Magne Powers Microman

On December 26th 1998, Takara relaunch the long await new Microman series called Magne Power Microman. The new series while borrowed some elements from the original Microman, had been totally redesigned for the new millennium. The new toys debuted with much excitement from both kids and adults who grew up with the old series. Takara launched the line with new Microman manga, published monthly in Bom Bom Comic Magazine, along with, for the first time in the franchise history, a Microman animated series produced by Studio Pierrot.

The initial assortments consisted mainly of figures with only two vehicles (that were released a month later). The emphasis for the new series was on the magnet play features along with an attempt to revive Magnemo-8 toys. The new figures were much smaller than the original Microman and stood only about 8 cm. tall. The small size later turned out to be because these newly arrived Microman were actually the descendants of Micro Hoodman from the original Microman series.

The new Microman series had some great designs, looks and great playability, but lack the overall high quality product when compare to the old line, especially the figures. Takara were probably try to come out with cheaper figures to make the toys more attractive during poor economic time in Asia and also to reduce the cost associate with producing the new line. The new figures did sold very well in the initially but the success would later stalled as Takara fumbled the line with poor marketing plan, lackluster anime among kids not to mention the poorly written Bom Bom manga (comic). The figures smaller size, lack of articulations and lack of capsules (one of Microman trademark) also turn off many older collectors who grew up with the original series.

Magne Powers Titans

Takara followed the initial Magne Power launch line-up with much smaller 2nd series in spring of 1999. The second series introduced the Titans and the Magne Animals. The new Titans shared the same magnemo joints compatibility with the Magne Robotman series. The figures however were quite different from the old Microman Titan line. The Magne Animals rounded up the Titans line-up and were homage to the old line.

Beside the Magne Titans and Magne Animals, Takara also re-released old Microman Micro Change cassette toys from 1983 as Cassette Machine toys. The redeco toys included two new Magne Power Microman figures - Microman Clark and Cain, both of whom came with new head sculpts. Takara would later used old molds to fill in the gap for the new Microman line, especially during the LED Powers series when the budget was very limited.

Magne Power 1999 Series 3 - Super Microman

After small line-up in the spring of 1999, Takara went full steam with the summer releases of Microman Magne Powers toys. Takara released Microman Base Microstation in June of 1999 along with wind-up figures called the Zen-mine. Microman Base were Flying Fortress-like Microman ship that disguised itself as video game player Playstation. The new figures were goofy looking wind-up (pull-back Choro Q style) vehicles that can transformed into small robot.

The second assortments were released in July of 1999 and consisted of brand new Microman figures called the Super Microman. The new figures featured a much improve articulations over the first series (the Magne Microman). Beside new Microman figures, the Acroyer also get new figures - the Magne Arden. Takara rounded out the figures with new vehicle kit called Microman Kit-Machines. The Kit-Machines were homage to the first Microman toys and came unassembled. Takara also released the last Micro Machines - Mr. Grey and Power Drink set which was a tie with Takara Mr. Grey toy line. The set came with exclusive figure Microman Cyber.

However, by this time Microman was not doing as well as Takara had hope for and rumor of line cancellation began to surface. Takara suffered serious financial trouble, both Microman and Transformers Beast Wars anime had drain the company already small capital and the toys did not generate the return that they had hope for. By the end of the summer, Takara released the last Magne Power Microman toys - the two Robotman (D & E) and the Giant Acroyer. The new Robotman toys were combiner style robots using magnemo connector with chest cockpits much like the old Robotman. The Giant Acroyer also magnemo-8 combiner toys that featured three small robot that combined to form the New Giant Acroyer. The toys from the Super Microman series were selling briskly and they got some positive response from fans. By fall of 1999, Takara decided to release follow-up series called Microman LED Powers. The new, much smaller series was to be supported only with Bom Bom comic.

LED Powers

Takara began new year and new millennium with a very small line up for new Microman series called the LED Powers. The Microman anime was not doing well and had been canceled which probably resulted in this much reduce line-up. Takara moved to support Microman line with anime show prove to be too costly and by late Summer 1999 the sale of Microman toys had plummeted. By the end of fall 1999 Takara had greatly reduced the production of Super Microman series to avoid excess stock of toys. Takara saw a rebounded in sale of Microman line after released of Super Microman and Magne Arden, they decided to continue Microman line but only in limited fashion. Takara announced that the toy will still be support by the manga in Bom Bom comic.

Microman LED Powers appeared to be much more similar to their cousin the Henshin Cyborg. The figure now have LED light in their chest (much like recent Neo Henshin Cyborg) which can be activate by power backpack. The package was a lot smaller (2/3 the size of Magne Power blister card), but the blister card fold out to reveal bio information about the figure. The most interesting of note about the new line, is the new catalog. The new catalog is now much larger in size and have more story background inside very much like the original Microman catalog from 1970's. Perhaps Takara want to move from the costly anime tie-in to the old style catalog story driven toy line.