Diamond Comic Distributors is importing Takara's Microman Master Force Action Figure Assortment directly from Japan.  The assortment features four new 4-inch figures, each of which has an amazing 30 points of articulation.  Back in the 1970s, Takara revolutionized the toy industry by developing the Microman and Diaclone toy lines, which introduced the concept of figures with interchangeable parts and transforming capability and which were licensed for the U.S. as the Micronauts and Transformers.

The new Microman Master Force Action Figures celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Microman line.  The four figures in the new assortment combine the interchangeability of the original Microman toys with some of the transforming abilities of the Diaclone (Transformers) toys. 

Ground-Master Alan comes with armor that forms a miniature Drill Tank, while Auto-Master Ryan comes with armor that converts into a bike.  Sky-Master Hayate has a helmet and wing pack while Dive-Master Roberto comes with a dive suit that converts into a MicroEscargo-like unit. 

Each of the figures comes with five variant sets of hands and is packaged in a clear see-through plastic tube.  The four exclusive import figures are set to ship in May.  With the new Micronauts comic book (with art by Pat Broderick, one of the original Micronauts artists) set for a March release from Devil's Due (see 'Micronauts Back at Devil's Due'), retailers should consider some cross-marketing with the new comic series and the Takara Microman figures, which inspired the original Micronauts figures and comic books.