Microman Micro Robot - Micro Ridor

Takara released Microman Micro Ridor toys in December of 1981 as part of the new line of Microman toys called "New Microman" Micro Ridor was retailed for 2500 Yen and marked the return of die-cast vehicle for Microman series. Takara decided to enter into die-cast robot market with the new revamp Microman series and its companion line Diaclone. Micro Ridor was one of the first fully self transform vehicle for Microman. Micro Ridor, despite being release early in the New Microman line, already showcased Takara aptitude for making transformable toys. (Marketing them however was another story).

Most of the New Microman toys released in early part of 1981 were planned for the original Microman series. When Takara decided to reset the line, many of the toys such as Micro Gunder and many of the Microman figures were carried over into the new series. Micro Ridor, however, appeared to have been designed for the new series. The toy had large amount of die-cast contents (design to go up against other die-cast robots market which at that time dominated by Popy and Takatoku). Micro Ridor was a Microman robot that can transformed into motorcycle for Microman. The bike had real working rubber tires, with die-cast frame. Micro Ridor while being a self transformable toy, still had many of the old series interchangeability using the now standard 5mm ports. Like most toys in the New Microman, Micro Ridor came in two choice of colors - red and blue. Both toy came with pack-in New Microman figure 004 Eiji. The figure was recolor of the old Microman Command 1 figure with added sticker badge. Both the blue and red Micro Ridor came with blue color figure with black pelvic. The glow in the dark section was molded in yellow regular plastic. (See sidebar). Takara also included accessories for Microman figure including two motorcycle helmets and a pair of gold leg wings. The blue Micro Ridor came with matching blue helmets while the red version came with red color.

Micro Ridor aside from being a pretty cool looking transformable bike also came packed with many play features. The toy came with several spring-loaded missiles launchers. The rear motorcycle wing pack (also serve as wing pack for robot mode) had two missile launchers that launched chrome missiles (four missiles were included). The wing had 5mm ports that can be mounted with two more removable launchers on each side. The wing pack also had secondary interchangeable function as a side-car for the bike. In this mode the two missile launchers can be removed and mount on the front of the bike. Beside these four launchers, the bike also had two secret "rear" launchers hidden inside the rear part of the bike (form robot feet). These secret launchers shoot a smaller (also chromed) missiles. (Only three were included). Micro Ridor definitely was one of the cooler looking New Microman toys that also packed with many play features, these factors undoubtedly made it one of the more sought after toys. (Special thanks to Vincent G. for the trade deal)