Replica Hoodman

Takara reissued Micro Hoodman Series in March of 2001 as part of Replica Microman Series. The first two type H70X and H71X came out in April and the more sought after H72X would be out in June. Later, a Clear Mode was released, as well as the SAS version. There were also rumors that Takara might re-issue the rare mail-away sausage premium chrome plated Micro Hoodman from 1979, but unfortunately this didn't come to pass. Micro Hoodman was first sold in early 1978 as part of the Police Keeper line.

The re-issue of Micro Hoodman came as a bit of a surprise. Takara probably re-issued Micro Hoodman series out of convenience because it seems that Takara still had most of the original molds for Micro Hoodman figures. Replica Series Micro Hoodman are almost identical to the original with only one small part, the anklet piece, appeared to come from a new mold. Micro Hoodman was made in limited numbers much like Micro Knight re-issue last year. H70X & H71X were both listed as sold out on Takara e-Hobby shop site at the time.

Hoodman are not particularly popular with many US collectors due to their small size and painted face (which made them almost out of place standing next to Micronauts or even Microman.) These figures, however, are actually very beautiful and offer a nice diversion to the usual chrome head Micro-figures. Also at the Replica Series price point, these figures, which are almost exact replica of the original, are quite a steal. With these Replica Hoodman, one basically get the figures that are identical to the vintage figures but in brand new conditions and at a mere fraction of what vintage one would cost. MicroHoodman would also make a nice addition to Mange Power and LED Power collection since they are somewhat related to Microman Arthur and the gang. Hoodman Hans (H701) was shown on anime series and introduced as mentor to Microman Edison. Magne Microman actually came from one of the Micro Earth colony build by MicroHoodman and not the original Micro Earth.

Takara introduced MicroHoodman as space-faring explorer that set out from Micro-Earth long ago before the catastrophic explosion. Hoodman traveled through space in their giant space ship named RCB Noah. They soon discovered that they were running out of foods and resources so they shrunk themselves down to 8cm size from the normal human size (about 1/20 scale). (Remember all Microman were, at one time, the same size as Earth human before the explosion and alpha H-7 radiation) Hoodman were normal "(micro)-man" and did not undergo the automatic evolution like those that escaped from Micro-Earth after the explosion. Hoodman build Hood armor to allow them to function in hash environment of space and also act as protective gear. MicroHoodman build several space colonies (called Micro-Earth X where X is the number of the colony) during their travel. They later detected the alpha H-7 Radiation Wave travel through space (from Micro-Earth explosion) Hoodman plotted the course of the radiation which led them to Earth. MicroHoodman then joined force with Microman on Earth to fight against Acroyears and newly arrived Satan Ardens (whose world was also ravaged by alpha H-7 that headed for Earth).

Takara re-issued MicroHoodman H72X in June. Of the three types, H72x was the most sought after due to the vintage figures being the hardest to find on the collectors market. Unlike the first two replica sets, a new head was cast for H72X type (probably because they no longer had the mold). The new head was very close to the original however it no longer had the hollow out eyes. The figures colors were very closed to the original with slight variation on some parts.

H72X Type MicroHoodman were stationed along the asteroid belt in the Solar System to monitor the activities of Ardens and Acroyears. These Hoodman had upgraded their Hood technology with Microman technology.

Comparison New & Old

Left is a vintage H721 and right is the replica version. Note the replica head came from a re-cast mold and the eyes were not hollow out like the vintage version.

Beside the eyes, the new head was nearly identical in look to the original vintage head. Only by looking at the small detail on the back of the head that one can tell the reproduction version head had lost some of the finer details.

Clear Mode Micro Hoodman H70X set was proposed in late 2001 just as Replica Microman line was winding down. It was assumed that the set would be yet another Toys R Us store exclusive since they had been doing all the "Clear Mode". However, Replica Microman line was doing poorly by late 2001 and with many of the Toys R Us Clear Mode set still glutting many of the stores in Japan the plan for Clear Mode Hoodman was shelved.

By 2002, Replica Microman series was reduced to just one wide-release series - the much delay MD60X Type Micro Devilman. The rest of the releases were limited to either toys show exclusive or Takara own e-Hobby store. Toys R Us decided to release the Clear Mode Hoodman H70X as their on-line store exclusive in August of 2002. The original plan to release a new member H704 was scrap and only three Clear Mode Hoodman H701, H702 and H703 were released as part of the box set.

Clear Mode version of H70X came with clear Hood (instead of clear yellow) and the heads were chrome instead of painted. The small wing was also done in clear plastic. Interestingly, Takara followed the original normal mode color schemes and produced Clear Mode H701 and H703 with different shade of colors between their bodies and their arms.

Takara released the third SAS Microman figure in December of 2001 as another WCC toys show exclusive. SAS03 was a Micro Hooman (H72X type) done in the now familiar gray and dark chrome SAS scheme.

SAS 03 came in smoke clear Micro Hoodman/Police Keeper style capsule case with SAS logo. SAS 03 came with all black H72X type Hoodman armor with dark chrome backing and smoke clear wing. Unlike the two previous SAS figures, SAS03 did not come with the guns or figure stand accessories.

Takara retooled the mold slightly and gave SAS Hoodman the hollow-out eyes that were missing in the Replica version of H72X and the wing was fix so it would fit snugly onto the Hood armor 5mm peg.