system The Bionicle GX2 Project

[Lemony Lepid]

Hi, this is the Bionicle GX2 project. You might remember seeing something similar a year or so back, but it was dropped from development. This is a revival of the idea.

My goal is to make a BIONICLE line (theoretically, not a pitch) that follows form AND function and has nostalgia pandering but a new story. The beats will be similar, but I aim for it to be something new fans, old fans, and children would enjoy. A demographic of 8 to 12 is my aim, hopefully sets like this will hit that mark. Keep in mind that none of this is a final product, everything is rough.

Things that are a final decision, although controversial, include the printed masks, which I know are a point of contention.

All of these things are available on my Ko-Fi through various Tier memberships, if you're interested in getting a more in-depth look, you can become a member at https://ko-fi.com/lemonlepid/tiers

Also I'm on twitter! https://twitter.com/LemonyLepid

Let's start with Matoran. These are not all the Matoran and some of these parts are a definite work-in-progress. The arms would be made of rubber, to allow item flinging, and have a hand clip for basic minifig tools. The feet are set above stud height, with the connection point being at the heel. This allows for posing on baseplates to be possible. They are scaled to be comparable to regular minifigs, and hopefully they're just as charming.

Like I said before, these aren't final. None of this is. Let's move on to the Turaga, who are still kinda mid-development as of this post. These Turaga are less set representative and more set inspired. They have a custom cloth cape piece and utilize a hip part from the Toa, which we'll get to. Unfortunately I couldn't fit a function in these, but they're elders, they won't need to move much. These masks probably won't get attachments like the base 6, but I could change my mind. More discussion about those attachments soon.

As you can see the Toa, Turaga, and Matoran scale properly at a base, but some Turaga are shorter than others!

Then there are the Toa, who unfortunately have a pretty dated render at the moment and are still being finalized, such as the secondary color of the masks being the opposite of the mask. That's scrapped. The important thing is the Toa themselves. Each Toa has a proper gearbox, and function like the originals. Arms without a gear use (currently) a LotR Ring piece in black on a friction pin to brace the part, but that will probably change. They tower over Matoran, as they definitely should, and feature an abundance of pose-ability. There are several parts I want to revisit, but here they are! The mask attachments would all come in a single spru with the proper mask color, making all 7 attachments technically a single part. They clip or connect to accessory holes on the sides of the transparent mask visor piece.

For this last section I'd like to once again ask that you'd check out both my Ko-Fi and my Twitter. If you join my Ko-Fi there is a discord you can join and ask me anything you want about the project, along with access parts and models at certain tiers, so please give that a look.

With that I'd like to turn your attention to the Rahi. These Rahi are not only functional, but only a fraction of the size of the originals (except maybe the Rama). They are only one part of a full set, and you'll hear about my plans for each one as we go along. The sets themselves, in full, will feature two Matoran and a golden mask, along with one Rahi (or maybe two in the Tarakava's case) with two infected masks that give the Rahi buffs. The story beat is that the Matoran have to find these golden masks to use as a beacon to summon the Toa, who will protect them from the Rahi that threaten their daily life of peace. Using these masks will drain them of their power, which when the Toa return, they have to recharge the masks somehow (currently unclear if I'd do a collect-a-thon or some sort of other mcguffin like stones or whatever) so they can defeat the hostile forces that threaten the island.

The Tarakava has a punching function, and would feature two lizards in a set with a Ga-Koro boat with a couple of Matoran, searching for the Golden Kaukau. It features two infected Kakama and it causes the beasts to move with wicked speed in and out of the water.

The Nui Jaga has the classic stinging tail, and would feature in a set of a Volcanic arena, two Matoran attempting to battle the giant threat on Lava boards. Behind the monster is the Golden Hau, but it wears infected Pakari on its large claws, giving it wicked strength.

The Nui Rama has a trigger function that flaps its wings. The set would be a battle in the sky, with two Matoran on a Gukko mount. They're chasing the large insect into it's hive, where the Golden Miru remains. The two Kaukau give the creature adaptive abilities, making it almost unstoppable even in the rain or underwater.

Although rendered together here, the Kane Ra and Muaka would be different sets.

The Kane Ra has a head bashing function to charge into action. The set would be in the canyons, the behemoth not budging from the cave it guards. Luckily two Matoran came prepared with a beast of their own, a battle dune buggy. Once the get passed that bull, the Golden Kakama would be free. But the monster wears the infected Akaku, giving it heightened perception!

The Muaka has a chomping function that works similarly to the Kane Ra. The set would be in the drifts, where a couple Matoran have been watching from an observation deck. After they set out on their expedition for the Golden Akaku , they are attacked! The Muaka bears two infected Hau, giving it a powerful energy shield!

The Manas has a bashing function operated my a single lever in the rear. The set would come with two matoran riding Ussel crabs with digging equipment. They find the lair of the dreaded Manas, guarding a golden Pakari. The two infected Miru amidst its fangs give it the ability to levitate. I guess.

Please let me know what you think of my project, and follow me on Twitter and support my Ko-Fi if you want to keep up to date with it!

[Heyzorks]

these are... intresting.

if these (or something like these) were actually lego products,

i would probably get one. though these would require a LOT of new molds.

P.S. Onua looks like a ninja turtle.

[Toa Turing]

I have mixed feeling about the Matoran/Turaga/Toa, their designs are pretty cool (especially the Toa), but their heads look pretty weird.

I love the Rahi though, especially the Nui-Rama and Tarakava. Their builds are clever and detailed, and do a great job of staying true to the original despite being much smaller.

And of course,  props for Pepper! Just need Turaga Infomaniac to go with him.

Edited August 29, 2021 by Toa Turing

[Harvali]

I have to say I love these Matoran. Small but easily recognizable as 2001 Matoran, and are even recognizable as their individual characters too. The way their arms are comparable with the current style of joints also means making MOCs would be easy too. And personally? I think I like the details of the mask. 

I do not know the legality of it if you were ever to sell these, but I would love to get a Kapura and a Macku in this style. Though knowing me I would have to get duplicates because I would carry them around everywhere and eventually they would break.  More to the point, thank you so much for sharing, these look really cool. 

[Alucus of the black Abyss]

These are fantastic. Especially the Rahi they really do capture the feel of the original sets, very nice.

I honestly could see this working in reality.

Would love to see you tackle later generations too.

[(-Kopaka Toa of Ice-)]

Quite interesting how those small system balljoints can actually create similar articulation as we have been used to. But i wouldn't be surprised if it was used by lego. The price ratio would probably be a little higher depending on sets because of new molds and recolors. Matoran could be seld in 2 packs.

Edited September 24, 2021 by (-Kopaka Toa of Ice-)