Microman Biomachine Series -BM-02 Machine Kong with Machine Force MF03-04 Machine Microman Trinity (9/30/04)

Microman 2004 Biomachine series was released on September 30th 2004. Unlike the previous series, the Biomachine consisted not only of Microman and armors but also a vehicle (Biomachine). This marked the first time full size vehicle was produced for the 2004 line. The vehicles (called Biomachine) were also part of a combiner and when combined with other Biomachines, they made Microman Bio-Suit. (The name was a homage to the Real Microman series toy from 1980's). While the series main attraction was these Biomachine vehicles, the figure that came with them, however, was not just afterthought redeco of the old 2004 figures. Instead, Takara had fully redesigned the core body for the new Machine Force Machine Microman figures. The Machine Microman figures, while retained the same basic design of Full-Action Body, had been entirely re-design from top to bottom. The Machine Microman had more "machine"-like look than the previous series, actually the new design was more akin to the Magne Powers and LED Powers figures. Beside the more mechanical look, the figure also added many ports and pegs similar to Beta Midget figures. One of the more notable feature of the Machine Microman figures was the inclusion of "true" 5mm port in the back of the figure (though still in the higher position than the vintage figure).

Machine Force Microman, like previous 2004 series, followed a certain theme and design. Takara interestingly based the designs of these Machine Microman on Chinese epic story called "Tripitaka" or better known as "Monkey Magic". Actually the words "Machine Force" (in Japanese) was a play on the words "Monkey Magic". Machine Force consisted of four members - Microman Xeku (the monkey), Microman Godoh (the fish), Microman Hack (the pig) and Microman Trinity (the priest). The Machine Force were not always look like this. They, according to the story, were like other Microman in appearance. But the Machine Force members were badly injured in one of the battle and they were rebuild with machinery parts and thus they became the "Machine Microman". They are now part Microman and part machines, which made them the first true cyborg for Microman 2004 series.

BM04 Machine Kong & Machine Microman Trinity was the last member of the Micro Force Biomachine. Trinity design was based on the priest - Tripitaka from the epic story Tripitaka from which each character of Machine Force were based on. Trinity design had heavily Buddha priest theme and even the his head evoked the look of shaven monk completed with head band. Trinity, like other Machine Microman members, had clear purple-blue body with gold body armor and gold metallic chest plate, lower legs, and shoulder pads. Trinity color was very similar to Hack but the had much deeper golden color. The gold color matched well with his Tripitaka theme. The new body had several ports that allowed the clear "Bio-Tech" part from the Biomachine vehicle to be attached to the figure and transformed Machine Microman into "Bio-Tech" mode. For Trinity, the Bio-Tech part even form a charka that can be either attached to his back or used as weapon. His vehicle, Machine Kong was probably the most unusual looking of the four Biomachine. The vehicle appeared to be a walker type vehicle with the cockpit in the center and two walker that look like giant ape hand (hence the name Kong). The vehicle also had alternate mode and can transformed into go-kart like vehicle.

Microman Biomachine was definitely an excellent addition to 2004 series. The added vehicle that can combine to form mechanical suit made the already excellent series even more attractive. The parts fitting of Kong was not as good as Hack and Godoh. The problem was again the clear "Bio-Tech" part. Some had the tendency to fall off easily. This was especially problematic on Kong because in both the two vehicles and the combine mode, the toy required a lot of manipulation so part falling off the toy can be pretty annoying. The problem was not severe and most of the parts stay on pretty good but a more tightly fit part would make combining and transforming much less frustrating. Machine Kong design was pretty unique and really gave the Biomachine series a nice central piece.

BIO-SUIT