In 1974, the first of the Microman figures debuted in a toy line called "The Microman Zone". These were figures packaged with vehicles that you could assemble as a kit. These were very popular in Japan, and the 3 3/4" scale figure size introduced here would prove to be way ahead of it's time.

A smaller version of the "Henshin Cyborg" (another of Takara's popular toys), Microman became a big seller. The clear bodies, chrome heads and bare feet were a big hit with kids as well as parents, because being "micro-sized" meant you didn't take up a lot of space, where there often isn't allot of in Japan. The figures were given names and number designations later on down the line, but were at first reffered to by their colors.

At the end of 1998, almost 25 years after Microman first appeared on the scene, Takara decided to reproduce these much sought after and rare figures. To the sheer delight of fans everywhere, new Microman had arrived once again to Earth...and great new figures soon followed. The "barefoot" Microman had probably the most variations so far, from toy show exclusives to Toys R Us exclusives.

Here is a look at few:

 

Toys R Us "solid mode" exclusives (opposite from the clear counterparts)

Otakara TV Asahi Special "metallic mode" exclusives

Microman Playststion game exclusive M-100 Tom (center) flanked by Puzzle exlusives M-106 Jason (left) and M105 James (right)

 

Toy show excluisives from (l-r): Tokyo Toys Festival, World Character Convention and Toy's Land.

 

The very cool Founders set, based on the origins of Microman from the Combat Joe and Henshin Cyborg figures.

The Birth of Acroyear set is by far the nicest produced. The green coloring represents the toxic waste that mutated the good Microman into the evil and twisted Acroyear.

The Grapple set...flesh colored Microman with Cyborg colored heads...and Karate outfits!