microforever • microclassic • micro21 • micromillennium • microforce • microheritage • microresources • microarchive • micronews

 

AX-33

ACROEMPEROR MICROMAN 2005 ACROYEAR EXO SERIES

 

MICROMAN 2005

 

RELEASE DATE : 9/29/05

RETAIL PRICE : 1,680 Yen

 

 

 

 

MICROMAN SERIES

Acro-Emperor is yet another homage to the original Microman series A32X Type President Acroyear. A32X at one point was the leader of the Acroyear and the most powerful of the three Acroyear types until the arrival of Arden and Death King. (Arden and Death King are not Acroyear, they were another factions). It is unclear at this point if TAKARA plan to link the two series but the similar story and the reference to the "ancient" Acroyear could signal the long await tie between the Microman Force line and the original Microman.

 A322 Satander (c.1976)

 

  EXOFUSE MODE

MICROMAN 2005 ACROYEAR EXO

TAKARA release Microman Acroyear EXO series in Fall of 2005. The EXO series is the first all Acroyear series for the 2005 line-up. The EXO series, like Microman Road Force, consists of three male body and one female. The three Acroyears are AX-31 AcroOptom, AX-32 AcroGrabz and AX-33 AcroEmperor with the lone Acrolady, AL-31 AcroStera.

 

MILITARY FORCE PART 2

Acroyear EXO figures, unfortunately are basically the last year Microman Military Force body with new head sculpts and add-on new accessories parts. While there is nothing wrong with re-using the mold, it just seem strange to be done on the "all new" Acroyear series given that these guys, especially the Emperor, are suppose to be the ultimate of Acroyear for 2005 story line. Perhaps may be the upcoming story might explain why the supreme ruler of Acroyear would have the same body as the peons (Military Force), but as is, it just seem a little strange. TAKARA could have mix and match some of the parts or may be even remolding extra piece to make the EXO series a little more unique. The lone female AcroStera does have all new body mold (essentially a female version of Military Force body) which makes her really stand out from the rest of the EXO figures. TAKARA at least give these guys some nice paint job and interesting color schemes, but sadly like many of the recent Microman, the EXO suffer the same major defect most notably the leg joint which crack at the hip and some a very loose arm joints. It is unclear what cause these defects, especially on Military Force body since they are some of the more durable body. Some fans speculate that the paint could be reacting with the plastic on these figures (Military Force have no paint on them) or it could be the breakdown of the tooling with the excessive re-using of the molds, but whatever the reason this really do not bode well for the already tattered reputation of the series.

 

 

EXO

Acroyear EXO series design is clearly that of the recent Microman Magne Series (1999-2000) with a good bits of the old reference thrown in (design by the same designer that work on the 1999 line). The designers, having to work with the Military Force molds, put most of the emphasis, naturally, in the armor add-on accessories. The theme for this series is taken from the old vintage 1970's President Acroyear and his infamous Acroyear Navy Force. The designer even use the familiar metal rollers from the old series along with the three sea creatures - stingray, octopus and crab. The figures have great head sculpts (one of the 1999-2000 series hallmark) with interesting and highly detail designs. The accessories are nice with a lot of interchangeabilities but the heavy use of the clear plastics just evoke too much memory of the Magne Series (especially the Micro-Kit Machines) rather than the vintage Microman line that the theme is based on.  

 

 


 

EMPEROR'S NEW WHEELS!

Acro Emperor is obviously model after the old A30X President Acroyear. The head sculpt with the big head-dress is nicely based on the Inca design. Curiously, Acro Emperor is suppose to be "ancient" Acroyear and with the reference to the ancient mysterious civilization, could TAKARA be hinting at a tie-in to the old series? AcroEmperor accessories can be transform into two modes, the first EXOFUSE mode act as his coffin or tomb. This mode has very nice "Henshin Cyborg"-like feel along with the old hibernation theme but is rather boring as far as play ability. The second mode for his EXO armor is race car mode. This again is reference to the old President Acroyear series whose figures come with race car accessories set. It is too bad that TAKARA reuse the Military Force body because they really could easily make a nice modern version of President Acroyear with some new tooling. If they can tool all new parts for Micro Action line, why the main series get so short-changed by TAKARA is beyond comprehension. Acro-Emperor is very dark smoke clear plastic with clear emerald green joints and hands. He is painted with gold trims while his EXO gear is done in smoke clear plastic with gold and silver plated. The steam-roller wheels is chrome with die-cast rollers just like those in the old vintage Microman series.

 

FINAL VERDICT ...

I have to admit I never was a big fan of the EXO series since TAKARA began showing them on promotional materials. The clear plastic, the heavy Microman Magne Power-like designs and the reuse of Military Force just do not seem all that exciting especially after the excellent Magne Force series earlier in the year. However to my surprise, the EXO really has a lot to offer and the big saving grace for EXO series is their EXOFUSE armors set. While the reference to the old President Acroyear series is great, what really wonderful about these armors is their interchangeabilities. The armors set have so many ports and pegs that can be configure in various way just like the old Microman toys. I was not too thrill with the clear plastics but  I can see the designer's intention on these Neo Acro Navy robots. The clear plastics give these robots the illusion of mechanical creature encase inside clear outer "exoskeleton" shells. It is really unfortunate that this series suffer yet another defective plastic which will most likely drove many collectors away from discovering the wonderful interchangeability and nice play-set that the EXO has to offer.

 

ACROYEAR EMPEROR

The worst Acroyear...came from unknown space. He created the original Acro-Virus and make new Acroyear using Acro-Virus.


Emperor comes with extra set of clear green hands.


Official Microman Stand


Microman Infomercial Vol.07 Catalog and story booklet.

 

EXO STORY (as translated by Tomoyoshi Araki, edited by Paul L>)
 

(GRABZ JOURNAL)

Many years passed since we came to this beautiful planet with Emperor.

 

I know...I know this planet desire destruction and be under our domination...the planet has only lower grade of living things...how easy for invasion...Optom, Stera and other members should have finish the task easily until we met the Unknown living Thing.....why? why do they have amazing power just when we about to start the invasion. I had face these being...they have high intelligence that is not possible consider such low life form that inhibit this planet. The low life being call these being their "Gods". What strange and mysterious is that they have similar body to us.

 

At last, we lost battle to the Unknown Living Thing, and your Majesty fell down before their powers, but they did not steal the Majesty's soul. He only went into a long sleep. And now the time has come, the seal is broken and your Majesty will soon wake up.

 

I can feel that this planet no longer has the power of unknown living thing to protect it. We now have our best chance. Why these low life forms have not yet evolve they still like a child. Why did they not evolve, they have so much times to advance. This planet has degenerate and these living being are just parasite that need to be exterminate.

 

Come and join us fellow supporter and wipe these parasites off the planet so we can make utopia for Your Majesty!


 ACROWYVERN MODE

 

WYVERN EXO-SUIT

As with most recent Microman releases, the armors from the EXO series can be combine to form a larger unit. In this case, the EXO armors combine together and form AcroWyvern. (See also - EXO : AcroWyvern)