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[william-james88]

Every month now, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.


Top 5 Best Arcee Transformers Toys

2020 was the year of Arcee since we had a toy of this character in every line. We got one in Masterpiece, Studio Series, Cyberverse and Generations. So clearly, we now have enough toys to get a decent Top 5 list going on. Here we go!


5. Cyberverse Deluxe Arcee

Arcee was a super fun character on the show, especially thanks to voice actress, Jaime Lamchick, and the toy conveys her lax and gunslinging personality well. Greatly posable, real dynamic, and hey, she comes with an actually useful Maccadam part (hammer!), and unlike other Arcees out in 2020, this one has a manageable and actually accurate backpack.
-notsoalex






4. MP-51 Masterpicee Arcee

The vehicle is absolutely PERFECT. All the details are there. Despite the arms hanging a bit low, the car roll flawlessly. The interior is perfectly detailed, down to even a painted dashboard! Transformation is long and hard, but surprisingly not frustrating. Also, everything felt SOLID in hand with nothing seeming fragile or about to break. |We end up with a pretty nice fembot with a backpack that is not too bad in person, considering that the car mode have NO sacrifices. Obviously, Arcee is back heavy and it limit some poses. The chest and high collar is an odd design choice but it's not too bad, she's still worth every single cent that I paid. Could this Arcee be better? Maybe yes, but some choices had to be made. Here, it's the vehicle mode that got priority so the robot is a bit compromised with her backpack. Regardless, I highly recommend this official MP.
- Kanrabat








3. Prime RID and First Edition Arcee

For the Prime line, certain characters were released twice in totally different molds at the begining. There was the First Edition (FE) version that was supposed to come out first in some sort of exclusive capacity followed by a Robots in Disguise (RID) mold that was meant for a more general release. For most bots, there is a clear winner between the two versions, but not Arcee. It turns out both her FE and RID molds are excellent and you can't go wrong with either of them to represent Prime Arcee in your collection. The RID version is a bit more accurate with her wings but the FE version has that nice complex transformation that adds some unique alt mode integration in the robot mode for the chest area. And both just look great!
-william-james88






2. Animated Arcee

We often get sleeker versions of earth based cars (like Cybertron Hotshot) that don't capitalize on the potential of designing vehicles from other worlds. This one totally fits the bill though. Unlike so many other alt modes, it bravely crosses the line between being a futuristic design to a full blown cybertronian one. It is a great homage to G1 Arcee which is followed through in robot mode and I like the added massive spoilers in the back. That detail gives it enough variation from the traditional Arcee model. Too bad it has exposed hands in vehicle mode though. Props go for it having that signature Arcee backpack without going the easy route and making this a shellformer.
-william-james88






1. Takara Legends Arcee

While we have had several Arcees since this release, two more in the Generations line, this still feels like the best one. As a fan of Transformers toys, vehicle integration goes a long way and of all the Arcees with this G1 vehicle mode, this is the one that tries the hardest. While the backpack is unavoidable, the integration of the hips and chest means there is less to attempt to compact together in the back and you are instead left with what G1 Arcee would look like on the show if her backpack didn't magically shrink. The deco given by Takara just pushes it over the edge for G1 accurate goodness. It's a great toy all around and still the definitive Arcee to this date.
-william-james88

[TF-fan kev777]

Honorable Mention: Energon Arcee, fun little bike-bot.

Dishonorable Mention: ER Arcee, it exists.

[Gauntlet101010]

I can't get past how MP Arcee looks in bot mode. The whole upper torso just looks wrong and off.

[TF-fan kev777]

I can't get past how MP Arcee looks in bot mode. The whole upper torso just looks wrong and off.

Sort of like if T-30 switched into a turtleneck, but took her bra off.

[Nemesis Primal]

Considering the conversation we just had, this is ironically timed.

Can't disagree with anything on this list though.

[Rodimus Knight]

I can't get past how MP Arcee looks in bot mode. The whole upper torso just looks wrong and off.

Sort of like if T-30 switched into a turtleneck, but took her bra off.

The thing is, with the chest and neck area, when I was transforming her, it seemed like there was enough room to do the proper design there, so that's even more baffling that they went the route they did.

[TFfan1]

Personally, I have to go with Titans Return Arcee as number 1. My favorite overall design, not too skinny or just "lady robot with backpack, and the Daniel Headmaster is just one of those fun things I never expected we'd get.

[blackeyedprime]

I'd have had TR Arcee in place of the MP. Earthrise has a fairy decent bot mode but needs a lot of things cutting off to make it look likt should.

Sadly I've never had animated Arcee

Was still deciding over a transforming or RED RID Arcee but I'm in no rush with Hasbro not coming through on a day one preorder of RID Breakdown/vehicon.

[william-james88]

Personally, I have to go with Titans Return Arcee as number 1. My favorite overall design, not too skinny or just "lady robot with backpack, and the Daniel Headmaster is just one of those fun things I never expected we'd get.

