Review #85: Titans Return Deluxe Class Arcee
with bonus Titan Master Ultra Magnus
Once upon a time, I really just liked to talk about the toy at hand. I didn't like to do a lot of comparisons with other toys, or talk about the design history. I had a toy, I wanted to look at that toy. But lately, starting with Combiner Wars and continuing strongly into Titans Return, something has happened with the design process that has made paying attention to it a little more interesting.
Straight repaints still exist, but more often than not when two (or more) figures are made using the same mold, the mold is extensively modified between the two uses, making for vastly different looking characters in more ways than just what color they are. The toy we are looking at today is a prime example of this trend. |
In the first wave of Titans Return Deluxe Class toys was a new toy of the character of Blurr. This new Blurr, while technically a lot closer to the original G1 character than the earlier Classics style release, just didn't excite me enough to pick it up. Yes, the older Blurr was reimagined with a more realistic, Earth-based alt mode, but I was happy with that Blurr and didn't need another. (Besides which, I wasn't sold on the whole, "This character wasn't previously a Headmaster, but so what? Everyone can be Headmasters, now!" thing, yet.)
Very soon after, another toy was announced that looked very different from Blurr, but still seemed vaguely familiar for some reason. Sure enough this toy, Brainstorm, was a massive retool of Blurr. He sure looked pretty good! And hey, Brainstorm is supposed to be a Headmaster. So this should be a no brainer, yes? Not quite. For one thing, Brainstorm wasn't the easiest toy to get. You either had to get him as a part of a convention exclusive multi-figure boxed set that I wasn't terribly interested in, or you had to hunt him down (in a different but still Brainstorm-y deco) at Walgreens, of all places! And then, for another thing, I already had a Classics style Brainstorm, too! He hasn't been reviewed on this website, but there was a Brainstorm released in 2014, and (shockingly, in these pre-Titans Return days) he was a Headmaster! Yes, he was a Voyager Class toy, so he would be taller than his other original Autobot Headmaster fellows. And yes, his Headmaster was completely different and thus incompatible with those from Titans Return, meaning he couldn't join in on the head-swapping fun. But between the hassle associated with purchasing the Titans Return version, and the fact that I had a Brainstorm I was happy with, I decided yet again to pass.
Then, Hasbro released two multi-figure Titans Return sets to stores, for about $100 each. One of these box sets included the "Magnus Prime" toy I mentioned in my Powermaster Optimus Prime reviews. The other box set had, as one of its included figures, another usage of the Blurr mold. This time, the changes weren't quite as extensive, mainly adding some extra bits on the sides of the vehicle mode and claiming it was a submarine (with an open cockpit?), to make it into a previously comics-only character named Nautica. I will admit I was vaguely interested in Nautica, and considered purchasing the set she came in. But in the end, I decided not to bother with that set. I wasn't that interested in the character, and I just couldn't justify buying a whole expensive box set for a character I wasn't that in to.
Very soon after, another toy was announced that looked very different from Blurr, but still seemed vaguely familiar for some reason. Sure enough this toy, Brainstorm, was a massive retool of Blurr. He sure looked pretty good! And hey, Brainstorm is supposed to be a Headmaster. So this should be a no brainer, yes? Not quite. For one thing, Brainstorm wasn't the easiest toy to get. You either had to get him as a part of a convention exclusive multi-figure boxed set that I wasn't terribly interested in, or you had to hunt him down (in a different but still Brainstorm-y deco) at Walgreens, of all places! And then, for another thing, I already had a Classics style Brainstorm, too! He hasn't been reviewed on this website, but there was a Brainstorm released in 2014, and (shockingly, in these pre-Titans Return days) he was a Headmaster! Yes, he was a Voyager Class toy, so he would be taller than his other original Autobot Headmaster fellows. And yes, his Headmaster was completely different and thus incompatible with those from Titans Return, meaning he couldn't join in on the head-swapping fun. But between the hassle associated with purchasing the Titans Return version, and the fact that I had a Brainstorm I was happy with, I decided yet again to pass.
Then, Hasbro released two multi-figure Titans Return sets to stores, for about $100 each. One of these box sets included the "Magnus Prime" toy I mentioned in my Powermaster Optimus Prime reviews. The other box set had, as one of its included figures, another usage of the Blurr mold. This time, the changes weren't quite as extensive, mainly adding some extra bits on the sides of the vehicle mode and claiming it was a submarine (with an open cockpit?), to make it into a previously comics-only character named Nautica. I will admit I was vaguely interested in Nautica, and considered purchasing the set she came in. But in the end, I decided not to bother with that set. I wasn't that interested in the character, and I just couldn't justify buying a whole expensive box set for a character I wasn't that in to.
