Microman Material Force Series 2004

Takara Material Force series was design for fans and collectors to create their own custom Microman figure using the "blank" core body (i.e. "materials") provided by Takara. The initial test series were sold exclusively at Toys R Us in Japan and they were sold out in very short period of time. Takara, then, released the 2nd run of first four Material Force (series 1) in February of 2004 and then again in April and July as these figures were quickly snapped up by both custom builders and Microman collectors alike. With the second run, Takara gave the series another added incentive and added designation number and name to these "blank" figures. (They also went back and numbered the 2003 Microman series).

M-04 Core was one of the four original Material Force and was reissued in February and then again in April and June when Takara released M-05 and M-06 respectively. The current re-released version was identical to the first version with the change being in the packaging. The re-issued versions had new packaging and starting with the M-05 the figures were sold with the plastic tree to hold the extra hands. The third reissued with M-06, the figures were now being packaged in bubble tray instead of being twist tie to the cardboard paper.

Takara saw the popularity and market for these basic core (not to mention easy way to put out more products) and announce more members (i.e. new colors) for the Material Force line. The first new color M-05 Sur (Yellow) was released solo in April of 2004. Takara had previously given these blank shell figures story and name and now they even included designation number to make them more "official" part of Microman 2004 line-up.

Microman Material Force Series 2004

Material Force M-05 Sur came with new catalog insert. Like the previous four Material Force figures, Takara had included some background information on Sur to keep him from being just another yellow figure. M-05 Sur was a full fledged "Microman" with designation number and even a name.

M-06 Turso (Dark Blue) was released in July of 2004 (along with the third reissued of previously sold-out Material Force first series figures). The new color was sold as Toys R Us Exclusive again. Takara also made change to the packaging, instead of the awful twist-ties, the figure now come in bubble vacuum form trays (to reduce breakage problem). Like Material Force M-05 Sur, M-06 Turso also came with new catalog insert.

M-07 Spinat (Green) was released in September of 2004. (Curiously, the Green Devilman was also released in the same month, but Devilman had flat green color as opposed to Spinat gloss green). The new Green Material Force was sold as Toys R Us Exclusive and came packaging in the same style box as the series 3. For the 3rd series Takara also replaced twist tie with vacuum form bubble tray to hold the figure in placed. M-07 Spinat also came with all new catalog insert.

M-08 Tristis (Cool Gray) was released in December of 2004. Since white was the most popular color for Material Force, Takara probably decided to add this off-white to augment the line-up. (Gray and white are much easier to paint over for custom work). The mold for Material Force started to show some sign of degradation and the arm shoulder peg for Tristis were much looser than the previous releases. Microman Material Force figures were sold exclusive at Toys R Us in Japan.

Material Force Members

M-04 Core also came with original catalog insert. Takara had included name and designation for these "blank" Microman to make them a full fledge member of the Microman force. Here is some biographical information courtesy of Tomoyoshi Araki.

M-01 Obsidian - has been serving Microman Arm Force for a long time and has much experience.
M-02 Cloud - moody person but his combat skill is trust by all members of Material Force.
M-03 Rover - specialist of martial arts. Warrior of respect Bushido.
M-04 Core - reckless fighter that taunt his enemy, his defect is his ill temper.
M-05 Sur - mission planner and highly intelligence. He is physically weaker than other Material Force but a cheerful soldier.
M-06 Turso - he caused the infection of Acro-Virus by accident which created Dark Army Soldier. His goal is knowing Earth heritage.
M-07 Spinat - he has the power of nature and can communicate with plants. Spinat is in charge of health care of Material Force team.
M-08 Tristis - Excellent fighter, his fighting skill is higher than that of Obsidian. He is actually twin brother of M-02 Cloud but they do not know this fact.