Great Kanohi
The most common mask type worn by Toa and other powerful beings, forged from the highest-grade Kanoka discs.
Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. were the standard equipment for Toa and other elite beings across the Bionicle universe. These masks occupied a specific tier in the mask hierarchy: more powerful than Noble KanohiNoble KanohiMasks worn by Turaga and some Matoran, Noble Kanohi traded raw power for broader accessibility across Mata Nui's inhabitants., but less potent than Legendary KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe.. After powerless masks, Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. were the most common type you'd encounter, worn by Toa teams, MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate., and members of the Order of Mata NuiThe Order of Mata NuiThe covert organization founded by Helryx to serve the Great Spirit directly, operating in concealment from a fortress on Daxia and waging the open war against the Brotherhood of Makuta that decided the fate of the universe.. When the Toa Mata first arrived on Mata NuiMata NuiBuilt by the Great Beings to restore Spherus Magna, Mata Nui sustained an entire civilisation inside his body, was deposed by Teridax, and reclaimed his purpose as a mortal on Bara Magna., they wielded these iconic masks as the tools that defined their heroism.
The Hierarchy of Masks#
Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. occupy the middle tier of the Bionicle mask classification system. They're stronger than Noble KanohiNoble KanohiMasks worn by Turaga and some Matoran, Noble Kanohi traded raw power for broader accessibility across Mata Nui's inhabitants. but less powerful than Legendary KanohiLegendary KanohiThe rarest and most powerful masks in the Matoran Universe, too dangerous for most beings to wield.. After masks with no special powers, Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. are the most common type worn by powerful beings throughout the universe. The ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. teams that protected various islands, from the Toa Mata to the Toa MetruMetruIn the Matoran language a metru was a single district of Metru Nui; the city was divided into six such districts, one for each element, and the term covered both the place and the elemental community that lived in it., Toa InikaToa InikaSix former Matoran who entered Karzahni broken and emerged as the next Toa team, transformed on the shore of Voya Nui by a lightning strike from the red star., and Toa Mahri, all wielded Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. as their primary equipment. MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. wore them too, as did members of the Order of Mata NuiThe Order of Mata NuiThe covert organization founded by Helryx to serve the Great Spirit directly, operating in concealment from a fortress on Daxia and waging the open war against the Brotherhood of Makuta that decided the fate of the universe.. This widespread use among elite warriors makes Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. the workhorse of the Bionicle universe, the backbone of power across multiple civilizations.
Toa and Their Iconic Masks#
The six Toa Mata were the most famous users of Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe.. TahuTahu, Toa of FireTahu served as Toa Mata, Toa Nuva, and Toa Mistika of Fire, leading his team from the first landing on Mata Nui to the destruction of the Rahkshi army on Bara Magna.'s Hau (Mask of Shielding), GaliGali, Toa of WaterThe Toa Nuva of Water and conscience of the Toa Mata, whose attunement to her element anchored the team across every campaign from Mata Nui to Karda Nui.'s KaukauKaukauThe Mask of Water Breathing lets you dive deep, but depth and time limits are what make it matter. (Mask of Water Breathing), LewaLewaToa of Air, member of the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva, whose career was marked by repeated possession, body theft, and aerial campaigns from Le-Wahi to Karda Nui.'s Miru (Mask of Levitation), KopakaKopakaKopaka was the Toa Nuva of Ice, deputy commander of the Toa Mata, and one of the six warriors crafted on Artakha to defend the Matoran Universe.'s AkakuAkakuKopaka's mask of x-ray vision was Bionicle's most practical power, granting sight through stone and snow where others saw only obstacles. (Mask of X-Ray Vision), PohatuPohatuPohatu was the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva of Stone, guardian of Po-Wahi, whose speed and steady humour anchored the team through every era of the Matoran Universe.'s KakamaKakamaThe Mask of Speed granted superhuman velocity but blinded its wearer to the world around them. (Mask of Speed), and OnuaOnuaOnua was the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva of Earth, a quiet, deliberate warrior whose patience and underground mastery anchored his team across the Matoran Universe.'s PakariPakariThe Mask of Strength amplifies physical power and never stops working, giving its wearer a constant edge. (Mask of Strength) became synonymous with the Toa themselves. These masks were so iconic that they defined entire characters. Each mask granted its wearer a unique power, turning ordinary warriors into heroes capable of saving their islands. The ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. MetruMetruIn the Matoran language a metru was a single district of Metru Nui; the city was divided into six such districts, one for each element, and the term covered both the place and the elemental community that lived in it., Toa InikaToa InikaSix former Matoran who entered Karzahni broken and emerged as the next Toa team, transformed on the shore of Voya Nui by a lightning strike from the red star., and Toa Mahri followed the same pattern, each member carrying a different Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. that amplified their abilities.
