Micro Change Action Figures Identification Tool with Pictures

The action figures of the toy line were presented as part of a race called the Micros. These beings all stood at around 3 ¾” tall, the same size as the action figure. These beings came from the Planet Micro and were ready to interact with vehicles from both their world and ours. Moreover, their main resemblance to humans was their basic shape. Otherwise, the Micros resembled humanoid robots, with some featuring translucent plastics.

The first few years of the Microman toy line focused on the Micro characters. There were various sublines like Project Victory, Spy Magician, and Rescue Team. As the line continued, the robotic nature of the toys began to become more prominent. This helped prime the toy line for a massive shift when the New Microman toy line launched in 1981.

Not long after the New Microman toy line launched, Takara rolled out the Micro Robot subline in 1982. This subline presented several small robots that transformed into a variety of vehicles. The selection of robots could also join together to create super robots. The popularity of this line ensured that Takara would continue to focus on robots for the Microman line in the future.

Following the Micro Robot subline was the series that brought realistic transformations to the line: Micro Change. Takara launched the Micro Change subline in 1983, presenting robots that transformed into cassette tapes, microscopes, and even firearms. So, while these toys came in a few different sizes, they remained in the small size.

While the line was positively received, it gained more popularity as a core part of a toy line forming across the seas. Hasbro had become enchanted with Japan’s transforming robots and wanted to bring them over to the West. Thus, they joined forces with Takara to license robots from both Micro Change and Diaclone to create a new toy line: the Transformers.

Hasbro licensed most of Takara’s Micro Change toy line to bring them over to the United States. This included many of the robots that became cassettes, like Jaguar, Condor, and Micross. Moreover, the MC-04 Mini Car Robo toys became part of the US toy line. This included toys like Porche Turbo 924, Familia 1500 XG, Volkswagen, 4WD Offroad, Jeep, Transam, and American Truck. Other notable Micro Change toys that came to America are the MC-05 Camera Robo Microx, MC-10 Cassette Man, and MC-12 Gun Robo Walther P-38.

Even though Takara licensed a large chunk of the Micro Change toy line to Hasbro, there were still multiple toys that remained exclusive to Japan. For instance, nearly all variants of the MC-06 Watch Robo never came to America. Then, there were figures like the MC-07 Gun Robo Browning M1910 and MC-09 Cassette machine Jetheli XL 120 fully remaining Japanese-exclusive toys.

Takara released one final wave of Micro Change toys in 1984 before the line was converted into the Transformers. This set of toys also included figures that would make their way to America. One of these toys was the MC-20 Micro Scope, which became a popular scientist within the Autobot ranks. Then, there was also the MC-21 Radi-Cassette Robo which came in both blue and red variants. The red variant was licensed and brought over to America.

Otherwise, there were even more toys that only made appearances in Japan, though Takara would repurpose the modes to fill the ranks of future toy lines. One of the 1984 Micro Change toys that would remain exclusive to the toy line was the MC-18 Magneman. Meanwhile, others like MC-15 Metal Leo would be reused for the Best Wars line.

Takara had made plans to release a few more toys for the Micro Change toy line before it shifted gears. One of these unreleased toys was a Beam Robo that would have become a flashlight. Another was a transforming planet. Both of these plans were later reused and brought into Takara’s future toy lines.

While the Microman Micro Change toy line was canceled by the end of 1984, the toys survived in another form. Takara combined their Diaclone and Micro Change lines to mirror their partner in the West. This new toy line allowed the toys to survive and return several times for years to come.