Eljay's Recap Review: The Flashback Years (2004 - 2005)

[@Cakeandguts]

I wish that the Metru Nui Saga had a third year where the dark hunters could have been the villains instead of being limited to a book and some combo models.

[@Vahki100]

2004 was and always will be my favourite year. Metru-Nui, the Vahki, the Toa Metru - everything about that year was my favourite. I loved the launchers too!

[@Medium_Armour]

agreed

[@ExiaLupus]

For some reason, when I look at 2005, and then look at 2006, I feel a gap. It's almost as if there was meant to be something else between them, as the two years just feel so different.

[@austinreed7343]

underscore_youtube And the number of characters without corresponding toys was another indication.

[@cowboybarbaryn1302]

The Toa Metru were honestly the best toa team from a character dynamic standpoint. Over the course of those two years we got to see the characters grow to care about each other, starting as begrudging allies and ending as friends, although they never stopped insulting each other which was always fun.

[@littlegrimmie1]

Oh god Eljay. You made my day. "And Sidorak DIED!"

[@DrMadd]

You should do a skit involving the Piraka rap for their review.

[@lulujuice1]

+DrMaddWorld (ik this was one year ago for your commet) wow he did

[@lucentshadow]

The intro was beautiful. I know there wasn't a joke, but it was very symbolic of Bionicle lore

[@Moominyeager96]

The best storyline of Bionicle ever Save the Heart of Metru Nui!

[@neitherlink6612]

Except the movie did a bad job at telling the story. It came off as short, and its protagonist whiny and pathetic.

[@travelingspartan2035]

I have a special soft-spot for the 2005 sets because the Rahi Beasts book was my introduction to the Bionicle Universe. Going in, I thought seemingly-unstoppable hordes of Visorak and the Rahaga's wisdom guiding the heroes through a ruined city was the norm for the setting.

[@taconuva2247]

Nice summary Eljay. Pumped for the '06 reviews

[@teamplays5738]

This is the star wars prequels of bionicle

[@BIGH1001]

jesus, you tore into 2005's story. its truly a shame to have to wait for your reviews to return. but alas, as you said you need to do some collecting. (and from what i can tell, that's a lot) and i hope for a strong comeback

[@majorchief8424]

The Rahagah gave us rahkshi heads in metru colours :D

[@OrdemDoGraveto]

I think there are two core elements that define a year: The toas and the "canister villans". Everything else is superflous, and in the case of 2005, the toas were not as good (I like then, thou), and the visorak are not nearly enough to save the year (I'd say Bohok, Rakshi and Barraki are all way better and more beloved villan waves, and the Makuta are probably on the same level, with some people prefering one or the other).

[@zottestudios]

Can't wait for the Piraka reviews, I was wondering if you could go over their skakdi origin in the review. Thanks.

[@nastylittlecritter]

I actually really like 05...I even like Vakama turning to the dark side! Why does everyone hate 05?

[@stormcrow6894]

Because Vakama going evil was really out of character for him.

[@yaoyao9]

Another reason is, as Eljay said, it seemed Tacked-on. In "Legends of Metru Nui", we had the Toa awaken the Matoran on Mata Nui; all of them. That should wrap up the story. Instead, we get a whole other movie about Vakama being evil and all that. This arc seems to be thought up of after "Legends of Metru Nui", and had very little significance.

[@RangerJackWalker]

***** They don't actually awakening all of them. As you can see in the movie, they only take as many matoran capsules as they can carry bby themselves and fit on their transport. They were forced to leave the rest behind. 'Web of Shadows' takes place in between 'Legends of Metru Nui' and the final scene of that movie where they become Turaga. I actually really love this because throughout 'Web of Shadows' the Toa spend all their time trying to regain their powers. They feel that they are incomplete without them or somehow lesser than they were before. And at the end, they recover their powers and vow to protect the Matoran from Makuta. Chronologically, the epilogue of 'Legends of Metru Nui' comes after. Now here, we see the Toa finally bringing all of the matoran to Mata Nui. But then they realize that they must sacrifice their powers to save them. And there is no hesitation. Not for a moment. After all that time complaining about losing their powers, they gladly sacrifice them to save the Matoran whom they vowed to protect. Truly great stuff.

