Mr. Mercury
PRODUCER
Linemar
YEAR
1961
POWER
Battery (in remote control)
FUNCTIONS
Walking, raising and grasping arms
RELATED ROBOTS
Jupiter Robot
Photo courtesy of toytent.com
01
May
robots
01
May
Hi-Bouncer Moon Scout
PRODUCER
Linemar
YEAR
1967
POWER
Battery (in remote control)
FUNCTIONS
Walking, spinning antenna, shooting balls
RELATED ROBOTS
Colonel Hap Hazard
Photo courtesy of toytent.com
Linemar’s Hi Bouncer Moon Scout, produced in 1967 for Marx Toys, stands as a rare relic of vintage robotics. Crafted in Japan, this battery-operated astronaut robot features a tin body with plastic visor and antenna, measuring 11.5 inches tall. Controlled by a wired remote that also serves as a battery holder for two D-cell batteries, the Hi Bouncer Moon Scout boasts a simple yet functional design.
With a two-button remote, users can command the robot to walk forward with moving arms and stop to fire balls from its chest. Equipped with a compartment in the back of its helmet, the robot can shoot five high-bouncing balls with the press of a button. This combination of basic functionality and novelty makes the Hi Bouncer Moon Scout a highly sought-after collectible, offering enthusiasts a glimpse into the ingenuity of vintage toy engineering.
01
May
Mazinger Z
PRODUCER
Billiken
YEAR
1998
POWER
Clockwork
FUNCTIONS
Walking, moving arms
RELATED ROBOTS
Billiken Great Mazinger, Billiken Kikaider, Billiken Astro Boy
Photo courtesy of toytent.com
Billiken’s Mazinger Z was a tin toy rendition of the iconic character from the renowned manga and anime series by Go Nagai, which holds a significant place in the realm of Japanese popular culture. Originally serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1972, Mazinger Z has cemented its status as one of the pioneering super robots in Japan’s entertainment landscape. Its influence extends beyond its original publication, with successive generations embracing its legacy, including Great Mazinger and Grendaizer, among others.
This latest iteration of Mazinger Z by Billiken pays homage Popy’s 1970s tin robot rendition, as well as to the character’s appeal, incorporating the charm of their tin robot designs from the 1990s. The simple clockwork action, reminiscent of Billiken’s other releases, adds a nostalgic touch to the beloved character’s depiction.
01
May
Space Conqueror
PRODUCER
Daiya
YEAR
1961
POWER
Battery
FUCNTIONS
Walking, revolving antenna, raises gun, lights
RELATED ROBOTS
Daiya Astronaut
Photos courtesy of toytent.com
The Space Conqueror was originally produced in 1961 by Daiya, a leading manufacturer of battery-operated tin toys in the post-war era, producing a variety of vehicles, animals, and robots. Standing 11 inches tall and with a rotating antenna on its head, the robot walks forward with a determined locomotion, powered by two D batteries. At a certain point, it stops and raises its gun, flashing red lights and making a loud rat-tat-tat sound. Then it lowers the gun and resumes walking.
The Space Conqueror was sold in three color versions – red, blue and green, with slightly different lithography for each. The green version is considered the most rare and valuable, while the blue version is the most common. The robot was marketed in the West by Cragstan, an American toy distributor that imported many Japanese tin toys.
01
May
Space Dog
PRODUCER
Yoshiya
YEAR
1957
POWER
Friction, wind-up, battery, battery with remote
FUNCTIONS
Walking, sparks, moving mouth and ears
RELATED ROBOTS
Yoshiya Space Elephant
Photo courtesy of toytent.com
In the colorful landscape of vintage robot toys, the Yoshiya (KO) Space Dog, which debuted in 1957, stands out as the first tin robot pet. Reflecting the era’s fascination with space exploration and technology, this robotic canine was a testament to the imaginative reach of toy manufacturers. Produced in silver, red, and a rare orange female dog version, It was motorized in various ways over the years, including friction, wind-up, battery-powered, and remote-controlled versions.
In 1999, Schylling rekindled the nostalgia by reproducing this iconic toy, offering collectors and fans alike the chance to relive the wonder of the original design at an affordable price. Chromo the Space Dog and Rover the Space Dog, part of Schylling’s Collector Series, paid homage to Yoshiya’s original. With its distinctive forward movement, rocking side-to-side motion, and endearing googly eyes that follow its path, the Space Dog remains a beloved relic of mid-century toy innovation.
