Microman Model Kits and

As the Microman line dragged on to 1982, Takara began to see the shift in the toy market as the fans that grew up with Microman began to be more interested in transforming mech style figures and DIY model kit bashing. The Armored suit and Bulsonic series were perfect examples of this as they came packed with auxiliary parts that could be painted and glued on. In fact, the packed in catalog showed photo examples of this custimization to inspire the collectors to do so. Additionally, Takara released the Remodeling Project Series, which was three unpainted versions of the Mighty Suits, originally released in 1981, which could be customized.

It was during this period that Takara must have approached Nitto to produce actual plastic model kits as a separate line. All of the kits were produced using characters from the 1981-1984 period, and were the ultimate in DIY options for model kit fans. Many of these vintage kits can still be found unassembled, and at a decent price. Many had gorgeous painted covers which is their main appeal to non-modellers. (Later on, Romando 21 rereleased new versions of the vintage BioSuit models. See here.) This section of the page will show what I have found for kits produced during the period. I currently am looking for more detailed information about the agreement was struck with Nitto, as well as pertinent production information, and will add it to this description as it becomew known to me. For now,enjoy the pics.

New Acroyear Model Kits

As in the toy line itself, there was a red, green and blue kit released. The corresponding chrome pieces were cast in a speckled grey plastic for the kits.

New Acroyear Model Kits (cont.)

Microrobot V - R4-R8 Kits

Based on the MicroRobot V set, these models had five corresponding styles, R4-R8, and were also molded in the bright primary colors. Unfortunately, a real type set was not developed, though these could be painted as desired. I also assume these can be assembled to from the large Mech, though I've not seen this done.

Microrobot V - R4-R8 Kits (cont.)

Micro Ridor

Micro Ridor was an obvious choice for a model kit, as customizing bikes and vehicles is wildly popular at human scale as well as kit size. The toy itself was a heavy chunk of clunky metal and plastic, cast in either blue or red, with a real set of rubber tires. I've not held the model kit in hand, so I'm not sure if the tires here were also rubber or just cast in black plastic, but it sure was a bit lighter than the toy.

Micro Gander (Regular Type)

The toy release of Micro Gander was sold either as a complete set, or a series of three separate component packages, each with a different pack in figure from the New Microman line. The model kits, however, have no figure and are sold complete as the mech itself. There were two varieties – standard colors and Real Type.

Micro Gander (Real Type)

Micro Robot 1-3 (Regular Type)

The model kit versions of the Micro Robots Gordon, Gallac and Flash are oversized compared to the toy versions, (I don't have one on hand, but would estimate 60% larger), and come in either Blue/Green plastic with silver/grey accent plastic, or in a more Real Type color set of light blue, khaki and grey plastic parts. The box art on both color sets is, of course, fantastic.

Micro Robot 1-3 (Regular Type cont.)

Micro Robot 1-3 (Regular Type cont.)

Micro Robot 1-3 (Real Type)

Gashapon and Candy Toys

This is a section that will be in development, as I currently don't have enough data to write up a proper summary. These were basically toys sold in vending machines or sold as kits, and were focused on the New Microman/ Microchange toys. According to Bryan Wilkinson, Kabaya was the company that produced the toys, and made them for both the Microman Gum and Caramel lines. Kabaya also made gum erasers from the first line of Microman, and later the Magne Powers line from 1999. Bryan also mentions that Kabaya innovated the toys beyond the official line to add parts and functionality not originally available. For example, the Kabaya version of Microx, from Micro Change, has additional parts included that allowed one to make two versions of the camera gimmmick, whereas the original toy just had the one camera configuration.

Kabaya Gachagasha Erasers

These were small (maybe three fingers high) rubber eraser figures from Kabaya and Caramel that tended to disinegrate over time, and so these are very difficult to find in any shape as a result. (All photos courtesy of Minoru Sashida/Oriental Technologies)

Kabaya Gachagasha Erasers (cont.)

Kabaya Mighty Suit

(More info to come on this line)

Kabaya Lot