List of Bionicle characters

"Matau" redirects here. For the Romanian village of Măţău, see Mioarele.

Bionicle characters consist of the various species and races that exist in the fictional universe of Lego's franchise Bionicle.

The universe is mostly inhabited by beings with a skeletal and muscular structure, but metallic armor rather than skin. Most beings' skulls are bare, and they wear Kanohi Masks, of which some enable psychokinetic feats.

The Matoran Universe

Matoran

The Matoran are a race of small humanoid beings, and the most common inhabitants of their namesake universe. A few become Toa at some point in their lives; but in their natural state, their elemental energies manifest as minor physical enhancements, and they cannot activate the powers of Kanohi Masks. Though they are among the weakest races, they will fight to the last for their homes and lives,[1] and are able to create fortresses, weapons, defense machines, and whatever other tools they need. The Matoran live by the principles of Unity, Duty, and Destiny.[2] All Water, Lightning, & Psionics Matoran are female; all others, with the exception of Light and Shadow, are male. Both Light and Shadow are mix-gender. Light Matoran, more commonly known as Av-Matoran, can change the colour of their armour and channel power through their weapons. Certain Matoran such as Fe-Matoran of iron and De-Matoran of sonics, have been reduced in number by the Brotherhood of Makuta.

Notable Matoran include:

Toa

See main article: Toa (Bionicle)

Toa are humanoid beings, each with power over his or her element, and the heroes and primary protagonists of BIONICLE. They were created as protectors of the Matoran race. Some Toa began life as such, while in other cases certain Matoran, using Toa Stones, transform into Toa. They serve as the public heroes of the Great Spirit Mata Nui and can wield the power of the elements. Teams of Toa typically consist of six members, each representing one of the main elements: Air, Water, Earth, Stone, Fire, Ice.

Turaga

"Matau" redirects here. For the Romanian village of Măţău, see Mioarele.

When a Toa fulfills his/her destiny, it may give up its power [1] and join the Turaga: the elders that lead the Matoran. Their elemental powers are minimal and rarely used, but they can access the powers of weaker Noble Kanohi Masks.[1]

Notable Turaga

Vakama, Nokama, Whenua, Nuju, Matau, and Onewa were released as the 2001 small sets. The Matoran Akhmou was released in 2004 as a first-wave small set. Dume was available as part of the second-wave 2004 sets "Turaga Dume & Nivawk", and "Ultimate Dume". Jovan was never released as a Turaga, but in the Lego Club's Official magazine, recipients were given the option to build his toa form with pieces from Toa Inika Nuparu, Hewkii, and Hahli.

Order of Mata Nui

The Order of Mata Nui is an organization within the that serves the Great Spirit Mata Nui. They were originally known as the Hand of Artakha, before they disbanded. Toa Helryx, the leader of the Order and the first Toa to come into being, later recruited a new organization to serve the Great Spirit where the Toa could not. They operate secretively, guarding artifacts and dispatching universal threats to the Pit. Two well known operatives in this organization are Axonn and Brutaka.

Brotherhood of Makuta

The Brotherhood of Makuta was a faction led by the Makuta species, a sect of shapeshifters with control over the element of shadow and access to all Rahkshi powers (see below). They were tasked by the Great Spirit Mata Nui to populate the Matoran Universe with Rahi, but later took on larger universal roles. They were initially led by Makuta Miserix, who was overthrown in favor of Makuta Teridax and his "Plan" to overthrow the Great Spirit Mata Nui. The Makuta species commanded the Brotherhood, formed of armies of the various species they created, such as the Visorak and the Rahkshi. One of the last acts of the Brotherhood was to send a task force of their most powerful warriors to Karda Nui to transform the Av-Matoran into Shadow Matoran. Following the death of Makuta Teridax in the 2010 storyline, all Makuta from the main universe are currently deceased, with the exception of Miserix.

