Deconstructing Bionicle: Takanuva and Lessons on Moral Ambiguity
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2019
- Deconstructing Bionicle takes a close look at the themes and messages of Bionicle's story - there's more depth there than you might expect!
In this first episode, we'll be discussing Takanuva, the Toa of Light, and how his arc relates to lessons on moral ambiguity.
Read (or re-read) the entire Bionicle story yourself at crosswiredgeeks.com/biologica... !
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Great analysis. You got my sub. Beyond a character analysis I'd be interested in the wider implication of mata nui first being presented as a spiritual deity, then eventually revealed as a dying AI system turned into a physical robot who reconciled worlds. I'm sure there's some philosophical implications there. But that may be a finale to your whole deconstruction series.
Anyways keep up the good work!
Your avatar gave me a great idea: what about Bionicle Vtubers?
I came here from a HeroraNuva video that also explored the morality of Bionicle, and I gotta say, I LOVE the idea of combining all of the story media into single documents for each storyline.
Though... I think I'm gonna have to do an "inverse Star Wars hatchet order" when I get around to reading them and read them in chronological (or biologic chronological?) order, as in, start with the "flashback" portions in Metru Nui and progress to "modern" Mata Nui and beyond, just for fun.
I never realized how omnipresent the concept of morality was through Takanuva's alternate reality romp
Its always interesting to look back on childhood products that had actual stories, and see the actual lessons, and morals they teach us.
Bro you really dropped this masterpiece and didn't start a whole ass series come man you need to fulfill your destiny
I've never seen Bionicle content like this, keep it up my guy.
I can't help but wonder how the stories of Metru Nui, and Matoran Strike (led by his friend Jaller) impacted Takanuva. Think about it, he didn't just hear about the Toa Metru's heroic acts, but also their darkest secrets. About how Vakama turned against the other toa as a Hordika. My guess is that it only confirmed his fear of an external source corrupting those who were inherently good.
But he discovered the Turaga kept more secrets and sent off the Toa Nuva, leaving the Matoran unaware. He agreed to help Jaller and his other friends leave, but couldn't join them to the Realm of Karzanhi (though he did technically act against the Turaga's orders). His actions are heroic in this instance, but it does put the Turaga in a grey area.
It's kind of interesting to contemplate. Takua/Takanuva is my favorite character. I think I own every set ever released for him. I think it's also interesting that his reverence for what is good also seemed to cause him to doubt his own ability. He didn't want the responsibility of being a Toa, or a Herald. He didn't settle down, and didn't believe he had a destiny, and actively tried to avoid it. And he only fully embraced it after Jaller's sacrifice.
Good breakdown of Takua's character development. While there are clear differences in good and evil _ideologies_ , individuals are different and many can be negotiated with so long as they are not radicalized.
I really enjoyed this. I'd love to see more deep dives like this into the Bionicle story and characters
This content really is the shit ! I needed a morality analysis of Bionicle more than I admitted to.
Tho, I would give a few advices : keep a music ambiance which has slower tempo than your voice, or else it gets tiring. And maybe get a more accurate recording source, because it gets monotone sometimes, but I think you did with the stuff you had under hand and I would be cool if you continued to use it anyway.
Keep up the good work sir !
Ha, just maybe a last suggestion : an analysis about the Vakama's initiative journey ?
On top of this I always kinda thought of Takanuva's story as a coming of age story, he was so enthralled in the tales of the Toa as Takua and then found his own calling in the universe. I think that this theme of morality adds to that, as it shows that even if he found his destiny he doesn't just grow up immediately
It also makes him my favorite character in Bionicle
This is super cool! I didn't know about Takanuva's other adventures before 2008 and how they actually develop his character!
I feel like the bear scene from The Mask of Light movie was the beginning to Takua/Takanuva's journey of learning the Grey area between Good and Evil.
Finally had a moment to watch this. This is absolutely fantastic guys! I can't wait for more!!
This was so good would love to see more. A video on vakama would be cool
Bruh, how do you only have 380 subs. You deserve waaaaay more with the amount of effort that was put into this. I legit thought it was from one of those professional yter channels. sad to see you stop uploading however. i really enjoyed your content
Wow. I’m in love with your voice.
Absolutely incredible content. Please keep going! Let's deconstruct all the bionicle mythos for deeper themes!
I would love to see more of these
At first, it seemed like you were grasping, but it all clicked in the end in a manner quite like Makuta's ultimate plan for universal domination...Just without the whole "Mata Nui is now a giant robot for some reason" type of convoluted.
Still, I feel that the narration blends into itself a bit. Not sure how you'd fix it, but it's not a constant issue at least. Also, I like the avatar, but I think he needs just a few more poses to fully serve his purpose.
So you're gonna "take a closer look behind that mask!" This was great, I eagerly await more.
5:05-6:45 I remember this! I read the children's book at a Barnes & Noble back when I'd recently seen _The Mask of Light_ and, given my concurrent youth and (relative) naivety, was as surprised by the revelation regarding the true context. Suffice to say, that short story made a lasting impression!
best character arc ever
Awesome video, thank you so much for this analysis! It was honestly kinda evident when you look at it now, but it was very subtle and I doubt I learned those lessons consciously, but everything you've said makes sense, because it was very much an experience, just like the one Takanuva went through...
