MT (Masudaya Toys)
81+ years and still operating (founded 1945)
About MT (Masudaya Toys)
Masudaya (Modern Toys) is legendary among tin toy collectors for producing some of the most imaginative battery-operated tin toys ever made. Their 'Gang of Five' robot series — five battery-operated robots from the late 1950s — are the holy grail of tin toy collecting.
History of MT (Masudaya Toys)
Masudaya, marking its toys "MT" for Masudaya Toys, is one of the oldest firms in the Japanese toy trade — its origins run back into the nineteenth century — and it produced the most valuable robots ever made.
The "Gang of Five" is the reason. Five large battery-operated tin robots of the late 1950s — Machine Man, Radicon Robot, Non-Stop Robot (also called Lavender Robot), Target Robot and Giant Sonic Robot — were made in small numbers, and their squarish skirted bodies and glowing chest panels have become the defining image of the tin-robot era. Machine Man in particular is among the most valuable toys in existence; a complete boxed example is a six-figure object.
The Radicon Robot deserves separate mention as a genuine technical first: it was radio-controlled, at a time when that was an expensive novelty in any product, let alone a toy. Masudaya also made large battery-operated cars, novelty toys and later plastic products, and the company continues in business.
Timeline
- 1724The Masudaya business traces its origins to an Edo-period trading house
- 1945Postwar toy production resumes in Tokyo under the MT mark
- 1955The Radicon Robot introduces radio control to a toy robot
- 1958The Gang of Five large battery-operated robots are produced in small numbers
- 1965Battery-operated vehicles and novelty toys dominate the range
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- Masudaya 'Gang of Five' robots
- Masudaya Machine Man robot
- Masudaya Rotate-O-Matic Super Astronaut
- Masudaya Non-Stop Robot
- Masudaya Target Robot
- Masudaya tin battery cars
Identifying & Dating MT (Masudaya Toys)
- Look for the "MT" mark in a circle or diamond lithographed on the base or back, with "Made in Japan".
- Gang of Five robots are documented individually and are identified by body form, chest panel and action rather than by mark alone.
- Reissues and reproductions of the famous robots exist and are generally marked with later dates or different country marks — check carefully.
Collector's Notes
- The Gang of Five is a market with genuine money in it and genuine fakes. For anything at that level, buy through a specialist auction with provenance and a stated guarantee, and expect to pay for authentication.
- Completeness and function are critical: antennae, battery hatch, correct chest lenses, and a working mechanism. Original boxes can be worth as much as the toy.
- Battery corrosion is the standard destroyer. Even on ordinary MT vehicles, open the compartment before buying — the damage spreads into the lithography.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was MT (Masudaya Toys) founded?
MT (Masudaya Toys) was founded in 1945, based in Tokyo, Japan.
Is MT (Masudaya Toys) still in business?
Yes. MT (Masudaya Toys) is still operating today, 81+ years after it was founded.
What is MT (Masudaya Toys) best known for?
MT (Masudaya Toys) is best known for Masudaya 'Gang of Five' robots, Masudaya Machine Man robot, Masudaya Rotate-O-Matic Super Astronaut, among other toys.
Where was MT (Masudaya Toys) located?
MT (Masudaya Toys) was based in Tokyo, Japan.
What kinds of toys did MT (Masudaya Toys) make?
MT (Masudaya Toys) is categorized under tin toys, robots, battery operated, space toys.
How can you identify genuine MT (Masudaya Toys)?
Look for the "MT" mark in a circle or diamond lithographed on the base or back, with "Made in Japan". Gang of Five robots are documented individually and are identified by body form, chest panel and action rather than by mark alone. Reissues and reproductions of the famous robots exist and are generally marked with later dates or different country marks — check carefully.
Are MT (Masudaya Toys) valuable?
The Gang of Five is a market with genuine money in it and genuine fakes. For anything at that level, buy through a specialist auction with provenance and a stated guarantee, and expect to pay for authentication. Completeness and function are critical: antennae, battery hatch, correct chest lenses, and a working mechanism. Original boxes can be worth as much as the toy. Battery corrosion is the standard destroyer. Even on ordinary MT vehicles, open the compartment before buying — the damage spreads into the lithography.