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This Is Why I Hate Machines

2024-12-17T13:45:35Z

Hotaru3: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|image=TFAni ThisisWhyIHateMachines Fanzone Crowd.jpg
|caption=
|ep=40
|ep2=37
|prev2=Decepticon Air
|next2=Endgame, Part I
|title="This Is Why I Hate Machines"
|caption=This is what hell looks like to Captain Fanzone.
|airdate=[[May 9]], [[2009]]
|season=3
|season ep=11
|production company=[[Cartoon Network|Cartoon Network Studios]]
|written by=[[Rob Hoegee]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Yutaka Hirata]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]}}

'''A space bridge accident sends Ratchet and Captain Fanzone to Cybertron, right as the Decepticon controlled Omega Supreme arrives.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:TFA ThisIsWhyIHateMachines Fanzone SpaceBridge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|That's it! I'm firing my travel agent.]]
[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] is trying to calibrate the newly constructed [[space bridge]] properly to begin the hunt for [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. Unfortunately, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]'s advanced notation system of adhesive note papers leaves something to be desired. [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] chooses that moment to step off [[Sumdac Tower]]'s elevator, engaged in a spirited discussion with [[Sumdac Systems]] technical support over some malfunctioning police drones. Fanzone has come to take up the matter with [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]] himself, but before he can start looking for the scientist, a pair of police drones catch up to him and open fire with lethal force. Now dodging gunfire while the oblivious Ratchet continues to sort through Bulkhead's notes, Fanzone grows progressively more irate until the space bridge suddenly activates, having located Omega Supreme's transwarp signature. Ratchet looks up just in time to see the hapless Fanzone being sucked into the space bridge portal, and, deciding that this probably isn't a good thing, opts to follow.

[[File:ThisIsWhyIHateMachines-Glyphandothers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Just robot asses as far as the eye can see.]]

Fanzone finds himself unceremoniously dumped in the middle of a large city on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a situation he's less than thrilled about. A crowd of Autobots freaks out at the presence of the horrifying organic lifeform. Nearly stepped on by the immense [[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]] at the urging of a [[Flareup (Animated)|friend]], Fanzone is rescued by the timely arrival of Ratchet. Fanzone wants to return home immediately, but Ratchet insists that while they're on Cybertron, they may as well hit up [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]]. To his dismay, his favorite watering hole has been shut down, along with other "subversive" gathering places, by order of [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]]. After watching one of Sentinel Prime's propaganda videos, the pair are soon approached by the Elite Guard, and Sentinel Prime demands to know how they have been able to get to Cybertron with space bridge travel locked down. Ratchet angrily explains that they didn't use the space bridge network, but rather piggybacked on Omega Supreme's transwarp signature. Sentinel, well-informed as always, laughs off Ratchet, thinking that Omega Supreme had been decommissioned centuries ago. He is immediately proven wrong as the looming shape of Omega Supreme's robot form appears in the Cybertronian skies.

Above the city, aboard Omega's inert body, [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] muses on this (glorious!) moment for the [[Decepticon]]s: those who were once driven away from Cybertron in exile are now poised over it in one of its greatest weapons. As [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] points out that they have no means actually to ''use'' said weapon, [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] comes to Megatron's defense, saying that with the [[plasma dynamic thruster]] removed, the Decepticons have control over Omega's navigational systems, transformation, and free access to the ship. Starscream points out that they have no control over the weapons systems, but Megatron rebuffs him with the revelation that he still has a spy on Cybertron who can fetch him the access codes to Omega Supreme. On cue, [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] contacts the Decepticons, saying that he knows of another means to the get the codes, only needing time to get to it. Starscream comments that this will only work if the Cybertronian defense cannons don't shoot them out of the sky, but Megatron doubts that they would fire on one of the greatest symbols of Autobot military strength.

Meanwhile, Sentinel advocates that they fire the Cybertronian defense cannons on one of the greatest symbols of Autobot military strength. This understandably does not go over well with several prominent members of the [[Autobot High Council]], to say nothing of Omega Supreme's former mentor, Ratchet, who warns that destroying Omega with the amount of transwarp energy currently stored within him could cause a blast that would wipe out Cybertron itself. [[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] rebuff Sentinel and inform him to wait for the council's decision. Ratchet warns Sentinel that there will be consequences if Omega is harmed, and Sentinel prepares to lock up Ratchet and Fanzone, but they make a break for it when Fanzone fakes a sneeze. The Elite Guard pursue the two, but lose them outside the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]]. Sentinel orders Jazz to continue searching, while he and the twins head to [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]] to prepare the defense cannons, as Sentinel intends to attack regardless of the Council's decision.

Meanwhile, Ratchet and Fanzone take refuge in the forgotten network of maintenance tunnels beneath the city, which have been sealed for quite some time, but soon realize that someone ''else'' has been hiding in the tunnels quite recently. The occupant of that hideout is revealed to be none other than the double-agent [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]], who nearly gets the jump on the duo, still armed with the stolen [[Magnus Hammer]]. Ratchet fights back, surmising that Shockwave wishes to hack his processor to get the access codes to Omega Supreme, but Shockwave scoffs at this, revealing that he plans to go right to the original source: [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]]! Horrified, Ratchet loses his concentration, allowing Shockwave to hurl him aside and escape.

At Fortress Maximus, Sentinel's diverting of all but essential [[Energon]] has not gone unnoticed, and Perceptor contacts him for an explanation. Sentinel says that the Elite Guard is simply preparing to attack if the Council gives the okay, and Alpha Trion informs him that they will have a decision shortly. As the council continues to deliberate a course of action, Sentinel Prime orders [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] to arm the weapons of the Elite Guard's base and aim at Omega Supreme. Lugnut advocates that they leave Omega's body and retaliate, something Starscream agrees to for different reasons, but Megatron silences them, claiming he has a reason for exposing their position. Shockwave then contacts Megatron to inform him that he has acquired clearance codes to enter the facility holding Arcee.

[[File:TFA-ThisIsWhyIHateMachines-UltraMagnusSparkSupport.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|"Is it water on the knee?" "A whole bucket, see?" "A Charley Horse, it's true!" "I'm the doctor for YOU!"]]
Fanzone puts his cop instincts to work and quickly tracks down the local stoolie, [[Rattletrap]], the bot who gave Shockwave the clearance codes. With a little organic coercion, the pair are able to force an access card from Rattletrap, but when they attempt to use it, they discover that the codes are bogus. Just as they make this discovery, [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] steps from the shadows to offer them his aid. He has finally had it with Sentinel Prime's attitude, and he gives Fanzone and Ratchet a functioning access card. The duo quickly locate Arcee, only to find that they have inadvertently led Shockwave right to her. A running firefight ensues as Ratchet tries to get Arcee to safety while Shockwave pursues them, and the battle carries them to the medical bay in which [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] is convalescing. Thinking that Ratchet is out of commission after a blow from the Magnus Hammer, Shockwave decides to finish the job on Ultra Magnus and turns his back on his fallen foe. Ratchet is still very much alive and kicking, however, and he downs Shockwave with a blast from his [[electromagnetic pulse]] generator, allowing him to reclaim the Magnus Hammer from the Decepticon's clutches. Of course, Sentinel Prime chooses that moment to enter the room, and he promptly leaps to the conclusion that Ratchet is trying to do away with Ultra Magnus. This distraction offers Shockwave the time he needs to escape with Arcee, which prompts Sentinel to issue the command to fire on Omega Supreme. Fortress Maximus opens fire, but Omega transwarps out of the path of the blast, which shoots off harmlessly through the sky.

A short while later, the council and Elite Guard see Ratchet and Fanzone to the [[space bridge nexus]] so that they can return to [[Earth]]. Alpha Trion chastises Sentinel for his actions, making it clear that if it was up to him alone, Sentinel wouldn't be Magnus for a second longer. Trion extends his thanks to Ratchet and Fanzone, but Ratchet sees little reason to celebrate, as the Decepticons now have Arcee. Perceptor tries to assure Ratchet that the damage done to Arcee's processor is irreversible, but Ratchet is not cheered up at the prospect. Just before they enter the space bridge, Sentinel orders Ratchet to hand over the Magnus Hammer, but Ratchet refuses, telling him they will give it back to its rightful owner, Ultra Magnus, when he is repaired. Before Sentinel can object, Ratchet and Fanzone dart off through the space bridge. Sentinel is about to pursue them, but Jazz blocks his path and offers to go in his stead. Ratchet and Fanzone are not happy to see Jazz when he appears in front of them, but Jazz explains that he is unable to condone Sentinel's actions any more and is deserting to join the Autobots on Earth.

[[File:TFAni ThisisWhyIHateMachines Arcee Earth.jpg‎|thumb|upright=1.1|Insert ''2001: A Space Odyssey'' instrumental here.]]
Out in space, Omega Supreme rematerializes close to Earth's [[moon (moon)|moon]]. Aboard the dormant Autobot, Shockwave bows before Megatron and abandons his [[electronic paint job]] so that he can finally serve his leader under his true colors. Megatron bids his "most loyal servant" to rise, sending Lugnut into fits of silent, quivering rage—much to Starscream's amusement. On the other side of the bridge, the ''conscious'' Arcee lies upon a table and looks out at the Earth below, quietly whispering Ratchet's name...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Freeway (Animated)|Freeway]] (4)
*[[Carrera (Animated)|Carrera]] (5)
*[[Huffer (Animated)|Huffer]] (6)
*[[Sedan (Animated)|Sedan]] (7)
*[[Glyph (Animated)|Glyph]] (8)
*[[Bumper (Animated)|Bumper]] (9)
*[[Tap-Out (Animated)|Tap-Out]] (10)
*[[Powerglide (Animated)|Powerglide]] (11)
*[[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]] (12)
*[[Flareup (Animated)|Flareup]] (13)
*[[Steeljaw (Animated)|Steeljaw]] (14)
*[[Zaur (Animated)|Zaur]] (15)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (16)
*[[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]] (21)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (22)
*[[Tracks (Animated)|Tracks]] (23)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (24)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (25)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (26)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (27)
*[[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (28)
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] (29)
*[[Rattletrap]] (30)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (31)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] (17)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (18)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (19)
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (20)
*[[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] (32, flashback)

|c3=
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] (2)

|c4=
*[[Copterdrone]]s (3)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Security Bot''': ''Halt. You are in violation of Criminal Code 30114. Lethal force has been authorized.'' 
''[Security bots open fire]'' 
'''Fanzone''': Hey! Ow! Hey! 
'''Ratchet''': Think you have it bad? I got to decipher ''Bulkhead''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> handwriting! And those claws of his aren't exactly designed for penbotship.
:—As the Security Bots try to kill Captain Fanzone, Ratchet shows the depth to which he does not care.

"I'd be a happy man if I never see another—"''[Fanzone takes in his surroundings]''"...''robot''?"
:—'''Captain Fanzone''''s personal hell on Earth, thy name is Cybertron.

