Grimlock Transformers Missing Link Animated Version C-13 Transformation Video
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Seeing official images is one thing, but getting an actual in-hand transformation video is where the excitement really kicks into another gear, and that is exactly what we have now with the Takara Tomy Missing Link C-13 Grimlock Anime version. We already got a great look at this figure when official images and preorder details dropped, and of course we had previously covered the original Missing Link Grimlock as well, but now Takara Tomy has pulled back the curtain even further with a full transformation video that lets you see this figure in motion and really appreciate what they have accomplished here. The anime color scheme looks absolutely gorgeous in-hand, with those clean, vibrant colors that pull straight from the cartoon and give the figure a look that just pops in a way that feels so faithful to how Grimlock appeared on screen. You can see the rich golds, the crisp grays, and that signature red Autobot chest logo, all coming together beautifully. The transformation sequence itself flows nicely between the imposing T-Rex mode and the robot mode, and what strikes me most watching it is just how solid and intentional every step looks, with panels tabbing in cleanly and the proportions landing right where you want them in both modes. The dino mode carries that classic chunky charm we all love, and then when you see him standing tall in robot mode with that iconic silhouette, it is hard not to have your collector brain firing on all cylinders. Getting to see this kind of in-hand footage before a figure ships is always a treat because it bridges the gap between the promo photos and what you will actually be holding in your hands, and from everything this video shows, Grimlock is looking like he is going to hit the sweet spot for fans who want that pure cartoon aesthetic in the Missing Link format.
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In-Hand Transformation Images
Grimlock is shown here in his iconic T-Rex dinosaur mode, held in hand to give a sense of scale. The figure features a primarily gray and yellow color scheme with his blue eyes, teeth sculpted along the jaw, and an Autobot insignia printed on the chest area. Yellow feet and gold-chromed accents on the legs and torso round out the cartoon-accurate deco, and it’s great to finally get an in-hand look at how this one comes together in dino mode.
A close-up of Grimlock’s dinosaur head shows the jaw opened wide. The visible joint connections along the neck and yellow hinge plates give a nice look at how the head articulates during transformation, and it’s really cool to see that level of detail up close in hand.
Hands are pressing in on the lower leg and thigh to demonstrate how the knee joint bends, and I can see the hinge working right at the center of that circular mechanical panel on the side of the leg. As the leg folds inward, the grey joint compresses smoothly while the yellow inner section shifts slightly, showing how the parts clear each other during the motion. I like watching the lower leg tuck back toward the thigh here, because it really highlights the layered mechanical sculpt around the knee and the way the hinge is built into the surrounding armor pieces.
This shot really shows off how much articulation is built into the limbs. The knee joints fold deeply while the hips and ankles adjust to keep the stance balanced, letting the mechanical dinosaur lean forward with its jaws open wide. I love seeing how the leg joints, shoulder pivots, and hinged jaw all work together here, because it lets the figure hit dynamic poses like this that simply were not possible with the original G1 toy.
A yellow cockpit-like compartment on Grimlock’s back is flipped open, revealing a small seat where the pilot figure can fit inside. This is a fun detail to see up close in hand, as the tiny figure fits snugly into the recessed cavity nestled among the mechanical panels of the dinosaur’s back section.
The dinosaur head assembly is hinged upward during this step of the transformation, pivoting back on the neck joint and revealing the internal connection point inside the torso. As the head block lifts, the grey chest panel comes fully into view and the red Autobot symbol on the front of the torso is clearly visible. The arms are already rotated outward while the legs are positioned beneath the body, showing how the figure is transitioning from the dinosaur configuration into its robot form.
Grimlock is shown here from a rear angle during transformation, with both hands positioned on the figure’s shoulders as the arms are being spread outward. The gray back panels and white connector pegs are visible from this vantage point, and the yellow lower torso section can be seen hanging below as the upper body takes shape. It’s really cool to see how the limbs fan out at this stage, giving a nice look at the arm articulation and how the dinosaur kibble redistributes across the robot form.
The transformation continues as the dark grey head begins to emerge from the cavity behind the yellow chest section. The head rotates upward on its hinge from inside the torso, revealing the robot face while the surrounding panels remain open to allow the movement. With the chest section already in place and the Autobot symbol visible on the yellow panel, this step clearly shows how the hidden head is stored inside the body before being lifted into position for the robot mode.
A close-up of the lower leg shows the yellow dinosaur foot rotating upward on its hinge as this section begins transitioning into the robot arm. The grey joint panels fold and pivot around the knee area while the foot swings up toward the body, revealing the hidden components inside the limb. As the section rotates, the robot fist can already be seen peeking out from within the leg cavity, setting up the next step where the arm will fully emerge.
The next step reveals the robot fist fully extended from inside the leg section as the yellow dinosaur foot remains folded upward against the arm assembly. The grey fist swings outward from the cavity where it was previously hidden, locking into place as the limb transitions from dinosaur leg to robot arm. With the triangular joint panels and hinge points visible around the elbow area, this close-up clearly shows how the arm mechanism unfolds from within the lower leg during the transformation.
A close-up of Grimlock’s lower leg area shows the green, red, and blue rectangular tech detail panels that are cleanly painted, offering a nice look at how the cartoon-accurate deco carries through even to the lower limbs. It’s great to see these smaller paint applications holding up so well in hand at this scale.
The transformation reaches a point where the robot torso is fully visible, with the yellow chest panel and red Autobot symbol centered at the front while the grey arms extend outward from the shoulders. Beneath the chest, the red waist section connects to the long grey legs that are still aligned with the dinosaur body below. The lower half of the figure remains in its dinosaur configuration at this stage, clearly showing how the robot upper body unfolds from within the larger mechanical frame before the rest of the transformation continues.
The robot legs begin to separate from the dinosaur body as the red waist section swings outward and the long grey leg extends down from the torso. This step clearly shows the robot lower body unfolding from within the larger frame, with the leg straightening as it pulls free from the dinosaur shell beneath.
The shoulder joints clearly show a wide range of motion, allowing the arms to swing out and rotate freely as the transformation continues. This step highlights how flexible the articulation is in the upper body, giving the robot far more poseability than the original G1 design while the rest of the figure continues to unfold beneath the torso.
With the transformation complete, the robot is shown in a dynamic action pose with one leg extended forward and the other bent back, giving the figure a strong sense of movement. The articulation across the hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, and elbows allows the limbs to bend and angle naturally, supporting a wide, lunging stance while the arm lifts the blaster overhead. This level of joint flexibility makes it possible to achieve expressive poses like this that simply were not possible with the original G1 figure.
The robot is posed mid-action with one leg kicked forward while the other bends beneath the body, creating a wide, dynamic stance. The articulation across the hips, knees, and ankles allows the lower body to stretch into this dramatic pose while the torso twists slightly to support the motion. One arm lifts the red sword high overhead while the other angles outward, showing how the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints give the figure the range needed to hold expressive weapon poses like this.
