iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Behind BIONICLE

emily @e-mily.bionicle.gay · 11/08/2026

you can watch it now. yay

0145

Reposted by Behind BIONICLE

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

The All-American Rejects were kidnapped at sea as part of a BIONICLE campaign (sources below):

14220

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Brian Ellis' BIONICLE set design retrospective: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfzK...

youtube.com

The FULL Retrospective

YouTube video by Brian Ellis

061

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Thanks to @e-milyy.bsky.social's recent interview with Kun Chang, we now have higher quality scans of his production sketches! Interview: www.maskofdestiny.com/biomediaproj... Art: www.maskofdestiny.com/biomediaproj...

03217

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Kun Chang was a freelance art director for Ghost VFX, having worked on the initial BIONICLE launch CDs and commercials. Portfolio: www.kunchang.net/art-work LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kun-chang...

092

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Kini-Nui production design sketches by Kun Chang (sources below):

12911

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 01/11/2024

But since these stores didn’t usually carry toys, they’d be reluctant to compete with big outlets like Toys R Us and Wal Mart. So in order to attract these high-traffic stores, LEGO would sell the Bohrok Va to them exclusively for one year. OAFE: www.oafe.net/yo/bionp2.php

1120

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 01/11/2024

In the late 90s and early 2000s, LEGO had a strategy to expand their market base by selling their products to "high-traffic stores" or "everyday outlets" such as pharmacies, gas stations, and grocery stores. MoD: www.maskofdestiny.com/news/m-i-a Brick by Brick: publicism.info/business/bri...

170

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 01/11/2024

The Bohrok Va were not made available in toy stores for a year (sources below):

1162

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

It may have been because there was a plan to have a seventh tribe which would worship Makuta, and the only remnant of that concept was Ahkmou in MNOG, who sold infected Kolhii balls in Po Koro. docs.google.com/document/d/1...

docs.google.com

Original Bionicle Ideas, Revised and Expanded Edition

Early & Unused Story Concepts in Bionicle, v. 2 by The Shadow Emperor, aka Maku Foreword The Bionicle story underwent many shifts in direction over its ten year run. Character traits, plot details,...

160

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

This is a follow up to one of our first threads. Though we still have more to say about this specific strategy: bsky.app/profile/behi...

071

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

The overall goal of the strategy was to make BIONICLE relevant and 'cool' to kids. In 2002, results of surveys by the global research agency, Millward Brown, confirmed that 'coolness is definitely not an issue for BIONICLE.' Source: files.maskofdestiny.com/marketing/st...

170

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

In 2001, this multimedia approach guided the team to make BIONICLE look as if it had a film: 'We created an image in our minds that there was a blockbuster movie out there called BIONICLE – and that we were making products for the movie.' Source: biomediaproject.com/bmp/data/sit...

130

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

There were two types of media outlets: 'Single message' and 'Story carrying'. The former (TV, Cinema ads, Posters), served as basic entry points to the series, while the latter (Comics, Website, CD-ROM) would delve deeper into the story & world. Source: files.maskofdestiny.com/marketing/st...

120

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

The 'Media Mosaic' strategy would challenge kids to piece BIONICLE's large story together through its various media outlets. But since the ads could be experienced in any order, they were designed to work as stand alone stories. Source: files.maskofdestiny.com/marketing/st...

130

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

BIONICLE was designed with its own Iceberg Chart as part of a layered marketing strategy (sources below):

2183

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

According to a BZP forum topic, there was allegedly a press conference video with the All-American Rejects, where they commented on how scary it was to be captured by the PIRAKA. No trace of this video exists online unfortunately. www.bzpower.com/topic/26782-...

bzpower.com

Free the Band Videos

050

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

According to a case study for Promotion Marketing Association's 2007 Reggie Awards, the Free The Band campaign lifted sales of "more than 30% for the BIONICLE line compared with the previous year". Case Study: web.archive.org/web/20231023...

141

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

By October 9th, 2006, 100% of the island had been searched and the INIKA had successfully freed the band! News Report: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lry... FTB Website: biomediaproject.com/bmp/data/sit... BZP: bzpower.info/story.php?ID... bzpower.info/story.php?ID...

130

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

Generous benefactors stepped in to aid the rescue efforts on Voya Nui through a sweepstakes. Enter in and you could win fabulous prizes like a guitar, skateboard deck, and even a trip for 5 to meet the band on an official tour bus– provided they're freed, of course:

010

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

The Free The Band website had several songs hidden behind icons of the INIKA masks. A playlist of all the songs can be found on YouTube. In addition, a demo version of BIONICLE Heroes could also be found. BZP: bzpower.info/story.php?ID... Playlist: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

130

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

In Voya Nui Adventure you play as the INIKA in order to train them for their rescue mission. Along their journey, they discover many downloadable songs and eventually face off against the PIRAKA to complete their training. BZP: bzpower.info/story.php?ID... LP: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AJ8...

241

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

Piruk hacks his way into the PIRAKA Stronghold and by using a slingshot he's able to distract Vezok and Zaktan, and finds that the All-American Rejects are being held there. Further details: toaheroes.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/f... LP: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNDW...

