Necronomitron
@necronomitron.bsky.social
The Book of Dead Robots.
Transformers Generation Zero historian. Pre-Transformers / Takara SF Land information & translated documents.
Transformers Generation Zero historian. Pre-Transformers / Takara SF Land information & translated documents.
Meanwhile, enjoy a translation of what can charitably be called the entirety of the Pre-Transformers Mech Soldier lore: their instruction sheet.
November 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Meanwhile, enjoy a translation of what can charitably be called the entirety of the Pre-Transformers Mech Soldier lore: their instruction sheet.
Recently, the Mini-Spies starred in the new Metro Wars comic, where Arcee and Deerstalker solve a Sherlock Holmes-style mystery.
Some Mini-Spies are even given names! Keeping with the theme, they’re named after Sherlock Holmes stories… unfortunately, this results in one being named “Yellow Face”.
Some Mini-Spies are even given names! Keeping with the theme, they’re named after Sherlock Holmes stories… unfortunately, this results in one being named “Yellow Face”.
November 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Recently, the Mini-Spies starred in the new Metro Wars comic, where Arcee and Deerstalker solve a Sherlock Holmes-style mystery.
Some Mini-Spies are even given names! Keeping with the theme, they’re named after Sherlock Holmes stories… unfortunately, this results in one being named “Yellow Face”.
Some Mini-Spies are even given names! Keeping with the theme, they’re named after Sherlock Holmes stories… unfortunately, this results in one being named “Yellow Face”.
As reported by @tfsquareone.bsky.social US shipping boxes even called the mini-spy releases “Koma Cars”.
Koma sold the concept to Takara so early on, Takara was able to file the patent under their name.
Koma also developed the remote control Diaclone City Bulldog, and Remocon Car Robot from 1984.
Koma sold the concept to Takara so early on, Takara was able to file the patent under their name.
Koma also developed the remote control Diaclone City Bulldog, and Remocon Car Robot from 1984.
November 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
As reported by @tfsquareone.bsky.social US shipping boxes even called the mini-spy releases “Koma Cars”.
Koma sold the concept to Takara so early on, Takara was able to file the patent under their name.
Koma also developed the remote control Diaclone City Bulldog, and Remocon Car Robot from 1984.
Koma sold the concept to Takara so early on, Takara was able to file the patent under their name.
Koma also developed the remote control Diaclone City Bulldog, and Remocon Car Robot from 1984.
The Mini-Spies began their lives as Takara’s Mecha Senshi (Englishized as “Mech Soldier”), a series of low-cost robots, originally developed and sold to Takara by a company called “Koma Co. LTD”.
(Photo of display box from a collector way more hardcore than me)
(Photo of display box from a collector way more hardcore than me)
November 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
The Mini-Spies began their lives as Takara’s Mecha Senshi (Englishized as “Mech Soldier”), a series of low-cost robots, originally developed and sold to Takara by a company called “Koma Co. LTD”.
(Photo of display box from a collector way more hardcore than me)
(Photo of display box from a collector way more hardcore than me)
Yes, even I think this is excessive.
No, it didn’t stop me.
All 12 versions of the 1985 Mini-Spies.
No, it didn’t stop me.
All 12 versions of the 1985 Mini-Spies.
November 26, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Yes, even I think this is excessive.
No, it didn’t stop me.
All 12 versions of the 1985 Mini-Spies.
No, it didn’t stop me.
All 12 versions of the 1985 Mini-Spies.
7/7
I don’t know why Kick Fight Game’s boxer has Henshin Cyborg’s head.
Maybe they needed to de-brand from Ashita No Joe, and used assets they had on hand. Maybe it was an Easter egg, like the Dianaut, or Microman M17X.
The thing I do know, the important thing… Yes, it fits back on the figure.
I don’t know why Kick Fight Game’s boxer has Henshin Cyborg’s head.
Maybe they needed to de-brand from Ashita No Joe, and used assets they had on hand. Maybe it was an Easter egg, like the Dianaut, or Microman M17X.
The thing I do know, the important thing… Yes, it fits back on the figure.