"I can't believe we're on Cybertron! Of all the places we transwarped, this is great!"
:—'''Ratchet''', happy for the first time since...well, since we've seen him.

"Citizens of Cybertron, Decepticons are in our midst! Neighbours, friends, even ''your own model'' can be a spy! Do your duty and report any suspicious activity to the Elite Guard immediately." 
"...what is this scrap?!" 
"For your protection, all potentially subversive gathering places remain closed. Curfew remains in effect. Remember, Decepticons will stop at nothing to destroy our way of life! Don't let THIS ''[picture of Ultra Magnus on [[spark support]]]'' happen to you. As your Magnus, I will continue to defeat the Decepticon scourge and bring peace and security to Cybertron! I'm Sentinel Prime, and I approve of this message." 
"No-good glory-hog's got a lot of steel. It was [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] who caught those 'Cons!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s propaganda film, with commentary by '''Ratchet'''

"Cybertron. At last, our ultimate goal is at our feet. And here we stand, aboard its ultimate weapon." 
"Now, wouldn't it be nice if we could actually figure out how to use it!" 
:—'''Megatron''' has a moment, which '''Starscream''' ruins.

'''Megatron''': No Autobot would be foolish enough to fire upon their greatest weapon. 
'''Sentinel Prime''': I say we fire on Omega Supreme! 
:—Even '''Megatron''' can't predict what goes on in '''Sentinel Prime's''' head.

'''Perceptor''': Sentinel Prime, please explain why all but essential Energon has been diverted to Fortress Maximus. 
'''Alpha Trion''': Need we remind you that the Council is still deliberating? 
'''Sentinel Prime''': As acting Magnus, I must be ready to strike should Omega... should Megatron make a move against us. 
'''Alpha Trion''': Very well. We will inform you of our decision shortly.
:—Sentinel Prime reveals his secret dream of blowing up Omega Supreme and covers it up neatly.

"How'd you know about this bot?" ''[indicating Rattletrap]'' 
"Ehh. There's one in every town." 
:—'''Ratchet''' learns a little more about how '''Captain Fanzone''' works.

"This is why I hate machines." ''[looks at Sentinel Prime]'' "Certain machines more than others."
:—We all wish '''Captain Fanzone''' was tall enough to bust particular jerks.

'''Captain Fanzone''': I get mixed up in a war, nearly stepped on, blasted, buried, and possibly zapped into space, and now, you've just made me an accomplice to INTERGALACTIC GRAND THEFT!! 
'''Police Drone:''' Halt. You are under arrest. 
''(Ratchet blows it up with his magnetic powers)'' 
'''Captain Fanzone''': Let's say we call it even.
:—Captain Fanzone complains about the worst day of his life and then blows it off.

==Notes==

===Continuity notes===
* Parade footage from "[[Decepticon Air]]" is used in Sentinel's little propaganda video. (See said episode for the list of cameos within.)
* Ratchet remarks that [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] was the one to capture the Decepticon prisoners, as seen in "[[Five Servos of Doom]]".
* Sentinel's snapping that Fanzone has no rights on Cybertron probably stems from when [[Porter C. Powell]] said that alien robots have no rights on Earth in "[[The Return of the Headmaster]]".
* Ratchet's flashback uses footage from "[[The Thrill of the Hunt]]", giving Lockdown a brief "appearance" in this episode.

===Transformers references===
* Captain Fanzone's arrival on Cybertron treats us to another crowd scene full of cameos, some of which we haven't seen before. Notable newbies in this crowd include [[Glyph (Animated)|Glyph]], [[Bumper (Animated)|Bumper]] and his white recolor [[Sedan (Animated)|Sedan]], [[Steeljaw (Animated)|Steeljaw]], [[Zaur (Animated)|Zaur]] and robot-mode [[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]]. We also get a closer look at [[Carrera (Animated)|Carrera]], but only from behind, as he talks to [[Lightbright]].
* Ratchet's favorite hangout is [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]].
* The Autobot Council's headquarters is known as "the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]]", and the Elite Guard's battle station is "[[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]]".
* At the end of the episode, Shockwave utilizes an [[electronic paint job]] to reveal his "true colors", represented by a [[Target]] [[exclusive]] [[redeco]] reminiscent of his [[Shockwave (G1)|Generation 1 namesake]]'s color scheme.
* Rattletrap's design and speech patterns are modelled after [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]].

===Real-world references===
*Sentinel Prime's broadcast was based on {{w|The Red Scare}} during the [[Cold War (history)|Cold War]]. The broadcast concludes with him saying "I'm Sentinel Prime, and I approve of this message."—in the style of contemporary [[President of the United States|political campaign ads]].
*Sentinel's insistence that he is the one who "makes the tough decisions" and insistence that any questioning of his orders is tantamount to treason is inspired by former president [[George W. Bush]].
*Shockwave's slow, deadpan delivery of "I'm afraid I can't let you do that" is a reference to the menacing supercomputer HAL from Stanley Kubrick's ''{{w|2001 (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey}}'', who also featured an unblinking single red eye.
* When Ratchet and Fanzone are headed to Maccadam's, they stop in front of a building which appears to have [[Target]]'s trademark "bull's-eye" logo.
* Ratchet retorts to Shockwave about taking the activation codes from his "cold, offline processor", similar to one of {{w|Charlton Heston}}'s most famous quotes in support of the NRA. He'd previously used a similar line in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 1]]".

===Animation or technical errors===
[[File:Bulkhead's postit notes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"No TV and no beer make Homer something something"?]]
* All of Bulkhead's post-its say exactly the same thing.
* A few of the laser blasts that the drone fires at Captain Fanzone (before he gets sucked up by the Space Bridge) are out of sync with the animation of the strafing drone.
* Shockwave's head model changes randomly throughout the episode in shape, size and in the positioning of his optic.
* When Shockwave holds up the Magnus Hammer and starts generating lightning, its handle is only half as long as usual.
* When Sentinel Prime first sees Omega Supreme, his shoulder pads end up behind the circle around his neck.

===Trivia===
*This is the first, and only, episode in which [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] does not appear at all.
*There is oxygen on Cybertron.
*This episode marks the last appearances of Jetfire, Jetstorm, Ultra Magnus and Captain Fanzone in the series.
*Arcee wasn't actually offline at the end of the flashbacks in "The Thrill of the Hunt"—although she was amnesiac, she could stand, talk and take in her surroundings. This implies that it was the vivisection of her head in the "[[TransWarped]]" flashbacks in an attempt to retrieve the activation codes for Omega Supreme which caused the "damage to her circuitry" that Perceptor called "completely irreversible", and meant she was left, comatose, in a hospital bed for millions of stellar cycles.

===Foreign localization===
'''Spanish (Latin America)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Por esto odio las maquinas'''" ("This is why I hate machines")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 15|15 December]] [[2009]]

'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Pourquoi je déteste les machines'''" ("Why I Hate Machines")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fanzone, Cybertron-Sei e Iku'''" (ファンゾーン、サイバトロン星へ行く, "Fanzone Goes to the Planet Cybertron")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 11|11 December]] [[2010]]
::*New [[stock footage]] for Megatron in his Earth form as he doles out the warning.

'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''É Por isso Que Eu Odeio Máquinas'''" ("This Is Why I Hate Machines")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

==Home video releases==
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2011 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Vol. 10 ([[Paramount]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Three ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Three ([[Madman Entertainment]])

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Insignia/Gallery

2024-12-09T12:04:07Z

Hotaru3: /* Decepticons */

{{subsuite|content=* [[Insignia|Main]]
* [[Insignia/Gallery|Gallery]]
* ''[[Cybertronian military insignia/gallery|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]''}}{{-}}
{{picsneeded|ROTF Stratosphere, FOC Multiplayer, ROTB Autobot (Scourge)}}
There are so many variations of [[insignia]] across the breadth of the [[Transformers brand]] that it might be a fool's errand to try and list them all — but we are those fools!

While many of these insignia, such as that of the [[Wreckers]], are used in multiple [[continuity|continuities]] or [[continuity family|families]], others, such as the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobot]] insignia, are confined to [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|only one]].

{{TOC|limit=3}}
==Factions==
===Autobots===
In the real world, the Autobot insignia was derived from the head of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s toy.

Its in-universe origin varies: in [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]] it was applied by the [[Quintesson]]s to their "consumer good" creations, while in [[Marvel Comics continuity]] it is seemingly based on the [[Last Autobot]]. In [[2005 IDW continuity]] it was "created" by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], who claimed it to be the face of [[Primus]], as part of an ontological paradox.
<gallery>
File:Symbol autobot reg.png|'''[[Autobot]]''' 
File:G1PackagingAutobotInsignia.png|The Autobot symbol as it appeared on Generation 1 toy packaging and cartoon [[scene transition]]s.
File:AutobotInsignia-TheArk.png|The model sheet of the Autobot symbol created for the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]].
File:AutobotlogoMarvelcoloringbook.jpg|The [[Search for Treasure Under the Sea]] variant of the toy packaging insignia.
File:Live action Autobot insignia.png|'''Autobot''' ''([[Live-action film series|live-action film]])'' The biggest change is that the tops of the eye sockets, horizontal in the G1 symbol, tip down towards the middle in the Movie symbol.
File:Movie Autobot.JPG|A metallic variant of the movie Autobot symbol.
File:TitanmagAutobotinsigniaburning.jpg|A burning movie Autobot symbol from a sticker sheet that came with the [[Transformers Comic issue 17]].
</gallery>
<gallery>
File:G2AutobotInsignia.png|'''Autobot''' ''([[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|G2]])'' The G2 Autobot symbol is based on the face of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].
File:G2AutobotInsigniaAlternate.png|'''Autobot''' ''([[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|G2]])'' Alternate colors of the G2 Autobot symbol. Seen on the Generation 2 logo.
File:Ancient Autobot Symbol.png|'''[[Primon|Ancient Robot]]''' This symbol appears to be a prototypical Autobot insignia. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|FFoD}} In [[2005 IDW continuity]], it is the symbol denoting a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. {{storylink|Informed}}
File:War Within Autobot Symbol.png|An early war Autobot insignia variant used in ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]. 
</gallery>

===Decepticons===
In the real world, the Decepticon insignia was based on [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s toy head. In the 1980s the crest of the symbol usually had a "squared-off" bottom, while modern portrayals generally have the crest pointed at the base.

