Tahu, also called Tahu Nuva, was the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva of Fire. Bold and hot-headed, Tahu served as the leader of the Toa Mata/Toa Nuva, a team of Toa that fought against Makuta Teridax to awaken the Great Spirit Mata Nui. After arriving on the island of Mata Nui with no memory of his past, Tahu worked with the other Toa Mata to defend the island's villagers from several threats from Makuta Teridax over the course of a year, transforming into a more powerful Toa Nuva form in the process. After the rediscovery of Metru Nui, the Toa Nuva learned that the Great Spirit Mata Nui was not only asleep, but dying, and journeyed to Voya Nui to retrieve the Mask of Life. After being captured by the Piraka upon arrival and later rescued, the Toa Nuva journeyed throughout the Matoran universe performing tasks to prepare for Mata Nui's awakening while another team of Toa retrieved the mask. Afterwards, the Toa Nuva received adaptive armor from Artakha and were sent to Karda Nui, where they fought against members of the Brotherhood of Makuta and fulfilled their destiny by awakening Mata Nui. However, Makuta Teridax exploited their success to take control of the Matoran universe, and the Toa Nuva spent a year coordinating resistance efforts to his reign. This struggle culminated in a battle between Makuta Teridax and Mata Nui on the surface of Bara Magna; during this battle, the Mask of Life reverted Tahu to his Toa Mata form so he could use the golden armor against Teridax's Rahkshi, which gave Mata Nui the upper hand at a critical moment and allowed him to defeat Teridax. After Mata Nui restored the planet Spherus Magna, Tahu worked with inhabitants of Spherus Magna to build a new society.
Notes
Tahu was the Toa of Fire and wielder of the Sword of Fire. He wore the Kanohi Hau, the Mask of Shielding, which protected him from many attacks.3
Of all the Toa Nuva, Tahu Nuva most welcomed his new power. Now he felt even more confident that he could protect Ta-Koro from any danger. When trouble threatened, his magma swords could be joined together to form a lava board that carried him swiftly over the magma flows. He wore the Hau Nuva, which he used to protect his people against any harm.4
Tahu Nuva's color was red, his element was fire, and his village was Ta-Koro. He had the ability to create fire, melt any substance, and withstand extreme heat. His tools were two magma swords that could channel his power; they could also be joined together to form a lava board for surfing on molten magma. His mask was the Kanohi Hau Nuva, the Great Mask of Shielding.5
Tahu Nuva's bravery and strength made him the leader of the Toa. His temper was as legendary as his powers, but he tried hard to keep it in check. He was fearless and would challenge any foe to protect his village and his people.5
After losing his elemental powers, Tahu Nuva could only manage to make his magma sword smoke weakly instead of summoning its usual flickering flame. His ability to withstand intense heat also disappeared along with his other elemental powers, so he was vulnerable to the heat of lava created by Pahrak-Kal.6
Tahu Nuva could stop a fire by drawing the flames into his swords.7
Tahu always liked Lewa, even if their ideas about being a Toa were very different. Lewa saw it as fun and adventure, Tahu as a serious task. However, much changed in the few weeks leading up to their search for the Kanohi Nuva: Lewa taken over by the Bohrok, the Toa Nuva splitting apart, the loss of all their powers. Tahu was no longer certain whom or what he could trust.7
Nothing was known about Tahu's history prior to his first appearance on the island of Mata Nui.8, 9
Tahu was the master of heat and flame. In his time on Mata Nui, he created everything from small brush fires to raging infernos, used his flame to fuse a wall of sand into glass, superheated the air in an enclosed space until it caused an explosion, and created cages and other structures made of flame. In theory, he also had the ability to absorb all heat and flame in an area into himself, although he never demonstrated this skill. He had a natural resistance to extreme heat. He was also an accomplished lava surfer.8
Tahu took being a leader extremely seriously. This often caused him to be impatient with the other Toa, too quick to take on dangerous tasks, and disinclined to include his comrades in strategy sessions. He was very protective of the other Toa, especially Gali. On the other hand, he had a habit of plunging into risky situations without waiting for a plan. He could be fierce, short-tempered, and stubborn, but he was an extremely brave and loyal Toa.8
As a Toa Mata, Tahu carried a fire sword. As a Toa Nuva, he carried twin magma swords.8 Tahu wore the Kanohi Hau when he first appeared on Mata Nui, which was the mask he most often wore.10, 8 As Tahu Nuva, he most often wore the more powerful Hau Nuva.11, 8 He was the only one of his team to wear the Kanohi Vahi.8
Leader of the Toa Nuva, Tahu used his his power of fire, Mask of Shielding, and rotating blades to fight his way through to the mysterious heart of the swamp of Karda Nui.12
Toa Mata of Fire, Tahu was made leader of the team by the Order of Mata Nui. Like the other Toa, Tahu's memories were badly confused when he arrived on the island of Mata Nui. His instincts led to his becoming leader of the team there as well, although he frequently clashed with Kopaka, who objected to Tahu's recklessness and impatient nature. His tendency to act without planning first led him into some very dangerous situations, including being trapped in a Bohrok nest. Still, no one could question his bravery or his commitment to the Toa's mission.13
As a Toa Mata, Tahu wore the Kanohi Hau, the Mask of Shielding, and carried a fire sword. He merged with Onua and Pohatu to form Toa Kaita Akamai during the first battle with Makuta Teridax.13
Although the transformation into a Toa Nuva made Tahu more powerful, it did not help his temper. He argued with Kopaka, which led to the break-up of the team. The lack of unity would prove costly as the Toa Nuva suffered attacks by both the Bohrok-Kal and the Rahkshi. As a Toa Nuva, Tahu wore the Nuva version of the Hau and was able to share its shielding power with others. He carried twin magma swords.14
Returning to Karda Nui was particularly difficult for Tahu Nuva. Of all the Toa, only he had clear memories of their last visit there, when he tricked the others into remaining in the Codrex for 100,000 years. It was not something he was proud of, although he knew it had to be done. Had the Toa been out adventuring during that time and one of them had been killed, they might never have achieved their destiny and awakened Mata Nui. Tahu Nuva wore adaptive armor provided to him by Artakha. It was equipped with four powerful jet rockets for speed. He carried an adaptive weapon which took the form of a Nynrah ghost blaster, capable of creating any object the user willed out of pure energy. He was also armed with a rotating fire blade. He wore the Kanohi Hau Nuva, the Mask of Shielding. At the end of story year 2008, Tahu Nuva had returned to Metru Nui. He was then in overall command of all surviving Toa in the universe.15
Tahu was destined to wear the powerful golden armor and strike a blow for the freedom of two worlds.16
Artakha would be able to replace the Kanohi Nuva Tahu lost with Ta-Koro.17
During the Mask of Light storyline, Tahu's main reason for wanting the team to split up was that he was sick of fighting with Kopaka all the time. He felt he could handle everything better on his own, and he lost sight of unity. Kopaka's arguments with Tahu were not about wanting to keep the team together, they were about him not liking Tahu.18
Kanohi Found
- Hau
- Original mask.
- Akaku
- The first mask found by Tahu. Found in the deepest cavern of Onu-Wahi, guarded by small, fiery scorpions.
- Miru
- Retrieved for Tahu by Onua, Kopaka, and Gali after the Toa agreed to work together. Found underwater off the shoreline just south of Po-Wahi, guarded by a Tarakava.
- Kaukau
- The last mask found by the Toa Mata. Found in the drifts of lower Mount Ihu, guarded by a Rahi.