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
7/7
I don’t know why Kick Fight Game’s boxer has Henshin Cyborg’s head.
Maybe they needed to de-brand from Ashita No Joe, and used assets they had on hand. Maybe it was an Easter egg, like the Dianaut, or Microman M17X.
The thing I do know, the important thing… Yes, it fits back on the figure.
I don’t know why Kick Fight Game’s boxer has Henshin Cyborg’s head.
Maybe they needed to de-brand from Ashita No Joe, and used assets they had on hand. Maybe it was an Easter egg, like the Dianaut, or Microman M17X.
The thing I do know, the important thing… Yes, it fits back on the figure.
And a good time was had by all!
But why talk about Kick Fight Game and its haunting, mysterious face?
The face that refuses to make sense, no matter how hard I stare…
But why talk about Kick Fight Game and its haunting, mysterious face?
The face that refuses to make sense, no matter how hard I stare…
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
And a good time was had by all!
But why talk about Kick Fight Game and its haunting, mysterious face?
The face that refuses to make sense, no matter how hard I stare…
But why talk about Kick Fight Game and its haunting, mysterious face?
The face that refuses to make sense, no matter how hard I stare…
To play, kids set the ring’s 3 second timer and deliver a flurry of kicks, trying to hit their opponent’s unfortunately-placed trigger, before the bell rings.
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
To play, kids set the ring’s 3 second timer and deliver a flurry of kicks, trying to hit their opponent’s unfortunately-placed trigger, before the bell rings.
There were branded tie-ins, like Kamen Rider, and you can see the Ashita No Joe version on the box (though boxing manga seems like an odd choice for a game about KICKING).
This later edition substitutes Joe and Toru with a generic boxer and Muay Thai fighter, instead.
This later edition substitutes Joe and Toru with a generic boxer and Muay Thai fighter, instead.
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
There were branded tie-ins, like Kamen Rider, and you can see the Ashita No Joe version on the box (though boxing manga seems like an odd choice for a game about KICKING).
This later edition substitutes Joe and Toru with a generic boxer and Muay Thai fighter, instead.
This later edition substitutes Joe and Toru with a generic boxer and Muay Thai fighter, instead.
In the 1970’s, “Takara’s American Games” series was a push into the uniquely American novelty board game market.
Many of these were straight ports of Battleship, or the Game of Life, but “Kick Fight Game” was a more unique entry “inspired by” games like Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots.
Many of these were straight ports of Battleship, or the Game of Life, but “Kick Fight Game” was a more unique entry “inspired by” games like Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots.
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
In the 1970’s, “Takara’s American Games” series was a push into the uniquely American novelty board game market.
Many of these were straight ports of Battleship, or the Game of Life, but “Kick Fight Game” was a more unique entry “inspired by” games like Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots.
Many of these were straight ports of Battleship, or the Game of Life, but “Kick Fight Game” was a more unique entry “inspired by” games like Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots.
…anyway, this is Takara’s “Kick Fight Game”, where you kick a guy in the dick until he snaps in half.
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
…anyway, this is Takara’s “Kick Fight Game”, where you kick a guy in the dick until he snaps in half.
1/7
The paint job on this boxer’s face is driving me mad. Even on a tripod, his face still looks blurry.
Zoom in and you see it’s just the way he’s been airbrushed. It’s like an optical illusion, was he painted to look like he’s in motion?
The longer I look, it actually starts to hurt my eyes…
The paint job on this boxer’s face is driving me mad. Even on a tripod, his face still looks blurry.
Zoom in and you see it’s just the way he’s been airbrushed. It’s like an optical illusion, was he painted to look like he’s in motion?
The longer I look, it actually starts to hurt my eyes…
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
1/7
The paint job on this boxer’s face is driving me mad. Even on a tripod, his face still looks blurry.
Zoom in and you see it’s just the way he’s been airbrushed. It’s like an optical illusion, was he painted to look like he’s in motion?
The longer I look, it actually starts to hurt my eyes…
The paint job on this boxer’s face is driving me mad. Even on a tripod, his face still looks blurry.