Its origin in-universe is generally less-explored than that of the Autobots. In the [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]] it was a symbol applied to the Quintessons' "military hardware", while in the [[live-action film series]] and [[Aligned continuity family]] it is seemingly based on the face of [[the Fallen]], while in ''[[Transformers One (film)|Transformers One]]'', it is based on the face of [[The_Fallen#One_film|Megatronus Prime]].
<gallery>
File:Symbol decept reg.png|'''[[Decepticon]]''' 
File:G1PackagingDecepticonInsignia.png|The Decepticon symbol as it appeared on Generation 1 toy packaging and cartoon [[scene transition]]s.
File:DecepticonInsignia-TheArk.png|The model sheet of the Decepticon symbol created for the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]]—note the third spike and blunt base on the crest.
File:DecepticoninsigniaMarvelcoloringbook.jpg|The [[Search for Treasure Under the Sea]] variant of the toy packaging insignia.
File:MarvelTFUDecepticonInsignia.png|The Decepticon sigil as it appeared in ''[[The Transformers Universe]]''.
File:Live action Decepticon insignia.png|'''Decepticon''' ''([[Live-action film series|live-action film]])'' The movie symbol has diamond-shaped eyes, as opposed to the triangular eyes of the G1 symbol.
File:Movie Decepticon.JPG|A metallic variant of the movie Decepticon symbol.
File:TitanmagDecepticonfrozen.jpg|A frozen movie Decepticon symbol from a sticker sheet that came with the [[Transformers Comic issue 17]].
</gallery>
<gallery>
File:Con-g2.png|'''Decepticon''' ''([[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|G2]])'' The G2 Decepticon symbol is inexplicably identical, aside from color, from the insignia used by the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]. 
File:Con-g2alternate.png|'''Decepticon''' ''([[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|G2]])'' Alternate colors of the G2 Decepticon symbol.
File:Decepticon warwithin symbol.png|An early war Decepticon insignia variant used in ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]].
File:Decepticon Knights.jpg|A variant Decepticon symbol seen in promotional material for ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''.
File:Ascenticon insignia.png|'''Ascenticon''' The insignia of the proto-Decepticon faction from the [[Transformers (2019 comic)|2019 IDW comics]].
</gallery>

===Maximals===
The Maximal insignia is a stylised canine or feline face, reflecting the Maximals being primarily made up of mammals and birds.
<gallery>
File:Maximal symbol.png|'''[[Maximal]]''' Certain characters and toy packaging featured this insignia in alternate colors, such as red or dark green.
File:Maximal symbol bm.png|'''Maximal''' ''([[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|BM]])'' A variant insignia worn by the Maximals in [[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|''Beast Machines'']].
File:Kingdom Maximal insignia.png|'''Maximal''' (''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'') A variant incorporating elements of the Autobot insignia, used on packaging and promotional items for ''Kingdom'', though not on the actual toys.
File:ROTB Maximal insignia.png|'''Maximal''' (''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (franchise)|Rise of the Beasts]]'') ''Another'' variant of the Maximal insignia, retaining the Autobot elements from ''Kingdom'' but with proportions closer to the original ''Beast Wars'' version.
</gallery>

===Predacons===
The Predacon insignia is a stylised insect head, as the Predacons consist mainly of invertebrates and reptiles.
<gallery>
File:Predacon symbol.png|'''[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]''' Certain characters and toy packaging featured this insignia in alternate colors, such as yellow.
File:Timelines Predacon Symbol.png|'''Predacon''' ''([[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|BM]])'' A variant insignia worn by [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] in ''[[Dawn of Future's Past]]''.
File:Kingdom Predacon insignia.png|'''Predacon''' (''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'') As with the ''Kingdom'' Maximal symbol, this variant integrates elements of the Decepticon insignia, and was used as part of packaging and promotional items but not on any of the toys. It is also used for the instructions on [[Scorponok (ROTB)#Studio Series|Studio Series Scorponok.]]
File:ROTB Predacon insigna.png|'''Predacon''' (''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (franchise)|Rise of the Beasts]]'') ''Another'' variant of the Predacon insignia, retaining some Decepticon elements from ''Kingdom'' but with proportions closer to the original ''Beast Wars'' version.
</gallery>

===Other factions===

====[[Unicron]]====
<gallery>
File:Blentron red.png|'''[[Blentron]]''' This symbol is based on the face of Unicron, reflecting the Blentrons' true allegiance.
File:Unicron faction symbol.png|'''[[Herald of Unicron]]''' A recolor of the Blentron insignia, first found on a [[sticker|sticker sheet]] included with ''[[The Transformers: Collector's Edition|Collector's Edition]]'' [[Overcharge (G1)#Collector's Edition|Overcharge]], later used by the ''[[Transformers: The Ark]]'' book to denote Unicron and his followers.
File:Unicron energon symbol.png|A recolor of the [[Mini-Con]] symbol; used on the Japanese packaging of ''Armada'' Unicron and on Takara's website for the [[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|''Armada'' toyline]], it was also seen in the background of Unicron's transformation sequence in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]].''
File:Unicronsymbol dwmtmte.png|Used in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s [[More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada|Armada profile book]] to denote Unicron-allied Transformers.
File:Terrorcon symbol.png|"[[Movie continuity family|Movie]]" '''[[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]'''
</gallery>

====Combined factions====
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-77-AutobotDecepticonAlliance.png|'''Autobot/Decepticon Alliance''' {{storylink|Exodus!}}
File:Cybertron-Alliance.png|'''[[Cybertron Alliance]]''' First introduced in the [[Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 story pages]], this symbol is used for various (doomed) Autobot/Decepticon coalition governments in the world of the [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Generation 1 cartoon]].
File:Ancient Transformer Symbol.png|'''Ancient [[Transformer]]''' In [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave G1 continuity]], an ancient symbol discovered by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], who claimed that Autobots and Decepticons were once one race. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Generation One #5}} In [[Beast Wars: Uprising|BWU]] continuity, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] designed it for the unified postwar [[Builder of Cybertron|Builders of Cybertron]], but it [[:File:CulturalAppropriation QuickmixMicroTrailer.jpg|received little]] popular traction. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}
Cobra Decepticon symbol.png|'''Cobra/Decepticon''' Initially used on [[:File:GI Joe vs Transformers 1rep.jpg|covers]] for ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'', this symbol would later return on [[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (toyline)|various]] [[Viper (CW)|toys]].
</gallery>

====Others====
<gallery>
File:Optimus symbol.png|'''[[Optimus (faction)|Optimus]]''' The "heroic" faction of the Brazilian [[Estrela]] G1 toyline.
File:Malignus symbol.png|'''[[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]]''' The "villainous" faction of the Brazilian [[Estrela]] G1 toyline.
File:Cybertronian.png|'''[[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]]''' Used by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s Cybertronian Empire, this symbol is inexplicably identical to the Generation 2 Decepticon insignia aside from color.
File:Vehicon symbol.png|'''[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]'''
File:Minicon symbol.png|'''[[Mini-Con]]''' As the Mini-Cons in ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' were created by [[Unicron]], the "M" echoes Unicron's face and the border represents his orbital ring.
File:Symbol star seeker reg.png|'''[[Star Seeker]]s'''
File:PredaconPrimeLogo.png|"[[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]]" '''[[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]'''
File:Predacon Prime PrototypeInsignia.png|This symbol was originally planned to represent the ''Prime'' Predacons before [http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131368170623/and-if-you-were-wondering-why-beast-hunters-was being replaced]; it still made it onto a number of toys and stock photos.
File:Mercenary-Symbol.png|'''[[Mercenary]]'''
File:WFCScorponokInsignia.png|'''[[Scorponok (group)|Scorponok]]''' This symbol was used for [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s race in promotional materials for the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''Earthrise'']] cartoon.
File:Primus Vanguard Insignia Clean.png|'''[[Primus Vanguard]]''' This Autobot symbol recolor is used to denote the followers of [[Primus]] in the [[Precursor World continuity|Precursor World]]. {{storylink|Cybertron Magna Convoy prequel comic|CMCpc}}
File:Straxus Insignia.png|'''[[Straxus (G1)#Precursor World|Straxus]]''' The villainous splinter faction of the Primus Vanguard led by, well, Straxus. {{storylink|Cybertron Convobat prequel comic|CCpc}}
File:ExarchonSymbol.png|'''[[Exarchon]]'''
File:Terran Insignia.png|'''[[Terran]]'''
</gallery>

==Subgroups==
{{main|Subgroup}}
===Autobot subgroups===
<gallery>
File:Wreckers symbol.png|'''[[Wreckers]]'''
File:Wreckers TCG.png|'''Wreckers''' Variation introduced for the ''Titans Masters Attack'' set of the ''[[Transformers Trading Card Game]]''.
File:Wreckeridw.png|'''Wreckers''' ''[[Transformers: Wreckers—Tread & Circuits|Tread & Circuits]]'' variation
File:TeamRodimus-EnergonClean.png|'''[[Team Rodimus (Energon)|Team Rodimus]]''' (Version 1) The early version of the insignia used on flags wielded by the group led by [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]].
File:TeamRodimus-EnergonInsignia.png|'''[[Team Rodimus (Energon)|Team Rodimus]]''' (Version 2) The upgraded insignia used on flags wielded by the group and also used on [[Team Rodimus's ship|their ship]]'s flags.
File:Team Ironhide symbol.png|'''[[Team Ironhide]]''' An insignia worn by [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] and a group of Omnicons under his command.
File:Cybertron Defence.png|'''[[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]]''' Used by [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]], after their collective reconstruction.
File:Cyb Elite Guard Badge.png|'''[[Elite Guard|Cybertron Elite Guard]]'''
File:TFA Autotrooper Badge.png|'''[[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]]'''
File:RescueBots symbol.png|'''[[Rescue Bot]]s'''
File:RescueBots cartoon insignia.png|Simplified Rescue Bot insignia
File:Lightningstrikecoalitionfactionlogo.jpg|'''[[Lightning Strike Coalition|Lightning Strike Coalition Force]]'''
File:DinobotFactionInsignia.png|'''[[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobot]]'''
File:Samswordbotsym.png|'''[[Swordbot Samurai Team]]'''
</gallery>

===Decepticon subgroups===
<gallery>
File:CybertronGuard.png|'''[[Cybertron Guard]]''' This symbol represents the Decepticons under [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]'s command charged with Cybertron's security. It was [[Retcon|retroactively]] named in 2007 by TakaraTomy's [[World of the Transformers]] website, but unnamed in its original context. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer|Divide and Conquer}}
File:Ultracon symbol.png|'''[[Ultracon]]''' Used by a Decepticon splinter faction led by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|The Age of Wrath}}
File:Seeker-Con Airforce.png|'''Seeker/Decepticon "Air Force"''' Appears on several [[live-action film series]] toys, and is worn by ''Prime'' [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]].
File:Stunticon Symbol.jpg|'''[[Team Stunticon|Stunticon]]'''
File:Yokohama Decepticon.png|'''[[Yokohama Convoy|Yokohama Decepticon]]''' {{storylink|Yokohama Decepticon Secret Base|YDSB}}
File:StudioSeries Dev Sym.jpg| '''[[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]''' Appears on the ''[[Studio Series]]'' boxes for the components of [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]].
File:MayhemAttackSquaed-Insignia-LegacyToyline.png| '''[[Mayhem Attack Squad]]''' Utilized by the group in the ''[[Transformers: Wreckers—Tread & Circuits|Tread & Circuits]]'' comic series. Appears on the ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' "Doom 'n Destruction Collection" figures and instructions.
</gallery>

