General Information:
Release Date: September 2020
Price Point: $19.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster, "Back Pack"/Hoverboard
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon:
- DISCOVER EARTHRISE: The siege is over, but the War for Cybertron has just begun. The Autobots and Decepticons have left Cybertron, but their battle rages on as they speed through space in pursuit of the Allspark
- BUILD THE BATTLEFIELD BEYOND: This ecosystem of collectible figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes, featuring figures that can convert into Modular Battle Station modes and connect together to expand the battlefield (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- G1 EARTH MODES AND WEAPONS: Arcee toy converts into classic G1 sportscar mode in 15 steps and comes with a blaster accessory. Part of figure's backpack can be removed for a sleeker look and used as a hoverboard accessory.
- EXCITING REVEAL: Every pack includes a piece of the Transformers Universe map and a red decoder to unlock the map's hidden paths Collect other Earthrise figures to piece together the full map (Each sold separately. Subject to availability)
The merciless Autobot warrior, Arcee, converts to classic sportscar mode in 15 steps. Includes a blaster accessory. Remove car hood from figure for sleeker look and use as hoverboard accessory.
Background:
Arcee was introduced in the 1986 Transformers: The Movie animated film. Fans were quick to welcome a female Autobot into the ranks of the series "regulars" in the third season of the Transformers cartoon but often wondered why there was no Arcee action figure. Indeed, Takara had considered making one, but it never saw production. Much to the delight of fans, an Arcee figure was officially released as a Botcon exclusive in 2001. However, that was a Beast Wars style figure and fans would not be able to purchase a G1 styled Arcee until her Generations figure was released in 2014. After that figure was released there was a very consistent set of Arcee releases based on her G1 appearance including a Titan Master version with Daniel as her head as seen in "The Rebirth". When the time came for Earthrise Hasbro decided to release yet another Arcee figure. This time it would be a brand new figure based on her G1 appearance.
Packaging:
Earthrise packaging is the same basic shape as Siege boxes. They feature one flat side and one angled side with a window in the middle. Like the Siege boxes the boxes feature a red Transformers logo set vertically to one side with the Generations logo above it. Under the window is the Earthrise logo with the War for Cybertron Trilogy logo beneath it. Off to the left is the name "Arcee" with her rank symbol above it. The other side of the box features the character's artwork. Arcee's artwork shows her aiming her blaster at some unseen target.
The back of the box shows Arcee in both of his modes. The transformation is listed as having 15 steps. Interestingly, there are no cosells. The packaging has one more fun feature. Inside the packaging is a translucent red "decoder", inspired by the red plastic strips that were included with G1 toys for several years. Run this decoder over the cardboard insert inside the box and you will see part of a space map featuring the world of Master (aka Dominus).
This figure would later be re-released as part of Kingdom in different packaging (seen in the gallery below).
Accessories:
Arcee includes two accessories, though technically one is a part of her that detaches:
- Blaster: Arcee's Blaster is a pistol shaped weapon made of the same frosted style plastic that is also used for the vehicle mode windshield. The handle is not a 5mm peg but rather a more typical rectangular handle. She can hold the weapon in either hand. You can attach a Blast Effect to the end of the barrel.
- "Back Pack": I put "back pack" in quotes because that's not really the official name but rather more of a description. A large portion of the vehicle mode collapses and connects to the back of the robot mode. This means Arcee winds up with a gigantic back pack. However, on the left side of the figure there is a rectangular section of plastic you can push in to allow the back pack to be detached. It can then act as a hoverboard. It has two small pegs on it that allow Arcee to stand on it (using the ports on the bottom of her feet). This piece is made up of pink and frosted plastic with grey and white paint applications.
Robot Mode:
You may be wondering if this figure is a simple redeco or retool of the previous Generations Arcee figure and I can tell you it is not. This figure is a bit smaller height-wise and the proportions are different. Sure, some details look alike, but given they both represent the same character that is inevitable.
Arcee features several of the key design elements from the G1 Arcee animation model. These include:
- The head sculpt features a "helmet" section with round sections on the sides inspired by the famous "buns" seen on Princess Leia in Star Wars. The middle has a crest.
- The torso includes distinct features including a collar around the neck and a pointed section on the chest (intended to represent the front of the vehicle mode).
- The arms and legs are curved like a human being's limbs instead of being chunky and blocky like most Transformers.
- Behind Arcee's arms are panels that form a small back pack that rises up over the back of the shoulders.