Teridax

Makuta Teridax, better known as simply "Makuta" or "the Makuta", is the leader (formerly lieutenant) of the Brotherhood of Makuta, and the main antagonist of the BIONICLE series; in which rôle he laid the Great Spirit into a coma, masqueraded as Turaga Dume to enslave the Matoran, awaited the arrival of the Toa Mata, and prevented them from awakening Mata Nui until the Great Spirit was close to death. His body was destroyed by Toa Takanuva, but his spirit survived as the green liquid Antidermis; in this form he influenced the events of Bionicle Legends in preparation of the final stages of his "Plan", and later assumed the form of a Maxilos guard robot. Shortly after Toa Matoro sacrificed his life to save Mata Nui, Makuta returned to Metru Nui to take over the Core Processor that controlled the body of Mata Nui, and sent his compatriots to battle the Toa Nuva in Karda Nui, where they were killed by energy storms as Mata Nui was awakened. He then used his new powers to kill any remaining Makuta after the Destiny War.[3] He was later killed by Mata Nui.[8] Teridax (then known only as and thus credited as "Makuta") was voiced by Lee Tockar in the first 3 Bionicle films and by Sean Schemmel in the video game. His name was not revealed until 2008. Most beings in the Matoran Universe do not know his name, and refer to him as 'Makuta of Metru Nui', 'Makuta', or 'The Makuta'. Even those aware of his name also usually refer to him simply as Makuta.

Rahkshi

Rahkshi are reptilian mechanical suits piloted by Kraata-serpents and created/controlled by Makuta.[1][2] Rahkshi can fly, and carry staffs; most Rahkshi seen use their staffs to channel their powers. There are 42 different varieties of Rahkshi and their abilities depend on which Kraata pilots the armor. [1] Only nine types have made specific appearances in the series.

Dark Hunters

The Dark Hunters are an organization of bounty hunters. Led by the Shadowed One, an ancient being of formidable power, the Dark Hunters are generally malevolent, but they will work for whoever pays the most regardless of what side they are on.[1]

Barraki

The Barraki are powerful warlords who led a military alliance called the League of the Six Kingdoms, until the Order of Mata Nui banished them to a prison known as the Pit for attempting to overthrow Mata Nui. When the Pit flooded and became part of the ocean, the Barraki mutated into forms like those of sea creatures and formed new armies of local aquatic life. When the Mask of Life entered their domain, they sought to use it to return to their air-breathing forms and re-conquer the surface world.[9]

The Barraki are Kalmah, Takadox (who betrayed the others[10]), Ehlek, Carapar (deceased[11]), Mantax, and Pridak, the leader. They also had a lieutenant named Nocturn who was sent to the Pit for breaking his home island to pieces.[9]

Carapar and Takadox were recruited by Brutaka to assist with the liberation of Makuta Miserix. Carapar was killed by Tren Krom when he attempted to ambush the ancient being, and was reduced into fragments. Takadox betrayed the group when they arrived on the island of Artidax where Miserix was imprisoned, attempting to steal the boat the group had travelled on, although he ironically became trapped on the island when the boat sank. Some time later, Takadox hypnotized Jaller, Nuparu and Hahli to stay on Artidax while the Visorak were arriving and left on their boat. Fortunately, the Toa managed to escape but by then, Takadox was already gone.[12] His current status is unknown. The 4 remaining Barraki were later freed from the Pit to join the war against the Brotherhood of Makuta. They made a deal with The Shadowed One for a pack of prototype viruses, including the one administered to cast the Great Spirit into a coma. It was agreed that Pridak would meet with The Shadowed One at the island of Karzahni, but The Shadowed One mysteriously vanished when his new island base was devastated, which forced the Barraki to march to Metru Nui regardless. At the same time, all the remaining Barraki were unmutated by a surge of life energy caused by Mata Nui.

Other Species

Vortixx

The Vortixx are a species from the island of Xia, where females dominate males. They have little moral regard for life, having turned their island into an industrial nightmare through the production weapons and military supplies to sell to anyone who pays them well, resulting in acid grass and sky raining fire. When the Vortixx began to charge excessive prices, the Brotherhood of Makuta was forced to step in, and Makuta Mutran and Icarax were dispatched to the island. The Vortixx's refusal to comply eventually resulted in Icarax destroying a portion of the island, after which the Vortixx became more willing to negotiate. Meanwhile, Mutran left behind a sentient rock on the island by accident, which eventually grew to be integral to Vortixx society after it consumed enough victims to become a mountain. At some point in their lives, Vortixx were offered the chance to complete the trial of climbing the Mountain. Vortixx will attempt to climb in pairs, and will be rewarded a higher station by returning together. However, those who return from the Mountain after abandoning their partner are given an even higher status for displaying ruthlessness, and are allowed to leave the island if they wish. Only one Vortixx has been named in the series, Roodaka, former Viceroy of the Visorak horde, now a prisoner of the Order of Mata Nui after she double-crossed both the Brotherhood of Makuta and the Dark Hunters.[13]