Dang! This is comprehensive and incredible!! I'd really like to see more of these!
Amazing analysis! Would love to see more if you're still planning on it!
That was very interesting, thank you for bringing this view of the story !
Man I remember that story with takanuva meeting the giant herbivore, as a kid I found that in the local library by luck
I like this! I wish there were better words than character arc though. Anytime I watch a character breakdown video of any channel, They always Spam that word every few seconds
I always loved gavla
Just saw this in my recommended list, very interesting insight. Why didn't you continue with more similar videos?
I can see myself in Takanuva
Me, too
Did not expect the video to be so interesting :D I would love to see another one.
Nice job owen
This video was really insightful
You should do another dive like this into other characters. Perhaps Vakama or Tahu?
Groovy video.
REALLY good video. Great job
Wow, really nice breakdown
Please make more videos
I think he used his understanding passively ever since he got the mask. He should have been a lead character in the story and sets the entire story line. He should have been cast away with Mata Nui and acted as an angel on the proud Titan’s shoulder.
Agreed. We needed that stronger connection to the past arcs in '09. I did like the newer characters, but TVTropes called it right when they said it was a jarring tone shift.
Oh this is a fantastic analysis! I love seeing stuff like this, exploring character arcs and themes of Bionicle. I've been think a lot about Bionicle character arcs myself, and I think that you are completely right that Takanuva's is about exploring moral ambiguity, which is fitting because as a Toa of Light, he is on paper the being that seems the most pure good. Plus I think you're speculation on Takanuva's role in the Great Being war is spot on to how his arc has been playing out.
I've actually been planning on making my own video essay exploring Dark Mirror in relationship with the Toa Code and those moral themes in Bionicle. Would it be okay if I reference your video and the points you make in it when I get around to it?
(Also, loved the Rick and Morty meme in there XD)
Amazing writing. The visuals could use more variety but this was a great analysis.
Might I suggest an analysis on "The Great Being Civil War" by The Mad Great Being on BZPower? While non-canon, it's a fan made rendition of what Takanuva's final destiny could have looked like. I found it an excellent read, other than the obvious self-insert OC toa of iron, and Mata Nui's somewhat shoehorned appearance.
The Seventh Toa rises.
I can't help but find it staggeringly unfair that Jaller didn't become a toa when he put on a toa mask, but Takua did.
Interesting. I must say I don’t really see that much of a connection between Takua’s and Takanuva’s character arc - at least when I look at “Mask of Light”, which ironically seems to be treated as “semi-canon”. In that movie, the main thing Takua has to learn is a Spider-Man-like lesson about responsibility, only with the opposite causal direction: Where Spider-Man first gains his powers and then has to use them responsibly, Takua needs to earn his hero powers by demonstrating responsibility first.
The only hint at Takanuva’s lessons about moral ambiguity in the movie is during the final “fight” (Kolhii match) with Makuta, during which Makuta hints at potentially having noble intentions (the “sleep spares him pain, awake he suffers” line). This potentially interesting motivation of Makuta’s was sadly ruined by him being retconned into a classical “villain who only wants to dominate the world”. In the movie, Takanuva has no response to Makuta’s line, aside from assuming here were just lying, and didn’t actually want to protect Mata Nui at all.
Have you thought about doing a video on vakama and self-reliance?
8:28 So Matoro didn't even have a real choice. It's not an act of good will if he is punished for not doing it.
this is one of the best way to do it can you give me some tips i am triying to do the same
I'm surprised you didn't mention that Takanuva accidentally bifurcated Tuyet while trying to get back to his normal universe.
You mean bisected? I'm pretty sure "bifurcate" means to have something split into two branches, like a fork.
background music playlist/ source?
I like you toa avatar
i think beings are naturaly neutral with a slight nudge towards good- as longterm altruism feeds back more positively than shortsighted egoism. good when there is an option to be good. most bad people are deeply damaged normal people, often recoverable but sometimes so far gone they refuse improvement and can only be contained instead. only a very few unfortunate beings are born with a disorder that makes pain in others their only source of relief, such beings can only be contained and maybe helped to see the benefit of longterm existance even for their twisted self denying system.
good and evil exist, as everything is reölated to conciousness. pure good and evil is basicly nonexistant, as everybody is fallible, can have bad experience and is not omniscient. pure evil is a rare occurance that is more likely to stop itself than anything else and is very sad. pure good is an admirable path but an unatainable goal for being mortal, and anybody claiming to be pure good is far from it. on average people are slightly better than worse, as things go on.
good and evil are measured by the continuation and flourishing of free acting conciousness, not by situation insensitive methodology. sometimes a nice word can be the biggest harm and sometimes a fight is the best option. though its fortunately the other way around most often.
what a time to be alive.
awesome to hear that the plans for Takanuva's destiny are pretty much the same as in my headcanon, where Takanuva becomes some ultimate diplomat of Spherus Magna.
5:32 Your citation style reminds me of Christians quoting the Bible.
The Seventh Toa rises.