Machine Robo facts for kids

Machine Robo (マシンロボ, Mashin Robo) is a Japanese toy series. It features robots that can change into vehicles or other forms. The series first started in 1982. It was created by Popy, which was a part of Bandai. Later, Bandai took over the series.

In Europe, this toyline was called Robo Machine. In Australia, it was known as Machine Men. Many of these toys were also sold in North America. There, they became part of Tonka's Gobots series, which began in 1983.

What is Machine Robo?

The first Machine Robo toys were small robots. They could change into cars, planes, and other vehicles. They were about the same size as Matchbox cars. These early toys were known as the "600 series." This was because each toy cost ¥600 (about $6).

The ideas for these toys sometimes came from children. This was similar to how ideas were used in the Kinnikuman anime series. Soon, larger, more detailed toys were released. These were called "DX" toys. Other toys that did not transform were also made.

Machine Robo Through the Years

The Early Years (Showa Era: 1982-1988)

The Machine Robo story began in 1982. The "600 series" toys were released by Popy. Bandai said that they started working on the toys in 1980. It took more than a year to create them. Even though they were not expensive, people really liked the toys. They had great details, metal bodies, clear parts, and some even had rubber tires.

An American toy company called Tonka brought these toys to the West. They released them under the name Gobots. An animated TV show for Gobots came out in 1984. It became very popular. Both in Japan and the West, Machine Robo had a big competitor. This was The Transformers, whose cartoon started in Japan in 1985.

Because the Gobots cartoon was so successful, Bandai worked with Ashi Productions. They created their own Japanese animated series. It was called Revenge of Cronos and started in 1986. When the anime came out, the "600 series" toys were re-released. New toys also came out, like the MRC DX Pile Formation Set Baikunfu. This was a new version of the DX Chogokin Gordian Warrior toy.

A second series, Machine Robo: Battle Hackers, followed in 1987. Ashi Productions also animated this show. It introduced even more new toys. Some special video episodes (OVAs) for Revenge of Cronos were made from 1988 to 1990. In 1988, the Winner Robo toy line was also released.

The Middle Years (Heisei Era: 1993-2019)

Bandai later introduced the CG Robo (シージーロボ, Shījī Robo) line in 1993. "CG" stood for "Change & Glow." This meant the 14 figures could transform. They also had working lights and sounds! Some of these CG Robo toys were sold in Europe as part of the Robo Machine toyline.

After the CG Robo toys, the series took a break for 11 years. Then, in 2002, Bandai released "Machine Robo GP" capsule toys. These were the first Machine Robo products in 13 years.

Bandai then fully restarted the series with new toys. This new line was called the "Rescue Gattai Series." These toys could combine with each other. Different robot parts could be swapped to make many new combinations. An anime series, Machine Robo Rescue, came out in 2003. It was made by Sunrise. This also marked the 20th anniversary of the Machine Robo series.

After Machine Robo Rescue finished, Bandai launched Machine Robo Mugenbine in the same year. Its main feature was using many pegs and holes. This allowed parts to be attached, removed, and moved around. You could create many different forms and combinations. Mugenbine was the main toyline until 2009. A smaller, candy toy version of it continued until 2019. In 2007, Bandai released a new version of Baikunfu. This was part of the Soul of Chogokin line, which was for older collectors.

In 2012, Bandai launched the Machine Robo NEXT candy toy line. This was to celebrate the series' 30th anniversary. In 2019, the Machine Robo Duel line was released. This was part of the Minipla toy series. Also, Baikanfu got a new release under the Super Minipla / Shokugan Modelling Project line.

The Latest Years (Reiwa Era: 2022-Present)

In 2022, Bandai released the newest generation of the series. It is called UNITROBORN: Machine Robo Universe. It came out in July 2022. The main idea of this new line is combining everyday items. For example, two normal objects combine to create a new Machine Robo. This toyline won an award at the 2022 Japan Toy Show.

In the same year, Megahouse announced a new line of transforming Machine Robo figures. These are part of the Machine Builder line. The first figure was released in December 2022.

Animated Series

Several animated TV shows have been made for the Machine Robo series:

• Challenge of the Gobots (1984-1985) in the United States.
  • Gobots: Battle of the Rock Lords (a movie from 1986).
• Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos (1986-1987) in Japan.
• Machine Robo: Battle Hackers (1987).
• Leina Stol in Wolf Sword Legend (a video adventure from 1988-1990).
• Lightning Trap - Leina & Laika (another video adventure from 1988-1990).
• Machine Robo Rescue (2003-2004).