available) polybags, a bit of merch, and throw in a $10 Bionicle set for free with larger purchases on LEGO's Shop@Home service. This would help get Bionicle in front of more kids and adults, and they'd realize how cool it is. Next thing you know, the fandom just got a little bigger.

I agree, it would make sense that LEGO could be leaving themselves a doorway if they decide to continue. I also agree that if they continued the line the Mask of Time could be the focus, what don't agree with is the reason. I hate when stories use time travel to fix something that has already happened, technically it doesn't work. You form an alternate reality from the main dimension in which case the original is still left to its fate or you form a paradox. That said I think they could use the Mask of Time in different ways to stop Makuta, Such as using it to rapidly age him until his body disintegrates (note this would only be a temporary fix because his "spirit" would endure). I unfortunately feel it will only last to 2020 at most, least being next year. AKA pulling a Voporak. 2020? I'm OK with that as the end date because G1 could've and should've lasted that long.

Maleficent's helmet is magnificent. I could also see Syndrome's hair being painted black and used for a custom Vegeta minifigure. Looks like a solid wave with cool figures and useful parts.

Thank you for the kind words. I agree - through art, fan-fics, fan videos, etc. we are showing LEGO that we care about G2. And (this is the same for a lot of fanbases) I honestly don't think the general consensus of G2 is "we all hate it". People who are satisfied tend to speak less than those who are infuriated. The vocal minority is negative. The rest of us are either content or pleased enough to not make a fuss over it. So I think these discussions, along with the artwork, mocing scene among others are indicators of our feelings towards G2. We shoudn't focus on changing the minds of others who think otherwise, but if someone new to the franchise was to express interest in G2, I think most of us would say "go for it". And I mean, at the end of the day, sales talk the biggest. If we keep supporting LEGO by buying the sets, we are already doing our part. The rest of it just goes above and beyond. -NotS In other words, we should be more vocal about the good stuff.

And by this logic, they very well could continue the line. Yes, I know as a kid one of the reasons I stopped buying Bionicle sets in 2007 was my first exposure to online nay-sayers including those that were here on BZp at the time. It seems fans get hostile really easily online, and it can unknowingly disuade other fans from participating in a forum. I definitely have been participating on BZp a bit less since the negativity has started, and over on Eurobricks I find myself commenting less on the Bionicle discussion there. Eurobricks though has also been the place that I noticed this "panic" is a trait of Bionicle fans, by comparing the Bionicle fan reaction vs. the Lego train fans reaction on the Train Tech forum on Eurobricks. There are plenty of fans upset about the limited train releases; yet rather than panic they discuss how to get train ideas on Lego Ideas, they support 3rd party groups such as Big Ben Bricks and ME rails, and they keep on making MOC's. I wish the Bionicle fandom would take a similar approach, rather than mudslinging, trolling, and flaming other Bionicle fans. Truth. With the possibility of an end next year, I myself have been thinking about making fixes and continuations to G2 through writing and MOCs! I certainly agree that we should be more calm and optimistic with our discussions from here on out.

The knight reminds me of the Black Knight from Monty Python, so I'll probably get him, if only for that. (And the sweet new morningstar piece...)

Granted, but if you use Force lightning, it fries you. I wish for a pet Rahi.

Granted, but that person turns out to be Nicholas Cage. I wish I was a Toa.

I'd love to hear Geoff Hughes say: "Very deep-impressive. You will be remembered in legends as Reidak, defeater of doors." or: "Ah, Toa of Snow and Slush, I'd almost ever-forgotten how much fun you aren't." I personally find both of those lines hilarious, and I'd love to hear Hughes's interpretations of them. Or, well, any Lewa quote, really...

I actually really like this idea. I mean, it actually makes more sense, given the already somewhat modern setting of Ninjago. We hardly got to see much of their daily lives in the TV show, but now we get to see them in high school! (Even though it makes it all the more obvious that it's basically LEGO's Power Rangers...) XD

