MICROMAN SERIES
Acro-Emperor is yet another homage
to the original Microman series A32X Type President Acroyear.
A32X at one point was the leader of the Acroyear and the most
powerful of the three Acroyear types until the arrival of Arden
and Death King. (Arden and Death King are not Acroyear, they
were another factions). It is unclear at this point if TAKARA
plan to link the two series but the similar story and the
reference to the "ancient" Acroyear could signal the long await
tie between the Microman Force line and the original Microman.
A322
Satander (c.1976)
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EXOFUSE MODE MICROMAN
2005 ACROYEAR EXO TAKARA
release Microman Acroyear EXO series in Fall of 2005. The EXO series is
the first all Acroyear series for the 2005 line-up. The EXO series, like Microman Road Force, consists of three male body and one female.
The three Acroyears are AX-31 AcroOptom, AX-32 AcroGrabz and AX-33
AcroEmperor with the lone Acrolady, AL-31 AcroStera.
MILITARY FORCE PART 2
Acroyear EXO figures, unfortunately are basically
the last year Microman Military Force body with new head sculpts and
add-on new accessories parts. While there is nothing wrong with re-using
the mold, it just seem strange to be done on the "all new" Acroyear
series given that these guys, especially the Emperor, are suppose to be
the ultimate of Acroyear for 2005 story line. Perhaps may be the
upcoming story might explain why the
supreme ruler of Acroyear would have the same body as the peons
(Military Force), but as
is, it just seem a little strange. TAKARA could have mix and match some
of the parts or may be even remolding extra piece to make the EXO series
a little more unique. The lone female AcroStera does have all new body
mold (essentially a female version of Military Force body) which makes her really
stand out from the rest of the EXO figures. TAKARA at least give these
guys some nice paint job and interesting color schemes, but sadly like
many of the recent Microman, the EXO suffer the same major defect most
notably the leg joint which crack at the hip and some a very loose arm
joints. It is unclear what cause these defects, especially on Military
Force body since they are some of the more durable body. Some fans speculate
that the paint could be reacting with the plastic on these figures
(Military Force have no paint on them) or it could be the breakdown of
the tooling with the excessive re-using of the molds, but whatever the reason this
really do not bode well for the already tattered reputation of the
series.
EXO
Acroyear EXO series
design is clearly that of the recent Microman Magne Series
(1999-2000) with a good bits of the old reference thrown in (design by
the same designer that work on the 1999 line). The designers, having to
work with the Military Force molds, put
most of the emphasis, naturally, in the armor add-on accessories. The theme for
this series is taken from the old vintage 1970's President Acroyear and
his infamous Acroyear Navy Force. The designer even use the familiar
metal rollers from the old series along with the three sea creatures -
stingray, octopus and crab. The figures have great head sculpts (one of
the 1999-2000 series hallmark) with
interesting and highly detail designs. The accessories are nice with a
lot of interchangeabilities but the heavy use of the clear plastics just evoke too much memory of the Magne Series
(especially the Micro-Kit Machines) rather than the vintage Microman line that
the theme is based on.
EMPEROR'S NEW WHEELS!
Acro Emperor is obviously model after the
old A30X President Acroyear. The head sculpt with the big head-dress is
nicely based on the Inca design. Curiously, Acro Emperor is suppose to
be "ancient" Acroyear and with the reference to the ancient mysterious
civilization, could TAKARA be hinting at a tie-in to the old series?
AcroEmperor accessories can be transform into two modes, the first
EXOFUSE mode act as his coffin or tomb. This mode has very nice "Henshin
Cyborg"-like feel along with the old hibernation theme but is rather
boring as far as play ability. The second mode for his EXO armor is race
car mode. This again is reference to the old President Acroyear series
whose figures come with race car accessories set. It is too bad that
TAKARA reuse the Military Force body because they really could easily
make a nice modern version of President Acroyear with some new tooling.
If they can tool all new parts for Micro Action line, why the main
series get so short-changed by TAKARA is beyond comprehension.
Acro-Emperor is very dark smoke clear plastic with clear emerald green
joints and hands. He is painted with gold trims while his EXO gear is
done in smoke clear plastic with gold and silver plated. The
steam-roller wheels is chrome with die-cast rollers just like those in
the old vintage Microman series.
FINAL VERDICT ...
I have to admit I never was a big fan of the
EXO series since TAKARA began showing them on promotional materials. The
clear plastic, the heavy Microman Magne Power-like designs and the reuse
of Military Force just do not seem all that exciting especially after
the excellent Magne Force series earlier in the year. However to my
surprise, the EXO really has a lot to offer and the big saving
grace for EXO series is their EXOFUSE armors set. While the reference to
the old President Acroyear series is great, what really wonderful about
these armors is their interchangeabilities. The armors set have so many
ports and pegs that can be configure in various way just like the old
Microman toys. I was not too thrill with the clear plastics but I can see the designer's intention on these Neo
Acro Navy robots. The clear plastics give these robots the illusion of
mechanical creature encase inside clear outer "exoskeleton" shells. It
is really unfortunate that this series suffer yet another defective plastic
which will most likely drove many collectors away from discovering the
wonderful interchangeability and nice play-set that the EXO has to
offer.
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ACROYEAR EMPEROR
The worst
Acroyear...came from unknown space. He created the
original Acro-Virus and make new Acroyear using
Acro-Virus.
Emperor
comes with extra set of clear green hands.
Official
Microman Stand
Microman
Infomercial Vol.07 Catalog and story booklet.
EXO
STORY (as translated by Tomoyoshi Araki, edited
by Paul L>)
(GRABZ
JOURNAL)
Many
years passed since we came to this beautiful planet with
Emperor.
I
know...I know this planet desire destruction and be
under our domination...the planet has only lower grade
of living things...how easy for invasion...Optom, Stera
and other members should have finish the task easily
until we met the Unknown living Thing.....why? why do
they have amazing power just when we about to start the
invasion. I had face these being...they have high
intelligence that is not possible consider such low life
form that inhibit this planet. The low life being call
these being their "Gods". What strange and mysterious is
that they have similar body to us.
At last,
we lost battle to the Unknown Living Thing, and your
Majesty fell down before their powers, but they did not
steal the Majesty's soul. He only went into a long
sleep. And now the time has come, the seal is broken and
your Majesty will soon wake up.
I can
feel that this planet no longer has the power of unknown
living thing to protect it. We now have our best chance.
Why these low life forms have not yet evolve they still
like a child. Why did they not evolve, they have so much
times to advance. This planet has degenerate and these
living being are just parasite that need to be
exterminate.
Come and
join us fellow supporter and wipe these parasites off
the planet so we can make utopia for Your Majesty!
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