Microman Punch
Microman Punch along with the Microman Blizzard were the last Microman figures released by Takara for the original Microman line. The Microman Punch showed the sign of changing toy market as evidence by the significant change in Microman design. Microman Punch stood slightly taller than the Titan. Beside the increase in size, Punch also had very difference in look from the previous Microman series. Their bodies were done in metallic much like Micro Knight (actually they came in the same assortment of colors as the Micro Knights) Punch Microman no longer had the usual Microman hands & cuff and they were replaced by more steady big gloved hands. Each Punch also had action features, when the button in the back is activated, the arm would swing. The odd number (P.01 & P.03) do the Karate chop and the even number (P.02 & P.04) throw an uppercut.
Another feature of Microman Punch were the magnetic feet and chest. Magnet power seem to be the theme of this year Microman since all Death Marck toys also have this feature. Microman Punch also came with set of armor - one red and one blue that can be attach to their magnetic chests. The odd number member came with a blue armor and the even number member came with the red one. Each also came with a metal figure stand. (The magnet feature is very interesting since it's tie in with the later 1999 Magne Power Microman)
An interesting side note - Punch Microman were former Microman that were rebuilt into Punch Microman. One can easily see that the Punch Microman were no longer cyborg but a totally rebuilt mechanical being. Punch have angular face much like computer generated face image of the early 80's which consisted of several polygon shapes somehow suggested that they were more like machine now.
Microman Punch Story
Microman Punch bulky armors are to protect them from the super-weapon plasma ray that was being used by Interstellar Death King. The armor also gave them 100 times the strength of normal Microman. Interstellar Death King used Plasma Ray to destroy the new Conning Tower and severely damaged M253, M253, M273 & M283. (Note they were all the third member of the Rescue crew) M111 & M112 volunteer to become Microman Punch since they were already mostly make up of mechanical organs. M111 was rebuild into P.06 to interface with Punch Machine (he later piloted Punch Jet), his successful operation led to rebuild of damage M283 Clark into P.05 Magnum to interface with Punch Machine (Punch Robo). After successful operations on the M111 & M112, the severely damage Rescue Microman were then revived as Microman Punch.
Barnes along with M111 Bobson, volunteered for the Punch Project Experiment. The M11X Types undergone the most evolution than any other Microman therefore their bodies were more mechanical which made them perfect candidates for Punch Experiment. Takara also released P.05 Magnum as pack in figure for Punch Robo and P.06 Hulk as pack in figure for Punch Jet.
P.01 Joe (copper) formerly Rescue Microman M253 Richard
P.02 Rocky (blue) formerly Rescue Microman M263 James
P.03 Silver (silver) formerly Rescue Microman M273 Leonard.
P.04 Antonio (black) formerly Microman M112 Barnes.
Punch Robo comes with P.05 Magnum Punch Microman. Magnum was formerly Microman Rescue Team M283 Clark. He was severely injured by Death King and was rebuilt into Punch Microman. P.05 figure was also available as individual figure.
Punch Jet included exclusive green chrome Microman Punch P.06 Hulk. P.06 was formerly M111 Bobson.
Accessories
Each Punch Microman came with armor set. P01 & P.03 came with blue armor with red helmet and P.02 & P.04 came with red armor with blue helmet. Takara also included metal stand with each figures. (The stands were color match to their helmets) Each figure also came with a chrome staff.
Packaging
Each Punch Microman came in foam box with small window. The box basic design was the same for all four Punch Microman.
Inserts
Packaging
Punch Robo was sold in light blue box similar in design as Punch Microman packaging. The blue box design is carry over from the previous Rescue Team series. The box lid has partially cut out die-cut window so actual toy is shown through. The toys are packaged inside styrofoam tray.
Packaging
Inserts
Punch Robo comes with black and white paper instruction.
Packaging
Punch Robo
Takara released Punch Robo in April of 1980 along with the rest of Punch Microman figures. (P.01-P.06). Punch Robo was retail for 1800 Yen which is not a bad deal consider Punch Microman figure cost 850 Yen. Punch Robo is the first of the two Punch Machine toys which includes Punch Robo and later release Punch Jet. Punch Robo is another piloted mecha-robot along the same idea as Robotman and Robot Machine-Z.
Punch Robo design while still retains the familiar red and blue scheme of Rescue series is clearly the start of the new direction for Microman series. Punch Robo is not a very large toy and stands only about 20cm tall (double the height of regular Microman). The chest open up and Microman Punch figure can be insert as pilot. The design feature of Punch series also hints at the thing to come like the later New Microman Armor Suits series and the Mighty Suits.
Punch Robo has transformation feature, by rearranging the legs section and folds up the back section, Punch Robo can be transform into plane mode. The nose section of the plane mode has spring-load launcher. Punch Robo also has fist launching feature but strangely this is only on his left arm. The toy has several 5mm ports and one can clearly uses part from other Microman toys. Punch Robo also includes Microman pilot figure, Punch Microman P.05 Magnum. Punch Microman is also a big departure in design from previous Microman figures. Punch Microman are larger than regular Microman, they have chrome body (similar to the Micro Knight) with big glove hands. The chest and feet have magnet blocks. The figure also comes with armor and helmet accessories along with a small chrome mace weapon (a nod to the Spy Magician). The armors are evolution from the Rescue Power-up set that would eventually lead to the Mighty Suit and Armor Suit series. Punch figures also have action feature, they have a button on their back that swing the figure left arm. The odd figures have "chopping" action while the even figures do the uppercut.
Microman Punch and Blizzard toys are the first series to suggest the change in direction of Microman line. The designs of Punch Robo and other toys in the series are more in common with the later Diaclone series and this was no coincidence. By 1980, Microman line was vey old and Takara was looking for a way to compete with the popularity of robot toys from other company such as Popy and Clover. 1980 line-up is very small when compare to other series, this is because Takara have decided to "reset" the line and relaunch Microman series to gain better market share. Microman line was reintroduced in 1981 as New Microman along with new series Diaclone which taken the giant robot part of Microman (the Punch Robo, and Death King) and fully expand it into a line focus on large size robots. A look at the toys in Diaclone line like Robot Base, one can clearly trace them back to the Punch Robo and Death King.
Punch Jet
Punch Jet was one of the last small vehicle released by Takara for the original Microman line Punch Jet featured the multiple hinges design and magnet block common with the playset and vehicles released during the Punch Series.
Punch Jet came with an exclusive Punch Microman call P.06 Hulk. He is metallic green (Hulk) and came with armor that can be attach via magnet in his chest and a mask. The figure also have magnet in his feet. The Punch Microman were the Microman that has been rebuild using the new Punch Technology. P.06 Hulk was formerly Microman M111 Bobson. M111 and M112 volunteered themselves for Punch Project experiment in which severely injured Microman could be rebuild into Punch Microman.