Chapter IX Pohatu The Toa of Stone, Pohatu, was exhausted. He was only on the outskirts of Po-Wahi, but he was already running low on water. Ekimu save me, he thought. Suddenly, he saw a small figure walking toward him. It’s gotta be another mirage. I hate mirages. He kept his pace, and-- “Oof!” --he bumped into an Agori. “Sorry,” Pohatu rasped, his throat dry from dehydration. “I thought-- *cough* --you were a mirage.” “That’s understandable,” the Agori replied. “Here. You probably need this.” He handed the Toa of Stone a canteen. Pohatu took it gratefully. “Thanks.” He drank deeply. “Ah. Much better. Say, what’re you doing out here? Surely there aren’t any villages--” “There’s one a couple kios back-- my village. The place was overrun by a bunch of Skull Spiders, so I ran for it. I’m probably the only one who got out of there without one of those nasty mongrels on my face. Geez, Maku’s probably worried sick.” “Oh. Sorry about your village. I could’ve been there to help.” Pohatu’s face fell. “What with your journey and all, you were probably busy. I understand.” “Yeah, good point. Even with my Mask of Speed, I can’t be everywhere at once.” Pohatu smiled. “Thanks. What’s your name?” he asked. “The name’s Huki. I’m the best Kolhii player in all of Po-Wahi. You must be Toa Pohatu.” “Yeah, that would be me. You can just call me Pohatu. So, what’s Kolhii?” Huki was taken aback. “What, you don’t know? Have you been living under a rock?” “No, but Nilkuu has kept me busy as of late. You know, Toa stuff.” “Oh yeah, right. That makes sense. Kolhii is a favorite pastime of the Agori around here. It’s a sport where there are two teams, and each tries to kick a large stone into the opposing team’s goal.” Pohatu’s optics widened. “Cool….” “I know, right?” Huki replied. “But we haven’t had time to play lately, due to increased Skull Spider activity. Tarahkai Nilkuu says--” Huki cleared his throat-- “‘No time for games! We must remain vigilant.’” The Stone tribe Agori said this in a surprisingly accurate imitation of the Tarahkai’s voice. “Yup, sounds like him alright,” Pohatu remarked. They had walked over to one of Huki’s favorite spots: an oasis. “I know you don’t have a lot of time,” Huki began, “but I think you should rest up a bit before you go. It always helps me before a Kolhii match.” “Time isn’t too much of a problem,” Pohatu replied. “Mask of Speed, remember?” “Yeah.” Huki noticed the Toa of Stone’s mechanical arm. “What happened to your arm?” he asked, a bit concerned. “It got horribly mangled when I first landed here. So, I needed it amputated. But a Toa can’t exactly fight with one arm.” Pohatu chuckled. “Besides, I kinda like it! It looks cool.” The pair laughed. “Well, I’m glad that you took it in stride,” Huki replied. “You remind me of Maku.” “Who is this Maku, anyway?” Pohatu asked. “She’s um… my….” “Girlfriend?” Pohatu guessed. Huki’s face flushed. “We’re just…. friends,” he finished. “I think the look on your face says otherwise,” Pohatu teased. Their conversation was cut short when Huki shouted, “Pohatu! Behind you!” The Toa of Stone turned to see another Agori behind him. However, he had a blue Ragnok on his face. The Agori snarled, saliva oozing from his mouth. He leapt onto Pohatu, grabbing onto his head, wrestling him for his mask. Almost instinctively, Pohatu grabbed his assailant’s legs, causing him to lose his grip, giving him the opportunity to toss him away. Huki ran over to the Agori and attempted to remove the Ragnok from his face, but to no avail. The Agori pushed Huki out of the way, causing him to fall mask-first into the desert sand. He rolled over in time to see his attacker bearing down on him, preparing for the kill. Huki unsheathed his dagger and shoved it into the other Agori’s heartlight. He sputtered, coughing up protodermis, and collapsed, thick silver liquid flowing from his chest. Pohatu stood in shock. “You...you killed him!” he cried, aghast. Huki pushed the body aside, breathing heavily. “These days, it’s kill or be killed. He was a shambler, anyway.” “A shambler?” “Shamblers are those who’ve had a Skull Spider controlling them for so long, that the parasite has permanently bound itself to them,” Huki explained. “Well, I’m here to make sure that it doesn’t happen anymore.” Pohatu clenched his fist. “Then go do what you came to do.” “Yeah. You know what, Huki? While I don’t agree with what ya did back there, I like you. So, I’ve got something for you.” Huki’s optics widened. “Cool, what is it?” Pohatu handed him a yellow Toa Stone. “What do I do with this?” “Keep it,” Pohatu replied with a wink. “Oh, and this.” Concentrating on the sand beneath him, Pohatu reached out with his mind and pulled out a large stone that was about a foot wide. He willed the rock to shift so that it was in the shape of a perfect sphere, and embossed with elaborate Okotian runes. He dropped it at Huki’s feet, dusting his hands off. “New Kolhii ball for ya.” Huki’s jaw dropped. “Whoa…” he breathed, impressed. “Pretty neat, huh? Now, I’d love to stay and chat, but I gotta run. Nice meeting ya, Huki. Fist clank?” “Fist clank.” They gently bumped fists. “You too, Pohatu. Good luck.” “Thanks. See ya!” With that, the Toa of Stone activated his Kakama and sped away, sand flying in his wake. When the dust cleared, Huki sat there, gazing at the mysterious yellow crystal, wondering what it all meant... Chapter X Tuyet, Modruk, and Kalzar marched into the Arena Magna, the