[@yaoyao9]

***** The issue with that is: Taku and Jaller is with the Toa, which doesn't even happen in the books! Also, when they were fleeing Metru Nui for the first time, they only carried 6 Matoran. The 6 who found the great disks, with Ahkmou being lost at sea and found by Teridax. Finally, if Legend of Metru Nui's ending is really supposed to come at the end, wouldn't it make the most sense for it to be at the end of Web of Shadows? TLG and Miramax did have a contract for 3 movies; so 2005's story should have already been thought up of at that point. Finally, it is said that when a Toa accomplishes his destiny, he sacrifices his power and becomes a Turaga. The Metru did so because Lhikan sacrificed his power for them, so they are willing to sacrifice for the Matoran that Lhikan wanted them to save. 2005 doesn't come into play at all during this entire sequence, and does little more than to add to why the Toa must sacrifice their powers, when the reason was clear in 2004 already. In contrast to what I said, I love 2005. That was when I got into Bionicle for the first time and got my second set: Nuju. The problem is that, despite my heavy nostalgia for the year, looking back on the movies, it really seems tacked on and unimportant in the grander scheme of things. While I don't accuse anyone else of being blinded out of nostalgia, I am willing to say that I place 2005 high on my ranking of years simply due to it. However, being critical of the year itself brings us the conclusion that: Hordika had gappy builds and an incomplete look Visorak looks the best, but the gappy construction and looseness kills it The Rahaga are really crumpled together and don't move all that much Keetongu is a good set, but it feels unfinished due to it's plethora of open sockets Roodaka definitely looks the best out of the titans, and is complete and a set; but is extremely controversial Sidorak looks like a hybrid of Roodaka and Keetongu, almost like a metamorphosis stage between Keetongu (not complete) to Roodaka (relatively finished look) The story is really tacked on, and Vakama is going against his character. If GregF didn't like it (Eljay did say that before if I remember correctly), then I see no reason why I should like it Time Trap and "Maze of Shadows" (GBA) are the best things from this year.

[@RangerJackWalker]

***** Why must everything be shown chronologically? Sometimes, showing things out of order is better. The epilogue of LoMN does happen after WoS. This is fact.

[@ukmproductions9015]

Hi Eljay. Loving the Recap Reviews. Also, I have a couple of questions about 2001 (a year I do not know much about). 1. In the collectable Kanohi packs, was it possible to get a red Hau, black Pakari, green Miru, etc. or would one have to buy the Toa Mata to obtain these? 2. I am thinking of investing into a 2001 Rahi beast. Which one is your favourite and which one would you recommend the most? They all look great and I am not sure which one to get.

[@retathrah1417]

2005 was in my limited opinion was more lore-heavy, as in the fact that the heroes were transformed into the hordica. Casual buyers would more or less be confused how/why the toa metru were changed to put simply.

[@ProjectInsight44]

Aww, not the Eljay break! I can't wait for06, as that was the year I grew up with. I even took it upon myself to rebuild all of the little matoran too! Piruk is still my favorite, and I was wayyy exited when I got him for Christmas

[@CriticalMOCer]

I can't wait for the 2006 reviews!

[@reyga3285]

I like keetorange except when it's used to replace brown.

[@Goldenblade3]

Call me a heretic, but I personally really liked '05, and it was actually because of the darker tone, it made it more exciting for me, the stakes felt high, it seemed really dire to me, and that was just something I liked personally. Not my favorite year, but probably a close second or third, '04 and '07 holding special places in my heart for the story. Yes, I know a lot of people will disagree with me here, but I'm just saying, I enjoyed them.

