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1983 New Microman Series

Micro Change Series - Gun Robo MC12 Walther P-38 Black Type and Gray Type (c.1983)

 

Micro Change

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.

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.)

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.

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.

The heroic Microman robot MC12

 

 

The cardboard target (Acro-Devil)

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).

Takara e-Hobby Transformers Megaplex