Robot mode is nice, yeah, but I'm not a fan of the fake kibble shoulders.

[-Kanrabat-]

I feel proud to be so featured in this article!



I agree with all the Arcees on this list, but for me, the positions are easily switchable in any ways possible.

Speaking of Prime Arcee, I'm pretty fond of the Beast Hunters mold, especially the Flamewar Botcon repaint.

[-Kanrabat-]

I can't get past how MP Arcee looks in bot mode. The whole upper torso just looks wrong and off.

Sort of like if T-30 switched into a turtleneck, but took her bra off.

Now this is imprinted into my mind.

[Jeddostotle7]

Personally I'd have to toss the T30/Legends mold off the list. I know a lot of people love it, and I know it did better at integrating the robot mode and vehicle mode together than the ER mold, but...... Iunno, I just kinda lowkey hate how it looks. The way it's designed, like, the designers took Arcee's thing of like "kinda like a robot version of a stereotypical feminine human form" and literalized it/took it to an extreme in a weird way. Among other things, she has an unsettlingly human midriff. That and I always had trouble getting her to stand. I'd probably put TR Arcee somewhere on the list in her stead, if not in first place.

[Gauntlet101010]

Titans Arcee just doesn't do it for me, if we're talking about her a bit.

It hurts her a lot that's she's Blurr in a line with a lot of Blurrs. I have a lot of deluxe G1 and G1-ish Arcees between official and 3P releases, so I was tempted to nab it up. But I just couldn't. There's a lot of remoulding, but at the end of the day I just cannot unsee Blurr in both modes and it broke the streak.

[-Kanrabat-]

Titans Arcee just doesn't do it for me, if we're talking about her a bit.

It hurts her a lot that's she's Blurr in a line with a lot of Blurrs. I have a lot of deluxe G1 and G1-ish Arcees between official and 3P releases, so I was tempted to nab it up. But I just couldn't. There's a lot of remoulding, but at the end of the day I just cannot unsee Blurr in both modes and it broke the streak.

Same thing for me.
TR Arcee is "Blurr in drag" and nothing else IMO.

[Deadput]

Personally I'd have to toss the T30/Legends mold off the list. I know a lot of people love it, and I know it did better at integrating the robot mode and vehicle mode together than the ER mold, but...... Iunno, I just kinda lowkey hate how it looks. The way it's designed, like, the designers took Arcee's thing of like "kinda like a robot version of a stereotypical feminine human form" and literalized it/took it to an extreme in a weird way. Among other things, she has an unsettlingly human midriff. That and I always had trouble getting her to stand. I'd probably put TR Arcee somewhere on the list in her stead, if not in first place.

Well as disturbing as Acree's general character design is, that just so happens to be accurate so any version making a toy of that version is gonna end up like that.



God I hate G1 Arcee as a design, there is no good way to make it work without changing it drastically, it just so happens that the T30/Legends version is the best engineered of an inherently awful design.

[Jeddostotle7]

Personally I'd have to toss the T30/Legends mold off the list. I know a lot of people love it, and I know it did better at integrating the robot mode and vehicle mode together than the ER mold, but...... Iunno, I just kinda lowkey hate how it looks. The way it's designed, like, the designers took Arcee's thing of like "kinda like a robot version of a stereotypical feminine human form" and literalized it/took it to an extreme in a weird way. Among other things, she has an unsettlingly human midriff. That and I always had trouble getting her to stand. I'd probably put TR Arcee somewhere on the list in her stead, if not in first place.

Well as disturbing as Acree's general character design is, that just so happens to be accurate so any version making a toy of that version is gonna end up like that.



God I hate G1 Arcee as a design, there is no good way to make it work without changing it drastically, it just so happens that the T30/Legends version is the best engineered of an inherently awful design.

As I said, as much as G1 Arcee in general is kinda "basically stereotypical feminine human shape but a robot", Thrilling 30 took that to another level, to an unsettling degree. Like, the specific curves they did on T30 feel really weird and creepy on a robot. ER Arcee looks like "let's make some metal shapes that evoke 'ideal human woman'", parts of T30 Arcee looks like "let's slather a curvy human woman in metallic paint".

[Fires_Of_Inferno]

I completely agree with this list. The MP Arcee has grown on me now that I'm putting aside thinking that it's trying to be accurate to any of her g1 designs/misdrawings/miscolours.

[ShadowBlaze]

My Top 5 looks a bit different, and yes, it's controversial. But I do sometimes find myself liking figures that are widely reviled by others, so it tracks.

5. Scout-Class "Robo-Vision" Arcee (Target Exclusive) from the 2007 movie line. I've always loved the Energon Omnicon mold, even though there have been plenty of bigger and better Arcees since it was first introduced. The original pink and white version still kinda works, but I really love the blue used for this repaint. Clearly someone at HasTak did, too, since it inspired her Prime appearance.