Skakdi

The Skakdi are a lizard-like species from the island of Zakaz, with elemental and vision powers, and often other abilities. Known individuals include Nektann, Vezon, Hakann, Vezok, Reidak, Avak, Zaktan and Thok. The latter seven are collectively known as the Piraka, but in an attempt to steal the Mask of Life, Vezon became one of its guardians. The creature Irnakk is a fictional monster representing the worst nightmares of the Skakdi. An illusion of Irnakk appeared to confront the Piraka in the Zone of Fear, as they traveled deep underground to find the Mask of Life.

Rahi

Rahi is the Matoran word for "wildlife" or "not us".[1] Many different species of Rahi exist, all in different shapes and sizes.

Prominently featured Rahi include Fenrakk, Kardas, Krahka, Keetongu, the Rahi Nui, Ussal Crab, Tahtorak, Ash Bear, Kikanalo, Muaka, Gukko, Kane-Ra, Nui-Rama, Nui-Jaga, Tarakava, Spinax, and the Manas.

Bohrok

Bohrok are mechanical, Insect-like creatures, and the remains of destined Av-Matoran. The Bohrok are a race of drones driven by small, mask-like organisms called Krana. Existing only for a singular purpose, they will do anything and everything to fulfill the mission of cleaning the island of Mata Nui. Six elite Bohrok with heightened powers, known as the Bohrok-Kal, were also created, but were destroyed in their attempt to unleash the swarms on the island once again.

Bahrag

The Bahrag are the leaders of the Bohrok, also known as the Bohrok Queens. The red one is Gahdok and the blue one is Cahdok. These creatures are probably female when they have been called the "Bohrok Queens" by the Matoran and the Turaga.

Created by the Great Beings to guide the Bohrok and cleanse the island of Mata Nui whenever and if ever necessary, they were awakened by Teridax prematurely, and unleashed their forces onto Mata Nui. Although they did not know of the Matoran's presence on the island, they attempted to avoid them, but confrontations began between them, ending in their attempt to assimilate the Matoran of Le-Koro into the swarms.

Eventually, they fought the Toa Mata and the Exo-Toa, and were imprisoned, and even the Bohrok-Kal were unsuccessful as rescuers. Ironically, the Bahrag were freed by their nemesis, the Toa Nuva, as per the request of a list of necessary tasks to awaken the Great Spirit Mata Nui.[14]

Vahki

Vahki were robots designed by Nuparu to be the law-enforcers of order on Metru Nui.[15] They cannot be reasoned with and they will not listen to excuses; those chased by the Vahki only have the options of "surrender or run".[1]

Great Beings

These are scientist-like entities who created the Matoran, Toa, and almost everything else in the Matoran Universe using Nanotechnology. After a catastrophic war that split their planet into three, they created the Great Spirit Mata Nui to observe other civilizations and eventually repair their home planet. Since putting Mata Nui in charge, they have not paid much attention to the universe and were unaware of Mata Nui's coma, death, revival, awakening, and banishment.[1] It has been revealed in the official web serials that the Great Beings had lived on Spherus Magna before it split into three segments. Their current location is mostly unknown. One Great Being, Angonce, is aware of the reformation of Spherus Magna, but keeps this secret from all other characters. Another Great Being is Velika, who appears as one of the Matoran resistance on the island of Voya Nui.

Great Spirit Mata Nui

The Great Spirit Mata Nui is a consciousness created by the Great Beings to control a spacefaring robot to observe other worlds and cultures. He is the guardian of the Matoran Universe, represents all virtue therein, and is himself represented by the principles of Unity, Duty, and Destiny. At the beginning of the series, Makuta Teridax rendered him unconscious and caused him to crash into the moon Aqua Magna, where his body parts became the 'islands' upon which events take place. For example, the island of Metru Nui is actually his brain, and Karda Nui is his heart. The Great Spirit Mata Nui is not to be confused with the island of Mata Nui, named after him.