Zoom in and you see it’s just the way he’s been airbrushed. It’s like an optical illusion, was he painted to look like he’s in motion?
The longer I look, it actually starts to hurt my eyes…
Absolutely. It’s nuts how ambitious the designs were, for that scale. You know Microman is 4” tall, but if you’ve only seen pictures of these online, it’s hard to actually process.
It’s just really unfortunate that resulted in them being so fragile.
It’s just really unfortunate that resulted in them being so fragile.
October 24, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Absolutely. It’s nuts how ambitious the designs were, for that scale. You know Microman is 4” tall, but if you’ve only seen pictures of these online, it’s hard to actually process.
It’s just really unfortunate that resulted in them being so fragile.
It’s just really unfortunate that resulted in them being so fragile.
Yeah, the official name was going to be “Air Attack Predator”.
There was also a “Heavy Infantry Predator” that looks intense. Like frontline soldiers, instead of hunters. It’s a shame.
There was also a “Heavy Infantry Predator” that looks intense. Like frontline soldiers, instead of hunters. It’s a shame.
October 24, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Yeah, the official name was going to be “Air Attack Predator”.
There was also a “Heavy Infantry Predator” that looks intense. Like frontline soldiers, instead of hunters. It’s a shame.
There was also a “Heavy Infantry Predator” that looks intense. Like frontline soldiers, instead of hunters. It’s a shame.
Tragically, they had some fantastic figures in the works when the line got canceled. Here’s the female Predator.
October 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Tragically, they had some fantastic figures in the works when the line got canceled. Here’s the female Predator.
Shinohara explained he even insisted on the exact same katakana spelling used for Lava Planet Predator, when it was suggested they go with something phonetically easier.
With all this in mind, now those mission-specific themes feel like they marched straight out of the 1990’s Kenner toy catalog.
With all this in mind, now those mission-specific themes feel like they marched straight out of the 1990’s Kenner toy catalog.
October 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Shinohara explained he even insisted on the exact same katakana spelling used for Lava Planet Predator, when it was suggested they go with something phonetically easier.
With all this in mind, now those mission-specific themes feel like they marched straight out of the 1990’s Kenner toy catalog.
With all this in mind, now those mission-specific themes feel like they marched straight out of the 1990’s Kenner toy catalog.
However, in addition to Desert, Forest, and Night, there was also “Lava Planet”, which seemed like an unusual addition…
Until designer Tamotsu Shinohara gushed about being a huge fan of Kenner’s 1990’s Predator toys (released in Japan by Nomura Toys).
Here’s Lava Planet Predator.
Until designer Tamotsu Shinohara gushed about being a huge fan of Kenner’s 1990’s Predator toys (released in Japan by Nomura Toys).
Here’s Lava Planet Predator.
October 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
However, in addition to Desert, Forest, and Night, there was also “Lava Planet”, which seemed like an unusual addition…
Until designer Tamotsu Shinohara gushed about being a huge fan of Kenner’s 1990’s Predator toys (released in Japan by Nomura Toys).
Here’s Lava Planet Predator.
Until designer Tamotsu Shinohara gushed about being a huge fan of Kenner’s 1990’s Predator toys (released in Japan by Nomura Toys).
Here’s Lava Planet Predator.
Part of the 2000’s Microman revival, “Military Force” was a series army builder droids, utilizing a standardized body, with tons of mix and match accessories.
Each figure had an environment or mission specific theme, and they were endlessly customizable.
Each figure had an environment or mission specific theme, and they were endlessly customizable.
October 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Part of the 2000’s Microman revival, “Military Force” was a series army builder droids, utilizing a standardized body, with tons of mix and match accessories.
Each figure had an environment or mission specific theme, and they were endlessly customizable.
Each figure had an environment or mission specific theme, and they were endlessly customizable.
The internet has always existed in some form or another.
October 23, 2025 at 8:16 PM
The internet has always existed in some form or another.
1980’s memo to Hasbro from Larry Hama, pleading to let him say new figures are just older figures who dress differently now, to lighten his burden on adding new huge numbers of new characters to the comic every twelve issues.
