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Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity

2024-05-31T19:39:44Z

Valkyriesdf1: /* Character model */ Credited Koichi Tsunoda, Transformer The Movie's animation director. Confirmed by Kozo Morishita in Figure King Magazine that he redesigned the Movie cast from Floro Dery's concepts.

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|decepticon}}
{{suite}}[[File:UltraMagnus-G1cartooncontinuity.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Autobots? Chap with horns: five rounds, rapid."]]

Can '''Ultra Magnus''' deal with an entire page dedicated solely to his role in the [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]? Let's find out!

==''The Transformers'' cartoon==
{{voiceactor|[[Robert Stack]] (English, ''The Movie''), [[Jack Angel]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese), [[Masaki Aizawa]] (Japanese, "The Rebirth")|[[Liu Jiazhen]] (Chinese), [[François Leccia]] (French, ''The Movie''), [[Mario Desmarais]] (Canadian French), [[Michel Barbey]] (European French), [[Henry Djanik]] (European French, 7 episodes), [[Philippe Roullier]] (European French, "The Dweller in the Depths" & "Only Human"), [[Frédéric Cerdal]] (European French, "The Face of the Nijika"), [[Holger Schwiers]] (German, 11 episodes), [[Fritz von Hardenberg]] (German, ''The Transformers: The Movie'' + 9 episodes), [[Wolfgang Mascher]] (German, "The Return of Optimus Prime pt. 1" and "The Rebirth pt. 1"), [[Ricky Coello]] (Spain-Spanish, ''The Movie''), [[Ramón Rocabayera]] (Spain-Spanish, TV series), [[Hannibal Brown]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Gabriele Carrara]] (Italian, season 3), [[Fabrizio Pucci]] (Italian, movie second dub), [[Sergio Di Giulio]] (Italian, movie second dub, only for a line), [[Júlio César]] (Portuguese, "The Movie" VHS dub), [[Ricardo Sawaya]] (Portuguese, "The Movie" Fox Kids dub), [[Júlio Chaves]] (Portuguese, season 3), [[Frank Röth]] (German, "The Ultimate Weapon"), [[Gyula Szersén]] (Hungarian, "The Movie" 1st dub (most lines))}}

[[File:TFTM UltraMagnus pointy.jpg|left|upright=1.22|thumb|"Uncle Prime wants you!" "Me?" "No, not you, the other guy."]]
Serving as commander of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], Ultra Magnus directed the Autobots’ counter-offensive when the city came under [[Battle of Autobot City|attack]] from [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and the [[Decepticon]]s in the year 2005. After directing [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] to transform the city into battle station mode, he and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] alerted the rest of the city's occupants to the attack, but they were only able to hold the Decepticons off for so long. During the battle, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] was mortally wounded, and, on his deathbed, passed the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on to Ultra Magnus. Despite his own misgivings, Magnus took possession of Matrix and became the new leader of the Autobots.

[[File:TFTM UltraMagnus dies.jpg|upright=1.22|thumb|AGGHHHH—I've been dealt with!]]
Magnus's leadership did not get off to an easy start, when reports came in from the Autobots stationed on Cybertron's moons of [[Unicron]], a monster planet that was in the process of consuming them. Magnus quickly arranged for the Autobots to head to Cybertron aboard two shuttles, but as they were preparing to depart, they were attacked by Decepticon forces led by [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], the upgraded form of Megatron. The Autobots fled into space and were pursued by Galvatron's troops. In a last-ditch effort to lose the Decepticons, Magnus ordered an emergency separation of the shuttle. After Galvatron destroyed the jettisoned portion of the vessel (and declared the Matrix destroyed), Magnus and his crew landed their craft on the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]] for repairs. Facing Galvatron solo, Magnus attempted to open the Matrix, but the talisman did not respond, and Magnus was blown to pieces by the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s. Thankfully, Ultra Magnus was soon repaired by the native [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] after they befriended the Autobots. Magnus joined the other Autobots in the battle with Unicron on Cybertron and helped drive the last of the Decepticons from their home planet. In the course of the final battle with Unicron, the young Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] opened the Matrix to destroy the planet-eater, becoming Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

{{note|Ultra Magnus’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]" and the storybook "[[Transformers the Movie (Ladybird adaptation)|Transformers the Movie]]."}}

[[File:Tftf trader-bestcustomerserviceever.jpg|upright=1.22|thumb|left]]

Rodimus subsequently took over as [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] from Magnus, and Magnus returned to his much more comfortable role of soldier, operating as Rodimus's [[second-in-command]], regularly giving advice to the inexperienced new leader and trying to draw him out from under the shadow of Optimus Prime.

[[File:UltraMagnusG1cartoonvehiclemode.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|When the Masterpiece toy came out, everyone only then learned that his front bumper was red.]]

When the [[Quintesson]]s attacked the first [[Galactic Olympics]], Ultra Magnus, [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] were kidnapped and taken to [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], where they were found guilty in one of the Quintessons’ twisted trials. Dropped into the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] pit, they were quickly rescued by their fellow Autobots, but the whole team was then set adrift in space when the Quintessons blew up their planet in an attempt to destroy the Autobots. They eventually made it back to Cybertron, only for their homeworld itself to come under attack by a united Quintesson-Decepticon alliance. Ultra Magnus held off the attackers long enough for Rodimus and the others to make it to cover, dispatching [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] before being faced with Galvatron, who took a few shots at him before deciding he had more important things to deal with. When the Quintessons betrayed Galvatron in order to achieve their true goals, he turned on the aliens, and the invasion of Cybertron was repelled. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[File:G1 FFODPart5 UltraMagnus punch Dirge.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|"Death comes to he who cannot deal with me, Magnus." "Oh, fine, I'll deal with you, Dirge." "AAAAAHHHHH!"]]
One evening, Ultra Magnus was contemplating the stars when the Quintessons impersonated [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] in order to abduct him. Having recently renewed contact with their ancient creations, the Quintesson scientists intended to test the Transformers. To that end, Ultra Magnus was forced into a Danger Room scenario, battling a hard-light illusion of Rodimus Prime. He was soon introduced to the other test subjects, [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Marissa Faireborn]]. Ultra Magnus overloaded the electron bars of their cells with his own body, freeing the captives. A chaotic melee erupted, and Ultra Magnus and Cyclonus began grappling for the right to bring the Quintesson ship to their respective leader, but before the issue could be resolved the craft began plummeting into a [[black hole]]. During a fight for the last escape pod, Magnus was drawn out into space. Astonishingly, it was Cyclonus who saved Ultra Magnus from the void, for it would have been dishonorable to allow such a proud warrior to die anywhere else but on the battle field. Unfortunately, this only delayed the inevitable, as the ship ultimately plunged into the black hole and emerged on the other side in a [[negative universe]]. Only by working together were they able to return through the white hole to their own universe. Magnus and Cyclonus acknowledged their mutual, grudging respect for each other as warriors, but vowed that when they met again, it would be as enemies. {{storylink|The Killing Jar (episode)|The Killing Jar}}

[[File:KillingJar negative Magnus Marissa.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I lay down to take a nap and woke up as anti-matter!]]

Later, Ultra Magnus was on a pleasure flight with Rodimus, Kup, Arcee and the Witwickys when a Decepticon attack forced them to land the ship's lifepod on a remote Autobot funeral barge, launched into space at the end of the war with the deactivated bodies of lost Autobot warriors. The tomb of Optimus Prime was empty, but Optimus Prime himself was miraculously alive. It soon became clear, however, that Prime was not in his right mind, as he fired on Magnus and the others, leaving them to die as the barge began plummeting into a sun. They managed to escape, but barely – the makeshift repairs to their ship led to a crashlanding back on Cybertron. Ultra Magnus and the others soon learned that Optimus Prime had mobilized the entire Autobot fleet to go after the Quintessons and "avenge" their deaths. They caught up to Prime's fleet, and against Prime's orders, Magnus and friends were brought on board. The Quintesson ploy was uncovered, and Optimus Prime regained his senses long enough to spring their trap away from the other Autobots, allowing Magnus and the others to flee to safety. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}}

[[File:DarkAwakening Magnus hands.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Optimus, I know you're upset I gave the Matrix to Hot Rod. But that's no reason to turn into a zombie."]]

After a lost Autobot named [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] arrived on Cybertron, Ultra Magnus and the others learned of a Transformer colony world named [[Paradron]] on the other side of a vortex. Its pacifistic people had recently come under Decepticon attack after [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and Cyclonus accidentally discovered the planet. Working with Rodimus, Ultra Magnus assembled an Autobot strike force to liberate the Paradronians and prevent the Decepticons from acquiring the world's vast energon supply. Ultra Magnus took charge of the second mission with back-up from Blurr and Wheelie, but they ran into heavy resistance fire. This forced them to go to Plan 'B' – blow up the planet's energon core, and the entire planet with it. The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] attempted to stop Magnus and Sandstorm from reaching the core with a seek-and-destroy missile, but Ultra Magnus simply grabbed the missile out of mid-air and threw it back at their attackers. Inside the core, Ultra Magnus took a moment to explore his sensitive side.

