This man legit paid $2000 for a sealed Mata Nui just to crack it open for us and build it. The dedication you have had to this series is unparalleled. As a fellow Bionicle enjoyer who has grown up to be a poor young adult now, though, I wish the best for your finances...💀
it's refreshing to see someone who wasn't disappointed with this set. I've seen almost unanimous negativity about it from the community for years and I just never understood it
The set is so awesome. I was shocked to hear all of the hate. Just because it's not perfect or all gold, emotions and bias need to be put aside, this thing is fantastic
@@AllOutBrick People also complain about the build...but I really like the build. Like with Titan Takanuva, its just one of the best possible large build you could make with technic and G1 Bionicle parts. Dont think they ever topped this titan humanoid build design ever since, even with CCBS and G2. Grevious and Umarak Hunter are their own grade.
The legs are incredibly thick while the arms are skinny, the neck is really long, and a couple other things When you compare it to Hydraxon, it's night and day, THAT is a good titan set maybe even Maxilos
If this video doesn't segment you as the best Bionicle reviewer on YT, idk what will! Didn't even know it was possible for someone to make me respect them even more than I already do, but you went and did it! Christian, you are awesome!
His videos were already surpassing previous Bionicle reviewers in terms of production quality since the very first Bionicle review. He has already surplanted TTV Eljay in terms of "Bionicle review" in search results.
@@Vor1ki Yes his videos are indeed old. Think they improved with the 2007 sets and onward. Still an achievement for reviewing every retail set, combiner, and promo set.
It's really cool seeing this set in motion! I was never particularly impressed by this set's marketing photos but actually seeing how all the limbs articulate and look from different angles makes it way more exciting. Thank you for dropping the fat stacks so we could see this set in all its glory!
My parents got me this set for my 9th birthday. This was so much fun, i remember even sleeping with that guy like a teddy bear (only one time because it's obviously uncomfortable). And he still stands in my collection, definitely like a holy grail
I cannot believe gen 1 is done... The last few years of sets on this channel went by so fast. I still remember hopping on back when you where still at the late 07 sets maybe a bit later... I have no words to describe how thankful I am to see you open a boxed mata nui set, you didnt have to do it, but you did to show us all. I am truly thankful to have seen a brand new set in a video. You made my day, that set was always a dream set of mine, I dont think I will ever get this close to one, but this will do.
As a kid, I was so upset this set was a Toys R Us exclusive set. Because the only Toys R Us within a reasonable driving range my parents would take me too as a kid shut down in 2008.
Will always be my most anticipated set growing up. I remember leaving school early and running home after getting the ups notification of its delivery.
i have this very specific memory of seeing this set at a toy store that still sold bionicle a year after it got cancelled. tbf in the moment you don’t usually consider a set skyrocketing in value in the future (esp when yr a kid) but i’m right there with you in wishing i had gotten this when i was a kid. awesome video as usual, hoping one day i can pick this one up for my collection 🙏
I got to live vicariously through this one. I went ahead and bought the golden Ignika back in 2020 and display it on my own Mata Nui titan moc but this set has always been the biggest idol to my childhood.
Dude what a blast, these bionicle reviews are something I've been looking up to in the past months since last year. Even if the series ends in the upcoming video, I'll gladly enjoy watching your newer videos! 😊 Looking forward to your new content!
Wait, I have a $200 mask just sitting around?? 0_0 I'm glad you enjoy this set so much! I have a soft spot for it, but it's been on many "top ten worst Bionicle sets" lists over the years. What I appreciate most about it how it recreates some of the smaller Mata Nui's details, upscaled with different pieces. The chest is the best example. It looks just like the smaller figure's chest. Also the abdominal pistons are as classic as Bionicle gets. Even the mask being a pretty MASSIVE Kanohi evens out with the other Mask of Life being rather small. It's hard to believe this journey is almost over. But, if buying up these old sets and making these recent videos has showed you anything, it's that 2009 was one HECK of a year. One of Bionicle's better years, I think. So many new ideas, so many killer designs, so much potential.... but we all know how that went. Bring on the Stars.
Definentely agree, 2009 is one of my favorite bionicle years. Story wise it's a mixbag, but set wise I loved the designs the brighter colors, vehicles, and the titans.
@@comedytitan9947same here, I was barely getting into Bionicle back in 2011 but by then it was already too late, so glad to be back into it all these years later
I know that you typically sell your sets after you've reviewed them, but I was wondering if you've ever thought of keeping some as a homage to Bionicle. This set may be a keeper imo
Honestly I remember as a kid and then the immediate following years hearing how disappointed people were in this set, but seeing it in play? I'm awed. While yes it would look even more glorious in gold instead of orange/yellow, it's like you said, it looks powerful and wise after culminating pieces from so many generations. As a kid I saw it as the Great Spirit Robot set, and I guess in a way, it kind of is by the sounds of it. Maybe one day I'll try to get this to scratch off the bucket list
I had this set as a kid when I was 8 or 9. I painted over the mask with a chrome paint sponge because I didn’t think the pearl gold mask was “shiny” enough
This is like one of the ultimate Bionicle sets , having this must be a privilege for a Bionicle fan you’re lucky 😂 , and the fact this is a Toys r us exclusive brings even more nostalgia for Bionicle fans
Back in august '09 I made my parents choose Denmark for our summer vacation, so that I could visit Legoland, hoping to find this "exclusive" set. All Bionicle sets were sold out, the largest Lego store in Europe at the time, had no set left. I was gutted. Two months later, lo and behold, as a birthday present I got Toa Mata Nui. My father found it in my hometown in Italy. The toy stores didn't have it however... it was chilling in a normal supermarket! Yeah, "exclusivity" was never a thing in the european market for Lego back in the day. Anyway, what a journey, it's been almost three years from the Toa Mata review. So much has changed, we've all grown up a little, but this shared passion remains as strong as ever! Also, I guess you're one of the fews, like me, that actually loves this set: most people, ever since its release, never hyped it too much and I could never figure out why. To me, as a single set, it's the crowning jewel of any Bionicle collection.
