Diaclone

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Diaclone (ダイアクロン) was one of two Takara toy lines (the other being Microman Microchange) from which the earliest 1984 Transformers toys came. There are other non-Takara toyline that Hasbro brings over to Transformers, which was given the umbrella-term Pre-Transformers by fans.

The Diaclone toyline by Takara was first introduced in 1980, but it was not until March 1982 that toys with alternate modes based on realistic, then-present-day vehicles began to appear as part of the Diaclone "Car Robots Real & Robo" sub-line. The first one was the Diaclone predecessor of Sunstreaker, whom Hasbro now considers the first fully-fledged transforming car-to-robot toy ever designed. Its vehicle form was based on an older Takara toy, the "Cosmo Countach" from the Microman "Micro Command" sub-line released in 1978, which transformed into a half-robot, half-car hybrid.

Before the Transformers brand was introduced, Takara directly exported some Diaclone toys to North America under the brand names Diakron and Kronoform, but those lines met with very little success.

In 1983, Hasbro representatives discovered Diaclone and Microman Micro Change toys at the Tokyo Toy Show, and soon struck a deal with Takara to market some of the robots under Transformers brand.

The 1984 and 1985 Autobot Cars, 1984 Decepticon Planes, 1985 Dinobots, 1985 Constructicons, Trainbots, Omnibots, Powerdashers, Jumpstarters, Blitzwing, 1984 Optimus Prime and 1986 Ultra Magnus toys all originated from Diaclone.

When Hasbro's Transformers proved an unqualified success, Takara plans for the Diaclone line in 1985 were scrapped, and Transformers was imported to Japan in its place. Some of these aborted toys, which would have been part of a sub-line called Jizai Gattai ("Free Combination") were then incorporated into the Transformers toyline in 1986 as the Aerialbots, Stunticons, Combaticons, Protectobots and Metroplex.

Toy range

The main difference between Diaclone & Transformers are the human pilots, in 1:60 scale, retroactively called Dianauts in 2016 line. Fans divided the vintage pilots into 5 types, with the main difference is the head.

The vintage line features a chrome head (like Microman), metal silver-colored body, multi-colored plastic limbs, and black magnetic feet, with four point of articulation. Each robot/mecha will come with up to 5 Dianauts, with mix & match of limb & torso in mainly primary colors.

The 2016 line retains the pilots, but with 9 point of articulation (arms, legs, and abs). 2016 Dianauts are also a lot more colorful, with a more Microman-like limb/torso color combination, without the chromed heads (so far).

Vintage

The early waves mecha/robots are mainly Hero-Type colors (Red/Blue/Yellow/White/Black), invoking a very scifi theme. A realistic deco are called Real-Type, invoking a real-world theme (armies / real vehicles).

Early Wave

Most releases are of Hero-type colors, where some release as Model Kit features Real-Type colors. Listing is based on diaclone.net

  • The great Robot Base (GRB)
  • Dia-Battles
  • Attack Machine Dia-Train
  • Attack Machine Cosmo-Roller
  • Dia-Attacker
  • Power-Base
    • 01 Command Center
    • 02 Launch Area
    • 03 Supply Area
    • 04 Repair Center
  • Gats-Blocker 01 - 07
  • Sky Dasher
  • Drill Dasher
  • F-1 Dasher
  • Big-Powered
  • Powered-Suit Type A B C
  • Battle Buffalo
  • Fortress Robot X (FRX)
  • Double Soldier
  • Twin Combat
  • Sky Base
  • Car Robots
  • Attack Robo (D.A.R.)
  • Change Attacker
    • Lamborghini Cheetah
    • Onebox Vannette
    • Starion Turbo 2000
  • Double-Changer
  • Jet Robo
  • Train Robo 01 - 12
  • Construction Robo 01 - 06
  • Dinosaur Robo 01 - 05
  • Triple Changer (DTC)

Car Robots

A sub-line called Real & Robo, naturally in Real-Type colors. The Dianauts are always in Hero-colors.