===Others===
<gallery>
File:Mutants symbol.png|'''[[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]]'''
File:Maximal Guard Insignia.png|'''Maximal Peacekeeper''' Worn by knight-like Maximal soldiers/peacekeepers in [[Transformers: Beast Wars: The Ascending|Beast Wars: The Ascending]].
File:Space pirate seacon sign.png|'''Space Pirate [[Seacon (BW)|Seacons]]'''
File:Dinobots symbol.png|''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'' '''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobot]]''' 
File:Car Robots Destron.png|'''[[Commando (RID)|Combatron]]''' An inverted ''Generation 2'' Autobot symbol, derived from the symbol molded into the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Laser Optimus Prime]] toy and its [[Scourge (RID)|Black Convoy]] redeco. The symbol was removed from the toyline when ''Car Robots'' was released in the West as [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|''Robots in Disguise'']], though it was still occasionally seen in the cartoon.
File:Protector Insignia.png|'''[[Protector]]''' This insignia is based on the face of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], whose [[function]] given on his Generation 1 toy was "Protector".
File:Cybertron Knights.png|'''[[Cybertronian Knight]]'''
File:Raptoricon symbol.png|'''[[Raptoricon]]'''
</gallery>

==Individuals==
;Generation 1 [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]
These symbols appeared on the walls of a transwarp shunt room in IDW's [[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|Beast Wars: The Gathering]]. They depict the [[beast mode]]s of the original Predacon combiner team.
<gallery>
File:Razorclaw Symbol.png|'''[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]'''
File:Tantrum Symbol.png|'''[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]]'''
File:Divebomb symbol.png|'''[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]]'''
File:Headstrong symbol.png|'''[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]]'''
File:Rampage symbol.png|'''[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]]'''
</gallery>

;[[Sparkbot]]s
<gallery>
File:Sparkbot Angela symbol.gif|'''[[Angela]]'''
File:Sparkbot Stardust symbol.gif|'''[[Star Dust]]'''
File:Sparkbot Zangetsu symbol.gif|'''[[Zangetsu]]'''
</gallery>

;''[[Transformers: Devastation]]''
Each playable Autobot has a Generation-1 style insignia next to their name on the character select screen, combining details of the classic Autobot symbol and the character's head (in Grimlock's case, his beast mode head). These symbols also serve as icons for certain character-related achievements. Other characters from the game also receive their own insignia as achievement icons.
<gallery>
File:Devastation Supreme Commander.jpg|'''[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'''
File:Devastation Sting Like A Bee.jpg|'''[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'''
File:Devastation The Wizard Of Iacon.jpg|'''[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'''
File:Devastation Raging Bull.jpg|'''[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'''
File:Devastation The King.jpg|'''[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'''
File:Devastation Till All Are One.jpg|'''[[Nova Prime]]'''
</gallery>

<gallery>
Devastation Halfway There.jpg|'''[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'''
File:Devastation Flyswatter.jpg|'''[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]'''
File:Devastation Roadblock.jpg|'''[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]'''
File:Devastation Surround Sound.jpg|'''[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'''
File:Devastation Wrecking Crew.jpg|'''[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'''
File:Devastation Triple Changer.jpg|'''[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]'''
File:Devastation Destruction Derby.jpg|'''[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'''
File:Devastation Dont Look Him In The Eye.jpg|'''[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'''
File:Devastation Emperor of Destruction.jpg|'''[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'''
</gallery>

;[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (franchise)|''Rise of the Beasts'']] [[Maximal]]s
These Mesoamerican-inspired symbols appeared on the packaging of the Maximals in the ''Rise of the Beasts'' toyline.
<gallery>
File:ROTB symbol Airazor.jpg|'''[[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]]'''
File:ROTB symbol Cheetor.jpg|'''[[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]]'''
File:ROTB symbol Optimus Primal.jpg|'''[[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]]'''
File:ROTB symbol Rhinox.jpg|'''[[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]]'''
</gallery>

;[[Nezha: Transformers (franchise)|''Nezha: Transformers'']]
<gallery>
File:Nezha insignia.png|'''[[Nezha]]'''
File:Lei zhenzi insignia.png|'''[[Lei Zhenzi]]'''
File:Tu xingsun insignia.png|'''[[Tu Xingsun]]'''
</gallery>

;Others
<gallery>
File:Tarantulas_Logo.png|'''[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]''' Painted on Tarantulas' [[Arachnoid]] drones. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}
File:Moon symbol clean.png|'''[[Moon (BW)|Moon]]'''
File:Emirate Xeon symbol.png|'''[[Xeon|Emirate Xeon]]''' This symbol appeared on the helmet of the deceased politician Emirate Xeon. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}}
File:Cobybot Logo.png|'''[[Cobybot]]''' This symbol was placed on the shoulder of the reformatted [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]] piloted by [[Coby Hansen]]. {{storylink|City}}
File:Megatron Origin Symbol.png|'''[[Clench (G1)|Clench]]''' This symbol was worn by Clench's team, later [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s, in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]'s [[Gladiatorial combat|illegal pitfights]] prior to the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin}}
File:Movie Bonecrusher Sym.jpg| '''[[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]]''' Appeared on the side of Bonecrusher's vehicle mode both in-film and as a sticker on his Deluxe Class toys.{{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}
File:ROTF Mixmaster Decepti-dog.jpg|'''[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]]''' Mixmaster possesses a {{w|Mack Trucks|Mack}} bulldog hood ornament with a Decepticon sigil for a head. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
File:PrimeSharkticonSymbol.png|'''[[Megatron (WFC)/toys#Beast Hunters|Sharkticon Megatron]]
File:Prowl symbol.jpg|'''[[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]]'''
File:Bumblebee_Movie_Symbol.jpg|'''[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]''' Used in promotional material and seen during the end credits of the movie. {{storylink|Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee}}
</gallery>

==Religious symbols==
;The [[Thirteen]]
<gallery>
File:PotP-Prima.png|'''[[Prima]]'''
File:PotP-VectorPrime.png|'''[[Vector Prime]]'''
File:PotP-AlphaTrion.png|'''[[Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|Alpha Trion]]'''
File:PotP-SolusPrime.png|'''[[Solus Prime]]'''
File:PotP-MicronusPrime.png|'''[[Micronus Prime]]'''
File:PotP-AlchemistPrime.png|'''[[Alchemist Prime]]'''
File:PotP-NexusPrime.png|'''[[Nexus Prime]]'''
File:PotP-OnyxPrime.png|'''[[Onyx Prime]]'''
File:PotP-AmalgamousPrime.png|'''[[Amalgamous Prime]]'''
File:PotP-QuintusPrime.png|'''[[Quintus Prime]]'''
File:PotP-LiegeMaximo.png|'''[[Liege Maximo]]'''
File:PotP-Megatronus.png|'''[[The Fallen|Megatronus/The Fallen]]'''
File:Fallen faction symbol.png|'''[[The Fallen]]''' {{storylink|Titanium Series}}
File:PotP-Thirteenth.png|'''The [[Thirteenth Prime]]'''
</gallery>

;[[Guiding Hand]]
<gallery>
File:Primus.png|'''[[Primus]]''' 
File:Solomus.png|'''[[Solomus]]''' 
File:Mortilus.png|'''[[Mortilus]]''' 
File:Epistemus.png|'''[[Epistemus]]''' 
File:GrandArchitectInsignia.png|'''[[Adaptus]]''' 
</gallery>

==Governments==
{{main|Transformer government}}
<gallery>
File:Ratbat symbol Megatron Origins.png|'''[[Senate]]'''
File:Security symbol Megatron Origin.png|'''Security Services''' Used by the Autobot Security Services crew operating under [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and at the state funeral of [[Fastback (G1)|Fastback]] and [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]].
File:Functionist council insignia.png|'''[[Functionist Council]]'''
File:Functionary insignia.png|A variant Functionist Council insignia worn by [[Functionary]] enforcers.
File:CSF Insignia.png|'''[[Cybertronian Security Force]]''' Insignia used by the CSF under the administration of Ironhide, after whom it was designed. {{storylink|The Line Between Us}}
</gallery>

==Non-Cybertronian insignia==
;Human governments
<gallery>
File:Federation of western europe.jpg|'''[[Federation of Western Europe]]'''
File:E27 earthfederationlogo.png|'''[[Earth Federation]]'''</gallery>

;Human defense forces
<gallery>
File:EDC Symbol.png|'''[[Earth Defense Command|EDC]]''' (cartoon)
File:DW EDC.png|'''[[Earth Defense Command|EDC]]''' (Dreamwave)
File:Skywatch Logo.png|'''[[Skywatch]]'''
File:Sector7logo.png|'''[[Sector Seven]]'''
File:NEST insignia.png|'''[[NEST]]''' Depicted on vehicles and uniforms of NEST personnel. Variations include a version with Autobot insignia over the top.
File:NEST Global Alliance.png|'''NEST''' Insignia used on Autobot toys from the "N.E.S.T. Global Alliance" toyline.
File:Unit E.png|'''[[Unit:E]]'''
File:CemeteryWind.png|'''[[Cemetery Wind]]''' {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}
File:TRFlogo.png|'''[[Transformers Reaction Force]]'''
File:GHOST Insignia.png|'''[[G.H.O.S.T.]]''' Insignia worn by human G.H.O.S.T. personnel. For Cybertronian members, their faction symbol appears in place of the insignia's "jaw".
</gallery>

;Other human organizations
<gallery>
File:RobotMasterInsignia.png|'''[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]]'''
File:Z Foundation.png|'''[[Z Foundation]]'''
File:Machination logo.png|'''[[Machination]]'''
File:Stopsector7.png|'''[[Stop Sector Seven]]'''
File:Sumdac Systems.PNG|'''[[Sumdac Systems]]''' The corporate logo of [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]]'s company, as seen in the foyer of [[Sumdac Tower]].
File:Otoboto-faction symbol.png|'''[[Otoboto family]]''' Symbol for ''Animated's'' live-action shell-sequence in Japan.
File:Doctor Morocco logo.png|'''[[Doctor Morocco]]'''
File:MECHlogo.png|'''[[MECH]]'''
File:KSILogo.png|'''[[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated]]'''
File:Mandroid Insignia.png|'''[[Mandroid]]''' Visible on special badges and control chips placed by Mandroid onto his victims.
</gallery>

;Other species
<gallery>
File:Junkion symbol.png|'''[[Junkion (species)|Junkion]]'''
File:Quintesson symbol.png|'''[[Quintesson]] [[Terrorbot]]'''
File:Earthrise Quintesson insignia.png|'''Quintesson''' {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise}}
File:Zarak Consortium Logo.png|'''[[Zarak Consortium]]'''
File:AmmoniteInsignia.png|'''[[Ammonite]]s'''
File:Destructon Symbol.png|'''[[Destructon]]'''
File:Waruder Symbol.png|'''[[Waruder]]'''
File:BF-toy FireWaterWood.jpg|'''[[Beastformer (species)|Beastformers]]''' Fire / Water / Wood
</gallery>