I remember seeing this on shelves and thought that it was just way too expensive for a single set. You took one for the team and bought it for 2k brand new for us old boys to see. Mad props man.
Very nice set indeed and the holy grail of Bionicle series, I happened to get him Christmas of 2013 used/2nd hand complete with instructions no box for $86, it was the best Bionicle set I've ever had and to this day I always admire him everyday I see him in my cabinet, as a fellow Bionicle fan/collector Toa Mata Nui is a must to have, to care and to love. Thanks for this wonderful review Sir, you did a great job and keeping the spirit of Bionicle alive.
So happy to say that i got this set for free along with like 50 other bionicle sets from my cousin back in like 2014 or so. Thankfully most of the parts were there and it was only missing a few non exclusive parts.
I remember I was in toys r us with my friend and his mom back when this wave was out, saw it was THE Mata Nui, and practically begged for it, that I'd pay the 50 back out of my little savings bit when I got home. Needless to say, I'm very thankful that I was able to get it at retail, and kept the box in my closet too. Algorithm will gain back something out of the expense for the new box!
The main uncanny element of this set is the lack of the muscles in the back of the neck, which a quick google search tells me is called "Trapezius". This has the head feel tacked on rather than a part of the whole body. Also I'm waiting out for a 3d printed replica of the mask from Socketball, which would be about as good but at a fraction of the price.
This is so much fun to watch. I had a couple of sets as a kid. They didn't ship them all to my country, so watching your video series is the first time I see most of these Bionicle sets. Keep up the great work! Thank you!
I'm sure you're aware of it, but that "bright light orange" is known as Keet-Orange. The color was first used on the Keetongu titan set from 2005 and thus how it gained its name within the community
Thank you for making this series, this was a blast of nostalgia. Interestingly, I remember the reviews being more mixed back when it came out - and I followed whatever Bionicle related content was available on RUclips religiously back then. So I strongly recommend everyone to check out older reviews of the set that you may find. Both to hear the opinion from back then and to compare how far along content has come in terms of production quality.
looking at this set makes me want to be a kid again and play with it. it just sparks so much imagination. if i had gotten this as a kid, i can tell it wouldve been my favourite. sadly, like many others, i fell off bionicle right before it released.
I once built this set using sets I actually had. Even using my used (sometimes crudely repaired even) pieces, the articulation was amazing. They really did design the ideal set with this guy, if it can be successfully duplicated with just a hodgepodge of sets' pieces.
Holy shit that is such a baller move to buy this brand new and open it for the channel. Mad respect to you for keeping this series going in spectacular fashion. Gonna be here to the end o7
I'm surprised to hear you like it the most out of any set so far. I actually think the Bionicle community hated this set because of the lack of gold, the exclusivity, its scaling, being non-canon, etc. I think its a like a UCS style set. Great display pieces if you ignore the small issues here and there. Would have begged my parents to get it for me if i ever saw it in stores. Adult me would get it only out of collective obligation. Its a rare bioincle set that alone would be amazing to own like the karzhani set.
Damn brooo you really got the sealed one... you're a madman, but one i can support all the way. The only thing i wished for was more gold on the body, since it was a rare titan set they could've gone the extra step for just golden colored pieces. I am so happy to see more lego from you, keep up the good work man
I got this set Along with many others when I was a kid, but I didn’t realize it was worth so much nowadays. Still have my gold Ignika, even made a little stand for it.
The set was amazing, i got it a few weeks ago piece by piece from bricklink for around 150-200€ since i was ok with some pieces being off-colour. like the mask being pearl light grey instead of pearl gold and the sides of the legs being pearl light grey instead of yellow. honestly i like how the legs look with the pearl light grey there. makes its legs look sturdier imo. i also had around half the pieces already in my collection (sorting your pieces by type makes checking that trivial. i've separated my bionicle parts into weapons and armor, and then the rest are more specialised with a few feet grouped together, 2-long x pins, 3-long x pins, 4+ long x pins, 2-long o pins, 3-long o pins, modified o-pins, x-o pins, and so on. it's separated my bionicle/technic parts in around 40 bags and when i take them out i can easily see which pieces i need instead of having to search trough the entire pile for one x pin that has hidden inside an o-receiver) Also. for the mask i'll be attempting to create a handmade copy of it and paint it a similar gold to the pearl gold pieces so that i can have the set look more like the real set with the pearl light grey mask being there somewhere, probably used for the toa set that used it.