  • Car Robo No. 1 Countach LP500S
  • Car Robo No. 2 Onebox Cherry Vanette
  • Car Robo No. 3 Countach Patrol Car Type
  • Car Robo No. 4 Onebox Ambulance Type
  • Car Robo No. 5 4WD Hi-luxe: Yellow Variant
  • Car Robo No. 5 4WD Hi-luxe: Blue Variant
  • Car Robo No. 5 4WD Hi-luxe: Black Variant
  • Car Robo No. 6 Honda City R: Silver Variant
  • Car Robo No. 6 Honda City R: Red Variant
  • Car Robo No. 7 Fairlady Z: Blue Variant
  • Car Robo No. 7 Fairlady Z: Black-Hood Variant
  • Car Robo No. 8 4WD Wrecker Type: Red Variant
  • Car Robo No. 8 4WD Wrecker Type: Blue Variant
  • Car Robo No. 9 Honda City Hyper Turbo: Black Variant
  • Car Robo No. 9 Honda City Hyper Turbo: Red Variant
  • Car Robo No. 9 Honda City Hyper Turbo: Blue Variant
  • Car Robo No. 10 Fire Truck (Long Ladder Type)
  • Car Robo No. 11 Fairlady Z Racing Type
  • Car Robo No. 12 J59 Jeep
  • Car Robo No. 13 Police Car Fairlady Z
  • Car Robo No. 14 Porsche 935 Turbo: Gold
  • Car Robo No. 14 Porsche 935 Turbo: White
  • Car Robo No. 15 New Countach LP500S: Yellow
  • Car Robo No. 15 New Countach LP500S: Red
  • Car Robo No. 16 F-1 Ligier JS11: Red
  • Car Robo No. 16 F-1 Ligier JS11: Blue
  • Car Robo No. 17 Battle Convoy
  • Car Robo No. 18 Lancia Stratos Turbo: Marlboor Variant
  • Car Robo No. 18 Lancia Stratos Turbo
  • Car Robo No. 19 New Countach Police Car
  • Car Robo No. 20 Truck Crane: Yellow
  • Car Robo No. 21 Corvette Stingray: Red
  • Car Robo No. 22 Powered Convoy
  • Giftset : Mekki (Chrome) Powered Convoy with Red F-1 Ligier JS11 & Black New Countach LP500S
  • Giftset : Blue 4WD Wrecker Type & Silver Honda City R Two-Pack

Diaclone Attack Robo (D.A.R.)

  • Drill Tank Type: Blue-torso w/ Grey limbs
  • Drill Tank Type: Red-torso w/ Blue limbs
  • Jet Type: Grey-torso w/ Blue limbs
  • Jet Type: Red-torso w/Blue limbs

Double Changers

  • No. 1 Savanna RX-7
  • No. 2 Ferrari BB
  • No. 3 Celica XX

Jet Robo

  • McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle: Fighter Jet
  • McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle: Acrobat Jet

Train Robo

  • Train Robo: Giftset
    • Train Robo No. 01 Tokaido Shinkansen
    • Train Robo No. 02 EF65 Blue Train
    • Train Robo No. 03 Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen
    • Train Robo No. 04 Tokai System Type-153 Express Train
    • Train Robo No. 05 L Express 485 Series Limited Express Train
    • Train Robo No. 06 DE10 Diesel Locomotive
  • Train Robo No. 07 Tokaido Shinkansen Plated Type / Tōkaidō 0 Series Shinkansen
  • Train Robo No. 08 ED67 Blue Train Freight / Limited Express EF76
  • Train Robo No. 09 Dr. Yellow Integrated Testing / Doctor Yellow 922
  • Train Robo No. 10 Kuha Type 111 Express Train / Yokosuka Line 113
  • Train Robo No. 11 Limited Express Type 583 / Sleeper Express 583
  • Train Robo No. 12 DE10 Crystal Type Diesel Locomotive / DE10 Diesel Locomotive

Construction Robo

  • No. 1 Bulldozer (Yellow)
  • No. 2 Power Shovel (Yellow)
  • No. 3 Shovel-dozer (Yellow)
  • No. 4 Truck Crane (Red/Blue)
  • No. 5 Dump Truck (Red)
  • No. 6 Concrete Mixer (Red/Blue)
  • Giftset : Yellow with Red members, with Silver combiner-parts
  • Giftset : Yellow with Blue & Red members, with Chrome combiner-parts

Dinosaur Robo

  • No. 1 Tyrannosaurus
  • No. 2 Triceratops
  • No. 3 Brontosaurus
  • No. 4 Stegosaurus
  • No. 5 Pteranodon

Triple Changers

  • No. 1 Jet Fighter Type : Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25PD + Mitsubishi Type-74
  • No. 2 Helicopter Type
  • No. 3 Space Type : Space Shuttle Orbiter + JNR-Class D51 (unreleased as Diaclone)

