Images of Transformers Missing Link Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Sunstreaker, and Cordon

Loving this line a lot!

It's magnificent, I'm so glad we're getting even more Missing Link stuff

Ooohhh gimme Sunstreaker and Cordon please.

Hopefully they’ll be under $60 Buicks each.

Sunstreaker really drives home the MISSING in the line's name.

Sorry if this has already been discussed to death in a thread I missed, but does this mean that his, Mirage's, and Wheeljack's molds have been officially found? Were they never actually lost but just degraded and deemed too expensive to bother repairing until Missing Link came about? Or did Takara or Hasbro seize some reverse-molds from KO makers, as I've assumed was done for the legit W-Cassette reissues that appeared to use the CHMS/KOTOYS molds?

I'm suddenly wondering if Exhaust will have a missing link to an actual cigarette company, and if Mirage will have the missing link between his upper and lower body reinforced!

Bumblevivisector wrote:Sunstreaker really drives home the MISSING in the line's name.

Sorry if this has already been discussed to death in a thread I missed, but does this mean that his, Mirage's, and Wheeljack's molds have been officially found? Were they never actually lost but just degraded and deemed too expensive to bother repairing until Missing Link came about? Or did Takara or Hasbro seize some reverse-molds from KO makers, as I've assumed was done for the legit W-Cassette reissues that appeared to use the CHMS/KOTOYS molds?

I'm suddenly wondering if Exhaust will have a missing link to an actual cigarette company, and if Mirage will have the missing link between his upper and lower body reinforced!

I bet they went the KO Chinese route and reverse-engineered the things before re-designing them from scratch.
To make the ML bots, they have no choice but to be brand new molds because of all the new parts.

Sunny looks amazing, but the one I'm truly waiting for is Geewun Arcee.

Just paid for Cliffy and Bee, should be here in a couple days!

That Sunsteaker mold looks so good! Definitely getting both and I imagine there's a Spinout coming, too. It'll be interesting to see how they package Cordon.

But what we really need is some Decepticons!

Bumblevivisector wrote:Sunstreaker really drives home the MISSING in the line's name.

Sorry if this has already been discussed to death in a thread I missed, but does this mean that his, Mirage's, and Wheeljack's molds have been officially found? Were they never actually lost but just degraded and deemed too expensive to bother repairing until Missing Link came about? Or did Takara or Hasbro seize some reverse-molds from KO makers, as I've assumed was done for the legit W-Cassette reissues that appeared to use the CHMS/KOTOYS molds?

I'm suddenly wondering if Exhaust will have a missing link to an actual cigarette company, and if Mirage will have the missing link between his upper and lower body reinforced!

These are 100% new molds.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:But what we really need is some Decepticons!

Emerje

Yes, the ultimate test of this line will be to find the missing link between the Diaclone/G1 Seeker design and its partsforming fists! I have a feeling someone will study the Robotmasters mold just as carefully.

And thanks for clearing that up!

If we're talking about them doing Decepticons, Soundwave is likely to be first since he actually has more articulation than most Decepticons of the first two years. He just requires a little more engineering.

Roadbuster wrote:If we're talking about them doing Decepticons, Soundwave is likely to be first since he actually has more articulation than most Decepticons of the first two years. He just requires a little more engineering.

As for Megatron, he will be quite challenging to make.
That is, if they are allowed to do it at all.

-Kanrabat- wrote:As for Megatron, he will be quite challenging to make.
That is, if they are allowed to do it at all.

Takara might be "allowed" to make Megatron since Japan doesn't have the same strict toy gun safety laws as the US does.

But since Takara knows how big the international market is outside of Japan, it becomes a matter of if they'd be "willing" to make Megatron since it wouldn't be as lucrative for them to make something that couldn't legally be sold by US market retailers. And I'm sure they remember the issues that surrounded the releases of both MP Megatrons and MP Exhaust.

Missing Link Megatron is pretty much the ultimate "wait and see" case for this line, yeah.

Sabrblade wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:As for Megatron, he will be quite challenging to make.
That is, if they are allowed to do it at all.

Takara might be "allowed" to make Megatron since Japan doesn't have the same strict toy gun safety laws as the US does.

But since Takara knows how big the international market is outside of Japan, it becomes a matter of if they'd be "willing" to make Megatron since it wouldn't be as lucrative for them to make something that couldn't legally be sold by US market retailers. And I'm sure they remember the issues that surrounded the releases of both MP Megatrons and MP Exhaust.

Missing Link Megatron is pretty much the ultimate "wait and see" case for this line, yeah.

Wouldn't it actually be more lucrative for them to make Megatron since they wouldn't have to share profits with Hasbro when US customers and shops buy directly from Takara Tomy?

Personally I'm looking forward to Grimlock.

