Microman Romando 21 Series

In 1996, a small hobby company called ROMANDO, acquired a provisional license from TAKARA to reissue Microman figures. This marked the first time since 1984, that Microman series would again be produced and sold. Romando named the series - Microman 21 (Two-One), since the year 1996 marked the 21st anniversary of Microman series.

ROMANDO released the first set of the Two-One series in March of 1996 with special 20th Anniversary Commemorative set "Birth of Microman" which included a gold plated Microman Command 1 and a book titled Net Zero-Zero Square Microman Analysis which detailed the history of Microman toys from the early beginning as part of the Henshin Cyborg. The first set was a big success and rejuvenated the interest for this long forgotten series. ROMANDO followed the 20th Anniversary set with full series reproduction of Microman Command 1 set (dubbed the Easter Island set). ROMANDO then followed up with two reproduction box sets of Microman Command 2 series.

Microman 21 line continued on in 1997 with the release of Microman Rescue series, Micro Knight and the much loved Microman Spy Magician. However, by this time a wave of Micro-mania has been started and the series that was once relegated by most toys collectors in Japan as cheap plastic figures became a much sought after line. TAKARA sensing the resurgence in popularity of Microman decided to end the provisional licensed that they have granted to ROMANDO and used legal injunction to take the license back. The license was left in limbo for much of 1998, when the two companies were locked in bitter disputed regarding the right to produced Microman toys. In mid 1998, the court rule in favor of TAKARA and they successfully took the license away from ROMANDO and thus effectively put and end to the two years run of Microman 21 series.

By the end of 1998, the license was firmly back in TAKARA hands and they announced not only the reproduction series of classic Microman series (the Replica Series) but also a brand new series called Microman Magne Power. However, this section of Microman Forever is dedicated to the short but notable series of Microman by ROMANDO. While TAKARA have since tried to erase the Microman 21 series from the series "official" history, it was clear without the initiative by ROMANDO, the rebirth of Microman would have come much later if not all. This section is dedicate to ROMANDO Micro21 series which in a way reintroduce many of us to our long forgotten diminutive friends from our childhood and most of all for truly making Microman forever.