1978 Microman Hoodman

H70X - H701 Hans, H702 Regan, & H703 Heimlich (c.1978)

H71X - H711 Shultz, H712 Rudolf, & H713 Earhart (c.1978)

H72X - H721 Heilman, H722 Lihaout & H723 Cardel (c.1979)

Takara released MicroHoodman in 1978 as an off-shoot line from Microman Series. Early MicroHoodman series 1 & 2 (H70X & H71X) contained no reference to Microman line. The catalog that came with the first two series only showed MicroHoodman toys and story of MicroHoodman arrival. By the time the last Hoodman H72X was released, Takara had decided to fully incorporate MicroHoodman as part of Microman Police Keeper series.

MicroHoodman was very different from standard Microman figure. They were, of course, even smaller than Microman since they were only 8cm tall. Hoodman do not have 5mm port in their back and have gloved hands. Their heads were also painted with flesh tone and they have head gear that resemble old colonial style hat. Each Hoodman came with clear protective Hood armor which contains the 5mm port along with small wing that can be plug into it. When Takara released the last Hoodman Series in early 1979, they decided to give them the chrome head instead of the painted face. Takara also fully incorporate the Hoodman series into Microman Police Keeper. (They now shared the same catalog) The last Hoodman H72X are very rare and very difficult to find today. H72X were Hoodman that stationed in the asteroid belt and had upgraded their armors with the new fully integrated Microman-Hoodman technology.

It was not certain if Takara intended originally for Hoodman to be stand alone products but later were forced to incorporate them with Microman line to save cost. MicroHoodman became prominent characters in Microman manga and was very popular with fans. Takara planned several play-sets and vehicles for MicroHoodman but most of which was never released due to the declining popularity of Microman by the late 1978. Among the un-produce toys was the RCB Noah, a big radio control spaceship.

MicroHoodman would made a brief return appearance in 1999 Magne Powers Microman anime series when Hoodman Hans appeared on conference TV with Magne Edison. (The only Microman character from 1970's line to do so.) It is now certain that the new Magne Power Microman characters are actually connected to MicroHoodman rather than the regular Microman. Magne Microman appeared to come to Earth from one of the MicroHoodman Colonies and thus they are the direct descendent of the Hoodman. In the anime, Microman Edison gave several reference to MicroHoodman Hans as his mentor.

Each Hoodman had a German name probably to make them even more "foreign" and difference from regular Microman series. All the first and second series MicroHoodman members appeared in 1970's Microman manga. MicroHoodman Hans also appeared in 1999 Microman anime series. He was a introduced as mentor to Microman Edison.

In 1979 Takara offered two chrome version of MicroHoodman as mail-away premiums. (See also MicroMillennium - Replica Microman Series) (See Also MicroMillennium - Microman Magne & LED Powers Series)