[@colinroberts2060]

I only ever had eight sets from that year, and five of them were Visorak. (All of them except Keelerak)

[@AqwDragulum]

Smh and people say 2006 was the year Bionicle started turning dark, when it’s actually 2005

[@xe1core251]

What about the Gold Vizorak?

[@ethansmith8463]

2005 is actually one of my favorite years.

[@neitherlink6612]

What I liked about webs of shadows is that it broadens the story of the toa metru. Otherwise I felt like it was pretty pathetic how they turned to toa, fought for a few days, rode on a boat for a month (give or take), and that was it, they became turaga. Now, to be honest, I don't like the sets, since they are ugly, and I also don't like the story, nor how it was handled, since the movie concluded a journey that was, supposedly, incomplete, but I do like the meaning behind it, that the toa metru's adventure wasn't as short and pathetic as I thought it was.

[@godzillacc5]

i got to say, 2004-2005 were my favourite years

[@cottonfrog824]

I can't wait for him to review Zaktan

[@RarEcringE]

cottonfrog three bladed scissors

[@maximepelchat9019]

I remember I used to love them a lot when the 2004 wave came out but looking back I don't like how they change the color and like you say in your video it branched off too from technic

[@TheCollectorsOasis]

Both fantastic years

[@RenzoMocs]

Hey Eljay, Where Do You Get All Your Sets?

[@Blue-Rain]

Where did you get that vahi

[@RoughneckMendez]

These were my favorite sets and that was my favorite storyline :/ I think it made the toa pretty badass...

[@EclipseHedgehog]

in terms of story what i really loved about the metru nui saga's were that it still held mysteries behind despite answering as much as it could. there were toa teams before the toa metru: lhikan and the toa mangai. and even before him were the toa hagah (iruini and norik). these two teams I'd love to see more fleshed out someday in the future. more back story on the dark hunters as well.

[@nickconnelly7870]

2004 was my first year, Matau was my first set. I wish I still had my 2004 sets built ;(

[@ifranco0202]

I actually loved 2005 bc that was my gateway into bionicle and i just loved the set

[@MandoPrime1138]

I liked the Toa Metru build, but I always get annoyed by the gears and "action gimmicks". I would have to change all of their arms so that they don't swing around that much

[@KzeverMaelstrom]

are you gonna do one video for the inika and one for the piraka like you did with toa metru and visorak

[@destroyer334545]

Worst to best Bionicle years: 2010 (WTF was this!?!) 2009 (I didn't like the Glatorians that much, not a really good story) 2005 (I don't hate it, nor did I like it) 2003 (Dragged on 2001 and 2002) 2001 (It just began it, so I don't blame the kinda crappy designs) 2008 (Mistika were kinda odd, but the Phantoka are AWESOME!) 2002 (Best original year) 2004 (Quite amazing) 2007 (Unique idea, good figures, great enemy designs) 2006 (Began the new design that was used until 2010, started to make the villains more unique, made a new story that continued on from 2003, had the best titans ever)

[@ToaFshy]

2010 was stars, right?

[@destroyer334545]

ToaFluttershy yes

[@ToaFshy]

Meh, yeeeeaaaah it was terrible. they could have done better, like have masterpiece titan editions rather than pocket editions.

[@Scarilianvids]

Cannot say I agree about the Bionicle Stars... they included a lot of unique pieces and were great for trying to get army builders. Not to mention they included a golden Kanohi Hau. They had to make them small considering they were phasing out the line - heck the stars only existed so that they could finish the series. If they hadn't made the small Bionicle stars then chances are it would have ended in 2009.

[@destroyer334545]

Scarilianvids they should of just did 2 titans

[@ItsYaTrashboi]

will you do 2006

[@yasarhartkamp1969]

2004 is my favourite year, the toa metru builds are my favourite toa builds :)

[@seanmario02]

Hmm, I'm gonna guess 2006-2008 are the Memorial Years, and 2009-2010 are the Closing Years. That actually would make a lot of sense.

