Prime (rank)

2009-06-05T18:10:46Z

86.134.224.25: /* Transformers Animated */

{{quote|We are Primus. We are Prima. We are Prime Nova. We are Sentinel Prime. We are Optimus Prime.}}
'''Prime''' is a rank of highest distinction in many [[Transformers]] continuities. Typically, it is used as the identification for the leader of the [[Autobot]]s, something that is bestowed only on those that carry the [[Matrix of Leadership]] within them. It is [[Retcon|retroactively]] derived from [[Primus]], the creator of the Transformers.

With the retcon that Primus is one singular entity that exists (and '''must''' exist) threaded through all Transformer continuities, the term Prime is likewise given one singular origin. It was, first of all, the designation granted by Primus to the [[Thirteen original Transformers]] created, by his own hand, at the dawn of the physical universe to crew his planetary form.

:''Japanese equivalent:'' '''[[Convoy]]'''

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comic continuity===
The idea of Prime being a title/rank has its first, fullest expression here. A direct lineage of Creation Matrix bearers is established, each taking on a derivation of the name of their god Primus. They are [[Prima]], [[Prime Nova]], [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]].

{{note|A later [[Simon Furman]] story drawing on this lineage he himself created added [[Primon]] to the beginning of this list. Of note is that the name Prime has no real necessary relation to Autobot leadership here. Optimus Prime becomes a Prime long before he becomes the overall Autobot Commander. Rather, Prime is a religious title (as the Creation Matrix is a religious artifact: a relic of their god). The closest human analogue to a Prime might be the Pope. }}

===Cartoon continuity===
The evidence for "Prime" being a rank here is weaker than elsewhere but the case can still be made. Though many Matrix-Bearers are seen, and all are by definition Autobot Leaders, only four are ever named; 2 Primes, 2 not: [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus Prime, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], and Rodimus Prime. Without knowing any other names it is hard to make a concrete case here for "Prime" being a title given only to Matrix-Bearers.

It is of note though that if it were, then "Prime" in this continuity would be a military/political title (since it is the ''Matrix of Leadership''), rather than the religious title of the Marvel Comics.

'''Note:''' ''Not all Convoys are Primes. If you can lead [[Ant-droid]]s to a picnic, you're a Convoy in Japan.

===Beast Wars continuity===
It's only passingly touched on, but may be noteworthy that the phrase, "Who died and made him Prime?" was used by [[Maximal]] characters in ''[[Beast Wars]],'' implying that, to them, "prime" was roughly equivalent to "leader". They also used the word to mean "great" or "good" in the phrases "That's just prime," (said sarcastically), and "Feeling prime."

===Dreamwave continuity===
This continuity also establishes Prime as designating the leader of the Autobots, but there is some muddled information. The Prime carried within him the Matrix of Leadership, but it appears that the Matrix doesn't contain the wisdom of past leaders, as that was held on a [[Golden Disk (council)|separate datatrak]]. Also, the Prime did not appoint his successor. A new Prime was chosen by the [[Council of Ancients]], supposedly through divine authority.

It's unknown what powers the Prime shared with the [[High Council]] and the Council of Ancients, but the Prime had several powers. In addition to being commander-in-chief of the Autobot Army, the Prime also had the authority to order a planet wide evacuation. Autobots gave oaths of loyalty to the Prime, and were expected to risk their lives for the Prime's safety (whether the Prime wanted them to or not). {{storylink|The War Within|The War Within}}

There are five known Primes in Dreamwave continuity, listed in MTMTE #8. These are Alpha Prime, Guardian Prime, Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime. The list does not specify chronology, and Rodimus Prime never appeared in any actual Dreamwave comics.

===Armada/Energon/Cybertron continuity===
Prime is indeed a title given to leaders and matrix bearers here, as evidenced by both Vector Prime and Optimus Prime, but no other Primes are ever named.

===IDW Comics continuity===
[[Image:Primes IDW.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Get on it, Hasbro!]]
Optimus Prime describes Primes as beings that define the eras they ruled. Thus, Nova Prime presided over an era in which the populace believed the Cybertronian race's destiny was in the stars, and commissioned the first [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'' spacecraft]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} Although certainly a matrix-bearer, as confirmed by Optimus and Galvatron, Nova Prime disappeared into the [[Benzuli Expanse]] while aboard the ''Ark'', with the Matrix guiding him into the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}}

Before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Sentinel Prime served as the head of the Autobot Security Services, the chief law enforcement and military body on Cybertron. However, he stresses that he is ultimately subservient to the will of the [[Senate]] who enact the laws he enforces. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3}}

After Cybertron is rendered uninhabitable, Optimus Prime is the apparent highest ranking Autobot, directing the galaxy-spanning conflict to deny the Decepticons conquest of additional planets. In this task, he occasionally seeks the guidance of the ancient Autobot and weapon of last resort [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]].

