TV Masterpiece Picture Book
Released by Kodansha Publication Co. in Japan and titled 'Machine Robo Encyclopedia', it served as a showcase of current and upcoming Machine Robo 600 Series figures and a customisation guide.
It's currently unclear how this book was distributed or whether Bandai was involved at all. The rear of the book shows a RRP value so presumably it was released for retail sale instead of being a fan club, prize or mail away exclusive.
The brunt of text on each figure's page describes the mode change method while many like publications that lean heavily on what abilities the character has, their motivations and personality.
Bandai did heavily promote dismantling and customising figures early on in the line and ran competitions focused on this. This could hint it's a
commissioned book even though Bandai's name and branding doesn't seem to appear anywhere in the publication.
Publication date is unclear. The publishing date on rear of the book seems to say 1982, however many of the figures shown were designed post that time. One book reference site lists the publishing date as 1984, however that seems too late for their need to use prototype images for many of the examples. 1983 would make the most sense to match the content of the book. Possibly a release delay saw it not hit the press until 1984.
The book is a stiff card cover and thick page book stapled at the spine that's 21 cm tall.
