#nuju

Merry Christmas!!!

Nuju Metru study - Mar ‘26

Lines: ballpoint

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Bonks back on my mind. This was totally from memory so don’t focus too hard on the scope being on the wrong eye… Twice

Shout out to those Noah Greenspan videos, it’s been fun doing a lore runback during work recently. I’ve been wanting to draw these guys again lately, and have also been more invested than ever in the “bio” aspect and the idea that these guys are supposed to be creepy robot-with-lungs freaks that I think gets sanded away unless you really think about it. Additional shouts to the animations on the Renaissance VFX youtube channel that I think does a great job capturing this perspective

The Turaga of Mata Nui

Toa Metru Disks

Disks are resin casts from Constraction Deva.

Emblem designs done by KingSidorak. (Uploaded here if you'd like to make your own disks)

Waterslide decals courtesy of TokenHobbyist.

Very much inspired by Bukkey's Toa Disks. :)

A quick 2005-inspired Bionicle art, Nuju Hordika dealing with the loss of his analytical thinking ability due to his mutation. A concept that was originally the foundation to his character arc in early documents for the 2005 story before his role got decreased.

He was supposed to have a little personal arc in Web of Shadows of overthinking things, only to finally learn to trust his bestial instinct rather than his mind as all the Toa take advantage of their mutations by the climax. But this and many other story beats got less focus as the plot was constantly being rewritten and the narrative to Web of Shadows became more simplified.

NEW video up on my channel!

So like, did Nuju give the Le-Matoran some lessons on how to speak to birds so they could form the Gukko Bird Force? Because its the only thing that makes sense. Before they came to Mata Nui, they make a big point that Le-Matoran have tried and failed many times to ride Gukko birds. But when we saw the Le-Matoran in the present, they've gotten training and riding the birds down to an art. So what changed?

The first time Gukko birds were ever ridden in known history was during the Hordika arc when Nuju and Kualus rid them to escape the Visorak. And Kualus was only able to call them because he spoke their language, rather than trying to break and tame them. And then of course Nuju goes on to only speak in the language of flying Rahi his whole time on the island. So did Nuju teach them some bird language to help them out?

We see in Mask of Light that Lewa called a Gukko to him with a whistle, which we know the language of the fliers is mainly whistles and clicks, so it makes sense. Maybe they weren't taught the full language, but enough to make simple commands and communication with their birds.

The other potential option is that it was actually Matoro who taught them, which I also enjoy for a few reasons. Matoro was more friendly and patient, had a known love of Rahi, and did form partnerships with people from other villages in his spare time. Plus, that opens up the possibility that Matoro specifically taught Kongu, who was known as the best bird wrangler on the island, which could potentially deepen their character relationship. I know some people ship Kongu and Matoro, and this is some nice fuel for that.