Microman
Series
1974
Microman
Zone
First year of included the Founder Microman, Micro
Kit Machines and Conning Tower.
1975
Project
Victory
Second year saw more Microman and several new sub
series such as the Acroyears, Titans and Victory series.
1976
Spy
Magician
The
line finally came into its own during the third year with new figures
and the classic Microman Transfer Fortress.
1977
Command
A watershed year for Microman series, this year
saw some of the best toys for the line.
1978
Police
Keeper
Takara
tried new design and direction for the series with the released of
Hoodman and Arden.
1979
Rescue
Team
Takara "rescue" attempt for the line
with the Rescue Team Microman. This year also saw updated of the old
favorite like the New Tower Base.
1980
Punch
& Blizzard Man
The last year of the original series saw the shift
in the line to more robot like look and larger figures.
New
Microman Series
1981
New
Microman
Takara reset the line and relaunch the series
under the New Microman banner.
1982
Micro
Robot
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
Micro
Change
The "transformation" for Microman series
began with the Micro Change series.
1984
Transformers
Takara
continued with the successful Micro Change series but the
changing of the guard was inevitable.
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MC12
Walther P-38 belong to a sub-series of Microman Micro Change line known
as the Gun Robo. Takara released a total of four Gun Robo toys
(five if you count the alternate color version of MC12) for the Microman
line - MC7 M1910 Gun, MC11 S&W 44 Magnum, MC12 Walther P-38 and
MC13 P-38 Special (UNCLE Version). MC13 was modified version of
MC12 with stock and barrel extension parts. Takara released two versions
of MC12 - a black version with brown handle and a gray version with
black handle. The gray version (also known as alternate color
version) was less common and harder to find in Microman packaging.
However, the gray version of MC12 was repackaged and sold as
Transformers Megatron in Japan. (The US version of Megatron
used Microman MC13 UNCLE version.)
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Package |
MC12
came packaged in window box with the toy packaged in the
alternate mode and the artwork was used to show the robot mode.
This packaging style would carried over into the later
Transformers line and some even used the same artwork from the
Microman toys. |
Accessories
Microman
Gun Robo MC12 came with several accessories including the Automatic
Laser and Dimension Blade.
Micro
Change Story
Microman
Micro Change were robot and vehicles constructed by the New Microman to
help fight against the Acroyears. Microman build Micro Change Robo using
ordinary objects so kids could take these robots along with them without
being noticed by adults, but when the Acroyears attacked the Micro
Change would transformed and help protect the kids from the Acroyears. Micro
Change robots were slightly difference from Diaclone Car Robots as they
were not "piloted" mecha but rather robots with their own
Artificial Intelligences. However, the Micro Change Robo were not quite
a full sentient beings as the later Transformers series would portrayed
them.
Function
- MC-Action Command Robot Processor
: MICROM38 Primary
Weapon - Automatic Laser Secondary
Weapon - Dimension Blade Alternate
Mode - Walther P-38
MC12
Gun Robo was never sold in the US as the Transformers. The MC13 version
however became Megatron for the US line. In Japan, the gray version of
MC12 was repackaged by Takara and sold as Megatron for the Fight Super
Robot Life! Transformers line.
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In
object mode, MC12 transformed into a realistic Walther P-38. The toy had
die-cast core frame which gave the toys a nice weight which in turn made
it even more "realistic". MC12 can shoot plastic
"bullets" that load into the barrel. (This feature of the
toy was removed from the US Transformers toy) To transform into robot mode,
handle split open via metal hinges and became the feet, the gun body
became the chest and arms, with the head folded out from behind and snap
onto the body. The hands slide out from the arm sections. Takara included
two accessories a chrome blade and a laser gun that could attached to the
hands The robot looked a little silly by today standard but back in early
1980 this was a pretty good looking mecha considered it could transformed
into quite realistic and working toy gun. Takara included two sprue full
of blue plastic "bullet" and three cardboard targets with
picture of various Acroyears from the New Microman series for kids to
practice their marksmanship skills.
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The
heroic Microman robot MC12
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The
cardboard target (Acro-Devil)
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When Takara reissued Transformers in
2000, they decided to release the MC13 chrome P-38 UNCLE version and sold
as Transformers #16 Special. A special black version was also produced but
instead of black plastic like the black version of MC12, the toy had
metallic black chromed body. Takara would later reissued the Japan version
of Megatron (a gray MC12) but the toy was sold as Megaplex and came
with the P-38 UNCLE Special accessories including the blue "bullets"
just like the original Microman version. The reissued "Gray
Megatron" (Megaplex) was sold as e-Hobby exclusive. (Megaplex was
billed by Takara as clone of Megatron and used as decoy for the Destron
leader).
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