Microman 2004 Series

Microman Acroyear X - AX-13 AcroVoltech (3/25/04)

Acroyear-X

MICROMAN SERIES

Micro Force 2nd Run (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

Packaging & Instruction

Microman 2004 came in 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 blister had the "O" design (in MICROMAN logo) molded on. While the cylinder tube 2003 series was nice and compact, the new blister was definitely more attractive looking.

Acroyear X - AcroVoltech

AcroCleve developed unusual brain and allowed him to manage data, hacking and network with computer. He also had one million volts of electrical energy store that can be discharge via his armor electrode along with powerful electromagnetic waves gun.

Fighting Style - Sumo

Blood Type - nRA

Favorite Things - Indifference

Equipment - Electromagnetic Gun

Microman New Stand

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

Microman 2004 AX-13 AcroVoltech was the third member of the Acroyear-X series. (Acroyear-X was the evil counterpart to Microman Master Force). The designs of the new Acroyears followed the King Walder designs (enemy of Henshin Cyborg) rather than that of the Acroyears from the original 1970's Microman line. Because of this design concept, the new Acroyear-X might take some getting used to, but since the new Microman designs were more akin to the Henshin Cyborgs, having the bad guy followed the same design philosophy made a lot more sense than turning these villains into the mechanical beings from vintage Microman. However, as in Microman Master Force series, Acroyear-X had plenty of design elements that were homage to both Microman and Henshin Cyborg villains. AcroVoltech had one of the least Acroyear or Walder like appearance at least initially. He had the 60's retro style Martian alien design (big brain encase in glass tube jar) and toting a "ray" gun. However, with closer examination one can spot various Acroyear element in the design, and there was a good reason for this as he had alternate mode that turn him into Acroyear First (A30X) look alike.

AcroVoltech had off-white (pearl) body with purple pin striping. He originally was going to have a purple clear body, Takara probably changed the color due to similarity to Biom color scheme which was also purple. Pearl white was a bit of an unusual color for Acroyear even for the 2004 line but the color do work well. His chest had positive and negative marking (to emphasize his electric charge body). Voltech had plastic tube that encase his head (since he supposed to be 60's Martian type alien) with astronaut suit like body armor. (Acroyear X series designs were seem to be based on 60's sci-fi, fantasy and horror film). His armor had design that were both homage to Acroyear (A30X) design and electric equipment-like design. The body armor had tube, capacitor, wiring and tube design with backpack with two electrode ball. The armor design seem to be a take on the new Magne Power Acroyear looks. His arm also had electrical bulb arm bands. The tube can also be used to connect to his gun. The gun tip was design to look like Acroyear 1 head and can be removed and replaced the brain head. The electrode arm can be removed and thought not part of the official instruction, the arms can be attach to the arm socket and gave Voltech Acroyear 1's ball fist and mechanical arms. (However, this was not a total fit as they were design for the thicker chrome pegs on the armor. His feet also had Acroyear-like design along with battery posts-like "toes". All in all AcroVoltech was one very clever design with hidden Acroyear 1 mode that incorporate into his alien look and electricity theme.

Equipment Alternate Mode

I have to say AcroVoltech was probably the least likeable of the four Acroyear X for me initially. At first he appeared as Martian brain-in-jar design with A30X Acroyears parts stuck all over his body. Also his initial appearance can be very un-Acroyear, but the clever alternate armor mode and well design features revealed a very Microman-like appearance that cleverly incorporated the electricity theme into the old A30X design. The figure became one of my favorite of the four Acroyear X designs.