A few Missing Link reveals are coming to us tonight from Takara Tomy’s TF40 Expo (via @fuji_seitaiblog / @BWREX / @634the3rd on X/Twitter), and one is very surprising indeed!
First up, we have G1 Arcee! This is based on the original G1 toy that was never actually produced, and it is very cool to see here. A translation says while the prototype on display is a mock-up and does not yet have a functional transformation, it is something they will be working on.
There’s also a G1 Sunstreaker prototype as well that is displayed in his robot and car modes.
Check them out after the break and stay tuned for more!
LoranBasaraEvin
Holy crap, you're right. I never considered the fact that this is the first time his "G1 Toy" will be released on his own in Japan.
Powerbomb
Spike, Sparkplug, and the rest…
MegaMoonMan
I just hope Arcee isn't locked in that weird knees touching stance.
gmkalos
looks like there's a lot of movement to her.
Zodiac1968340
Not sure if it's already shared, a twitter user took a pic of Arcee's back
x.com
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Greylight
I guess my comment wasn’t as clear as it seemed in my head. But yes, I was referring to mainline as well.
By referencing how SS86 Hot Rod was done so well with a Voyager budget, I meant to imply that I believed Hasbro could work the same magic with a Voyager SS86 Arcee.
As for small parts, SS86 Hot Rod has some fairly small pieces. I doubt Arcee would need anything smaller.
So to fix my original statement: I am confident that in 2025 or beyond, Hasbro/Takara can and will succeed in making a G1 accurate, kibble-free Voyager Arcee in Studio Series 86.
lord ginrai
I wouldn’t worry. It’ll change very little, if at all. This mock-up looks like it has the transformation figured out, so it’s much further along than Studio Series Devy was. It’s of course also a much less ambitious and way simpler figure.
MrNiceGuy
Cool, but seeing it's a mockup is discouraging.
Remember how that went with Studio Series Devastator
Midwest Jhiaxus
Forgive me but this needs to be said… KITTY! CUTE ADORABLE KITTY!
Dinobot Snarl
I wonder if they might give him a removable Spark Chamber? Or Transformation Cog Compartment?
Novaburnhilde
I love those dinky original Diaclone microman and Waruder pilots.
Dinobot Snarl
They really need to release some pilots, c'mon Takara
lannyjack
I just realized for Missing Link, this will be the first time Sunstreaker will be packaged in car mode in a Japanese G1 box. Similar to the American box, but with a sytrofoam insert like the other Japanese carbots.
He was only released in Japan in a versus giftset along with Skids and Buzzsaw.
theestampede
so yes, it’s possible, but the driver is facing downward in robot mode.
glad you suggested trying this, definitely makes me like him more.
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dang man. Playing with the original, then going back and looking at the ML version, I’m getting more and more excited
Datsun87
Same energy as posing Alternator Smokescreen with MP-1 or rolling out MP-12 as the first Autobot after MP-10. Takara is in MP for the long haul (not to be confused with the rumored SS86 Commander double pack including actual Long Haul).
Dinobot Snarl
I think Ultra Magnus is in play now. To be honest I know a lot big collectors want Unicron, but I'd be far more tickled with Ultramagnus or Kup. I hope they can put more designers in this and get a few more out per year than the current pace.
Shin Densetsu
Very strategic move by Takara. Already increasing demand for other Diaclone-era carbots and now 86 movie figures just by showing these 2. Very smart and to think people thought Convoy was it with maybe, maybe Megatron closing out the 40th anniversary. Sunstreaker I thought might be considered but I never thought Arcee would be.
And I was thinking a Seeker, Soundwave or Megatron would be next. Seeker especially since there’s 5 reuses of it baked in whether based on the G1 toy or cartoon alone.
Definitely a sign of how long Takara wants this line to last, otherwise they would’ve just made the most popular characters and been done with it. No, instead they’re making figures knowing it’ll increase demand for others in this line. Itching to see who makes the cut next. I imagine something like Sludge and 1 random Scramble City component will make the cut as that would likely increase demand for the rest of the Dinobots and the 4/5 members left to finish said SC combiner.
Well played Takara. And just a few years before the 40th anniversary of the 1986 movie which will further increase demand for figures from it beyond Arcee.
Foster
No reason to think they won't make that addition considering they did add weapons for Bumble and Cliff
Prime135
So I’m assuming he’ll come with his g1 accessories, but I wonder if he’ll also come with a gun in a similar style to his mp figure? Not much point in adding peg holes to the fists if there’s nothing to put in them.
ambitron
I don't have one – I only have Sunstreaker, not the Diaclone version alas.
Now for the mea culpa…
Okay, I confess that I did not re-read it today (I read it long ago so should have reminded myself of the details). I was replying only to Dinobot Snarl's pondering on the details on the ML version being reverse compared to the picture he posted, and had wrongly assumed the picture was of a figure stickered up wrong by a kid many years ago. I see now that the article considers the G1 instructions to be wrong based on the Diaclone placement and vents being visible through the windows, which is why they are the other way around in that picture. I think it makes total sense that Takara would use the configuration from the G1 toy instructions for the Missing Link figure, though, since that's how 99% of the original toys will be stickered up.
I certainly didn't mean to start anything.
And I would certainly never call into question Maz's knowledge of anything to do with Transformers or Diaclone – the man is a living repository and I love his articles (and yep, should have re-read that one). I am sure he is entirely right that the instructions were wrong when compared to Diaclone and original intentions. I still think Takara is right to use the orientation from the G1 instructions rather than whatever was right for Diaclone, however, in the context of Missing Link (and I'm sure you are right that this is why Takara moulded it that way).
(I've edited my original post to avoid questioning Maz's sticker placement!)