Interview: Missing Link Grimlock Developer

Transformers Missing Link C-12 Grimlock Developer Interview 

Interview Date: 2nd February 2026 

Faithfully recreating the original toy design, right down to the chrome plating and screws. 

Scheduled for release in late July 2026
Price: ¥18,700

Takara Tomy’s high-end hobby label, T-SPARK, will see a release of Missing Link C-12 Grimlock from the Transformers action figure series in late July 2026, priced at ¥18,700.

As the 12th release in the Missing Link series of hypothetical reissues from the 80’s, Grimlock, the Dinobot Commander, makes his appearance.

Grimlock is the commander of the Cybertron mechanical dinosaur faction known as the Dinobots, who first appeared in the original Transformers Generation 1 (G1) series, Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers. In the animated series, Wheeljack, inspired by dinosaur fossils, created Grimlock along with Sludge and Slag. 

Initially portrayed as unintelligent and somewhat arrogant, Grimlock gradually grew into his role as a Cybertron warrior. In the series, he transforms from a mechanical Tyrannosaurus into a robot. 

Missing Link C-12 Grimlock faithfully recreates the 1985 Dinobot Commander Grimlock with a completely new sculpt, while preserving the original size, texture, and nostalgic appeal. It transforms from a mechanical Tyrannosaurus into robot mode. 

It features a premium design, with chrome-plated chest parts and translucent components in Tyrannosaurus mode. 

In this article, we spoke with a development manager from Takara Tomy’s Hobby Character Business Office, Collector’s Division, about the appeal of Missing Link C-12 Grimlock, accompanied by photos of the prototype.

-Could you tell us about the development process behind Missing Link C-12 Grimlock? 
Developer: Grimlock and the Dinobots have always been highly requested in past our previous reissue series, including the Transformers Encore line, and they were always high on our list of desired reissues.
We searched extensively for the original molds, but unfortunately, they no longer exist. We were also unable to create new molds for a standard reissue.
With that unresolved feeling, and with the Missing Link framework providing an opportunity to create new molds, Grimlock has now been added to the lineup as a character that has not yet been reissued. 

-I have a question about the design. Could you tell us whether you were mindful of the proportions and colour schemes of the original product, and whether you added a modern touch?
Developer: First of all, Grimlock already had a well-designed robot mode, much like Convoy. We were confident that by adding joints, we could create a product with a style that appeals to modern audiences, without altering the original proportions.
The only change we made was to move the head, which had been positioned too far back on the original, slightly forward to give it more natural proportions.
Moreover, the head position is optional, so it can also be placed at the back, just like the original. We aimed to respect the original design rather than arbitrarily altering it. 

-Could you tell us how you reproduced the clear parts and plated colours that made the original model so impressive?
Developer: That’s right. Plating is rarely used in the regular Transformers line these days, so one of Missing Link’s strengths is the shine of its plated parts. The ability to see the plating through the clear parts is a traditional feature carried over from the old Takara Henshin Cyborg line, and this has been faithfully reproduced here.
Additionally, die-cast parts are used in various areas, giving the figure a satisfying weight in the hand and a truly treasured feel, another highlight of the Missing Link series. 

-Personally, I found Grimlock with red eyes quite striking, since his eyes were blue in Tyrannosaurus mode in the cartoon.
Developer: In the cartoon, Cybertrons have blue eyes and Destrons have red, so products based on the animated versions usually feature light blue eyes. However, on the original toy, Grimlock’s eyes were red, so we’ve kept them red in this release. 

-In Missing Link C-12 Grimlock, were any molded parts or mechanical details added where the original release used stickers?
Developer: We have recreated the areas that were originally represented with stickers by replacing them entirely with sculpted parts and adding even more detailed paintwork. We believe collectors will appreciate the richly detailed colouring. 

-Are the included accessories the same as those that came with the original product?
Developer: Yes, it includes a missile launcher, a double laser gun, a sword, and a human figure. 

-In the Diaclone version, a seat would fold out from the back in Tyrannosaurus mode for the human figure. Has this feature been included in Missing Link?
Developer: In The Transformers series, this feature was unfortunately not carried over. The product from the Diaclone era included a pilot that could be seated in the cockpit on the back.
In the Transformers release, the cockpit itself remained, but the pilot was not included.
For this release, we have a new human figure. It can be seated inside the cockpit in robot mode, or on the back in dinosaur mode.

