Microman

A scan of the cover of aMicroman catalog from 1976.
Type	Action figure
Inventor(s)	Takara
Company	Takara/Takara Tomy
Country	Japan
Availability	1974–2007
Materials	Plastic/Die-cast

Microman (ミクロマン,Mikuroman) was ascience fiction toyline created, manufactured and marketed byTakara Co., Ltd. from 1974 to 1984 as well as from 1998 to 2007. TheMicroman line was a series of 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm)action figures with accompanying vehicles, robots, playsets and accessories. Unlike other toylines at the time,Microman figures were marketed as being the "actual" size ofcyborg beings called "Micros" that hailed from a fictional planet known as "Micro Earth" and disguised themselves as action figures while on planetEarth.^[1][2][3][4]

The core of theMicroman line consisted of 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm) 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 theMicroman toys used interchangeable 5-millimetre (0.20 in) connectors and ports that allowed parts to be transferred and connected between different toys.^{[5][page needed][6][7][unreliable source][8][9]}

TheMicroman toyline was licensed and released in the United States byMego Corporation as theMicronauts from 1976 to 1980.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Some of the transformingMicroman toys and vehicles from theMicro Change series created within the 1980sNew Microman toyline were licensed byHasbro, along with other similar transforming toys from Takara'sDiaclone toyline, in the 1980s to be a part of Hasbro'sTransformers toyline in the United States.^[14][15][16]

Takara first releasedMicroman toys in Japan in 1974 as a smaller version of their popular 8-inch-tall (20 cm) & 12-inch-tall (30 cm) 1972Henshin Cyborg (Transforming Cyborg) line.Henshin Cyborg figures were based on 8-inch-tall (20 cm) & 12-inch-tall (30 cm)Combat Joe figures — which themselves were based on Hasbro'sG.I. Joe figures — with their bodies molded in clear plastic, exposing their inner workings and supposed cybernetic parts.^{[5]: 6–96 [1][2][17]}

By downscaling their size, Takara sought to create theMicroman line to offset the sheer cost of producing a full line of plastic-based 8-inch-tall (20 cm) & 12-inch-tall (30 cm) figures and related playsets as well as acknowledging that basic living space is limited—and considered a premium—to most Japanese households. SmallerMicroman figures would not only cost less to produce during theenergy 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.^[3][4]

The first 1974 series of toys was calledMicroman Zone and included four figures and several vehicles such as theMIC-1 Space Buggy,MIC-2 Bulk Lifter,MIC-3 Sky Roader and theM115 Conning Tower Base. Additional vehicles were sold as "Micro-Kit Machine Series" sets which required assembly prior to use.^{[5]: 6–8 [18]}

Following the success of the first 1974Microman Zone series, Takara completely revamped and expanded theMicroman concept to be a stand-alone line on its own and not merely a smaller-scale version of theirHenshin Cyborg line. The former originalMicroman figures were now given sturdier "cybernetic feet" and all figures now contained standard 5-millimetre (0.20 in) ports which allowed for interchangeability between sets and figures. Takara also introduced a new line of die-cast figures dubbedSuper Steel Microman and a new line of "enemy" figures dubbed theAcroyears. Additionally, all figures were now identified by a new alphanumeric figure-type designation system—such asM10X,M11X,M12X,M20X,M21X,M22X, etc.—across the whole line as well being given formal, character names such asGeorge (M101),Jack (M102),Jesse (M103) andJohn (M104).^{[5]: 9–23 [19]}

In addition to new vehicles and figures such asSpy Magician (M13X & M14X), Takara introduced a new class of figure dubbed theTitans 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 asMicroman Jeeg,Robotman Gakeen andRobotman Mechadon) which helped expand Takara's line beyond its own in-house characters and opened the door to greater licensing opportunities for their designs.^{[5]: 24–27 [20]}

AMicroman manga was published inTV Magazine, a children's oriented magazine published byKodansha Ltd., in 1977. Takara also introduced theMicroman Command line in which each figure came in its own unique capsule case (shaped likeEaster Island figures, theStatue of Liberty, etc.) and included the first female figure,Lady Command (M18X), in the line.^{[5]: 50–60 [21]}

With the release ofStar Wars in 1977, the market for science fiction merchandise became increasingly filled with competing science fiction related products.^{[original research?]} New figures such as thePolice Keeper (M23X),Micro Knight MC-X andCosmo Satan Arden (A35X) built on the success of priorMicroman action figure releases. Takara's attempts to expand theMicroman line concept with theMicro Hoodman (H70X) and construction/building playsetPlay Build line of toys with the large-sizedBuild 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 controlHoodman spaceshipHoodman's RCB Noah, were cancelled.^{[5]: 61–70 [22]}