I wonder if Takara to could make Jetfire? It would be a new mold rather than a reissue of the Bandai owned mold, and they're doing a crossover with Macross 7 so they've got a foot in the door. Maybe if they added a credit to the fine print.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:
I wonder if Takara to could make Jetfire? It would be a new mold rather than a reissue of the Bandai owned mold, and they're doing a crossover with Macross 7 so they've got a foot in the door. Maybe if they added a credit to the fine print.

Emerje

I think it is entirely possible. Maybe they could also improves the armor clips so that they are not as fragile as the original.

If they ever do it, price-wise, I bet the thing would be on par with similar modern Macross figures of the same scale.
Meaning a 300$+ monstrosity.

Emerje wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:As for Megatron, he will be quite challenging to make.
That is, if they are allowed to do it at all.

Takara might be "allowed" to make Megatron since Japan doesn't have the same strict toy gun safety laws as the US does.

But since Takara knows how big the international market is outside of Japan, it becomes a matter of if they'd be "willing" to make Megatron since it wouldn't be as lucrative for them to make something that couldn't legally be sold by US market retailers. And I'm sure they remember the issues that surrounded the releases of both MP Megatrons and MP Exhaust.

Missing Link Megatron is pretty much the ultimate "wait and see" case for this line, yeah.

Wouldn't it actually be more lucrative for them to make Megatron since they wouldn't have to share profits with Hasbro when US customers and shops buy directly from Takara Tomy?

Personally I'm looking forward to Grimlock.

I wonder if Takara to could make Jetfire? It would be a new mold rather than a reissue of the Bandai owned mold, and they're doing a crossover with Macross 7 so they've got a foot in the door. Maybe if they added a credit to the fine print.

Emerje

A Jetfire would be awesome. But given its size and accessories it would probably be up there in price with ML Convoy with Trailer. Kind of steep for most... but hey, it would be very cool if they did.

As for Megs.... Takara has no qualms about gun toys, and they might get around to him at some point, but I think Soundwave and Starscream may take a bit of precedence considering its been 13 years since the last G1 Megs release by them. Don't think they are in a rush to get him out, or it would have been the next release after Convoy.

I'm not sure if these figures are explicitly sold to children, I presume their extreme nostalgia angle (and high prices, compared to a regular retail figure that is) might mean they're more marketed towards an adult audience - just wondering if that's enough to have a go at making a ML Megs or Shockwave. I can totally see them make a crude "Artillery Piece" with the bits and bobs of the UNCLE add-ons, then give a lil wink-wink nudge-nudge to fans by hiding the gun mode somewhere in the instructions or somethin'. Kinda like Siege Soundwave having that easter egg lamppost mode hidden on one of the box flaps.

I still think a passable artillery mode could be made without the UNCLE parts if they wanna sell the figure on its own, maybe pretend the gun grip are "tank treads" for a makeshift artillery mode like Perceptor.

Pre-orders up, they come with Diclone drivers! I wonder if we'll see these repackaged later in Diaclone boxes, maybe that's how we get Spinout.

Sunstreaker

Cordon

Emerje

Dang.
11K yen...

Emerje wrote:Pre-orders up, they come with Diclone drivers! I wonder if we'll see these repackaged later in Diaclone boxes, maybe that's how we get Spinout.

Sunstreaker

Cordon

Emerje

Damn... how are these more expensive the C-02 Prime?

TakaraTomy promotional video:

I am still waiting on my ML cliffjumper, I am looking forward to him.

Also, Sunstreaker looks really good. I am going to limit myself to 1 use of each ML mold I am interested in, and I have always loved the G1 Sunstreaker look, so I look forward to him

Finally got my cliffjumper. He is super awesome. i really adore this little guy! Lots of fun, lots of joints, and just the cutest little alt mode.

I am definitely loving this line so far. Can't wait for Sunstreaker!

Thanks to the TFND Facebook page, we have a full color, unobscured look at Missing Link Arcee! As can be seen below, she's going to be coming in her G1 toy prototype colors, as well as anime colors.









For those who may not understand the orange and pink deco, Arcee never actually got a toy in the G1 toyline, despite being a prominent character in the animated movie in 1986, and also the following seasons of the G1 cartoon. She did, however, have a prototype toy which was rendered in that pink and orange color scheme. To homage that, we're getting the first brand new G1 toy in over 30 years in it's original colors, as well as an animation accurate déco. Kind of mind blowing to think about.

So what are your thoughts on these figures? Do you plan on picking up either or both of Arcee's G1 toy? While there's no official word on a release date or pre-orders, these images show that it will likely be sooner than later. Let us know what you think in the forums!

Depending on the price, I want BOTH! But if my wallet says "nope," I'd go with the Prototype.

I kinda want the prototype, but I don't collect G1. So I'm torn.

If they made a Generations Arcee in prototype colors I'd get it, easily. Put it beside Delta Magnus.