Forged From the Finest Materials#
Only level 8 Kanoka could be forged into Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe., representing the highest grade of mask-making material. This exclusivity mattered. Level 8 discs were rare, making each Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. a precious artifact despite being more common than Legendary masks. The Brotherhood of MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. also wielded Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe., suggesting that mask-forging was a technique shared across civilizations. Whatever the forging process entailed, it created masks that were simultaneously accessible enough to equip entire teams yet powerful enough to turn their wearers into forces that shaped the destiny of islands. A Great KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. was more than armor or a tool. It was an extension of the hero who wore it.
Compiled from primary sources by Lore Fortress editorial. Reviewed by Joe Garratt, Editor-in-Chief.
Sources
- VideoBIONICLE: Mask of Light — Soundtrack track 'A Great Kanohi mask' and film references to the Toa Mata's Great Kanohi
- GameMata Nui Online Game — Ko-Koro gate puzzle features the six Toa Mata Great Kanohi arranged on blocks
- ComicMcDonald's 2: Tale of the Toa — Plot revolves around collecting six Great Kanohi Masks of Power
- WikiGreat Kanohi — BS01 reference entry
Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.
Related entries
The Toa: Heroes of the Matoran Universe
The Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe.
Tahu, Toa of Fire
Tahu served as Toa Mata, Toa Nuva, and Toa Mistika of Fire, leading his team from the first landing on Mata Nui to the destruction of the Rahkshi army on Bara Magna.
The Order of Mata Nui
The covert organization founded by Helryx to serve the Great Spirit directly, operating in concealment from a fortress on Daxia and waging the open war against the Brotherhood of Makuta that decided the fate of the universe.
Toa Inika
Six former Matoran who entered Karzahni broken and emerged as the next Toa team, transformed on the shore of Voya Nui by a lightning strike from the red star.
Gali, Toa of Water
The Toa Nuva of Water and conscience of the Toa Mata, whose attunement to her element anchored the team across every campaign from Mata Nui to Karda Nui.
Lewa
Toa of Air, member of the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva, whose career was marked by repeated possession, body theft, and aerial campaigns from Le-Wahi to Karda Nui.
Mentioned in41 entries
Aki
The Kanohi Aki was the Great Mask of Valor worn by Akamai, the Toa Kaita formed by Tahu, Onua, and Pohatu during the assault on the Manas.
Arthron
The Kanohi Arthron was the Mask of Sonar, granting its wearer echolocation through reflected sound and allowing perception in lightless underwater environments.
Copper Mask of Victory
A powerless ceremonial Kanohi awarded to Matoran champions of Metru Nui's Akilini matches, typically forged in the shape of a Noble Huna or Komau.
Felnas
A Great Kanohi that destabilised a target's active power on contact, turning elemental control into a weapon against its wielder.
Ga-Koro Waterfall
The Kaukau-shaped Naho Falls above Ga-Koro, concealing the southern approach to the Kini-Nui and rebuilt in the form of a Kaukau Nuva after the Bohrok War.
Gali, Toa of Water
The Toa Nuva of Water and conscience of the Toa Mata, whose attunement to her element anchored the team across every campaign from Mata Nui to Karda Nui.
Kanohi Calix
The Mask of Fate granted its wearer the ability to perform at the absolute peak of their natural physical capability, enabling reflexes, leaps, and dodges beyond ordinary species norms.
Kanohi Crast
The Kanohi Crast was a mask that allowed its wearer to repel a single target with variable force, most famously worn by the Makuta Krika.
Kanohi Mask of Intangibility
A Great Kanohi that allowed its wearer to lower their density and pass through solid matter, most famously borne by the Toa Mangai Tuyet.
Kanohi Mask of Light and Shadow
A single fused Kanohi formed in Energized Protodermis when Takanuva and Teridax merged into Takutanuva, holding both light and shadow at once.
Kanohi Mask of Possibilities
A Great Kanohi that altered probability for its wearer, borne by the Toa of Lightning Nikila on the doomed first mission of the Toa Cordak.
Kanohi Mask of Psychometry
A Great Kanohi that read the past of any object the wearer touched, borne by Toa Helryx of the Order of Mata Nui.
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