Was Lhikan's Mask Cursed?! | BIONICLE Deep Dive 

Men cry only 2 times in life: - when Lhikan gave his massage. - when Jaller gave mask of light. Truly similar moments, that's simvoly.

Had the story continued, I like to think Jaller would have eventually gotten it back.

The Hau can shield the user, but the users of the Hau are always "shielding" others as well. I think Jala losing his mask in the first place was a sign of his destiny, he was destined to protect the Matoran and his friends, and to be a wise leader, like Lhikan was. You could even say Lhikan creating the Toa Metru mirrors Jaller encouraging Takua as well as leading the Toa who eventually resurrected Mata Nui.

I too agree with your last statement that Lhikan's Hau wasn't cursed, just that unfortunate circumstances happen and that the Hau just happens to be there when it happened. Also, about the thing where you said it was ironic that despite being the mask of shielding, it didn't protect its wearer. I actually see it as a way to show how brave Lhikan and Jaller were because they didn't need to rely on the Hau for protection. Sure, Jaller couldn't use his mask powers since he's a matoran, but the idea is there.

Great heroes often experience the greatest tragedies. Even if the mask didn't shield the wearers, the wearers shielded those they cared about with their lives.

Good point. I like how you point out that the Hau is meant to protect and yet Lhikan's Hau caused destruction and death. Nice analysis, I never thought of that before.

You mentioning Lhikan coming back from Takutanuva reminded me of one part of some crazy BIONICLE storyline. A friend of mine came up with the idea of Lhikan coming back instead of Jaller in Mask of Light being the catalyst for Takanuva joining Makuta, as Takua prior in this universe was kinda paranoid because of all the crypticness of the Turaga and the amnesia. While this was only a small part of the overarching story you bringing that up just reminded me of it.

A bit of overthinking: I think its also important to note that the Hau is the mask representing Mata Nui. Thus, you could say their wearers are carrying out his will. Makuta opposes Mata Nui, but also the wearers of the Hau. The first book spends a lot of time showing how flawed Tahu's character is. He burns the tree, he wants to raise the sword against the island to get the answers he needs. What does Makuta? Not only does he reflect the dark characteristics of Tahu in his Shadow Toa creations, he also wears a corrupted Hau in the final battle. And eventually Tahu's Hau becomes corrupted because of his recklessness against the Rahkshi. Jaller is keen on fulfilling his duty to Mata Nui. Makuta targets him to get to Takua. The Hau once again becomes a symbol of resistance against Makuta. Lhikan wore the mask when he protected the Makoki stone, his failure is a ghost that haunts him until he meets the thieves again in the Dark Hunter war. What was the stone for? Protecting the Matoran from the Makuta, something that Tuyet also swore to do with her own methods. But Lhikan fails. Mata Nui falls as Metru Nui fell, and with it its last protector. But the heart, and the will of Mata Nui lived on. His will is still determined and strong, but wavered over time, as Mata Nui was about to die. All the certainty for Mata Nui's survival fell, as both Jaller and Tahu lost their Hau on their way to the mask of life. (Though Tahu regained both at later points in time).

There also was the detail form the Bionicle Stars wave and story finale that the Lihkan’s Hau was last taken to Metru Nui inside the Mata Nui Titan, which got smashed against a falling moon when Mata Nui the character defeated it.

Hahli, Karzahni and Gali owned the mask in different time periods. Karzahni went crazy, mutated and was killed since then, but Toa of water seemed okay aside from losing Matoro and being poisoned by Mantax

I hope that after Spheris Magna was restored that the toa Nuva, after seeing the Mahri, after the golden beings control was gone, Tahu found Jaller and gave him Lhikan's mask and to honor the former toa of fire that helped the universe, Jaller builds a shrine dedicated to the toa who saved Vakama and the universe from Teridax's reign

Watching Lhikan and Jaller deads especially at the time 2003/2004 when i was a child, was very hard for me to see. I love both characters.