I'm honestly suprised you like it, most people I've seen consider the set as awful for all the mismatched colours as we as the build bring a insult to the character
Hi. I was lucky enough to have bought this set back when it was avaliable in toys r us. At the time I was 16 so not playing with toys any more but bionicle was my absolute favourite toy brand and as you said yourself, mata nui was the most anticipated toy we all wanted. Okay I didn't have every single bionicle set but again like you said any fan owes it to themselves to have this set so that's what made me go out and buy it! I even built and improved on it too, because I agree with you on the lack of back detail and also there are parts on the set that I thought could have done with a bit more added to it to make it looked filled in. I also went as far as to building a moc of makatu to stand eye to eye with this mata nui set, tho in the end my moc of makuta ended up being a hell of a lot taller then this mata nui set. I still have this set, still built with all my improvements I thought it needed along with all my other sets I have and mocs. They are all in a big box in my loft which I'm sure you and most fans will think is a shame but know I don't think I will ever get rid of them dispite knowing I have 7 of the 10 rarest sets they made and knowing how much a lot of these sets can go for. They mean more to me than money ever will. Looking forward to the rest of your content whatever you have planned
Ik this isn’t much, but I wanna give back to you for making a high quality review for such a sought after and legendary set anyways. May your bank account recover someday!
This is a great set and it was awesome to get a representation of Mata Nui, but it came out so late in the line. Several years earlier I had built my own version of The Great Spirit using the Makuta instructions with white and gold pieces. I originally gave him the sparkly Takanuva mask, then the silver Mask of Life. So, when this set came out, my Mata Nui got this golden Mask of Life, since he was my Mata Nui by that point.
I managed to snatch it without the box, without the instruction, with one broken scarab claw piece for PLN 20. And when I was picking it up from the seller, I missed to get the Thornax, as it was laying in the loose parts. As for lore, people say it would have been cool, if this appeared in canon, like in the film fight with Tuma, but the film was probably alerady made by thet point, and it would take away from the small vs big guy fight. Personally I believe that the appearance could have been put in the follow-up storyline that got cancelled.
I have this set from when I was a kid! My parents usually didn't buy me big sets just because but this and the Star Wars Mustafar set from 2005 were the only two times I can remember that my mom decided just to get me a big set because I thought it was so cool. I am unfortunately missing the mask but hopefully that turns up one day haha
This review channel is phenomenal! As sad as it is that g1 is almost up i must say that i am thrilled with excitement to see what you will do in the future on this channel. A suggestion of something i really would like to see is if you did reviews of mochs and such that people send in / that you find online. I know it wouldnt really be the same as actually holding and showing of something in your hands. However i really think that your commentary abilities is enough to make it work just as well with pictures and videos. And i know that there is some amazing bionicle focused moc builders out there. Jayfa, Djokbuild and Alex Mertens are some of my favourites Again. Amazing stuff Christian. Keep it up
I like that, besides the basic Technic pieces that would be impossible to get away without using them, this guy is not only the climax of Bionicle history but also feels like an homage to when Lego started to use Technic to create action characters before the ccbs catastrophe, with early Technic pieces from when this kind of products started such as the 32177 that was used all the way back in the Slizers and first gen Rahis or basic frame pieces such as 32250 and 2905 that went for a long time without showing back in the series except for a few select titan sets that needed to make use of the geometry to not require more specialized molds like Vezon and Fenrakk and even tho he fits into the collection he was released in, he still has some of that crazy pushing the limits skeleton/frame Lego amalgamation look like the Exo-Toa (but bulkier) from when you could tell they were still figuring out how to go big and crazy with just a handful of pins and axels (in contrast to Brutaka that looks like the product of a very evolved, curated and perfected technique), I'd consider this a very good result of what started in our childhood and what ended in our teenagerhood... BEFORE IT ALL WENT TO SHIT IN THE REBOOT!
Man. Can't believe Gen 1 is already wrapping up 😔 Great video, as always! Another reminder that I need to grab the bionicles from my parents' place! I'm pretty sure this set is in their garage.
Even though this was a Toys R Us exclusive, it's interesting that I never saw it when I was there during that year. But then again, I also don't remember being there between August and December of that year. As this is the last non-promo Bionicle set in numerical order released in 2009-and of the 2000s decade, every part in Keet-orange (flame yellow) makes its final appearance here, as do a few of the parts in the standard shade of yellow. Except for the pinchers in yellow, which appeared in an "Exo-Force" set (8117) from 2008. One other example is the Technic 3x5 curved half-beams in that color, which debuted in a set (8238) from the "Speed Slammers" subtheme of Technic in 2000, and also appeared as part of the Manas (8539) from back in 2001-when even Bionicle itself was still a subtheme of Technic All of its other appearances were in Technic sets, until it was phased out in 2017, last appearing in the "Ocean Explorer" (42064) in January of that year. Some other Technic elements in yellow-such as the 7M beam continue to be used today. In addition to being the last set to have the Toa Metru style of head, Toa Mata Nui is the last set to have the Hordika lower arms in dark stone gray, and the only set to have Technic 7M wings in that color, also appearing in the concurrently released "Titanium Command Rig" (8694) from the "Power Miners" theme. This set also marks the final appearance of the "Power Sword" from Jaller Mahri (8911), the silver 7x11x2 shield from Onua Mistika (8690), the weapon from Makuta Bitil (8696) and also of the "Magnetism Shields" from Gahlok-Kal (8578) in their origin color of silver. But it isn't the last appearance of that part as a whole. It is also the second and final appearance of the Inika knee armor in "warm gold"-which debuted as part of Tarix (8981) and is also the final set to have the shorter style of eye stock, which debuted in Kongu Mahri (8910). But more minutely, the Glatorian neck piece would continue to be used until 2021 oddly enough...
