Microman arden serial#
Microman arden series#
Microman arden tv#

Another reason for Microman popularity was the interchangeable concept. Kids not only played with Microman figures but they became part of Microman world. Microman figures were market as a real cyborg being from planet Micro Earth that disguised themselves as toys. Also unlike other toys line at the time, Microman figures were the 'actual' size of the real thing. Takara, long before Kenner Star Wars line, pioneered the concept of small plastic action-figures. Microman popularity was, of course, due to their size.

And several new Microman types were released that had very little resemblance to the Henshin Cyborg. The bare feet were soon replaced with cybernetic looking feet. Microman Zone proved to be popular and by its second year Microman line began to take on its own identity and separated itself from the influence of the Henshin Cyborg line.

Microman arden series#

The first series Microman, Microman Zone, included four Microman figures and several vehicles in kit form that must be assembled.

Moritou, became very popular with kids and Microman toys became one of the most successful toy line for Takara. Microman comic (manga), drawn and written by the late Mr.

Microman arden serial#

It was not until 1976 that Takara commissioned comic serial for the line that ran in 'TV Magazine' (a Japanese comic magazine). Microman 'catarog' became the source of information for kids and many spend hours looking at all the Microman toys and read the story in these tiny micro catalogs. The story for the line at first was mainly provided by the mini-size 'catarog' that came with the toys.

Microman arden tv#

Unlike most other Japanese toys lines, Microman series was not based on a particular TV show or anime. Moritou's works, not only brought Takara then little known sci-fi toys line to life but also introduced them to a whole generation of kids growing up during the late 1970's. The manga was one of the main driving force behind the popularity of Microman line. (This was mainly the reason for the clear plastic body, chrome head and chest plate on the first series Microman figures.) The original marketing concept was to make Microman a miniature version of the Henshin Cyborg so this way variety of playset and vehicles could be produced for them at reasonable price, since the cost to design and produced vehicles and playset for the 12' dolls was very prohibitive not to mention would not be very practical for Japanese market where living space was a premium and parents were never too keen on large size toys that take up a lot of room. Henshin Cyborg was Combat Joe body molded in clear plastic to expose the gleaming inner cybernetic implants and the 'atomic engine'. Takara's Henshin (Transforming) Cyborg was actually a spin off from Takara Combat Joe line, which interestingly was a licensed product from another popular well known dolls for boy - the GI Joe. Microman toys were first released in 1974 by a Japanese toy company TAKARA as a smaller 10cm version their popular 8' & 12' fully articulated doll line - the Henshin Cyborg which was debuted in 1972. Takara continued with the successful Micro Change series but the changing of the guard was inevitable. The 'transformation' for Microman series began with the Micro Change series. Micro Robot series became the main focus of the new line. Takara reset the line and re-launch the series under the New Microman banner.

The last year of the original series saw the shift in the line to more robot like look and larger figures. This year saw updated of old favorites like the Tower Base and Robotman 2. Takara 'rescue' attempt for the series with the Rescue Team Microman. Takara tried new design and direction for the series with the released of Hoodman and Arden.

The line finally came into its own during the third year with new figures and the classic Microman Transfer Fortress.Ī watershed year for Microman series, this year saw some of the best toys for the line. Second year saw more Microman and several new sub series such as the Acroyears, Titans and Victory series. First year included the Founder Microman, Micro Kit Machines and Conning Tower.