Bionicle's influences?

[Distorted]

Have any of the people behind Bionicle ever gone on record with the things that inspired its creation?

 

There are a few obvious ones (Mata Nui being based on Rapa Nui and straight-up stealing Maori names, Glatorian culture being loosely based on Roman gladiators, that one prototype 2008 Miru that looked like Master Chief's helmet) but I'm curious to know if there are any other cultural references hidden in Bionicle (and if the creators have ever confirmed them.)

 

For example, back in 2002, BZP's product reviews for the Bahrag and Exo-Toa mentioned the parallels between them and the Xenomorph queen/power loader mech fight in the film Aliens.

 

I've also always wondered if the story team based the Toa Mata's arrival on Mata Nui on The Iron Man by Ted Hughes (the book that The Iron Giant film is based on). In the opening of the book, the titular character breaks into pieces as he falls down a cliff, then reassembles his body parts on the beach below.

 

There are a few other minor parallels which are probably just coincidences; the origins of both the Iron Man and the Toa Mata aren't explained (at least the latter wasn't until 2008), and the last body part the Iron Man replaces is his head (while the last thing the Toa replace are their masks).

 

Have you folks spotted any possible references/influences in Bionicle yourselves?

[Pohaturon]

Christian Faber elaborated once how the human immune system was his biggest inspiration, imagining that our antibodies are little heroes (Toa) inside our bodies (Mata Nui) fighting diseases (Makuta). I've heard this tidbit retold in the community in various ways, including that this inspiration came when he himself was fighting a serious illness, but I don't think he personally recounted as much so I'm not sure how true that bit is.

 

As for smaller influences, not sweeping plot-related ones, one of the Matoran in MNOG2 has a Hungarian derived name. A Ta-Matoran is called Maglya, which is very likely inspired by the Hungarian word for pyre, "Máglya". It's the same sans the accent on the A. 

 

 

[Planetperson]

It was said, most likely somewhere in the OGD, that most of the Matoran names in MNOG2 were actually real names taken from relatively lesser-known languages/cultures. I know Hungarian isn't exactly obscure, but it's not something English speakers are generally familiar with, especially in the US. The thinking was that, since they were already real names, they were less likely to run into legal trouble with trademarks, any more than they were likely to get sued for naming a Matoran "John." Now that I think about it, that was a really dumb idea, since that was basically what got them in such hot water in the first place.

 

It's hard to imagine that the Bohrok were not inspired by the destroyer droids from Phantom Menace.

 

I have always felt that the original defining elements of BIONICLE, specifically the color/element/type system and the collectible mask system, were always a direct response to the Pokemon craze in that era, as many, many toys and TV shows of the time were. Granted, Bionicle was like the third iteration of that response, after Throwbots and Robo-riders. Frankly, I'm surprised that I never hear people discuss this, because I have always considered it to be plainly true. What do you all think?

Edited November 29, 2018 by Planetperson

[Sir Keksalot]

Dang, we oughta make a thread cataloging all the influences behind the Matoran names. I only knew Agni and Pelagia before.

 

It's the same sans 

 

* nah, you got it all wrong, kiddo. that wasn't me, that was my estranged cousin, flans.

[Eiji Hino]

Christian Faber elaborated once how the human immune system was his biggest inspiration, imagining that our antibodies are little heroes (Toa) inside our bodies (Mata Nui) fighting diseases (Makuta).

bionicle is just cells at work confirmed

[Cheesy Mac n Cheese]

The figure on the Ignika was based on Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man.

 

I have always felt that the original defining elements of BIONICLE, specifically the color/element/type system and the collectible mask system, were always a direct response to the Pokemon craze in that era, as many, many toys and TV shows of the time were. Granted, Bionicle was like the third iteration of that response, after Throwbots and Robo-riders. Frankly, I'm surprised that I never hear people discuss this, because I have always considered it to be plainly true. What do you all think?

I don’t think Pokemon was the first franchise to use that kind of system, as the concept of “elements” (not the scientific chemical kind) can be found in various cultures throughout history. (I do remember, however, somebody in the OGD blaming Pokemon for messing up the perceived definition of evolution, citing the Makuta’s “evolution” into gas beings). Throwbots and Roboriders, however, were influences themselves, I’m sure.

