Microman logo

Microman Command 2 M16X Type

Takara released Microman Command Series in April of 1977 after the released of Titan Commands Series. Microman Command would became the pinnacle of Microman figure design. Each Command types were base on Earth historical objects, with the premise that they were ancient Microman that came to Earth in the distance past to instruct Earthling with Microman technology.

M161 Sheriff Tag

Microman Commands possessed very beautifully design body and each came with trademark capsule that based on their geographical origin. Microman Commands also came with small wings accessories for their legs call Anti-Gravity wings or Anti-Repulsion wings which would made them stood out from the rest of Microman series. Microman Command 1 or M15X type were released first along with Command 2 M16X type and followed by Command 3 and Lady Command during the second half of 1977. Each Microman Command type had distinctive design and look that set them apart from other series since they did not shared parts with other types. Takara sold Command 2 as individual figure in a matching color capsule (warp in rubber band with small tag). M162 and M161 were also sold as pack-in figure with Command Cars toys. The pack-in figures did not come with the capsule but instead came with an exclusive Command helmet. M161 was sold with Command Car 4 Twin Racer and M162 was sold with Command Car 1 Tyrell Machine.

Microman21 M165 Stealth

Microman Command 2 design was based on Egyptian pharaoh sarcophagus design. Microman Command 2, like the rest of the Command series, were based on the idea of alien visitors from outer space that came to instruct Earth's early civilization. Takara seized on this idea and implied that Microman Command were such aliens from the past. (Many UFO believers theorized that the ancient Egypt structures were constructed with an aid from alien beings).

Command 2 came with cobra like Anti-Repulsion leg wings and glow in the dark chest piece. When Mego licensed Microman from Takara, they released M16X Command 2 as Micronauts Pharoid. Only three color variants were released for Micronauts line - orange, blue and gray. Early Pharoid figures were repackaged of Takara Microman toys. (Micronauts version of Pharoid had Takara stamp removed from their butts). Later, Mego would produced their own Pharoid with some alteration. (See section below under for more detail information) Command 2 series were re-issue by Romando in 1996 and also by Takara in 1999. The vintage figures can be easily distinguish by their darker chrome heads.

(See also Romando Microman21 - Command 2 White Set , Command 2 Black Set, and Command 2 Gold Sammy Set)

(See also Takara 1999 Replica Microman Series - Command 2 M16X )



M161 Sheriff

M162 Sander

M163 Smith

M164 Sammy



Variations

Mego later released 2nd version of Pharoid, using their own molds produced in Hong Kong factory. This version of Pharoid (referred to as Type 2 Pharoid) had Space Glider style head. The capsule Microman logo had been replaced with hieroglyphic symbols. The figures also had MEGO copyright on the back. Gray version of Pharoid no longer had the glitter in the plastic and the orange version was more redish. The leg wings also had very crude details when compare to Type 1 or Microman version.

M164 probably had the most variations of all the Microman figures. The original early version was gray with glitter in the plastic. Takara then released a darker tone with more glitter.
Mego released plain gray one with Space Glider head as Micronauts Pharoid (Type 2). When Romando re-issued him in 1996, they released two different Sammy, one with very dark gray plastic and one with lighter. (Both had the glitter). Takara then re-issued Sammy in 1999 with plain gray plastic without glitter (perhaps to made him look like Mego 2nd Type gray Pharoid).
Along with these variants, Takara also produced chrome version M164 SP and Clear Mode M164.
Vintage Microman Commands can be distinguish by the much darker chrome heads.
mention the palisades line 4 variants and also the new microman variants

M161 Sherrif Variants

M164 Sammy Variants

M164 Sammy Capsule Variants

M164 Sammy J-Hook Variants

Microman Command 2 M16X Type

The Microman Command 2 Figure easily has the most variations of any of the Command figures, in part due to the fact that Mego imported this style to its Micronaut line. Command 16x was rebranded, of course, as Pharoid, and is fondly remembered state side for it’s intriguing Egyptian-style sarcophagus.

M164 Sammy Variations

Microman Command 164 itself had plenty of variations. The original early version of M164 was gray with glitter in the plastic. Takara then released a darker tone with more glitter. Additionally, there were minor capsule variations and two different J-Hook styles.

When Romando re-issued Sammy in 1996, they released two different variations, one with very dark gray plastic and one with lighter gray. (Both had the glitter). Takara then re-issued Sammy again in 1999 with plain gray plastic without glitter (perhaps to make him look like the Mego 2nd Type gray Pharoid).

Along with these variants, Takara also produced a chrome version M164 SP and the Clear Mode M164.

