!964-Hasbro releases GI Joe Action series of figures (this is actually where the term "action figure" came from. Hasbro did not want to call them "dolls" because they were afraid boys would not buy them):
GI Joe Action series:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 9fe3788fc4
early 70's-Takara licenses the body of the Hasbro GI Joe mold and produces their own New GI Joe line (note that the heads are a lot more "manga" like):
Takara New GI Joe:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 06ef05d497
1972-Takara does not find success in New GI Joe and decides to make some changes. they name their new series Henshin Cyborg. as a side note, the word "henshin" means "change" or "transform" in Japanese. this is the beginning of Takara's multi-form toy idea, as the Henshin Cyborg figure has multiple limbs with different features that you can swap out. there were even sets you could buy to use part of the Henshin Cynorg figure and transform it into a motorcycle.
Henshin Cyborg:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... ee074c55e1
1974-Takara decides that Japanese market needs smaller toys because they are smaller people (it's okay, i can say this because i am half-Japanese). they take the idea of Henshin Cyborg and shrink him down to about 4". the iconic Microman line is born (this toy line is licensed by Mego Corp and brought to the United States as the famous Micronauts:
Microman
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 809310c832
1982-After many years of success with the Microman toy series Takara relaunches it in 1980 renaming it New Microman. two years later they introduce the Micro Change sub-series. this along with the sub-series Car Robots from the Diaclone line is where we get most of the Generation 1 Transformers that we all came to know and love.
Micro Change
part 1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 152f76b84c
part 2
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 81584f105a
1982-Takara simultaneously launches the Car Robot sub-series from the Diaclone that they launched 2 years previous. (the "drivers' or "pilots" {called Inch-Man} from this series are a further shrinking of the original toy. you can see the influence of the Microman on the little pilots. they are also the reason why so many of the original G!'s had usable cockpits, even the Dinobots.)
Car Robots and Diaclone:
part 1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 5604c369d4
part 2
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 12e01e0642
1984-Hasbro and Takara come full circle as they decide to work together. Takara has the product designs and Hasbro comes up with the story and cartoon series and Generation 1 Transformers is born, only to die a horrible death 2 years later when Optimus Prime and many of my other favorites were lead to the slaughter to make room for a whole new series of ugly toys (ok, that last part is my own personal rant. let me have it).
Transformers Generation One:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... b355b6476f
now here's some Watch Q's and Watch Robos for your enjoyment.
Watch Q/Watch Robo
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 29afeba7eb
one of these days i'll post photos of all the Binaltech, Alternity, Masterpiece, 3rd Party, and other various junk i got. but for now this should suffice.
these are my own personal photos and i do NOT give anyone permission to use them, especially for any EBAY auctions. thanks for looking and i hope you like 'em!
