'Triple change in one machine!'
Triple Jim is a mode changing robot triple changer from the Machine Robo toy line by Bandai. The figure has three modes; robot, 'Commander Helicopter' and 'Machine Red' (futuristic car).
The figure is extremely well made and designed. Bare the weapons, there are no parts to remove during mode change. Even the rotors fold down and under into a cavity when not in helicopter mode. Without real world vehicle analogues to adhere to the designers had freedom to create a very competent triple changer. Its complete yet pleasingly intuitive mode change design exudes having been an engineering design project that somehow ended up on shelves.
While Triple Jim was added to the Machine Robo line in 1986, it's unclear from when the design originated. In mode change process, large use of diecast metal and overall feel, Jim has all the hallmarks of POPY's early 80s designs vs. other mid 80s additions such as Tough Trailer. It's speculation, however Triple Jim could easily be a shelved prototype from earlier in the Machine Robo line that found a place later when Bandai and Ashi Productions were sourcing new characters for their animated series.
Jim appears as a semi regular character in the Japanese animated
Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos series and also one episode of the follow-on Machine Robo: Battle Hackers. The character's designation is also unclear as Jim is linked with Jet Tribe in relation to the toy and Battle Tribe in the animated shows. Even more convoluted, Triple Jim was renamed Turbo when Revenge of Cronos was dubbed into French for release in that country as Revenge of the Gobots. This is a largely confusing addition to the Gobots lore as nothing in the show married up in any way with Hanna Barbera's Challenge of the Gobots bar the renamed characters.
Triple Jim was only released in Japan.
Machine Robo MRJ Triple Jim Bandai 1986
Accessories Two spring loaded launchers and six missiles. A launcher can be held in each hand or combined to form a double barrel weapon.
Prototype The packaging image shows Jim paired with two black launchers vs. the grey production accessories. This is likely a very late in development hardcopy that was used for marketing photos with colours changed not long before production.
Transformation step skipped See care note at the bottom of this page regarding a step skipped in the below photo examples and why.
Stamping (English) Bandai 1986G Made in Japan MRJ (Japanese) Triple Jim (c) Ashi Pro PLEX
Care note: click/tap for details