4. Thrilling 30 Arcee. This one wins the obvious points for melding her classic design with a truly functional transformation, but I didn't love the exaggerated female curves when it was first released, and I dislike that aspect of the figure even more in the present. The midriff is weird, the chiseled forearms and dinky hands are weird, and the thigh-gap is just atrocious. I did like the mold enough to buy it three times (T-30, SDCC 2015 Combiner Hunters, Platinum Edition Autobot Heroes), but its prominence in my display says more about what it represents than how I actually feel about it as a toy.

3. Prime RID Arcee. Totally different aesthetic for the character, but a really fun and posable toy. She feels less fiddly than the First Edition figure, and I prefer the way Hastak executed RID Arcee's shoulders and 'wings.' I really wish she came with both of her arm blades like the FE toy, but I can forgive the absence of one since she can handle that sniper-rifle so well. The Beast Hunters version is a visual treat, but I think the oversized bow and the spikes on her ankles make her a little trickier to pose.

2. Earthrise Arcee. Yes, I went there. I don't disagree that the transformation is huge a step back from Thrilling 30, and I don't like the faux chest plate or the half-painted pelvis. BUT. The limb design is far superior to T-30, the face sculpt is an improvement, and the rear half of the car - unsightly as it is - isn't the most egregious backpack I've seen on a Transformer, and it doesn't throw off her balance the way I initially expected. No, it isn't a great Transformer, but it's a pretty satisfying action figure. Since I don't display any of my TFs in their alt-modes, I can live with that.

1. Titans Return Arcee. I've already defended this figure in several other threads, so I'm probably beating a dead horse. I like the athletic - but not overtly female - build of the figure. Even though a lot of the mold started as Blurr, I think the new parts turn it into a legit Arcee update in both modes. The head-sculpt is awesome, and the dual pistols make it the most appropriately armed G1-inspired Arcee thus far.

Honourable mention: Animated Arcee. Not my favourite aesthetic for the character, and the fragility of her thumbs severely blunts her sword-wielding ability. But I have to agree that her alt-mode is fantastic, and the transformation is a nice change from all the other G1-inspired Arcees HasTak has produced.

[MeGrimlockFan]

IMO T-30 is the best Arcee we have gotten ALL else pales in comparison to this one tho I did initally get Animated Arcee cuz that was the only one available at the time so its 2nd on my list

[Evil Eye]

Good list as always! Animated Arcee is one of my favourite Arcee designs ever and if her thumbs didn't self-destruct (and her hands hid better in vehicle mode) she'd be perfect. And as an actual character design she is THE best Arcee hands down. Recognizably cute and feminine (and not just a pink repaint of an obviously male mold, like Blurrcee) but with a clever transformation that results in a cool robot mode that isn't just a curvy woman with a car backpack (like most other G1 Arcee attempts). In particular I love how the front of the car forms "bell bottoms" for her legs and the backpack is just the right size.

I do have a soft spot for the LG version, and she's unlikely to be replaced any time soon, but I wish she was more poseable. The lack of torso or sideways ankle motion kinda brings her down.

One figure I kiiiiinda want is the old 2007 movie Deluxe. The head is a bit...cephalopod for my tastes, but heads on balljoints are easy enough to replace (Shapeways guys, get on it!) and the actual figure looks pretty nice. Great colours too.

[TF-fan kev777]

One figure I kiiiiinda want is the old 2007 movie Deluxe. The head is a bit...cephalopod for my tastes, but heads on balljoints are easy enough to replace (Shapeways guys, get on it!) and the actual figure looks pretty nice. Great colours too.

It is a very solid and fun figure. I regret selling mine off years ago.

[-Kanrabat-]

One figure I kiiiiinda want is the old 2007 movie Deluxe. The head is a bit...cephalopod for my tastes, but heads on balljoints are easy enough to replace (Shapeways guys, get on it!) and the actual figure looks pretty nice. Great colours too.

It is a very solid and fun figure. I regret selling mine off years ago.

Still have mine and she's still amazing. I should hunt down the pink version but it's expensive.

Too bad they went with the "aborted foetus" design for ROTF rather than sticking with the '07 one.

[ausbot]

My favourites are energon arcee and titans return arcee. I always wanted the prototype titanium arcee as well.

[Gauntlet101010]

I always wanted the prototype titanium arcee as well.

Really?? Is there a particular reason why? It seems like it's a pretty terrible execution, especially since we have other G1esque versions available now.

[-Kanrabat-]

I always wanted the prototype titanium arcee as well.

Really?? Is there a particular reason why? It seems like it's a pretty terrible execution, especially since we have other G1esque versions available now.

Oh dear God... This look absolutely horrible!

But like for the planned G1 toy, I want it. There's a charm to her bizarre proportions. Like some sort of weird gremlin.