Seriously, there were Manimal toys

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I don’t think this would be headline news anywhere else but here. If you recall NBC’s “Manimal”, the TV show that kind of made a laughing stock of the network for a period in the 1980s. The show revolved around a crime fighter who just happened to be able to turn into animals.

So it was a lot like that video Yes did for “Owner of a lonely heart” but slightly longer. Each week, our hero would save the day by turning into a snake, panther or eagle. He could turn into other animals but the budget only let you see the aforementioned snake, panther or eagle transformations, which were well done but I digress.


The series got crushed in the ratings and only aired 8 episodes, so merchandise was out of the question, or so I’d thought. I’d heard rumors that a toy company did have the license but only recently came across them in person


More after the jump.




The biggest problem with merchandising Manimal other than it was quickly removed from airwaves wasthat the premise isn’t very “Toyetic”. He’s a guy and then he turns into an animal. So you’d either have to make a figure of a guy or a toy of a snake. Children could likely reenact the show just by reaching into their toy box and using their (dreaded by toymakers) imagination.




However rack toy legend Fleetwood Toys didn't let cancellation deter them and came up with a novel concept.

Make figures of him in mid transformation! Before you ask, this really is officially licensed stuff, that's the series logo and the packaging bears the 20th Century Fox copyright.


Of course, that's just a scan of a catalog, did the toys actually get released?Feast your eyes below:

It's my first Manimal inaction figure! I'm sure in the past I've seen these loose at toy shows and completely ignored them, not realizing their inherent greatness.


There is two reasons this brings me joy, 1) it's something that if I'd found out about after my Rack Toys book was published would have upset me and 2) after six years I finally have a "Manimal" tag for the blog. I'm sure to use that plenty.

For more Fashion Mockery and 70's toy love visit us at Plaid Stallions.com


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[starsky]

i woulda settled for a melody anderson doll.

[HardyGirl]

I loved that show and was really mad when it was cancelled. Those rack toys are pretty lame, but I thought Simon MacCorkindale was a doll.

[bobws]

Hey, Manimal customs would only need 2 figure The star and didn't he have a girlfriend?

[cjefferys]

Wow, I'm just at a loss for words right now.....

[Earth 2 Chris]

Those are actually kind of disturbing. They fit in with the animal-hybrid characters from MOTU and other fantasty-themed series which were hot at the time.

Only 8 episodes, huh? I seem to remember it lasting for at least a season, but then I also liked it! I haven't seen it in 30 years. I'm guessing it won't hold up to well.

Chirs

[babycyclops]

This is like if Napoleon Dynamite designed a range of action figures...... frikkin sweet!!

[samurainoir]

With the wolf headed figure holding an axe, I really wonder if these were repurposed Fantasy/dungeons and dragons knockoff figures.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Manimal-1986...item58863f567b
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Manimal-1986...item4845c7d99e

[MegoScott]

So creepy

[Godzilla]

That is incredible! I have to admit to loving the show.