Waruder

  • Warudaros: Giftset
    • Warudaros Mosquider
    • Warudaros Arinder
    • Warudaros Sasorander
  • Walk Insecter Type-1: Red Variant
  • Walk Insecter Type-1: Green Variant
  • Walk Insecter Type-1: Blue Variant
  • Walk Insecter Type-2: Red Variant
  • Walk Insecter Type-2: Green Variant
  • Walk Insecter Type-2: Blue Variant
  • Insecter-Robo: Giftset
    • Insecter-Robo Kabutron (Beetle-Type)
    • Insecter-Robo Battas (Grasshopper-Type)
    • Insecter-Robo Kuwagatrer (Lammelicorns-Type)
  • Machine Dragon

Jizai Gattai (Cancelled)

Transformers name are used since the Diaclone release are scrapped. The combiner torso-bots (e.g. Onslaught) have a base-mode that can connect to Metroplex's (and Trypticon) city-mode. Combiner limb-bots (e.g. Skydive) can connect to Metroplex in robot-mode

  • Metroplex
  • Aerialbots
  • Stunticons
  • Combaticons
  • Protectobots


Modern

In celebration of 35th anniversary of Diaclone in 2016, the line was thought to be revived (reboot) with the reveal of Diaclone DA-01 Dia-Battles V2 by Koujin Ohno. Once a more detailed story was published from time to time, it is clear the 2016 line is actually continuing the story of the vintage toyline.

The line seems to be going strong line-up where TakaraTomy are releasing DA-65 Battle Convoy V-Max on FEB/2021, as part of the 40th anniversary celebration. Powered Convoy (Ultra Magnus Diaclone name) was released as DA-92 in SEP/2022, and a Great Robot Base new version was released in 2-parts, DA-95 Ground Dion in APR/2023 and DA-100 Cloud Atlas in FEB/2024.

Diaclone 2016 Lineup

  • DA-01 : Dia-Battles V2
  • DA-01EX : Dia Battles V2 Prototype <Moonbase version>
  • DA-02 : Powered Suit System Type A
  • DA-03 : Powered Suit System Type B
  • DA-04 : Dia-Nauts Set 1
  • DA-04-2 : Dia-Nauts Set 2
  • DA-04-3 : Dia-Nauts Set 3
  • DA-05 : Powered Suit System A & B Cosmic Marine
  • DA-06 : Dia-Battles V2 Cosmo Maneuver Type
  • DA-07 : Cosmo Battles V2
  • DA-08 : Powered Suit System Type C
  • DA-09 : Powered Suit System Type D
  • DA-10 : Powered Suit System C & D Cosmic Marine


  • DA-11 : Dia-Battles V2 Alpha Plus
  • DA-12 : Powered System Gyroseptor
  • DA-13 : Powered System Dart Loader
  • DA-14 : Big Powered GV (Powerd-01 - 05)
  • DA-15 : Big Powered Trooper Set
  • DA-16 : Powered System Space Marine Corps Armor Set
  • DA-17 : Big Powered GV I.M.S.
  • DA-18 : Dia-Nauts Troopers Set
  • DA-19 : Big Powered GV Renketsu Sentou Trailer (Powerd-04 Powerd-05)
  • DA-20 : Powered Suit System Type E


  • DA-21 : Powered System Maneuver Alpha
  • DA-22 : Powered System Maneuver Beta
  • DA-23 : Waruder Suit "Flinger"
  • DA-24 : Waruder Suit "Stang"
  • DA-25 : Maneuver Alpha & Beta Set
  • DA-26 : Waruder Suit Flinger & Stang Set
  • DA-27 : Powered System Maneuver Gamma
  • DA-28 : Powered System Maneuver Delta
  • DA-29 : Battle Buffalo Mk. IV (Dianauts Type-II)
  • DA-30 : Maneuver Gamma & Delta Set (Space Marine Corps / Aerial Tactics Unit Ver)


  • DA-31 : Waruder Raider "Raptor Head"
  • DA-32 : Maneuver Skyjacket
  • DA-33 : Big Powered GV <Destroyer>
  • DA-34 : Waruder Raider "Raptor Head" <Dark Cathode Type>
  • DA-35 : Sky Jacket <Storm Savers Ver>
  • DA-36 : Maneuver Alpha Spartan
  • DA-37 : Strike Buffalo <Moon Assaulter>
  • DA-38 : Waruder Raider "Bug Head"
  • DA-39 : Powered System Maneuver Epsilon
  • DA-40 : Trivers TriDasher <Special ver>