I was just thinking about that the other day! I don't think it's cursed, but it makes a great symbol to show how legacy is passed down and makes parallel events even more noticeable. It can show how past events and heroic acts continue to influence the future. Maybe Lihkan fulfilled his destiny when he sacrificed himself, but it didn't end there. Masks being a vessel for matorans' souls has always been a fascinating idea to me, especially because matorans go comatose when they aren't wearing it. Why can toa survive being maskless? Does changing masks affect them in some way? I like to play with ideas for my own bionicle story and masks holding their souls is a big one that I still wonder about.

Regarding Lhikan's spirit melding with Jaller's, I believe this would've happened when Jaller first got the mask, not when he was resurrected. Sort of like a software update making Jaller become more like Lhikan over time.

You forgot to mention that Karzahni was mutated and became even more insane, before being murdered. And the Hau was also placed in Daxia after Gali retrieved it… And Daxia was devastated by Makuta when he became the Great Spirit.

It's interesting that you point out the idea of Lhikan's soul or even a fragment of it transfered to Jaller. That could very well be the reason he himself was able to become a Toa

Someone probably thought of this already but I feel it fleshes out how important Kanohi masks are in Bionicle Lore. Anyone seen Tron: Uprising? (no spoilers) In one of the episodes we, the audience, learn that the Discs all the programs have are crucial to their existence. If one loses it, their memories and identity fade away. I like seeing the Kanohi masks the same way but with a little twist. 1. A Kanohi mask must be worn for the wearer to remain alive 2. A Kanohi mask holds the identity, personality traits and memories of the previous/current wearer 3. If a Kanohi mask is given to another wearer only the personality traits transfer over So in this case Jaller, who had just reawakened and broke his mask, is given Lhikan's Hau and adopted the heroic characteristics of the previous wearer, Toa Lhikan. He has even demonstrated how heroic he is throughout MNOG (Captain of the Guard, The Defense of the Kini Nui), Mask of Light (Fighting the Ash Bear, sacrificing himself for Takua), and even in the Ignition Trilogy (not being afraid of Karzahni, fighting the Piraka and Barraki, sacrificing himself by unleashing a Nova Blast) He may not have the same wisdom and intellect that Lhikan may have had, but he sure adopted the heroism of a true Toa Takua: Even I get lucky sometimes Kopaka: It's not luck. It's what you do that makes a hero

Lhikan and Jaller have very much in commom. They are both great characters ready to sacrifice everything even their lives for saving others, showing to all of us the most difficult virtue to follow witch is Destiny. Reminds me Matoro`s sacrifice for saving the universe. Destiny is indeed the most difficult virtue to follow, only a few characters really reach destiny at the point of losing their lives. But the Toa that didnt died, reach destiny by fulfill their duty to the end, and they are also deserved to be remenbered. But yes, most times Duty leads to Destiny.

Don't forget the mask was mounted on the Ussanui bike which was also destroyed!

I really like your channel's content. Keep up the great work ✊

I heard a theory that Lhikan spirit was still in the mask and he could've also been resurrected but he believed his story was complete and let Jaller take his place so that he can finish his story.

The whole thing of Lhikan being reborn in Jaller is a little off since Lhikan was resurrected the moment he died on the Red Star.

I’ve always felt that Lhikan was a stoic. Known for being an acclaimed hero but carried a major weight on his shoulders. Didn’t complain, stuck to his principles, seemed to be in control of his emotions even when dealing with impossible circumstances, followed his nature to protect the greater good. I agree that there may be a small vestige of Lhikan’s essence in the mask that influenced Jaller’s psyche. Part of the philosophy of stoicism is to have the courage to do what’s right regardless of what happens to yourself. Lhikan gave himself up so Vakama can embrace his identity as a Toa, Jaller as well for Takua. Regardless who had the mask, the user was more concerned for the greater good rather than their own lives. I don’t think the mask is cursed. I think it’s an allegory of moral heroism and pure courage.

I wouldn't call it a curse so to speak, but maybe the wearer of the mask almost carriers on the previous wearer's spirit as well. If you remember in the Alternate Kingdom story, Jaller never got the Kanohi Hau and it may have been because of the Dystopian world they lived in, but he seemed like a completely different person. Maybe Jaller's heart changed after he inherited Lhikans Hau? Not in a possession sense, but it is like traces of Lhikan's noble spirit remained in the mask, and that's how the memory of fallen heroes carry on, Jaller may have never known Lhikan, but he was his legacy in that sense

It feels like a missed opportunity that this mask has been powered the entire time, but Jaller never had it when he was a Toa.