-Regarding articulation, were there particular points you focused on in the transformation mechanism or limb movement?
Developer: Grimlock transforms into a Tyrannosaurus, so we aimed to increase the number of movable joints in both pre-transformation and post-transformation forms, allowing for flexible posing in each state.
The arm joints in Tyrannosaurus mode are finely articulated, enabling expressive poses.
Additionally, while the leg claws were a single piece on the original figure, they are now movable left and right, allowing dynamic poses such as stomping the ground.
Extra joints have also been added to the tail. By bending it and slightly raising the upper body, the iconic upright stance seen in the cartoon can be recreated. 

-How is the articulation in robot mode?
Developer: We’ve also increased the number of joints in robot mode. While the original version only allowed arm movement as the figure stood upright, this time we’ve redesigned it so the arms, legs, and head can freely move.
A particularly groundbreaking feature is the addition of double joints in the ankles. Previously, the lower leg was a single section, but by separating and extending the parts, the heel section has articulation.
This allows the figure to firmly plant its feet, no matter how dynamic the pose. The original version was back heavy which made balance difficult. By adding an extendable heel, it is now much less prone to tipping backwards when standing upright.
There are also holes for a stand, allowing you to use a stand with a 3mm joint to display Grimlock in a jumping pose. Additionally, the four fingers on each hand can be opened, enabling a variety of expressive poses. 

-How challenging is the transformation process expected to be for this figure?
Developer: The transformation pattern has remained largely unchanged from the original, so the difficulty level is the same, and anyone can transform it easily.
We’ve also greatly improved playability by redesigning the joints, which were prone to breaking on the original product, and by adding flexible poly parts for a more durable construction, allowing you to enjoy the figure without worry. 

-Have any new transformation mechanisms been introduced in this figure?
Developer: This time, the dinosaur’s neck can be turned from side to side, adding more expressive poses.
In the original figure, the robot head was stored at the base of the dinosaur’s neck. For this release, the robot head has been redesigned so it can recline using an arm and be stored within the torso. This allows the neck to swing freely from side to side in Tyrannosaurus mode.
As mentioned earlier, the robot head can be positioned either forward or backward, and the figure can be transformed in either position. 

-What were the main focus points or challenges during the design of this product?
Developer: One area we paid particular attention to is the detail of the screw on the side of the shoulder. These are not real screws but dummy parts, painted silver to resemble screws. By adding more joints to the shoulder, it was no longer necessary to fasten actual screws here, but we wanted to preserve as much of the original product’s look as possible, so we reproduced them as sculpted details.
Another point of focus was the screw that secures the dinosaur’s front leg from the inside. In the original product, this part was held with a real screw, but such screws can gradually loosen with movement.
Due to current safety and quality standards, this part could not be fastened with a real screw. However, because it is visible in robot mode, we wanted to retain the cross-shaped design rather than using a smooth rivet. To achieve this, we created a new “rivet with a screw-design head.” 

-The fully sculpted screw details are a distinctive feature that sets the Missing Link series apart.
Developer: That’s right. We created a new metal part that looks like it’s fastened with a screw, even though it’s actually secured with a rivet.
The original products used real screws, so the top piece was genuinely screwed in. In modern figures, the top part is fixed with a flat rivet, which, once hammered in, cannot be removed by rotating the joint.
For this release, we retained the jagged body of the rivets and designed a special top piece so that it appears to be a screw. Our goal was to recreate the look and feel of the original toys as faithfully as possible. 

-Would you like to leave a final message for our readers?
Developer: Thanks to all of you, we’ve been able to release 12 figures in the series so far, and we’re delighted that more and more people are coming to understand and enjoy the fascinating concept of Missing Link.
Going forward, we hope to continue delivering surprises and enjoyment through product development that only Missing Link can offer. This includes not only popular characters, but also unreleased figures, characters that have never been reissued before, like this one and those that fans are eagerly hoping to see remade. We hope you look forward to what’s coming next. 

-Thank you very much.

Original Interview: Hobby Watch Website