The World Hero series was released in Japan in 1980, Popy had been distributing the 3 3/4" Kenner Star Wars figure in cool display boxes as opposed to the cards the rest of the world recieved..

With the success of this line, popy sought to expand the 3 3/4" offering to more licenses, particularly the ones popular in Japan.

What resulted is one of those wonderful bits of foreign toy magic, as a litany of popular Japanese heroes were released as if they were made and sold by Kenner. I have fallen completely in love with this line.

I'd like to thank Danny and Mario for helping out with this page, being quality human beings and really taking on the spirit of what toy collecting should be, fun!

This is insert catalog that came with the figures, it features 16 but so far I've managed to count 18. This page is a work in progress and I could certainly use some help going forward on what is what. Below is more detail on the characters I know about. >

#1: Ultraman.

The first figure is the chairman of the board in my opinion, the original Ultraman, whatever figure rang popy released, they usually included this guy.

#2: Ultraman Taro.

Ultraman Taro was the 6th Ultra series and aired in the mid 1970s, he was still popular enough to warrant inclusion into this series.

#3: Ultraman Joeneus

This is the animated version of Ultraman that doesn't quite fall into continuity, he was however, on the air when this toy series debuted and was the Ultraman character on TV in five years. This character was my introduction to the character as a kid, thanks to VHS.

#4: Ultra Seven.

Easily one of the most popular characters in the Ultra-family, Seven was the follow up series to Ultraman.

#5 Denjiman Red

Denjiman is a Super Sentai series that is a direct ancestor to Power Rangers, a color coded five man team that form a giant robot.

#6 Denjiman Green

Denjiman is a Super Sentai series that is a direct ancestor to Power Rangers, a color coded five man team that form a giant robot.

#7 Denjiman Blue

Denjiman is a Super Sentai series that is a direct ancestor to Power Rangers, a color coded five man team that form a giant robot.

#8 Denjiman Yellow

Denjiman is a Super Sentai series that is a direct ancestor to Power Rangers, a color coded five man team that form a giant robot. Denjiman Yellow is by far, the easiest World Hero to get in the series. Popy didn't finish the team with Denjiman Pink, most probably because it would require a different body.

#9 Kamen Rider Ichigo

The first in what would be a long running series of Riders, Kamen Rider 1 was an obvious choice for this line.

#10 Sky Rider

While his series was merely titled "New Kamen Rider", this character is often referred to as Sky Rider because of his ability to fly. This series was on the air at the time of this figure line, so many of the figures revolve around his series as a result.

#11 General Monster

The first villain character in the line, he served as one of Skyrider's bigger nemesises through out his year long series. The second in command of the evil organization Neo Shocker, General Monster commands a legion of transforming mutants and is one himself!

#12 Air Commando

Basically a Neo Shocker version of the Cobra soldier, just someone for our hero to wail on until the big battle.

#13 Kamen Rider V3

The third Kamen Rider (hence the three in his name), it can be argued that V3 is the most popular of the classic characters. Above are the noticable paint variations on this figure..

#14 Gameleojin

Gameleojin is a Neo Shocker cyborg and the first one to get beaten up by Sky Rider, it's common for merchandising to focus on the early villain, I'm not sure why. This figure looks like it walked out of the Creature cantina..

#15 Kumojin

Kumojin is the second Neo-Shocker mutant/cyborg to die by the mighty kick of our hero. The designs for these guys get a little weird by the end of the series run.

#16 Ultraman 80

One week after the animated Ultraman left the airwaves, the first live action Ultra brother in some time lept onto screens in the form of Ultraman 80, it should be no shock he was included in this line.

#17 Denjiman Pink

Mystery solved thanks to Mario, the only female in the group, she's also very, very rare.

#18 Kamen Rider Super-1

This fella followed Sky Rider, so he was a logical addition to the series, although Popy failed to accurately reproduce his tassles. .

#19 Sun Vulcan Red

After Denjiman ended, Sun Vulcan became the new five man team and they were the last characters added to the world heroes line.

#20 Sun Vulcan Blue

From what I've observed, these guys aren't easy to find at all.

#21 Sun Vulcan Yelloa

This to the best of my knowledge is the last figure in the series.

Ultraman Carry Case

Taking a page from kenner, Popy created carry cases for the line. I've been told there is a Sky Rider and Denjiman version of these but I've yet to find them.

It's impossible to not love this thing.

Kamen Rider Carry Case

I won this thing on my birthday this year, it's not super easy to find and I'm glad to add it to my collection..

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