I was starting to think that I was destined to never own a version of this Blurr mold. And then, something else was announced... Yes, this time as another con exclusive, but this time, I was interested. For this time, it was Arcee!
Now, I know what you may be thinking. "You passed up on Blurr and Brainstorm because you already had them. Dude, haven't you already been on the Arcee rodeo, as well? Twice even?"
Well yes, yes I have. But this is Arcee! She was without a decent toy for so long that she became something of a Holy Grail, and even now that I have a good one, it is hard not to want another. And on that note, let us look at a bit of a history of Arcee as a toy.
She never had a toy in the G1 days. Yet there were multiple attempts. The first made it as far as the prototype stage before it was nixed. Others, only concept art has ever turned up. The first of these was an original toy designed when the character was first created. The second was a proposed repaint of the G1 Headmaster figure Cromedome. Cromedome wasn't the most Arcee looking figure, but this at least had some basis in the fiction as Arcee did become a Headmaster in season 4 of the G1 cartoon. Finally, a non-transforming Action Master figure was proposed. None of these were ever made.
Now, I know what you may be thinking. "You passed up on Blurr and Brainstorm because you already had them. Dude, haven't you already been on the Arcee rodeo, as well? Twice even?"
Well yes, yes I have. But this is Arcee! She was without a decent toy for so long that she became something of a Holy Grail, and even now that I have a good one, it is hard not to want another. And on that note, let us look at a bit of a history of Arcee as a toy.
She never had a toy in the G1 days. Yet there were multiple attempts. The first made it as far as the prototype stage before it was nixed. Others, only concept art has ever turned up. The first of these was an original toy designed when the character was first created. The second was a proposed repaint of the G1 Headmaster figure Cromedome. Cromedome wasn't the most Arcee looking figure, but this at least had some basis in the fiction as Arcee did become a Headmaster in season 4 of the G1 cartoon. Finally, a non-transforming Action Master figure was proposed. None of these were ever made.
Since then, Hasbro or (more often) Takara threw the fandom a bone with the occasional obscure repaint or non-transforming figurine. But the fandom was not quite satisfied. Where was our transforming Arcee figure who looked like she did in the G1 days? There were a few third party options, but nothing from official sources. Hasbro came close with Transformers Animated Arcee, and some aftermarket modifications got her even closer, but it was still not quite there.
Then, finally, in 2014, Hasbro did it! They gave us an Arcee! A proper, Classics style, G1-based Arcee! Yes, she had a bit of a massive backpack, but so what. Arcee! Yes, her coloring was a wee bit off for my tastes. (Where did all of that black come from?) But Takara took care of that for me. I had me an Arcee, and she was perfect!
Then, finally, in 2014, Hasbro did it! They gave us an Arcee! A proper, Classics style, G1-based Arcee! Yes, she had a bit of a massive backpack, but so what. Arcee! Yes, her coloring was a wee bit off for my tastes. (Where did all of that black come from?) But Takara took care of that for me. I had me an Arcee, and she was perfect!
So, if I already had what I thought was the perfect Arcee, why did I need another? Especially if she was another con exclusive toy who was going to cost more than regular retail? Because she's mother fracking Arcee, that's why! And so, on with the review!
Titans Return Arcee comes to us via a heavy retool of the Titans Retutn Blurr mold. Some thought it would have been a cool callback to the aborted G1 plans to use Titans Return Chromedome, instead, but Blurr's figure (with the aforementioned remolding) really makes for a pretty good looking Arcee in a way that Chromedome's mold probably wouldn't have been able to pull off. This is definitely a vehicle mode that, while a little pudgy looking from some angles, does say "Arcee" to me. The sculpting is wonderful and the paint job is exquisite in the way that is the norm for Takara, and which Hasbro seems to be able to muster for these exclusive toys.
Arcee does have wheels, but they are three tiny wheels that are hidden on her undercarriage. Still, on any hard and flat surface, she will roll well enough. Just don't expect her to take well to carpets. She also has some nice storage for her weapons, which plug in under the front end of her vehicle mode. They point out a bit, making this a nice and subtly armed Arcee vehicle.
Here's a look at the three Arcees I have together in vehicle mode. Well, the Animated version I had to borrow back from my stepson for this photograph, ha ha. Apologies for the atypical set-up in this photo, it was taken kind of spur of the moment on the day the Titans Return version arrived.