{{bigquote|I've never seen anything this beautiful in the entire galaxy. All right, give me the bomb.}}

[[File:Fightorflee Ultramagnus Sandstorm bomb.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Just read the quote. Nothing can top the actual quote.]]
After setting the charges, Ultra Magnus informed Sandstorm that they had only five minutes to evacuate the planet. They breezed by Galvatron on their way out and evacuated to a nearby moon to observe the destruction. With the total annihilation of their planet, Rodimus and Ultra Magnus offered Sandstorm and the Paradronians a home back on Cybertron. {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}}

When dictator [[Abdul Fakkadi (G1)|Abdul Fakkadi]] manipulated Trypticon into plundering the Earth for him, Ultra Magnus joined Metroplex and many other Autobots in defeating the Decepticon city and putting Fakkadi in his place. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

One night, while observing the security monitors, Ultra Magnus, Rodimus Prime and Kup were greeted with the startling sight of Cyclonus and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s flying away from Cybertron with the former Decepticon [[Octane]] in tow. Since Octane had become an independent contractor working with the Autobots, Magnus and the others flew out with the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to intercept the Decepticon raiding party. They forced the enemy back down to the surface, but let them go after Octane and his secret partner "Cyclonus" let them in on a double-cross. Cyclonus was actually possessed by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]'s ghost and, after returning to Charr, they manipulated Galvatron into travelling to Cybertron alone, where he was ambushed and nearly captured by Rodimus, Ultra Magnus and the other Autobots. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

[[File:SurpriseParty Magnus smiling.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Why is this 'Bot smiling? He just farted. And blamed [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]].]]
Ultra Magnus and the other Autobots took a relaxing break from preparations for the first Cybertronian peace conference to prepare a surprise birthday party for their human friend, [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. The party was interrupted, however, when the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] staged an assault on the Autobot shuttle bay, hoping to destroy the craft being prepped for the conference's delegates. During the battle, Wheelie took a glancing blow from [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] and was left shaken and disoriented right smack in the middle of the firefight. With no regard to his own safety, Magnus rushed out into the line of fire and took several hits to the back from [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] while shielding the fallen Wheelie with his own body. The Combaticons were driven off, but not before they did some damage to the shuttles. In the aftermath, Ultra Magnus insisted [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] attend to the shuttle first before working on Magnus's own injuries. His demonstrations of bravery and self-sacrifice gave Daniel and Wheelie the idea of planning a surprise party for Ultra Magnus on HIS birthday. Their only question was WHEN exactly the date was. Their search for answers led to the [[Lost Cybertronian Storage Asteroid|Autobot Records Asteroid]]... and trouble. They were taken hostage by Cyclonus and the Decepticons, who set the asteroid on a collision course with the peace conference. Daniel and Wheelie served as living shields to prevent the Autobot defense from blasting the asteroid out of the sky. Instead, Ultra Magnus enlisted Sky Lynx for a raid on the space rock to rescue their friends. They sent the Sweeps packing, and Ultra Magnus went after Cyclonus personally to reprogram the asteroid's flight path. With the Decepticon distracted, Wheelie triggered the self-destruct sequence and the Autobots made it to safety, saving the peace conference. Afterwards, Wheelie and Daniel explained what they had been doing, and the incredulous Ultra Magnus remarked that even he didn't know when his birthday was (apparently the Quintessons had never heard of the Gregorian calendar. Go figure). {{storylink|Surprise Party}}

During an ambassador reception on Cybertron, Daniel Witwicky went missing and couldn't be found. Rodimus assigned Ultra Magnus, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] and the cassettes to look for him. [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]'s tracking senses helped unearth a lost Quintesson chamber where Daniel and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] had gone. Magnus and the others soon worked out that their missing friends had accidentally travelled to the dimension of [[Menonia]], thanks to an old Quintesson method of banishing criminals to other universes. While in Menonia, Ultra Magnus and the Autobots helped the local "Dragon of the Sun", the [[Golden One]], fight off his treacherous pupil, the exiled Quintesson known as [[Mara-Al-Utha]]. After restoring his kingdom to him, the Autobots were aided in returning to Cybertron by the Golden One. {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}}

[[File:Bigmagnus tinyconst.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|It's not an animation error. They knew the [[Constructicon (Universe)|Micromaster Constructicons]] would be out by 2006.]]
When Galvatron and the Constructicons attempted to turn a moon-sized comet into a guided missile to destroy [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], Ultra Magnus led a team of Autobots to intercept and stop their plans. This team consisted of Blaster, Perceptor, [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and maybe Grimlock. And maybe [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. At some times [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. Also, several guys who looked disturbingly like [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and the corpses of [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]. All of whom could change size at will. Anyway, Ultra Magnus confronted Galvatron, who attempted to turn into cannon mode and blast the Autobot. Unfortunately, his character model sheet was drawn pointing off to the right, leaving him unable to turn and fire before Magnus jumped him. Still, Galvatron somehow managed to grapple and wrestle with Ultra Magnus in cannon mode, despite having no noticeable moving parts of any kind. An explosion at the artificial engines the Constructicons had been installing sent the comet hurtling towards a nearby world called [[Eurythma]]. Before it could strike, it was destroyed by an extraordinarily powerful sonic discharge, a [[harmony]] produced by the musical Renaissance [[Eurythman|elf people]] who lived on Eurhythma.

[[File:Carnage C-Minor Autobots harmonic attack.JPG|left|thumb|upright=1.22|ssshh, this is just my model sheet pose, don't tell anybody]]

The mere backlash of the harmony was enough to knock all the Transformers out of space and down to the planet's surface. When Galvatron and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] went after the source of the harmony, Ultra Magnus grabbed Blaster and Broadside to help stop him. Lucky he did, because Blaster was the only one who could understand the harmonic speech of the Eurhythmians. Although he did do some ad-libbing... and sometimes Ultra Magnus explained things in Blaster's voice. ANYWAY, Galvatron and Soundwave managed to assemble the three parts of the harmony, and left for Earth to attack Metroplex with it. To counteract their harmonic weapon, Ultra Magnus brought along the Eurhythmian leaders to sing in [[anti-sound]] and cancel out the harmony. Yes, they sang ''anti-sound''. Then, Blaster successfully grabbed Soundwave's crotch, erasing his tapes of the harmony. The moral of this story is... the best way to win the day is through sexual assault and violating the laws of physics. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}}

[[File:Nightmare-planet-ultramagnus-rodimus-gardner.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Ultra Magnus, Springer and Rodimus were exploring an electromagnetic anomaly in a remote part of Cybertron when the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] staged an attack on the Autobots. Their fight with [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] was interrupted by a Quintesson experiment that turned the nightmares of Daniel Witwicky into substance, solid enough to do serious damage to the Transformers. The Autobots and Decepticons were forced into an alliance to try and escape the strange and ever-changing landscape. Ultra Magnus and [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] were almost eaten by a giant, and they were all assaulted by a many-headed hydra. The Autobots eventually located Danny and freed him from the Quintessons' machines. {{storylink|Nightmare Planet}}

[[File:GhostMachine Magnus with hands on hips.jpg|upright=1.1|left|thumb|"Pay attention to me! This is my important face."]]
After Scourge and the ghost of Starscream stole Metroplex's eyes and blew up his brain, Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime put Cybertron on full alert in case a follow-up attack occurred. They eventually managed to suss out that the Decepticon duo were working for Unicron, after they noticed the Chaos-Bringer had his eyes back. Magnus assembled a small strike team of Springer, Hot Spot and [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] aboard Sky Lynx to investigate the artificial "moon". The spy mission didn't go too well, however, as the repair work on Unicron had proceeded farther than they had expected: the Dark God expelled them from his head using a blast of electrical fire. Scourge soon alerted the Autobots to Unicron's plan after finding out the entity wanted Cybertron for his new body. Ultra Magnus and his strike team were prepared when Unicron's head touched down on Cybertron to make the connections, and set of a series of energon explosives at the base of Unicron, launching him back into orbit and without any new body to call his own. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine}}

