General Information
Release Date: December 2025
Price Point: $98.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: Japanese Release (with limited quantities available via retailers such as BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth and Hasbro Pulse)
Accessories: Blaster
Official images and text in italics are from Takara Tomy Mall and translated via Google Translate
Transformers Missing Link C-08 Arcee
Lost dreams connect across time! Arcee appears in an anime color version in the "Missing Link" series, a virtual recreation of what might have existed in that era. What if Arcee, which was never released back then, had been commercialized with full poseability? This figure is a completely new design, capturing the size, texture, and nostalgia of that time!
In 1986, product development had progressed to the point of creating a non-transforming styrofoam prototype of Arcee, but the project was ultimately abandoned. Now, based on the hypothetical scenario of what might have happened if product development had continued, an ideal Arcee toy has finally arrived. It features a size and basic construction that matches the toys of 1986, incorporating some die-cast alloy parts, a newly implemented transformation mechanism, articulated joints for posing, and gimmicks depicted in the anime. This is the Arcee toy that Transformer fans around the world have been waiting for.
The long-awaited, elusive piece of the puzzle is finally in place. This product is based on the C-07 Arcee (prototype), reproducing the familiar pink/white color scheme from the anime. The head design also differs from the C-07, matching the design seen in certain episodes of the anime. This figure is based on the preliminary design drafts from the mid-production stage, which were also used in overseas comics. While thoroughly pursuing the styling of the time based on existing materials, the joints have been constructed in a modern style, allowing for free posing. (Anime series) As a reproduction from the series, it includes a small laser gun used in "2010," which has a different shape than the one included with C-07. In vehicle mode, it can be attached to the rear of the vehicle. The robot body also features the familiar "secret emblem," which reveals the faction symbol when warmed with a finger. A mark appears. A foil sticker with a design reminiscent of the style of that era is also included. The back features a joint hole for a separately sold stand, allowing you to display it in action poses. The package illustration is a newly drawn image inspired by the style of that time.
The set also includes collectible cards featuring illustrations. From the packaging to the styrofoam tray, every detail is a meticulous homage to the original, recreating the excitement of opening a Transformers product in the 1980s.
Background:
In the 1986 animated Transformers film fans were introduced to Arcee. Fans had seen female Autobots (as the series called them) before, but Arcee was a new character and with the push of new toys associated with the movie, it was always odd to many fans that Arcee did not receive the action figure treatment. There was a Styrofoam prototype made that would be revealed years later in a Japanese guidebook. You can see it here on the TFWiki. This caused renewed interest in having an Arcee action figure but for years Hasbro and Takara did not see fit to make one. Eventually there was a Botcon exclusive Arcee, a redeco of "Transmetal 2" Blackarachnia. Fans finally had the chance to purchase a mass release version of the character with the Energon Arcee figure. However, it would be years until the more cartoon-accurate Generations Arcee. Since then, she has become a mainstay in the Transformers toy line.
When Takara Tomy created the Missing Link line of Transformers figures, part of the idea was to make dreams come true and create the figures that G1 fans always wanted as kids. Up until now, this has meant recreating characters with the G1 toy aesthetic with improved articulation and added accessories. This time out Takara Tomy decided to make a figure that never existed: G1 Arcee! Two Arcee figures were released at the same time. The first was based on the prototype image linked above. That figure was then retooled and given a new deco for this release. The pink and white deco is based on her appearance in "The Transformers: The Movie". I'm doing these reviews a bit backwards as I received the "movie" version of this figure before the "prototype" but don't worry, I plan to be detailed in this review.
Packaging:
Arcee is packaged in a box that is meant to emulate the design of boxes during the G1 era. The box is rectangular with a flap on top. The background of the box features a color gradient going from black on top to red towards the middle and bottom. A grid pattern is overlaid on top of the red and black. Arcee's character art is to the right with a yellow "light burst" behind her. On the top flap is a large Japanese G1 "Transformers" symbol and the alpha numeric designation "C-08". On the lower section the front has a smaller "Transformers" logo and a window that shows off Arcee in vehicle mode inside the box.
The back of the box features the 1986 battle scene art with Metroplex in city mode and Trypticon hovering menacingly above him. Below that are tech specs in classic G1 fashion with the artwork to the left, the text in the middle and stats to the right. Arcee includes a translucent red plastic piece to put on top of the stats to "decode" them. Under that is various legal information.
In keeping with G1 tradition, Arcee sits in a Styrofoam tray inside the box with a molded plastic piece on top to hold her in place. Her blaster is also set in the Styrofoam. She also includes a catalog of the Missing Link line based on G1 catalogs complete with "battle scene" artwork from the back of the G1 boxes. In addition she has a tech specs card and instructions. Arcee also features stickers, two of which are curiously based on stickers found on G1 Blitzwing's sticker sheet!
Tech Specs (as translated by Google Translate):
C-08 Cybertron Arcee Role: Female warrior Change: Supercar
Ability: You can shred enemy hydraulic hoses without being noticed.
Personality: She is kind and gentle to her allies, but a ruthless and fearsome warrior to her enemies. The Decepticons underestimate her because of her appearance, but Arcee takes advantage of her attitude.