stadium where many Glatorian battles took place millennia ago. Even in its ruined state, it was magnificent; it was nearly half a kio wide. The floor was comprised entirely of what appeared to be hexagonal tiles, each approximately five feet in diameter. There were four entrances for fighters, one of which being the south entrance that the unlikely trio had come through. Above the north entrance, there was an elaborate balcony, atop which rested a massive throne. Seated on it was a dark-armored figure, whose bones glowed with an orange light, reminiscent of a blazing fire. He was flanked by two undead guards, each carrying a long spear. The figure spoke in a voice that chilled the bones of even the fiercest of warriors. “So,” he began, in a voice like metal scraping rock, “Not only was my… experiment with the Koto-Jaga successful, but you managed to bring one of the island’s greatest Glatorian back with you. Well done.” Tuyet knelt, and Modruk followed suit. “Thank you, Lord Kulta.” Kulta? Kalzar was shocked. No. It can’t be! “Rise,” Kulta commanded. Kalzar’s eyes narrowed. “YOU!” he spat. “Yes, me,” Kulta replied, unnaturally calm. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?!? First, you forced me to fight for your entertainment, and now, you’ve given me a fate worse than death! I”LL TEAR YOU APART FOR THIS!” Kalzar screamed, brandishing his swords. Kulta raised a hand, and the enraged Glatorian was held fast by a ring of dark energy. “Save your anger. You’ll need it for my...test.” Kulta’s eyes narrowed. He clenched his fist, and the energy bindings around Kalzar tightened. “AAAGH!” Kalzar cried out in agony. “Make it stop! Please! I’ll do anything you ask!” Kulta released his grip. “Good.” The four-armed warrior crumpled to the floor. “Lash out like that again, and I’ll make it ten times more painful.” Kalzar trembled, bowing his head. “Y--yes...m--master…” “Excellent,” Kulta rasped. “Now, for my test.” He gestured toward Tuyet and Modruk. “Choose your opponent. And choose wisely.” Kalzar thought carefully about his decision. I could choose Modruk. A fighter relying on strength alone wouldn’t stand a chance against me. No, too easy. I want a challenge. Tuyet? Pfft! Oh please! I killed her myself. Far too simple. What if there’s a more difficult opponent-- a third option? Then, it dawned on him-- there was a third choice. “I choose YOU!” he shouted, pointing defiantly at his chosen opponent. Kulta laughed wickedly, his gravelly voice filled with contempt. “You, my unfortunate friend, have made the wrong choice!” The undead warlord leapt from his throne, enormous mace in hand. His feet met the floor with a thoom, the stone cracking from the impact. Kalzar twirled his swords. “Wrong choice, you say? Ha! You made the wrong choice choosing me!” He charged, his hookblades whirling about. Kulta parried the flurry of attacks easily, keeping his assailant’s swords from striking his body. Using the deadly hooks on Kalzar’s swords as leverage, he flung his opponent aside! The emerald Glatorian flew through the air, crashing to the ground with a sickening crack. Kulta chuckled. “Still defiant, are we?” he taunted. “Unngh,” Kalzar groaned in reply. Slowly, he struggled to his feet. His eyes narrowed into thin, blood-red slits. “Alright,” he growled. “It’s time for round two!” Snarling, Kalzar charged forward, arms spread. He attempted to stab inward with his four bony arms, but Kulta caught him with the head of his mace, tossing him back. Kalzar was sent flying once more, but he wasn’t about to have another crash landing. Instead, he flipped in mid-air, blades at the ready. He came down on Kulta, screaming his signature battle cry-- “Reeeeee-YAAAAAAH!” KRAKK! Kulta’s mace connected with Kalzar’s body, and the Glatorian met the floor once more with a brutal impact. He groaned in pain. Kulta laughed. “Is the mighty Skull Slicer ready to give up yet?” he taunted. Kalzar coughed, glowing green blood spewing from his mouth. He lay there, broken. Yet something still stirred in him-- the desire to fight. Using his blades to support himself, he got to his feet once more. “Give up? Me?” The warrior scoffed. “You know me, Kulta! I yield to NO ONE!” Kulta’s eyes narrowed. “We’ll see about that.” The two combatants charged at each other. Kulta swung his mace, but Kalzar leapt into the air to avoid a devastating blow. He did a somersault over his foe, bringing his wicked blades into his back. “AGGGH!” Kulta cried. He crumpled to the floor. Kalzar sheathed his blades. “I’d put you out of your misery, but this fate is worse than death. It is a broken, twisted half-life. Besides, I can’t very well kill my own… master.” He spoke the last word grudgingly. Kulta shot out a hand of energy. “Enough.” He released his grip just as quickly as he had taken it. “I see that you are just as much of a rebel as you were thousands of years ago. Nonetheless, I gave you new life because I have use for you. You are a vicious fighter, Kalzar. Your eyes are wild with bloodlust. So, I am allowing you to harness that.” “Aaand how can I do that?” Kalzar asked dryly. “My master tells me that there are six.” “Six? Six what? Who?” “There are six warriors known as Toa. They are coming for the Mask of Creation, and to awaken its former bearer, Ekimu. We must ensure that neither happen-- by any means necessary.” Kalzar sharpened his blades. “Then these Toa shall suffer with me. Yes.. They will be broken.”