[[File:BigBroadcast Magnus generator.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Have you seen this new app. on my iPhone?"]]
One day on Cybertron, Ultra Magnus was jovially describing the ongoing construction work on the new [[hyper generator]] to Rodimus Prime...up until the point when he realized Rodimus wasn't listening to a word of it. After giving Rodimus a passionate speech about the mantle of leadership, Magnus was offered a good deal on a slightly used mantle. Luckily for Rodimus, a crisis soon broke out on the Planet of Junk. Ultra Magnus and Rodimus took several soldiers with them aboard [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] to observe what was happening with the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] first hand. They were shot down en route by Cyclonus and the Sweeps, but Ultra Magnus managed to repair the damage to Omega and they continued on to Junk. Chaos raged in the skies over the Junkion homeworld, due to a hypnotic signal arranged by the Quintessons which was stimulating xenophobia and hyper-aggression in all who were exposed to it. Magnus and Blaster located the source of the signal, and then used Blaster's tapedeck mode to broadcast a disruption signal to counter the Quintesson transmissions. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

During the peace conferences between [[Xetaxxis]] and [[Lanarq]], Ultra Magnus, Rodimus Prime and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] did their best to keep the two warring factions from tearing each other apart. Luckily for the Autobots, the two alien species were too busy hating each other to point out how unbelievably hypocritical it was for Cybertronians to be chiding them over centuries of warfare. Whose planet is occasionally blasted out of its own orbit by war, huh Transformer? {{storylink|The Quintesson Journal}}

[[File:DwellerDepths Magnus packing heat.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"I've never seen anything [[Dweller (G1)|this horrible]] in the entire galaxy. All right, give me the bomb. What? No bomb? Crap."]]
After unveiling a new [[power core]] on Cybertron, Ultra Magnus caught Galvatron and the Decepticons sneaking into an old utility tunnel. He and a squad of Autobots followed after them, only for both groups of Transformers to get caught in a battle with the Quintessons' old creations, the [[Trans-Organic]]s. These bio-mechanical creatures were dangerous enough individually, but the enormous [[Dweller (G1)|Dweller]] was a threat to them all. It not only drained the power of any Transformer it touched, but also transformed them into energy vampires as well. Ultra Magnus was nearly drained of all his power several times by the creatures but was saved by his fellow Autobots. The monster tried twice to drain Magnus; the first time he was saved by Wreck-Gar; the second time, he fought his way free.

[[File:Dweller-in-the-depths-ultramagnus-rocketlaunch.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right]]
Battling their way through the Dweller, its zombiefied victims, and Galvatron and his troops, Magnus and Arcee managed to escape to the surface, reporting back to Perceptor. The Autobot scientist conceived of a power surge method which restored the vampiric Transformers to full functionality, and the Dweller was disposed of by launching it and the power core deep into space. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

[[File:OnlyHuman human Ultra Magnus.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
The Autobots were helping The City of The Future deal with a crime wave, when they received a hot tip on where to find [[Victor Drath]], resident crime lord. Ultra Magnus, Rodimus, Springer and Arcee raced to Drath's mansion... and straight into a trap. Some impressive technology assembled by Drath's associate [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]] robbed the four Autobots of their robot bodies and displaced them into synthoid human forms. Ultra Magnus found himself sporting some very distinguished gray temples, like [[Mister Fantastic|Reed Richards]] or {{w|Parallax (character)|Parallax}} {{w|Hal Jordan}}. Luckily, the Autobots each found a jumpsuit nearby, perfectly matching their robot color schemes. Tragically, Magnus apparently ignored the matching hat that came with his outfit. Very [[Robert Stack|Untouchables]]. {{storylink|Only Human}}

[[File:GalvatronUltraWebworld.jpg|thumb|upright=1.22]]

On an [[isidrite]] survey mission with Sky Lynx and the other Autobots, Ultra Magnus was attacked by an overly manic Galvatron and his soldiers. His frenzied state made Galvatron just as dangerous to his own men as the Autobots — he even batted away a Sweep who attempted to help him against Ultra Magnus. With the Decepticons so disorganized, Ultra Magnus was easily able to lead the Autobots in routing their opponents and making a clean getaway with the isidrite. {{storylink|Webworld}}

When Rodimus Prime was feeling down about his leadership skills, Ultra Magnus was forced to come up with an upbeat, cheery encouragement speech in the middle of a smouldering war zone. Tough job. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon|The Ultimate Weapon}}

[[File:FaceOfNijika Magnus Rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.22]]

After plummeting through a Quintesson [[quadrant lock]], Ultra Magnus landed hard on the planet [[Zamojin (planet)|Zamojin]] with Rodimus Prime, Blurr and Perceptor. The planet's remarkably high density made the simple, club-wielding natives far more of a threat than they ought to have been. {{storylink|The Face of the Nijika}}

Ultra Magnus officiated the unveiling of the Autobots' latest power generator on Cybertron, but, like many of their previous attempts at new energy sources, it was fraught with complications from the start. First, Grimlock nearly blew the entire system by throwing the wrong levers at the opening ceremony. Not long thereafter, Decepticon agents planted anti-electrons in the power generator, causing it to trigger malfunctions in all the Autobots. Magnus and a small group of Autobots had to travel deep underground to disable the power generator's dangerous broadcasting. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

[[File:CallofthePrimitives Magnus and Springer.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
On a barren moon, Ultra Magnus was engaged in trench warfare with the Decepticons alongside Rodimus Prime, Springer and Blaster when their [[Primitive]] comrades began acting funny. Sky Lynx, the Dinobots, and other bestial Transformers on both sides suddenly abandoned the battlefield, answering a siren call only they could hear. Only moments later, the energy creature known as [[Tornedron]] struck the moon, draining away all of Ultra Magnus's energy and leaving all the Transformers lifeless and inactive. Only through the actions of Grimlock and the Primitives were they eventually reactivated. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

In Japan, Ultra Magnus was present when Hot Rod first recovered after losing the Matrix of Leadership to the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. For once (hah!), his destiny and honor speech did little to sway the "chosen one", who raced off on his own, glad to be free of the burden of responsibility. Roddy had to learn this lesson for himself. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime1 hate-plague Magnus.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Pull my finger.]]
When the [[Hate Plague]] swept the universe, Ultra Magnus was one of the first infected and was transformed into a raving maniac with a fixation on exterminating Rodimus Prime. Magnus pursued Rodimus through Autobot City, but was subdued by Wreck-Gar, only to wind up infecting the Junkion, who in turn infected Rodimus. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}} Magnus and the rest of the universe were cured of the plague by the resurrected Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

In 2007, Ultra Magnus helped defend Autobot City from a massive Decepticon assault, which was actually a diversion for the theft of the key to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. Subsequently, Magnus accompanied Optimus Prime on a shuttle to Cybertron. After Prime got the answers he needed from [[Vector Sigma]], he decided to go to [[Nebulos]] and left Ultra Magnus in charge of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} Magnus's tenure didn't go very well, as the selfsame massive Decepticon assault force was attacking the planet. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} Nonetheless, he and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] struck at Galvatron, and might well have done him in if [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok's]] reinforcements hadn't arrived. Magnus then ignominiously had his [[power pack]] torn out and slowly began to die from lack of energon. Still, he was able to relay Galvatron's crazed scheme to Optimus Prime and the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] before blacking out.

When Ultra Magnus next awoke, the Golden Age of Cybertron had come anew, and the Decepticons were seemingly defeated once and for all. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

Sometime later, for [[Tommy Kennedy]]'s birthday, Ultra Magnus and many other Autobots presented to the human boy a cake. {{Storylink|Surprise Party#Season 5|Season 5: Surprise Party}}
{{--}}

==Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity==
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese continuity as described above, except that events following the movie are moved back to 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. Japanese continuity proceeds to insert several new stories into the gaps in the timeline. Of particular note is Japanese fiction's adherence to Magnus's Tech Spec function of "City Commander"; he is always shown as being in charge of Autobot City on Earth, while the cartoon itself put Blaster in this role.}}

===Bios===
Before Ultra Magnus became a soldier, he was a civil servant who attended to areas of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] affected by the war.<ref>MP-22's instruction booklet</ref> His "inner robot" was known as simply "'''Magnus'''" (マグナス ''Magunasu'').<ref>[[e-HOBBY#Transformers Character Card|Transformers Character Card]] for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Character Card|Ultra Magnus]]</ref>

===Scramble City===
{{voiceactor|[[Banjō Ginga]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:Prime magnus scramblecity.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|"This is awkward, but have we ever actually, y'know, met?"]]