[@williamelliott7809]

Awesome bionicle years in my opinion 2004 is my 2nd favorite and 2005 is my 3rd favorite

[@RarEcringE]

1:32 roll credits

[@karmaunknown3906]

ya i think it was shoe horned in but i think they needed to make bionicle 3 web of shadows just to explain how makuta got free out of the toa seal that he was put in at the end of bionicle 2 but the store of to 2005 was still good

[@legoroan9866]

Seriously )-:' how he got out was the toa shot Roodaka with rhotuka but Roodaka had a shard of makuta in her chest and it was shot open freeing makuta

[@karmaunknown3906]

yeah true but i dont understand how firing at that one piece freed him how do that work?

[@ToaFshy]

The Metru builds were good but it lacked customizability, unlike the Inika builds.

[@tamaru5769]

But the inika builds had no playability functions :(

[@lordadazai270]

Save for exclusives, I pretty much have all of 06.

[@yalkyalk_old]

Hey eljay, I just nominated you for the ALS Ice Bucket challenge!

[@Timelost66]

Keet orange is the best lego color.

[@shang6245]

Top 10 Years: 10. 2010 9. 2003 8. 2009 7. 2007 6. 2006 5. 2001 4. 2005 3. 2002 2. 2008 1. 2004

[@JKLCYfriends]

OHHHHHHHH SIX. YEAHHHHHHHHH! 06' FTW. NOTHIN SURPASES 06'.

[@rycullen441]

Least fav to fav bionic

[@kanapolglinpu8378]

8:02 cuz, Metru Nui has sacked twice, first by teridax

[@seanallen9044]

I have a message for all bionicle fans it has been a pleasure seeing you all collect my conrads and villians threw out the years it is sad and frightening that they have replaced us mighty beings even me the great spirit my self with these futuristic bionicles made from elements with machines do I know if my kind will ever return who knows but remember this my collecting brothers and sisters have faith we are bionicle I am the great Mata Nui and I call this message to the creators of the lego group one thing I will never abandon nor will I ever forsake this legacy😐

[@TahuMata1888]

Well the only redeemable things about 2005 are its film, storywise the villains can be smart & Teridax's defeat had Vakama too short sighted to realize the Visorak are really hostiles

[@manuelignaciocaceres2369]

Ok 2006 was darker and they were not masks but it introduced the building system and light up weapons it was cool so 2006 was great it's just that lego desided to do the same build all over again every year with a new launcher every year.That wasn't 2006's fault that was other years cons and legos mistake.

[@WOLKsite]

I think it evens out about 2005, and I think the "golden years" has as many cons aswell, people just don't want to admit it becuse then 2005 would be "good".

[@jeffersoncruz4661]

the flashback years is turaga vakama and his brothers adventures as toa

[@zidanetribal1406]

Jefferson Mendoza their sister as well!

[@BerylLx]

2006! Piraka came out first :3

[@TheSynthPunk]

Well, every anime has a filler arc and Bionicle is not an exception

[@Retrorob58]

I really enjoyed 2006 storywise and i also liked the Inika sets. However i didn't like the Piraka at all, maybe it's because of those crappy commercials for them, oh god that rap was awful.

[@rycullen441]

Least fav to fav bionicle years: 2008(the story was weak and I did not like the sets) 2010( meh year) 2003 ( its an ok year) 2005 ( it was kind of pointless story wise but the sets where cool) 2004( cool city but like 2005 the story was kind of pointless but still cool) 2009 ( it was an improvement of 2008 and story good) 2001 (kind of crappy design but epic story) 2007 ( best setting in the bionicle series) 2002 ( best oringal year) 2006( the best story and sets and most innovative)

[@bluestormpony]

my most favorite were 2007(last time i had nearly ALL the sets only not have hydraxon and maxilos) 2009( building style was my favorite even though i didn't get very many of the sets) and 2001(year that started it all). least favorite were 2008(the designs were a MAJOR put off. the onlyi thing i liked was the comic) and 2006(i disliked the rubber and alien designs) were i completely lost interest in bionicle

[@bluestormpony]

though the main reason i disliked 2006 was MACKU DIDN'T BECOME A TOA WTF?!?!(macku is my favorite bionicle character and first time i really liked a character character. also the subject of my first fanfiction when i was 5...it was mackuxhewkii...and it got x rated rl fast....i was a disturbed 5 year old

[@tamaru5769]

How did you not like the 2008 makuta! And how do you like 2009, it was so boring!

