Many characters, some of whom weren't even sold as toys, who were featured in the 2001 Mata Nui On-Line Game. The developers were given instructions to focus on the side characters, since LEGO intended to feature the main toy characters in a PC game that was ultimately scrapped during development. The online game devs built up an entire little community and the quirks given to their characters left a lasting impression on fans. They include:
The game's main character Takua, who started out as a Featureless Protagonist (the devs just called him "George") but gained his own identity at the end. In 2003, he was the star of his own Direct to Video movie where he became one of the Toa heroes, Takanuva, and was released in both of his forms as a toy (as Takua and as Takanuva). In 2008, he returned as an upgraded "Titan"-sized toy, had an important role in the novels and online serials and had his own online blog that narrated the events from his POV. Takanuva was released again as a small Stars commemorative set in 2010 and his original 2001 Takua incarnation was released in 2023 as part of a BIONICLE-inspired gift set, built out of traditional LEGO System pieces this time.
The Matoran introduced in 2001-03 who later became the Toa Inika. When the story moved to the island Voya Nui in 2006, LEGO took six of the most popular Matoran characters (Jaller, Hahli, Hewkii, Kongu, Matoro and Nuparu) and turned them into Toa via space lightning rather than creating new Toa from scratch. They kept up their prominence in 2007 when the Toa Inika were upgraded to Toa Mahri with underwater gear.
The oddball, farting Kapura, the dimwitted but strong Taipu, the lofty sculptor Hafu, acrophobic tree-dweller Tamaru, and the taciturn Kopeke, who was later made Chronicler (after Takua and Hahli had become Toa) in a fan-poll. Of these, only Hafu and Kopeke were sold as toys: Hafu both in 2001 and 2003, and Kopeke only in 2003.
Equally significant is the 7th Piraka Vezon, a character who was an accidental clone of one of the other Piraka. He was the 2006 Big Bad, but his blend of wackiness and psychotic menace endeared him to fans, ensuring he would keep appearing in side stories, whether he was drafted to free an offscreen former Big Bad who defected pre-series, or simply went on madcap interdimensional adventures.
A very minor on-line game character called Tiribomba developed a small following, despite having done absolutely nothing to contribute to the plot. The reason for his popularity lies in his wicked awesome name.
All the promotional Good/Bad Guy freebie sets are generally seen as "So Bad, It's Good", but the 2006 version in particular became especially well-liked, partly due to embodying all that's wrong with these toys, and party for his appearances in the popular Reviving BionicleFan Film comedy series. So much so that he's become a meme years after the toy line had been canceled, and fans have been creating or even army-building their own versions of the Guy.
The Alley Viper figure from the original G.I. Joe line has a huge cult following amongst GI Joe fans, to such an extent that it was quickly re-released within two years of its initial run in circulation.
Same with the Crimson Guard figures; this was most notable during the GI Joe Vs Cobra/Valor Vs Venom years, when Hasbro built a new Crimson Guard mold and opted to not release as part of the regular series, opting to make the figure a Toys 'R Us exclusive. To ease fan anger, the figure was largely released in a series of army builder sets, meaning fans buying the figure could build their own units without having to buy multiple figures.
Mimic, a garish green unicorn from the 1980s My Little Pony line, reportedly did poorly in sales in her initial run. On today's second-hand market, prices soar. It's been speculated, though, that Mimic's poor initial sales are what made her so hard to come by, and are the reason for her value today. (Another likely reason is her odd color scheme, since there are very few green ponies.)
Firefly may be the queen of this trope. From the moment she was introduced, she was arguably the most popular of all the ponies. Even though she wasn't in much of the series, having one TV special before getting Put on a Bus, and having a reoccurring role in the British comics, she was depicted on a ton of merchandise. When Rescue from Midnight Castle was rereleased on video in the 1990s, it was renamed Firefly's Adventure, even though Megan is really the main character. Lauren Faust even based Rainbow Dash's personality on her. (She would have been Firefly if not for copyright issues).
Wind Whistler is the second most notable generation one pony after Firefly herself. Her stoic and logical personality contrasting with the happy-go-lucky others made her reactions to their usual antics hilarious to watch. Having a good amount of sarcasm and pointing out Fridge Logic at their expense.
Generation 1's Fizzy, with her bubbly personality, pretty much shares her popularity with Wind Whistler above.
Minty from the third generation line stood out as The Ditz, in an already eccentric cast of ponies. Her obsession with mints and collecting socks were seen as particularly endearing.
In the Thomas Wooden Railway range, the Troublesome Brakevan note which is actually a salt wagon sold poorly during its market run from 1993 to 1996, and was not very popular with other design personnel, according to Roy Wilson. As time went on, it became popular among adult Thomas Wooden Railway fans and collectors, perhaps due to its rarity, and its prices have soared on secondhand online retailers. Some TWR fans have even made their own custom models of it.