The Autobots' Scramble City project continued under Magnus’ direction, concealed within a cavern base. Unfortunately, Decepticon spy [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] was able to penetrate the cavern and learn of the project, leading to a battle between [[combiner]]s from both factions as the Decepticons attempted to destroy the project. During the battle, Scramble City was completed and Magnus ordered it into battle, successfully winning the day. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages===
[[File:EarlyGalvatronTVMagazine1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]

Ultra Magnus, Commander of [[Autobot City (G1)|Scramble City]], joined Optimus Prime in a battle on the shoulder of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] against Megatron and his new lieutenant, [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]. In the heat of battle, Magnus delivered a devastating jumpkick to Galvatron. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)#Part 9|Part 9}}

Ultra Magnus would face his new nemesis a second time, going one-on-one while Optimus dealt with [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]. Magnus clobbered Galvatron and the Decepticon was taken into custody by the Autobots. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)#Part 15|Part 15}}
{{--}}

===''Story of Binaltech''===
While Optimus Prime was fighting the Decepticons on Cybertron in the early days of the 21st century, Magnus was charged with the protection of the Earth, leading to the construction of the full-fledged Autobot City {{storylink|Binaltech Is... (Chapter 1)|Binaltech Is...}} and coordinating supply runs to Cybertron. {{storylink|Reality Check}}

When [[Operation: Carwash]] successfully uncovered the designs of the [[Concurrence]], [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|D.R. Faireborn]] sought to contact Ultra Magnus to warn him against the organization's plot to turn the Earth's solar system into a robot-free zone. {{storylink|Expose All of Evil's Designs!}}

====BT World====
After the time-travelling [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] altered history by shunting the Decepticons out of time, the Autobots were left to face the threat of Unicron alone in 2005. {{storylink|Changing Lanes}} Magnus left Earth to join Prime in battling the chaos-bringer, before which he dispatched [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] into the past to restore the timeline. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (prose)|Darkest Hour}}

While battling Unicron, Optimus Prime was badly damaged and, fearing his own death, passed the Matrix of Leadership to Ultra Magnus. Shedding his armor, Magnus ventured inside of Unicron's body and petitioned the Matrix: he knew he was not the [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Chosen One]], but if the Matrix did not allow him to wield its power now, Unicron would destroy them all. The Matrix responded to his pleas, and its power was unleashed, destroying the chaos-bringer. The dimension-hopper [[Overdrive]] then revealed that, thanks to Skids's efforts, the Autobots were all now in an alternate splinter timeline from the "correct" timeline (known as the "BT World timeline"); in the "correct" timeline, it was [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] who received the Matrix and used it to defeat Unicron. Hot Rod said he liked the sound of that, while Magnus sternly told him not to get any ideas. Any revelry the Autobots might have indulged in at that point was cut short, however, as the Decepticon forces returned from their time-shunt. {{storylink|Binal Time}}

The fighting-fit Decepticons took control of Cybertron once more, but were subsequently defeated by the Autobots through the activation of the Quintesson [[large switch|killswitch]]. {{storylink|Kill Switch}} Several months after this victory, Ultra Magnus was stationed at Autobot City, when a time/space-hopping [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] arrived from the "correct" timeline to help save the fading spark of [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 1}}

Shortly following the fiasco involving the [[Timaeus Project]], Magnus was part of a team led by Optimus Prime into battle in [[Australia]] to stop the Decepticons' new leader [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] from creating a synthetic Matrix. When victory was won, Magnus joined the Autobots in rolling out into the sunset. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 4}}

After the defeat of Nemesis Prime, Ultra Magnus and the Autobots monitored the transfer of [[Alternium]] at the Earth Defense Command space center. They were attacked by evil Binaltech warriors created by Unicron, [[Decepticharge]] and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. They were intent on destroying the Matrix inside Magnus for their master, but ultimately failed. {{storylink|Outlier (comic)|Outlier}}

===''Kiss Players''===
[[File:Kiss players 15 go go ultra magnus.jpg|thumb|upright=0.55|Toy-accurate to a soulless-eyed fault!]]
When [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] defeated [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] within Unicron in the year 2005, he hurled the Decepticon leader into space, only for him to wind up crashing into Earth, devastating [[Tokyo]]. Consumed by guilt, Rodimus returned the Matrix to Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|A Big Catch Tonight?!}}

For a year, Transformer/human relations were so badly damaged by the Tokyo incident that Cybertronians were entirely forced off Earth by the [[Earth Defense Command]]. Thanks to the efforts of Hot Rod, a briefly-resurrected Optimus Prime and three human [[Kiss Player]]s, the corruption at the heart of the EDC was exposed, and the anti-electron field keeping Transformers off Earth was deactivated. The Autobots returned to the planet, and as his first initiative to try and improve human/Transformer public relations in this time of tentative stability, Ultra Magnus arranged the formation of a singing group made up of members of both species to tour the planet and promote good will and mutual understanding. With the help of [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] as the group's producer, the "[[Kiss Players (singing group)|Kiss Players]]" were born. {{storylink|Kiss Players epsiode 39|Kiss Players #39}} When the human members of the group disappeared during their performance at [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]], {{storylink|Sparkbots Volume 1}} the three cassettes that made up the rest of the group returned to Metroplex to inform Magnus of the strange turn of events. {{storylink|Sparkbots Volume 2}}

Magnus continued to serve as Autobot leader over the next three years, until Hot Rod reclaimed the Matrix and resumed his post in 2010. {{storylink|Source:Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|Kiss Players timeline}}

===Controverse===
After the trial of [[Primacron]], Ultra Magnus was present when the scientist was banished to another universe. {{storylink|Controverse}}

===''The Headmasters'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Hōchū Ōtsuka|Yoshitada Ōtsuka]] (Japanese)|[[Jack Murphy]] (English), [[Liu Jiazhen]] (Chinese), [[Juan Zadala]] (Latin American)}}
[[File:4soldiers magnus vs sixshot.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
By the year 2011, Magnus had taken over full-time command of Autobot City on Earth. A major Decepticon attack in the immediate vicinity of the city led Magnus to take all this troops into action, unaware that the battle was being staged as a distraction to keep the Earth-bound Autobots from reinforcing their fellows on Cybertron, which had simultaneously come under attack by [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] and his new [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] warriors. During the battle, Ultra Magnus first crossed swords with his new opposite number: [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], the Decepticons' Ninja Commander, and head of their own Earth-based forces. The pair displayed their fighting styles for each other (Magnus's, apparently, was to shoot the ground ''around'' his enemy's feet, rather than the enemy themselves—great tactics, there, Magnus) and began grappling, until Metroplex and the [[Trainbot]]s arrived to disrupt the battle, allowing some of the Autobots to make it back to the city and on through the [[space bridge]] to the battle on Cybertron. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

After the Decepticons had been routed, Ultra Magnus helped co-ordinate the search on Earth for the missing Matrix of Leadership, which was required to bring the unstable Vector Sigma under control. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} While Hot Rod and the newly arrived Autobot Headmasters took the lead in the search, Magnus set up teams to run interference, keeping the Decepticons off their back. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

[[File:Veilofmystery magnus files.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Observing Trypticon apparently moving on an oil refinery, Ultra Magnus and [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] directed Metroplex into action to stop him. They soon discovered that they had been lured into a trap when the Decepticons' newest weapon, the [[Madmachine]], paralyzed Metroplex with an electromagnetic attack. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}} Magnus also witnessed the first attack of the next new Decepticon device, the metal-warping meteorite [[Metamorphose]], when it distorted a survey vessel he was in the process of receiving a report from. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Receiving word from one of the Autobots' Earth outposts about a new energy discovery, Rodimus Prime came to Earth to learn more. Ultra Magnus was puzzled by his arrival, having heard no such news, and the pair headed out to investigate, only to discover that the entire staff of the outpost had been massacred. The report had been a Decepticon distraction, to keep Rodimus and Magnus occupied while the Decepticon Headmasters sprang a trap for their Autobot counterparts on the planet [[Praum]]. Magnus remained on Earth while Rodimus headed off to aid their comrades. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Soon after, Magnus informed the Autobots on [[Athenia]] of a mysterious blackmailer who was extorting energy from Earth, {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}} the eruption of a volcano {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} and the attack of [[buridanka|a carnivorous plant]]. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}

[[File:Sosfromsandra magnus pwns galvy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Whatchagonnado when Magnusmania runs wild on you?]]