Takara attempted to revive the line with the newRescue Command series of toys and action figures. At the core of theRescue Command was the newRescue Secret Base and a new background story on theRescue Command that explained the whole "rescue" theme of the whole line.^{[5]: 71–75 [23]}

Takara moved away from releasing 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm) figures and instead concentrated on larger-sized toys, robots and sets that all contained some sort of "gimmick" to them. Gimmicks included theMicroman Punch (P.0X) figure whose arm could be wound up to "punch" andMicroman Blizzard (B-X) series of figures that contained a battery-powered fan.^{[5]: 76–77 [24]}

Below is a basic overview list documenting classicMicroman 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm) action figure releases from 1974 to 1980. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all classicMicroman releases/variants but rather a high-level overview of Takara's 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm)Microman line offerings.^{[25][26][27][28][29][30]}

While a line of newMicroman 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm) figures were released for the 1980New Microman line, their history was completely different from the figures that preceded them in the previousMicroman line. The new line consisted of 10Microman figures that came in molded capsules. There was now a greater focus on theMicro Robot series of toys as well as larger robot-oriented playsets.^{[5]: 98–128 [6][31]}

While a line of newMicroman 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm) figures were released for the 1980New Microman line, their history was completely different from the figures that preceded them in the previousMicroman line. The new line consisted of 10Microman figures that came in molded capsules. There was now a greater focus on theMicro Robot series of toys as well as larger robot-oriented playsets.^{[5]: 98–107 [32]}

Takara's focus of the 1982 line was on the newMicro Borg andMicro Robot toys. While theMicro Robot W Box Set came with aNew Microman M004 Eiji (Blue) figure, these figures were only available in the box set and not as individual figures.^{[5]: 108–109 [33]}

In 1983, Takara introduced a newMicroman toyline calledMicro Change. TheMicro Change toys were seemingly ordinary items, such as cassette tapes, a microscope, watches and even guns, that could change into other forms to helpMicroman in their fight against theAcroyears. While the focus of the line had shifted away from the originalMicroman action figures, Takara released one last figure, dubbedSalam (M011).^{[5]: 110–112 [34]}

1984 saw the end of theMicro Change/Microman line with no new figures released that year. After seeing the success Hasbro had combining Takara'sDiaclone andMicro Change lines into theTransformers toyline in the U.S. market, Takara decided to end both theDiaclone andMicro Change toylines and instead focus their efforts on releasing their own Japanese versions of theTransformers.^[35]

Below is a basic overview list documentingNew Microman 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm) action figure releases from 1981 to 1984. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of allNew Microman action figure releases/variants but rather a high-level overview of Takara's 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm)New Microman line offerings.^{[5]: 98–128 [6]}

From 1996 to 1997, a small Japanese hobby toy company named Romando acquired a provisional license from Takara to reissue vintageMicroman figures. This series was known as theMicroman 21 series since the release of these reissues coincided with the 21st anniversary of the originalMicroman series. Action figures reissued as a part of theMicroman 21 series were figures in theMicroman Command (M15x),Microman Command (M16x),Microman Rescue (M25x),Micro Knight MC-X,Spy Magician (M13X) lines of figures.^[36]

In 1999, Takara produced a whole new line ofMicroman toys and reissued olderMicroman figures. The newMicroman series was divided into two distinct lines: theMagne Powers andLED Powers series and theReplica Microman series based on the success of Romando's previous reissues under their brand name.^{[5]: 142–192 [37]}

TheReplica Microman series was mainly aimed at adult collectors and older fans of the original toyline. This series launched in 1998 with theMicroman Founder (M10X) series which reissued theMicroman (M10X) figures. That release was soon followed by the reissue of many other classicMicroman figures such asAcroyear (A30X),Spy Magician (M14X),Lady Command (M18X) and others. In addition to reissuing versions that adhered to the original, vintageMicroman 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^[38]

As the series progressed in the 2000s Takara continued to release moreReplica Microman reissues as well as even more limited edition and exclusive color variants. While increasing variety of available product, this resulted in theMicroman market becoming saturated with so many unsold, variants that by 2001 Takara decided to significantly scale back the release of theReplica Microman. By 2003 theReplica Microman series continued to put out releases but only on a very limited basis and mainly through Takara's e-Hobby Shop.^[39][40][41]