Reproduced from Mark Bellomo's Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe - 2nd Edition
Reproduced from Mark Bellomo's Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe - 2nd Edition
October 22, 2025 at 9:55 PM
1980’s memo to Hasbro from Larry Hama, pleading to let him say new figures are just older figures who dress differently now, to lighten his burden on adding new huge numbers of new characters to the comic every twelve issues.
Reproduced from Mark Bellomo's Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe - 2nd Edition
Reproduced from Mark Bellomo's Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe - 2nd Edition
Two issues later, Poochie starts using a specially-made super machine gun bazooka.
The comic only lasted six issues, but somehow felt the need to use several original villains, too.
…Meanwhile in America, Larry Hama was being forced to introduce 20 to 30 new figures and vehicles, every year.
The comic only lasted six issues, but somehow felt the need to use several original villains, too.
…Meanwhile in America, Larry Hama was being forced to introduce 20 to 30 new figures and vehicles, every year.
October 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Two issues later, Poochie starts using a specially-made super machine gun bazooka.
The comic only lasted six issues, but somehow felt the need to use several original villains, too.
…Meanwhile in America, Larry Hama was being forced to introduce 20 to 30 new figures and vehicles, every year.
The comic only lasted six issues, but somehow felt the need to use several original villains, too.
…Meanwhile in America, Larry Hama was being forced to introduce 20 to 30 new figures and vehicles, every year.
Musashi has big fan fiction main character energy. He can totally beat Snake Eyes in a fight, and he has a tragic backstory leading to him refusing to use a gun.
Instead, he attacks with a sword like such a madman, Cobra troopers would rather throw themselves from a moving train than fight him.
Instead, he attacks with a sword like such a madman, Cobra troopers would rather throw themselves from a moving train than fight him.
October 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Musashi has big fan fiction main character energy. He can totally beat Snake Eyes in a fight, and he has a tragic backstory leading to him refusing to use a gun.
Instead, he attacks with a sword like such a madman, Cobra troopers would rather throw themselves from a moving train than fight him.
Instead, he attacks with a sword like such a madman, Cobra troopers would rather throw themselves from a moving train than fight him.
In a stunning example of the lack of oversight Takara used to exercise over fiction, in the 1986 G.I. Joe manga, artist Hisaji Ueda made the baffling decision to make the focus of the comic a completely new main character: “Tate Musashi”.
The rest of the G.I. Joe team basically becomes his backup.
The rest of the G.I. Joe team basically becomes his backup.
October 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
In a stunning example of the lack of oversight Takara used to exercise over fiction, in the 1986 G.I. Joe manga, artist Hisaji Ueda made the baffling decision to make the focus of the comic a completely new main character: “Tate Musashi”.
The rest of the G.I. Joe team basically becomes his backup.
The rest of the G.I. Joe team basically becomes his backup.
Artistic accuracy is important. That’s why I don’t display Onyx Prime in bipedal OR centaur mode.
Obviously, the correct option is to have the front legs just kind of hang out in front, so you aren’t quite sure what the hell is going on.
Obviously, the correct option is to have the front legs just kind of hang out in front, so you aren’t quite sure what the hell is going on.
October 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Artistic accuracy is important. That’s why I don’t display Onyx Prime in bipedal OR centaur mode.
Obviously, the correct option is to have the front legs just kind of hang out in front, so you aren’t quite sure what the hell is going on.
Obviously, the correct option is to have the front legs just kind of hang out in front, so you aren’t quite sure what the hell is going on.
This effect takes place over months, or years, not hours. So you can absolutely still enjoy using blast effects for a fun afternoon, or to take some photos. Just be real careful about what you store them with, and don’t leave them displayed on your figures, long term.
6/6
6/6
October 20, 2025 at 6:06 PM
This effect takes place over months, or years, not hours. So you can absolutely still enjoy using blast effects for a fun afternoon, or to take some photos. Just be real careful about what you store them with, and don’t leave them displayed on your figures, long term.
6/6
6/6