Microman 2005 Acroyear Exo

TAKARA release Microman Acroyear EXO series in Fall of 2005. The EXO series is the first all Acroyear series for the 2005 line-up. The EXO series, like Microman Road Force, consists of three male body and one female. The three Acroyears are AX-31 AcroOptom, AX-32 AcroGrabz and AX-33 AcroEmperor with the lone Acrolady, AL-31 AcroStera.

MILITARY FORCE PART 2

Acroyear EXO figures, unfortunately are basically the last year Microman Military Force body with new head sculpts and add-on new accessories parts. While there is nothing wrong with re-using the mold, it just seem strange to be done on the "all new" Acroyear series given that these guys, especially the Emperor, are suppose to be the ultimate of Acroyear for 2005 story line. Perhaps may be the upcoming story might explain why the supreme ruler of Acroyear would have the same body as the peons (Military Force), but as is, it just seem a little strange. TAKARA could have mix and match some of the parts or may be even remolding extra piece to make the EXO series a little more unique. The lone female AcroStera does have all new body mold (essentially a female version of Military Force body) which makes her really stand out from the rest of the EXO figures. TAKARA at least give these guys some nice paint job and interesting color schemes, but sadly like many of the recent Microman, the EXO suffer the same major defect most notably the leg joint which crack at the hip and some a very loose arm joints. It is unclear what cause these defects, especially on Military Force body since they are some of the more durable body. Some fans speculate that the paint could be reacting with the plastic on these figures (Military Force have no paint on them) or it could be the breakdown of the tooling with the excessive re-using of the molds, but whatever the reason this really do not bode well for the already tattered reputation of the series.

EXO

Acroyear EXO series design is clearly that of the recent Microman Magne Series (1999-2000) with a good bits of the old reference thrown in (design by the same designer that work on the 1999 line). The designers, having to work with the Military Force molds, put most of the emphasis, naturally, in the armor add-on accessories. The theme for this series is taken from the old vintage 1970's President Acroyear and his infamous Acroyear Navy Force. The designer even use the familiar metal rollers from the old series along with the three sea creatures - stingray, octopus and crab. The figures have great head sculpts (one of the 1999-2000 series hallmark) with interesting and highly detail designs. The accessories are nice with a lot of interchangeabilities but the heavy use of the clear plastics just evoke too much memory of the Magne Series (especially the Micro-Kit Machines) rather than the vintage Microman line that the theme is based on.

FINAL VERDICT ... I have to admit I never was a big fan of the EXO series since TAKARA began showing them on promotional materials. The clear plastic, the heavy Microman Magne Power-like designs and the reuse of Military Force just do not seem all that exciting especially after the excellent Magne Force series earlier in the year. However to my surprise, the EXO really has a lot to offer and the big saving grace for EXO series is their EXOFUSE armors set. While the reference to the old President Acroyear series is great, what really wonderful about these armors is their interchangeabilities. The armors set have so many ports and pegs that can be configure in various way just like the old Microman toys. I was not too thrill with the clear plastics but I can see the designer's intention on these Neo Acro Navy robots. The clear plastics give these robots the illusion of mechanical creature encase inside clear outer "exoskeleton" shells. It is really unfortunate that this series suffer yet another defective plastic which will most likely drove many collectors away from discovering the wonderful interchangeability and nice play-set that the EXO has to offer.

AX-31 ACROOPTOM

AcroOptom, like the other EXO member, is based on one of the Acroyear Navy Force, the Kani-royear. AcroOptom has two part, a humanoid figure and mechanical octopus. The humanoid figure is essentially red-brown Military Force with white paint and clear purple joints and hands. His head has squid feature and the top of the head can be remove like helmet which reveal Henshin Cyborg-like inner head. The mechanical octopus is mostly clear blue with gold and silver plated parts. While the other three EXO bodies seem to match that of their mechanical counterpart, Optom body color unlike Stera and Grabz, has contrasting color. This is ok looking until you form the AcroWyvern and the clear blue really seem to be out of place with the rest of the EXO Wyvern body. The theme of EXO is from the original series, the robots and the head designs definitely have more of the Magne Power line looks than that of the vintage series. (Not surprising since EXO series is design by ex-Microman Magne Power designer). AcroOptom has several modes, and the octopus has several ports and pegs that allow for some really interesting arrangement. In EXOFUSE mode, the humanoid combine with the mechanical creature and created alternate forms for AcroOptom. The first EXOFUSE mode, the octopus split in half with one side becomes shoulder arrow cannon for the humanoid body while the other side form a shield. The second EXOFUSE mode, the octopus form shoulder armors for the humanoid body. The fit overall is much better than that of the Bio-Machine figures but unfortunately the loose joints somewhat detracted from otherwise very good fit of the armors in the EXO series. (Editor : also the broken pelvic doesn't help) In EXOFUSE mode, the armors really make the figure top heavy but it can be pose pretty well to my surprise without the stand (but much easier to do and with more dynamic looking pose with the use of the included figure stand).