Ngl, even if I bought a sealed bionicle set, at some point I will open it, simply because that is its purpose. To be built, to be posed and enjoyed. I’m glad this Mata Nui was cracked open brand new and given life
I have this set and a gold chromed out version of that mask of life i never understood the hate this set got this is actually one of my favorite titan sets oh and made a more movie accurate sword for Mata nui.
The annoying part is that I wasn't even aware of this set existing in the first place. Sure we got special editions released in my country as well (Hungary) but some I had to hunt down later after the actual release. But this I honestly do not recall being a thing here.
I got one at launch price UK, think it was either 50 or 60 GBP, then i got one at £30 later. I wanted to get a third but my mum said no... I hear it's fairly commonly looked down on, but i enjoyed it quite a lot. Fun to modify, lots of useful pieces.
Was very fortunate that I got this set when it was new. I’ve long since taken it apart and made countless reimagines of Mata Nui but I would like to use elements of this build to make a MOC based off the Great Spirit Robot sometime…
Your bank account will never recover. I salute you for making this sacrifice for us
RUclips if you’re listening, monetize this man
@@justinguo2060let the algorithm shine on him and monetise his content
Lmao fr
o7
We'll be alright 👌 whatever it takes for this community
This man legit paid $2000 for a sealed Mata Nui just to crack it open for us and build it. The dedication you have had to this series is unparalleled. As a fellow Bionicle enjoyer who has grown up to be a poor young adult now, though, I wish the best for your finances...💀
I'd do it to
The absolue madlad.
For the community! Right at the end is no time to revert away from the sealed sets
Just bought the set @@AllOutBrick
it's refreshing to see someone who wasn't disappointed with this set. I've seen almost unanimous negativity about it from the community for years and I just never understood it
I think people Just hate what they do not have. The set Is awesome
The set is so awesome. I was shocked to hear all of the hate. Just because it's not perfect or all gold, emotions and bias need to be put aside, this thing is fantastic
@@AllOutBrick People also complain about the build...but I really like the build. Like with Titan Takanuva, its just one of the best possible large build you could make with technic and G1 Bionicle parts. Dont think they ever topped this titan humanoid build design ever since, even with CCBS and G2. Grevious and Umarak Hunter are their own grade.
The legs are incredibly thick while the arms are skinny, the neck is really long, and a couple other things
When you compare it to Hydraxon, it's night and day, THAT is a good titan set
maybe even Maxilos
If this video doesn't segment you as the best Bionicle reviewer on YT, idk what will! Didn't even know it was possible for someone to make me respect them even more than I already do, but you went and did it! Christian, you are awesome!
His videos were already surpassing previous Bionicle reviewers in terms of production quality since the very first Bionicle review. He has already surplanted TTV Eljay in terms of "Bionicle review" in search results.
@@Bionickpunkwell his reviews are old, but he did cover all combo models and play sets though.
@@Vor1ki Yes his videos are indeed old. Think they improved with the 2007 sets and onward. Still an achievement for reviewing every retail set, combiner, and promo set.
Luka, thank you! Really appreciate the kind words, love this community
It's really cool seeing this set in motion! I was never particularly impressed by this set's marketing photos but actually seeing how all the limbs articulate and look from different angles makes it way more exciting. Thank you for dropping the fat stacks so we could see this set in all its glory!
That's what jumped out the most to me was the articulation. Going in I was a tad nervous but it blew me away how it could move
My parents got me this set for my 9th birthday. This was so much fun, i remember even sleeping with that guy like a teddy bear (only one time because it's obviously uncomfortable).
And he still stands in my collection, definitely like a holy grail
Love this story!
Well, i used Ultimate Dume as a teddy bear (it was also uncomfortable.)
I heavily salute you guys on this. This was and IS the Holy Grail of Sets and it’s been a privilege to see this the whole way through
Thank you!
I cannot believe gen 1 is done...
The last few years of sets on this channel went by so fast. I still remember hopping on back when you where still at the late 07 sets maybe a bit later...
I have no words to describe how thankful I am to see you open a boxed mata nui set, you didnt have to do it, but you did to show us all.
I am truly thankful to have seen a brand new set in a video. You made my day, that set was always a dream set of mine, I dont think I will ever get this close to one, but this will do.
Man this comment is so great to read. I love hearing the impacts people have had from reliving all of our childhoods. Cheers
As a kid, I was so upset this set was a Toys R Us exclusive set. Because the only Toys R Us within a reasonable driving range my parents would take me too as a kid shut down in 2008.
Oh man that's rough
Will always be my most anticipated set growing up. I remember leaving school early and running home after getting the ups notification of its delivery.