When a team of Autobots discovered a Decepticon operation on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], Ultra Magnus ordered the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] to head for the red planet and back them up. Trypticon appeared to stop the high-tech heroes from going far, so Magnus ordered Metroplex to step in a help. Unfortunately, Sixshot then added his firepower to the fight, and Magnus's troops were unable to break away. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} The Decepticons subsequently retreated from Mars, and Ultra Magnus sent [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] to snoop around the Decepticons' Earth base to see if he could find out why. He did not expect the answer to be that they had all left to watch the creation of a gigantic new [[Transtector]] for the Decepticon Headmaster leader, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]! {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

Upon receiving a request for energy aid from the otherdimensional planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], the Autobots on Athenia had Ultra Magnus arrange for the transport of some of Earth's [[energon cube]] stockpile. A Decepticon attack prevented the Trainbots from taking off with the energon, so after he got done body-slamming Galvatron, Magnus informed Athenia of the raid, and they decided to send a portion of their own stockpiles instead while the Decepticons were occupied. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}} Magnus remained stationed on Earth while the Headmasters and other assorted Autobots took off to pursue the Decepticons who were raiding planets of energy in deep space. {{storylink|Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!}}

[[File:Hm25 fortress cradles magnus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
After the Decepticons were through plundering the universe, they returned to Earth with even greater plans for the planet – Galvatron intended to incorporate it [[Grand Galvatron|into his system]], and Sixshot dedicated himself to wiping out the Autobot resistance. Unwilling to burden the already-occupied Autobot commander [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] with this news, Ultra Magnus co-ordinated the response on his own, but soon came under direct attack from Sixshot himself. Struggling against the [[Six Changer]], he was convinced by the [[Trainbot]]s to inform Fortress, but before any reinforcements could arrive, Sixshot used his secret seventh "Wingwolf" mode to deliver the killing blow to Ultra Magnus, ending the City Commander's life.

[[File:Ultramagnusdies funeral.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|"Guys, I keep telling you, I'm fine! I didn't turn grey!"]]
After the furious Headmasters sent the Decepticons fleeing, Metroplex requested that, rather than be fired into space, Magnus’ body be buried on the Earth he had loved so much. In accordance with these wishes, Magnus’ body was loaded into a funeral bier and then submerged in a cave on the Japanese coastline. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}}

Sometime later, Sixshot challenged Chromedome to a duel to the death on [[Juno]]. Chromedome swore to defeat the killer for the memory of Ultra Magnus and all the others whom he had slain. Ultimately, machinations from Scorponok forced the pair to work together to escape certain death and save Daniel's life. Ultimately, this changed Sixshot's allegiances and Ultra Magnus was avenged, not by killing his executioner, but by, uh, "saving" him. {{storylink|Duel on the Asteroid}}

===e-HOBBY toy bio===
As he had briefly held the Matrix, Ultra Magnus joined the ranks of the other Autobot leaders whose sparks retained their individuality within the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]], but he remained restless knowing that he didn't belong. Using the cosmic awareness that accompanies joining the Matrix to observe the mortal realm, Ultra Magnus learned, by chance, of the threat posed to the galaxy by [[Galvatron II]] and his massive [[Warworld|Mobile Battle Fortress]]. Determined to set things right, Magnus contacted Optimus Prime via their shared link to the Matrix, and resurrected himself using Prime's [[Reconfiguration Matrix]].<ref name="ehobby">[https://web.archive.org/web/20080117145649/http://www.e-hobby.co.jp/texts/e_gentei/ultramagnus_e.html Ultra Magnus's e-HOBBY toy bio] (archive)</ref>

===''Legends'' comic===
In response to the rise of Galvatron II, Battle Convoy saw the need to resurrect Ultra Magnus and tasked [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], whose spirit was intertwined with the Matrix, with locating Magnus within it. Having felt that Prime was in trouble, Magnus readily agreed to be revived and accepted Trion into his chest, allowing the sage's unique Matrix connection to act as a Reconfiguration Matrix that resurrected Magnus. He was less than thrilled to be resurrected inside a coffin on the ocean floor, however, and his first action back in the world of the living was to bitterly confront the Headmasters on the matter of his burial. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#Resurrection Chapter|Resurrection Chapter}}

[[File:LegendsComic UltraMagnus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0]]
Alpha Trion later summoned Ultra Magnus to the [[Legends World]] to put a stop to the alliance between Megatron and [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Armada Megatron]]. After being reassured that he no longer needed Trion's Reconfiguration Matrix within him but was free to rely on his own strength, Magnus joined the fight, rescuing [[T-AI|Ai]] from the terror of Armada Megatron and sending his own Megatron fleeing with an "Ultra Magnum" missile barrage. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 14|Bonus Edition Vol. 14}} Ultra Magnus remained in the Legends World to help defend it from [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]], another interdimensional intruder Alpha Trion was expecting. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 16|Bonus Edition Vol. 16}}

Ultra Magnus later wielded Alpha Trion's so-called "shield mode" when the Autobot elder wanted to prove he had a weapon mode. Unfortunately, Trion was much too small to actually shield Magnus from most attacks, and he ended up being gunned down and mistaken for dead. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Sequel#Alpha Trion Chapter|Alpha Trion Chapter}} Following his defeat at Magnus's hands, Armada Megatron bought a [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Legends|toy]] of the Autobot in order to discover his weaknesses. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Sequel#Armada Megatron Chapter|Armada Megatron Chapter}} When [[Starscream (Armada)|Armada Starscream]] attempted to sacrifice himself to save the Legends World, Ultra Magnus deduced from Armada Megatron's comments that Starscream was already dead but had reappeared as a ghost thanks to the Legends World's [[spirit energy]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 18|Bonus Edition Vol. 18}}

When [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] was thinking back to how he and [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] had drifted apart, he remembered that over time she'd started spending more time with other people, like Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}} After both [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] crossed over to the Legends World, Ultra Magnus attempted to stop the Starscream-possessed Waspinator from capturing Metroplex, but was defeated. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Ultra Magnus and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] were later tied up by [[Screech (Generations)|Screech]] during his mission to send all interdimensional visitors to the Legends World back to where they came from, though he eventually gave up and allowed them to stay. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 20|Bonus Edition Vol. 20}} Magnus headed out when Megatron-turned-Galvatron was causing trouble, but was not seen to actually fight him. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 23|Bonus Edition Vol. 23}} When [[Tera-Kura Co.|Decepticon Tera-Kura Co.]] purchased Metroplex, Ultra Magnus's pride as City Commander wouldn't let him leave the city-bot to his fate, and he instead joined the Decepticon company so he could remain with Metroplex. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 31|Bonus Edition Vol. 31}}

As part of Decepticon Tera-Kura Co., Ultra Magnus helpfully took it upon himself to transport cargo that his colleague [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] couldn't. Astrotrain didn't appreciate the gesture, though, believing Magnus was replacing him. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}} Ultra Magnus later attempted to stop [[Ginrai (human)|Super Ginrai]] from entering their offices, telling him the president was too busy for visitors. His job didn't stop him from trying to help Ginrai fight an evil [[Godbomber]], but he was defeated. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 42|Bonus Edition Vol. 42}} When the Decepticon Headmasters rebelled and attacked Tera-Kura Co., Ultra Magnus helped fight them only to be hypnotized by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. {{storylink|LG43 Trypticon Mobilization Chapter: Decepticon Civil War|Decepticon Civil War}} Injured during the battle, he had to wear a metallic cast over one arm and could do little to help when the Headmasters unleashed [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] on the city. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}} He was seen on the streets of [[Akihabara|Neo Akihabara City]] after it was rebuilt in the wake of Trypticon's attack. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}}

Informed by the [[Universal Peace Alliance]] that Sixshot had broken the criminal [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] out of jail and was harboring him in the Legends World, Ultra Magnus borrowed some [[Tank Drone]]s and confronted his old nemesis. Confident that he could win with Alpha Trion's Matrix powers on his side, Magnus fought him and countered the Wingwolf attack that had once killed him, but was ultimately defeated again in a head-on collision. However, Sixshot was seemingly assassinated by [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] and bid farewell to Ultra Magnus, who was then approached by Daniel who explained that Sixshot had been innocent and Star Saber had been framed. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 50|Bonus Edition Vol. 50}}

===e-HOBBY comics===
[[File:GalvatronII-LaserMagnus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|I'm kinda the buttmonkey of this franchise, aren't I?]]
During the battles with Galvatron II, Ultra Magnus used the power of the Reconfiguration Matrix to take on a body similar to Battle Convoy's. In this new form Ultra Magnus became able to switch between various body types (including his original) at will, similar to Optimus Prime, thanks to his contact with the Reconfiguration Matrix. In addition, he became able to tap into his [[laser core]] to power his blaster and sword.<ref name="ehobby"/>

Ultra Magnus immediately set out to counter Galvatron II's invasion and started raising forces of his own. On at least one occasion Ultra Magnus was so thoroughly trounced by Galvatron and his endless puns that he required saving by Optimus Prime in his new [[Black body (technology)|Black body]]. {{storylink|Hybrid Style Convoy Black Version}}

Later, still with his mouthplate removed from his skirmish with Galvatron II, Magnus stood behind [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] with the rest of the Autobots as Optimus Prime told them of an attack on a [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombian]] cargo ship by a mysterious sea creature. {{storylink|MP-1B Cybertron Commander / Convoy Black Ver.}}

===''Generations Selects Special Comic''===
In [[2050]], Megatron supported the uprising of a race of human-engineered robots named [[Selector]]s, who felt they were treated as slaves. Ultra Magnus was among the Autobots assembled at first by Optimus Prime to oppose the revolution, but the Autobots quickly realized Megatron and the Selectors were correct. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}} Unfortunately, the Quintessons entered the fray on the side of Earth, unleashing their [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s to feed on the [[Angolmois Energy]] that powered the Selectors. The Terrorcons released a metal-eating gas based on anti-electrons, and Ultra Magnus was one of the many victims of the effect. {{storylink|Abominus comic 1}}
{{--}}

==''TV Magazine'' comic continuity==
===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic===
[[File:FSRLIssue4Magnus01.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!]]