  • DA-41 : Female Member Set
  • DA-42 : Trivers TriJetter <Special ver>
  • DA-43 : WarudaRaider "Bug Head" <Dark Cathode>
  • DA-44 : Trivers ShadowDasher
  • DA-45 : Dia-Battles V2 Red Lightning
  • DA-46 : Trivers ShadowJetter
  • DA-47 : Trivers TriDigger
  • DA-48 : Cosmo-Battles-02 <Red Lightning>
  • DA-49 : Powered System Maneuver Epsilon Cosmo Mariner Ver
  • DA-50 : Warudaros <Gigantor>


  • DA-51 : Trivers TriDigger Cosmo Mariner Ver
  • DA-52 : Versriser-Unit 01
  • DA-53 : Trivers Bullet Core Set
  • DA-54 : Trivers TriRambler
  • DA-55 : VersRiser-Unit 02
  • DA-56 : VersRiser Vol 01 <Caliber Type>
  • DA-57 : VersRiser-Unit 01 <V-Mover 01 Set> / Silver Mirage + Blue Phantom
  • DA-58 : Warudaros <Soldier Type>
  • DA-59 : Trivers TriRambler <Red Chaser>
  • DA-60 : VersRiser-Unit 03


  • DA-61 : VersRiser-Unit 02 <Cosmo Mariner Ver>
  • DA-62 : Mobile Base Dianauts Set
  • DA-63 : VersRiser-Unit 02 <V-Mover 02 Set>
  • DA-64 : Powered System Maneuver Gamma & Delta Mobile Base Set
  • DA-65 : Battle Convoy V-Max
  • DA-66 : VersRiser-Unit 03 <C-Grasper>
  • DA-67 : Warudaros <Soldier Type II>
  • DA-68 : VersRiser-Unit 03 <V-Mover 03 Set>
  • DA-69 : Trivers TriDasher <Sun Burst>
  • DA-70 : Powered System Maneuver Epsilon & Taurus Mobile Base Set


  • DA-71 : Trivers TriJetter <D-Caliber>
  • DA-72 : Trivers TriDigger <D-Caliber>
  • DA-73 : Mobile Base Dianauts Set 02
  • DA-74 : Trivers TriRambler <D-Caliber>
  • DA-75 : Warudaros <Dragohead>
  • DA-76 : Warudaros <Ghoulhead>
  • DA-77 : Diaclone PS/202X <A-Type & B-Type> Set
  • DA-78 : WarudaLegion <Ripper>
  • DA-79 : Battle Convoy V-Shadow
  • DA-80 : Big Powered GV <VersCaliber>


  • DA-81 : BPGV <VersCaliber> Expansion Set
  • DA-82 : Waruder Suit : Evolise <Grappler Form>
  • DA-83 : Dianauts Ver 2.0 Set
  • DA-84 : Diaclone PS/202X <Cosmo Mariner> Set
  • DA-85 : Powered Greater
  • DA-86 : LegionCore <Anode Type>
  • DA-87 : WarudaLegion
  • DA-88 : Powered Greater Support
  • DA-89 : Dianauts Ver 2.0 Set
  • DA-90 : Motocruiser / Raidbullet Set


  • DA-91 : Super Heavy Machine <Pod Gantry>
  • DA-92 : Powered Convoy
  • DA-93 : GRB - Robot Base Machine set
  • DA-94 : WarudaLegion <Vajra>
  • DA-95 : GRB - Robot Base GX <Ground Dion>
  • DA-96 : GRB - Dia-Fighter/S
  • DA-97 : GRB - Ground Dion & Dia-Guardion <Expansion Set>
  • DA-98 : GRB - Expansion Set A
  • DA-99 : GRB - Expansion Set B
  • DA-100 : GRB - Robot Base GX <Cloud Across>


  • DA-101 : GRB - Robot Base Powered Suit set

Transformers Diaclone Homage

In 2002, then Takara's Collector's Edition line starting to reissue Transformers G1 mold with colors homaging the vintage Diaclone releases and given proper character names (and bios), starting with Car-Robo No 6 Silver Honda City R named Crosscut, and Car-Robo No 21 Red Corvette Stingray being named Road Rage.

Such practice continued to this day with the 2021 Hasbro's Legacy line straight-up calling it Diaclone Universe, with the release of "Diaclone Universe Twin Twist" using deco of Diaclone Attack Robo Drill-Type.

Line-up (ongoing, realistically cannot ever be complete)

    • incomplete /ongoing list