During the early 1970s, the toy industry was facing a serious crisis. Aside from Hasbro's G.I.Joe Adventure Team and Mego's World's Greatest Superheroes line, kids were somewhat bored with the same old static action figures and parents were looking for something fresh and exciting to spark their children's imagination.
Toy manufacturers were struggling to keep up with the demand for innovative toys that could hold kids' attention for more than a few minutes. Amidst this chaos, Japan's major Toy company, Takara, ushered in a new line of science fiction action figures called, Microman whose emergence was a breath of fresh air, addressing the need for something more dynamic, versatile, and most importantly, customizable via
introducing the concept of a 10-centimeter-tall action figure with interchangeable parts. The initial design was simple yet ingenious - a sleek, futuristic designs with vehicles and playsets with interchangeable parts and accessories, kids could create their own unique vehicles and robots, fueling their imagination and creativity. It was more than just a toy - it was an immersive experience that allowed kids to become co-creators, bringing their wildest ideas to life with an innovative approach pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
This is what set Microman apart from other toys of its time an incredible unprecedented level of customization.
As Microman's popularity grew, it eventually crossed over into the Western markets,and gained popularity when the toyline caught the eye of Mego CEO Marty Abrams who made a licensing deal with Takara and brought the imported products to the states repackaged and marketed as Micronauts which further sparked a new trend in toy-based comics courtesy of Bill Mantlo and Michael Golden.
One of the most significant design innovations of Microman’s scale is that it could be compatible with vehicles and playsets which is seen as a cost-effective method with the toys being more affordable.
Mircoman who ironically, was inspired by G.I. Joe starting with the Hensman Cyborg, in turn had influenced some of the most iconic toy lines of the 1980s, including Kenner's Star Wars, along with Transformers which in Japan, was originally produced as Diaclone (Also from Takara) Hasbro as with Mego, made a deal to produce the toyline in America as "Transformers " a shape shifting line of robots that made its mark during 1984 thus becoming a phenomenal success within the United States, thanks in part to Sunbow’s brilliant marketing strategy via comics, and an animated series.
Microman's impact had marked a significant turning point in history, cementing its status as a trailblazer in the world of action figures. It's a testament to the toy's enduring legacy as it continues to inspire new generations of toy designers, collectors, and enthusiasts.
As we look back on its humble beginnings, it's clear that Takara’s Microman was more than just a toy - it was a movement, a cultural phenomenon that changed the face of the toy industry forever.
