Set:8539

Manas
Large Set
Set number	8539
Subtheme	Rahi
Release date	August 2001 (IN) July 2001 (AM)
Pieces	442
MSRP	$89.99 (US)
Ages	8+/9+
Instructions

Set 8539 Manas is a large boxed set released in 2001, portraying the Manas.

Product Description

The following is a product description taken directly from LEGO. View the source here

Evil guardians of Makuta! The Manas, fearsome giant crabs, guard Makuta's lair and can only hope to be defeated by Toa who have collected many masks of power. Make these mighty beasts compete in combat, with the victor disabling his opponent. Set includes two remote-control Manas measuring 9½" wide and two multi-channel handsets. Requires 3AA batteries - not included.

The following is a product description taken directly from LEGO. View the source here

Sworn enemies of the Toa, these bad-tempered giant crabs are always fighting each other as well. Use the remote control to get your crab into the best fight position, and then use its huge claw to tear off your opponent's mask! Two crabs and two control units in each set. Build the two together and you will have an even bigger beast.

Set Information

The set packaging

The Manas set was released in 2001 as one of the five Rahi sets. The set consists of 442 pieces.

Two Manas are built from the set. One of the Manas is black and yellow, while the other is white and orange. Later copies of the set swaps out a dark gray 1x15 technic liftarm used in the latter model with a with a white one. This change was addressed in an amendment sheet also included in the set.

An alternate model for the set also exists, depicting a Mana Ko, for which instructions were included in the orange model's manual.

Features

Each Manas contains a battery-powered motor brick. These motor bricks are each controlled by battery-powered infrared remote controls. A total of 12 AA batteries are needed to power the set, with 3 batteries per Manas, and 3 per controller. Batteries are not packaged with the set.

Each device has three frequencies, so three Manas can be controlled in an area at once. The controller has an additional fourth option to transmit on all three frequencies at once. The frequency can be set using a dial on each of the devices. Each controller also includes a detachable hook piece, the axle of which can be inserted into the dials on the devices, allowing them to be rotated more easily. If inactive for an extended period of time, the Manas will enter a sleep-mode to save on power, and must be manually activated again using the button marked ON. The ON button can be rotated similar to the dials, but this has no effect. The controllers do not have an on off switch.

The Manas are capable of punching their arms and moving around through use of the motors. The motor bricks contain two motors, each controlling one arm and one tread. The yellow buttons on the left side of the controller controls the left side of the motor, while the orange buttons on the right side control the right side of the motor. The top buttons make the treads move forward, while the bottom buttons make the treads move backwards. The arms move alongside the movement of the treads.

If a Manas's mask is knocked off, the "jaw" of the Manas drops, lifting it off the ground and making it incapable of moving, as if in injury.

The set includes four unused rubber bands.

Collectibles

Each Manas wears two masks. The black and yellow Manas wears two yellow Noble Komau, while the white and orange Manas wears two orange Noble Ruru.

Reception

8539 Manas's score on Brick Insights indicates average reviews. The set was lauded for its motorized action feature, unique to BIONICLE sets.

See also

• Gallery:Prototypes § 2001