Man this hit the nostalgia right in the sweet spot. Nothing like waiting for packages all day during school
The carpet videos❤❤❤
I remember getting this for Christmas in 2009. I was so excited. This set is really awesome, and definitely worthy of the Holy Grail title!
i have this very specific memory of seeing this set at a toy store that still sold bionicle a year after it got cancelled. tbf in the moment you don’t usually consider a set skyrocketing in value in the future (esp when yr a kid) but i’m right there with you in wishing i had gotten this when i was a kid. awesome video as usual, hoping one day i can pick this one up for my collection 🙏
Have the same feeling for all the titan sets, especially the limited edition ones like Takutanuva set with exclusive movie Krakhaan.
I got to live vicariously through this one.
I went ahead and bought the golden Ignika back in 2020 and display it on my own Mata Nui titan moc but this set has always been the biggest idol to my childhood.
Proud to supply the experience!
Dude what a blast, these bionicle reviews are something I've been looking up to in the past months since last year. Even if the series ends in the upcoming video, I'll gladly enjoy watching your newer videos! 😊
Looking forward to your new content!
Thank you for the support! The goal has always been to build more than just a Bionicle community!
My guy has less than 20k subscribers and is already dropping $2k on sealed Bionicles. I wish I was as confident as you. Great series.
Numbers aren't the main driver here. It's for the community 👊
Wait, I have a $200 mask just sitting around?? 0_0
I'm glad you enjoy this set so much! I have a soft spot for it, but it's been on many "top ten worst Bionicle sets" lists over the years. What I appreciate most about it how it recreates some of the smaller Mata Nui's details, upscaled with different pieces. The chest is the best example. It looks just like the smaller figure's chest. Also the abdominal pistons are as classic as Bionicle gets. Even the mask being a pretty MASSIVE Kanohi evens out with the other Mask of Life being rather small. It's hard to believe this journey is almost over. But, if buying up these old sets and making these recent videos has showed you anything, it's that 2009 was one HECK of a year. One of Bionicle's better years, I think. So many new ideas, so many killer designs, so much potential.... but we all know how that went.
Bring on the Stars.
It's actually a $300 mask
Definentely agree, 2009 is one of my favorite bionicle years. Story wise it's a mixbag, but set wise I loved the designs the brighter colors, vehicles, and the titans.
Wait you do!?
@@comedytitan9947same here, I was barely getting into Bionicle back in 2011 but by then it was already too late, so glad to be back into it all these years later
I was so surprised by the might of 2009. Statistically it may be the overall highest average score
I know that you typically sell your sets after you've reviewed them, but I was wondering if you've ever thought of keeping some as a homage to Bionicle. This set may be a keeper imo
Yeah, if I was him I would never sell Toa Mata Nui.
@@Bionickpunk He did say at the end of this vid he was gonna display Toa Mata Nui in his new office
^Yup. It's going in the new studio. This one feels like a memento for the whole series
If I remember correctly, there was a lego brickmaster set with his beetle Click that could be used with this set to recreate his shield.
Didn't know that!
Honestly I remember as a kid and then the immediate following years hearing how disappointed people were in this set, but seeing it in play? I'm awed. While yes it would look even more glorious in gold instead of orange/yellow, it's like you said, it looks powerful and wise after culminating pieces from so many generations. As a kid I saw it as the Great Spirit Robot set, and I guess in a way, it kind of is by the sounds of it. Maybe one day I'll try to get this to scratch off the bucket list
Yeah, It's disapoiting because of the lack of gold.
I had this set as a kid when I was 8 or 9.
I painted over the mask with a chrome paint sponge because I didn’t think the pearl gold mask was “shiny” enough
That mask is freaking beautiful, thanks for sharing this it gives an opportunity for many to see this set in detail for the first time.
Of course! Thank you for watching
This set is really underrated! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.
I was surprised to hear the typical reaction!
This is like one of the ultimate Bionicle sets , having this must be a privilege for a Bionicle fan you’re lucky 😂 , and the fact this is a Toys r us exclusive brings even more nostalgia for Bionicle fans
im saying it right now, this is the coolest thing ever
Back in august '09 I made my parents choose Denmark for our summer vacation, so that I could visit Legoland, hoping to find this "exclusive" set.
All Bionicle sets were sold out, the largest Lego store in Europe at the time, had no set left. I was gutted.
Two months later, lo and behold, as a birthday present I got Toa Mata Nui. My father found it in my hometown in Italy. The toy stores didn't have it however... it was chilling in a normal supermarket!
Yeah, "exclusivity" was never a thing in the european market for Lego back in the day.
Anyway, what a journey, it's been almost three years from the Toa Mata review. So much has changed, we've all grown up a little, but this shared passion remains as strong as ever!
Also, I guess you're one of the fews, like me, that actually loves this set: most people, ever since its release, never hyped it too much and I could never figure out why. To me, as a single set, it's the crowning jewel of any Bionicle collection.
I can't even imagine your reaction to that. Great story!
I remember seeing this on shelves and thought that it was just way too expensive for a single set. You took one for the team and bought it for 2k brand new for us old boys to see. Mad props man.
A small price to pay for salvation
i love how you have not given up on this very long series
Never!
I feel so grateful for this! The whole review series led to this moment and it's absolutely amazing to witness it. Thank you!
Thank you so much!
