of Diaclone Driver / MicroMan-32

Takara action figure toyline are as below ('71 - '83)

12.00in - Hensin Cyborg -> 03.50in - Microman -> 01.25in - Diaclone

Imagine 1.75m man interacts with 3.5m man, yeah impossible (and non-existent)...

Takara's Diaclone & MicroMan actually have two size of pilot, in which hampers any attempt of cross-playability, in which makes Hasbro let go of the concept completely (Takara tries to integrates but ultimately failed)

The ever-shrinking action figures are Takara's attempt to caters to Japan toys demand and/or trends. The figure size reduction means Takara able to design the figure accessories much more elaborately, that eventually results in transforming cities / vehicles / bases / etc, which leads to awesome transforming robots

Eventually the pilot figure itself was dismissed, and those transforming Diaclone & MicroMan accessories became fully sentient, which get re-branded as Transformers. Simultaneously makes Takara's original plans for integration successful

This is unfortunate IMHO, as the most interesting part of the Diaclone/Microman toys is that they are designed with playability / pilot interaction in mind, which restricts on how a bot transforms, which results in awesome transforming robots that we all known as Transformers.

Anyway, below are the list of Diaclone cars, sorted on pilot-centric transformation (from Jeff Heller)

Countach | Vanette
Fire Engine | Crane | Lacia Stratos | Battle Convoy
4WD Hi-Luxe | 4WD Wrecker | Stingray

Honda City R | J59 Jeep | Ligier JS11
Porsche 935 Turbo | New Countach LP500S
Fairlady Z

It's not all bad, the bottom-list do results in beautiful alt-mode & robot, but that's it...


Which is why my main Pre-TF collection will include driver(s), albeit came from an entirely different size from the original & different toy line

Lego Hero Factory Mini


With the recent official MP (and unofficial MP from 3rd-party), it seems to be possible. Mainly because TakaraTomy MP 2.0 designers decides to stick to a scale (1/32-ish) for MP cars (MP Diaclone in my mind), in which the Lego Mini Hero (I'm calling it MicroMan-32) fits nicely

Then came the first MP Microman that is MP-13 Soundwave. Yes he's too big for 1/32 scale pilot, but original CassetteMan has an interesting backstory on how it interacts with M-011 MicroMan Saram / Salam

First, the MICROSS, CONDOR and JAGUAR MICROCASSETTEs were built and put in charge of terrestrial reconnaissance. Next CASSETTEMAN was constructed as an energy resupply base for the MICROCASSETTE corps, while the CASSETTE-MACHINE JET HELI and BATTLE BIKE were utilized by MICROMAN to engage the ACROYEAR threat.

Yes, CassetteMan was not only a walkman, but it's also a base for Micross / Condor / Jaguar (also known as Mini-Cassette in Transformers). Those three are perfect with MicroMan-32 pilot. MP-13 now back to being accessories, and that's a good thing

Now the main Pre-TF release will at last have the same scale of pilots for both MP Diaclone & MicroMan. Playability restored, until MP combiners / City-bot came. In which I have an (very prohibitively) expensive idea, transforming display case.

A few letdowns
- MP 2.0 cars has totally NO pilot space, unlike Alternators / Alternity...
- MP Jets are too small, 1/60 scale instead of 1/32

p/s: The Lego Hero minifigs are not exactly awesome, in terms of articulation, but they're the best shot I have for MicroMan-32, until another line are able to fill-in 55mm pilots, with better articulation. The hunt continues :D

Micro Change - Backstory

Microman Salam/Saram came to Earth with 'MICROM 2000' computer (Teletraan I predecessor :D).

MC-01 MC-02 MC-03 are created for Reconnaissance
MC-10 later created to be Energy resupply Base for the MicroCassettes

MC-08 & MC-09 are being used to engage directly with Acroyears

MC-07 MC-11 MC-12 MC-13 later built with heavy-armor

MC-05s & MC-06s are created to monitor Earth for any Acroyears sub-space activity

MC-14 MC-15 MC-16 later helped in attacking the Acroyears' HQ


MICROMAN MICRO-CHANGE STORY 
Snippets of 'Microman Secret File Vol. 1', translated by MicroBry

Using a “subspace generator”, ten MICROMAN survivors materialized on Earth after the loss of their homeworld known as MICROEARTH. This was quickly followed by the ACROYEAR invasion of our planet.

Thus began the conflict on Earth between MICROMAN and ACROYEAR.

Not long after these events, “SALAM” became the eleventh MICROMAN to reach our world, bringing with him the “MICROM 2000” supercomputer, having rescued it during a harrowing last-minute escape from the final stages of MICROEARTH’s destruction.

SALAM was an expert technician, and soon used the MICROM 2000 module to create an ever-expanding new series of MICROCHANGE mecha in order to try putting a stop to the ACROYEAR invasion.

First, the MICROSS, CONDOR and JAGUAR MICROCASSETTEs were built and put in charge of terrestrial reconnaissance. Next CASSETTEMAN was constructed as an energy resupply base for the MICROCASSETTE corps, while the CASSETTE-MACHINE JET HELI and BATTLE BIKE were utilized by MICROMAN to engage the ACROYEAR threat.

Meanwhile, the ACROYEARS welcomed the Admiral ACRODEVIL as the new supervisor of their Earth operations, and were strengthening their military forces. The focus of their attacks would be upon MICROMAN and their friends, the Earthling children.

Therefore SALAM crafted the GUN ROBO in the shapes of model guns and entrusted the children with them. The GUN ROBO BROWNING, 44 MAGNUM and WALTHER could CHANGE into heavily armored robots in an instant and stand up to the ACROYEAR attacks.

The ACROYEARS thus began to extend their various subversive plots not only toward MICROMAN, but towards humanity as well. As such, being prepared for random ACROYEAR attacks popping in and out of subspace proved exceedingly difficult.
Therefore, MICROMAN created CAMERA ROBO and WATCH ROBO with the ability to detect the ACROYEARs in defense of the Earth. As a direct result, the extra-dimensional ACROYEAR fortress was discovered at last and it finally became possible for MICROMAN to directly approach the enemy’s headquarters.
In the meantime the ACROYEARS viciously counterattacked, but their tactics were repeatedly foiled by the mysterious METEOR ROBO.

The Admiral ACRODEVIL became so infuriated, he became intent on nothing less than the complete annihilation of the Earth. MICROMAN continued to produce more and more MICROCHANGE mecha and gave all their effort toward building their defenses.

KEY ROBO, RADICASSE ROBO, MICRO-SCOPE, SCOPEMAN, BEAM ROBO…this MICROCHANGE mecha squadron fights on to protect peace on this beautiful planet Earth, and the rest of the universe!!

http://www.microforever.com/M011saram.htm