When it comes to Bionicle nostalgia in the 2020’s, it overall feels like there was much more nostalgia for the brand in the Early-2020’s for the 2001-2003 years and not as much nostalgia for 2004-2005 in comparison for their 20th Anniversary.
Is it because of the fact that the Metru Nui era left a very bad taste in most diehard fans’ mouths and that their overall view of 2005 is that it was a giant mixed bag and that 20 years isn’t going to change anything?
2005 is a controversial year. The direction the story went in was not one that Bionicle was accustomed to prior, in some ways a bigger jump than the shift of 2004. It turned Vakama into a traitor (briefly), the Toa Metru into mutants, and the city of legends into [insert name of city that the person reading this post doesn’t like].
Out of all the years of Bionicle, it probably has the least amount of fans. 2006, on the other hand, is highly revered by many as peak Bionicle in many ways, along with 2007. I expect the fandom will quite fondly reminisce over it once next year rolls around.
I would also agree that the number of things fans remember fondly from 2006 (The plot line, the Piraka Rap, AAR, Goody Guy) is much higher than 2005. I feel like 2006 is more likely to casually come up in a conversation than 2005. I do think the reminiscing for '05 will increase as we get closer to 810NICLE Day in August though.
I think 2006-2008 will be comparable enough with 2001-2003 in terms of nostalgia. I personally always liked 2004-2005. Then again, my only complaints about Bionicle while it was ongoing is that I felt Mahri-Nui and Karda-Nui didn’t feel as fleshed out as the previous three islands.