#Toa Image Reviews
My problems with the Toa are mostly thematic, though one of my main disappointments (which is reflected in all of the Toa) is their lack of weapon dual-functionality and generally, in several cases, their weird weapons.
The chest pieces, being one whole part, do no justice to the colour distribution of these sets, however they do a better job at covering the body and some of the Toa’s printing helps to negate this issue.
Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait and see if the new gear function was worth moving to the lower half of the torso. The new positioning is probably why half of the Toa have two-handed weapons: try picturing yourself repeatedly beating on a guy with one-handed swords by only turning your waist. Yeah, doesn’t feel very effective, does it? I definitely haven’t seen that done in movies.
I’m really glad they’re moving towards a more custom building system. Technic sets were far more fun to build. However, you can start to see how that complexity makes the sets look a bit less ‘polished’ (open pins, limited armour coverage, etc.). Whether complexity excuses the flaws CCBS was intended to eliminate is up to you.
#Kopaka
As I’ve said before, Kopaka’s design has strayed away from a theme that I think they nailed for 2015 (bulky, snow-coat-like armour), but I’m glad he has less gold.
#Pohatu
I quite enjoyed Pohatu before listening to the podcast and noticing his flaws. My main problem with him is his weapon: he is supposed to be a strong, agile Toa. So why does he have a ridiculous spear-flail thing? It’s not practical at all.
ADDITIONALLY, if you compare Pohatu with Gali, you can see that he lacks a ‘rotary’ piece (circled faintly on Gali’s spear) in between his hands on the spear. It is instead located on the flail, which is useless, which means he (unlike Gali) has no articulation in the weapon. This could have easily been avoided.
When I saw the initial leaks and noticed the gears on Pohatu’s ‘backside’, I got excited because I thought that meant he might have a gear function on his legs again. This would have been a brilliant way to give him the uniqueness he’s been lacking lately when compared to other sets.
The main upside to Pohatu is his mask, which is my personal favourite from this year.
The dirty brown colour on his body is another issue in itself. I think someone said earlier that the mesh of dull and bright colours makes him look barbaric, which is a cool thematic choice but I don’t think it was executed well if this was the case. I hope those trans-green knees are a rendering error.
When LEGO come to the conclusion once again that brown sets aren’t selling well, it won’t be because of their colour.
#Tahu
My only major problem with Tahu is his weapons: I understand how they work but all the images we’ve been getting show them ‘splayed out’ and gappy, which isn’t warranted for the sake of an extra function.
I don’t have a problem with his excess of gold but his upper legs are poorly armoured.
WAIT. How could I forget? HIS MASK. WHAT IS WITH THE GREY. HE LOOKS LIKE AN OLD MAN.
All the other sets seem to pull off the ‘grey hair’ kind of well all things considered, but Tahu? I’m afraid that, if I built him, I’d be subjected to his endless monologues about times when he still had all of his faculties.
#Onua
There’s almost nothing wrong with Onua except for his weird shoulder pieces. Kopaka’s 2015 shoulder pieces would have worked well here, I think.
Even Onua has a rotary piece on his hammer, unlike Pohatu. I really feel like they just gave up with Pohatu this year.
#Lewa
Lewa’s mask is my second favourite. It’s a real improvement from the weird ‘plated’ style of 2015.
I’m really disappointed that they didn’t retain some sort of weapon that acts secondarily for flying. Lewa’s weapons this year are downright weird, and I suspect they will spin about with every chance they get.
My main thematic issue with this set is the excess of silver, since Lewa is a Toa of Jungle (an organic element) - silver ( a metallic colour) doesn’t mesh well with this theme, though I think it does work well from a completely artistic point of view (the silver of his mask works really well here).
#Gali
I don’t have a problem with Gali’s spear, except for the impractical keychain thing attached to the end. Its similarity to Pohatu’s begs the question of whether they just gave up designing a new weapon for him.
Another really good mask design, whose silver ‘hair’ works kind of well.
I’m not too fond of the armour asymmetry but I think I can live with it. I think it would only take a few pieces to fix that, anyway.
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Another well-rounded set with no more than a few flaws.
#Final Thoughts
The revived complexity of Bionicle sets is getting me very excited for the coming year. The sets display great improvements but also great flaws. However, drawing conclusions is unwise until we have them for ourselves.
Don’t take my opinions as fact, as the best reviews come from hands-on experience. If anyone receives the sets early, I’d appreciate if you could tell me whether my opinions are reflected in the sets themselves.
-Hazash-
