A photo of a Takara Neo Henshin Cyborg figure from 1998.

The original Henshin Cyborg, released in August 1972, was one of the more important action figures. It was Takara’s attempt to put a sci-fi spin on its 12-inch GI Joe license, Combat Joe, which wasn’t captivating Japanese kids. The Cyborg figure had a clear plastic body, techno-innards and had a crazy storyline. It sold like hotcakes so naturally Takara went wild.

The company went on to release Henshin sets containing costumes to transform Cyborg figures into popular characters of the day. Takara took the transformation concept even further with the release of the Cyborg Rider set which allowed kids to transform a Cyborg into a motorcycle.

As the cost of producing plastic increased in the Seventies, Takara decided to reduced the size of its action figures and this led to the creation of another influential Japanese toyline, Microman.

Takara has tried to revive the Cyborg line a few times. In 1998, it produced Neo Henshin Cyborg and in 1999, it produced Cyborg 99. Both figures were updates of the familiar concept but neither found much of an audience. In 2003, Takara released a reproduction of the original Cyborg-1 figure but this didn’t have much of an impact either.

A photo of Takara’s Microman Micro Action Series Batman (Comic Version).

This was produced in the same assortment as the Takara-designed Flight Gear version in 2004.

A photo of Batman (Flight Gear version).

An original design by a Japanese fan-turned-designer, Ichikawa Hirofumi, this version was released in the same assortment as the classic comic version as part of Takara’s Microman Micro Action Series back in 2004.

The main selling point of the figure is the flight gear. It’s articulated at four points to enable it to be spread wide for flight mode and wrapped around the figure in shield mode. It’s attached via a standard 5mm port which makes it compatible with many Takara action figures spanning three decades.

Unfortunately, the five sections that form the flight gear don’t hold together well at the joints. Manipulate a section and it’s likely it will fall off within seconds. Taking photos of this figure with the wings in various positions taxed my patience.

The other accessory is the Bat-Kaiser. I’m not quite sure what it’s supposed to be. I was under the impression a Kaiser was a fat German with magnificent moustache. The Bat-Kaiser doesn’t resemble a German in any way whatsoever.

When not in use, the Bat-Kaiser can be stored on Batman’s ass. (Technically, it clips to the belt.) An undignified injury is bound to occur if the Dark Knight absentmindedly sits down.

All things considered, it’s a good-looking figure which could’ve been better executed.

Paul Lorphanpaibul has a good review of the figure over at Microforever.