Description
The core of the ''Microman'' line consisted of action figures which were known for their high number of articulation points relative to other toys of similar size/scale in the 1970s. The toyline also included vehicles, robots, playsets and accessories. Many of the ''Microman'' toys used interchangeable connectors and ports that allowed parts to be transferred and connected between different toys. The ''Microman'' toyline was licensed and released in the United States by Mego Corporation as the ''Micronauts'' from 1976–1980. Some of the transforming ''Microman'' toys and vehicles from the ''Micro Change'' series created within the 1980s ''New Microman'' toyline were licensed by Hasbro, along with other similar transforming toys from Takara's Diaclone toyline, in the 1980s to be a part of Hasbro's ''Transformers (toy line), Transformers'' toyline in the United States.History
Classic Microman (1974–1980)
Takara first released ''Microman'' toys in Japan in 1974 as a smaller version of their popular & 1972 ''Henshin Cyborg'' (Transforming Cyborg) line. ''Henshin Cyborg'' figures were based on & ''Combat Joe'' figures — which themselves were based on Hasbro's G.I. Joe figures — with their bodies molded in clear plastic, exposing their inner workings and supposed cybernetic parts. By downscaling their size, Takara sought to create the ''Microman'' line to offset the sheer cost of producing a full line of plastic-based & figures and related playsets as well as acknowledging that basic living space is limited—and considered a premium—to most Japanese households. Smaller ''Microman'' figures would not only cost less to produce during the 1970s energy crisis, energy crisis of the 1970s, the line's smaller scale would also take up less physical space in a household and thus be more attractive to space conscious consumers in the Japanese market.Microman Zone (1974)
The first 1974 series of toys was called ''Microman Zone'' and included four figures and several vehicles such as the ''MIC-1 Space Buggy'', ''MIC-2 Bulk Lifter'', ''MIC-3 Sky Roader'' and the ''M115 Conning Tower Base''. Additional vehicles were sold as "Micro-Kit Machine Series" sets which required assembly prior to use.Project Victory (1975)
Following the success of the first 1974 ''Microman Zone'' series, Takara completely revamped and expanded the ''Microman'' concept to be a stand-alone line on its own and not merely a smaller-scale version of their ''Henshin Cyborg'' line. The former original ''Microman'' figures were now given sturdier "cybernetic feet" and all figures now contained standard ports which allowed for interchangeability between sets and figures. Takara also introduced a new line of die-cast figures dubbed ''Super Steel Microman'' and a new line of "enemy" figures dubbed the ''Acroyears''. Additionally, all figures were now identified by a new alphanumeric figure-type designation system—such as ''M10X'', ''M11X'', ''M12X'', ''M20X'', ''M21X'', ''M22X'', etc.—across the whole line as well being given formal, character names such as ''George (M101)'', ''Jack (M102)'', ''Jesse (M103)'' and ''John (M104)''.Spy Magician (1976)
In addition to new vehicles and figures such as ''Spy Magician (M13X & M14X)'', Takara introduced a new class of figure dubbed the ''Titans'' which employed a magnetic ball/joint system that allowed for a new level of interchangeability between toys. Japanese pop-culture character tie-in toys were also released (such as ''Steel Jeeg, Microman Jeeg'', ''Magne Robo Gakeen, Robotman Gakeen'' and ''Robotman Mechadon'') which helped expand Takara's line beyond its own in-house characters and opened the door to greater licensing opportunities for their designs.Microman Command (1977)
A ''Microman'' manga was published in ''TV Magazine'', a children’s oriented magazine published by Kodansha, Kodansha Ltd., in 1977. Takara also introduced the ''Microman Command'' line in which each figure came in its own unique capsule case (shaped like Easter Island figures, the Statue of Liberty, etc.) and included the first female figure, ''Lady Command (M18X)'', in the line.Police Keeper (1978)
With the release of ''Star Wars (film), Star Wars'' in 1977, the market for science fiction merchandise became increasingly filled with competing science fiction related products. New figures such as the ''Police Keeper (M23X)'', ''Micro Knight MC-X'' and ''Cosmo Satan Arden (A35X)'' built on the success of prior ''Microman'' action figure releases. Takara’s attempts to expand the ''Microman'' line concept with the ''Micro Hoodman (H70X)'' and construction/building playset ''Play Build'' line of toys with the large-sized ''Build Base'' playset were not well received. Lack of a positive response to the new line was strong enough that previously announced toys in the line, such as the remote control ''Hoodman'' spaceship ''Hoodman's RCB Noah'', were cancelled.Rescue Command (1979)
Takara attempted to revive the line with the new ''Rescue Command'' series of toys and action figures. At the core of the ''Rescue Command'' was the new ''Rescue Secret Base'' and a new background story on the ''Rescue Command'' that explained the whole "rescue" theme of the whole line.Punch & Blizzard Man (1980)
Takara moved away from releasing figures and instead concentrated on larger-sized toys, robots and sets that all contained some sort of "gimmick" to them. Gimmicks included the ''Microman Punch (P.0X)'' figure whose arm could be wound up to "punch" and ''Microman Blizzard (B-X)'' series of figures that contained a battery-powered fan.''Microman'' action figures (1974–1980)
