Editing Micro Change

{{disambig2|the pre-''Transformers'' toyline|the Kreons with alternate modes|Micro-Changer}}

[[File:MicromanMicroChange.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|<s>Micromasters</s> <s>Micro Machines</s> Micromen!]]
The '''''Micro Change''''' series was one of the two major [[Pre-Transformer|sources of molds]] for the original ''[[The Transformers (franchise)|Transformers]]'' line. 

''Micro Change'' was a subline of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s successful ''[[Microman|New Microman]]'' line of the early '80s, which consisted of 3.75" action figures that were super-posable and vehicles and robots for use by them. The Microman figures, unlike all subsequent 3.75" action figures (except their Western counterpart the {{w|Micronauts}}, made by {{w|Mego Corporation|Mego}} using licensed Microman molds) were on a 1:1 scale rather than representing full-sized [[human]]s/[[alien]]s/robots, so the transforming robots and vehicles they created had ordinary household objects (such as, um, handguns) as disguise modes. Many of the ''Micro Change'' figures came in multiple color schemes, many of which were eventually used for the ''Transformers'' line.

==Fiction==
By the time the ''Micro Change'' theme was introduced in [[1983]], the ''Microman'' story was told exclusively through text and manga pages in the toys' pack-in catalogues, with no tie-in fiction. This was no doubt part of the reason why Takara were willing to cancel the ''Microman'' line in favor of ''Transformers'' when [[Hasbro]] financed an [[The Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]] to [[To sell toys|promote]] their versions of the toys.

==Toys==
===1983===
[[File:Enemymicrochange.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Before he was our Enemy...]]
* '''MC-01 Micross'''

:The first version was the blue-body, grey-limb cassette used for [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]. A black-body, red-limb version, used for [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], came with Cassette Man. Towards the end of the line, a [[Enemy (G1)|red-body, blue-limb version]] was released.

* '''MC-02 Jaguar'''

:The first version was used for [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]]. A blue version was released at the end of the line, and was used for the [[e-HOBBY]] figure [[Howlback (G1)|Howlback]]. In [[2007]], Jaguar was redecoed into [[Glit (KP)|Glit]] (later repurposed as [[Ravage (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' Ravage]]) and then [[Stripes]] in [[2012]].

* '''MC-03 Condor'''

:The first version was used for [[Laserbeak (G1)/toys|Laserbeak]]. The blue second version was used for the e-HOBBY figure [[Garboil (G1)|Garboil]]. [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]'s and [[Sundor]]'s decos were created for the ''Transformers'' line.

*'''MC-04 Mini Car Robo'''
[[File:MicroChangePorsche.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
:These all transformed into [[super deformed]] toy cars in the style of Takara's own ''[[Choro-Q]]'' line (imported to English-speaking markets as ''Penny Racers''). 01 - 03 were released in red, yellow, and blue and had license plate stickers on the back of the head panel. The other four were released in only one color scheme each, the same as their subsequent ''Transformers'' releases.
:*'''01 Porsche Turbo 924''', Pre-[[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys|Cliffjumper]]
:*'''02 Familia 1500 XG''', Pre-[[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]]
:*'''03 Volkswagen Beetle''', Pre-[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]
:*'''04 4WD''', Pre-[[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
:*'''05 Jeep''', Pre-[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
:*'''06 Transam''', Pre-[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
:*'''07 Truck''', Pre-[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]

*'''MC-05 Camera Robo Microx'''

:Pre-[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]

*'''MC-06 Watch Robo''' 

:This figure transformed from a robot to a watch. It came in chrome, black, blue, and gold versions. The figure wasn't released in the ''Transformers'' line until ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' in [[1993]] as [[Autobot (G2)|Autobot]],though the package art only depicted the chrome version, but Takara had previously released it in North America in the ''[[Kronoform]]'' line. The Facebook edition of [[Ask Vector Prime]] later created retroactive identities for the latter three decoes as [[Meantime (G1)|Meantime]], [[Ephemeris]], and [[Azimuth (COP)|Azimuth]] respectively.

* '''MC-07 Gun Robo 1910 Browning'''

:Browning came either in Silver with red robot parts, or Gold with blue robot parts, in addition to a gold chromed contest piece. The version released as the Japanese exclusive [[Browning]] sported the blue parts, but with the silver body, though his animation model used in Super-God Masterforce depicted him using the gold body with the blue parts.

* '''MC-08 Cassette Machine Battlebike'''

:The Battlebike transforms from a full-sized audio cassette into a motorbike vehicle for the included ''Microman'' figure. A [[redeco]] of this toy was released in the [[1999]] ''Microman'' line.

* '''MC-09 Cassette Machine Jetheli'''

:The Jetheli transforms from a full-sized audio cassette into a helicopter for the included ''Microman'' figure. A redeco of this toy was re-released in the 1999 ''Microman'' line.

* '''MC-10 Cassette Man'''

:Pre-TF [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] with "Cassette Man" molded on the cassette door. He came with fake earphones and microphone that were also included in Soundwave's Japanese release, and Pre-[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]. Likewise, the Japanese Soundwave came with Rumble instead of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]].

[[File:MicroChangeGunRoboMagnum.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Megatron's beloved grandfather.]] 
* '''MC-11 Gun Robo S&amp;W Magnum 44''' 

:This figure had a revolving chamber, and came with either a brown or gold hilt. [[Ask Vector Prime]] would establish that this figure represents the [[Cymond]] analog of [[Kiloton]].

* '''MC-12 Gun Robo Walther P-38'''. 