There appear to be at least four Primes predating Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

There seems to be an Autobot who held the rank of "Prime" between Sentinel and Optimus in the IDW continuity. During an early skirmish during the opening days of the Great War, a pre-Prime Optimus and Blurr discuss a plan to rescue the Autobot commander [[Zeta Prime]]. It can be assumed that this "new" Prime was "sworn in" following Sentinel Prime's death in Megatron: Origins (LBJ style), before ultimately dying himself, passing the "Prime" mantle onto Optimus. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}}

===Movie continuity===
The rank was an ancient and forgotten one until Autobot archaeologists uncovered "Prime" was the meaning of the symbol on [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]]' head. The Autobots began referring to Optimus as Optimus Prime since they liked the sound of it. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3}}

{{note|The following has been [[retcon]]ned during the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]] phase of the film series.}}
The title of Prime was bestowed upon the civilian and spiritual leader of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] but at the same time, aided the [[Lord High Protector]] in stewarding the [[All Spark (Movie)|All Spark]] just as the Lord High Protector was co-ruler. Optimus Prime held this title before, during and after the war for the All Spark as leader of the [[Autobots]]. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

According to The Quest For the ALLSPARK paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty."
This, along with the note from the Autobots version of the same DS game that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father, implies that “Prime” may have been their father’s name and that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" as well.

===Transformers Animated===
Prime is still a rank in this continuity, but surprisingly one far lower than commander of all the Autobots ([[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] - the "[[Magnus]]" refers to his rank). This is revealed when [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] attempts to give an order to [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]. Optimus is able to disregard this order because regardless of Sentinel's standing on the [[Cybertronian Elite Guard]], they are both still of equal rank, Primes. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}} Both Ultra Magnus and Sentinel Prime have bars on their forearms, with more bars present for the superior officer. Optimus Prime lacks these, and as such it is unknown if they are only present in the Elite Guard. The Rank of Prime seems to be equivalent to the human rank of Captain in this continuity.

In addition to Optimus and Sentinel, there is also [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] and Longarm Prime. Longarm is head of Cybertron Intelligence. Hilariously, since he's really [[Shockwave (Animated)|someone else]] in disguise.

===Fun Publications fan club comics===
[[Image:Clubcombinercarving.jpg|right|150px|thumb|A component of the Prime of Rarified Energon looks at a portrait of his complete self...]]
It is revealed that the first [[Thirteen original Transformers]] created by Primus to crew his planetary form were all designated Primes. In addition to this designation, each was given a specific task or role in creation.

[[Vector Prime]] was granted guardianship of space-time. The Prime who would become [[The Fallen]] was charged to oversee the force of entropy. [[Nexus Maximus|Another of these Primes]] was made the guardian of [[Rarified Energon]]. Of the known members of The Thirteen only Prima's "function" is yet unknown.

There is some evidence that these Primes are multiversal singularities (like their creator, only one version of each existing across all realities).
{{-}}

===Shattered Glass===
The title of Prime is not an honorary rank but the title of the diabolical leader of the Autobots. [[Optimus Prime (Shattered Glass)|Optimus Prime]] stands as the current Prime. For now. [[Rodimus (Shattered Glass)|Rodimus]] may very well usurp the title and position in the future.

==See also==
*[[Autobot commander (disambiguation)|Autobot Commander]]
*[[Supreme Commander]]
*[[Convoy]]
*[[Magnus]]

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Ranks]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Kappei Yamaguchi

2009-06-01T10:24:26Z

86.134.224.25:

'''Kappei Yamaguchi''' (山口勝平 ''Yamaguchi Kappei'') is a famous Japanese voice actor born [[May 23]], 1965 in Fukuoka, Japan. He has performed many notable anime roles, including the titular characters of ''Ranma ½'' and ''InuYasha'', L in ''Death Note'', Usopp in ''One Piece'' Shinichi Kudoh in ''Case Closed''/''Detective Conan'' and Speedy/Yattaro in ''Samurai Pizza Cats''/''Kyatto Ninden Teyandee''.

==Roles==
===''Beast Wars''===
* [[Rattrap|Rattle]]

===''Beast Machines''===
* Rattle

==External links==
*[http://www.21fox.co.jp/gekidanin/syokai/boy/yamaguti.htm Official profile] at 21st Century Fox (Japanese)
*[http://kappei59.exblog.jp/ Saru no Oukoku] (Yamaguchi's blog, Japanese)
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0945322/ Kappei Yamaguchi] at the Internet Movie Database
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=277 Kappei Yamaguchi] at Anime News Network

[[Category:Japanese voice actors|Yamaguchi, Kappei]]

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Prime (rank)

Kappei Yamaguchi