==''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]''==
{{main|Cybertronian military insignia/gallery}}
<gallery>
File:WFCT Insignia Overview.jpg|
File:WFCSiege Insignia Chromia.png|'''Ground Command Special Ops Sergeant''' An example of an Autobot rank insignia. Used by [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]].
File:WFCSiege_Insignia_Starscream.png|'''Air Command Infantry Captain''' An example of a Decepticon rank insignia. Used by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]].
</gallery>

==[[Transtech]]==
<gallery>
File:Transtech Autobot symbol.png|'''Autobot'''
File:Transtech Decepticon symbol.png|'''Decepticon'''
File:Axion Nexus Security Administration symbol.png|'''[[Axiom Nexus Security Administration]]'''
File:Ozsa badge.png|'''Offworlder Zone Security Administration'''
File:Convoysymbol.png|'''[[Convoy (group)|Convoy]]''' Worn by members of the Convoy to allow them to remain in [[Axiom Nexus]].
</gallery>

==''Shattered Glass''==
The alternate reality of the [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] timeline posits an army of evil Cybertronians united under the leering visage of a purple insignia badge... though perhaps not the one you were expecting.
<gallery>
File:Autobot Shattered Glass.png|Evil '''Autobot'''
File:Autobotsecretpolice.png|Evil '''Autobot [[Secret Police]]''' Worn by [[Nightbeat (SG)|Nightbeat]] and presumably his subordinates.
File:Cust Class Thunderclash Insignia.png|Evil '''Elite Guard''' Worn by [[Thunderclash (SG)|Thunderclash]] and presumably his subordinates.
File:Decepticon Shattered Glass.png|Heroic '''Decepticon'''
File:SG Elite Guard Ancient.png|Heroic '''Elite Guard''' Worn by [[Thunderwing (SG)|Thunderwing]] and presumably all pre-war officers of the Elite Guard.
</gallery>

==''BotBots'' ==
<gallery>
BackpackBunch.png|'''[[Backpack Bunch]]'''
GreaserGang.png|'''[[Greaser Gang]]'''
JockSquad.png|'''[[Jock Squad]]'''
LostBots.png|'''[[Lost Bots]]'''
ShedHeads.png|'''[[Shed Heads]]'''
SugarShocks.png|'''[[Sugar Shocks]]'''
TechieTeam.png|'''[[Techie Team]]'''
ToiletTroop.png|'''[[Toilet Troop]]'''
BakeryBytes.png|'''[[Bakery Bytes]]'''
LawnLeague.png|'''[[Lawn League]]'''
MusicMob.png|'''[[Music Mob]]'''
SpoiledRottens.png|'''[[Spoiled Rottens]]'''
SwagStylers.png|'''[[Swag Stylers]]'''
ArcadeRenegades.png|'''[[Arcade Renegades]]'''
FreshSqueezes.png|'''[[Fresh Squeezes]]'''
GooGooGroopies.png|'''[[Goo-Goo Groopies]]'''
PlayroomPosse.png|'''[[Playroom Posse]]'''
PlayroomPosse-alt.png|Alternate '''Playroom Posse''' insignia (web)
SeasonsGreeters.png|'''[[Seasons Greeters]]'''
HomeRangers.png|'''[[Home Rangers]]'''
LosDeliciosos.png|'''[[Los Deliciosos]]'''
MagicTricksters.png|'''[[Magic Tricksters]]'''
MovieMoguls.png|'''[[Movie Moguls]]'''
RetroReplays.png|'''[[Retro Replays]]'''
Sciencealliance.png|'''[[Science Alliance]]'''
WildernessTroop.png|'''[[Wilderness Troop]]'''
WinnersCircle.png|'''[[Winner's Circle]]'''
CardioClique.png|'''[[Cardio Clique]]'''
FrequentFlyers.png|'''[[Frequent Flyers]]'''
HibotchiHeats.png|'''[[Hibotchi Heats]]'''
PartyFavors.png|'''[[Party Favors]]'''
Meetngreets.png|'''[[Meet N' Greets]]'''
Lineleague.png|'''[[Line League]]'''
Fantasticfuelers.png|'''[[Fantastic Fuelers]]'''
HungerHubs Insignia.png|'''[[Greaser Gang|Hunger Hubs]]'''
CustodialCrewInsignia.png|'''[[Toilet Troop|Custodial Crew]]'''
GamerGeeksInsignia.png|'''[[Gamer Geeks]]'''
PetMobInsignia.png|'''[[Pet Mob]]'''
BotBots - Pet Mob alternate insignia.jpg|Alternate/canceled '''Pet Mob''' insignia
CaffeineCollective.png|'''[[Caffeine Collective]]'''
GiftedGuild.png|'''[[Gifted Guild]]'''
File:PlayPlexers.png|'''[[Play Plexers]]'''
FashionForwardsInsignia.png|'''[[Swag Stylers|Fashion Forwards]]'''
</gallery>

==Others==
;[[Rubsign]]s
<gallery>
File:Rubsign inactive.png|'''[[Rubsign]]''' Unactivated rubsign.
File:Rts-symbol.png|'''[[Rubsign]]''' Unactivated [[Transformers (2010 toyline)#Hasbro Reveal the Shield subline|Reveal the Shield]] variant.
File:Fastlane.png|'''[[Fastlane]]''' Rubsign used on Autobot Clone Fastlane.
File:Cloudraker.png|'''[[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]]''' Rubsign used on Autobot Clone Cloudraker.
File:Pounce.png|'''[[Pounce]]''' Rubsign used on Decepticon Clone Pounce.
File:Wingspan.png|'''[[Wingspan]]''' Rubsign used on Decepticon Clone Wingspan.
</gallery>

;[[Powerlinx]]
<gallery>
File:Energon Powerlinx symbol.png|'''[[Powerlinx]] - Black''' Used by [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Wing Saber (Energon)|his]] [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|combiner]] [[Omega Sentinel (Energon)|partners]].
File:Energon Powerlinx Gold symbol.png|'''Powerlinx - Gold''' Worn by Mega-sized Transformers who can combine with fellow Mega- and Deluxe-sized Transformers.
File:Energon Powerlinx Silver symbol.png|'''Powerlinx - Silver''' Worn by Deluxe-sized Transformers who can combine with fellow Deluxe- and Mega-sized Transformers.
File:Energon Powerlinx Red symbol.png|'''Powerlinx - Red''' Worn by Ultra-sized Transformers, who can combine with additional vehicle mode parts to form a "brute mode".
File:Energon Powerlinx Blue symbol.png|'''Powerlinx - Blue''' Used by the [[Air Team]], the [[Construction Team]], and the [[Destruction Team]].
</gallery>

;[[Cyber Key]]s
<gallery>
File:Cyber Key symbol Earth.png|'''[[Earth]]'''
File:Cyber Key symbol Velocitron.png|'''[[Velocitron]]'''
File:Cyber Key symbol Jungle Planet.png|'''[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]]'''
File:Cyber Key symbol Gigantion.png|'''[[Gigantion]]'''
File:Cyber Key Combatron.png|'''[[Combatron (planet)|Combatron]]''' {{storylink|Force of Habit}}
</gallery>

;Others
<gallery>
File:Energon symbol.png|'''Energon''' Used to denote [[energon]]. It is a stylized representation of an Autobot [[Energon star]].
File:Cyberglyphics Prime Symbol.png|The [[Cyberglyphics|Cyberglyphic]] symbol for [[Prime (rank)|Primes]].
File:Gobots auto symbol.png|'''[[Go-Bot (species)|Go-Bot]]'''
File:Playschool Go-Bots G.png|'''[[Go-Bot (species)|Go-Bot]]'''
File:FirstTFinsignia.png|'''[[First Transformers]]'''
</gallery>

==Other properties==
;''[[GoBots]]''
<gallery>
GuardianSymbol.png|'''[[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]]'''
RenegadeSymbol.png|'''[[Renegade]]'''
</gallery>

;''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]''
<gallery>
Joelogo.png|'''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'''
GIJoe-movie-insignia.png|'''G.I. Joe''' (live-action films) As seen in ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]''
ActionForce Logo.png|'''[[Action Force (team)|Action Force]]''' The European localization of the ''G.I. Joe'' brand.
Cobralogo.png|'''[[Cobra]]'''
Arbco logo.png|'''[[Arbco]]'''
AdventureTeamLogo.png|'''[[Adventure Team]]'''
</gallery>

;Other Hasbro properties
<gallery>
File:Autotots sigil.png|'''[[Autotot]]'''
File:Protectonsymbol.png|'''[[Protecton]]'''
File:Terrakor symbol.png|'''[[Terrakor]]'''
MASKlogo.png|'''[[M.A.S.K.]]'''
VENOMlogo.png|'''[[V.E.N.O.M.]]'''
ActionManinsignia.png|'''[[Action Man]]'''
Dr X logo.png|'''[[Doctor X]]'''
</gallery>

;''Star Wars''
<gallery>
Alliance Starbird.png|'''[[Rebel Alliance]]'''
Republic Emblem.png|'''[[Galactic Republic]]'''
Imperial Emblem.png|'''[[Empire]]'''
Sith Quad-Sun.png|'''[[Sith]]'''
</gallery>

;Other external properties
<gallery>
File:MickeyMouseTransformer.png|'''[[Mickey Mouse]]''' ([[Transformers Disney Label|Disney Label]])
File:Donald Disney Label Insignia.png|'''[[Donald Duck]]''' (Disney Label)
File:Autobirds symbol.png|'''[[Autobird]]s''' ([[Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers]])
File:Autobird Wreckers symbol.png|'''Autobird''' '''[[Wreckers]]''' (Angry Birds Transformers)
File:Deceptihog symbol.png|'''[[Deceptihog]]s''' (Angry Birds Transformers)
File:Garikunsym copy.jpg|'''[[Gari Robo-kun]]
File:Autobot Terminator Insignia.png|'''Autobot/[[T-800]]''' ([[Transformers vs. The Terminator]])
</gallery>
<gallery>
File:Animorphlogo.png|'''[[Animorph]]'''
Nerv Logo.png|'''[[Nerv]]'''
ShadalooLogo.png|'''[[Shadaloo]]'''
Starfleet.png|'''[[Starfleet]]'''
KlingonEmpire.png|'''[[Klingon Empire]]'''
Ghostbusters.png|'''[[Ghostbusters]]'''
Elitemountaindewrobots.png|'''[[Mountain Dew Robot|Mountain Dew]]'''
Lunchables brigade symbol.png|'''[[Lunchables Brigade|Lunchables]]'''
File:TRUFactionSymbol.png|'''[[Toys"R"Us Prime|Toys"R"Us]]'''
</gallery>

==Files==
*[[:File:Transformers Symbols.ttf|Transformers Insignias True Type Font]]

[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Insignia| *]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

The Return of the Headmaster

2024-11-01T08:01:36Z

Hotaru3: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|series= Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|image= Sentinelprimeanimatedhumiliated.jpg
|caption= Schadenfreude.
|ep=18
|ep2=17
|prev2=The Elite Guard
|next2=Mission Accomplished
|title="The Return of the Headmaster"
|airdate=[[April 19]], [[2008]] (Canada) [[April 26]], 2008 (USA)
|season=2
|season ep=2
|written by=[[Michael Ryan]]
|directed by= [[Ben Jones]] [[Shunji Ōga|Shunji Oga]]
|animation studio= [[The Answer Studio]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP0pYF4xSGo
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Optimus Prime is forced to team up with his rival Sentinel Prime after Sentinel has a humiliating encounter with the Headmaster.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Returnofheadmaster sarisroom.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|im in ur room, shackin in ur cribs]]
In Sari's room at [[Sumdac Tower]], [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari]] bitterly packs her things while grumbling about [[Porter C. Powell]] taking over her home and throwing her to the curb. She doesn't notice Powell enter as she badmouths him, but rather than get upset, the man smugly proves many of her points right and adds insult to injury by introducing her bedroom's new tenant, the freshly re-hired [[Headmaster (Animated)|Henry Masterson]]. As the Headmaster makes himself at home, Sari protests, pointing out the man's lack of sanity, but Powell merely rushes her out the door. Then, just as Sari's day can't get any worse, Powell claims [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] and [[Tutor Bot]] as company property. Harsh.