AX-32 ACROGRABZ

AcroGrabz (was originally AcroGrabs), like the other EXO, is based on one of the Acroyear Navy Force - the Kani-royear. The figure is, essentially, an orange Military Force with gold paint and dark smoke joints and hands (they are almost opaque). His head has crab-like feature, and the top of the head can be open up. His crab robot side-kick is mostly clear brown with gold and silver plated parts. While the theme is from the original series, the robot and the head design have more of the Magne Power line looks than that of the vintage series. (Not surprising since EXO series is design by ex-Microman Magne Power designer). AcroGrabz has several mode and his crab droid has several ports and pegs that allow for some really interesting arrangement. In EXOFUSE mode, the crab droid becomes shoulder cannons for AcroGrabz with the exoskeleton parts become armors for the figure. The fit overall is much better than that of the Bio-Machine figures but unfortunately the loose joints somewhat detracted from otherwise very good fit of the armors in the EXO series. As an alternate mode, the shoulder cannon can also be used as powered claws for AcroGrabz. The armors really make the figure top heavy but it can be pose pretty well to my surprise without the stand (but much easier to do and with more dynamic looking pose with the use of the included figure stand).

AX-33 ACROEMPEROR

Acro Emperor is obviously model after the old A30X President Acroyear. The head sculpt with the big head-dress is nicely based on the Inca design. Curiously, Acro Emperor is suppose to be "ancient" Acroyear and with the reference to the ancient mysterious civilization, could TAKARA be hinting at a tie-in to the old series? AcroEmperor accessories can be transform into two modes, the first EXOFUSE mode act as his coffin or tomb. This mode has very nice "Henshin Cyborg"-like feel along with the old hibernation theme but is rather boring as far as play ability. The second mode for his EXO armor is race car mode. This again is reference to the old President Acroyear series whose figures come with race car accessories set. It is too bad that TAKARA reuse the Military Force body because they really could easily make a nice modern version of President Acroyear with some new tooling. If they can tool all new parts for Micro Action line, why the main series get so short-changed by TAKARA is beyond comprehension. Acro-Emperor is very dark smoke clear plastic with clear emerald green joints and hands. He is painted with gold trims while his EXO gear is done in smoke clear plastic with gold and silver plated. The steam-roller wheels is chrome with die-cast rollers just like those in the old vintage Microman series.

AL-31 ACROSTERA

AcroStera is probably the most interesting of the four EXO designs. Her alternate mode is a mermaid. My friend, MicroBry, note the similarity of the design to that of the custom works by Micro Generation (Japanese Microman fans custom design group, of which Takara current Microman designer was a member). The mermaid form is very interesting with good use of parts. Her body is mounted on the roller wheel so she can appear as if she is swimming.

AX-WYVERN ACROWYVERN

ACROWYVERN Acroyear EXO series, like many others recent Microman series, has the combine mode gimmick that allow the accessories from each of the separate figure to combine and form one big size mode. For EXO series, the accessories from each Acroyear EXO combine to form giant Acro-Wyvern. AcroWyvern is a pseudo power-suit armor that form around the body of AcroEmperor. The arms come from AcroGrabz, while the legs come from AcroOptom and the wings and body from AcroStera and AcroEmperor accessories. The figure is not huge and only about 2/3 the size of Biomachine Bio-suit. As the name suggest, the combine mode of Emperor race car and the Navy Force form a giant wyvern-like power suit. The parts overall fit fairly well together (to my surprise). AcroWyvern is typical of 1999-2000 Magne & LED Powers design (it was done by the same designer) and if you like the design of the toys from that period (especially the Magne Acroyear and Magne Arden) then you will enjoy the look of Wyvern. The color scheme is surprisingly not too hodgepodge, especially consider having to combine for four colors into one form. I would have prefer a darker leg pieces (the parts from Optom's accessories), perhaps a clear dark red-brown color like AcroOptom figure would have been better than the clear dark blue and that would have help blend AcroWyvern a little more. (The other three figures have similar shade accessories but Optom seem to be the odd man out with blue accessories but dark red brown figure.)

KIBBLES AND BITS

AcroWyvern suffer from the busy looking "kibbles and bits" hanging off him which is result of the current trend of Microman design philosophy where every parts must have multi-purpose usages. From a playability stand point this is actually good as the parts can lead to many interesting interchangeability modes which after all is one of the essence of Microman toys. Wyvern is a little top heavy due to his wing span but he can stand pretty well on his own. Most of the parts stay on well but this is definitely not a "toy" where you can constantly fiddle with but more for display with some pose-ability. The combine mode does require a solid core EXO figure with good tight joints and un-broken pelvic sections. Luckily the core figure can be any of the three male EXO body or even one of the Military Force body. (The Military Force body has added benefit of having much tighter joints than the poorly made EXO figures).