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Yoshida Kohei, the 8th of September, 2025

City Commander Ultra Magnus is now available as the 10th installment of the virtual reprint "Missing Link" series, which may have existed in that era.

Character History
Ultra Magnus is an Autobot warrior who appeared in the first generation Transformers series (G1 series), including Transformers 2010. He is fair, strong-willed, and brave, and is adjutant to Rodimus Prime, who became the new leader of the Autobots. In the original animated film, the robot mode is transformed into a vehicle mode that becomes a transporter car.

The "Missing Link C-10 Ultra Magnus" has been commercialised with a completely new model, with the same size, texture and nostalgia as it was released in 1986. Not only does it transform into a robot mode similar to Optimus Prime, which corresponds to the truck section, but it also combines with the carrier section to form a large robot with a total height of approximately 262mm.

In addition, the carrier department can be transformed into formations such as maintenance bases, command bases, and mobile operation bases. In addition, in vehicle mode, you can also install missing products sold separately.

In this article, we asked the developers of the Takara Tomy Hobby Character Business Office Collector Division about the appeal of the "Missing Link C-10 Ultra Magnus" with photos of the prototype.

Interview

"Please tell us how the Missing Link C-10 Ultra Magnus was made into a three-dimensional model. Why was Ultra Magnus chosen as the 10th installment in the Missing Link series?"

- The Missing Link C-10 Optimus Prime was released as the first installment in the "Missing Link" series in February 2024, but there was no concept of "Ultra Magnus" when developing this product.

However, with the Missing Link series doing well, we wanted to prepare a large item at the 10th anniversary of the memorable time.

Therefore, "Ultra Magnus" that allows you to make use of the convoy part of the C-01 was chosen because it was the best option.

"The concept of the "Missing Link" series is "a virtual reprint that may have existed in that era," but are there any designs or details added from the original version?"

- I don't think there are any additional details. This is because the Missing Link series is developed with the concept of respecting the original designs and bringing out the best in its best.

As for additional elements, like other "Missing Link" series products, the part that was a sticker in the time product has been changed to three-dimensional sculpture and colored. The interpretation was "What shape did the stickers look like when they were sculpted into three-dimensional sculptures at the time?"

Other parts have been made into separate parts for different coatings, for example, helmet parts were molded in one piece, but in Missing Link, it is made by dividing them into painting and then assembled to make painting more precisely.

"There is a gimmick for the secret emblem, where is it located?"

- The secret emblem is on the white Optimus roof, just like the original version.

"How did you set the colouring when you made it into the three-dimensional version of the "Missing Link" series?"

- Regarding the light blue part of the colouring, the original version from nearly 40 years ago is currently fading, and some remaining samples are also yellowed, so I have set it a little more vivid based on speculation that it should have been blue at the time.

The blue colours are vividly inspired by the original 1986 version.

"The fact that "Missing Link" comes with a matrix, which is proof of Autobot leadership, is another element that was not found in the original version."

- Yes. It comes with a matrix, and for this storage, it also inherits the gimmicks that were found in the "Missing Link C-01 Convoy."

On the other hand, since "Ultra Magnus" is a system in which the white Optimus robot combines from the chest, the original version has a structure that cannot be replaced in the robot mode, which was seen in the movie.

This time, the protector on the chest has been removed and the inside red armor has been opened in front of you, and by opening the chest, which hits the C-01's cabin, you can access the matrix chamber of the chest.

A matrix chamber can be attached to the chest to keep the matrix stored

So you can also exchange the matrix in robot mode and board human figures.

The colouring of the matrix is also different from the one that came with the "Missing Link C-01 Convoy."..

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"Please tell us about the articulation in robot mode, such as the increased the movement of the arms and legs.

- First of all, the original version had a structure that allowed for proper movement, so I added joints that opened to the left and right shoulders, and joints that opened to the hands.

As for the legs, even in the original version, I was almost unable to move, but I thought, "I would like to somehow get them to pose in the box art of the time," so the knee part was a plate-shaped part, but I put the clutch joint in a 90-degree bend and then put it in a movable state.

The hand parts have added movement to open the fingertips.

The smaller Optimus robot inside has its knee joint at the base of the "Ultra Magnus" leg. Therefore, when Ultra Magnus raises its legs, the Optimus robot must bend into the inverse joint.

So, based on the "Missing Link C-01 Convoy", the legs have been changed to new parts, making them bend to the inverted joint. When you move the "Ultra Magnus" on the outside, the Optimus robot inside bends into the inverse joint and can follow the movement.

"Is die-cast used for the Optimus robot?"

- Yes, it is used in the same area as the "Missing Link C-01 Convoy."

Also, the original version does not use die-casting for the outer armor, but die-casting is now being used as a reinforcement. Die-casting is used in particular on the red part of the chest to increase the strength.

"Regarding vehicle mode, can this be used to load other "missing link" products or as launch pads for the Airialbots?"

- The carrier part can be moved the same way as the original version, so you can play with it in the same way. Other "Transformers" products can be loaded just like the original.

"Next, tell us about the transform gimmick. It is said to be following the original version, so can it be used as a maintenance base in addition to the robot mode and vehicle mode?"

- In addition to being able to play with maintenance bases and command bases, just like the original version of the product, the functions that were in the "Powered Convoy" in the old Diaclone series, which was the origin of "Ultra Magnus," which was omitted in the original version, have been revived, making it possible.

Specifically, the tires on the back of the chest protector parts have been restored, allowing for rolling. This sculpture was omitted when it was formed into the "Transformers" series.

