Kopaka (2001)



"Not luck. It's what you do that makes you a hero."

- Kopaka

Kopaka was the Toa Mata of Ice on the island of Mata Nui.

Toa Mata
Very little is known about Kopaka before his life on Mata Nui, if he even had one. What was thought was that Kopaka and the other Toa Mata fell from the sky in Toa Canisters when the Great Shadow fell. However, Turaga Dume has revealed that they were actually shot up into the sky and fell down into the ocean. They were originally intended to land on Mata Nui, then make their way to Metru Nui and reverse Mata Nui's sleep. However, something went wrong, and the canisters just floated in the ocean for a thousand years. It wasn't until Takua collected the Toa Stones of Mata Nui that the Toa were summoned to Mata Nui's shores.

Kopaka first awoke when his canister blasted open when Takua summoned the six Toa. After piecing himself together, he met Matoro, whom Kopaka thought was an enemy. Matoro told Kopaka of his quest and about collecting the 5 other Kanohi Masks. As they walk onward a Nui-Rama attacked them, causing Matoro to fall over the edge, but being the quick wit Kopaka is, he smoothingly saved Matoro. Nuju saw this brave deed at began to tell Kopaka more about his quest. Kopaka, Nuju, and Matoro then split up and Kopaka departed to find his mask at "the place of far-seeing". While climbing on up a mountain, Kopaka met Pohatu, who accidentally crushed him while practicing. Undaunted, Kopaka went on, and reluctantly allowed Pohatu to tag along. After reaching the top and finding a Great Hau, Kopaka noticed 4 strange beings of great power (the Toa). Kopaka and Pohatu defeat a Kane-Ra together on their way to the other Toa and the Toa all officially meet for the first time. But they went their separate ways to search for more Kanohi. After Kopaka found more masks, Onua called another meeting for the Toa. They decided to work together just as Makuta launched an attack. Kopaka and Gali defeat a Muaka, while the other Toa defeat other Rahi/obstacles. Once again the Toa split up to complete their mask collecting and once again they regroup at Kini-Nui. There Kopaka recieved his Golden Kanohi and the Toa enter the path to Makuta's lair, the Mangaia. On their way the Toa encounter Manas, and Gali and Kopaka agreed based on their visions that the Toa should combine form with Lewa, to become a Toa Kaita. They defeated the Manas then the Shadow Toa. Then after a hard battle, the Toa worked together to defeat Makuta. Kopaka along with the other Toa were transported back to the surface after their victory.

Toa Nuva
As Kopaka Nuva, his powers have made him even colder and more remote than the mountain upon which he lives. His Ice Blade can be split in two to form power ice skates that let him rip through the ice and snow. He wears Akaku Nuva, which can be used to keep watch on all of Ko-Wahi from the top of Mount Ihu.

Voya Nui
Kopaka eventually arrived on Voya Nui by a Toa Canister similar to the ones they arrived on Mata Mui. Upon arrival, Tahu insist that they begin searching for the Ignika near Mt. Valmai. While journeying to there, the Toa encountered the Piraka and a great battle began. Kopaka found himself fighting with Avak, and later got encased in a fire cell. Kopaka tried to escape but everytime he tried to freeze the fire, it heated up and he eventually fell unconcious. Zaktan, the leader of the Piraka, ordered the other Piraka to throw him and the other Toa Nuva into Mt. Valmai, the active volcano. When the Piraka were just about to throw the Toa into their doom, an eruption occured and the Piraka ran away. They defended themselves with what they could. But still the lava caught Kopaka on surprise, badly scorching his right leg. If it was not for the other Toa's help, he could have died. Then the Toa were able to make a clean get-away, but only to come face to face with the Voya Nui Resistance Team. Thinking that the Nuva were just more Piraka calling themselves Toa, they attacked the weaken Toa. After a while of trying to not kill the Matoran, Kopaka just got fed up. Now fueled with rage, he went on to turn the tables. While not showing any pain from all the hits he took, Kopaka froze three of the Matoran, leaving Garan and Dalu alone. In the nick of time Balta came and told them that the Toa Nuva were real Toa. In the end, the Matoran and the Nuva aligned themselves together and tried to raid the Piraka's base. However, Brutaka arrived and defeated the Nuva and the Matoran with one blow. Kopaka, along with the other Toa Nuva, were captured and put a chamber beneath the stronghold. Infected with Antidermis, They were then told to drain their elemental powers. However, the Voya Nui Resistance Team found them, and gave them back their weapons and masks. They also told them of the arrival of the Toa Inika, who the Toa Nuva were shocked to learn were Matoran from Mata Nui. Shortly after meeting the Toa Inika, the Toa Nuva decided to return to Metru Nui while the Toa Inika went to retrive the Ignika.