Ultra Magnus arrived on Earth at some point in the late 1980s, bringing with him a collection of new technological advancements. Magnus came up with the idea of the global underground transport system, the [[Autobot Road]], and was appointed commander of the Autobots' new [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] project to create a new mobile battle fortress. He made his first actual appearance in the middle of battle to deliver Optimus Prime his freshly-upgraded trailer, now equipped with the "[[Scramble Power Buster]]" cannon. After using the weapon on the Decepticons, Prime and Magnus teamed up to defeat them with their "Double Cross Kick" attack. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 4|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #4}}

When [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] was taken hostage on an island utopia, Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime rallied a rescue party to go help him. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

At one point, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s began a smear campaign against the Autobots by disguising themselves as their foes, destroying human cities and leaving behind signed Autobot calling cards. One such card was signed by Ultra Magnus (a forgery, of course). Magnus joined the Autobots in proving their good name, although he and Prime seemed helpeless before the combined might of [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] and [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]'s "[[Decepticon Trailer Corps|Decepticon Great Wheel]]" attack. With a little help from [[Kenji]], [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], however, they were able to get the upper hand in the battle, and then promptly kicked the villains out to sea with their "Prime-Magnus Finish Double" technique, which was ''not at all'' identical to their "Double Cross Kick". {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 7|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #7}}

===''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''===
[[File:2010manga tour guide magnus.jpg|left|thumb]]
Responding to an SOS from deep space, a team of Autobots including Ultra Magnus helped rescue a human spacecraft from the jaws of a spaceship-eating Decepticon vessel. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}}

Ultra Magnus continued to serve as Autobot [[City Commander]], at one point welcoming a group of school children on a field trip to visit the city. When the Autobot City was attacked by Galvatron and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Ultra Magnus commanded [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to fight off the fiend. Magnus's commands weren't achieving any results until [[Six-Gun]] came along and saved the day. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 3|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #3}}

===''The Great Transformer War''===
After the resurrection of Optimus Prime, Magnus continued in his duties on Earth, commanding Metroplex in battle against [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}
{{--}}

==Madman ''The Transformers'' comic==
In 2001, before evacuating Autobots from the Decepticon-held Cybertron, Optimus Prime met with Ultra Magnus to temporarily hide the Matrix of Leadership in a bunker on Earth. Their meeting was spied upon by Soundwave, who later attacked the bunker, while it was only defended by Hot Rod and Spike. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}

==Rodimus vs. Cyclonus comic==
After killing Ultra Magnus on the Planet of Junk, Cyclonus and Scourge swore their allegiance to Galvatron, the new bearer of the Matrix. The Decepticons, emboldened by their victory over Magnus, then pressed their luck against the remaining Autobots and failed. {{storylink|Rodimus vs. Cyclonus}}

==''Wings Universe''==
{{Wingsnote}}
[[File:BattleLines6-UltraMagnus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left|Can't we just let Magnus be Magnus?]]

Nine million years ago, following the destruction of the Autobots [[Dion (G1)|Dion]] and [[Magnum]], only one of the two was able to be saved from death. The lucky survivor was rebuilt and renamed "Ultra Magnus" by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], and the unlucky one perished. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] greeted his old friend and congratulated him on his increase in size. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Ultra Magnus led a team which took down [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] after the Decepticon breached [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. They had to retreat when the Constructicons fought back. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

In [[2012]], Magnus was in charge of Autobot City. As alien ambassadors arrived, he contacted [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] to remind his fellow to go easy on the Autobots who had gained powers from exposure to [[forestonite]]. He also briefed [[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]], [[Rapido]], and [[Sizzle (G1)|Sizzle]] on a break in at [[Quantum Laboratories|Quantum Labs]] and tasked them with tracking down the culprit. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 2}} Pyro's team later returned with the rescued [[Hi-Q]] and the news that the blueprints had unfortunately been destroyed. Sizzle also broke the news to Magnus and everyone else that the "[[Machine Wars (event)|Machine Wars]]" were coming. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 6}}

After the conclusion of the Machine Wars, Ultra Magnus was present at the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]]. {{storylink|A Common Foe}}

==Ask Vector Prime==
In a universe created by [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] and [[Renegade|Gong]] on a lark, Ultra Magnus was stationed at Autobot City when [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] and his [[Renegade]]s launched an assault on the Autobot fortress. Magnus took command and ordered the Autobots to transform the city into its defensive configuration.

Reality shifted again into a new configuration - one where the Decepticons were at war with the [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]]s, and Ultra Magnus was replaced with [[Guardian (GoBots)|Major Mo]]. When the universe started to destabilize further, Ultra Magnus and Major Mo swapped places several times before the Guardian overwrote his Autobot counterpart. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

==''Deviations''==
[[File:TF-Deviations-Ultra-Magnus-back-down-soldier.jpg|thumb|125px]]
In a world where Optimus survived his fateful encounter with Megatron, Ultra Magnus helped to secure the remains of Autobot City. On Prime's orders, the Autobots prepared a return to Cybertron, an Magnus and Hot Rod butted heads several times, especially when the Autobot leader informed Magnus that he would be responsible for looking after a certain young punk on the trip back to Cybertron.

On the way back to Cybertron, the Autobot convoy was attacked by "Megascream" – the new leader of the Decepticons, a reformatted Starscream now in service of Unicron. An explosion within the ship damaged Magnus, and Hot Rod impulsively decided to reverse the engines. His maneuver warped the ship to the [[Tyrolian Quadrant]], above the planet Junkion. Hot Rod and Daniel ejected aboard an escape pod, and the other members of the ship died when the shuttle exploded. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:DiacloneMagnusAnime1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
* It was speculated for several years by some fans that, in the animated continuity, Ultra Magnus may have been created from Orion Pax's friend [[Dion (G1)|Dion]], the same way and at the same time Prime and [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] were rebuilt by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], though Hasbro later stated this was incorrect. For further elaboration, see "[[Dion (G1)#Who is Dion?|Who is Dion?]]".
* In the early [[The Transformers: The Movie promo|promotional trailer]]/test footage for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Ultra Magnus can be seen in alternate [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] sequences in his toy's original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme, indicating the final coloration may have been a late change to the toy. Included in various ''Transformers'' DVDs over the years, this footage eventually inspired the ''Masterpiece'' storyline for [[Delta Magnus]].
*In the first draft of Transformers the Movie, Ultra Magnus was initially known simply as Magnus. He was later renamed Ultra Magnus when he received the Matrix from a dying Optimus. He had a similar role to the final film.... Except he stayed dead after being killed by Galvatron on Junkion. Described as being a "large" Autobot with "distinctive headgear", the script suggests he turns into a harvester or gasoline truck. We don't know if Hasbro intended to release the Powered Convoy toy at this point.
* In the ''Binaltech'' timeline, Ultra Magnus appears as a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] bearer in his [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|''Masterpiece'' MP-2 toy]] body. It is not clear if the Matrix transformed him à la Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime or if Magnus merely took off his figurative trench coat to look powerful.
* In the ''Wings Universe'' story "[[A Flash Forward]]", Ultra Magnus's role is directly taken from unused storyboards for the 1986 movie.
{{--}}

===Character model===
[[File:Ultra-Magnus-revision-comparison.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2]]
* Ultra Magnus has had four known [[character model]]s:
# The first was an early [[Floro Dery]]-esque design made by either himself or [[Marvel Productions]]. The colors of this model are currently unknown. [[Marvel Comics]] in the UK went on to use this older model for [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|their ''Transformers'' comics]].
# The second is an all-new model by [[Toei Animation|Toei's]] Koichi Tsunoda, which notably utilizes the boxier hand design and the low-angled ¾ view—all of which are design elements that would be subsequently used in the final [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]] models by Toei, and the Japanese-only characters of the [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Generation 1 sequel cartoons]]). This one is the first in a series of smaller design revisions that eventually lead on into the final model. The truck mode of this one is also considerably more toy-accurate, complete with the shoulder ratchet joint circles (colored to look like spare tires), and rocket launchers placed at the front of the trailer, rather than the sides (where the ratchet/"tire" details are), like the subsequent revisions. The robot mode model of this revision is the one [[AKOM]] and the other [[Unknown Generation 1 animation studios|unknown studios]] would often use, as evidenced by the larger head—hence why he always has such an abnormally large head in those episodes. This model is considered to be the "pre-final model".
# The third is the second Toei revision, and uses the ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Powered Convoy" color scheme. This one has a smaller head, and has a few minor details added to the overall design. The truck mode of this one also shifts the aforementioned rocket launchers to the sides of the trailer. This model was used in the promotional trailer for ''The Transformers: The Movie''. Why this one features the original ''Diaclone'' colors is anyone's guess.
# The fourth is his final model by Toei and initialed by Koichi Tsunoda. This one is mostly the same as the one above, only it's colored in the final Ultra Magnus colors, and adds a couple of small lines to his mid-torso.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Autobots]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]