Other Beings

Umbra

A guardian of the Kanohi Ignika, the Mask of Life. He was created prior to the Order of Mata Nui by the Great Beings to guard the Ignika. He battled the Toa Inika on their journey, and defeating him, Umbra knew they were powerful enough to claim the mask, and were destined to. He currently awaits the Ignika's return. Umbra is a being entirely composed of light, in nature and essence. As a result he possesses a Laser Lance and light powers, and can also transform himself into a bolt of light. He also is armed with wheels on his feet to skate and attack foes, and a Rhotuka spinner that projects solid light.[16] However, he does not possess as much light power as a Toa of Light.[1]

Karzahni

Karzahni was the tyrannical ruler of a hellish domain where Matoran who worked poorly were sent.[17] According to ancient legend, Matoran once labored in darkness, but those who excelled at their tasks were sent to Artakha where they would work in the light.[18] Matoran who were damaged or poor workers were sent to the realm of Karzahni, whose Kanohi mask had the power to make the victim see an alternate future, usually a frightening one.[1] There they would be fixed, but Karzahni did not do his job well and racked with guilt, equipped the "repaired" Matoran with weapons and shipped them off to remote areas of the Southern Continent instead of their homelands. After a while, Karzahni convinced himself that the Matoran were sent to his realm to be punished and trapped the remaining Matoran (and any new ones that came) in his realm. When the Turaga of many years ago realized that the Matoran were not coming back, they stopped sending them.

Thousands of years later, Jaller, Hahli, Hewki, Kongu, Nuparu, and Matoro were captured (not sentenced). They escaped but in that encounter, Karzahni learned of the Great Spirit Mata Nui and Makuta, beings who Karzahni would have neither known nor cared about. Deciding to seize power, Karzahni rose from his realm into Mahri Nui and there did battle with Toa Lesovikk and later Makuta Teridax who vanquished the tyrant by tearing his mind to shreds. Karzahni was then imprisoned in a water tank on the island of Daxia.[19] He was released unknowingly by Mata Nui during the reforming of Spherus Magna, though once on the new world, he met his death at a natural chasm known as Iron Canyon.

Since he has left his realm, his kingdom has been destroyed and the Matoran freed.[4]

Karzahni also refers to an intelligent plant creature created by Makuta, and named after the legendary ruler.[20] However, the plant was deemed to be too ambitious and intelligent, and was later abandoned in favor of the Morbuzakh.

Artakha

Created in the same period as Karzahni, Artakha was the ruler of a mythical island that he named after himself where Matoran crafters were dispatched to work in safety. He is seen as the brother of Karzahni; however, the two are rivals, and have in the past done battle over the right to wear the Kanohi Mask of Creation, in which Artakha was victorious.[1] The Toa Nuva "met" Artakha before they were transported to Karda Nui, but did not actually see him; after he learned of their identity and purpose, Artakha gave the Toa Nuva their present adaptive armor.[10] The first time Artakha made a personal appearance in the story was to a small group of beings, including Tren Krom (using Lewa's body), Axonn, Toa Helryx, Makuta Miserix, and the Matoran Kapura underneath Metru Nui's Coliseum. The events of this encounter caused Teridax to eject the group into space, where they eventually were rescued by the mad Skakdi Vezon, using his newfound powers over Dimensional-Gates to save them, he brought them on the moon known as Bota Magna. With the time they were in space, a great amount of help came from Toa Lewa, who was put back in his body and provided breathable air for all of the party save Miserix, whose species had evolved beyond need of it.

Tren Krom

Tren Krom is a powerful entity created by the Great Beings to take care of the Matoran Universe. He is a fully organic, three-eyed being, with tentacles sprouting from his face. When he was no longer needed and the time came for him to relinquish his post, he refused, and was ousted by force, causing the Great Beings to fuse him into the rock of an uninhabited island as punishment for his audacity. He, like the similar character Irnakk, is widely regarded to be nothing more than a myth by most of the Universe, a story made up to frighten matoran into behaving but few dare to approach his island nonetheless.

According to Bionicle author Greg Farshtey, Tren Krom was inspired by the character Cthulhu from HP Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. Krom is said to be so hideous that to look upon him causes madness,[21] a common Lovecraft plot-device. Mutran, Lewa, and Brutaka's team are presumably the only characters in the story other than the Great Beings to have met Tren Krom in person and describes him as having a face covered in barbed tentacles though he remembers little else. Mutran also commented that Krom has a voice so terrifying that it makes Teridax's voice sound "lilting and sweet."[21]

Bara Magna

Bara Magna is a desert planet that once was part of a larger planet called Spherus Magna. This planet shattered into three pieces during a great war in the past, and the other parts of the planet (Aqua Magna and Bota Magna) act as moons. The planet has other types of elemental regions but are very limited. The beings native there do not have elemental or mask powers and are organic with some mechanical implants.

