Mer-Man

SUMMARY:
The Taiwan Mer-Man is characterized by mid-green skin tones, a soft head with light orange face paint, and light yellow accessories. 

The first release Mer-Man has certain characteristics such as a green belt, sharp mold marks (more sinewy muscles), an uneven belly button, and short strap harness. This figure is marked © Mattel Inc 1981 TAIWAN in the back and came on an 8-back card. The belly button is pronounced, and irregular on this release. The harness is marked 5046-2269A ©MATTEL INC 1981, and the sword is marked TAIWAN.

In the next release, Mer-Man (still marked 1981) was moved to a 12-back card. The green belt paint app was dropped to reveal an unpainted orange belt and harness straps that are longer (easier for kids to strap on). The longer harness is also more translucent and lighter. As further Taiwan Merman was produced, it’s possible the mold was no longer as sharp, and certain fine details were lost. The arms of the green belt appear to be significantly sharper than on the orange belt. As the production of the TAIWAN Mer-Man continued, the belly button was no longer irregular, rather it was a rounder, more natural looking sculpt.

The final Merman release was marked Mattel Inc 1982 TAIWAN. This figure had no belly button at all and also shared the unpainted belt of the 12-back Mer-Man. 

CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Mid-green skin tones
2. Soft head with light orange face paint
3. Light yellow accessories
4. Green belt on the 8-back.

MAIN VARIANTS:
8-BACK:
(Green belt, short straps, waist stopper)
MARKED: © Mattel Inc 1981 TAIWAN
SHORT STRAP HARNESS MARKED: 5046-2269A ©MATTEL INC 1981
SWORD: TAIWAN

12-BACK (1981):
(Unpainted belt, long straps, waist stopper)
MARKED: © Mattel Inc 1981 TAIWAN
ACCESSORIES MARKED: TAIWAN
LONG STRAP HARNESS MARKED: 5046-2269A ©MATTEL INC 1981
SWORD: TAIWAN

12-BACK (1982):
(Unpainted belt, long straps, wais stopper)
MARKED: © Mattel Inc 1982 TAIWAN
ACCESSORIES MARKED: TAIWAN
LONG STRAP HARNESS MARKED: 5046-2269A ©MATTEL INC 1981
SWORD: TAIWAN