Kaname Production

2024-05-31T19:17:40Z

Valkyriesdf1: /* Transformers work */

'''Kaname Production''' (株式会社カナメプロダクション ''Kabushiki-gaisha Kanamē Purodakushon'') was an animation studio based in Tokyo, Japan that was established in Spring [[1982]] by former [[Ashi Productions]] animators. In terms of anime, they are known for producing obscure original shows such as ''{{w|Plawres Sanshiro}}'', ''{{w|Birth (1984 film)|Birth}}'' , ''{{w|Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko}}'', and ''{{w|Windaria}}''.

In regards to Transformers, founding studio member and Kaname mechanical designer [[Shōhei Kohara]], responsible for mechanical designs on the aforementioned anime, designed the earliest Transformers [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]] at the animation studio.

A fellow founding member of Kaname, Kazuhiro Ochi, was credited as an Assistant Animation Checker on ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

Additionally, Kaname provided animation work on the original cartoon and The Movie as a subcontractor for [[Toei Animation]], with uncredited contributions from Kaname animators Mayumi Watanabe and Eiko Yamauchi.<ref>''Animage'', January 1986</ref>

By [[1988]], Kaname Production changed its name to "Diva Co., Ltd." shortly before filing for bankruptcy.

==''Transformers'' work==
*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Initial [[character model|mechanical designs]] by [[Shōhei Kohara]]
**Season 1 (1 episode, [[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]])
**Season 2 (1 episode, [[Autobot Spike]])
*''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''
**Production Cooperation (uncredited)

==External links==
*{{w|lang=ja=|カナメプロダクション|Kaname Production on Japanese Wikipedia}}
*[https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=739 Kaname Production on Anime News Network]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Kaname Production

2024-05-31T19:16:18Z

Valkyriesdf1: Figure King Magazine Transformers interview with Kozo Morishita confirms their participation on Transformers The Movie, during the scene Hot Rod first appears.

'''Kaname Production''' (株式会社カナメプロダクション ''Kabushiki-gaisha Kanamē Purodakushon'') was an animation studio based in Tokyo, Japan that was established in Spring [[1982]] by former [[Ashi Productions]] animators. In terms of anime, they are known for producing obscure original shows such as ''{{w|Plawres Sanshiro}}'', ''{{w|Birth (1984 film)|Birth}}'' , ''{{w|Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko}}'', and ''{{w|Windaria}}''.

In regards to Transformers, founding studio member and Kaname mechanical designer [[Shōhei Kohara]], responsible for mechanical designs on the aforementioned anime, designed the earliest Transformers [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]] at the animation studio.

A fellow founding member of Kaname, Kazuhiro Ochi, was credited as an Assistant Animation Checker on ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

Additionally, Kaname provided animation work on the original cartoon and The Movie as a subcontractor for [[Toei Animation]], with uncredited contributions from Kaname animators Mayumi Watanabe and Eiko Yamauchi.<ref>''Animage'', January 1986</ref>

By [[1988]], Kaname Production changed its name to "Diva Co., Ltd." shortly before filing for bankruptcy.

==''Transformers'' work==
*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Initial [[character model|mechanical designs]] by [[Shōhei Kohara]]
**Season 1 (1 episode, [[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]])
**Season 2 (1 episode, [[Autobot Spike]])
**Production Cooperation [[The Transformers: The Movie]]

==External links==
*{{w|lang=ja=|カナメプロダクション|Kaname Production on Japanese Wikipedia}}
*[https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=739 Kaname Production on Anime News Network]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Tatsunoko Production

2024-03-09T16:59:24Z

Valkyriesdf1: /* Notes */ Corrected misinformation.

[[image:Tatsunoko Seahorse.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Face it, you only recognized maybe 3 of their characters from ''Tatsunoko vs. Capcom''.]]

'''Tatsunoko Production''' (株式会社タツノコプロ ''Kabushiki Gaisha Tatsunoko Puro'') is a Japanese animation studio founded on [[October 19]], [[1962]], by brothers Tatsuo, Kenji and Toyoharu Yoshida. The studio was owned by [[TakaraTomy]] from 2006 to 2014, though they still remain a significant shareholder to this day. Tatsunoko have long had a working relationship with the American animation industry, with their television series being some of the first examples of dubbed anime succeeding in overseas markets.

Some of their most noteworthy programs include ''Mach Go Go Go'' (AKA ''Speed Racer''), ''Gatchaman'' (AKA ''Battle of the Planets'', AKA ''G-Force'', AKA [[Saban Entertainment]]'s ''Eagle Riders''), ''Kyatto-Ninden Teyandee'' (AKA ''Samurai Pizza Cats''), ''Tekkaman'' (AKA ''Teknoman''), the ''Time Bokan'' franchise (such as ''Yatterman''), and all three shows that got squished together to create ''Robotech'' (''[[Jetfire (G1)|Macross]]'', ''Mospeada'', ''Southern Cross'').

They also tricked you into thinking the Bible was cool with ''Superbook'' and ''The Flying House''.

==''Transformers'' work==
*''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (cartoon)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' (in-betweening, ink & paint)
*''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (cartoon)|Triple Combination: Transformers Go!]]''
*''[[Transformers: Combiner Wars (cartoon)|Transformers: Combiner Wars]]''
*''[[Transformers: Titans Return (cartoon)|Transformers: Titans Return]]''
*''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Transformers: Power of the Primes]]''

==Notes==
*The [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] toy was licensed to Hasbro from Tatsunoko Production, who held Macross's merchandising rights outside of Japan. Thus, every Jetfire figure was christened with a Tatsunoko sticker on the corner of its box.

==External link==

*{{w|Tatsunoko Production|Tatsunoko Production at Wikipedia}}

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity

2024-03-07T23:31:59Z

Valkyriesdf1: /* The 1980s - Generation 1 */

[[File:Starsaber robotmasters minicomic.jpg|upright=2|thumb|EVERYONE IS HERE!]]
The '''Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity''' (often referred to as '''JG1''' for short) is a great and terrifying beast.

In America, ''Transformers'' had multiple continuities right from the very beginning, with the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] and [[List of Generation 1 comics|comic]] going off into very different directions. In Japan, on the other hand, they didn't have those comics—they just had the cartoon, and of the copious amounts of additional media that have come out of Japan in the last forty years, nearly ''everything'' has taken place somewhere in the timeline of the cartoon universe—either by design or as the result of [[retcon]]ning—creating one mighty behemoth of a chronology that reaches from before the [[Big Bang (event)|Big Bang]] to the universe's dying breaths.

In-universe dimensional observer [[Vector Prime]] blames the often-convoluted, occasionally-contradictory nature of this universe on quantum shockwaves caused by the [[Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2‎|destruction]] of its [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Scorponok (G1)|MegaZarak]].