Why does the pink one have Texaco logos on her shoulders?

Sabrblade wrote:Why does the pink one have Texaco logos on her shoulders?

Because "You can trust your car to the woman who wears the staaaar... the big bright Texaco staaaar!".....



The animation version looks very nice. Might just break down and get her though was not planning to originally.

Do we have pre-orders for her yet? Amazon.jp? Or Ami Ami?

Yeah, anime-colors-ML Arcee looks so good that I'm surprised I somehow didn't see her coming.

But if I have to pick one, it will still be the rainbow-sherbet Arcee that I apparently should've gotten when I was 6.

Tempted to get both though. I could see these selling out faster than the other Missing Links, and hope the recent trend of new production runs for a handful of specific figures ultimately extends to this line, if necessary.

I knew they were gonna do toy and cartoon colour versions for this one. I told myself I was just gonna do toy colours, but damn if the cartoon colours don't look amazing too! Uuuugh think I'll stick to the toy colours. Theres enough pink Arcees in my collection!

Definitely in on this one!

The logo on Animation Arcee's shoulder looks like a butt in a thong. If I had to see it you all have to see it. If that flap on the arm can go forward, thus allowing the elbow to bend without using the shoulder hinge, this might be the best Arcee period.

The two versions of Arcee have tooling differences. They do not share a common helmet or face design. There might also be slight mold differences in the pelvic area, but that could just be paint differences.

I'm torn on whether to get both, but if i had to get only one, i'd get the prototype version as that would fit better with G1 Hot Rod toy since the Hot Rod toy didn't look like its animated counterpart either, especially the face and helmet.

Appreciate the G1 release as a missing link in a G1 transformers box with styrofoam. Will most likely get both of them. This is our favourite line.

Preorders are up for both Missing Link Arcees.

BBTS at 98$US each:
https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/ ... 308603?o=2

https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/ ... 308604?o=2

Age 3 & Up at a whopping 150$CAN each:

https://www.agesthreeandup.ca/collectio ... -prototype

https://www.agesthreeandup.ca/collectio ... c-08-arcee

Amazon Japan at 11117JPY:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/T-SPARK-T?tag=seibertron00-22& ... oys&sr=1-3

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/T-SPARK-T?tag=seibertron00-22& ... oys&sr=1-1

And where it may be the best deal (for me anyway) is Hobby Search at 10800JPY (and cheaper shipping than Amazon Japan):

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11178271?utm ... 1178271_en

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11178272?utm ... 1178272_en

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Age 3 & Up at a whopping 150$CAN each:

https://www.agesthreeandup.ca/collectio ... -prototype

https://www.agesthreeandup.ca/collectio ... c-08-arcee

And where it may be the best deal (for me anyway) is Hobby Search at 10800JPY (and cheaper shipping than Amazon Japan):

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11178271?utm ... 1178271_en

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11178272?utm ... 1178272_en

Looks like Hobby Search for us again. Thanks for pointing it out the last time. $40 more each at Ages3andUp is crazy. Are they expecting the Canadian dollar to crash and burn?

Dino-Snarl wrote:Looks like Hobby Search for us again. Thanks for pointing it out the last time. $40 more each at Ages3andUp is crazy. Are they expecting the Canadian dollar to crash and burn?

I don't think so. It all depends on the article I guess. For example, at Hobby Search, the titan Star Convoy is at an insane 31500JPY,
https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11178270?utm ... 1178270_en
<while at A3&U, it's 209$CAN.
https://www.agesthreeandup.ca/collectio ... imus-prime

Sometime, the prices are similar, but you save on taxes and shipping by going A3&U like for Nucleon Quest Convoy.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11172360

https://www.agesthreeandup.ca/collectio ... per-convoy

Why are the prices jumping around so much? Who knows? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

FWIW, Ami Ami has them for around $75US. 10,560Yen.
C-07
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=FIGURE-183304

C-08
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=FIGURE-183305

Overcracker wrote:FWIW, Ami Ami has them for around $75US. 10,560Yen.
C-07
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=FIGURE-183304

C-08
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=FIGURE-183305

A few yens cheaper than Hobby Search. Nice. I would have posted the links myself if their stupid site wasn't so wonky.

We thank Kanrabat for letting us know that both the Missing Link Arcees are up for preorder. One is in the original prototype colours and the other one is in animation colours. Prices are around the $100 mark for American retailers and around $75 USD in Japan, though shipping (and possible tariffs) may offset the savings. The preorders also give us lots of official images of both.

