Transformers Prime First Edition Takara Bulkhead/AC-01 Arms Iron review

10 years ago, I bought the Beast Hunters Bulkhead figure because that character was one I could obtain easily unlike the PRID version. It was alright for what it was but clearly not show-accurate. Then I got the PRID version, which was better and obviously closer to the CG model, but something about it felt incomplete. Like it looks like Bulkhead but it doesn't feel like Bulkhead. So fast forward to the as of this article's publication, and I got myself the First Edition version of the character. But with the recent trend for there to be unofficial versions of these characters, we shall see if the version of Bulkhead I got is an official Takara release or the AC-03 Arms Iron doppleganger.

Here we have Bulkhead in his vehicle mode. Now as far as I can tell, there is no major giveaway that signifies this being an official HasTak toy or a knockoff. I looked up some video reviews going over at least the Takara version, but as far as I can see, the Takara one is shinier when it comes to the green versus the more matte take on the dark green that the unofficial one has. Also, the wheels are not visibly pinned on the rims. Beyond that, it is at least close to being 1:1 when it comes to the tooling of the figure, from the sculpted head rack detailing to the proportions of the overall vehicle, and the choice of making the rear doors opaque while the front doors and windshield are still transparent. The beige headlights is like that on the original releases and is not a case of the toy yellowing badly, so don't be alarmed.

Compared next to the Hasbro First Edition, size is one major factor that is brought up, while certain differences in detailing, like the windows and use of clear plastic, are also brought into comparison. Keep in mind that the dark green is a Takara thing while the PRID is normal Hasbro. Even the Arms Micron version has a similar shade of green like the PRID one, only metallic. I will admit, the gray on the PRID version is more accurate than the bronze/beige of the First Edition, and the rims are custom-painted on my copy. At the very least, both alt modes are good, unlike where PRID Optimus felt a little short due to proportions when put next to the First Edition.

And here he is next to the Legacy version of himself, specifically the AOE Hound-esque Wreck-N-Rule version. I know fans hated how deviated the Generations toy was, but with this deco and altmode, I can pretend it's the G1 version of the guy instead of copying and pasting universe-specific character designs like IDW did.

And here he is next to some of the other Transformers Prime characters, at least the ones from the First Edition line. This scale works very well, and honestly better than how Studio Series Optimus, Ironhide, and Bumblebee look next to each other. I would compare Ratchet but maybe when APC Toys gets to him.

If you thought we'd cover the transformation and bot mode after that, you're wrong! As this is AC-01 Arms Iron, he comes with the somewhat unknown upgrade kit made by Dreamworks, and I don't mean the animation studio! A decade ago, Dreamworks Toy Factory made a set dedicated to the First Edition Bulkhead figure, giving fans a bumper that clips over the original one (which is neat but kind of unnecessary on top of concerns over scratching the paint being a concern) while also making the cannons and claw attach onto the wrecking ball to make rockets or blasters for the altmode. It's show-inaccurate but neat as an option.

Transformation is very involved for a big guy like Bulkhead, ensuring that the toy designers manage to make this guy feel as faithful to the CGI model as humanly possible. I love how they handled it with this guy, from the way parts of the altmode are integrated onto the robot while giving ensuring he looks clean with kibble management. And the spring-loaded forearms are appreciative and rare to see nowadays apart from the Siege Seekers' legs. The robot mode is perfectly accurate to the CGI model, even with the gap in the torso due to how he transforms. I love how hefty he manages to be for a Voyager, which is no doubt thanks to the figure not feeling as hollow from the inside like Beast Hunters Prime did 2 years after this guy came out. Nothing feels compromised on this guy, even the faux rear bumper on his, well, rear.

His head sculpt is perfect, capturing a more realistic take on the Bulkhead design that Derrick J Wyatt came up with for Animated. While that version was more in-line with Patrick Star mixed with Broadway from Gargoyles, this has more in common with The Thing from the Fantastic Four in my opinion, even though I don't think he ever voiced the character. As for articulation, the head is on a ball joint, shoulders move front and back a bit loosely as well as in and out, biceps have tight swivels, the elbows bend, and the wrists can curl inwards due to transformation. The hips have limited movement front and back but are on quiet ratchets, and they can move in and out. The thighs swivel, and the knees also ratchet quietly when they bend. When the hand is folded away, you can give him his signature wrecking ball, which has a bit of a wash to make it worn.

