Machine Robo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Machine Robo is a Japanese transforming robot toyline first released in 1982 by Popy, a division of Bandai, then later by Bandai proper. The franchise was marketed as Robo Machine in Europe, and Machine Men (or Robot Machine Men) in Australia. A large portion of these toys were exported to North America as part of Tonka's Gobot and Rock Lords series, beginning in 1984.
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[edit] About Machine Robo
The initial assortment of Machine Robos consisted of small toy robots which transformed into vehicles, aircraft, etc, comparable in size to Matchbox cars. These early MR toys have become known as the "600 series" (being priced at ¥600 each), and were developed through ideas submitted by children, similar to the children's submissions in Kinnikuman. Larger-scale deluxe ("DX") toys were soon released, along with other non-transforming vehicles & figures.
Catalogs packaged with the toys contained stories depicting the Machine Robos as beings from the planet Romulos. Romulos was destroyed by the monster-like Devil Invaders from the Casmozone and thus the Machine Robo came to Earth. This premise would later be abandoned in favor of a new storyline originating with the first MR anime, "Revenge of Cronos").
[edit] The "600" Era (1982-1985)
- 600 Series
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- Devil Invaders
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Vehicles & Bases
- Jet Garry
- Battle Base
- Combat Buggy
- Power Suits
- Battle Commander 5 (Courageous)
- Jet fighter and four powered suits combine into huge robot.
- Land Commander 5 (Nemesis)
- Tank and four powered suits combine into huge robot.
- Machine Puzzler
| Name | Gobot Name |
| Corvette | Tic Tac |
| Celica XX | Jigsaw |
| Countach LP500 | |
| Porsche 930T | Crossword |
| Benz 500SLC | Rube |
| Fairlady 300ZX | ZigZag |
- Double Machine Robo
- Jetlancer
- Helitanser
- Tanktrancer
- Drillheli
- Doublejet
- Sidelancer
- Martial Arts Robo （格闘技ロボ）
- Karate Robo
- Jūdō Robo
- Wrestler Robo
- Kendō Robo
- Kenpō Robo
- Boxer Robo
[edit] Revenge of Cronos (1986-1987)
see Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos
Both in Japan and in the West, Machine Robo's main competition was The Transformers, whose animated series debuted in Japan in 1985. To match this, the first Machine Robo anime, Revenge of Cronos debuted a year later in 1986.
- Chara Collection
Large, non-transforming versions of main characters with swords. DX versions come with firing BB guns.
- Rom Stōl
- Blue Jet
- Rod Drill
[edit] Winner Battle Hackers (1987-1988)
see Machine Robo: Battle Hackers
[edit] CG Robo (1993)
"CG" is short for "Change & Glow", pointing to the fact that this line of 14 figures not only transformed, but also had working lights and sounds. CG-01 to CG-05 were released in Europe with minor changes as part of the Robo Machines toyline.
[edit] Machine Robo Rescue (2003)
[edit] Mugenbine (2004-present)
[edit] Animated Series
The first Machine Robo anime was Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos, which aired in Japan from 1986 to 1987. There were some further straight-to-video adventures released from 1988-1990 that featured some characters from this anime. The second series was Machine Robo: Battle Hackers, which aired in 1987. The latest animated series was Machine Robo Rescue in 2003.
- Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos
- Machine Robo: Battle Hackers
- Leina Stol in Wolf Sword Legend
- Lightning Trap - Leina & Laika
- Machine Robo Rescue
[edit] External links
- Official Machine Robo Mugenbine Web Site
- Official PLEX Web Site
- The Rock Lords collector archives collector's guide to the Rock Lords line, a sub-line of the GoBots.
- Official Machine Robo Rescue Web Site