[@bluestormpony]

Tamaru the 2008 makuta was the only thing i liked about it. as for 2009 it made makeing the characters i had created growing up a lot easier. plus the water guy is (tar somthing)when i got him i immediately built it into the into final form of main bionicle character i had. a sort of weird androginous demi-god macku that sorta went a bit weird after hewkii died in my childhood narritive(which was around 2003 ish) and had created an army of soldiers(mostly using the 2007 sets as a base)

[@tamaru5769]

I will say the new parts and recolors were very nice :D

[@tamaru5769]

Also you said the comics were the only thing you liked for 2008, I also liked the phantoka toa

[@tropicjohnny360]

Why does everybody like the '06 sets? It didn't feel like Bionicle anymore. The Toa where ugly, the atmosphere of Voya Nui was depressing, there weren't any collectibles, and the launchers were bulky and impractical. The Piraka were cool, I guess, but, again, they didn't seem to fit in too well. They looked, and acted, like gangsters. From a set design perspective, '06 was just 'meh'.

[@oikodomos_8506]

I agree. Granted, '06 had a lot of great titans but I'm not sure if it makes up for the relatively weak everything else.

[@collincalcotemusic]

But '06 and after, Bionicle became one of the darkest storylines I've ever read, which I love. There was a whole new world opened up to Bionicle. But if you don't enjoy overly-complicated stories, then Bionicle ain't for you.

[@tropicjohnny360]

Collin C. Music The story was fine. I never criticized that aspect. I only found the designs to be lacking. After '06 it didn't look like Bionicle anymore, just generic robots with guns. Well, except for '07. That year was awesome.

[@collincalcotemusic]

Well, they did loose they're technic roots... But I'm in the fandom for the story, not the toys except for shelves

[@oikodomos_8506]

Looking back, though the main twelve sets weren't that intricate, at least then it was a new build and I still have a lot of nostalgia from then, as that was when I first got into MOCing and making my own story. That was probably the last year that I kept up with the official story in-depth, but I remember I loved the dark tones. Plus you just gotta love those titans! It's too bad Lego got lazy and decided to never come up with another new toa build.... it kind of ruined it for the Inika...

[@legofarm13]

good sets, lame stories.

[@Sk2506ERROR]

Hi internet. Bye internet.

[@Blue1true4]

140

[@Blue1true4]

I have the movies

[@charuasstudios]

i dont understand why does everybody love the 06 bionicle, i understand that story is really good and the titans are incredible but the design of the toa are horrible, the body were boring and skinny, and the mask were awful, and the sword were really stupid with the fucking batteries, making the swords seem to have a tumor. explain me please what did you like of the 06 toa design, because i really dont understand

[@lavamelon729]

The masks did not suck, they were unique in a good way. And the toa were not skinny. For the bottom leg piece they used the best leg piece. And the light up swords were cool and did not look like they had tumors. And everything that uses batteries needs to be replaced at some point. Let's not forget Zamor launchers, they were the best ranged weapons to date (I guess some people like Midak skyblasters more, but the best ranged weapon is one of those two).

[@Supahcheese]

Reading all the love for '06 and it's ugliness makes me want to hurl

[@lavamelon729]

There's a reason why most Bionicle fans love '06. And could you explain to me why you don't like it. An then tell me your favorite year so I can insult you? Like what you did to all '06 fans.

[@Supahcheese]

Michael Willmore Woah, cool down dude, don't get ratty.

[@lavamelon729]

Ratty? You just insulted my second favorite Bionicle year and you expect me to be calm?!?! 😤😡😠

[@jstark1992]

Web of shadows is the worst Bionicle movie