Honestly i always thought that toa canisters that Jaller's team was using got struck by lightning from Red star was because Red Star felt remnant of Toa Likhan within Jalla, and went to reactivate seemingly inactive team of Toa. After all that's the whole purpose of Red star, to some extent

I would never cry to a Bionicle clip, i am a me- *Lihkans death*

I think Lhikan's connection to the Hau ended when Jaller became the mask's owner. The reason I think this is because Lhikan would have already been revived on the Red Star the moment he died. Off topic, but perhaps he died again because of the chaos on the Red Star.

Id like to think that when Jaller was resurrected by Takutanuva, it was also in that very moment that Lhikan was resurrected and reborn on the red star Just thought it was a more reasonable explanation than what was given to us officially, having a somewhat good reason for Lhikans revival without it just being “oh he died and was just rebuilt on the red star”

I wouldn't say the mask is cursed literally or figuratively. I'd say it symbolizes the resolve to fight for the greater good, even at great personal cost, being the shield that protects others in order to allow them to fulfill their destinies. Lhikan sacrificed everything for the sake of the Toa Metru, who saved the Matoran from Teridax, and went on to guide the Matoran and the Toa Mata through their future trials. Similarly, Jaller sacrificed himself to save his friend Takua, who became the legendary Toa of Light. Later on, even without Lhikan's mask, Jaller was still willing to sacrifice himself and the Toa Mahri, as they were being overwhelmed by the forces of the Baraki, to buy Matoro enough time to use the Mask of Life to revive Mata Nui.

Short but sweet episode :)

I did think it was strange that Jaller was revived using Lihkan’s mask but I never thought of the idea of it could have somewhat combined parts of Lihkan’s spirit into Jaller’s, I really like that idea though

Hi, I love your videos and how you break analyze various concepts of the bionicle world. I stopped following the story when the setting shifted to Glatorians, but I'm curious about the new setting I missed out on. Do you think you can do a video explaining the new environment and characters, and what it could possibility represent?

Both Lhikan and Jaller died for saving his fellow friends or teammates. If Lhikan`s mask wanst the Mask of Shielding, would look like the Mask of Destiny. I invented that name. I think its destiny. One of Bionicle`s most important thing is its mystery. Problaby one of the things that i like most about Bionicle. At least Jaller was bought back to life by Takutanuva. Always love a happy ending.

It's easy to say that everybody who ever wore it died; only two people ever wore it.

Interestingly, the MoC I put it on keeps falling on the floor lol

Honestly I have to wonder....what exactly happens when someone is revived in the Matoran universe. When a being fies they are suppose to be sent to the Red Star to be rebuilt and revived....but do to a malfuntion that doesn't happen and they are left up there as Zombies. But what happens when some on is brought back to life? How is the Red Star involved with that.

my guess is that when they brought Jaller back and not Lhikan is that they need memories of that person as well, and sense Takanuva has memories of Jaller and none Lhikan sense he lost his memoires of him, it would make sense for Jaller to be brought back to life instead.

Not even a mention of the Ignition Trilogy to illustrate the mask’s association with heroism and tragedy?

I was think of jaller would be like a toa like toa lhikan since jaller got his mask

Its cursed cause it went from flat dark gold into McDonalds yellow.

Cursed to always be worn by men of valor.

what ever happened to those masks that Karzahni stole from the matoran

"Hum, so, Toa Jaller..." "Yes, Turaga Vakama?" "Where is the Kanohi I gave you? The one Turaga Lhikan gave me?" "Oh. Hum. Karzahni stole it from me. He tortured us, I had no choice." "WELL THIS SON OF A STONE-RAT IS LUCKY TO BE ALREADY DEAD! AAAAAH! [Turaga Vakama then proceeded to manage his newfound and uncoherent violent thoughts]

I still want to know what happened to the mask after Jaller gave it up.

Who’s mask?

the mask wasnt ment to protect the wearer it was ment to protect people clode to the wearer

its jala, JALA! it became Jaller when he became a Toa

Cursed mask? Lmao no