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Takara Tomy announce Missing Link Optimus Prime

Takara Tomy announce Missing Link Optimus Prime

Written by Ross Locksley on 11 Aug 2023



Takara Tomy have announced a surprising release to celebrate 40 years of the iconic Transformers toyline. Not just a reissue of the iconic 1984 Optimus Prime toy, but one with modern engineering to the joints to allow for a level of posing ability never seen before in a G1 toy.

 

Missing Link Convoy/Optimus Prime

It's a fascinating revision of history, with the toy coming in two variants. The first is based on the classic toy, with the stickers replaced by painted details, an upgraded gun (so it no longer has to sit an odd angle) connected hands with finger articulation and new joints to the thighs, shoulders, head and ankles to create an unprecedented amount of movement for the toy. It even has an ab-crunch!

The toy variant comes with a trailer, from which you can now remove the battle platform, and the Roller scout vehicle can now tilt the weapon vertically. It's the toy you remember, but with modern engineering!

Missing Link Joints

A second variant, released without the trailer, is painted in "anime" colours - blue eyes/window glass and a simpler paint scheme to match the classic cartoon depiction.

The toy release is currently selling for around £90, while the anime version is fetching £60. If you shop around online, especially in Japanese stores while the pound is strong, you'll find them much cheaper. Keep in mind that tax and shipping may be added, but we'd recommend Anime Export for the best price currently - we ordered both for an early bird price of £110 plus shipping.


Ross Locksley
About Ross Locksley

Ross founded the UK Anime Network waaay back in 1995 and works in and around the anime world in his spare time. You can read his more personal articles on UKA's sister site, The Anime Independent.


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