Arcee does have wheels, but they are three tiny wheels that are hidden on her undercarriage. Still, on any hard and flat surface, she will roll well enough. Just don't expect her to take well to carpets. She also has some nice storage for her weapons, which plug in under the front end of her vehicle mode. They point out a bit, making this a nice and subtly armed Arcee vehicle.
Here's a look at the three Arcees I have together in vehicle mode. Well, the Animated version I had to borrow back from my stepson for this photograph, ha ha. Apologies for the atypical set-up in this photo, it was taken kind of spur of the moment on the day the Titans Return version arrived.
Being a Titans Return toy, of course, the new Arcee has a seat for a Titan Master figure. The figure that goes with her is officially named Leinad, but take a look at that backwards and I think we see Hasbro's way around being able to trademark the name Daniel. In season 4 of the G1 cartoon, it was the character of Daniel Witwicky who became Arcee's Headmaster partner.
But wait, there's more! There has to be a little something extra with a convention exclusive toy, right? And in this case, the extra was an additional Titan Master figure, Ultra Magnus!
These figures are nicely painted, which you may recall I complained was an issue with Hasbro's Titan Master figures. I suppose these two benefited from being in a convention exclusive set, rather then having to deal with the budget constraints of a mass retail release. Daniel's Titan Master figure is made up to look like his exosuit. Ultra Magnus, meanwhile, is made to look like his usual white inner core robot. In the photographs below, Daniel is to the left and Ultra Magnus is to the right. Except in the last photo, which features a comparison between Titan Master Daniel and the third party figure of Daniel I own which I have previously reviewed.
But wait, there's more! There has to be a little something extra with a convention exclusive toy, right? And in this case, the extra was an additional Titan Master figure, Ultra Magnus!
These figures are nicely painted, which you may recall I complained was an issue with Hasbro's Titan Master figures. I suppose these two benefited from being in a convention exclusive set, rather then having to deal with the budget constraints of a mass retail release. Daniel's Titan Master figure is made up to look like his exosuit. Ultra Magnus, meanwhile, is made to look like his usual white inner core robot. In the photographs below, Daniel is to the left and Ultra Magnus is to the right. Except in the last photo, which features a comparison between Titan Master Daniel and the third party figure of Daniel I own which I have previously reviewed.
Daniel, like most Titan Masters, is made out of plastic. Ultra Magnus, on the other hand, has large parts of him made out of die cast metal. I am of mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, metal has a nostalgic feeling since many G1 toys (at least, in the first few years of the toyline) had die cast in them, and on the surface, it does have a nice feel to it. Titan Masters are small figures, but Ultra Magnus certainly has a heft to him! On the other hand, though, die cast is a lot more prone to paint chipping than plastic is, and if you look closely, Ultra Magnus already has a wee bit of it after merely days of owning him! Still, with care, this should hopefully only be a minor problem. It really is one of those issues I could go both ways on. I appreciate what Hasbro was trying to do in making him die cast, and it is a bit cool, but honestly I would have been just as happy had he been plastic.
Before we look at Arcee in robot mode, we make a brief return to our history lesson to take a look at Blurr, Brainstorm, and Nautica in their robot modes.
Before we look at Arcee in robot mode, we make a brief return to our history lesson to take a look at Blurr, Brainstorm, and Nautica in their robot modes.
Again, three very cool looking toy, but toys which (for reasons previously elaborated upon) were not destined to end up in my collection. So let us take a look at the one who did end up there.
Well, folks, here she is, and isn't she a beauty! The resculpting done to this toy really makes it shine as Arcee. She may not be as slender and stereotypically feminine as her 2014 toy (based on the 1986 character design) was, but she definitely doesn't come off as a boy bot who was just given a pink paint job. This is definitely Arcee, she's just an Arcee who means business.
Her legs and especially her arms feature much remolding to help her in her endevour to not just be a pink Blurr. The arms have been given a more rounded look befitting her character. |
In particular, I like what was done with her shoulders. Part of Arcee's look is some behind the shoulder kibble from her vehicle mode, which here is made with false kibble, but which looks very nice.
