M211 Ken, M212 Kelly and M213 Kim
In March of 1975, Takara released die-cast
style Microman figures called Super Steel Microman. The first series,
M20X Type was essentially a die-cast version of the early "barefoot"
Microman. The Super Steel line was introduce by Takara to capture some
of the market share of die-cast robot toys that were very popular in
Japan at the time. In August of 1975, Takara released second Super Steel Microman series
designated as M21X Dash Wing Type. The third and last Super Steel
series, M22X Hand Bazooka, was introduced the following month in
September of 1975. While the early M20X series still had the short cuff style
and lack the 5mm ports, M21X and M22X were updated with 1975 style
Microman figures which came completed with 5mm ports and longer cuff style hands.
M21X Type is probably one of
the most recognizable Microman figure next to the Founder "barefoot"
Series. The lead character in the original Microman manga is depicted as
M21X Super Steel Microman. The M21X have full die-cast body and come
with blue "Flight" helmet and wing-pack known as "Dash Wing". The wing
pack plug into 5mm port in the back and has spring-loaded wings that
flap up by pushing a small button at the base of the wing pack. There
are three members in M21X Super Steel Dash Wing Type - M211 Ken, M212
Kelly and M213 Kim. M211 Ken has gold color body with clear yellow wing
pack and gold plated head, M212 Kelly has green body, clear green wing
pack and green plated head. M213 Kim has metallic blue body, clear blue
wing pack and blue plated head.
SUPER STEEL M21X
STORY
Super Steel
Microman are Microman whose body have undergone a major
evolution inside the capsule. Being bury inside Earth iron
core, these Microman bodies are encased in Super Steel
Alloy. The M21X are equipped with "Dash Wing" that allow
them to fly at speed of Mach 15
Micronauts and Palisades Retro Series
In 1976, Mego licensed Microman toys from
Takara and M21X figures were sold as "Space Glider" in Micronauts line.
(See sidebar). Micronauts Space Gliders were very similar to Microman
counterpart but with some minor alteration by Mego to reduce production
cost. The figure's colors however were mostly the same as Microman versions. When
Palisades released Retro Micronauts line in 2002, they introduced several
new color variants to M21X style and even include a new gun accessory for
the figure.
The classic colors - gold,
green and blue shared by both Microman and Micronauts.
M21X COLORS
The 2002 Palisades Retro
Micronauts Space Gliders offer some unique colors for M21X style
figure including "Commander" version based on the Marvel comic series
and Microman "Jack" from Microman manga. |
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Package
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Super Steel
Microman Series
M21X Dash Wing
Type
Released : 8/1975
Retail Price :
750 Yen
Super Steel Microman
M21X Type come packaged in small cardboard box with small cut
out window so one can see the toy inside. The boxes are all the
same for all three variants of M21X except for small designation
lettering to denote the figure.
The
back of the box detailed the story of Super Steel Dash Wing
Microman and highlight the "Dash Wing" gimmick. The back also
shows all the members of M21X Super Steel series.
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Capsule |
Super Steel Microman
were packaged inside plastic "capsule" case, similar to the
capsules that were sold with M10X, M11X, M12X series.
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Flight Helmet Included
M21X
Type is one of the few Microman to come with helmet accessory. The
helmet is molded in blue for all three figures.
Have Dash Wings, will travel
One
of the main gimmick for M21X type is the "Dash Wing" back pack. The pack
has spring-loaded wing that flap open by pushing down on small switch on the
back pack. The pack connects to Microman body via 5mm connector.
Genuine Microman
Aside from the color plated
heads, Microman Dash Wing Type can also be distinguish from the
Micronauts version by "Takara Micro Man" stamp on the buttock and "M" letters on left
arm and left leg.
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Micronauts Space Glider
M21X Type series
was one of many Microman toys that were licensed by
Mego and sold as part of the Micronauts line in the US. Mego
changed the name to "Space Glider" and the toy was slightly
retooled and changed most likely to reduce production cost.
The head was replace with M11X style head and only came in gold
plated color only. Also instead of screws, the legs and back were join
together with
rivets. The ankle articulations were also removed and the
lower leg and feet were molded as a single piece. For more
information about Mego Micronauts version please
check out Dave Waugh excellent Micronauts website -
Innerspace
Online Space Glider
Micronauts
Innerspace Online |
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