Very nice set indeed and the holy grail of Bionicle series, I happened to get him Christmas of 2013 used/2nd hand complete with instructions no box for $86, it was the best Bionicle set I've ever had and to this day I always admire him everyday I see him in my cabinet, as a fellow Bionicle fan/collector Toa Mata Nui is a must to have, to care and to love. Thanks for this wonderful review Sir, you did a great job and keeping the spirit of Bionicle alive.
So happy to say that i got this set for free along with like 50 other bionicle sets from my cousin back in like 2014 or so. Thankfully most of the parts were there and it was only missing a few non exclusive parts.
Thank you for creating this archive for the community and everyone just discovering Bionicle
It will stand forever! The community will always live on through all of us continuing it
Had this set when I was a kid. Ah this video brings back memories
I remember I was in toys r us with my friend and his mom back when this wave was out, saw it was THE Mata Nui, and practically begged for it, that I'd pay the 50 back out of my little savings bit when I got home. Needless to say, I'm very thankful that I was able to get it at retail, and kept the box in my closet too. Algorithm will gain back something out of the expense for the new box!
My favorite part of these sets is that the Mata Nui mask has a symbol of a Toa with outstretched arms
The main uncanny element of this set is the lack of the muscles in the back of the neck, which a quick google search tells me is called "Trapezius". This has the head feel tacked on rather than a part of the whole body. Also I'm waiting out for a 3d printed replica of the mask from Socketball, which would be about as good but at a fraction of the price.
Yeah the back could use some upgrades
This is the best bionicle review I've ever heard! I'm in awe with Mata Nui! All hail the Great Spirit!
Thank you!
This is so much fun to watch. I had a couple of sets as a kid. They didn't ship them all to my country, so watching your video series is the first time I see most of these Bionicle sets. Keep up the great work! Thank you!
Thank you! It's been a pleasure getting to give everyone a glimpse at all of these sets
I'm sure you're aware of it, but that "bright light orange" is known as Keet-Orange. The color was first used on the Keetongu titan set from 2005 and thus how it gained its name within the community
Yup! Spot on!
Thank you for making this series, this was a blast of nostalgia.
Interestingly, I remember the reviews being more mixed back when it came out - and I followed whatever Bionicle related content was available on RUclips religiously back then. So I strongly recommend everyone to check out older reviews of the set that you may find. Both to hear the opinion from back then and to compare how far along content has come in terms of production quality.
Thank you for showing us an absolute legend! Oh, and Mata Nui is nice too
oh yeah!
looking at this set makes me want to be a kid again and play with it. it just sparks so much imagination. if i had gotten this as a kid, i can tell it wouldve been my favourite.
sadly, like many others, i fell off bionicle right before it released.
I once built this set using sets I actually had.
Even using my used (sometimes crudely repaired even) pieces, the articulation was amazing. They really did design the ideal set with this guy, if it can be successfully duplicated with just a hodgepodge of sets' pieces.
Yeah I was surprised to hear it didn't have more than 1 exclusive part
Holy shit that is such a baller move to buy this brand new and open it for the channel. Mad respect to you for keeping this series going in spectacular fashion. Gonna be here to the end o7
Appreciate you tagging along and dropping comments all the way through. The end is just going to be a new beginning!
I'm surprised to hear you like it the most out of any set so far. I actually think the Bionicle community hated this set because of the lack of gold, the exclusivity, its scaling, being non-canon, etc.
I think its a like a UCS style set. Great display pieces if you ignore the small issues here and there. Would have begged my parents to get it for me if i ever saw it in stores. Adult me would get it only out of collective obligation. Its a rare bioincle set that alone would be amazing to own like the karzhani set.
It definitely feels like an UCS version of that Glatorian Legends Mata Nui set.
If you spent 2k on the set, your would also convince yourself the set is better then it actually is hehe
Agree with the UCS comparison!
Salute! For the brand new sealed condition Mata Nui opened and reviewed!
o7
This is pure insanity! Your dedication is just crazy... but thank you for doing this series, and giving me immense nostalgia every video!
Wasn't about to peel back now!
HE DID IT!!!!
Christian, thank you for your sacrifice... I was expecting a high price tag for a new set, but not *that*. Well done
For the community! Thank you for being a part of it
Damn brooo you really got the sealed one... you're a madman, but one i can support all the way. The only thing i wished for was more gold on the body, since it was a rare titan set they could've gone the extra step for just golden colored pieces. I am so happy to see more lego from you, keep up the good work man
Youre the don son, fantastic commitment. Reminds me of when i was a young warthog.
Hell yeah
Thank you for helping me relive a big part of my childhood! This series was the best
Thank you for tagging along! Not done yet!
I got this set Along with many others when I was a kid, but I didn’t realize it was worth so much nowadays. Still have my gold Ignika, even made a little stand for it.
That's the best part to keep!