[Cheesy Mac n Cheese]

Ignore this post. Stupid phone..,

Edited November 29, 2018 by Cheesy Mac n Cheese

[Toa Jaxus]

Tvtropes has a list of shout-outs, not quite influences but still relevant.

[Wrinkledlion X]

Christian Faber elaborated once how the human immune system was his biggest inspiration, imagining that our antibodies are little heroes (Toa) inside our bodies (Mata Nui) fighting diseases (Makuta). I've heard this tidbit retold in the community in various ways, including that this inspiration came when he himself was fighting a serious illness, but I don't think he personally recounted as much so I'm not sure how true that bit is.

 

My favorite analogue that he gave is that the Toa literally show up in pill-shaped capsules. 

 

EDIT: The movies were heavily influenced by other film properties, moreso than the original 2001/02 media. The shape of MoL's story borrows a lot from Lord of the Rings, which was concluding that year, and the latter movies owe a lot of debt to Star Wars. Turaga Lhikan training the Toa with eye-masks is one example, Vakama turning to the dark side the same year as Return of the Sith is another. 

Edited November 30, 2018 by Wrinkledlion X

[Sir Kohran]

For example, back in 2002, BZP's product reviews for the Bahrag and Exo-Toa mentioned the parallels between them and the Xenomorph queen/power loader mech fight in the film Aliens.

The Bohrok in general are quite similar to the Xenomorphs - they have both have nests, in which they curl up when not active, and are led by a queen (or queens) that is/are larger than the good guys. The Krana latching onto Matoran/Toa faces is also quite similar to the facehuggers latching onto human faces.

 

The shape of MoL's story borrows a lot from Lord of the Rings, which was concluding that year

The Avohkii is the equivalent of the Ring, Takua and Jaller are the equivalent of Frodo and Sam, and the Rahkshi are the equivalent of the Nazgul, just to spell it out.

Edited November 30, 2018 by Sir Kohran

[Alexander123]

Dark Mirror was probably inspired by Star Treks Mirrorverse

[Takatu]

 

For example, back in 2002, BZP's product reviews for the Bahrag and Exo-Toa mentioned the parallels between them and the Xenomorph queen/power loader mech fight in the film Aliens.

The Bohrok in general are quite similar to the Xenomorphs - they have both have nests, in which they curl up when not active, and are led by a queen (or queens) that is/are larger than the good guys. The Krana latching onto Matoran/Toa faces is also quite similar to the facehuggers latching onto human faces.

 

 

I mean... krana aside, I think it's more likely that the Bohrok and Aliens simply used the same inspiration: real world insects, namely ants. They are rather beetle-like in appearance, their hives are visually similar to bee hives... I feel like even the krana and facehugger similarities might be coincidental, as the krana were likely just the next step in the "collectibles" thing after infected Kanohi.

 

I'm also not completely convinced Web of Shadows was an intentional reference to Revenge of the Sith. They came out so close together that, unless Lego had some inside information, I can't imagine they would have had time to make their movie in the brief time since ROTS released. Don't get me wrong, there are still Star Wars influences there. The big Vakama vs. Matau fight that a lot of people understandably compared to Anakin vs. Obi Wan, I felt like the tone, lighting, setting, and music of that scene reminded me a lot more of the Luke vs. Vader fight in Return of the Jedi.

[Cheesy Mac n Cheese]

I'm also not completely convinced Web of Shadows was an intentional reference to Revenge of the Sith. They came out so close together that, unless Lego had some inside information, I can't imagine they would have had time to make their movie in the brief time since ROTS released. Don't get me wrong, there are still Star Wars influences there. The big Vakama vs. Matau fight that a lot of people understandably compared to Anakin vs. Obi Wan, I felt like the tone, lighting, setting, and music of that scene reminded me a lot more of the Luke vs. Vader fight in Return of the Jedi.

They didn’t have “inside information,” but we already knew the basic outcome of Revenge of the Sith: Anakin turns evil, Palpatine becomes Emperor, Jedi all die or go into hiding, and the twins are born and hidden. Most people who saw the originals knew all that, and if you paid attention to the Expanded Universe, it was even more obvious.