On December 26, 1998, Takara officially launched theMagne Powers series which was followed in 2000 by the companionLED Powers series. TheMagne Powers series andLED Powers series were designed for children with brand new toy designs and a new story line which included aMicroman anime series. In addition to the anime, Takara also commissioned manga serial forComic BomBom magazine.^{[5]: 142–176 [42][43]}

By 2000, Takara, which was dealing with financial issues, reduced their newLED Powers series to a few dozen of toys and canceled theMicroman anime series as well as the manga inComic BomBom magazine. Soon afterwards, Takara would put all of their newMicroman properties on indefinite hiatus.^[44]

In 2003, Takara decided to testMicroman market again with a brand new series of action figures calledMicroman 2003 which was aimed towards collectors and older fans.^{[5]: 210–219}

In the late 2000s, Takara expanded the overallMicroman brand andMicroman 2003 line to include various licensed brands, includingBatman (both comic based and fromBatman Begins),Superman (both comic based and fromSuperman Returns),Evangelion,Street Fighter,Godzilla,Alien vs Predator andKinnikuman. ASpider-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 aPredator figure.^{[5]: 210–219 [45]}

In the late 1970s, the U.S. toy companyMego acquired the license for some of Takara'sMicroman 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm) toys and released them in the United States as theMicronauts. Mego manufactured and marketedMicronaut toys from 1976 to 1980 prior to the company's bankruptcy and dissolution in 1982. After Mego's demise, other toy companies such asPalisades Toys andSOTA (State of the Art) Toys attempted to revive the toyline over the years.^[46][47]

In 1981, Takara produced a newMicroman line calledNew Microman. A few years later in 1983, Takara launched a newMicroman series within theNew Microman line dubbedMicro 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 helpMicroman in their fight against theAcroyears.^[32]

In 1984, Hasbro acquired the license for the transforming object toys from Takara'sMicro Change toyline as well as similar transforming Takara toys in theDiaclone toyline and the two were combined by Hasbro to create theTransformers toyline.^[35]

Below is a table showing whichTransformers were based on whichMicro Change toys and their variants:

In 1977,TV Magazine—a children's oriented magazine published byKodansha Ltd.—began publishing an official, Takara approved serializedMicromanmanga drawn by manga artist Yoshihiro Moritou. This serialized manga was compiled into six volumes released from 1978 to 1979. Additionally, a set of 30Menko cards featuring Moritou's manga versions ofMicroman characters and vehicles was released during that period as well.^[49][50][51]

By 1984, Takara was continuing the trend of focusing theirNew Microman line away from the core 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm)Microman action figures to robots and other items. Specifically, their new focus was on their line of transformable items in theMicro Change line. TechnicallyMicroman 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 1984Micro Change toyline such asMC-19: Binocular Robo Scope Man. Its purpose was to establish the new direction of theMicroman toyline and place the newMicro Change line in proper context within the largerMicroman universe. The manga portion of theMicroman Secret File Volume 1 contained artwork by Yoshihiro Moritou; the manga artist who created the original Kodansha TV Magazine manga in the 1970s.^{[52][53][unreliable source][54][unreliable source][55]}

Hasbro's newTransformers toyline and related storyline would supersede many of the concepts and ideas presented inMicroman Secret File Volume 1.^[52]

From October 1998 to December 1999,Comic BomBom serialized a new manga based on Takara's new 1998Magne Powers &LED PowersMicroman toylines drawn by manga artist Hisashi Matsumoto. This manga was subsequently compiled into stand-alone volumes and released byKodansha 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 asMicroman, hailing from the planet "Micro Earth" and were sent to Earth to help save the planet.^{[5]: 193–208}

AMicroman anime adaption was created byStudio Pierrot, based on the toys and the manga created by Hisashi Matsumoto and serialized inComic BomBom, and ran from January 4, 1999 to December 27, 1999 onTV Tokyo. The series was subsequently released on VHS and DVD byPioneer LDC. A companion theatrical movie based on the anime TV series was also released in 1999.^[56][57] APlayStation game related to the series,Chou Jiryoku Senshi Microman: Generation 2000, developed byBarnhouse Effect and published by Takara, was released in Japan on December 16, 1999.^[58]

Chiisana Kyojin Microman

APlayStation game based on the franchise, developed by Wavedge and published by Takara, released in Japan on March 11, 1999.^[59]

DreamMix TV World Fighters

Acrossoverfighting game featuring M121 Mason as a playable character (with other Microman characters available as alternate colors)

• 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

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