[[File:Returnofheadmaster sentinelspeaks.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I am destined to be a superhero. To right wrongs and to pound two-fisted justice into the hearts of evildoers everywhere.]]

Meanwhile, the Primes [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]] and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel]] stand at a press conference along with the mayor and [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]]. Sentinel is his usual charming self, boasting the significance of the [[Elite Guard]]'s presence, condescending to the [[Human|icky organics]], showing complete ignorance of the planet's customs, and insulting his comrade's lowly position at every opportunity. Optimus tries his best to ignore all this and put the humans' minds at ease about the current situation, but finds it difficult to get a word in edgewise as Sentinel cuts him off, determined to do all the talking, refusing to let Optimus speak for him.

Powell and Masterson watch the press conference with intent. Powell says he expects great things from Masterson, intending to tap the lucrative military hardware market that Sumdac so foolishly ignored. Masterson is itching to get to work, but wants new robots on which to test his Headmaster units. The old Autobot crew won't cut it, however; he wants the new models, and he eagerly eyes Sentinel Prime's image on the screen.

Masterson calls up Fanzone with a false Decepticon sighting in Old Detroit. Fanzone relays the information to the Primes, and the heroes transform and roll out. Sentinel still hasn't gotten the hang of the city's traffic customs, however, and spends more time driving over other cars than on the road.

[[File:AnimatedBumbleeBulkheadProfessor.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|We tackle any topic, immense or microscopic!]]

Meanwhile, Sari is moving in with the Autobots at the [[Autobot Earth Base|old factory]]. [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] are eager to cheer up the sullen girl with loud TV, music, and a misguided tutoring session in which they end up throwing around theories about her mysterious origins. Predictably, everything they try only seems to make her more miserable.

Sentinel soon arrives at the scene of the supposed Decepticon sighting, prying a stop sign from his shoulder, and is quickly joined by Optimus and the police. Optimus starts making suggestions, but Sentinel shuts him up, opting to split up and search on his own, as he doesn't need help from a scrub.

The search drags on into the night, and Sentinel is jumping at shadows, turning the advanced weaponry of the Cybertron Elite Guard on such dire threats as [[Skippy|stray cats]]. This distracts him, and Masterson gets the jump on him with the Headmaster unit. Shortly afterwards, Sentinel contacts Optimus, telling him it was a false alarm and to send the police away. He then demands Optimus come to his position alone and promise not to laugh. Soon after, Optimus finds Sentinel's decapitated head and breaks out in laughter. Bitter and humiliated, Sentinel pleads with Optimus to help him get his body back without [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] finding out. Optimus guesses that the reason Sentinel is trusting him with the task is that he's just not important enough for his opinion to matter, but Sentinel is careful not to say something so insulting in his position. How about that.

[[File:Returnofheadmaster optimuslaughs.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Haw-haw!]]

Optimus learns of Masterson's re-hiring thanks to a conveniently timed message from Bumblebee, reporting what he's heard from Sari. The next day, Optimus pays a visit to Sumdac Tower, hiding Sentinel's head under a tree trunk while he chats with Powell. The new manager makes it clear that the Autobots aren't free to waltz into his building as they please any more, but assures their leader that Masterson isn't there. However, as soon as Optimus leaves, he phones the Headmaster with information on the new development, warning his employee not to jeopardize the company's image. Lucky for the Primes, Optimus thought ahead enough to intercept the phone call with his ear transceiver as soon as he was out of sight. He traces the call to a cargo ship at the docks.

It's night again when the 1.5 Primes arrive at the docks and start searching for Sentinel's body. They don't get far before a nearby crate bursts open, revealing a sinister Sparkplug and Tutor Bot outfitted with miniature Headmaster Units. Sentinel isn't too worried by the puny automatons until they reveal some powerful laser-shooting upgrades. They send Optimus scrambling for cover while Sentinel's head bounces around impotently on the ground. When the ship Masterson is supposedly on starts casting off, they can't play around any longer, and Optimus rushes through the laser fire, ramps off the deck, transforms in mid-air and rides a powerful burst from his rocket axe to hook into the side of the ship's hull. Awesome. His grappling hooks probably would have worked equally well, but dude, flying rocket axe!

[[File:Returnofheadmaster headmastersvictim.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Oh, beware the other head of science, Arthur. It bites.]]

On the ship, Optimus and Sentinel try to find Sentinel's body...until it finds them. The Headmaster pushes Optimus down with Sentinel's shield. Sentinel is surprised that it's so powerful, to which Masterson gloats he upgraded his equipment. Pulling out Sentinel's beam [[lance]] and expanding the shield into a spikier version, the Headmaster clashes with Optimus while Sentinel bounces around impotently on the ground some more.

Masterson manages to knock Optimus's axe off the ship, leaving him unarmed. After being pinned to the ground with shield spikes inches from his face, Optimus returns the favor by ripping off Sentinel's arm, shield and all. Sentinel is mortified by the dismemberment, but Optimus feels it was justified. He then uses Sentinel's arm as a makeshift axe and fights back the body, eventually severing the Headmaster unit. The head quickly converts to robot mode and starts to run off, but this time Optimus stops him by kicking Sentinel's head into the fleeing villain like a soccer ball. Again, Sentinel is appalled. Optimus has less of an excuse this time.

[[File:Headm anim.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|Salut!]]

Back on land, Fanzone has Masterson in cuffs, and it looks like a happy ending until Powell shows up, pointing out that the ship was Sumdac Systems property, the assaulted robots don't have rights protected by the law, and the whole incident occurred over international waters between the [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Canada]]. Masterson is free to go, much to the chagrin of everybody else.

Meanwhile, at the factory, Bumblebee and Bulkhead are about to try another zany scheme to cheer up Sari, but [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] stops them and tells them just to listen to her instead. When they try this last resort, Sari opens up about all her worries regarding her [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|missing father]], her lost home and company, and her questioned existence. Bumblebee and Bulkhead aren't sure what to do, but they assure her they are there for her.

Finally, aboard the Elite Guard's [[Sigma Supreme|ship]] the next day, Sentinel and Optimus report to Ultra Magnus, who has heard something about Sentinel "losing his head". Sentinel trembles uncomfortably in silence, but Optimus reports that they worked together to solve the crisis, effectively covering for his comrade, who really doesn't deserve it. Ultra Magnus congratulates both of them and takes his leave to contact [[Cybertron Command]] on an issue of great importance. As the Primes walk down the hallway, Sentinel struggles out a "thank you" to his compatriot. Optimus notes that it must have hurt to say that, and Sentinel acknowledges the fact and reaches out his hand.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (7)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (12)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (13)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (16)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (17)

|c3=
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] (1)
*[[Porter C. Powell]] (4)
*[[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster]] (5)
*[[Carmine Fanzone]] (8)
*[[Augustus Edsel]] (9)
*[[Adrias]] (10)

|c4=
* [[Tutor Bot]] (2)
* [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] (3)
* [[News Bot]] (11)
* [[Trash Bot]] (14)
* [[Skippy]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"Whoa, hey! Check it! Major cribbage! And it's mine. It's all mine!"
:—'''Masterson''', who is surprisingly okay with the fact that his new "facilities" are frilly, lacy, and painted pink.

'''Sentinel''': Organics of Earth! Mr. Mayor! Captain Fanzone! I, ''Sentinel'' Prime, speak to you at the behest of our great commander Ultra Magnus, who could not be here because he has more important matters to attend to than to worry about this small, underdeveloped planet! Which is not to say that we of Cybertron ''mind'' helping you eh, ''[Fanzone looks at Optimus, who simply shrugs]'' simple organics, especially in light of the fact that, so far, our scanners have yet to detect any cyber-contaminants on your ... ''[clears throat]'' your, eh ''[to Optimus]'' what is it called again? 
'''Optimus''': Skin. 
'''Adrias''': ''[To the mayor]'' Sorry, Mr. Mayor. I thought this was supposed to be a friendly photo-op!
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' clearly representing Cybertron's best interests. ''Scary!''

'''Sentinel''': Don't ever presume you can speak for me, Optimus! The last thing we need is some over-glorified repairbot shooting his audio-processor off about things he doesn't understand! ''[Turns to crowd and smiles and wave. Then goes back to Optimus]'' A scrub like you should just smile and wave and stay out of the way! ''[To the crowd]'' Now, let's get this over with! ''[To Optimus]'' Eh, what am I supposed to do, now? 
'''Optimus''': Well, eh, according to human custom [smiles] you shake hands with the Mayor! 
''[Sentinel takes one look at the Mayor's hand]'' 
'''Sentinel''':''[looking disgusted at this idea]'' TOUCH AN ORGANIC?! 
'''Optimus''': Unless you want to pass such a great, diplomatic responsibility to a ''lowly'' repairbot. 
''[Sentinel clenches his teeth, then shakes hands with the mayor via his finger. Then, wrenching his finger away, he cleans it with some spray!]'' 
'''Optimus''':''[To himself]'' Same old Sentinel.
:— Yet another example of '''Sentinel Prime''''s diplomatic tact!

"This is why I hate machines...especially arrogant, full-of-themselves machines!"
:—'''Captain Fanzone''', also saying what we're all thinking.

'''Optimus''': Sentinel, we should scramble our comlink frequencies in case the Decepticons are listening in! 
'''Sentinel''': What you ''should'' do is stick within the scope of your programming. If I need a trash can emptied or a floor mopped, I'll call on my buddy Optimus Prime. Or should I say...''Maintenance'' Prime? Hahahaha! 
''[Sentinel turns and walks away; Optimus does the same]'' 
'''Optimus''': 'Maintenance Prime'...then I'll just call you 'Pompous Gas-Bag Prime'. Yeah...that's what I should have said.
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Sentinel Prime''' match wits. Somehow, Optimus loses.

