Grimlock Transformers Missing Link Official Images and Preorder
I love when a single image can send the Transformers community into a full-on spiral, and that is exactly what Takara Tomy just did by officially teasing the next entry in the Transformers Missing Link line, revealing Grimlock as the next figure on deck. The Missing Link line has been all about bridging that gap between vintage design and modern articulation, taking classic G1 aesthetics and asking the question we have all asked at some point, what if these figures had existed back then with today’s engineering? Seeing Grimlock teased immediately raises all the right questions without answering any of them yet, which is part of what makes this so fun. The silhouette alone tells us Takara Tomy is leaning hard into that classic Grimlock presence, and if the previous Missing Link releases are any indication, this should stay extremely faithful to the original look while quietly modernizing how the figure moves and functions. I keep thinking about how iconic Grimlock is within the Transformers lineup and how big of a deal it is to see him join this specific sub-line, especially since Missing Link has so far focused on characters that feel foundational to the brand. There are no official details yet on accessories, scale, or release timing, but the fact that Takara Tomy is already planting this flag tells me they know exactly how much excitement Grimlock carries with longtime fans. This tease alone is enough to get collectors watching closely, because if Grimlock is coming, the Missing Link line just took a very serious step forward.
Where to Buy
Online retailers like BBTS and Entertainment Earth to put him up for preorder!
January 13, 2026 Update: Official Image
Huge thanks to black_convoy for posting images via Amazon Japan!
The figure is shown in dinosaur mode with articulated legs, hinged ankles, and a movable tail that let me angle the stance into a charging run or a planted, balanced pose. I like how the cockpit section opens on the back, allowing a small pilot figure to sit inside, and with the neck, jaw, and head adjusted forward it really sells the idea that it’s being actively piloted rather than just displayed. Between the jointed limbs, opening panels, and adjustable head position, I can tweak the posture to make it feel like it’s mid stride or responding to the rider’s controls.
In robot mode, the figure is posed mid step with the legs bent and angled to show off the range in the hips, knees, and ankles, letting me push him into a forward moving stance rather than a flat museum pose. I like how the blaster fits cleanly in one hand while the sword is raised in the other, and the shoulders, elbows, and wrists all cooperate so the weapons sit naturally instead of fighting the joints. The gold chest panel, red waist section, and layered gray limbs stay visible from every angle, which makes it easy to dial in a pose that feels active without parts colliding or looking forced.
The two figures are shown side by side, with the 1985 version on the left holding a more rigid, straight armed stance while the Missing Link version on the right stands with a cleaner, more natural posture thanks to updated joints in the shoulders, hips, and knees. I immediately notice how the Missing Link release keeps the same overall proportions and color layout but allows the arms to hang and angle more realistically, with the legs set in a way that feels less locked and more balanced. The comparison really shows how the newer figure preserves the original look while giving me far more freedom to adjust the stance without breaking that classic G1 silhouette.
January 10 2026 Update: Official Image Collage
Takara Tomy has officially revealed Transformers Missing Link C-12 Grimlock, the 12th release in the Missing Link series, a line described as a “lost dream” that imagines figures that could have existed during the original era of Transformers and now link across time. This release features the Dinobot leader Grimlock with both robot mode and mecha dinosaur mode, along with a full accessory loadout that includes a saber, double laser cannon, missile launcher with missiles, shield, secret film, and a pilotable interior that fits an included human female figure. The set also comes with a collection card, instruction manual, and leaflet, and Takara Tomy notes that the images shown are prototype samples with final specifications subject to change. Transformers Missing Link C-12 Grimlock is scheduled to be released on January 14, 2026.
January 7, 2006 Update: Full Color Tease and Release Date
Grimlock is shown in full color with a gold chest panel that opens to reveal detailed internal circuitry, paired with a black helmeted head and a sharp red visor. I’m really digging how the metallic gold finish contrasts with the gray limbs, while the red midsection and visible mechanical joints give him that classic Missing Link engineering feel as he raises his arm mid motion, ready to swing.
A dark silhouette of the figure fills the frame, with broad mechanical shapes hinting at Grimlock’s blocky robot mode while those glowing red eyes lock in and sell the character instantly. I can already feel the tension here as the heavy shoulders, squared chest, and clenched arm shapes suggest he’s stepping forward, keeping most of the details hidden but clearly signaling a classic Missing Link take.
G1 Transformers Grimlock
Grimlock is designed as a classic, show-inspired T rex that reflects the era in which the toy was originally developed, complete with a tail-dragging stance that predates modern dinosaur science, though the figure can still be posed to walk more upright if you prefer a later interpretation. In dinosaur mode, the figure stays largely faithful to its cartoon and comic appearances, featuring articulated arms and legs, moving foot claws, a movable head with an opening jaw that reveals a molded laser detail, and several Diaclone-era touches such as molded internal details in the transparent neck and a smoky clear cockpit mounted on his back.
The color layout is predominantly grey, accented with chrome silver on the arms and tail tip, chrome gold on the underbelly, inner neck, and claws, red eyes, and a translucent cockpit, creating a visually striking dinosaur despite the lack of compatibility with a missile launcher. Transformation involves folding and repositioning the head, chest, tail, and limbs to form a robot mode that stands approximately 15 cm tall with winged proportions that align closely with animated and comic depictions, including a gold chest, grey limbs, black hands, thighs, and head, and red and black detailing at the waist. While the robot mode has minor proportional quirks, such as slightly long arms and a head set a bit far back, it remains stable, well balanced, and visually recognizable as Grimlock, with limited articulation typical of the era and adjustable wing positions. The figure was later released with minor variations, including a version with or without a notch on the back of the dinosaur head, and a Generation 2 repaint that changed the primary color scheme while retaining the same core design features.