Additionally, by combining the protector parts and helmet parts, you can turn them into a protector machine shape, allowing you to play with human figures on them.

A protector machine that was originally from the old Diaclone "Powered Convoy" is also reproduced.

Wheels that were not in the original version have been revived

"Will there be any new mechanisms for Transforms be added as the "Missing Link" series?"

- In this "Ultra Magnus," the structure is so that the toes of the Optimus robot inside can be folded backwards in order to bend the knees deeply.

The hem is opened and the toe is turned 180 degrees around the part where the hem is bent, and by raising the toe position of the Optimus robot, the structure is such that it can be bent 90 degrees without interfering with the knee joint.

"Regarding the gimmick, the original version had a spring missile launch gimmick, but is this one used?"

- Regarding missile launch gimmicks, the missile launch gimmick was used in the Missing Link C-01 Convoy, but when the Missing Link is now being made into a series, we have unified the missiles by not launching them using springs, and although there is no launch gimmick for this missile, they can be attached and removed to play with imagery.

"How difficult is the transformation procedure?"

- One of the good things about the "Missing Link" series is that it is "the difficulty level that allows you to easily transform, just like the original Transformers."

Just like the original product, it maintains the level of deformation difficulty.

"It seems to be easy to transform even if you're touching on the "Transformers" series from this time's "Missing Link C-10 Ultra Magnus."

- That's right. I think it's made easier to do.

"The "Deer Stalker" character (which was known as "Powered Buggy" for the original Diaclone toy), that was in the old Diaclone series is included this time, but are there any new settings to coincide with the "Missing Link" ?"

- The concept of "missing the appeal of the toys that the original had," is to "revive the charm of the toys that were in the original," and we are trying to "revive as much omitted features as possible in the Transformers series, which were previously in the Diaclone era.

So we also revived the buggy robot "Deer Stalker" that was in the old Diaclone, allowing everyone to experience the "real play that this product had" again.

We have colouring and character settings accordingly. In addition, in the old Diaclone, this was a so-called block-like reorganisation, but in Missing Link, this is a completely transformed version using modern technology.

This is probably a pretty surprising point when you actually pick it up. You can also use a human figure on the buggy, or you can have it pose in robot mode.

"There is a joint hole in my hand, etc., but can I hold an Ultra Magnus super blaster gun?"

- That's right. In addition to the hands in robot mode, there is also a joint hole in the chest, so it can be mounted in buggy mode.

In addition, in robot mode, there is a 3mm hole for the stand on the back, so you can also display it with a figure stand sold separately and pose.

"What are the key points that the developers are particular about with this product?"

- There are small details, but in the original version, the arms are combined in the centre to form the upper part of the car mode. Therefore, the arms are opened when in robot mode, but the base of the missile launcher attached to both shoulders is different, and the positions are alternating between the left and right sides.

I'm curious about this part, and I've made it possible to align the heights with "Missing Link."

By installing a movable joint on the missile launcher and setting one side higher, you can align the left and right positions.

Motion has been added to the joint part of the missile launcher

It is now possible to adjust the height when in robot mode.

"It's true that when you actually pick it up, you're concerned about the difference in the left and right positions."

- Also, in the anime settings, the missile launcher was installed on the front left and right sides of the carrier car when in vehicle mode. The original version was able to be mounted on the front, but it was not possible to carry it on the side.

"Missing Link" allows you to attach it to the side, recreating a silhouette that is similar to that of an anime image.

We were conscious of the creation as if the original "Missing Link C-10 Ultra Magnus" was reflected in the anime.

"Are there any difficulties you faced during the development process?"

- The face of Ultra Magnus is hollow, allowing you to see the head of the Optimus robot inside.

This composition comes from the original version, and I have deliberately preserved it because it is a feature and goodness of this product. This is a part that inherits the goodness of the original without any arrangements.

The eyes on the "Ultra Magnus" head are hollow-shaped like the original. The antenna design is also similar to the old Diaclone's "Powered Convoy."

"Technically, you can add some arrangements, but it's a part that follows the original. There was a glowing red production in the commercials that aired at the time, but did you have any ideas to replicate that?"

- During development, I was thinking about the shining red production of the advert. I thought I could do something about it, but I decided to start with making it as an honest product specification.

"The proportions are almost the same as the original version, but I still feel the coolness that is unique to toys."

- That's right. We want people to realise that the old toy designs are also cool enough, so we have kept them as good as possible.

"The previously released "SS-119 Ultra Magnus" had a design that is similar to the image of an anime, but the original version gives the impression that it is packed with fun toys."

- Anime-accurate design is one of my goals, but I think toys are also one of the original origins, so this product is aiming for that.

"Please give us a last message to our users."

- Missing Link has released products regularly, and has finally managed to reach the large item, Ultra Magnus.

Additionally, the "Missing Link C-01N Nemesis Prime" will be released in February 2026, so please consider this to be a release trailer for the Decepticon product range. From here on, we plan to actively develop Decepticon products, so please look forward to it.

"Thank you very much."

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PrimalxConvoy said:

Transformers Interview with the developer of "Missing Link C-10 Ultra Magnus"

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LBD Nytetrayn said:

I don't think I have time to do it right now (especially since I'm waiting for your permission), but would you mind if I ran this translated interview as a news story on the front page?

Credited, of course.

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LBD Nytetrayn said:

Oh! Okay, I'll try to look into it, then. I missed that it was a Google translation, and haven't had time to look closely at it yet.

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PrimalxConvoy said:

View attachment 30777

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