Hey everyone. It’s been a while since I’ve been on the boards here, but I’m happy to be back. These are my entries for the BIONICLE Canon Contest #3: Honor Guard. I’ve created all four missing Toa Hagah, and I guess I’ll go through them one-by-one.
Bomonga
Bomonga was the first of the bunch that I made. With him I wanted to bring back some of the classic design motifs seen in the original Onua sets. Bomonga is short and hunched over, for example. He’s also wide and hulking, obviously the muscle of the team. His bulk is achieved mainly from two flat dark gold Kraahkans. If my entry wins and anyone wants to build him irl, I truly apologize. Those two masks will cost a fortune. But hey, it looks cool.
Custom Parts
Custom Parts:
The mask is the “Mask of Power Scream” by Galva
The spear tip is the “Ornamental Spear Tip” by Galva
Download link for both here
I’m very fond of my design for Bomonga, however I think I’d be pretty flexible with him if he were to win. The only two reasons he’s flat dark gold is for consistency with my other entries and because the Kraahkans don’t exist in any other metallic shade. There’s always paint though. While I’m keen on the two custom part I used for the spear tip, I think I’d be open to seeing different interpretations of it. As such, for Bomonga specifically;
I give consent for my mask to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (No)
I give consent for my metallic color choice to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (Yes)
I give consent for my spear tip to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (Yes)
Gaaki
Gaaki was the only Toa I made that came together almost magically. I had a few ideas of parts I wanted to use (Hordika chest plate, Inika leg armor, Turahk spear, to name a few), but I was surprised how well they all came together. She ended up looking almost regal, yet still somewhat aquatic and feminine, partially due to her custom mask (by Galva). I think it’s fair to say I’m in love with the end result.
Custom Parts
Custom Parts:
The mask is the “Mask of Clairvoyance (Toa Hagah Gaaki)” by Galva.
Download link here
I was very careful when picking the colors for the Hagah to ensure Gaaki (and Kualus) were not gold. Since blue and gold is the official color scheme for the element of Psionics, I did not want to risk Gaaki getting confused for a Toa of Psionics. I’m also very fond of almost every other changeable detail on Gaaki. As such, for Gaaki specifically;
I give consent for my mask to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (Yes)
I give consent for my metallic color choice to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (No)
I give consent for my spear tip to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (No)
Kualus
Kualus was the Toa I struggled with the most. Part of this was due to me struggling to find a mask I liked. Another reason for this was my color choice for his metallic hue, and my choice to not necessitate painting official parts. Due to those choices, I had a very limited amount of pearl dark grey parts to chose from, however I think I made it work. Kualus ended up looking distinct enough from his fellow Hagah to remain interesting, yet similar enough to look like he belonged.
Kualus is probably the Toa here I like the least. I couldn’t find a mask I really liked, so really (if he won) I’d love to see another take on his mask. I’d actually strongly encourage it. While I’d be flexible with the mask, I wouldn’t be flexible on anything else. Like Gaaki, I was very careful when picking a color for Kualus, as I wanted to stay away from gold. White and gold is the color scheme for the element of Light, and I wanted there to be no confusion between any Toa of Ice and Light. As such, for Kualus specifically;
I give consent for my mask to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (Yes)
I give consent for my metallic color choice to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (No)
I give consent for my spear tip to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (No)
Pouks
Last but not least is the last Toa Hagah I designed; Pouks of course. It took a while for me to be satisfied with my pouks, but it did happen eventually. Originally I had his metallic sheen as flat dark gold, and it looked pretty bad. There were plenty of other horrid details that I eventually got rid of as well, but I tried a lot with Pouks. I even tried “a Pohatu”, however I didn’t like how it looked. I also must’ve tried 20 masks on this guy after I found out we weren’t allowed to use the official design of the mask of Emulation. This minor annoyance ended up being a blessing in disguise. I really like the mask I ended up choosing. All in all, Pouks proved to be a lesson in patience, and the great benefits of trial and error. I hope you guys like him as much as I do!
Custom Parts
Custom Parts:
The Mask is the “Mask of Retrocognition” by Galva
The Spear tip is the “Tool Staff of the Wanderer” by Galva
Download link for both
here
Since I chose pearl dark grey as Pouks’ metallic sheen, I ran into a few of the same problems I ran into with Kualus. There really isn’t a whole lot of parts to chose from, especially with weapons. And again, I really wanted to stay away from painting official parts. But I have no problem with painting custom parts. Because of this I chose a custom spear tip by Galva. While I like this part, if my entry won, I’d definitely like to see if there’s an official pearl dark gray spear tip I neglected. Hypothetically if this did win I would encourage a different metallic sheen for Pouks to rectify this issue, but darn I love how the gunmetal grey looks on him. As such, for Pouks specifically;
I give consent for my mask to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (No)
I give consent for my metallic color choice to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (No)
I give consent for my spear tip to be altered in the final group art if the artist chooses: (Yes)
The Toa Hagah
For good measure, here’s ^^^ some group shots.
I had a lot of fun making these four Hagah. I’ve wanted to see these remaining Toa for years, as Norik and Iruini are probably two of my favorite Bionicle sets. Hey, I like Norik’s mask so much it’s on my self MOC! As important as these guys are for me, I know they are just as important for everyone else. I think it’s super cool the folks at TTV are hosting this contest so we all can finally see the remaining guardian Toa of Makuta Teridax. I truly can’t wait to see whose designs will become canon. I wish you all good luck!
