I’m sure most people here have heard that the Toa Hagah were designed as Nidhiki and Dume. And you may have noticed similarities between other sets like the Voyatoran and Toa Metru. How might the story change if these things were not coincidence? For a moment, let’s put aside what’s “canon” and make up some lore to explain set designs.
Turaga = Elder Matoran
Based on shared body types, it seems like Turaga are basically just elder Matoran, who may or may not have once been Toa.
Evolutionary Parallels
The Toa and Bohrok were created as parallels of each other, but they aren’t the only ones. While the Bohrok’s role is to clean Mata Nui and prepare for his awakening, the Rahkshi seem to act as “Anti-Toa” to prevent Mata Nui from waking at all. The Rahaga we see in 2005 are likely Makuta’s Rahkshi before maturing. Or perhaps they are elder Rahkshi, who followed the Toa to Metru Nui?
Remember the Protodermis tubes the Toa fell through to become Nuva? The clear implication is that this was the birthplace of the Kal, (and perhaps Kraata Kal?) It doesn’t necessarily mean Tahu could control electricity, but it would suggest Tahnok Kal has an upgraded form of fire. In fact nearly every wave of 6 has tools suited for the 6 elements.
Repurposed Corpses
After being deactivated, the Bohrok were recycled into Boxors, and new Rahi like the Ghekula. The Matoran rebuilt themselves using leftovers.
The sad fate of Pewku and Gukko is that they were cannibalized for parts. See the hoses, claws and wings? The 7th Toa created a cool new hoverbike using the dead Rahkshi, Takua and Jaller’s pets, and whatever spare Bohrok/Kal parts he had. Jaller is also dead, since his mask is on the front. Who knows what happens to Takua, but he doesn’t seem related to this new Toa. They don’t even have the same colours!
Toa Hagah True Identity
Who is Dume, and why does he have so many doppelgangers? Is he an imposter? A clone? An alien from a planet of green moles?
As Matoran, Dekar and Nidhiki lived in the southern continent where they were caught in the struggle over the Mask of Life. As Toa, they chased rumours of other legendary masks that could effect the fate of the universe: the Mask of Light, and the Mask of Time. Slowly becoming corrupt with his ambition for power, Dekar cloned himself through the power of shadow. His armour now stained red & black, he became known as “Dume”.
Dume betrayed his brother Nidhiki, turning he and Krekka (Toa of ice) into cyborg Vahki. After becoming Turaga, he ran the city as a dictator, eventually merging with his former partners to become Makuta.
(Credit to sepublic on Tumblr for pointing out that the 2 dark hunters bear a strong resemblance to the elite Vahki.)
Titans Combined
Speaking of combiners, rather than unrelated characters, it would make more sense for these to be more like the Kaita: a combination of multiple individuals. Some may be Rahi, others may be far worse, like Makuta Nui: a “final boss” formed from friend and foe alike.
Perhaps in an effort to take Keetongu’s power, Sidorak and Roodaka each merged with half of his being (his primal instinct, and intellect) to become Sentrakh and The Shadowed One respectively. Merging again, they become Voporak and track down the Vahi to rewind time.
Botar on the other hand, (who bears a resemblance to “Ultimate Dume”) was born willingly, when Axonn and Brutaka join forces to fight off Fenrakk. Their efforts are in vain however, as they emerge yet again as Kardas.
Toa Teams
People criticize the Mistika looking nothing like the Toa Nuva, but look at every other team. There is no consistency!
Going by appearance and working out a chronology from there, it seems like the Toa Inika may have been the first known Toa – perhaps aliens who descended from the red star to save the Great Spirit. Along the way, they meet Turaga Lhikan, and several Matoran: including Vakama and his friends. These Matoran eventually become Toa themselves, (with the help of Lhikan, who acts as a 7th Toa), and fight the rise of Makuta. Years later, Makuta returns with his sons, and the Great Spirit is yet again at risk, calling for new heroes to rise: The Toa Nuva. Of these Toa, it seems only Takanuva is present in the final battle.
Time Travel Team-up
2008 must have a time travel plot, as every character has an identical Matoran counterpart. The question is, are they past selves? Or descendants from the future? Either way, the Vahi is obviously important. Why else would it exist?
Takanuva and Makuta (Dume?) have yet another confrontation, but this time in much larger forms. The two vehicle pilots seem to be their partners, but the resemblance isn’t as strong as the other Matoran.
The Vahi is likely responsible for pulling the Toa Hagah “From a distant past” as the commercial states. and possibly Turaga Lhikan’s appearance in 2006.
Mata Nui’s Ghost Reborn
The Toa Ignika’s resemblance to Mata Nui appears to be deliberate, and the gray suggests this could be his spirit guiding the other Toa. Perhaps in the struggle with the Mask of Time, he is thrown to the ancient past, before the war that blew up the planet, in order to discover his origins. Or perhaps he is in the far future: The remains of his old body now being used to shelter the descendants of the Matoran.
What do you think? Are there any other conclusions you can jump to connections you can make between set designs? Or maybe you have a lore explanation for why something looks the way it does in the movies or comics?
