Army Ants toys were a toy-line released by Hasbro in 1987, they were very similar to Battle Beasts and Monster In My Pocket. However, this toy-line focused on humanoid ants that were originally released in squadrons of three or eight figures, set on card-backed blister packs.
The ants were organised into two opposing armies: the Orange Army which was led by General Patant, and the Blue Army, led by General McAnther. The individual soldiers were also part of a particular grouping, such as Assault Team, Sniper Team, Bazooka Team, Flame Thrower Squad etc.
Unlike most toy-lines released at that time, the Army Ants toys were not split between good and evil, in fact, both sides were described as ‘foul insects’ and ‘evil hordes’.
From the packaging: “Army Ants – two opposing power-hungry forces locked in mortal combat. These devestating armies are divided into strategic military teams, each with its own primary military speciality. Highly trained and extremely rotten, these foul little insects want to devour everything and take the enemy by force. Repulsive hordes of these venemous creatures have been seen in your area! Collect them all and build your own army of bizarre battling bugs.”
Army Ants (1987)
GENERAL PATANT'S SPECIAL STRIKE FORCE TEAM
ASSAULT TEAM
SNIPER TEAM
BAZOOKA TEAM
AERIAL ASSAULT TEAM
GENERAL MCANTHER'S SPECIAL FORCES TEAM
MORTAR TEAM
ARTILLERY TEAM
FLAME THROWER SQUAD
BOMBER SQUAD
Alternative Army Ants
In Europe Army Ants toys were sold under several names. In France they were known as ‘Termitors’, the Italian ones, called ‘Kombattini’, are however the most well documented.
Kombattini were marketed by GIG, a toy manufacturer that also produced similar soldiers lines such as Exogini, the Italian equivalent of M.U.S.C.L.E. Kombatti used the same 40 molds as the original Army Ants toys but with several differences.
- Figures were painted a single, solid colour with no detailing
- Red Army soldiers were painted iridescent blue, green, or white
- Blue Army soldiers were painted iridescent black, pink, or gray
- Both armies also had rare transparent ants
- Each model of ant was available in all four colors for its army
- The ants’ rubber abdomens (called “ampolla della forza”, “ampules of force”) were transparent and glittery
These toys were also sold differently, instead of cardboard blister packs they were sold in packages on one, buckets of four, or pyramids of 8 or 14.
Each GIG figure also had a distinct, humorous name, mangled with a famous person at the time, including sports stars and politicians.