New Microman Revival

The Command M16X style was revived in 1984, and re-designated as M-011 Saram (or Salam), but departed from the 1977 line in several key areas – no Egyptian sarcophagi, no leg winglets, and no glow in the dark chest pieces. The reason for these omissions are unclear.

Four of these variations replaced the sarcophagi with a nifty chair style capsule dubbed Microm2000. The other two Saram variations were paired with a Battle Bike and Jet Heli. All 6 of the Sarams had a Micro Change sticker on their left chest area.

Other Versions of the M16x

In addition to the Takara and Mego versions of M16x, Pharoid’s chamber makes an appearance in Hour Toys Interchangeables line, (Pharoid being replaced with the Cosmo Man figure), and four color variations with some new nifty accessories were produced for the 2003 Palisades Micronauts line.



Command 1 & 2 Story

(Translated from the catalog)

Microman starts investigating the mystery surrounding the Acroyears being seen at every regional ancient ruins around the world. Microman decides to investigate the ancient ruins to determined the connection between the Acroyears, the ancient civilization and perhaps to also learn more about ancient Microman that could have visited earth thousands of years ago.

The Spy Magicians discovered abnormally within the ancient ruins of the Easter Island statues. They fire MX Spectrum Ray at the stone statue. The Easter Island statues explode and human-size Microman appear inside standing within a burning pale flame. (alpha H-7 radiation) The new human size Microman then bath in sunlight and shrink to the same size as other Microman. At about the same time, in the tomb of ancient Egyptian pyramid, another Microman emerge from the sarcophagus. The two newly arrived Microman call themselves Microman Command.

Microman Command
Mini-catalog

M161 Sheriff- well acquainted with the lay of the land. Superb geographical knowledge. He have special ability ray that can form rock.

M162 Sander- knowledgeable about the underground geology. Also have superb knowledge about earth historical ruins.

M163 Smith- have ability to control natural phenomenon. He used his special power to study natural environment.

M164 Sammy- superb memory. He has photographic memory and can recall any event in the past. His ability is helpful in investigation.



Packaging

Packaging

Packaging

Packaging

Each figure came packaged in their own capsule and was sold directly out of the display box. Each capsule was wrapped with a rubber band and a small identification tag.

Sample tag from M164

Accessories

Each figure came with gold Command 1 Anti-Repulsion leg wings.

Takara also sold M162 Sander with Command Car 2 Tyrell Machine and M161 with Command Car 4 Twin Racer. These two figures were sold without their capsules.



Microman Command 2 (Pharoid) Checklist

Takara Microman Command 2 M16X Type 1977

  • M161 Sheriff
  • M162 Sander
  • M163 Smith
  • M164 Sammy

Takara Microman Microchange M011 Saram (Salam) 1983

  • M011 Black and Red
  • M011 Blue and White
  • M011 Dark Blue and Black
  • M011 Red and Black
  • M011 Red and White (with Battle Bike)
  • M011 Black and White (with Jet Heli)

Romando Microman 21 Command 2

White Box

  • Romando Microman 21 M161 Sheriff
  • Romando Microman 21 M162 Sander
  • Romando Microman 21 M165 Stealth

Romando Microman 21 Command 2

Black Box

  • Romando Microman 21 M166 Saram
  • Romando Microman 21 M163 Smith
  • Romando Microman 21 M165 M164 Sammy

Romando Microman 21 Command 2

Sammy "Popular Type"

  • Romando Microman 21 M165 M164 Sammy

Takara Replica Series 1999

Reissued Microman M16X (3/1999)

  • M161 Sheriff
  • M162 Sander
  • M163 Smith
  • M164 Sammy

Exclusives

  • Central Hobby Puzzle Exclusive

  • M164 Sammy (SP) (5/99)

  • Complete Command - Toys R Us Exclusive (10/99)

  • Metallic Mode M163

  • Takara Mail-Away Premium Set

  • M160 Egypton (4/00)

  • Command Leaders Set A - eS! Hobby Exclusive

  • Glitter Mode M160 (12/00)

  • "Revival of Commands" 3rd Microman History Set - 20th Century Toys Exclusive

  • Alpha H-7 M161 (12/26/00)

  • Toys R Us Exclusive

  • Clear Mode M16X (3/01)

  • Toys Land Exclusive

  • M:I:S 04 M16X Type (5/4/01)

Mego Micronauts Pharoid

  • Type 1 Red Version
  • Type 1 Blue Version
  • Type 1 Grey Version
  • Type 2 Red Version
  • Type 2 Blue Version
  • Type 2 Grey Version

Palisades Micronauts Pharoid

  • Green/white with green chamber
  • Red/gray with translucent red chamber
  • Dark blue/black with golden chamber
  • Translucent blue and white with translucent blue chamber