MYSTERY COMPANY ?
HELP! Who did it?
In 1985, an unidentified toy company took a surprising step in the world of Taiwanese transforming robots—by gathering a set of seemingly unrelated knockoff figures and uniting them into a single, cohesive robot collection. This newly assembled lineup features seven distinct robots, all repackaged and rebranded to form a connected series.
The company sourced existing (V1) figures and reissued them in updated (V2) and (V3) packaging designs, complete with exclusive group artwork—the key visual element that ties these seven robots together as one collection. While researching this topic, four possible manufacturer or distributor names have consistently surfaced:
M & J Merchandises, Inc.
TAIWAN TOY MAN MFG. CORP
LEECOTEX IND. CO., LTD
Tzan Hung Toys
Despite these leads, the true identity of the company responsible for combining these figures remains unknown. If you have more information or additional clues that could help solve this mystery, your contributions would be greatly appreciated.
Version 1: features (9) figures with wide scenery
Version 2: features (10) figures with narrow but taller scenery
Artwork Figure List
1. Convertible Cosmic Fighter (heavy fighter)
2. Convertible Cosmic Fighter (jet helicopter)
COSMIC FIGHTER
20 in 1
Battery operated figure
Sold for $22.99
Box cover with 10 mini pics on the front of the box.
Photographs demonstrating how a single toy converts
into 20 different alternative modes
"Made in Taiwan R.O.C."
Knockoff of Takara's Microman Armored Machine Cosmic Fighter
Similar to Grandstand Convertors Deltrarian Fighter.
TANKBOT
Tankbot with his Tomahawk ax and Arm Gun
(V1) TANKBOT
Accessories visible via box windows
Knockoff of Takatoku Sankan-OH DX
Also sold as 'Shogun-Robo Voltus DX' by TTW Toys 702.
"Transformer!! Tank - Robot"
(back of the box currently unknown but probably similar to V2)
(V2) & (V3) TANKBOT
(Box Front)
Only the figure is visible now
Diecast Metal
Made in Taiwan
Foam insert with weapons
(Box back)
Transformer!! Tank - Robot
(V3) TANKBOT
(back of the box)
TANKBOT and FIGHTBOT with CBP Recordation Effective Date: 3 Oct 1985
CBP list the Owner of Intellectual Property Right as:
M & J Merchandises, Inc.
FIGHTBOT
14 in 1 Fighters
Taiwanese knockoff of Takara's DIAKRON Multi-force 14 Robot or
Box front
Example 1: Inside foam insert
Example 3: Variant colored drivers with more white parts
Box rear
Made in Taiwan R.O.C.
Collection artwork in top left.
as well as HERGOSS robots Macross & Baxinger.
To learn more about HERGOSS figures (click here)
THUNDER BOT
(V1) No window on the front of the box to view Thunder Bot in heli mode.
Copyright information centered on box front.
Robot & Black Thunder Heli
(V2) Thunder Bot (Box front)
1. Copyright information on the left side of the box
2. Cutout see through window on the front in the shape of helicopter.
Note: Eyes light up
TAIWAN TOY MAN MFG. CORP
Item No.269
 |
| Photo Credit: TelecommanderCorp |
(V3) Thunder Bot
Robot & Black Thunder Heli
(V3) Thunder Bot
Robot & Black Thunder Heli
© COPY RIGHT 1985 U.S.A.
Made in Taiwan
TAIWAN TOY MAN MFG. CORP
Logo forms two 'T's joined by a 'M' together forming a smiley face.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Thunder Bot (TOY CONVERTIBLE ROBOT AND HELICOPTER)
receives U.S. import clearance on 9 Dec 1985
Lists the 'Owner Name' as:
TAIWAN TOY MAN MANUFACTURING CO.
"Transform from motorcycle to robot and back!"
Super Road Racer
Knockoff of Wingman Winner II - Dream Soldier Super Road Racer
Still 9 figures on the back of the box.
Note: Purple to blue letters similar to FIGHTBOT
Robot in motorcycle mode, instructions and white wings.
MOTORTRON (Black)
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| Photo Credit: TeleCommanderCorp |
MOTORTRON (Black)
Super Road Racer
Knockoff of Wingman Winner II - Dream Soldier Super Road Racer 
Back of the Motortron box is the only version
with the 7th figure being Black Motortron itself.
Note: Red to black letters
Black Motortron in robot mode
TIMEBOT
(Box front)
5 function LCD digital watch as the core
Diecast metal and plastic
TIMEBOT is a mini Voltron watch & combiner robot lion figure
© COPY RIGHT 1985 U.S.A. LEECOTEX IND. CO., LTD
Made in Taiwan R.O.C.
Note: Yellow missiles
LEECOTEX is an exporter from Taiwan on various Italian toy boxes, listed as:
LEECOTEX INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD
6F No.311 Fu-Hsing N. RD Taipei Taiwan
Alternative (Box back) text:
© COPY RIGHT 1985 U.S.A. Item No. L102
Note: Blue missles
Imported and distributed by
© COPY RIGHT 1985 U.S.A. Item No. L102
Imported by: Thinkway Trading Corp.,
160 Don Park Rd., Unit #3,
Markham, Ontario L3R 1C3 Canada.
(Bilingual French & English box)
Note: Yellow missiles
The example shown above is often referred to as the “TIMEBOT” variant—an extremely rare transition piece produced during the shift from the Lionbot branding to the Timebot name. Despite the branding change, this version maintains the same scale and overall design as the standard TIMEBOT release.
According to collector reports, Bandai originally contracted Tzan Hung Toys to manufacture several robot lines, including Lionbot, Voltron, and Golion. However, in 1986 Bandai revoked the licensing agreement. Following this, Tzan Hung Toys rebranded itself under a new name: Diecast Metal Toys.
This transitional TIMEBOT variant represents a unique slice of toy history and is highly sought after by vintage robot and Voltron collectors.
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