Transformers Cybertron - ARIEL!

Transformers: Cybertron - Super Link SC-16 - Ariel - Takara 2004

2004's CGI-animated Transformers: Energon series was known as Transformers: Super Link in Japan and had its own release of toys made by Takara. The dual-release of figures in Japan by Takara and the USA by Hasbro continues to this day, often with slight paint or name variations, and this figure is a prime example. In the both the Japanese cartoon and toyline, this Arcee is named Ariel. I believe these toys are intended to look the same, but the Takara version has a brighter pink head and paint details (as opposed to the darker coral-pink of the Hasbro release) plus a matte gray face, as opposed to the metallic silver face on Arcee. It's a relatively minor difference, yet somehow distinct enough to be a notable variation for my Energon Arcee collection. The name Ariel has history in the Transformers universe as well. The 1985 episode, War Dawn, featured a flashback introducing the young Orion Pax and Ariel (who we know as Optimus Prime and Elita-One). This was a full year before we ever met Arcee.

Ariel comes with an assortment of Energon Armor pieces in translucent red. The piece at the top is the Energon Star which attaches to the Spark Crystal on each figure's chest. The remaining pieces form rocket thrusters for her motorcycle mode or can assemble into a large Energy Arrow. The opaque missile piece can be used in either formation.

Here is Ariel without the Energon Star attached to the cylindrical Spark Crystal on her chest. If you look down the tube, there is a concave metallic disk with the Autobot logo printed on it.

Ariel also come with a collector card...

...and a mini-comic.

Here is the image from her cardback.

Time for some Group and Comparison Pics!

Here is Arcee with the Japanese Takara counterpart, Ariel. Ariel is on the Left, has a gray face, and hot pink details. Arcee is on the Right, has a metallic silver face, and coral-pink details.

I accidentally switched their Left-Right position in the bike mode shot.

The only visible difference is the pink panel right behind the black seat.

Here are all the Energon Arcee molds together. From Left to Right: Flareup, Flamewar, Paradron Medic, Ariel, Arcee, Chromia (Moonracer), Arcee (Movie), and Elita One (Movie). Note: I've picked up a lot of these loose on eBay over the years and I just realized that two of them have mis-matched Energon accessories, specifically the two on the far Right: Arcee (Movie) and Elita One.

Cheers!