Bionicles. A Lego creation that has an incredibly rabid fan base and has spawned numerous made-for-DVD videos and a comic book series.
Why am I writing about Lego Bionicles?
Because my son has been collecting them for years. And because he just dropped over $100 on the newest sets to hit the market and is incredibly upset. So much so that he is returning them to the store, disheartened and disappointed.
I suggested that he compose a letter to Lego to let them know of his disappointment, and that I would post the letter on my blog. I believe in the power of the individual, and I believe that the people at Lego need to listen to what he has to say as he speaks for a large segment of serious Bionicle fans.
So with no further ado, I give you the letter written by Zach…
Dear Lego,
One hour before I began to write this letter, I had purchased four Inika and the Piraka Stronghold from a local Target store. I am planning to return them as soon as possible. Why?
I am a \”die hard\” Bionicle fan, having been with the sets since Bionicle was born. It wasn\’t just the sets that intrigued me, either. The story was also captivating. Everything about it seemed perfect. That includes no unnecessary glow in the dark things, or things that lit up, or rubber, for that matter. It also was inspiring, having heroes who had no idea who they were or what their purpose was discover the power within themselves and destroy evil itself. I don\’t know, or care what you were thinking of when you wrote that story, but it gave kids role models. Very good role models.
I think you know where this is going. The first season of Bionicle was wonderful, as I\’ve covered, but from there, it began to slowly slide downhill… Going back to see the Matoran home island and discover why they moved to Mata Nui was… decent. A good deal of it kept all the aspects of the first season. Problems began to arise in the third season, when the comics became slightly more disconnected than usual. When you recently moved the story to Voya Nui, well, things just plummeted.
I can hardly list all the things that went wrong. Now, you seem to be hitting random moments in the story when you make comics. The startling revelations the earlier seasons had had gone. The whole \”Toa\” concept has completely worn out its welcome. What makes the Inika so different? \”Uh, they were transformed by the power of a star.\” Mmhmm. You forgot the fact that they have lasers. When did you introduce weapons like that? It just doesn\’t seem right!
Now I refuse to believe that the same brilliance that brought out Kanohi and Kanoka is the one that came up with Zamor Spheres! What\’s the point? They get fired out of a little launcher? Ok, nothing wrong with that. How collectible are they? Oh, that\’s right, there are five or six different colors. And they glow in the dark.
I almost began to doubt you wanted our money, until I looked at the prices. Ten dollars for a Toa. Remember when they used to be seven? Yeah, they light up, but have you considered the fact that many Bionicle fans would pay for you to take the Inikas\’ weapons off?
Then there\’s $75 for the Fortress. Do you just think it\’s what Bionicle fans would pay for the childish giant Piraka head and the ten or fifteen Zamor Spheres that come with it? Then you\’ve got the Minifigures. The first thing I thought when I saw the Piraka minifigs was \”Sharpie\”. The first thing I thought when I saw their spines was \”Ponytail\”. Is there not enough space on the little figure to make it look like the real thing? I\’ll bet you\’re thinking \”no.\” That would be an incredibly lame excuse. Not that the real thing is worth imitating anyway.
What were you people thinking when you gave the Piraka rubber? Were you thinking about all the people who\’d buy it cause it looked cool? Because what you should\’ve been thinking about was all off the Bionicle purists like me who want Bionicle, not a cheap knockoff! As for the Inika minifigs, you could\’ve at least made the weapons look remotely close to the real thing.
I still can\’t understand why you\’d give the bad guy a cape. Once again, is it because you think it looks cool? Are you running out of ideas or what? I sure hope not, cause I\’d hate to see Lego go.
I am initiating a Bionicle boycott. I do hope you want our money.
Your number one fan,
Zach Comm
14 years old
Am I proud of my son? You bet I am. Way to go, Zach!