Toys R Us Exclusive Classic Thunderbirds International Rescue Edition MAEX-01 Scott Tracy & MAEX-02 Virgil Tracy (9/16/04)

With the success of Microman 2004, Takara announced a new sub-series for Micro Action line called Micro Action EX. The EX series would also featured licensed characters using Microman Full Action Body but instead of molded parts, these figures featured real cloth costume much like the Henshin Cyborg did back in 1970's. I have always wanted a 10cm Microman size version of costume style heroes and the new 2004 Full Action Body was perfect for such line. However, I was expecting Takara to produce figures based on Japanese TV shows like Lion Maru or Spectreman but instead Takara made a surprise announcement with the plan for the first Microman EX series to be based on Gerry Anderson's classic Thunderbirds. Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Thunderbirds, in fact as a kid growing up in Asia, I had fond memory of the shows but the last character I expected to see as Microman was the Tracy brothers.

Microman Micro Action Series EX used the standard Microman body as core with newly molded head and feet. In the case of International Rescue, the heads were done in large over-size since they appeared this way in the classic TV show. The body was cover in cloth outfit with the "belt" accessory in vinyl. The workmanship on the costume was excellent, especially for such low price point figure. I was pleasantly surprise at how well made these two Micro-size costume "heroes" were. Takara released two Microman EX in this premier debut edition; MAEX-01 Scott Tracy and MAEX-02 Virgil Tracy of the International Rescue. Both figures were sold exclusively at Toys R Us (Japan). Each figure also came with gun accessories and even small hover bike vehicle. While I still have some reservation about the subject matter, I have to say Takara did excellent job with these EX figures and I can't help imagined seeing classic Henshin Cyborg costume hero characters done in this format (or even new characters for that matter). I fully understand Takara reasoning to do Thunderbirds character since Takara do own some licensing right for the line, and Thunderbirds series has been a great influence on Japanese sci-fi shows. (Thunderbirds and Gerry Anderson's creations are very popular in Japan. One can see much of the influence of show like Thunderbirds on various Japanese series) Takara have yet to announce if they will do the rest of the International Rescue members, as the next in the EX series will be based on Godzilla property.

Thunderbirds Story

The year is 2065, on an island somewhere in the South Pacific lies the headquarters of top secret organization, International Rescue. Their mission to save the world from disaster!

Classic Thunderbirds was a British sci-fi series created by Gerry Anderson in 1964. Like Gerry Anderson other creations, his show was produced with marionettes and used the technique he invented called "Supermarionation" to create realistic show for these marionette actors and actress.

While Micro Action Series EX used the new Microman Full Action Body and is fully part of Microman 2004 line, it can still be quite hard for old fans to see the Thunderbirds as Microman. Takara had changed the marketing approach for Microman series and "Microman" is now used as "brand" much like Barbie or GI Joe and many sub series can co-exist under the banner.