The Outsider

Okay, like I said, I'll give my opinions on the sets. There's a lot of them, however, so I think I'll split this into different sizes and characters. First, the individual creatures (and beartrap thingies): General: they look varied enough, and have interesting builds. Using the exact same headpieces (from what I can tell, that's not a mask) is a bit underwhelming, but given they all must connect to the Toa's masks, I understand it was a simple and cost-effective way to maintain the same function across the sets, and to me they're so generic they easily fit most Creatures (MOST; but more about that later); my sole complaint is that some of them are silver when they're all meant to fit with golden masks. I also like the new piece and custom built torsos; I miss some of the complexity and challenge of the old Bionicle. But that's just me. The beartraps (can't wait to know the official names) are neat in their small variations; them having eyes, however, is a bit weird. Ikir: so far, my favorite Creature. Interesting build (especially the talons), very fitting colors, and the helmet piece fits it better than all the others. The beartrap is a bit underwhelming, though: all the others have cool leg variations, and this one has...red claws. Some old rocket/missile pieces would probably be more fitting against a firebird. Uxar: my second favorite, another solid flyer set, though for some reason (probably the posing), it doesn't seem much like an insect to me, but more like a dragon with insect legs. The helmet still fits him, but not as well as Ikir. The beartrap, however, is a bit more interesting than Ikir's, with its vine legs and chain tail (I wonder if it has something at the end like Ketar's). Ketar: this one is a bit disappointing; mostly because they replaced the claws with the new sword piece (wouldn't those make more sense in the stinger?). The helmet doesn't fit as well as the others, but it's still passable. The saving point is the beartrap: the legs are a cute reminder of the Sand Slizer, and the chain tail stinger is a neat addition. Akida: second weakest to me, and I can see why some people complain about adding more Technic; the custom torsos look real ugly from behind. The helmet fits a lot better than Ketar, but the stud shooters, though neat, are a weird addition: why is this the only Creature that doesn't rely on "natural" weaponry? That was clearly though for Gali's combination more than anything else. I can't see much of the beartrap, but the spider legs are a weird choice. One could see them as crustacean legs, though. Terak: the weakest of them all to me, mostly because I have no idea what it is! People keep saying it's a mole, but moles don't walk upright; someone compared it to a bat, but it doesn't have wings. To me it looks more like a bear, but that's a big stretch; it's just some generic bipedal creature with huge claws. The helmet fits the worse compared to the other creatures, and though the drill legs on the beartrap are fitting, I can't help but laugh at the idea of it moving with those tiny things. Yes, we noticed; and yes, they do. We'll probably only know the "how" when we get them in the plastic. Now, has anyone noticed that there seems to be symbols marked on the Creature heads? They're starting to seem more mystical.

I just noticed something. Next week we'll probably have episode 17, and if there is an episode 18 it'll probably air the week after that. Which means we'll end he Skull storyline in September/first week of October. Unless, of course, they make webisodes for "Revenge of the Skull Spiders". Hopefully with the unused animations from the character videos.

Okay, I'm not gonna give my opinions on the sets until I have actual pictures of each one. I will say however, that so far I like what I see. I also can't help but notice some similarity between the helmet-mask of the Creatures and this little concept art we saw. I wonder howe much of NYCC concepts were actually for the whole year... I'm also not very optimistic about the gearboxes. If the Creatures really attach like the Av-Matoran of 2008, they'll probably be redesigned to accomodate combinations in the back, at least. Where did you see the Jungle Creature?

Does it say what's the purpose of the new Golden Masks? I hope they aren't masks of elemental power the Toa have to search for again; that's just lazy writing (and before anyone says it, I know G1 had a similar repeated formula plot in its early years; but the purpose of a reboot is to change what's weak and keep what's good, isn't it?). Speaking of masks, why do you think Ekimu didn't just make them new Golden Masks on the spot? Lack of resources, maybe?

Apart from the "LOSS rematch and caged Kopaka" (which I think was just concept art for this year that never got used), I think your idea sounds plausible. At least it's something I would like to follow.

Indeed. I wonder what Creature he is... And apparently Melum and Kopaka combine, so I guess the other Toa and Creatures will too. I think some people suggested a small Nui-Rama-expy a while back (which was actually a mosquito/dragonfly hybrid with no legs and two arms, but it's close enough). Assuming they are under Umarak the Hunter's control, and given they look more mechanical to me, I think they're meant to be mobile bear traps. I really like the Mask of Control's design (and it has symbols like the MoCR!). A bit disappointed with the SW torso as well, but maybe they'll pull something interesting out of it. I wonder what the new Golden Masks' powers will be...

Man, watching those old sets in the end makes me feel nostalgic... Speaking of nostalgia, there's one thing from the old series that I'd like to see come back: integrating the package into the story. One of the things I loved about G1 (or at least the 2000-2004 years) is how the canisters weren't just canisters; they were part of the story, either as transportation (the Toa Canisters, the Matoran Spheres) or as scenery (the Suva, the Bohrok Hives, the Rahkshi columns, the Vahki Towers). It really showed that nothing went to chance and every detail of the series was thought out, and helped us flesh out the world our characters lived in. It's also one of the few things I enjoyed about Hero Factory: that it brought back that sense of thoughtfullness and creativity (at least for an year and a half ). Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying I want plastic canisters again. I understand they needed a cheaper alternative, and I love how eco-friendly the new cardboard canisters are and that I don't need to ruin the front art to open them (and the fact they're not bags! ). I just wanted to see that aspect re-integrated into the packaging; maybe using them all together to build a temple or building of Okoto, if we don't get playsets. This probably won't happen, though; I just needed to say it. You mean book 2?

