THE TOY THAT
NEVER WAS

In 1985, Mattel prepared to launch a Mighty Orbots toy line. Prototypes were shown in a Toy Fair catalog, including a large die-cast combiner robot that matched the look and feel of the show. The plan was ambitious: five separate Orbots figures that could merge into a towering, fourteen-inch robot, similar in scale to the beloved die-cast Voltron of the same era.

But the toy never made it to shelves. With the show canceled, the prototypes were shelved, and no official merchandise was ever produced. For nearly forty years, Mighty Orbots has been one of the great “lost” toy lines, a property remembered by its fans but never celebrated in plastic, metal, or packaging. Collectors have searched in vain for anything official, making it one of the most elusive grails of 80s robot nostalgia.

THE STORY

Mighty Orbots premiered on ABC Saturday mornings in 1984. Created by Fred Silverman and produced by TMS Entertainment with designs by Osamu Dezaki, it ran for just thirteen episodes. The series followed a young inventor, Rob Simmons, who commanded a team of six individual robots, each with their own personality and special abilities. Together, and with the help of Rob’s tiny assistant Ohno, they could combine into a single giant robot: the legendary Mighty Orbots.

Although short-lived, the show was praised for its vibrant animation, imaginative fight sequences, and one of the most unforgettable theme songs of the 1980s. Its release, however, coincided with the launch of Voltron, Transformers, and GoBots. With so many robot shows competing for attention, Mighty Orbots was overshadowed and quietly disappeared after one season. But for those who saw it, the series left a lasting impression, earning its place as a cult favorite among collectors and fans of classic mecha.

WATCH THE ADVENTURE

Journey back to 1984 and watch all 13 episodes of the Mighty Orbots series on the official YouTube channel. Watch, share, and subscribe now and join the team as Mighty Orbots powers up again.