[Toys] Transformers Animated: Deluxe Arcee

• Images provided by Seibertron.

I got this figure for the awesome Canadian known as GeneralTekno, but got to play with it briefly. Given that it was only briefly, my thoughts are a bit foggy, so please keep that in mind. And yeah - in Canada, they didn't get Arcee or Cybertron Mode Ratchet. Furthermore they might not get Rodimus or Ironhide, which is a real shame. If you can afford it I would recommend getting them for your Canadian friends. They're real nice.

That said, onto the review!

Arcee is one of those TFA figures that no one expected a toy of when it was announced at Toy Fair 2009, and thus she has become quite sought-after. Alas, she is also a figure that came out long after the show's end, which is a real shame. Without a show to back it up, how well WILL TFA sell? We'll see...

Arcee never had an alt mode in the show, but this seems to have been designed with the help of Eric Siebenaler, Hasbro's lead designer, who also helped with other TFA design alt modes, so it's not really shoehorned in TOO badly. Very Rodimus-y with those large fins. Thankfully, they can be removed. Aside from the arms and face being noticeable from the back view, it's a nice little alt mode.

Robot mode is fantastic! The transformation is really simple but very effective, and an interesting bit is part of the hood folds in onto the front of the leg to kind of make it less hollow looking. Not very subtle but I think it's a nice thought. If I had to critique it I would say it might not be as skinny as the model, but heck, it does a great job of being like it as is. With only a few paint apps needed, it looks very model-accurate.

Some might think that there may be vehicle kibble, such as the windshield codpiece on the back (with an Autobot tramp stamp, lulz *obvious joke*), but something that some might've not noticed is that the season 3 model has some alt mode bits added to it on the back. Very interesting, no? As always, the fins can be removed. Looks much better that way. 

Arcee has no particular gimmicks unless you wanna count "PINKEST TRANSFORMER ON RETAIL EVER" as a gimmick. But she DOES come with swords! ... which never made it into the show. Kind of a similar deal as Soundwave's guitar, the show staff weren't aware of this at the time the toy was made. Such a shame. They're pretty nice, but some people have been known to have broken thumbs, but this seems to come from the way people insert it. I've heard that if you insert them from the top, it can be avoided. Keep that in mind!

Overall... Arcee is worth it! TFA proves that even after its show's end, the toys continue to impress. Arcee was an unexpected surprise, and a very pleasant one at that. She may be hard to come across, but if you find her, buy one. Some consider her to be a good stand-in for a Classics Arcee. Maybe you'll think the same!