Below is a basic overview list documenting classic ''Microman'' action figure releases from 1974 to 1980. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all classic ''Microman'' releases/variants but rather a high-level overview of Takara’s ''Microman'' line offerings.New Microman (1981–1984)
While a line of new ''Microman'' figures were released for the 1980 ''New Microman'' line, their history was completely different from the figures that preceded them in the previous ''Microman'' line. The new line consisted of 10 ''Microman'' figures that came in molded capsules. There was now a greater focus on the ''Micro Robot'' series of toys as well as larger robot-oriented playsets.New Microman (1981)
While a line of new ''Microman'' figures were released for the 1980 ''New Microman'' line, their history was completely different from the figures that preceded them in the previous ''Microman'' line. The new line consisted of 10 ''Microman'' figures that came in molded capsules. There was now a greater focus on the ''Micro Robot'' series of toys as well as larger robot-oriented playsets.Micro Robot (1982)
Takara’s focus of the 1982 line was on the new ''Micro Borg'' and ''Micro Robot'' toys. While the ''Micro Robot W Box Set'' came with a ''New Microman M004 Eiji (Blue)'' figure, these figures were only available in the box set and not as individual figures.Micro Change (1983)
In 1983, Takara introduced a new ''Microman'' toyline called ''Micro Change''. The ''Micro Change'' toys were seemingly ordinary items, such as cassette tapes, a microscope, watches and even guns, that could change into other forms to help ''Microman'' in their fight against the ''Acroyears''. While the focus of the line had shifted away from the original ''Microman'' action figures, Takara released one last figure, dubbed ''Salam (M011)''.Micro Change to Transformers (1984)
1984 saw the end of the ''Micro Change''/''Microman'' line with no new figures released that year. After seeing the success Hasbro had combining Takara’s ''Diaclone'' and ''Micro Change'' lines into the ''Transformers'' toyline in the U.S. market, Takara decided to end both the ''Diaclone'' and ''Micro Change'' toylines and instead focus their efforts on releasing their own Japanese versions of the ''Transformers''.New Microman action figures (1981–1984)
Below is a basic overview list documenting ''New Microman'' action figure releases from 1981 to 1984. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all ''New Microman'' action figure releases/variants but rather a high-level overview of Takara’s ''New Microman'' line offerings.Microman 21 Series (1996–1997)
From 1996 to 1997, a small Japanese hobby toy company named Romando acquired a provisional license from Takara to reissue vintage ''Microman'' figures. This series was known as the ''Microman 21'' series since the release of these reissues coincided with the 21st anniversary of the original ''Microman'' series. Action figures reissued as a part of the ''Microman 21'' series were figures in the ''Microman Command (M15x)'', ''Microman Command (M16x)'', ''Microman Rescue (M25x)'', ''Micro Knight MC-X'', ''Spy Magician (M13X)'' lines of figures.Micro Millennium Series (1998–2003)
In 1999, Takara produced a whole new line of ''Microman'' toys and reissued older ''Microman'' figures. The new ''Microman'' series was divided into two distinct lines: the ''Magne Powers'' and ''LED Powers'' series and the ''Replica Microman'' series based on the success of Romando’s previous reissues under their brand name..Replica Microman (1998–2003)
The ''Replica Microman'' series was mainly aimed at adult collectors and older fans of the original toyline. This series launched in 1998 with the ''Microman Founder (M10X)'' series which reissued the ''Microman (M10X)'' figures. That release was soon followed by the reissue of many other classic ''Microman'' figures such as ''Acroyear (A30X)'', ''Spy Magician (M14X)'', ''Lady Command (M18X)'' and others. In addition to reissuing versions that adhered to the original, vintage ''Microman'' color combinations, Takara also released several newly created, limited edition color variants with new character names and designations to add to the canon of the old series As the series progressed in the 2000s Takara continued to release more ''Replica Microman'' reissues as well as even more limited edition and exclusive color variants. While increasing variety of available product, this resulted in the ''Microman'' market becoming saturated with so many unsold, variants that by 2001 Takara decided to significantly scale back the release of the ''Replica Microman''. By 2003 the ''Replica Microman'' series continued to put out releases but only on a very limited basis and mainly through Takara’s e-Hobby Shop.Magne Powers & LED Powers (1998–2000)
On December 26, 1998, Takara officially launched the ''Magne Powers'' series which was followed in 2000 by the companion ''LED Powers'' series. The ''Magne Powers'' series and ''LED Powers'' series were designed for children with brand new toy designs and a new story line which included a ''Microman'' anime series. In addition to the anime, Takara also commissioned manga serial for Comic BomBom magazine. By 2000, Takara, which was dealing with financial issues, reduced their new ''LED Powers'' series to a few dozen of toys and canceled the ''Microman'' anime series as well as the manga in Comic BomBom magazine. Soon afterwards, Takara would put all of their new ''Microman'' properties on indefinite hiatus.Microman Force Series (2003–2007)
