Hello fellow compatriots to yet another build! This time we are taking a look at probably by far the most intensive build I have done in a long time. My first ever remote controlled Bionicle with a built-in differential! Capable of wielding shadow hands in Neutral, Walking in first gear, and going into a full sprint in second gear. But before I get too carried away talking about functions, lets dive into the thought process behind this build.
2001 Makuta from the Mata Nui Online Game was depicted as a mass of loose parts, capable of shifting their body at will, and being the embodiment (or lack there of) of the void.
And as such it was very important to build with negative space in mind for this creation. As well as capable of different configurations. Originally I had planned for the Titan form to be air powered, where by filling up a balloon or powering an air pump system, he would be capable of walking. However, none of the designs I have made in the course of a few months were strong enough to pass the threshold of tension required. If Makuta was the air and the sea, it would have been fitting for him to be powered by such elements.
At his base form, Makuta starts off as a Tohunga Build with a custom Bonehead style head connection for changing forms. Dawning two throwing arms and a Backpack to imitate the Chronicler’s backpack. In their second configuration they merge with a giant mass appearing to be that of a Manas with two shadow hands.
Capable of controlling each arm individually via RC and imitating how his hands are oriented in Matoran Form. Furthermore, they also have two swirling masses of parts capable of attacking foes at will. But this form doesn’t stop there as per the Manas body gimmick, he can control an army of Manas while issuing commands if set to the right channel.
As a little easter egg as well, the titan arms can be removed to recreate the swirling ball of parts like in the animation if placed around his modular head. Going into titan form, as described, he can control his shadow hands, go from a walk into a sprint, and more thanks to his build. Additionally, his neck elongates and contracts while walking or running to recreate another moment in his animation.
Well that is all for now, and special thanks to MorganRyanArt for making some of the visuals possible for this rendition of Makuta. Happy Building and Play Well everyone!
Be sure to check out the Video as well where I cover everything in detail.
