Get Educated about Japanese Micromasters!

Greetings, In this article, I hope to present a descriptive analysis and photo tutorial on the Micromasters which were exclusive to Japan.

Let us begin our study about those rarer Micromasters which originated from across the Pacific Ocean, in their original homeland of Japan. As you may already know, most of the Japanese Micromasters were Autobots, and most of them have the same coloration as those released in North America and Europe. There were a few notable exceptions: the Battle Patrol Team (recolored Battle Patrol) and the Super Car Patrol Team (recolored Sports Car Patrol). Each of these groups is based on the same molds as the North American/European counterparts, only their paint schemes were different.

Also released in Japan, though under different names, were the Micromaster bases Skyhopper and Groundshaker. In each case, we have a familiar Micromaster, but with new colors. Sky Hyper, (pictured below) comes with a recolored Freewheeler, known as Deadwheeler. Note: Even his base was recolored!!

You've probably wondered, are there any Decepticon Japanese Micromasters? The answer is yes! The Race Track Patrol and Metrobomb (recolored Skystalker) represent the Decepticons in the Micromaster ranks. Metrobomb was released with a recolored Metroplex, better known as Metrotitan. From the Transformers: Zone serial's storyline, and presumably, the tech specs, we learn that Metrotitan is a resurrected and reprogrammed version of the original Metroplex.

First we have an image of the Transformers:Zone single-episode animation videocassete MiB, (left) and then we have a shot of Rabbicrater himself. (right)

Those are the repaints. Now let's move on to the truly unique Japanese Micromasters...

First, we see Metrobomb with the other members of Metrotitan's platoon of warriors, (left). Next, we have an image of Metrotitan MiB, (center) And finally we have a picture of Metrotitan himself, (right)

It is interesting to note here that Skystalker's tech spec indicates he has an insatiable lust for power and control over everything he sees (something to that effect). It is no small wonder, then, that he'd be paired (in Japan) with one of the most powerful Transformers ever made!

Next we have yet another repaint of Skystalker, this time as an Autobot. This rare Micromaster holds the unique distinction of being the only Micromaster ever to be sold with an official Transformers video. The video--Transformers: Zone. His name: Rabbicrater! (Please, don't laugh!) (Are we too late?)

Let us begin with the large Autobot Powered Masters, also known as Dai Atlas, Sonic Bomber, and Roadfire. They are known as Powered Masters because their toys have spring-loaded transformations, thus giving them a small measure of autonomous transforming ability. Furthermore, these three robots are each triplechangers, can even combine together in a fourth mode of transformation, and each comes with their own unique, exclusive Micromaster. Their combined name -- Big-Powered!

First, we have Dai Atlas, (top left) General Commander and leader of the Autobot forces. He has five different transformations: robot, drill, jet, base, and combiner mode. On the left, we see him MiB: He comes with Speeder, a small white sports car, (bottom left)

Dai Atlas' lieutenant, and second-in-command, is named Sonic Bomber. He transforms from robot to jet to base to combiner mode. Here he is MiB (top center) His Micromaster partner is Sonic, a sleek black sports car. (bottom center)

Roadfire is the third member of Big-Powered, and his Micromaster partner is named Drillbuster. Unlike the other members of Big-Powered and their Micromasters, Roadfire and Drillbuster do not appear in the OVA Transformers: Zone. They were apparently introduced later in the series, possibly to enhance the strength of the Autobot forces as they made their push to rid the galaxy of the Decepticons' threat. Here we have a somewhat distant image of Roadfire outside of his box. (top right) And of course, an image of Drillbuster. (bottom right)

The members of Big-Powered were not the only large Japanese robots to have unique Micromaster companions. As we're about to see, there are a couple of other, even more specialized Autobots whose Micromasters are designed for more specific tasks. And, as we're about to see, these robots are most fully responsible for transporting significant numbers of the patrol and squad members to their various destinations.

Let's begin with Grandus. This large yet rather bulky robot can change from robot to battle station to pseudo-aircraft carrier. In station or carrier mode, he can carry a large number of Micros. Grandus comes with Spiner/Spinner, a uniquely-crafted white police car with blue sirens. The pictures to the left have Grandus transformed into several different modes. As with some of the other micromaster bases, he could be attached to other playsets and is said to even be able to use Star Convoy's battery powered motor to run his lifts. Below, you will see Spiner, his Micromaster partner.

Now, you've probably seen some Japanese Micromasters packaged with what looks like a white or black trailer. That's exactly what they are, and these trailers could be found in boxes of each different patrol, and squad sets. They were also sold with the Autobot Micromaster transporter SkyGarry. The trailers are what would carry our little heros to and from the battle. Each Patrol or Squad set had just one trailer. SkyGarry has three!!! Sky Garry is perhaps one of the most exciting Transformers to see. He can transport as many as three trailers at one time in his sleek spacecraft mode, can transform into a large base, and is a towering presence in robot mode. SkyGarry's unique Micromaster is Shotbomber, a funky, no-nonsense twin-rocket-launcher-style tank. In the following image, we see SkyGarry in his imposing robot mode, and in his station mode. Only one trailer is attached to the base in the photo, although all three could be attached. Shotbomber can be seen here exiting the trailer at the front of the base.

Delta Star, owner of Microtransformers.com recently won a MIB Roadfire auction on Ebay and this is what he had to say about Drillbuster, Roadfire's small partner...

He's a mostly Seaspray-colored drill tank. He has the usual wheels on the underside to make up for the fact that his treads don't turn, but oddly the front wheel is a drum/cylinder instead of two seperate wheels. His vehicle mode is sleek. The windshield is a sticker, and it doesn't stick, so I think I'll paint it. The sticker is grey, but the box art shows him with a green windshield, so that's what I'll paint it. The robot mode has no paint on the face. His drill cone is his head, which really adds character. He's also the largest Micromaster I have, perhaps with the exception of some
Six-Combiner members. Unlike some other Japan exclusives (Speeder), this is a very solid, sturdy toy, and the joints aren't loose right out of the box.

Oh, and Roadfire's nice too.

Now we come to the pinnacle of the Japanese Micromaster exclusive Transformers. One of the very last original G1 Transformers ever released, and perhaps the most coveted by Micromaster fans, is Star Convoy with Hot Rodimus. Released as the centerpiece of the Return of Convoy/Battlestars line, Star Convoy and his companion Hot Rodimus, a striking miniature-sized Hot Rod, command the highest value of any Micromaster station or robot. The following four images begin to illustrate just how finely crafted and intricate these 2 rarest of TFs are: First we have Star Convoy himself--the true Japanese Optimus Prime!

First we have Star Convoy himself--the true Japanese Optimus Prime! In the next two frames, we see the front and back of Star Convoy's box. And last up is Star Convoy's package insert, with Hot Rodimus inside. Better pictures of Hot Rodimus himself are hereby requested and would be greatly appreciated!! These are the truly exclusive Japanese Transformers. Stay tuned for Part Two, where the gestalt Micromaster robots will be featured.

- LotM