In 2003, Takara decided to test ''Microman'' market again with a brand new series of action figures called ''Microman 2003'' which was aimed towards collectors and older fans. In the late 2000s, Takara expanded the overall ''Microman'' brand and ''Microman 2003'' line to include various licensed brands, including Batman (both comic based and from ''Batman Begins''), ''Superman'' (both comic based and from ''Superman Returns''), ''Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, Evangelion'', ''Street Fighter'', ''Godzilla'', ''Alien vs Predator'' and ''Kinnikuman''. A ''Spider-Man'' toy was announced at one point and a photograph of a prototype does exist. However, the figure was never produced, and its product number was assigned to a Predator (alien), Predator figure.''Microman'' toyline influence outside Japan
''Micronauts'' (1976–1980)
In the late 1970s, the U.S. toy company Mego Corporation, Mego acquired the license for some of Takara’s ''Microman'' toys and released them in the United States as the ''Micronauts''. Mego manufactured and marketed ''Micronaut'' toys from 1976 to 1980 prior to the company’s bankruptcy and dissolution in 1982. After Mego’s demise, other toy companies such as Palisades Toys and SOTA Toys, SOTA (State of the Art) Toys attempted to revive the toyline over the years.''Transformers'' (1984–present)
In 1981 Takara produced a new ''Microman'' line called ''New Microman''. A few years later in 1983, Takara launched a new ''Microman'' series within the ''New Microman'' line dubbed ''Micro Change''. The line featured toys that were seemingly ordinary items (such as cassette tapes, microscopes, watches and even guns) that could transform themselves and "change" into other forms to help ''Microman'' in their fight against the ''Acroyears''. In 1984 Hasbro acquired the license for the transforming object toys from Takara’s ''Micro Change'' toyline as well as similar transforming Takara toys in the ''Diaclone'' toyline and the two were combined by Hasbro to create the ''Transformers'' toyline. Below is a table showing which ''Transformers'' were based on which ''Micro Change'' toys and their variants:''Microman'' related anime & manga
''Microman'' Kodansha TV Magazine manga (1978–79)
In 1977 ''TV Magazine''—a children’s oriented magazine published by Kodansha, Kodansha Ltd.—began publishing an official, Takara approved serialized ''Microman'' manga drawn by manga artist Yoshihiro Moritou. This serialized manga was compiled into six volumes released from 1978 to 1979. Additionally, a set of 30 Menko cards featuring Moritou’s manga versions of ''Microman'' characters and vehicles was released during that period as well.''Microman Secret File Volume 1'' catalog and manga (1984)
By 1984 Takara was continuing the trend of focusing their ''New Microman'' line away from the core ''Microman'' action figures to robots and other items. Specifically, their new focus was on their line of transformable items in the ''Micro Change'' line. Technically ''Microman Secret File Volume 1'' was not a traditional, stand-alone manga one could purchase on their own; it was a combination catalog and manga that was packaged with a few of the new toys in the 1984 ''Micro Change'' toyline such as ''MC-19: Binocular Robo Scope Man''. Its purpose was to establish the new direction of the ''Microman'' toyline and place the new ''Micro Change'' line in proper context within the larger ''Microman'' universe. The manga portion of the ''Microman Secret File Volume 1'' contained artwork by Yoshihiro Moritou; the manga artist who created the original Kodansha TV Magazine manga in the 1970s. Hasbro’s new ''Transformers'' toyline and related storyline would supersede many of the concepts and ideas presented in ''Microman Secret File Volume 1''.''Microman: The Small Giant'' Comic BomBom manga (1998–1999)
From October 1998 to December 1999 ''Comic BomBom'' serialized a new manga based on Takara’s new 1998 ''Magne Powers'' & ''LED Powers'' ''Microman'' toylines drawn by manga artist Hisashi Matsumoto. This manga was subsequently compiled into stand-alone volumes and released by Kodansha, Kodansha Ltd. The plot focused on a school boy who receives a package that contains five small action figures that begin to move on their own and start to talk to him. They introduce themselves as ''Microman'', hailing from the planet "Micro Earth" and were sent to Earth to help save the planet.''Microman: The Small Giant'' Studio Pierrot anime (1999)
A ''Microman'' anime adaption was created by Pierrot (company), Studio Pierrot, based on the toys and the manga created by Hisashi Matsumoto and serialized in ''Comic BomBom'', and ran from January 4, 1999 to December 27, 1999 on TV Tokyo. The series was subsequently released on VHS and DVD by Pioneer LDC. A companion theatrical movie based on the anime TV series was released in 1999 as well.References
{{Transformers 1998 manga 1999 anime television series debuts 1970s toys 1980s toys 1990s toys 2000s toys Action figures Kodansha manga Mass media franchises introduced in 1974 Pierrot (company) Takara video games Takara Tomy Takara Tomy franchises Transforming toy robots TV Tokyo original programming 1974 establishments in Japan