Microman Base - Play Build Series

Takara released Microman Police Keeper Play Build Series in July of 1978. The Play Build was actually the debut series for the Police Keeper line. Microman Play Build consisted of large Microman base called the "Build Base" and three Play Build accessories - #1 Build Lancer, #2 Build Crane and #3 Build Bazooka. Takara also planned three additional Play Build accessory sets but those were never released (see bottom). Each Play Build accessory set retailed for 750 Yen and included M23X Type Microman Police Keeper figure. The Build Base was sold for a whopping 4800 Yen, which was a substantial sum for toy back then.

The Play Build was designed as part of Microman Base series using the "building construction" set concept. The series was Microman equivalent of Micronauts "City" Series released by Mego at around the same time. (They most likely shared the same R&D). Microman Build Series however did not have the flexibility or the large assortment of parts for building as their Micronauts counterpart. The Play Build accessory set was more of an add-on module for the Build Base set that could also be used as stand alone set.

Build Lancer

Microman Police Keeper Play Build #1 Build Lancer was a personal space / sky tram unit for Microman Police Keeper to travel between the Build Base and other areas. The vehicle play-set consisted of two main parts, the cockpit area that fit one Microman in capsule-like ship and pulley unit that can be hang on the included string and hooks. Build Lancer also have second mode for used without setting up the string, the pulley unit can be convert into wheel unit for the vehicle. Build Lancer came with Microman Police Keeper M231 Arnold. The figure came with a weapon accessory "Pulsar Shot", a gun with hose that attached to the backpack unit.

The Play Build set was actually the debut series for Microman Police Keeper figures. (Only Hoodman and Arden were on sale during the fist half of 1978). Microman Play Build series (actually most of 1978 Police Keeper line) were not all that popular and many dead stocks of these toys show up often in the collectible market. Since the remaining three Police Keeper figures (M234, M235 & M236) were never released as part of play-set, they are much more difficult to come by. Also the Police Keeper M23X Type is one of the few vintage Microman that did not get reissue under Microman Replica series.

Each Play Build toy included Microman Police Keeper figure. There would eventually be a total of six members in the M23X Type but only the first three were sold with the Play Build (this was probably because the remaining three Play Build set were canceled). The figures were also sold individually in white plastic case (similar to the Hoodman case).

Microman Police Keeper figure design is a big departure from the last year Microman Command series. The figure is very streamline looking and lack the elaborate "chest piece" of the Command series. One of the trademark feature of the Police Keeper is the Pulsar Shot weapon, a gun and backpack accessory. This was the first time a gun weapon is included with Microman figure.

Build Crane

Microman Police Keeper Play Build #2 Build Crane is an orange construction crane mount on a rotating sphere. The crane unit is done in bright construction orange with a lot of molded on details. There is a small seating control area complete with control panel for one Microman figure. The seat used 5mm peg to secure the figure. Build Crane has working claw that attach to a string and can be move up and down via a crank on the side.

The Crane is mounted on top of the same hexagon shape construction panel found on Build Base and included a red connector tab so the Build Crane can be mounted onto Build Base. The set came with Microman Police Keeper M232 Arthur. The figure came with a weapon accessory, the "Pulsar Shot", a gun with hose that attached to the backpack unit.

Build Bazooka

Microman Police Keeper Play Build #3 Build Bazooka is probably the most interesting of the three Play Build accessory. Build Bazooka is a giant cannon that shoot Microman into action. A Microman figure is loaded into the bazooka barrel and by pulling the piston at the end a spring mechanism is loaded. When Microman is ready for launch, pushing down on the red fin send the piston forward and propel Microman into the air. (If you wonder why many Microman figures did not survive childhood then just take one look at this toy).

Build Bazooka is mounted on top the same hexagon shape construction panel found on Build Base and included a red connector tab so Build Bazooka can be mounted onto Build Base. The set included with Microman Police Keeper M233 Alex. The clear green plastic used for the figure for some reason seem to be more brittle and if you are going to test launch Microman from the bazooka probably better pick another figure or better yet a reissue one instead of using the clear green one that came with the set. The figure came a weapon accessory "Pulsar Shot", a gun with hose that attached to the backpack unit.