:Pre-Japanese [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]]. This toy did not include any gun attachments (and lacked the tooling to attach them anyway), but had a gun, sword, and plastic pellets which it could fire. It came with blue inner arms and legs, and was either black with a brown grip, or grey with a black grip in gun mode. The grey version was used for all vintage Japanese Megatrons (The Goodbye Megatron set came with the U.N.C.L.E. scope and attachment bracket). 

* '''MC-13 Gun Robo Walther P-38 U.N.C.L.E.''' 

:This figure came with all of MC-12's parts, as well as the gun extensions. Only one color scheme, silver with black handle in gun mode with red inner arms and legs, was released. This color scheme was used for all Hasbro releases of the original [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]] and the Japanese reissues. The toy was also released by e-HOBBY as [[Megaplex]], using the MC-12 grey/blue deco, as well as a new "Black Megatron" deco in dark chrome, black plastic in place of grey, brown handle, and red inner sections.

===1984===
* '''MC-14 Metal Man'''

:This figure transforms from a robot into a metallic ball. It came with two guns that could either be wielded in [[robot mode]] or attached to the sides in ball mode and a circular base upon which the ball mode could sit.

:Two versions were available, the more common silver chrome with black plastic accessories and robot parts or the considerably rarer bluish-silver chrome with red plastic accessories and robot parts. This mold (minus accessories) didn't see release in ''Transformers'' until ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)#Japan|Beast Wars]]'' [[Eggbot (BW)|Eggbot]] and [[Dark Eggbot]], where it was [[retool]]ed to include a keychain. This keychain retool was later (again without accessories) used for ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' [[Star Dust]].

* '''MC-15 Metal Leo''' 

:This figure transforms from a lion into a metallic ball. It came with two guns that could either be wielded in lion mode or attached to the sides in ball mode and a circular base upon which the ball mode could sit.

:Two versions were available, the more common gold chrome with black plastic accessories or the considerably rarer silver chrome with red plastic accessories. This mold (minus accessories) didn't see release in ''Transformers'' until ''Beast Wars'' [[Eggleo]] and [[Dark Eggleo]] where it was retooled to include a keychain. This keychain retool was later (again without accessories) used for ''Kiss Players'' [[Angela]]. 

* '''MC-16 Metal Hawk'''  

:This figure transforms from a hawk into a metallic ball. It came with two guns that could either be wielded in hawk mode or attached to the sides in ball mode and a circular base upon which the ball mode could sit.

:Two versions were available, the more common gold chrome with black plastic accessories or the considerably rarer silver chrome with red plastic accessories. This mold (minus accessories) didn't see release in ''Transformers'' until ''Beast Wars'' [[Eggbird]] and [[Dark Eggbird]] where it was retooled to include a keychain. This keychain retool was later (again without accessories) used for ''Kiss Players'' [[Zangetsu]]. 

* '''MC-17 Kagiobo Dialman''' 

:This figure transforms from a working dial lock to a robot. The toy was never released in any ''Transformers'' line, but a version in a purple deco did make a [[Easter egg|cameo]] in the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave G1 comics]] as a [[Dialman|background generic]].

* '''MC-18 Kagiobo Magneman''' 

:This figure transforms from a working key lock to a robot.

[[File:MicroChangeScopeMan.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|I take care of the place while the Master is away.]]
* '''MC-19 Binocular Robo Scope Man'''

: This figure transforms from a pair of working binoculars into a robot. The toy was never released in any ''Transformers'' line, but a version in a yellow deco did make a [[Easter egg|cameo]] in the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave G1 comics]] as a [[Pulse|background generic]].

* '''MC-20 Micro Scope'''

: Released in a primarily black deco, MC-20 was recolored into [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]. The third tank mode could be used as a vehicle for a ''Microman'' figure. The toy's ''Micro Change'' deco was used for the e-HOBBY exclusive [[Magnificus (G1)|Magnificus]] (and [[Perceptor (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' Perceptor]]).

* '''MC-21 Radi-Cassette Robo'''

:This figure came with an AM radio in the form of a fake Micro cassette, and an earphone. One could listen to the radio through the earphone, or put the radio in the main toy's cassette deck. After moving the switch above the left (non-functional) speaker "on" and pressing "play", a pair of batteries in the toy's right leg would amplify the signal from the cassette to the functional right speaker. A knob to the right of the tape door could change the station, and a volume knob and a plug for headphones were located on the toy's left leg. Due to the speaker plug, the transforming micro cassettes could not fit in the tape door. They could, however, fit in a compartment in the toy's back. The earphone plug could also fit in the small hole on the stock of the toys gun, and the speaker could fit in the large hole at the gun's center. The toy came in either blue or red. The red deco was used for [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]].

===Unreleased===
* '''MC-22 Beam Robo''' 
[[File:Hardcase Micro-Change Toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
:This figure transforms from a working flashlight into a robot. It would eventually be repurposed as a full-body physical basis of the Decepticon [[Hardcase]].

* '''Planet-Robot'''
[[Image:Planet-robot.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Planet-Robot|Here's hoping Takara considers making a new planetformer mold.]]
:A transforming planet that only ever reached the design art stage. The design [[Unicron/toys|did not go to waste]], however.
{{-}}

==External links==
*[http://www.microforever.com/1983microchange.htm Micro Change at Microman Forever.]
*[http://1501bc.com/pretf/microman.html Microman at The Pre-Transformer Page.]

[[Category:Japanese franchises]]
[[Category:Non-Transformers toylines]]
[[Category:Other TakaraTomy properties]]