One small problem with Titans Return making Headmasters out of a lot of characters who weren't previously Headmasters was that of the head shape. Preexisting Headmaster characters had rather boxy heads, because that was the shape of a Headmaster when turned into its head mode. But other characters could potentially have more rounded heads. We saw this with bullet-headed Brawn, and again with Arcee we have a character whose head is a distinctly round shape. Here, though, this actually has an unintended side-effect! The Titan Master's arms raise up above the back of Arcee's face, making it look from some angles (particularly from the front) like Arcee has little kitty ears! Neko Arcee‑chan no kawaii!
This Arcee does have a bit of a backpack, with much of the front end of her vehicle mode just ending up hanging off of it, but honestly, that is something that the 2014 character also has in spades. And at least with this figure, the aforementioned shoulder kibble is separate pieces, where as in 2014 it was part of her backpack, meaning that even though technically it was supposed to be there, it had the effect of making her backpack seem more obnoxious. The 2017 has another advantage in the backpack department, as well. The backpack is a separate, removable piece, which has other options for use!
First, it can be used as an arm-mounted shield.
One small problem with Titans Return making Headmasters out of a lot of characters who weren't previously Headmasters was that of the head shape. Preexisting Headmaster characters had rather boxy heads, because that was the shape of a Headmaster when turned into its head mode. But other characters could potentially have more rounded heads. We saw this with bullet-headed Brawn, and again with Arcee we have a character whose head is a distinctly round shape. Here, though, this actually has an unintended side-effect! The Titan Master's arms raise up above the back of Arcee's face, making it look from some angles (particularly from the front) like Arcee has little kitty ears! Neko Arcee‑chan no kawaii!
This Arcee does have a bit of a backpack, with much of the front end of her vehicle mode just ending up hanging off of it, but honestly, that is something that the 2014 character also has in spades. And at least with this figure, the aforementioned shoulder kibble is separate pieces, where as in 2014 it was part of her backpack, meaning that even though technically it was supposed to be there, it had the effect of making her backpack seem more obnoxious. The 2017 has another advantage in the backpack department, as well. The backpack is a separate, removable piece, which has other options for use!
First, it can be used as an arm-mounted shield.
Secondly, if Arcee doesn't mind giving up her guns, the other option is turning her backpack into some sort of vehicle for a Titan Master to sit in. Is it a boat? It is a sled? Is it some sort of hover vehicle? Honestly, I'm not sure! But whatever it is, it looks kind of cool, and it gives Ultra Magnus something to do. It is certainly better then trying to put him on Arcee's body, because that just plain looks wrong!
Although I must admit, for my own collection, I have found something much better for Ultra Magnus to do. Remember Godbomber, and how he had three seats inside of his cockpit? But, unless you get the upcoming box set that comes with two extra exclusive Titan Masters (and which was only announced after I already had Optimus and I had Godbomber at least on pre-order), Godbomber only came with his own to sit in there!
Well, between the fact that Ginrai/Hi-Q is now free to do whatever he wants since Perfect Effect's upgrades removed Optimus Prime's Titan Master compatibility, and my now having a little Ultra Magnus Titan Master, as well, I can fill up those two empty seats!
Well, between the fact that Ginrai/Hi-Q is now free to do whatever he wants since Perfect Effect's upgrades removed Optimus Prime's Titan Master compatibility, and my now having a little Ultra Magnus Titan Master, as well, I can fill up those two empty seats!
But enough about the little guy that came with Arcee, and let's get back to the lady of the hour herself. It is time to talk about her articulation.
As a figure whose head is a Titan Master figure, it goes without saying that her head is on a ball joint, offering full rotation and a little bit of wiggle. (Isn't it funny how, "It goes without saying," is usually followed by then saying the exact thing that one had just been noting doesn't need saying?) A bit of care needs to be taken with the Daniel Titan Master, however, as the shape of his head doesn't really grab into the port it is supposed to plug into as well as it should, meaning that when you turn Arcee's head, it is very easy to pull the Titan Master free from the larger figure's body. It only takes slight mindfulness to avoid this, however, and for the most part the head stays put as it should.
The shoulders are on nice ball joints allowing full movement. The fact that her behind shoulder kibble is actually attached to the shoulders themselves means that they don't impede movement as much as they may have otherwise. There's an upper arm swivel, an elbow bend, and a wrist swivel! Wrist swivels on Deluxe Class figures is always a welcome surprise.
As far as her lower body goes, she has a waist swivel, ball jointed hips, upper leg swivels, and bending knees. All and all, aside from the surprise of the wrist swivel, her articulation is pretty standard. But the standard these days is pretty darn good, so this is not a complaint in the slightest!
Before my final thoughts, another look at my three Arcees together. Again, apologies for the atypical setup.