The set was amazing, i got it a few weeks ago piece by piece from bricklink for around 150-200€ since i was ok with some pieces being off-colour. like the mask being pearl light grey instead of pearl gold and the sides of the legs being pearl light grey instead of yellow. honestly i like how the legs look with the pearl light grey there. makes its legs look sturdier imo.
i also had around half the pieces already in my collection (sorting your pieces by type makes checking that trivial. i've separated my bionicle parts into weapons and armor, and then the rest are more specialised with a few feet grouped together, 2-long x pins, 3-long x pins, 4+ long x pins, 2-long o pins, 3-long o pins, modified o-pins, x-o pins, and so on. it's separated my bionicle/technic parts in around 40 bags and when i take them out i can easily see which pieces i need instead of having to search trough the entire pile for one x pin that has hidden inside an o-receiver)
Also. for the mask i'll be attempting to create a handmade copy of it and paint it a similar gold to the pearl gold pieces so that i can have the set look more like the real set with the pearl light grey mask being there somewhere, probably used for the toa set that used it.
"The proportions were absolutely nailed"
I think most Bionicle fans would disagree lol
To each their own
Great video as always!!! And now we're gonna wait for the infamous Bionicle Stars xDDD
You're an absolute legend for buying this set, we salute you sir.
Salute right back o7
I was waiting for this to break the trend, but you GOT IT NEW! I’m so impressed- this is one of the few Bonkle sets I’ve nEver seen in person
Oh YEAH!
Dude was smiling ear to ear frame 1 of the video. This is a child hood dream come true and it shows.
I couldn't hold it back, didn't really want to hold it back either
Funny thing is i bought a custom grey and black version of this set for my nephews birthday awhile back he couldn't stop messing with it XD
I'm honestly suprised you like it, most people I've seen consider the set as awful for all the mismatched colours as we as the build bring a insult to the character
Yeah I was surprised to see that reaction as well. While I think it should be gold too, it still looks great
Hi. I was lucky enough to have bought this set back when it was avaliable in toys r us. At the time I was 16 so not playing with toys any more but bionicle was my absolute favourite toy brand and as you said yourself, mata nui was the most anticipated toy we all wanted. Okay I didn't have every single bionicle set but again like you said any fan owes it to themselves to have this set so that's what made me go out and buy it! I even built and improved on it too, because I agree with you on the lack of back detail and also there are parts on the set that I thought could have done with a bit more added to it to make it looked filled in. I also went as far as to building a moc of makatu to stand eye to eye with this mata nui set, tho in the end my moc of makuta ended up being a hell of a lot taller then this mata nui set. I still have this set, still built with all my improvements I thought it needed along with all my other sets I have and mocs. They are all in a big box in my loft which I'm sure you and most fans will think is a shame but know I don't think I will ever get rid of them dispite knowing I have 7 of the 10 rarest sets they made and knowing how much a lot of these sets can go for. They mean more to me than money ever will. Looking forward to the rest of your content whatever you have planned
The Toa Metru have been dethroned! XD
Ik this isn’t much, but I wanna give back to you for making a high quality review for such a sought after and legendary set anyways. May your bank account recover someday!
Thank you so much! Anything is more than enough! I appreciate you tagging along in the community
Bro Opend Up 2000 USD set and recorded it in 1080p Instead of 8K :D GG All-Out Brick.
I appreciate you man, to the ends of the matoran universe, I appreciate you! 🎉
I appreciate YOU! And the entire community that has tagged along.
Absolutely love this channel subbing I love bionacle miss it thank you I also wanted this as a kid
Kinda wish the Great Spirit Robot looked like this but I do enjoy the Giant Mata Head design too
He did it boys, he finally got the holy grail of bionicle.
We made it
Waiting for this review from you.. Insane set. Nice review!! Keep up Good work. Thanks!!💯
Thank you!
I am so so so incredibly jealous of you having that beautiful box 😭
This is a great set and it was awesome to get a representation of Mata Nui, but it came out so late in the line.
Several years earlier I had built my own version of The Great Spirit using the Makuta instructions with white and gold pieces.
I originally gave him the sparkly Takanuva mask, then the silver Mask of Life. So, when this set came out, my Mata Nui got this golden Mask of Life, since he was my Mata Nui by that point.
A legend is born...
I understood that reference!
I managed to snatch it without the box, without the instruction, with one broken scarab claw piece for PLN 20. And when I was picking it up from the seller, I missed to get the Thornax, as it was laying in the loose parts.
As for lore, people say it would have been cool, if this appeared in canon, like in the film fight with Tuma, but the film was probably alerady made by thet point, and it would take away from the small vs big guy fight.
Personally I believe that the appearance could have been put in the follow-up storyline that got cancelled.
I have this set from when I was a kid! My parents usually didn't buy me big sets just because but this and the Star Wars Mustafar set from 2005 were the only two times I can remember that my mom decided just to get me a big set because I thought it was so cool. I am unfortunately missing the mask but hopefully that turns up one day haha
Oh no, the one piece to NOT be missing 😭
HE DID IT BOYS!!
HE DID IT!!
This review channel is phenomenal! As sad as it is that g1 is almost up i must say that i am thrilled with excitement to see what you will do in the future on this channel.
A suggestion of something i really would like to see is if you did reviews of mochs and such that people send in / that you find online. I know it wouldnt really be the same as actually holding and showing of something in your hands. However i really think that your commentary abilities is enough to make it work just as well with pictures and videos. And i know that there is some amazing bionicle focused moc builders out there. Jayfa, Djokbuild and Alex Mertens are some of my favourites
Again. Amazing stuff Christian. Keep it up
Thank you for the kind words! I do have plans to showcase MOCs, builders, etc. on the Channel in the future, more details to come!
