Takara reset the line and re-launch the series under the New Microman banner. Micro Robot series became the main focus of the new line. The "transformation" for Microman series began with the Micro Change series. Takara continued with the successful Micro Change series but the changing of the guard was inevitable. Microman toys were first released in 1974 by a Japanese toy company TAKARA as a smaller 10cm version of their popular 8" & 12" fully articulated doll line - the Henshin Cyborg which was debuted in 1972. 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 boys - the GI Joe. Henshin Cyborg was Combat Joe body molded in clear plastic to expose the gleaming inner cybernetic implants and the "atomic engine". (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 play-sets and vehicles could be produced for them at reasonable price, since the cost to design and produced vehicles and play-sets for the 12" dolls was very prohibitive not to mention would not be very practical for Japanese market where living spaces were always at a premium and parents were never too keen on large size toys that take up a lot of rooms. The manga was one of the main driving force behind the popularity of Microman line. 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. Unlike most other Japanese toys lines, Microman series was not based on a particular TV show or anime. The story for the line at first was mainly provided by the mini-size "catarog" that came with the toys. 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.
#Microman manga serial
It was not until 1976 that Takara commissioned comic serial for the line that ran in "TV Magazine" (a Japanese comic magazine). Microman comic (manga), drawn and written by the late Mr. Moritou, became very popular with kids and Microman toys became one of the most successful toy line for Takara. The first series Microman, Microman Zone, included four Microman figures and several vehicles in kit form that must be assembled.
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. The bare feet were soon replaced with cybernetic looking feet.
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