Machine Robo facts for kids

Machine Robo (マシンロボ, Mashin Robo) is a Japanese toy series about transforming robots. It was first released in 1982 by Popy, a part of Bandai. Later, Bandai itself took over the toyline.

This toy series was known by different names around the world. In Europe, it was called Robo Machine. In Australia, it was known as Machine Men. Many of these toys were also sold in North America as part of Tonka's Gobots series, which started in 1983.

About Machine Robo Toys

The first Machine Robo toys were small robots. They could change into vehicles like cars or airplanes. These toys were about the same size as Matchbox cars.

These early toys were called the "600 series." This was because they cost ¥600 each. Kids even helped come up with ideas for some of these toys! Soon after, bigger, more detailed toys called "DX" (Deluxe) toys were released. There were also other toys that didn't transform.

Machine Robo Through the Years

First Era (1983 - 1993)

The first Machine Robo toys came out in 1983. Early stories with the toys said the Machine Robos came from a planet called Romulus. This planet was falling apart. Some beings from Romulus reached Earth and became Machine Robo. Others got stuck and turned into scary "Devil Invaders." This story was later changed.

In the West, the toys became "Gobots." They got their own cartoon called Challenge of the Gobots in 1984. Machine Robo and Gobots were big rivals with another popular toyline, The Transformers.

To compete, Japan released its first Machine Robo cartoon. It was called Revenge of Cronos and started in 1986. A second series, Machine Robo: Battle Hackers, followed in 1987. This show introduced new toys to the series.

In 1993, Bandai launched a new line called CG Robo (シージーロボ, Shījī Robo). "CG" stood for "Change & Glow." These 14 figures could transform and also had working lights and sounds. Some CG Robo toys were sold in Europe as part of the Robo Machines toyline.

Second Era (2003 - 2022)

After the CG Robo toys, the series took a break for 11 years. It returned in 2003 with a new cartoon called Machine Robo Rescue. This was to celebrate the franchise's 20th anniversary.

The new toys for Machine Robo Rescue focused on combining. Different robot parts could be swapped to create new combinations. This idea was expanded with Machine Robo Mugenbine in the same year. Mugenbine toys used many pegs and sockets. This allowed kids to attach and remove parts easily to make different forms.

The Mugenbine toyline continued until 2009. In 2012, Bandai released "Machine Robo NEXT" toys. This was for the franchise's 30th anniversary. In 2015, a toy company called Action Toys started making new toys based on the original Revenge of Cronos designs. More figures were released in 2016 and 2017. In 2019, the "Machine Robo Duel" line came out.

Third Era (2022 - Present)

In 2022, Bandai released the newest generation of the series. It is called UNITROBORN: Machine Robo Universe. These new toys combine everyday items with robots to create new Machine Robo figures. Also in 2022, Megahouse announced a new line of transforming Machine Robo figures. These are part of the "Machine Builder" line.

Animated Series

The Machine Robo franchise has had several animated TV shows and movies.

• Challenge of the Gobots (1984–1985, United States)
  • Gobots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986 movie)
• Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos (1986–1987, Japan)
• Machine Robo: Battle Hackers (1987, Japan)
• Leina Stol in Wolf Sword Legend (straight-to-video)
• Lightning Trap - Leina & Laika (straight-to-video)
• Machine Robo Rescue (2003–2004, Japan)