Agori

Agori are the villagers of Bara Magna similar to Matoran. Known Agori include:

Glatorian

The 2009 storyline features beings called Glatorian in place of Toa. Glatorian are warriors that the Agori tribes hire, so that when a dispute arrives over territory or resources, war will not result. Instead, Glatorian would be sent to fight in the arena. The winning Glatorian's village would win the dispute. They were formerly soldiers in what is known as "The Core War" in the storyline, and are physically similar to Toa.

The Skrall

The Skrall are not technically the same species as most Glatorian, but they are one of the species allowed to serve as Glatorian. They are of the Rock tribe. No Glatorian has ever defeated a Skrall in the arena, and the Skrall are on the verge of conquering Bara Magna. They stronger, faster, and more agile than the Glatorian, but they are also so arrogant that they do not do as well against tricky opponents. They wield Saw Blade Shields, and Thornax launchers attached to Skrall Tribal Design Blades. Elite Skrall use Thorned Clubs and Thornax Launchers.

Bone Hunters

The Bone Hunters are a race of violent and destructive nomadic warriors. They are not Agori but have some relations with the Rock tribe. They ride on Rock Steeds native to Bara Magna. The only named Bone Hunter so far is Fero.

Generation 2

In addition to the Toa Mata, several new characters appear in the rebooted story.

Ekimu

Known as the Mask Maker. He wears the Mask of Creation. Ekimu has created many powerful masks for the inhabitants of Okoto. They were treasured by the villagers, more than Makuta's. This made Makuta jealous of his brother, and because of this Makuta formed an evil scheme. Combining the six elements together,Makuta created the Mask of Ultimate Power.Makuta put the mask on, and its power caused the whole island to begin to rumble and shake apart. Realizing what his brother did, Ekimu confronted Makuta, and knocked the Mask from his face. This caused a mighty shock wave, putting them both into a deep slumber. The island was safe for once. Until somebody would start seeking for the masks.

See also

Sources

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Bionicle Encyclopedia, Scholastic, 2007
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bionicle: Mask of Light, LEGO/Miramax 2003
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 bioniclestory.com, Reign of Shadows, official web serial
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 bioniclestory.com, Gali Nuva's Blog, official web serial
  5. ↑ Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui, LEGO/Miramax 2004
  6. ↑ Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Adventures #01: Mystery of Metru Nui
  7. ↑ Reign of Shadows, Part 5, official web serial
  8. ↑ http://www.bzpower.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=335541
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #06: City of the Lost
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #08: Downfall
  11. ↑ bioniclestory.com, Federation of Fear, official web serial
  12. ↑ bioniclestory.com, Dwellers in Darkness, official web serial
  13. ↑ Farshtey, Greg (2007). "Bionicle Encyclopedia". Scholastic. p. 123. ISBN 978-0-439-91640-0.
  14. ↑ Greg Farshtey, Prisoners of the Pit
  15. ↑ Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Adventures #05: Voyage of Fear
  16. ↑ Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #05: Inferno
  17. ↑ Greg Farshstey, Bionicle Adventures #06: Maze of Shadows
  18. ↑ Farshtey, Greg (2007). "Bionicle Encyclopedia". Scholastic. pp. 55–56. ISBN 978-0-439-91640-0.
  19. ↑ Destiny War, Chapter 1, www.Bioniclestory.com
  20. ↑ Farshtey, Greg (2007). "Bionicle Encyclopedia". Scholastic. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-439-91640-0.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 bioniclestory.com, The Mutran Chronicles, official web serial
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 22.9 22.10 22.11 22.12 22.13 22.14 22.15 22.16 22.17 22.18 22.19 bionicle.com, Official character bios
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Bionicle: The Legend Reborn, LEGO/Tinseltown Toons 2009
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 bioniclestory.com, Riddle of the Great Beings, official web serial
  25. ↑ Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #11: The Final Battle
  26. ↑ Greg Farshtey, Raid on Vulcanus, "Character Guide" section
  27. ↑ Greg Farshtey, Raid on Vulcanus, page 16: "...You know they kicked Malum out, right? He killed an opponent who had already surrendered."
  28. ↑ Empire of the Skrall, Part 2, official web serial