My speculations: -There will hopefully be an '06 style winter wave, with high-budget villains, titans to counter them, and some Okotoan villagers. (Voya Nui Resistance Team reimagined, anyone?) However, it's extremely likely that we'll get yet another team of Toa. (And part of me is okay with that, because I could buy every single incarnation of the Nuva to date and have a full Toa team of each. ) I'd like to see either Shadow Toa, Rahkshi, or Piraka. - -We're definitely going to get a titan Makuta. Either that, or the fans will riot. (Eh, there will probably be some flaw to it that people will have heated debates about. ) -It will be the last year, unless it does better than usual.

LE UPDATE: Since I blew off posting chapters last week, I'll just post last week's alongside this week's.

Yeah, I guess you could call it karma.

This is wonderful. I love the shaping and proportioning, especially with the clever placement of the Brain Attack helmet and the Mahiki. The Stormerang bow is pretty solid too. I can't wait to see more of your MOCS!

Both of the aforementioned polybags seem to be exclusive to Russia. I'm not happy about this, because I really want to acquire both of them, and I don't want to pay $40+ just for a polybag. So, I think that we should get LEGO to at least release the Accessory Pack, because it isn't fair not to release it to all countries. As for the Villain Pack, they probably won't make any more, due to it being from last year's lineup. Thoughts? (Mods, feel free to merge this with the 2016 discussion topic if it belongs there rather than its own topic.)

In spite of this Netflix series, it doesn't seem to be doing so well. :/ I have trouble finding the sets in stores. Seriously, they're very hard to find where I live. And I live in America. I also live in America, WI to be exact. The stores near me had all the sets but now there are just a few of each, if that. However, this means they sold a lot of Bionicle sets, they just have not restocked them. So Bionicle isn't doing great but I wouldn't say it isn't doing well either. Eh, I guess our retailers are just unreliable. XD At least Barnes and Noble has 'em, or so I hear... As for my Walmart, I saw a couple Tahus, three Umaraks, a Terak, and a guitar Ketar.

In spite of this Netflix series, it doesn't seem to be doing so well. :/ I have trouble finding the sets in stores. Seriously, they're very hard to find where I live. And I live in America. Yeah, in that respect, it's probably fairer to say that @Aanchir You know, I never thought of it like that. @fishers64 I'm not saying that killing off characters is the key, I'm just saying that it could contribute to a more serious story. For example, The other elements include world-building, character development (I'm aware that there was some in TJTO, and I'm happy for that.), and backstory, among other things. Perhaps the most important bit is keeping the cheesy one-liners to a minimum. However, the thing that I dislike the most about G2 plot-wise is that it doesn't respect the original Toa's roots personality-wise. The 'webimations' from last year actually did respect the roots. (Save for Pohatu... He's like Wolverine and Batman combined now. ) However, TJTO kicked that relatively new continuity to the corner by making Kopaka... *headdesks* ...some exuberant, happy-go-lucky dude. Not a trace of the cold, cynical, and analytic Toa of Ice to be found. I've probably ranted about it before, but that's probably because Kopaka's a favorite of mine, and I hate to see his personality so drastically altered. Now, I actually would warm up to these changes if not for the fact that Just my thoughts. Thanks for the sharing yours, you made some great points.

That was the case for me, but I was happy to update my OS—the only reason I hadn't yet was to avoid LOSING LDD functionality. The lack of heads and masks is probably because the connection for those parts is so unusual. It might be easy if masks only had to connect to heads, but the fact that they can connect to so many other standard Technic connections as well as the non-standard connection points of the new heads probably complicates things. It seems codable enough to me. :/