Bionicle is a toy line from the Lego Group marketed at 7-16 year-old children. The toy line was launched in December 30, 1999 in Europe and June/July 2001 in Canada and the United States. The concept was derived from Lego Group's earlier themes Slizers/Throwbots and Lego RoboRiders. Both of these lines had similar throwing disks and characters based on classical elements. Contrary to popular belief, "Bionicle" is not "Bionic" with a "-le" suffix, but a portmanteau constructed from the words "biological" and "chronicle".

Story

The 2001-2008 storyline of Bionicle was set primarily in a world that is inhabited predominantly by biomechanical (part-organic, part-machine) beings. This world and its multiple races was once protected by a Great Spirit named Mata Nui, but he was cast into an unnatural sleep by the evil Brotherhood of Makuta, led by Makuta Teridax, and the universe began to decay. Mata Nui has since been revived, with unfortunate consequences due the haste in which the process was done.

The following groups are the main focus in Bionicle; a summary of all of Bionicle's major groups can be found at Characters and groups in Bionicle:

• The Toa: Mata Nui's destined heroes and the main protagonists of the franchise. All Toa wear Kanohi Masks of Power and can control elements of nature. There are several exceptions like the Toa Metru, who were robbed of their elemental powers when they were transformed into Toa Hordika by Visorak venom. When they were transformed, they took on personalities that were more animal-like.
• Makuta: Beings of shadow originally created to populate the world with Rahi (the equivalent of wild animals). After the rebellion led by the Barraki they took to protecting the various continents as well. Due to the corruption of their new leader, they have become beings of both shadow and evil, and their name synonymous with evil. They are led by Makuta Teridax. After the 2008 story, all but two Makuta (Teridax and Miserix) have been killed.
• The Dark Hunters: A band of mercenaries and thieves who works only for the highest bidder. Thus they are known to assist both protagonists and antagonists during the story. Due to a recent incident with Makuta Teridax, their relationship with the Makuta have diminished, and resulted in war. They are led by the Shadowed One, a mysterious and ancient being of terrible power.
• The Order of Mata Nui: A secretive faction formed out of the need to watch over the various species in the Matoran universe. The Order comprises not one species, but many diverse members. They are secretive, but have recently come out of the shadows to help against Makuta. The Order was founded and led by Toa Helryx, the first Toa ever created.

2006

Plot: date=May 2009 After returning to Metru Nui, the Toa Nuva learn that Mata Nui is dying and the only thing that can save him is the Kanohi Ignika, the Mask of Life, and that it is hidden on an island called Voya Nui. After the Toa's departure, Jaller decided to set out for Voya Nui with a team of other Matoran. Meanwhile, on Voya Nui, the Piraka arrived and proclaimed themselves as Toa. The Matoran didn't know what Toa were, so they belived them. In time, Avak crafted six launchers, but two Matoran stole one. Meeting with other four Matoran, they realized these launchers were to fight the Matoran. One of them sent to spy on the "Toa" found out they weren't Toa; They were thieves and killers searching for the Mask of Life.