'''Sentinel''': Uhhh, Optimus. Tell the organic Fanzone that he can send his police force home. It's a false alarm. 
'''Optimus''': How do you know? 
'''Sentinel''': I just know, okay?! Now I need you to come to my position. ''ALONE''. And promise me one more thing... 
'''Optimus''': What? 
'''Sentinel''': That you won't laugh! 
''[Optimus looks around the rubble for Sentinel]'' 
'''Optimus''': Sentinel? Where are you? 
'''Sentinel''': ''[quietly]'' Look down... 
''[Optimus looks down to see Sentinel's head severed from his body]'' 
'''Optimus''': ''[lets out a hearty laugh]'' 
'''Sentinel''': You promised you wouldn't laugh!
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gets a kick out of '''Sentinel Prime''''s misfortune

'''Sentinel''': "You kicked me! ''On purpose!''
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gets another, slightly more literal kick out of said misfortune.

'''Bumblebee''': Just because you don't have a tutor bot anymore doesn't mean you have to stop learning. 
'''Bulkhead''': Right. We can teach you. 
'''Bumblebee''': So, class, today's lesson is regarding...um...well, stuff, and how it works. Any questions? 
'''Sari''': Yeah. Why is there no record of my existence? 
'''Bumblebee''': Okay...a little bit outside the lesson plan. Professor Bulkhead, your thoughts? 
'''Bulkhead''': Maybe she came here from another planet in some kinda egg and crashed on Sumdac's doorstep. 
'''Bumblebee''': Or a portal could have opened and she fell through from another dimension. 
'''Bulkhead''': Or maybe she's really a robot. 
'''Bumblebee''': Or maybe Sumdac found her in a cabbage patch. 
'''Bulkhead''': Or that stork thing.
:—Professors '''Bumblebee''' and '''Bulkhead''' have obviously been visiting the fan forums...

"Yes! I am so 1337!" 
"Yeah? Well, I have no idea what that means!"
:—'''Headmaster''' boasts as '''Optimus Prime''' scores a blow against over-sized egos everywhere.

==Notes==
* This episode was first broadcast in Canada on [[April 19]], one week before its United States premiere.

===Continuity notes===
*When Sentinel asks for Optimus to cover for him, Optimus mentions how Sentinel "covered for him" all those years ago, presumably after the [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Elita-1]] [[Along Came a Spider|incident]]. Maybe this is the reason that Optimus washed out of the [[Autobot Academy]]? Answer: [[Endgame, Part I|Yes. It is.]]
*This is the only episode of Season Two where the Decepticons don't appear.
*How did Powell clear the Headmaster for his attempt to destroy Michigan in his previous appearance?
*Bulkhead's guesses about Sari's origin were quite accurate: [[TransWarped|She is part robot and she did come to earth in an egg-like thing that just happened to land near Sumdac]]. Foreshadowing there, Bulky?

===Real-world references===
* Bumblebee mentions Sari could have come from a cabbage patch, a reference to the popular explanation of where babies come from - or to the {{w|Cabbage Patch Kids}} said explanation inspired.
* Powell makes a passing reference to the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]], also known as "the Mounties".
* Bulkhead's "came here from another planet in some kind of egg" comment could be a reference to 1970s sitcom ''{{w|Mork and Mindy}}'', or also a reference to the [[Superman|Superman origin]] story.
* The appearance of [[Detroit]]'s real-life Wayne County Building and the Renaissance Center in this episode gives a firm location for [[Sumdac Tower]]—it's on one of two blocks of Randolph Street, currently occupied by a parking garage and a surface parking lot.

===Animation or technical errors===
*When Optimus picks up Sentinel's head in Sumdac Tower, his [[Insignia|Autobrand]] '''winks'''. It is ''quite'' disturbing.

===Continuity errors===
* As with Bulkhead previously, it is unknown how Sentinel's head survived being separated from his spark.
* When Optimus stops Masterson's escape, he asserts the villain is going "back to prison". However, the Headmaster does not serve time until "[[TransWarped]]".

===Trivia===
*Powell claims Optimus and Sentinel's clash with Masterson took place in "international waters". While the nation in which the incident occurred may be in question, there are no ''international'' waters in Lake St. Clair or Lake Erie, just American and Canadian waters. (But then, this is the future.) The "Mounties" remark is still relevant.
*Apparently, calling the police to report fabricated events (about Decepticons) doesn't constitute a crime in [[Detroit]]. Either that, or Fanzone didn't put two and two together as to Masterson being the caller of the faux incident.
*Either the events of this episode span at least two days and two nights, or the sun goes down roughly [[Transformers (film)|every couple of hours]].
*Given they presumably had very little time to prepare, the Autobots have whipped up a surprisingly comfortable room for Sari in their factory, doubly surprising given the lack of proper materials on hand. Who wouldn't want to sleep in a bed made from a giant radial tire!?
*On the other hand, their idea of proper human cuisine needs some work, since the meal they provide for Sari consists of a bunch of acorns, a fish skeleton (with flies buzzing around it), a live rabbit, and some miniature barrels of [[oil]].
*This episode was adapted in comic book format using screen captures as half of "[[Transformers Animated Volume 8]]", with "[[The Elite Guard]]" making up the other half.

===Foreign localization===
'''Spanish (Latin America)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''El Regreso De La SúperCabeza'''" ("The Return of the SuperHead")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 20|20 September]] [[2008]]

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Retorno do Líder'''" ("The Return of the Leader")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le retour du cérébro-pilote'''" ("The Return of the Cerebro-Pilot")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Il Ritorno di Headmaster'''" ("The Return of Headmaster")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 24|24 January]] [[2009]]

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Headmasters Rückkehr'''" ("Headmaster's Return")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 16|16 July]] [[2008]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Headmaster, Futatabi!'''" (ヘッドマスター、ふたたび!, "Headmaster, Once Again!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 24|24 July]] [[2010]]
[[File:ReturnHeadmaster Otoboto insignia.jpg|thumb|200px]]
::* An entirely new stock footage of Bumblebee transforming delivers the usual warning of watching in a bright room. This episode also debuts a slightly new [[title sequence#Animated|title sequence]], using the second half of "[[Transformers Evo.|TRANSFORMERS EVO.]]" and replacing the footage of the Starscream clones and Cybertronian-mode Megatron with Earth-mode Megatron, [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]], Soundblaster, [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]], and two [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] lookalikes. However, it doesn't have the additional sound effects used in the previous four episodes.
::* '''Cut:''' Optimus laughing upon discovering Sentinel's detached head and Sentinel's dismay at Optimus breaking his promise not to laugh.
::* The [[Otoboto family]] reveals [[Sega]]'s arcade games ''[[Transformers Animated: The Chase]]'' and ''[[Transformers Animated: The Shooting]]''. It's preceded by the famous faction-swipe with a Decepticon-[[insignia|symbol]] modified to incorporate [[Hiroyuki Otoboto|Hiroyuki]]'s face in the bottom half. [[Megumi Otoboto|Megumi]] then shows off the [[Transformers Cards|cards]] that can be used to play the two games and reveals what A-021 looks like: a gold-foil Voyager Optimus with his axe. [[Hiroyuki Otoboto|Father]] and [[Tatsuya Otoboto|son]] proceed to hog the machines, to [[Yūka Otoboto|Yūka]]'s disappointment.

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Powrót Headmastera'''" ("Headmaster's Return")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

==Home video releases==
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Two ([[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|Paramount]]) — English and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Four: Mission Accomplished (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Four: Mission Accomplished (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Vier: Mission Erfüllt (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2010 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Vol. 5 (Paramount) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Two ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

{{DEFAULTSORT:Return of the Headmaster}}
[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-10-11T12:00:04Z

Hotaru3:

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]] [[Greg Moordain]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Eric Pearson]], [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] from a story by Barrer and Ferrari,<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an underclass of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially their fellow cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty, only to become horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back, the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders.]]
Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a hidden and extremely creepy cave. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror: the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, the bodies of the thirteen lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spotted the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape, but is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor... although D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as D-16 crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as D-16 manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''[[Roll out|Transform and ROLL OUT]]!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a ''very'' over-enthusiastic entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he vows he is ''done'' saving Orion from his mistakes and lets his dying friend plummet into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes as Trion announce that Primus has deemed him worthy for the future of Cybertron and to carry the Matrix of Leadership, reformatting Orion and restoring his spark to declare him the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", before being sent rocketing back to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. During their fight, Optimus manifests an energy battle axe to fight against Megatron along with Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave before using it to destroy Megatron's new cannon, ultimately winning their fight. Unwilling to kill his oldest friend, Optimus reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Control Room Guys]] (Josh Cooley)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"If we survive this, I'm gonna kill you!" 
"I accept those terms."
:-'''D-16''' would live up to his promise to '''Orion'''

"Sentinel Prime has been forcing us to work in the mines until our gears strip. And all the while he's been giving our Energon to our greatest enemy!" 
"And what do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not thinking about what ''he's'' going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax master plan! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.'' But we all know it doesn't matter what I want, ''right'', Pax?"
:—The first cracks show in '''Orion Pax''' and '''D-16''''s friendship.

"They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

'''Starscream''': Now, are you spies, or incompetent lackeys? 
'''Orion Pax''': We're not spies. 
'''Elita-1''': But he is incompetent.
:—Elita-1 on her boss-to-be

"Uh... why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening? I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you.." 
"I'm better than you in every way, except you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep-talk?" 
"You're inspiring. You can envision a better future that no one else can see. If you ever want to see Bee and D-16 again, that, ''that'' is the Orion Pax that we need right now. Listen to me. We can do this."
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

"Sentinel is a '''liar'''. Look, I know how this will sound coming from me. I was never the most... ''focused'' miner, but as you can see, everything is different now. I went to the surface. And I learned the truth. My friends, we were ''all'' born with transformation cogs. And then Sentinel, he ''stole them from us. He took away our ability to make our own decisions.'' '''''He stole our freedom.''''' But now, I'm offering you your first ''real choice''. You can work a twenty-third shift and mine yourself to death, or fight back against Sentinel with me. Right now. What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest, but the spark that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. And that spark, Sentinel can ''never'' take from us. We are not alone in this. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me; nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' delivers his first heroic speech.

''(Airachnid opens the back of her head to reveal'' dozens ''of eyes.)'' 
"You can't defeat me, miner. ''I see '''everything.'''''" 
"Yes, you do, except for that tower we're about to crash into."
:—'''Airachnid''' gets creepy and '''Orion Pax''' gets an idea.

