NEWS: 3A Toys Reveal New Microman Figures

Last month Action Figure Insider sat down with 3A's Ashley Wood to discuss the company's upcoming releases, the company's future and their new Marvel and Microman licenses. You can hear the full interview over at AFI but, without further ado, here's the first image of the new Microman toys for you to enjoy.

With thanks to Bryan ''Microbry'' Wilkinson of the Micronauts/Microman Fans Facebook Group.

NEWS: Microman is BACK!

Microman - the hugely influential line of micro-scale, interchangeable Japanese action figures - is set to make a return. But not in the way you might expect...

FEATURE: LoEB ''Spies''

Following the Holiday Hiatus, The League is has been called back into (clandestine) action, as this week our assignment - should we choose to accept it - involves cloak and dagger dealings, secret meetings and poison-tipped umbrellas as we delve into the murky world of the spy...

FEATURE: LoEB ''Wish Lists''

If you hadn't noticed, Christmas is just around the corner. So with that in mind it's time for a festive-themed League of Extraordinary Bloggers.

NEWS: 3A Tease Microman String Theory

We knew 3A were working on a line of licensed Microman (a toy range collectors in the West may know as Micronauts) - and so far, that was all we knew. But now we at least have the newly-released logo (as seen above) to go along with that information.

VIDEO VIEW: Henshin Cyborg Theme Song

The awesome Henshin Cyborg theme song, complete with CGI effects.

All together now... HENSHIIIN! HENSHIIIN!

VINTAGE VIEW: Denys Fisher Toys' Android

As a child I had two favourite toy lines: Micronauts and three 8'' tall figures that never actually had a collective name but individually were Cyborg, Muton and Android. It was only many years later I discovered the link between the two which, with the benefit of hindsight (plus an adult brain) is quite clear.

But for those unfamiliar with these toys, here's a closer look at the Denys Fisher Toys figure, Android.

NEWS: 3A: Microman Acroyear ''Not Ours''

Earlier this year ThreeA announced they were to develop a line of figures based upon Takara's classic sci-fi figure series, Microman. Since the announcement, things have been rather quiet until the above image was posted in the Micronauts/Microman Fans Facebook Group yesterday, which shows a vintage Acroyear II purportedly alongside ThreeA's prototype of their modernised take on the Microman foe.

Group Administrator Bryan Wilkinson now brings us more, with a direct quote from ThreeA's Ashley Wood, who describes the Acroyear in the shot as ''not ours, not what we are doing.'' 

So it looks like we'll have to wait a little longer to see just what ThreeA has in store for us.

NEWS: 3A Microman Prototype Spotted?

We brought you the news earlier this year that 3A was developing a new line of Microman toys. Today we bring you what could be the first prototype.

NEWS: Glyoborg!

Matt Doughty of Onell Design makes no secret of his love of Henshin Cyborg, as this Takara-inspired, Glyos-based tribute shows. It's just too bad Matt didn't share the ''recipe'' for this figure, as I'd love to build a companion piece to my Denys Fisher Cyborg.*

Anyway, you can see more of Matt's homage in this very cool gallery.

* Henshin Cyborg's kid sidekick, Shonen Cyborg, was released in the UK along with the 7'' King Walder and Android A figures as Cyborg, Muton and Android.

NEWS: Dork Dimension's Micronauts Catalog 1977

1977 is a year many people associate with one movie and - if you grew-up around then - its associated toy line. 

But for the cool kids, Star Wars toys were passe. The coolest toys on the block were The Micronauts.

NEWS: ThreeA Acquires Microman License

Breaking news from the San Diego Comic Con is that ThreeA have acquired the Microman* license and will be producing new toys in 2012.

That's all we have right now but we'll keep you posted.

* They've also snared the Halo license, but that's nowhere near as exciting as this news.

VIDEO VIEW: Henshin Cyborg's Cyborg Station CX1

It's a carrying case! It's an accessory set! It's a play-set! It's all three!

And the 70s jazz funk is just the icing on the cake.

VIDEO VIEW: Shonen Cyborg Commercial

Eerie electronic music + stop-fame animation + weird, scary space adventures  + cybernetic heroes = Win.

REVIEW: Microman MicroCommand M163 Smith (1999 Replica)

Produced by Takara | Released 1999

Readers over the age of 30 or so may see something familiar about this toy. Chances are if you grew-up in the late 70s you may have owned the Westernised version of this figure, which you'd know as the Micronauts Pharoid. However, his origins are a lot deeper than that, as we'll find out.

REVIEW: Microman Road Spartan RS01 Machslugger with Microman Kaito

Produced by Takara | Released 2005

You may recall we looked at the Road Spartan RS02 Ridepython with Microman Ryu earlier this month. Now it's the turn of his comrade in arms, Microman Kaito and his ride, the Machslugger.

REVIEW: Microman Road Spartan RS02 Ridepython with Microman Ryu

Produced by Takara | Released 2005

RS02 Ridepython with Microman Ryu is one of the Road Spartan MicroForce figures, a group of four figures released with motorcycles that can be used individually or combined into a super-vehicle. Ryu - despite his 02 designation - is the leader of the Road Spartans and is the subject of today's Review.

VIDEO VIEW: Microman Project Victory Commercial

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Super Steel Microman M20X!

OK, so it doesn't quite work but you can see what Takara were going for with this ad. 

I love the way the early Microman ads feature barely (if) any interaction between the kids and the toys, which gives the impression that the Micromen are actually alive. And this commercial - using a variety of methods including stop-frame animation - plays on that to the fullest.

If only that were true...

VIDEO VIEW: Microman Command Commercial

Easter Island was made by Micromen. And that's a fact, as we can see in this documentary recording.

VIDEO VIEW: Microman Acroyer Commercial

MEE-KU-ROH-MAAAN!

What I love about these commercials is the way that they convey a sense of the figures moving of their own volition without resorting to animated sequences and the way there are no kids playing with the toys to explain anything about what's going on. No, it's left solely to the viewer to interpret what it's all about. It's an accelerant-soaked chunk of mind-dynamite.

The awesome prog-rock metal soundtrack doesn't hurt, either.