Insane that you have this
Man, I remember seeing this set in toys r us when I was younger. The biggest mistake I ever made was not buying it
All of us can relate 🙃
I like that, besides the basic Technic pieces that would be impossible to get away without using them, this guy is not only the climax of Bionicle history but also feels like an homage to when Lego started to use Technic to create action characters before the ccbs catastrophe, with early Technic pieces from when this kind of products started such as the 32177 that was used all the way back in the Slizers and first gen Rahis or basic frame pieces such as 32250 and 2905 that went for a long time without showing back in the series except for a few select titan sets that needed to make use of the geometry to not require more specialized molds like Vezon and Fenrakk and even tho he fits into the collection he was released in, he still has some of that crazy pushing the limits skeleton/frame Lego amalgamation look like the Exo-Toa (but bulkier) from when you could tell they were still figuring out how to go big and crazy with just a handful of pins and axels (in contrast to Brutaka that looks like the product of a very evolved, curated and perfected technique), I'd consider this a very good result of what started in our childhood and what ended in our teenagerhood... BEFORE IT ALL WENT TO SHIT IN THE REBOOT!
The final titan set of Bionicle Gen 1. I always kinda dug how this looked, even if most of the value was in the mask.
Makes me wonder how this set would look if ya added the golden armor pieces from Bionicle Stars to it.
Man. Can't believe Gen 1 is already wrapping up 😔
Great video, as always!
Another reminder that I need to grab the bionicles from my parents' place! I'm pretty sure this set is in their garage.
Yes you do!
@@AllOutBrick just the thought of that bionicle collecting dust 😢
It's in a display cabinet! Hopefully stays safe
@@AllOutBrick Excellent! On display for all to see its... yellow glory.
Even though this was a Toys R Us exclusive, it's interesting that I never saw it when I was there during that year. But then again, I also don't remember being there between August and December of that year. As this is the last non-promo Bionicle set in numerical order released in 2009-and of the 2000s decade, every part in Keet-orange (flame yellow) makes its final appearance here, as do a few of the parts in the standard shade of yellow. Except for the pinchers in yellow, which appeared in an "Exo-Force" set (8117) from 2008. One other example is the Technic 3x5 curved half-beams in that color, which debuted in a set (8238) from the "Speed Slammers" subtheme of Technic in 2000, and also appeared as part of the Manas (8539) from back in 2001-when even Bionicle itself was still a subtheme of Technic All of its other appearances were in Technic sets, until it was phased out in 2017, last appearing in the "Ocean Explorer" (42064) in January of that year. Some other Technic elements in yellow-such as the 7M beam continue to be used today. In addition to being the last set to have the Toa Metru style of head, Toa Mata Nui is the last set to have the Hordika lower arms in dark stone gray, and the only set to have Technic 7M wings in that color, also appearing in the concurrently released "Titanium Command Rig" (8694) from the "Power Miners" theme. This set also marks the final appearance of the "Power Sword" from Jaller Mahri (8911), the silver 7x11x2 shield from Onua Mistika (8690), the weapon from Makuta Bitil (8696) and also of the "Magnetism Shields" from Gahlok-Kal (8578) in their origin color of silver. But it isn't the last appearance of that part as a whole. It is also the second and final appearance of the Inika knee armor in "warm gold"-which debuted as part of Tarix (8981) and is also the final set to have the shorter style of eye stock, which debuted in Kongu Mahri (8910). But more minutely, the Glatorian neck piece would continue to be used until 2021 oddly enough...
Wow this is a ton of fascinating information, thank you!
Ngl, even if I bought a sealed bionicle set, at some point I will open it, simply because that is its purpose. To be built, to be posed and enjoyed. I’m glad this Mata Nui was cracked open brand new and given life
Love this
Holy Mata! The Great Spirit defeated Brutaka! If only this was canon!
*FOR THE GREAT SPIRIT!*
If these guy was solid gold like his mask I’d say this set would be legendary, I just can’t get behind the yellow
Fair take
the set of all time
dear god... you paid 2000 dollars to open a set? now that is dedication
Had to!
I have this set and a gold chromed out version of that mask of life i never understood the hate this set got this is actually one of my favorite titan sets oh and made a more movie accurate sword for Mata nui.
Your are great man, ur contents are great, love you. Hope you having a good life.
Best bionicle youtuber
Thank you thank you
The annoying part is that I wasn't even aware of this set existing in the first place. Sure we got special editions released in my country as well (Hungary) but some I had to hunt down later after the actual release. But this I honestly do not recall being a thing here.
Been waiting for this review
It's here!
I got one at launch price UK, think it was either 50 or 60 GBP, then i got one at £30 later. I wanted to get a third but my mum said no... I hear it's fairly commonly looked down on, but i enjoyed it quite a lot. Fun to modify, lots of useful pieces.
Holy shit he did it the absolute madman
i had this as a kid! mines in pieces now though
I really wish i never lost this set as a kid😭
Was very fortunate that I got this set when it was new. I’ve long since taken it apart and made countless reimagines of Mata Nui but I would like to use elements of this build to make a MOC based off the Great Spirit Robot sometime…
please compare this gold mask with the silver won shown in the Toa Ignika set