140

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

In Island Investigation, Kongu projects his mind into the Matoran Piruk to avoid suspicion from the PIRAKA. He travels across Voya Nui, finding clues like an MP3 player and an AAR hat to try and pinpoint the location of the All-American Rejects. Games: biomediaproject.com/bmp/play/web...

140

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

You could assist the INIKA on their rescue mission by spreading the word through e-cards or by playing the games "Island Investigation" and "Voya Nui Adventure" on the Free The Band website. Free The Band website: biomediaproject.com/bmp/data/sit... Flash emulator: ruffle.rs

130

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

In a news report, Zack claimed the PIRAKA kidnapped AAR, forcing them to play private concerts. Top suspects included: Zaktan, Hakann, and Captain Larry, who sailed the Yacht that carried the band. News Report: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7t2... BZP: bzpower.info/story.php?ID...

140

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

Rock Yacht was founded by the moustachioed duo, Dr. Jonathan Dusek and Professor Steve Biozz, because "rock bands love to go on boat rides." Flashes of the word PIRAKA could be seen on their site. Rock Yacht website: biomediaproject.com/bmp/data/sit...

160

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

Zack, a huge INIKA fan, began the INIKA UNITE blog, where he and his brother, Ivan, elaborated that the band were invited to take a free cruise by a new company called Rock Yachts. INIKA UNITE blog: biomediaproject.com/bmp/data/sit...

140

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

On August 16th, 2006, the Free The Band site launched with a fake news report: The All-American Rejects were missing! Last seen boarding a luxury yacht with a "very rock and roll feel to it". A group called the INIKA pledged to find them. BZP: bzpower.info/story.php?ID...

140

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

Some speculated the band was The All-American Rejects based on the silhouettes' hair and the new commercials that started playing on Nickelodeon with their song "Move Along". But what did they need freedom from? MoD: www.maskofdestiny.com/news/new-bio... BZP: bzpower.info/story.php?ID...

maskofdestiny.com

New BIONICLE® INIKA commercial playing

MoD readers Toa Of Cheese, and Ohyuck reported that commercials for the INIKA, and rather well done ones, are playing on Nichelodeon, with Waspinator giving us a link to where you can find where To…

140

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

The site went live in July, but only displayed a cryptic message: "Maybe you heard the rumors. Or maybe you heard the lies 'THEY' want you to believe. Well we're putting up this site to bring you the truth. Stay tuned for facts, news, and info." BZP: bzpower.info/story.php?ID...

130

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

In July 2006, a strange ad appeared in Ignition comic #3, featuring a group of silhouettes overlayed with the words "Free The Band", a declaration to "Join The Battle on 8/17/06", and the url, freetheband.com. MoD: www.maskofdestiny.com/news/free-th... Comic 3: wallofhistory.com/read/?id=TYB...

150

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

The All-American Rejects were kidnapped at sea as part of a BIONICLE campaign (sources below):

14220

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 28/10/2024

Christopher Woollett worked as a freelance BIONICLE set designer in Sept '08 - May '09, taking part in the concept and element design for sets such as the Axalara T9, Rockoh T3, and Takanuva: www.behance.net/gallery/3770... www.coroflot.com/chriswoollet...

050

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 28/10/2024

BIONICLE concept sketches for LEGO application by Christopher Woollett (sources below):

2245

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 27/10/2024

Séverin Baclet is a concept artist & level designer who worked at Ankama, the French studio behind the Voya Nui Online Game. His research sketches were inherited by Valentin Orient (VOrient). All Research Sketches: www.maskofdestiny.com/news/voya-nu... Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/s%C3%A9ve...

010

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 27/10/2024

Mask of Life Chamber research sketches for VNOG by Séverin Baclet

120

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 27/10/2024

Matoran Village research sketches for VNOG by Séverin Baclet

100

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 27/10/2024

Voya Nui Online Game research sketches by Séverin Baclet (sources below):

1133

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 25/10/2024

We tried adding the Jurassic Park theme to the silent "Dawn of BIONICLE animation", created by Martin Cohen, who was responsible for all of the early 3D concepts for BIONICLE. What do you think? Faber Files: faberfiles.blogspot.com/2012/04/awak...

021

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 25/10/2024

Faber also mentions in the Founder's Panel, how he remembers "seeing some of these images and actually putting music to it. We really used all those different sound, we used Jurassic Park themes and put it on, we used it in meetings." Founder's Panel (2): www.youtube.com/watch?v=htqO...

youtube.com

810NICLE Day 2021 20th Anniversary Q&A - Founders Panel

YouTube video by The Beaverhouse

120

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 25/10/2024

There's a lot about discovering bones of ancient creatures, so we just felt, what if we did this rusty BIONICLE bone lying in the sand?" Founder’s Panel (1): www.youtube.com/watch?v=htqO...

100

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 25/10/2024

According to BIONICLE Co-creator Christian Faber on the 810NICLE Day 2021 Founder's Panel: "Doing the poster where there's just one single BIONICLE brick lying in the sand and there's a mask in the background. We did this in 3D and it was at the same time as Jurassic Park.

110

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 25/10/2024

An early BIONICLE concept poster was inspired by Jurassic Park (sources below):

192

Behind BIONICLE @behindbionicle.bsky.social · 23/10/2024

Enrique Barahona worked on the character design, modeling/texturing, and lead animation for BIONICLE: The Game (PS2). Portfolio: web.archive.org/web/20160819...