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Above are images that were printed in the very last Microman catalog ever made (until the 1999 series, 15 yeays later and well after this site was first put up), giving a glimpse of what a 1980's Microman anime might have looked like if Transformers never came to Japan and overshadowed the original toy lines that had spawned it. Don't get me wrong, I think Transformers worked out fine in its place, but it is a shame that it had to cost the existence of Takara's Microman and Diaclone series. Now, 15 years later, a new anime, manga, toy line, and even 3 video games have come out in the last couple of years, and yet the new series has done not nearly as well as the classic one. But it's nice to see it finally got a chance. There is some interesting new news that has come to light about these images. The "DeathSatan" in the top picture is actually a powered suit designed to be worn by an AcroSatan and is an actual toy design that was never released, designed for the never-produced 1985 series by Artmic. The picture itself here might even be Artmic's work as well. Furthermore, the AcroDevil leader seen in the cape has been ressurected for the new Microman Gameboy game coming out in 2000. It seems even a safe assumption that he and the AcroRobo and the tank shown are all undproduced designs for the 1985 series. This is particularly exciting as it would have meant a new direction for the series, turning more toward piloted vehicles and mecha in a more realistic style, probably influenced by the popularity of realistic mecha shows of the mid-eighties. Perhaps more about this mysterious, never-made Microman will come to light in years ahead.
Interestingly, much of the early Transformers that were made by Takara directly for the Transformers series from scratch were handled by the same design team, and featured box art by the same artist who did the Microman and Diaclone box covers (which also influenced the character designs for the animated series). Many of these toys look and feel like abandoned Microman and Diaclone prototypes, and often use the same interchangeable 5mm holes and pegs. Partcularly close to the MicroChange original toys include the Transformer orginal transformable micro cassettes. The lion and bat for example are exactly in the same style as the original three Microman cassettes. Microman and Micronaut collectors may find some of these toys useful additions.
