Is concept art canon?

[The Legendary TNT]

So, with all of this old concept art coming in, I was wondering if it was canon or just semi-canon. For example, the toa seed pod stuff might be semi canon or not canon at all, but what is and isn't?

[toa kopaka4372]

I think whatever actually made it to the story is what should be considered canon.

[Katuko]

Yes, only the stuff that has been officially stated either via a comic, a book, a serial or a question/answer session with Greg should be considered confirmed canon. In some cases a few things have even been retconned, or taken out of canon due to some later agreement on the story team nullifying the previous scenario.

[Aanchir]

Concept art is inherently preliminary. As such, it only becomes canon if it finds its way into finalized media or is declared canon by the creators. If it doesn't, it can't be considered canon-- otherwise, the BIONICLE storyline would contradict itself dozens of times over, since it's rare that everything ends up happening or appearing exactly as it does in concept art or preliminary story briefs.

[The Iron Toa]

Right. Like those seed pods are non-canon, as they were changed into cylindrical canisters. But I don't see why the images of Metru Nui that were drawn just as the city was depicted in the movies wouldn't be canon.

[Sir Kohran]

For something to be canon, it has to have been officially released. Concept art released on creators' websites and blogs obviously hasn't been.

[Wordmeister]

That makes sense. I agree, canon is only the confirmed information from the creators.

[bonesiii]

Concept art is inherently preliminary. As such, it only becomes canon if it finds its way into finalized media or is declared canon by the creators. If it doesn't, it can't be considered canon-- otherwise, the BIONICLE storyline would contradict itself dozens of times over, since it's rare that everything ends up happening or appearing exactly as it does in concept art or preliminary story briefs.

Right. Like those seed pods are non-canon, as they were changed into cylindrical canisters. But I don't see why the images of Metru Nui that were drawn just as the city was depicted in the movies wouldn't be canon.

Both of these answers are correct. Basically, use your common sense -- if something is just another view or an uncolored sketch of a confirmed-canon appearance, then it's canon or nearly canon. Otherwise no. :)If you're unfamiliar with what appearances are and are not canon, then no one topic can cover it all; it'd be best to watch/read the story sources, review BS01, etc. In general, anything labelled "concept" is not canon.And that answers the question, so the topic will now be closed.