"You pathetic little twits. Did you really think you could knock down what I've built?" 
"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' teaches '''Orion Pax''' that he won't go down without a fight.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—'''D-16''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"The Age of Primes has ended! '''NO MORE FALSE PROPHETS'''! Follow me, and you will ''never again'' be ''deceived!'' '''RISE UP!''' I will lead us all into the future! ''I!'' '''AM!''' '''''MEGATRON!'''''"
:—With the death of Sentinel Prime, '''D-16''' renames himself '''Megatron'''

"''Orion Pax.'' Your noble sacrifice for the greater good has proven you worthy in the eyes of Primus. He entrusts in you the future of Cybertron, and... the Matrix of Leadership! '''ARISE!''' '''''Optimus Prime.'''''"
:—Speaking for Primus, '''Alpha Trion''' and the Primes rebuild Orion Pax.

"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself, after I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are... banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over... ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel, the betrayer, is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will ''not'' be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was reworked into a film that contradicted with the character's [[World War II]] flashbacks in ''The Last Knight'', shifting the film into a more ambiguous timeframe with regards to the other five live-action films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just how distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery.<ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127", the function of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in which it dissolves into dust if it deems someone unworthy to wield it and the incorporation of a closing monologue delivered by Optimus—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]], particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity"<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat the ''One'' franchise and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]], entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* All the character designs are far closer to their Generation 1 designs (both the cartoon and the original toys) than the previous films. Characters also earn their iconic design traits in pivotal scenes, such as Optimus Prime's [[Energon-axe]] and [[mouthplate]], or Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. In the final scene, many miners gain details to match their Generation 1-selves even closer after they receive their cogs; in particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Starscream, Soundwave, and Megatron's newly applied insignias in the post-credits scene are also in the same place as their original counterparts, with Starscream's even being upside-down!
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure. Much like Orion Pax, his modern gladiator job is paid homage in his fight with Starscream.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action film series counterpart]]: his helmet design and blasters bear a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. The name "B-127" derives from the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where, much like this film, he did not receive the name "Bumblebee" on Cybertron. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' Bumblebee's melee weapons.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to her [[Elita-One (Movie)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' design]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn".
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the "Aligned" continuity. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel draws from his "Aligned" counterpart, his [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' appearance]], and has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and the thematically similar character, [[Nominus Prime]]. Sentinel's battle mode is inspired by his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from the ''Megatron Origin'' comic. He also has his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin, as well as carrying on his 'arrogant jerkwad' personality rather than the more stoic attitude of other Sentinels.
* Airachnid is derived from the ''Prime'' [[Airachnid (Prime)|character of the same name]] - a notable inclusion given the primarily G1-based main cast - sharing a similar design, alternate mode as a helicopter, and antagonistic personality. Role-wise, however, she draws from her [[Airachnid (G1)|IDW 2005 counterpart]] being a subordinate of the [[Starscream_(G1)/2005_IDW_continuity|shady sovereign ruler of Cybertron]].
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be organic in nature.
* Primus's design seen in the hologram Orion plays invokes his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, even using a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|his toy]]'s transformation scheme, but with the origins of his "Aligned" counterpart. The color scheme is drawn from his [[:File:WarWithinPrimus.jpg|Dreamwave look]].
* The Thirteen are primarily based on their "Aligned" counterparts for their backstory and designs. Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively, while Vector Prime is based squarely on his [[:File:VectorPrimeGoldCG.jpg|original ''Galaxy Force'' concept art]].
* Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus's face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* Alpha Trion's abilities to recreate and store memories as information calls back to the archival role of his [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]. His alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* The Thirteen are not actually referred to as the "Thirteen", but rather the Primes or the "Council of Elders", a term that originated in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. This is likely because it would contradict Sentinel's narrative painting himself as a fourteenth Prime. Notably, none of the archives or displays of the Thirteen include Sentinel.
* The cameo miners mostly draw from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast#Season 1|1984 Autobot cast of the original cartoon]], along with the [[Female Autobots]], [[Arcee]], and recolors such as [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. The background High Guard characters, meanwhile, are based on the endless Starscream recolors that have appeared throughout ''Transformers'', commonly known as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. One of their helmet variations is based on [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity#Cybertron cartoon|''Cybertron'' Starscream]]'s.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream/the Seekers, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, and Arcee have details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs.
*Starscream's/the Seekers' jet modes are also based on ''Bumblebee'', while Soundwave's vehicle mode is based on his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|''Studio Series Bumblebee'' toy]]. Shockwave's alternate mode resembles his [[Shockwave (WFC)|''War for Cybertron'' counterpart]], and both he and Starscream/the Seekers have details from their [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toys]].
* Sentinel Prime's Trackers take heavy inspiration from ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s, in both their design and their role as generic enemy troopers.
*When Orion "transforms" to run away from the guards, he moves his limbs in a way that evokes [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|his original toy]]'s transformation.
* The Matrix causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in the Spanish subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* B-127 naming one of his pals 'Steve' could be a reference to [[Steve (Vehicon)|Steve the Vehicon]], a popular fandom joke during the ''Prime'' cartoon that got official recognition in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)|''Robots in Disguise'' comic]].
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16, and B-127 a bunch of "idiot [[GoBots|go-bots]]".
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''Transformers: Prime'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler. "The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's core and Optimus Prime is born.
* The notion of the Matrix actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* An empty Matrix chamber is visible behind Orion's chest window after receiving his cog, even before finding the actual Matrix.
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
*Soundwave scans Orion's electrical impulses to check if he is lying, a rarely referenced ability from his [[Soundwave (G1)|original toy's bio]].
*Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Similarly, Optimus Prime's faceplate bobs up and down when he speaks.
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].
*Shockwave and Elita have a small rivalry, reflecting their Generation 1 versions in Elita's introduction episode, "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentally, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''. Orion finding the Matrix in the planet's core also evokes the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]].
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* Megatron using a long piece of sharp, orange shrapnel to attack Optimus comes from their iconic fight in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus using a defeated Shockwave's cannon to attack another enemy is a fighting move Optimus made in ''Dark of the Moon''.
* Megatron's last words to Optimus are, "This isn't over, Prime", bookending his line, "It's over, Prime", from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it when transforming into Rodimus at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus's concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space, continuing the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending in such a way, introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]].
* In the post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named [https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?t=104 A-A-Tron].

==Errors==
* The history record about Primus, the Primes, and the Matrix that Orion Pax watches in the archives is recorded by [[Laurence Fishburne|a voice]] that clearly belongs to Alpha Trion. Yet, the events described in the history record include the disappearance of the Matrix, which happened after the Primes were killed and Alpha Trion went offline. So how could Alpha Trion have made that recording when he was lying comatose in a cave during that time?
* Many of the miners based on recognizable characters appear multiple times in the background or between shots, with many, such as Ironhide, having numerous occupations and being in multiple places at the same time.
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* Chromia is the racer that wins the Iacon 5000, but a bot that better resembles [[Chromia (G1)|Generation 1 Chromia]] appears as a miner too.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, the scene after the Iacon 5000 in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* Airachnid's legs are floating behind her back in her conversation with Sentinel Prime after he murders Alpha Trion.
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. Most egregious is the footage where Sentinel and his entourage kneel to the Quintesson High Commander, where Airachnid herself is fully visible. She wasn't exaggerating when she said "I see ''everything''"!

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla $Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

The score also has other references, both in its melodies and in the titles of the songs.

==Reception==
{{quote|Just when you’re about to give up on stories that endlessly repackage the same trademarked properties, along comes a movie like Josh Cooley’s “Transformers One.” As its subtly confident title suggests, it carries itself as if nobody had ever made a Transformers movie before.|Matt Zoller Seitz|[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-one-film-review Rogerebert.com]}}

While [[Michael Bay]]'s ''Transformers'' films were notable for their record-breaking profits despite overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Transformers One'' faced the opposite problem. While [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|the previous theatrical ''Transformers'' film]] met with mixed reviews, ''Transformers One'' enjoyed an almost universally positive reception from both film critics and casual moviegoers. Critics praised the film's visual design, its nuanced approach to characterization and worldbuilding, and the performances of the film's voice actors, with many singling out Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry for their portrayals of Orion Pax and D-16. As of October 2024, its RottenTomatoes rating sits at 89% positive critical reviews and 98% positive audience reviews.

In the United States and Canada, ''Transformers One'' was originally projected to gross between 30 and 40 million dollars on its opening weekend. Ultimately, the film only made 24.6 million dollars, and finished second in the box office behind ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}'' in a surprise upset. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-can-transformers-one-borrow-a-page-from-spider-verse-and-recover-1236009559/ "Box Office: Can Transformers One Borrow a Page From Spider-Verse and Recover?"] </ref> In its second weekend, the film lost out out to rival animated robot movie ''{{w|The Wild Robot}}'', and ultimately took in a mere 9.2 million dollars after suffering a 62.8% drop. <ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/09/box-office-megalopolis-the-wild-robot-1236101618/ "'Wild Robot' Powers To Third Best September Animated Pic Debut With $35M; 'Megalopolis' Collapses With $4M & D+ CinemaScore; 'Saturday Night' Alive In Limited Release -- Box Office Update" </ref>

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
*March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
*December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
*April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
*May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
*May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
*January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
*April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
*April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
*April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
*May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
*June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
*June 12, 2024 — Several media outlets, including representatives from TFWiki, are invited to an [[Transformers One London advance screening|advance screening]] hosted by di Bonaventura and Cooley.
*June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
*July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
*December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
*April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
*April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
*April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
*May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
*June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
*June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
*June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
*June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
*July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
*July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
*July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in New York City.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
*July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
*July 25, 202.4 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
*August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
*August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
*August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
*September 17, 2024 — In an interview with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Josh Cooley, when asked again about ''One''{{'}}s relation to any of the live-action movies, di Bonaventura stated, "It was like 300 million years before the [[Transformers (film)|first Michael Bay movie]], so if that's a prequel, that's a prequel."<ref>[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-and-josh-cooley-interview/ Transformers One Producer Hopes For Sequel & Confirms G.I. Joe Crossover]</ref>
*September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
*September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
*Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
*At one point, a bird robot based on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Aerobolt]] would've played a role in the story. <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "In an older version of the story we explored Aerobolt being part of the story. It never made it into the final."|link=https://x.com/ScheierJason/status/1840624306465755358|name=Jason Scheier|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=9|day=30}}</ref>
*An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although the arcade machine and a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
*Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*A shot of Orion, Elita, Soundwave, and Shockwave exiting the train after crashing into Sentinel's tower is not in the final film, and only appears in promotional material.

==Notes==
*As seen in the cast list above, Arcee and Chromia are voiced by Jinny Chung, the film's story / script coordinator. The Injured Racer is voiced by Dillon Bryan, Josh Cooley's assistant. Cooley himself cameos as Skywarp, the "Control Room Guys", and the PA system.
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.
*Darkwing was named by Hasbro designer [[Mark Maher]], when his boss asked him "If this was a Decepticon flyer, who would it be?"<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/stories/markclonus/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2024|month=09|day=08}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin Ying Gam Gong: Choh Chi Pin''''' (變形金剛：初始篇, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]