Microman 2004 Series - Microman Machine Force & Biomachine

Microman 2004 Series

Microman Biomachine Series -BM-02 Machine-Stinger with Machine Force MF03-02 Machine-Microman Godoh (9/30/04)

Machine Force

MICROMAN SERIES

Micro Force (Reissue) (2/04)
MF1-01 Commander Microman

MF1-02 Ninja Microman

MF1-03 Gunner Microman

MF1-04 Spy Microman

Master Force (3/25/04)
MF2-01 Skymaster Hayate

MF2-02 Groundmaster Alan

MF2-03 Divemaster Roberto

MF2-04 Automaster Ryan

Acroyear-X (3/25/04)
AX-11 AcroScorl

AX-12 AcroCleve

AX-13 AcroVoltech

AX-14 AcroBiom

Micro Lady (5/28/04)
ML1-01 Commanderlady Diane

ML1-02 Ninjalady Shina

Acroyear Lady (5/28/04)
AL-11 AcroVena

AL-12 AcroDita

Biomachine & Machine Force Microman (9/30/04)

BM-01 Mirror & MM Xeku

BM-02 Stinger & MM Godoh

BM-03 Tiger & MM Hack

BM-04 Kong & MM Trinity

Packaging & Instruction

Microman Biomachine series came in the same Microman 2004 beautifully done removable blister card style packaging. The backing card had very nice picture of the toy with all the accessories on display in the blister window. As a nice touch, the bubble blister had a nice heavy machinery design with the figure packaged in separate compartment. The packaging was bigger than the previous Microman 2004 to accommodate the vehicle.

Microman Godoh Story

With keen intelligence, Godoh is the brains of the Biomachine Team. He can analyze and ultimately act upon weaknesses of his nemesis, Acroyear. Using his cruise machine, Stinger, he can hover on the surface of land and water. This machine also allows for the Acro virus to be scanned remotely and be processed by a computer.

Biomachine came package with new Microman catalog - "Infomercial Vol.02". The package also contains "Proof of Purchase" and by mailing in all four proof of purchase from the Biomachine toys one can get exclusive Lady Material Force from Takara. (Offer good in Japan only)

Microman New Stand

Microman 2004 came with new style figure stand. The stand features Microman "Da Vinci's The Vetruvian Man" style logo emboss on clear plastic with two styles of foot pegs - one for the newer Microman 2004 figures and one for the old Microman figures with the 5mm port.

Microman 2004 Biomachine series was released on September 30th 2004. Unlike the previous series, the Biomachine consisted not only of Microman and armors but also a vehicle (Biomachine). This marked the first time full size vehicle was produced for the 2004 line. The vehicles (called Biomachine) were also part of a combiner and when combined with other Biomachines, they made Microman Bio-Suit. (The name was a homage to the Real Microman series toy from 1980's). While the series main attraction was these Biomachine vehicles, the figure that came with them, however, was not just afterthought redeco of the old 2004 figures. Instead, Takara had fully redesigned the core body for the new Machine Force Machine Microman figures. The Machine Microman figures, while retained the same basic design of Full-Action Body, had been entirely design from top to bottom. The Machine Microman had more "machine"-like look than the previous series, actually the new design was more akin to the Magne Powers and LED Powers figures. Beside the more mechanical look, the figure also added many ports and pegs similar to Beta Midget figures. One of the more notable feature of the Machine Microman figures was the inclusion of "true" 5mm port in the back of the figure (though still in the higher position than the vintage figure).

Machine Force Microman, like previous 2004 series, followed a certain theme and design. Takara interestingly based the designs of these Machine Microman on Chinese epic story called "Tripitaka" or also better known as "Monkey Magic". Actually the words "Machine Force" (in Japanese) was a play on the words "Monkey Magic". Machine Force consisted of four members - Xeku (the monkey), Microman Godoh (the fish), Microman Hack (the pig) and Microman Trinity (the priest). The Machine Force were not always look like this. They, according to the story, were like other Microman in appearance. But the Machine Force members were badly injured in one of the battle and they were rebuild with machinery parts and thus they became the "Machine Microman". They are now part Microman and part machines, which made them the first true cyborg for Microman 2004 series.

BIO-TECH ARMOR

BM02 Machine Stinger & Machine Microman Godoh was the second member of the Micro Force Biomachine. Godoh, of course, was the infamous sea spirit from the Monkey Magic epic. Godoh, like other Machine Microman members, had clear purple-blue body with blue body armor and metallic plated blue chest plate, lower legs, and shoulder pads. The chrome chest plate design was very interesting as it evoked the old vintage Microman chrome chest design of the M10X and Command series. The new body had several ports that allowed the clear "Bio-Tech" part from the Biomachine vehicle to be attached to the figure and transformed Machine Microman into "Bio-Tech" mode. Machine-Stinger was a water hover-craft that look uncanny like the old Marine Condor from 1970's Spy Magician series. The vehicle, like the rest of Biomachine, was done entirely in chrome and accented with clear blue "Bio-Tech" parts. Machine Stinger design was very nice and go well with Godoh's water creature theme. I have to admit that I was not very fond of the all chrome look originally, but now looking at the actual toy, the chrome actually work really well especially with the clear blue parts that cover up the chrome "machinery" and really added to the look of these vehicles. Stinger even had an adjustable front windshield and details "turbine" engine on the underside.

Microman Biomachine was another excellent addition to 2004 series. The added vehicle that can combine to form mechanical suit made the already excellent series even more attractive. The parts fitting of Stinger was excellent with all the parts fit nice and snug on both vehicle and figure. While Machine-Mirror had several clear "Bio-Tech" parts that tend pop off easily, all the clear parts on Machine Stinger stayed on well. Machine Stinger also had one added feature, the "tail" of the vehicle can be removed and used as big sword and wing pack for Microman Godoh. I was surprise how well the figure was able to balance even with the big chrome wing that plug into his 5mm port. Machine-Stinger to my surprise was my favorite of the four (second being Machine-Tiger). The homage to Marine Condor was a big plus but the excellent detail on the vehicle was what really win me over. Machine-Stinger formed body, jet nozzles / cannons and part of the cockpit for the Bio-Suit mode.

BM-02 MACHINESTINGER

The parts formed from Machine Stinger can be pivoted and become cannons for the Bio-Suit (there are hidden hinge inside) It's small detail like this that make the Biomachine toys really amazing!

BIO-SUIT

Biomachine, beside being "machines" for Microman Machine Force to ride around, they also can be combine together to form an armor suit called "Bio-Suit". The combination process was pretty simple with no parts left over after the Bio-Suit was formed which was very nice. The design of the suit itself was more like mechanical power-suit from the Matrix movie than from the old Dougram style. The parts, surprisingly fit well together. The only problem was again the clear parts. Microman Bio-Suit also had several points of articulations and the pilot legs even move along with the robot legs! The change from plain clear parts to clear blue really help added to the overall look and appearance. Originally, I did not care much for the all chrome design, but the actual toy really proved me wrong as the Bio-Suit was not only a very beautiful looking "mecha" but one with excellent details and even superb articulations to boost.

BIOMACHINE