BBTS at 98$US each:
https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/ ... 308603?o=2

https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/ ... 308604?o=2

Age 3 & Up at a whopping 150$CAN each:

https://www.agesthreeandup.ca/collectio ... -prototype

https://www.agesthreeandup.ca/collectio ... c-08-arcee

Amazon Japan at 11117JPY:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/T-SPARK-T?tag=seibertron00-22& ... oys&sr=1-3

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/T-SPARK-T?tag=seibertron00-22& ... oys&sr=1-1

Hobby Search at 10800JPY:

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11178271?utm ... 1178271_en

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11178272?utm ... 1178272_en[/quote]

Ami Ami has them for around $75US. 10,560Yen.
C-07
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=FIGURE-183304

C-08
https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?gcode=FIGURE-183305

Sure, that Arcee have the big-ass shoulder pads, but they follow the fashion of the 1980's.



Also, she seem to have the slimmest backpack of any transformable "G1" style Arcees that came out so far. That's quite the tour de force!


As for the price, sure she's expensive, but at least at Hobby Search / AmiAmi, the prices are acceptable and the shipping options are good. I preordered both the Proto and the Classic. Fingers crossed for no custom fees once the time come.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Also, she seem to have the slimmest backpack of any transformable "G1" style Arcees that came out so far. That's quite the tour de force!

'Tis what happens when the shoulder kibble flaps are integrated into the upper arms instead of being set behind them like on the finalized character model.

That price is bananas, and I agree that the shoulder pads should be offset behind the figure.

It would be nice to get a good chug arcee one of these years. I guess the bumblebee movie is the best we're going to get unless newage upscales theirs...

Her belly sticker doesn't match the sculpted details, now that's authentic!

Emerje

Emerje wrote:Her belly sticker doesn't match the sculpted details, now that's authentic!

Emerje

I'd put the belly sticker on the Prototype, along the "Texaco" symbols. The toon version, I would just give her the .

I'm still surprised that no "super nerd" found out what's up with the "Texaco" symbols so far.

I'll be saving a bundle NOT buying this one. The rest of you collectors, have at it! I just don't see the lure...

DeathReviews wrote:I'll be saving a bundle NOT buying this one. The rest of you collectors, have at it! I just don't see the lure...

Yeah, same here. $15 -$25 MAYBE for the novelty of it, but honestly it's a pretty ugly figure compared to other ones out there.

Brokebot wrote:

DeathReviews wrote:I'll be saving a bundle NOT buying this one. The rest of you collectors, have at it! I just don't see the lure...

Yeah, same here. $15 -$25 MAYBE for the novelty of it, but honestly it's a pretty ugly figure compared to other ones out there.

There are no other ones out there if you're going for the G1 toy aesthetic. For anyone that collects vintage G1 figures this one is some serious unfinished business.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Brokebot wrote:

DeathReviews wrote:I'll be saving a bundle NOT buying this one. The rest of you collectors, have at it! I just don't see the lure...

Yeah, same here. $15 -$25 MAYBE for the novelty of it, but honestly it's a pretty ugly figure compared to other ones out there.

There are no other ones out there if you're going for the G1 toy aesthetic. For anyone that collects vintage G1 figures this one is some serious unfinished business.

Emerje

Maybe he meant "3rd party," but I found them to be quite redundant. That TRUE G1 Arcee is something original.
Also, I do hope that Prototype G1 Unicron will have the ML treatment. Even if I have to pay Titan prices for it.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Emerje wrote:

Brokebot wrote:

DeathReviews wrote:I'll be saving a bundle NOT buying this one. The rest of you collectors, have at it! I just don't see the lure...

Yeah, same here. $15 -$25 MAYBE for the novelty of it, but honestly it's a pretty ugly figure compared to other ones out there.

There are no other ones out there if you're going for the G1 toy aesthetic. For anyone that collects vintage G1 figures this one is some serious unfinished business.

Emerje

Maybe he meant "3rd party," but I found them to be quite redundant. That TRUE G1 Arcee is something original.
Also, I do hope that Prototype G1 Unicron will have the ML treatment. Even if I have to pay Titan prices for it.

Actually, I mean Arcee's in general. I still have most of my G1 figures from the 80's and my kids will probably bury me with them, but to me, it's like preferring an AMC Gremlin over a Bugatti Veyron because you like the hubcaps. I do understand that completionist need, though. I love my Megatron, but as a figure, ol' Triggerdick is wonky as all hell and stays in gun mode. I would not have even bothered with it if it was a modern production of the original at the price they'd probably be asking. If you could get your hands on the ACTUAL Arcee prototype, now THAT would be a definite score.

Hey, you're into what you're into. No judgements.

Brokebot wrote:If you could get your hands on the ACTUAL Arcee prototype, now THAT would be a definite score.

The ACTUAL Arcee prototype was made of styrofoam.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Even if I have to pay Titan prices for it.

We would be so lucky!

Emerje

Sabrblade wrote:

Brokebot wrote:If you could get your hands on the ACTUAL Arcee prototype, now THAT would be a definite score.

The ACTUAL Arcee prototype was made of styrofoam.

Then she'd have a third mode of a boat. She'd actually float.