Overall, I really like this sculpt a lot. It is instantly recognizable as Arcee from its silhouette to the smaller details mentioned above. That said, she is basically a shell-former so the "back pack" winds up being huge since it has to essentially cover up the robot mode in vehicle form. Detaching the "hoverboard" section really helps and she looks very cool without it. The other parts that fans may find a bit odd looking are her feet. The front parts are fine, but the back heel pieces are huge. I believe this is necessary for the figure to balance and stand properly, but it does look rather funny.
Arcee is (not surprisingly) made up of pink and white plastic. Some smaller parts are a frosted white color (with a tinge of blue). The paint colors on this figure include pink, white, grey, red and blue. Most of the pink, white and grey are used to fill in and balance out the pink and white plastic parts. The eyes are painted blue and she has a red Autobot symbol painted on her chest. Arcee's animation model did not have the most complicated paint pattern ever, so the clean pink and white colors work very well here to represent the character.
There are twenty six points of articulation on this figure including five on each arm and seven on each leg. Her legs include two points of articulation at the knees (a part of the transformation) and ankle rockers. Her fists are designed to fit 5mm pegs and her own weapon. She has 5mm ports on the back of her lower legs and on her heels to attach additional accessories.
There is one other feature of Arcee that you could not have utilized at the time of her release, but essentially became "unlocked" in 2022. In the Siege cartoon the Autobot Weaponizer Cog transforms into giant cannons that attach to Arcee's back. Previously you would not have been able to replicate this with only Cog. However, in 2022 Hasbro released Red Cog, a redeco of the Cog figure with a bunch of new accessories. Among them was a special attachment you could connect to Arcee's back so you could then connect Cog in weapon mode. This was revealed by Hasbro designer Mark Maher on Instagram so you can check out his post to see how this works. Hint: you definitely have to detach the "hover board" back pack piece first. Much to my surprise, Arcee stands just fine with all the weaponry on her back, partly because it balances out since parts of the cannons wind up protruding out in front of her. It is very unusual for a figure to have a feature "added" to it or "unlocked" years after its initial release through the use of two other figures yet here we are and I think it's neat!
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the weapon if attached and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Point the robot feet down.
- Swing the outer most section of the back pack down, then rotate it around.
- Swing the back piece connected to the back out.
- On each part of the back pack, swing the four wheel panels down.
- On the rear part of the car mode swing the middle panel out (it is connected to the rear wheel panels).
- On the back portion behind the head, swing up the middle of the car's front end.
- Rotate the legs outward.
- Swing each lower leg up so the feet wind up against the shoulders.
- Swing Arcee's body down to tuck it under the "shell".
- Push the section with the seats and windshield down.
- The weapon can be stored under the front of the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
While the robot mode is (mostly) G1 Arcee's design, the vehicle mode seems to be more of an interpretation of her vehicle mode form. Sure it has a lot of details like the front grille with a triangular detail sweeping back and angled headlights flanking it. On top of that the figure has an open driver/passenger section with a small windshield in front. The back has a pointed piece that calls back to retro cars from the 50's. That said, the back of the figure is rather thick and chunky looking. This is unavoidable if you consider most of the robot mode is literally tucked under the vehicle. However, this has led to a comical practice by some fans online of detaching both parts of the back pack altogether and literally forming Arcee's vehicle mode entirely out of the back pack!
This mode is mostly pink plastic with the frosted plastic showing on the windshield and wheels. White paint is used on the front, middle and back. The seats are paitned grey and there is a red Autobot symbol on the chest. From a deco perspective, this is undeniably Arcee and it looks cool.
Arcee features four pegs in this form allowing you to attach Blast Effects. Two are on the rear section on top. These are the same pegs you would use to have Arcee "ride" her hoverboard. Two more are on the back, allowing you to attach Blast Effects that make it look like Arcee has rockets on the back! You will also see slots on either side of the hood (over the front wheel wells). You can take the weapon and use the tab on the side to fit them into these slots, giving her a weapon in this form!
Final Thoughts:
I know the big question many readers will be wondering: is this figure better than the Thrilling 30 Arcee? In my opinion, the answer is no. That figure had better proportions in both robot and vehicle mode and it was not a total shellformer. It also came with four accessories. That said, this is still a good Arcee figure. Sure the sheer size of the "back pack" is almost comical and shellformers are generally not popular with fans, but if you missed out on the Thrilling 30 version (or its many redecos) this is a perfectly fine substitute. Recommended if you don't already have an Arcee and don't want to pay after market prices on the older versions of the character.
Pros:
- Back pack aside, the actual Arcee body sculpt is really well done.
- I am impressed that she can have Cog in weapons mode attached and still stand.
- A relatively simple (but still kind of challenging) transformation.
- It's another Arcee! (I mean, remember when we thought we'd never get one Arcee toy?!).
Cons:
- Giant. Back. Pack.