The shoulders are on nice ball joints allowing full movement. The fact that her behind shoulder kibble is actually attached to the shoulders themselves means that they don't impede movement as much as they may have otherwise. There's an upper arm swivel, an elbow bend, and a wrist swivel! Wrist swivels on Deluxe Class figures is always a welcome surprise.
As far as her lower body goes, she has a waist swivel, ball jointed hips, upper leg swivels, and bending knees. All and all, aside from the surprise of the wrist swivel, her articulation is pretty standard. But the standard these days is pretty darn good, so this is not a complaint in the slightest!
Before my final thoughts, another look at my three Arcees together. Again, apologies for the atypical setup.
Man, that Animated Arcee. She was a great placeholder for some time, but now I look at her and I am just so, "Meh." Even the custom head, which I was so happy with at the time, just doesn't scream "Arcee" to me anymore in the way that the heads on these other two figures do.
As for the other two... I really do like them both! I am hard pressed to say which one I would like better. The 2014 one definitely looks more like Arcee did in the cartoon. But the Titans Return version feels like a slightly better toy. I am really happy to have both of these in my collection.
I suppose that kind of takes care of my final thoughts right there, doesn't it? So I suppose all that is left is to look at a size comparison, as I usually do, with a standard sized DVD case. Also, just for fun and since I enjoyed showing it off with Powermaster Prime, here's a look at the shelf she sits on in my home. I didn't want to stick her on the shelf my other Arcee sits on, since then there would be two Arcees on it, and that would look weird! So, since a hypothetical Headmaster Arcee would have come out in a later year of the G1 toyline back in the day, I put the Titans Return one on the appropriate shelf for that. I suppose this is technically the same shelf that you saw with Powermaster Prime, but now with added Arcee!
As for the other two... I really do like them both! I am hard pressed to say which one I would like better. The 2014 one definitely looks more like Arcee did in the cartoon. But the Titans Return version feels like a slightly better toy. I am really happy to have both of these in my collection.
I suppose that kind of takes care of my final thoughts right there, doesn't it? So I suppose all that is left is to look at a size comparison, as I usually do, with a standard sized DVD case. Also, just for fun and since I enjoyed showing it off with Powermaster Prime, here's a look at the shelf she sits on in my home. I didn't want to stick her on the shelf my other Arcee sits on, since then there would be two Arcees on it, and that would look weird! So, since a hypothetical Headmaster Arcee would have come out in a later year of the G1 toyline back in the day, I put the Titans Return one on the appropriate shelf for that. I suppose this is technically the same shelf that you saw with Powermaster Prime, but now with added Arcee!
I think I will start making that second photo a standard part of my reviews. While the DVD case is nice, since hopefully most people know how large one is, it is also nice to be able to see the figure in context, and get an idea how it looks with other figures. Also, it is a great way to show off more of my collection and possibly offer some sneak previews of other things I may review someday. That being said, I may try and grab someone off a different shelf next time, just so you don't have to look at that same shelf over and over again.
Just one other quick note about this figure. I mentioned it was a convention exclusive, and indeed it was. But not a very exclusive exclusive. It was originally released at Hasbro's own Hascon convention. And then a short time later it was made available on Hasbro's website, where it sold out in about an hour! (I just happened to check their website at just the right time!) But it will be available again very soon at the New York Comic Con, and then should pop up at Toys Я Us. It retails for a bit more than a standard Deluxe, but I feel she is worth it. (And you get a nifty Ultra Magnus head, to boot!)
That wraps it up for this time, I suppose. And hey, a month where I got four reviews in! After my hiatus of over a year and a half, it is nice to get back to something resembling a regular schedule. Hope to be back again soon!
Review added 29 September 2017 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcomed!
Just one other quick note about this figure. I mentioned it was a convention exclusive, and indeed it was. But not a very exclusive exclusive. It was originally released at Hasbro's own Hascon convention. And then a short time later it was made available on Hasbro's website, where it sold out in about an hour! (I just happened to check their website at just the right time!) But it will be available again very soon at the New York Comic Con, and then should pop up at Toys Я Us. It retails for a bit more than a standard Deluxe, but I feel she is worth it. (And you get a nifty Ultra Magnus head, to boot!)
That wraps it up for this time, I suppose. And hey, a month where I got four reviews in! After my hiatus of over a year and a half, it is nice to get back to something resembling a regular schedule. Hope to be back again soon!
Review added 29 September 2017 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcomed!