Micronauts
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Micronauts is the North American name for the Microman toy line created by Japanese toy company Takara (later absorbed by TOMY). First released in Japan in 1974, Microman toys were imported to the United States by the Mego Corporation in 1976 under the "Micronauts" name. The line consisted of 3.75-inch tall action figures, vehicles, robots, play sets, and accessories which used a universal, five millimeter inter-connective design. Although deemed a success, Mego cancelled the Micronauts line in 1980.
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[edit] Mego
Takara produced small quantities of certain Series 1 & 2 products in Japan before all production was moved to Mego's facilities in Hong Kong. Takara also produced several Series 5 toys specifically for Italian distributer Gig's "i Micronauti" line after Mego collapsed.
Series 1 (1976)
- Acroyear
- Astro Station
- Biotron
- Crater Cruncher (with Time Traveler figure)
- Galactic Warrior
- Galactic Cruiser
- Space Glider
- Hydra
- Hydro Copter
- Microtron
- Mobile Exploration Lab
- Photon Sled (with figure)
- Stratastation
- Time Traveler
- Ultronic Scooter (with Time Traveler figure)
- Warp Racer (with Time Traveler figure)
Series 2 (1977)
- Acroyear II
- Andromeda
- Aquatron
- Baron Karza
- Battle Cruiser
- Force Commander
- Giant Acroyear
- Neon Orbiter
- Oberon
- Pharoid (with Time Chamber)
- Pharoid (Type 2)
- Rhodium Orbiter
- Thorium Orbiter
Series 3 (1978)
- Alphatron
- Betatron
- Galactic Defender
- Gammatron
- Micropolis Galactic Command Center
- Micropolis Interplanetary Headquarters
- Micropolis Microrail City
- Micropolis Satellite Survey Station
- Nemesis
- Phobos
- Star Searcher
Series 4 (1979)
- Antron
- Carrio (carrying case)
- Deluxe Rocket Tubes
- Hornetroid
- Montgomery Wards Space Vehicle
- Membros
- Micropolis Mega City
- Repto
- Rocket Tubes
- Sears Rocket Tubes (With foam gliders & launch pad)
- Solarion
- Star Defender
- Taurion
- Terraphant
- Time Traveler (Opaque versions)
Series 5 (1980)
- Ampzilla
- Blizzard
- Centaurus
- Hyperion
- Kronos
- Lobros
- Lobstros
- Sharkos
- Emperor
- Megas
- King Atlas
- Lantaurion
- Green Baron
- Pegasus
- Red Falcon
[edit] Palisades
In 2002 Palisades Toys bought the rights to reproduce Micronauts. Since the original tooling and molds were not available, Palisades approached collectors to donate unopened vintage samples to replicate. Most of the reissues were Takara designed figures, but several original Cal R&D aliens from the original Mego run (Repto, Membros, Centaurus) were included.
Series 1 (2002)
- Acroyear
- Baron Karza & Andromeda
- Bio-Scan Membros
- DD Acroyear
- Dynamic Forces TT
- Force Commander & Oberon
- Gold Baron Karza set
- HF Space Glider
- Lee's Time Traveler
- Time Traveler
- Space Glider
- Membros
Series 1.5 (2003)
- Battle Acroyear
- Radioactive Membros
- Space Commander
- Time Traveler Medic
Series 2 (2003)
- Centaurus
- Emperor & Megas
- Galactic Defender
- Gold Red Falcon set
- Pharoid
- Red Falcon
- Repto
[edit] Comic books
Several licensed comic book series based on Micronauts toys were published by Marvel and Devil's Due Publishing
[edit] Trivia
- The leader-villain "Baron Karza" is a wordplay named after Azrak-Hamway, one of Mego's business rivals.
- In addition, Baron served as the inspiration used for the creation of the character Motaro from the Mortal Kombat series.
[edit] Movie
In November 2009 it was discovered that director J.J. Abrams was in discussions to produce a movie based on Micronauts.
[edit] References
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This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (May 2009) |
- Mego Action Figure Toys, 3rd Edition (2001) by John Bonavita
- The Monumental World of Mego's Micronauts by Ray Miller