Weapon: Small laser gun
Accessory:
Unlike the "prototype" version of Missing Link Arcee, this figure includes a blaster that was not used in the animated movie but rather it appeared in the third season of the G1 cartoon. This blaster has been seen before. A larger version of it was included with Generations Arcee. The blaster features a distinctive rectangular section at the back with a small cylinder sticking out the back. The front has a barrel with a piece on top that features a gap in the middle. The weapon is made of pink plastic with no paint applications. The handle is a small 3mm one that you can use to attach to her in vehicle mode or robot mode.
Vehicle Mode:
Arcee's vehicle mode is a futuristic car. The proportions of this figure are a tad different than what has appeared on screen, but the major details are intact. The front end has a grille that curves down towards the front. Air intakes flank the hood of the car and there is an open cabin section with a windshield window in front of the seats. The back section curves over the wheels, partially covering them. In the middle of the rear section is a vertical fin that angles back. I've always been fond of this design. It totally embraces a retro-futuristic vibe and it felt totally at home in the (then) "futuristic" era of the year 2005!
Arcee's vehicle mode is made up of pink, off-white, grey, translucent blue and black plastic. In a bit of a nod to the G1 era, the sections with the air intakes in front are made of die-cast metal. It doesn't look like it at first, but when you touch them they have a different texture than the plastic parts and they are cold to the touch. Paint colors include white, grey and pink. Sticker details include vents on the front of the air intake sections, an Autobot sticker on the hood and a dashboard sticker. In front of the windshield is a heat sensitive Autobot symbol that "activates" when exposed to heat. I appreciate the use of retro design elements on this figure even though technically the original was never made.
This vehicle rolls on four wheels, all of which are somewhat hidden under the car. These wheels are thin but tall enough that the robot mode parts under the car shouldn't scrape against a smooth surface. The blaster can connect to one of the ports above the rear wheel wells. It can attach to the port on the bottom of the car but because of the shape of the weapon the car will not be able to rest properly on the ground. The "prototype" version of this figure had a different blaster that could store in this place so this is a legacy feature.
Transformation to Robot Mode:
- Detach the blaster and set it aside for now.
- Swing the sides of the car out to reveal the robot arms.
- Push the windshield down.
- Swing the back piece with the fin on it up and push it over the cabin section of the car.
- Flip the car over and swing the pink panel under the front of the car up.
- Swing the robot legs back.
- Swing the heel pieces out from the feet.
- The legs are connected to a central column with a hinge. Swing it up then back down so the column is flush against the underside of the car.
- Gently pull each of the lower legs down so the knee hinges are below the thigh armor.
- Swing the panel that forms the front of the car down, forming Arcee's torso and waist.
- The blaster can be fit in either fist or stored on her back.
Robot Mode:
As mentioned above, the design of this robot mode is based on the Styrofoam prototype created by Takara decades ago. While it is not "animation accurate" by today's standards, it does fit nicely into the G1 era aesthetic where you could see the details that would translate into the animation model, but they are not exact. For instance, her torso and waist section is much wider than it is in the final animation model, but you can see details like the curve that comes to a point on the chest and the grille in the "abdominal" area. The air intakes from the vehicle mode form her shoulder sections like the cartoon but the proportions are different, making them smaller relative to how they look on the animation model. None of this detracts from the figure. Indeed, this is what you want from a Missing Link figure. She looks like a figure that could have existed in the 80's (but with modern articulation) and that is super cool.
Technically speaking, this figure is a retool and redeco of the C-07 Missing Link Arcee figure. The retool portion is the head, which is a different design than the one used on C-07. C-07 used the prototype/early model head which had a slightly more alien look to it. This design is closer to what actually appeared in the film. Some of the differing details include the center crest on the helmet section and designs that flank the cheeks on the helmet (note the three horizontal lines, which C-07 did not have). The face is also different with a slightly more narrow design on the lower half of the face and different eyes.
C-07 Arcee's colors were based on the prototype from 1986 but this figure uses the cartoon as its inspiration. The pink, white and grey colors carry over from the vehicle mode but it is not a perfect one to one match. For instance, her arms are all pink plastic with lighter pink paint on the elbows and fists, but on the animation model they actually have white sections. Still, key details like the white pattern on her torso, blue eyes, pink face and the colors on the legs are fairly cartoon accurate. During the G1 era, the standards for "cartoon color accuracy" were very different than today, and I'd say by that standard Arcee exceeds expectations. This mode shows off five stickers that you don't see in vehicle mode. The waist area has a sticker with black, red and orange details that look like some kind of control panel. The arms have round stickers on them that are seemingly borrowed from G1 Blitzwing. Her feet have silver and red stickers with arrow and rectangle details on them.
There are twenty points of articulation on this figure, which is exceptional by G1 standards (but just right for Missing Link). This includes four in each arm and five in each leg. I was surprised that the hip joint actually could rotate in and out as well as move up and down. She also has an ankle tilt which is awesome. Each fist has a port for her blaster and you can store the weapon on the back.
Final Thoughts:
Missing Link Arcee is a literal fan dream come true for me. Sure if you grew up in an era with multiple Arcee toys to choose from the emotional impact may be less, but even by that standard this is a solid figure inspired by the G1 aesthetic. It was also very smart of Takara Tomy to give us both a "prototype" version and a "animation" version of the character so fans can pick and choose depending on their tastes. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- A brand new design inspired by an unproduced figure (this is almost always a plus in my book).
- Excellent articulation.
- Beautiful deco.
- I appreciate the new head sculpt and weapon, helping to differentiate the figure from C-07 Arcee.
Cons:
- Despite having plenty of articulation, if you hold the articulation up to modern standards some fans may not be satisfied.