01
May
Earth Man
PRODUCER
Nomura
YEAR
1957
POWER
Battery (in remote control)
FUNCTIONS
Walking, raises and fires gun
RELATED ROBOTS
Nomura Space Man
Photo courtesy of toytent.com
The Nomura Earth Man tin robot represents a fascinating chapter in the history of Japanese toy manufacturing. Standing at around 9 inches tall and crafted from lithographed tin, this battery-operated remote control astronaut robot epitomizes the fascination with space exploration prevalent during the mid-20th century.
Powered by batteries housed in its wired remote, Earth Man walks and raises his gun. Complete with flashing lights and sound effects, this tin toy transports users to an era when space exploration captured the world’s imagination. In addition to similar robots produced by Nomura (like their red Space Man robot), it was also reproduced by Schylling in 2000.
01
May
Mr. Robot
PRODUCER
Yonezawa
YEAR
1961
POWER
Battery
FUNCTIONS
Walking (skirted), revolving land flashing lights
RELATED ROBOTS
Cragstan Robot
Photo courtesy of toytent.com
Manufactured by Yonezawa for Cragstan Toys, Mr. Robot stands as one of the more iconic tin robots from Japan’s golden age. Debuting in 1961, this battery-powered skirted robot featured swiveling dome lights and simple movements . Standing at 11 inches tall, Mr. Robot sported a distinctive red body adorned with a “Mr. Robot” graphic on its chest. Its clear plastic domed head, housing springs and a rotating light, added an extra dimension as it powered forward with a mysterious bump-and-go action.
Cragstan, a New York-based firm renowned for importing mechanical and battery-operated wonders from postwar Japan, introduced Mr. Robot alongside its silver counterpart, the Cragstan Robot, in 1961 and 1963 respectively. Despite variations in design and packaging, Mr. Robot’s enduring appeal persists, making pristine specimens from its limited production run highly sought after by collectors.
01
May
Door Robot
PRODUCER
Alps
YEAR
1958
POWER
Battery (in remote control)
FUNCTIONS
Walking, revolving lights and antenna
RELATED ROBOTS
Alps Television Robot
Photo courtesy of toytent.com
Nicknamed by collectors for the door compartment on its chest, the Alps Door Robot remains a coveted piece among tin toy enthusiasts, ranking among the most sought-after robots from its time. Controlled by a two-button remote which also serves as a battery holder, this unique creation showcases an array of interesting features: the first button initiates the robot’s walking motion while illuminating a light show within its mouth. Pressing the second button halts the robot’s movement, triggering its head to rotate, revealing a display of colors and spinning antennas enclosed within a clear dome. The door provides access to the robot’s inner workings and facilitates bulb replacement.
This battery-operated marvel by Alps stands as a testament to the company’s artistic ingenuity. Its design, characterized by its barrel-shaped chest and unique details like the opening chest compartment, sets it apart as a collector’s gem. It originally retailed as “Revolving Robot” in US catalogs for $2.98. Despite its vintage origins, Alps, now known as Alpine in Japan, continues its legacy as a prominent electronics manufacturer.
01
May
Sparky Robot
PRODUCER
Noguchi (subsidiary of Nomura)
YEAR
1966
POWER
Battery (in remote control)
FUNCTIONS
Walking, sparks
RELATED ROBOTS
Sparking Robot (independent legs)
Photo courtesy of toytent.com
Affectionately known as Sparky robot and standing at 5.5 inches tall, this wind-up strides forward, with sparks in its chest. Along with a fundamentally identical version with independent legs, this enduring design has been reproduced countless times over the years in Japan and abroad. It was evidently* manufactured by Nomura, a pioneering force in Japan’s tin toy industry since the late 1940s, whose legacy extends beyond this Mighty Robot, encompassing a colorful array of tin toy vehicles and beloved characters such as Astro Boy and Tetsujin 28.
*Note: there is some debate online surrounding this toy’s exact origins – attributed to both Noguchi and Yoneya – so if anyone has more accurate information, please contact me at mike (at) tintoyrobots, so I can update it. Thank you!
01
May
Tremendous Mike
PRODUCER
Aoshin
YEAR
1956
POWER
Clockwork
FUCNTONS
Walking, sparks, revolving antenna
RELATED ROBOTS
Aoshin Chime Trooper
Photo courtesy of toytent.com
Available in silver and orange variations, Tremendous Mike was produced by Aoshin (ASC) in Japan during the late fifties, and features a skirted design – a departure from the more common legged robots of its time. Made from tin and powered by a clockwork mechanism, Tremendous Mike features forward movement with a direction-changing mechanism, sparking chest, and rotating antenna atop its head.