 

Though while we’re on the subject, it’s well-known that Greg did slip a Revenge of the Sith reference into Time Trap.

[Planetperson]

Don't forget that LEGO did have to produce the Revenge of the Sith sets on time, so they had some form of insider information.

 

What was the Revenge of the Sith reference in Time Trap again?

[Takatu]

 

I'm also not completely convinced Web of Shadows was an intentional reference to Revenge of the Sith. They came out so close together that, unless Lego had some inside information, I can't imagine they would have had time to make their movie in the brief time since ROTS released. Don't get me wrong, there are still Star Wars influences there. The big Vakama vs. Matau fight that a lot of people understandably compared to Anakin vs. Obi Wan, I felt like the tone, lighting, setting, and music of that scene reminded me a lot more of the Luke vs. Vader fight in Return of the Jedi.

They didn’t have “inside information,” but we already knew the basic outcome of Revenge of the Sith: Anakin turns evil, Palpatine becomes Emperor, Jedi all die or go into hiding, and the twins are born and hidden. Most people who saw the originals knew all that, and if you paid attention to the Expanded Universe, it was even more obvious.

 

Though while we’re on the subject, it’s well-known that Greg did slip a Revenge of the Sith reference into Time Trap.

 

 

True, but I just didn't get the impression Vakama's whole turn to the dark side was an intentional reference to Revenge, specifically. That just seemed more coincidental to me, whereas other Star Wars references and influences came across as intentional.

[Cheesy Mac n Cheese]

True, but I just didn't get the impression Vakama's whole turn to the dark side was an intentional reference to Revenge, specifically.

No, probably not.

 

Don't forget that LEGO did have to produce the Revenge of the Sith sets on time, so they had some form of insider information.

 

What was the Revenge of the Sith reference in Time Trap again?

I suppose that’s true. I hadn’t thought of it.

 

And the reference was TSO’s remark that “enough hands have been removed this year.”

 

Speaking of which, what’s the official count of hands removed in RotS? I can think of four right off the bat (both of Dooku’s, one of Mace Windu’s, and one of Anakin’s).

Edited December 9, 2018 by Cheesy Mac n Cheese

[CyclonatorZ]

Christian Faber elaborated once how the human immune system was his biggest inspiration, imagining that our antibodies are little heroes (Toa) inside our bodies (Mata Nui) fighting diseases (Makuta). I've heard this tidbit retold in the community in various ways, including that this inspiration came when he himself was fighting a serious illness, but I don't think he personally recounted as much so I'm not sure how true that bit is.

 

 

He shared the story at one point on his blog that he had previously fought a major illness. But if you want an actual detailed summary of how his personal battle with cancer shaped the Bionicle Mythos, read the Bionicle chapter in the book Brick By Brick.

[Sir Kohran]

I feel like even the krana and facehugger similarities might be coincidental, as the krana were likely just the next step in the "collectibles" thing after infected Kanohi.

Unless somebody actually tells us, we may never know whether the Krana were actually derived from the facehuggers, but at the very least you have to admit it's pretty similar.

 

Don't forget that LEGO did have to produce the Revenge of the Sith sets on time, so they had some form of insider information.

Plus the internet was fairly established by 2004/5, so there would've been media and information released or leaked in the months before the film's release and so I hardly think the story was especially secret.

[Master Inika]

The way Takua walks up to the totem containing the Mask of Light is reminiscent of Indiana Jones approaching the Golden Idol and Aladdin approaching the lamp.

[Cheesy Mac n Cheese]

 

Don't forget that LEGO did have to produce the Revenge of the Sith sets on time, so they had some form of insider information.

Plus the internet was fairly established by 2004/5, so there would've been media and information released or leaked in the months before the film's release and so I hardly think the story was especially secret.

It was earlier than that, especially for Star Wars. The Phantom Menace had details leaked to the Internet before it was released (that’s how Weird Al was able to release his song so early). And Bionicle’s pretty in-depth Internet-based promotion from the very start at least shows LEGO was internet-savvy earlier than some other brands. I still think much of it’s coincidence, though.