During the ’50s, majority of the battery operated and motorized wind-up tin robot toys were manufactured by several toy companies in Japan.  When these tin toys were exported to the United States, they attracted a lot of interest from American children.  Because they were able to cheaply mass produce robot toys for Americans, the Japanese… Read More »

Another great decade for vintage toy robots in America is the Sixties. The great advancement of science and technology during this era fed the growing obsession of these mechanical beings among children. Classic popular ’60s battery operated robot toys from this era include Marx, Taiyo, Horikawa, and other classic brand robots from Japan. If you… Read More »

Yoshiya was a major toy manufacturer in Japan during the 1950’s and 1960’s post war era. The company stayed in business until the 1970’s. It was also known as Kobe Yoko Ltd. and produced several friction, wind-up, and battery powered mechanical toys during their run. Many of their robot toys are now popular with toy… Read More »

This Winter’s 2017 Wonder Festival Toy Convention (aka “Wonderfes”) featured an incredible showcase of action figures, model kits, and robotic toys.  These robot toys, commonly known by collectors as “mecha,” are popular with Japanese toy collectors.  The interest for these robotic collectibles has crossed the Pacific, attracting a large fan base in North America. This… Read More »

Horikawa was one of the most prolific Japanese manufacturers of battery operated tin toys in the industry after the second World War. Their brand are recognized by the company’s logo “SH” on their products which includes collectible tin toys such as robots, rocket ships and space stations. Horikawa was so popular as a toymaker during… Read More »

In the original animated series from the Eighties, the number one mission of the “Voltron Force” was to protect the planet Arus from the evil king Zarkon and his force of Ro-beasts. This classic incarnation of with lion Voltron robots was originally based on the 1981 Japanese animated series “Beast King Go Lion” which was… Read More »

Classic science fiction movie fans will fondly remember Robby the Robot as the iconic mechanical character from the 1956 sci-fi movie, Forbidden Planet, starring Leslie Nielsen. The popularity of the film and its high tech robot inspired a series of toy lines during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The original Robby the Robot toys were produced… Read More »

When we take a nostalgic look back at some of the classic children toys produced around the world, the robot toys manufactured by Louis Marx and Company are undoubtedly the most beloved by toy collectors. Marx introduced his toy-line in the 1950s and 1960s to capitalize on the space and robot fandom of the era… Read More »

Like many manufacturers in Japan, the company Nomura transitioned into the tin toy industry in the late 1940’s after World War II to help reconstruct the economy of their nation. Nomura is famous for their tin robot toys such as Tetsujin 28 aka Iron Man and Astro Boy. In addition, coming off the success of… Read More »