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Original Microman Series 1979 Rescue Team Microman |
Rescue Team |
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1974 The first year included the Founder Microman, Micro Kit Machines, and Conning Tower.
1975 The second year saw more Microman and several new sub-series such as the Acroyears, Titans, and Victory series.
1976 The line finally came into its own during the third year with new figures and the classic Microman Transfer Fortress.
1977 A watershed year for the Microman series, this year saw some of the best toys for the line.
1978 Takara tried new designs and directions for the series with the release of Hoodman and Arden. 1979 Takara's "rescue" attempt for the line with the Rescue Team Microman. This year also saw an update of the old favorite like the New Tower Base.
1980 The last year of the original series saw the shift in the line to a more robot-like look and larger figures.
New Microman Series 1981 Takara reset the line and relaunched the series under the New Microman banner. 1982 Micro Robot series became the main focus of the new line. Takara also tried to cash in on the "pla-mo" popularity with Real Type and Micro Borg. 1983 The "transformation" for the Microman series began with the Micro Change series. 1984 Takara continued with the successful Micro Change series but the changing of the guard was inevitable. |
In 1979, Takara tried to rejuvenate the Microman line with a new series aptly named Microman Rescue. The new Rescue Series came on the heel of last year's Microman Police Keeper series, actually several Rescue toys were released along with last year's Police Keeper. Rescue Microman was the logical next step for the Police Keeper. The figures were even more streamlined with bright colors and a more "modern" look.
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Rescue Crew Story In 19XX, Amazon Acroyear was found to be responsible for the depletion of resources in the Amazon Rain Forest. Microman Police Keeper found that the Amazon monsters were Acroyear Presidents that were modified by Satan Arden. Microman began to expedite the plan to build the Secret Base in Mt. Fuji. The Secret Base was divided into three different sectors each with four subsections. They are known by their acronyms as CRIM, SHED and GLFT.
Rescue Microman Origin (2002) In the year 19XX, at the oil field in America, a new geologic investigation was being done. Microman M25X were revived from the soil sample taken from the site. An asteroid and a comet (remnants of Micro Earth catastrophic explosion) collided with earth and created a crater. The rock structure and stratum changed and turned into mineral bed rich with oil and uranium by the energy from the collision. Many Microman were trapped in these asteroids when Micro Earth exploded and now they ended up on Earth inside these craters. M102 Chief Jack became aware of this phenomenon and started to investigate every regional underground resources worldwide and search these craters by irradiated them with Spectrum MX ray in hope of reviving these Microman. M28X Microman were revived from crater in Germany, M26X were found in a Canadian crater and M27X came from crater in southern Africa. There were no mining in these energy rich craters but the underground resources began to deplete. Microman Police Keeper investigated and found that this was an act of Acroyears. Microman M251 Robin was shaking with anger that the Acroyears were invading these areas where he was revived and once part of Micro Earth which could caused major damage and endanger human being. Since other Microman were busy building the new Rescue Secret Base at Mt. Fuji, Microman M251 Robin decided to organize a troop to stand up against the Acroyear incursion by enlisting those Microman that were revived from these energy-rich crater and gave birth to Microman Rescue Team. |
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The year-running theme was these new Rescue Microman figures and their newly built Microman Secret Base. In the story, Microman had moved their base of operation to Mt. Fuji and constructed a secret base. The line took the then-popular theme of a secret agency or organization and turned Microman into a "micro-organization" bent on saving the world from Acroyear and Arden. Old Microman types were divided into different sections and each was tasked with a specific job. The Rescue Microman were a team of Microman that was specifically tasked with protecting and rescuing people from disaster around the globe.
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While the series had a well-thought-out storyline and mission, Rescue Microman was one of the few Microman that did not come with the background-origin story. Little was told about their origin which led to speculation (much later) by fans that these were humans that were shrunk down to Microman size and joined the Microman in their battle to save Earth. However, in 2002, Takara reissued Rescue Team Microman for their Replica Microman line and for the first time gave background story to these Rescue Microman. (See sidebar) |
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This year's playset focus was on various Rescue vehicles and Rescue Secret Base. Takara also released several deluxe figure play sets such as the Cosmo Roller and Rescue Power-up set. The old favorite - the Conning Tower Base, like the Robotman toy, also got an updated look and was sold as Rescue Microman New Tower Base. The Acroyears did not get any major additions only two new types were released this year and both were retooled of previous toys. ( The new Amazon Acroyears were retooled of President Acroyear and New Acroyear were retooled of the first series Acroyear A30X Type.) Takara also released small wind-up Servo Machines toys which many saw as a precursor to the upcoming Diaclone series. This was the first signal by Takara that they had been toying with the idea of even smaller scale sci-fi figures series |
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CRIM COMMAND AREA - under Chief Officer M111 Bobson. This subsection consisted of Space, navy, army and air command units. Made up mostly of Microman Commands. RESCUE AREA - under Chief Officer M112 Barns. This subsection conduct rescue activities of Microman to protect earth from the Acroyear. It consists of Rescue and Police Keeper Microman. The Rescue Area which is a subsection of CRIM sector is also responsible for stopping the Acroyear plan of building "Acrotopia". Rescue section of CRIM consisted of Police Keeper and the newly arrived Microman Rescue. They were assign in each geographical setting to stop the destruction or earth resources by Acroyears and Arden. INTEL. AREA - under Chief Officer M113 Bobby. MCIA became part of CRIM. This area was a responsible of Microman Spy Magician. They collected data and information from all over and analyzes them. MEDICAL AREA - under Chief Officer M114 Blacky. This area provided medical assistance to the Microman especially to the Command and Rescue section. This section consisted mostly of Microman M18X Lady Command. |
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SHED SERVICE AREA - Run by M121 Chief Mason. Microman's Shopping Mall. HOME AREA - Run by M122 Chief Michael. Build home on artificial foundation inside the Micropolis. EDUCATION AREA - run by M123 Chief Miller. Keep track of studies being conduct in each areas. (Microman University)\ DINNING AREA - run by M124 Chief Max. Dinning area (Microman Food Service area) |
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GLFT GARDEN AREA - Run by M101 Chief George. Provides Microman with sufficient commodities and also devotes studies agricultural. LAB AREA - Run by M102 Chief Jack. Studies the earth and it's resources. FACTORY AREA - Run by M103 Chief Jessie. Invents, develops and manufactures vehicles and machinery for Microman. TRAINING AREA - Run by M104 Chief John. Fitness center for Microman. |
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