And going back to the upgrade kit, here is the bumper attached onto his back. It's got Dreamworks underneath a vague product code. It's a bit unnecessary but the accessory does its job.

You can either have his hands turn into a claw that he rarely used in the show, or he can have these badass cannons deployed and look more effective than folding the hands away. I wish they were painted like in one of the rare preliminary images iirc depicted them as, but...

...the main point of the upgrade kit is to give this guy a hammer of his own by assembling the cannon and claw with a middle piece and a decent-length handle. It's not show-accurate since he used the Forge of Solus Prime briefly, but much like the God Ginrai upgrade kit that came with numerous Evasion Mode Optimus Prime knockoffs, this is something fun to include with an already great figure.

As far as reuses are concerned, the Hasbro version of Bulkhead is a mire traditional shade of green, yet not as bright as the TFWiki images make him out to be. This one still looks good, regardless of version differences; they both have an equal number of paint apps, after all.

And here is a more unexpected addition: this is Cloud Brawn, based on a canceled GDO release that would have been in Asian stores and as part of a huge bulk (pun intended) worth of Transformers products products sold at Toys R Us along with Masterpiece Optimus Prime 2.0, Hasbro MP Thundercracker, an altered Jetwing Prime from Dark of the Moon, and some First Edition re-releases. Maybe GDO Brawn was redundant since he looked too similar to Bulkhead, and this guy mostly tries to differentiate himself from the character he was originally retooled/redecoed from, but the shade of green ironically looks like the most show-accurate version of Bulkie's altmode than either his Hasbro or Takara releases in some ways.

First up, here he is next to his PRID counterpart. The First Edition easily wins thanks to his more refined engineering resulting in a more definitive Bulkhead than the Voyager price tag would lead you to believe, at least back then. HasTak engineers certainly weren't restraint with making the character's design feel faithful while still being an enjoyable toy. 

While I was happy to own the PRID version, he felt 75% like Bulkhead when it comes to the robot mode proportions as well as the engineering feeling scaled-back due to the continuous oil costs used to make plastic. That and the PRID line was also scaled back after parents complained that the toys from Revenge of the Fallen and Dark of the Moon were to difficult to transform for kids. While PRID holds up better than a majority of the Fall of Cybertron toys ever did, the First Editions generally held higher standards that made me miss the 2000s/early 2010s of Transformery goodness.

And here he is next to his Legacy counterpart, with the radically different bot modes making me happy to keep the First Edition with my Prime display while the Legacy version will go with my G1 guys. By the way, anyone else think the W&R version of Bulkhead feels a little cheaper than the regular Legacy version?

I know Hasbro has its reasons to make the Prime characters the way they are in Year 1 Legacy, and while Bulkhead and even Knock Out turned out better than Arcee, this is basically a sign that Hasbro would rather leave the more faithful designs to the likely dead R.E.D line. At least Skyquake and Thundertron turned out better, and while not 100% accurate to their in-universe designs, their Legacy figures were better than their PRID toys. Here, First Edition (and by extension, PRID) Bulkhead wins.

And here we have him next to Breakdown, his eternal enemy. While Breakdown is a little shorter than Bulkhead is (as he was meant to go with thr PRID line), I love contrast between the broad bruiser Decepticon and the big boulder Autobot. And yes, my Breakdown still isn't stickered up. I'm interested in seeing what APC Toys can do with Breakdown in the near future.

And finally, a group shot homaging the iconic intro of Transformers Prime. This is my favorite TV show, and I am happy to see how much my TFP collection is shaping up to be after how unsatisfied I was with it a decade ago. And First Edition Bulkhead is making that dream come true. Regardless if this is Hasbro or Takara, official or KO, APC Toys or another company, this Bulkhead is one I highly recommend. He is magnificent, and he is what fans call a mini-Masterpiece even before the term popped up when SS-86 was a thing.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