Too bad. That was awesome animation. Right, I forgot. That's not a bad idea, and one I'd fully support (especially if it means we'll have sets or clear images of the Great Being analogues, unlike last time ). One of my earlier ideas was that they would try something similar to the original plot device, but with a twist (like Okoto being a sentient spaceship or an organic computer, or the underground massive mecha being actually a threat the Toa must stop), but something different would probably be better.

If I remember well, he didn't even speak in his character video. My problem isn't that he sounds like an old man; I expected that. To me, the issue is that he sounds like the wrong kind of old man: less "ancient master/sage", and more like "sitcom grandpa". Actually, given the pace of the previous ones, I think it will be something like this: Episode 16: Ekimu tells them of the Skull Grinder, they go to the Forge, Basher attacks them and steals Onua's mask. Episode 17: The Toa (probably Lewa, but I'm hoping Gali) defeat Basher, they find Grinder, Grinder puts MoCr and defeats Toa. Episode 18: Ekimu fights and defeats Grinder and other Skull Creatures, recovers MoCr, hint towards 2016 storyline. I'm not missing any future episode, right?

My favorite would probably be either the Kanoka Disks, the Midak Skyblasters or the Thornax Launchers: they launched well, and the ammo stayed in place no matter what position the launcher was in. I also enjoyed the Rhotuka Spinners, but not as much as the above. The Tridax Pods, the Cordak Blasters and the Nynrah Ghost Blasters were kinda meh; I didn't like them, but I also didn't hate them. They just happened. Now my least favorites would be the Squid Launchers and the Zamor Launchers. The first ones never fired right (which is a shame because the idea was kinda neat), and the Zamor spheres fell off the Launcher if it wasn't in the right position.

Actually, I think those are Takanuva and the G1 Toa Nuva. I hope the masks are new molds (and powers), but with a few visual cues from the old ones for consistency. Kinda like the Hero Factory BA helmets, and unlike the Phantoka/Mistika masks. Speaking of masks, do you think we'll get the Mask of Time next year or only in 2017? I hope it's the latter, so we can close the three-year trial with style (or even better, save it in case the line is prolonged a few more years).

OMG, THAT THING IS FREAKING AWESOME!! And now I'm starting to wish there was an Exo-Force reboot based on this... What about the Skull Creatures (LOSS included)? And would they be mechas as well (but then who could pilot? ) or kaiju?

I'm not really into games (I'm often attracted to their storyline, but not to actually playing), so I don't have a lot to say in terms of gameplay. What I would like, however, would be for us to explore more of Okoto. I would also enjoy if the game showed what happens in the sidelines while the Toa go on the main adventure, like MNOG and MLNBC did before (even better if it were canon).

Or he could ride a beast-pulled chariot, like Sahmad. Your idea seems more likely, though.

How about his weapons? Or what mask he's wearing (or more precisely, if they're repeating the MoCr mold or keeping it exclusive to MMvsSG)? Or if the Beasts will resemble actual animals or mythical monsters, and which ones?

Maybe the Beasts were actually created by the MoUP itself? It seems to be implied that it's sentient and what turned Makuta evil (or at least amplified his existing evil). Also, do you think the Toa will have the same mask powers? I'm hoping that, due to a lack of time/resources, Ekimu can only make them new masks based on their G1 Kanohi powers, and they have to unite with the Creatures (literally or metaphorically) to regain their elemental powers. EDIT: Also, maybe Umarak is the name of the species, and their titles are their individual names. Like the Time Lords, only evil (and biomechanical).

Meh, I don't mind waiting; leaves more time for speculation.

That's more Onua's thing, isn't it? Anyway, doesn't anyone feel that Pohatu knows a lot more about Okoto than the other Toa? He recognised LOSS while Tahu was "what is that thing?", identified the link between Mask and Master (and it didn't seem like a conclusion he took on the spot to me; he says "there is a link" instead of "there seems to be a link"), and now named the Scorpios as well (but here it's justified, since he ). Seriously, I'm starting to think we should have followed him and Nilkuu instead of Tahu and Narmoto to get more backstory.

So, about the summer episodes: is no one looking for the Vahi or have they dropped that Easter Egg?

I've been away in vacation, with no wi-fi I could access, and when I come back I see all these pages of discussion! Then I actually read what they're about. Damned trolls. However, Nekchir's "unifying element" lie gave me a thought: what if the Unifiers and/or the Creatures's new collectible item (assuming they have one, that is) is something that can be combined, like the Makoki Stone, or the Nuva symbols/cube, or the Golden Bionicle Armor from G1?

You mean like those rumors/wishful thinking of a half-mask that would combine with the Vahi to get a full mask? I'd like to see something like that (for G2 masks, of course; let's not start the discussion again). Maybe all Toa have the Storm Trooper launcher as a secondary weapon now, like in G1 post-2005? So, if the rumors are true, the Fire Creature is a snake made of fire. I wonder if any of the designers knows Brazillian folklore... And if we're getting elemental add-ons and armor.

...Because Ultron was? Really funny! Some character choices, however, were a little odd: why was Pohatu Captain America?

Well, the pacing certainly improved! And we finally saw some elemental powers in action. The voice-acting, however, still needs work; I'm pretty sure Tahu and Pohatu's voices changed from the last episodes. At least Gali sounds slightly more feminine.

Maybe, but then the name would be "Brotherhood of Ultimate Power" or something of the kind, and it couldn't work as a throwback to a G1 faction. Most likely. In fact, the Toa even have their 2015 weapons. I doubt this will show up outside the books, though.

Frankly, it was hard to choose; all of these look great!