==Overview==
===The 1980s - Generation 1===
[[File:FightSuperRobotLifeTransformersManga.JPG|right|upright=1.7|thumb|Not to be confused with those ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys from last year.]]
Things were pretty straightforward in the 1980s. In addition to creating assorted [[manga|manga]] storylines that slotted into and around the continuity of the American series, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and [[Toei Animation|Toei Animation]] went on to continue the story of the cartoon universe after the show's cancellation in [[Hasbro]] markets, with its original animated series ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (franchise)|The Headmasters]]'', ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory]]'', and ''[[Transformers: Zone (franchise)|Zone]]''. Running alongside all this was a short-lived sister franchise called ''[[Beastformers]]'', Takara's version of Hasbro's ''Battle Beasts'' toyline whose story was chronicled via prose in its catalogs and two special edition {{w|Mook (publishing)|mooks}}. As with the American series, comics and [[story page]]s based around these series ran concurrently with their broadcast. Unlike their American counterparts, the material in the pages of ''[[TV Magazine]]'' was [[Japanese_Generation_1_cartoon_continuity#1984_-_TV_Magazine_comics_and_story_pages|broadly intended]] to align with the continuity of the cartoon. When production of ''Transformers'' cartoons ceased in [[1991]], this type of print media was used to tell the stories of the subsequent series ''[[Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]'', and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (franchise)|Operation Combination]]''. A few years later, when the series returned as ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|G-2]]'', story pages and [[Pack-in material|pack-in mini-comics]] provided fiction for the renewed line.
{{--}}

===The 1990s - Beast Era===
[[File:DoubleConvoyTogetherAtLast01.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Three kings looking at each other.]]
In the United States, ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' does not explicitly follow on from either the cartoon or comics, picking and choosing select elements from both to form a “mythological” Generation 1 background for the series. Not so in Japan, where the series was treated as part of the cartoon timeline. As with Generation 1, the Beast Era was also expanded through the creation of exclusive sequel series, in this case ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars II]]'', ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]]'', and even the franchise's second theatrical release in the form of ''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers|Beast Wars Special]]''. Each of these series had companion comics, although these were explicitly ''not'' part of the same continuity as the cartoons. And thus did the cartoon timeline continue to grow in a linear, sensible fashion, until...
{{--}}

===The 2000s===
2000 saw the release of the first Transformers cartoon of the 21st century with the infamous ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Car Robots]]'', released in America as ''Robots in Disguise'', the franchise's first hard reboot. The cartoon's original incarnation was confidently announced by Takara as a continuation of the established cartoon continuity in early promotional materials, but the western continuity reset, along with a lack of translated material in and around the Japanese Beast Era obfuscating its (fairly slight) connections to prior Japanese seasons led the show's continuity placement to confound Western toy robot scholars for over half a decade.

[[File:AiAlert-Story.jpg|thumb|300px|Twenty years of time to kill lets you save a lot of cats.]]

As the decade progressed, Takara copped on to the worldwide resurgence in the popularity of ''Transformers'' with the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], and began producing numerous series starring the Generation 1 characters to accompany their return to toy shelves, setting them in the built-in intermezzos of the cartoon universe which had up until this point gone undetailed. This push began with ''[[Transformers: Alternators#Binaltech|Binaltech]]'' and ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' in [[2003]] and [[2004]], analogues to Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' lines respectively, which took place in the twenty-year gap between the conclusion of the second season of the cartoon and [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]]. Then, two years later, ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]'', another component of Takara's ''Alternators'' rollout, slotted itself into the five-year interval between the movie and the beginning of season 3 (an interval that does not exist in the American timeline, owing to the subfranchise ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (franchise)|Transformers 2010]]'' moving season 3 from 2006 to, er, 2010).

Also released in 2004 was ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)#Beast Wars Returns|Beast Wars Returns]]'', Japan's much belated ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'' import that threw a second wrench into the works by dramatically transforming Cybertron into a post-machine techno-organic paradise, a poetic ending to America's Beast Era that nonetheless made things very awkward for the Japanese ''Beast Wars'' seasons reliant on the Cybertron of the original ''Beast Wars'' cartoon remaining more or less the same for generations into the future.

The Generation 1 continuity made its first significant contact with the [[Multiverse|wider multiverse]] in [[2006]] with ''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]'', in which the [[spark]]s of [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]] were dragged from the [[Transformer afterlife|great beyond]] into a cosmic conflict between Unicron Trilogy characters [[Logos Prime|Logos]] and [[Vector Prime]] after the events of ''Beast Wars Returns'', the first of many such misadventures for the duo.

In 2007, a paperback collection of the ''Kiss Players'' comic available exclusively at the Japanese convention Wonder Festival included an extensive timeline chronicling the ins and outs of the cartoon universe, incorporating all of the material covered above, while in the process propagating several dramatic changes to things as fans knew them. The timeline integrated series and stories that had previously been either discreetly separate from the Generation 1 cartoon timeline, or at least apathetic on their relationship to it; ''Car Robots'' was bluntly plopped on the chart to the shock of the English speaking fandom, along with the comic ''[[Transformers: The Battle of the Star Gate|Battle of the Star Gate]]'' and many small story points from assorted toy [[bio]]s. On top of this fusion of numerous existing sources, the timeline committed several extensive retcons to existing stories, mostly centered on reinterpreting [[Oracle (G1)|Primacron's assistant]] and tying him into several other characters from various different series.

Meanwhile, 2007 was also the year ''Binaltech'' fiction stopped playing nice, as the previously introduced Beast Era time traveler [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] succeeded in derailing the events of the movie and irrevocably branched the timeline, producing the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity's [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity#2007 - Binaltech and Alternity|first intentional branch universe]]. This inflection point, the film, proved a canny mechanism to paper over production inconsistencies between the events of the film and Japan's extra cartoon seasons via traffic between the two universes.
{{--}}

===The 2010s===
[[File:CybertronAllianceReborn.jpg|thumb|400px|At last, Star Peace.]]
With a new decade came new toys, and as the collector-oriented product we know today as the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' imprint ramped up, so too did the efforts of Japanese creators to fit stories about these toys into the rapidly dwindling holes in the cartoon timeline. ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' took a sort of "Side B" approach, with ''[[Macrocosmic Seekers]]'' and ''[[Transformers United EX|United EX]]'' following different characters during the events of the third season of the original cartoon and ''Operation Combination'' respectively. TakaraTomy's confusingly named ''[[Transformers: Generations (Japan)|Generations]]'' line (not to be confused with the modern supertitle) situated its [[Transformers: Generations (Japan)#Fiction|''Wars'' series]] in the gap between ''Operation Combination'' and ''G-2''. Next, ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]''—

Oh, ''Legends.''

''Legends'', the largest of Takara's ''Generations''-equivalent lines encompassing Hasbro's ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' and ''[[Titans Return (franchise)|Titans Return]]'' product from [[2014]] to [[2017]], employed a [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity#2014 - Legends|significantly more convoluted branch universe framing device]] to bop all the way up and down the cartoon timeline, patching holes and dropping characters from one era to another and back again. Some of the highlights included narrative somersaults to justify the various characters introduced twice between the ''Scramble City'' special and season 3, concluding the ''Beastformers'' story after some thirty years, and smoothing over the pretty dramatic changes in setting between the end of ''Beast Wars Returns'' and the beginning of the Japanese Beast Era cartoons set after it in the timeline. The primary era where ''Legends'' planted its flag, however, was the big enchilada: the famous time skip between ''G-2'' and ''Beast Wars'', where it more or less chronicled the period from [[Megatron (G1)|Generation 1 Megatron's]] exile into space at the end of ''G-2'' to the final ceasefire recorded in [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] history books.

Co-running with ''Legends'' was ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'', Japan's ''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]'' equivalent which told a relatively restrained story between the ''Masterforce'' and ''Victory'' cartoons. Also around this time, ''Beast Wars Reborn'' and ''Binaltech'' scribe [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] was given the opportunity to contribute to the [[2015]] edition of the long-running English language feature [[Ask Vector Prime]], where he took the opportunity to tie up some loose ends from the ''Binaltech'' era as well as taking his own trip up and down the timeline, fleshing out the backstories of a variety of characters and plot devices from the Japan-exclusive cartoons.

[[File:Primus Vanguard Reborn.jpg|thumb|left|300px|[[The Reformatting|The seeds of the future ''really did'' lie buried in the past...]]]]

2017 saw an international brand restructuring as Hasbro and TakaraTomy made the decision to unify their collector-oriented franchises under the ''Generations'' branding from ''[[Power of the Primes (franchise)|Power of the Primes]]'' forward.

And the rest was silence.

...until [[2019]] when ''Legends'' and ''Unite Warriors'' author [[Hayato Sakamoto]] returned for the ''[[Generations Selects (franchise)|Generations Selects]]'' franchise and picked up where he left off, delivering something of an epilogue to his previous run by definitively plugging the Generation 1 era into the backstory of the Japanese ''Beast Wars'' cartoons, placing the sealing of [[Unicron]] at the [[Triple Z Point]] pivotal to ''Neo''{{'}}s plot between season 3 and ''Headmasters'' and illuminating the abandonment of Earth by humanity and the Transformers that sets the stage for its transformation into the mysterious future planet [[Gaia]], the setting of ''Beast Wars II''. Oh, and Sakamoto did one more thing: place an [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity#2016 - Spin Off and Generations Selects|obscure setting]] from [[Spin Off|about three comics]] from Takara's boutique retailer [[E-HOBBY|e-HOBBY]] on the cartoon timeline before season 1. WAAAAAY before season 1, heaping retcons upon the previous retcons concerning [[Primus]] and [[Primacron]] to tell their origins in the ''previous universe'' before that of the Transformers. This sweeping plot twist essentially repeated the ''Beast Wars'' trick, building out a new setting in cartoon continuity following the adventures of a new cast of characters, an organization of warrior monks known as the "[[Primus Vanguard]]" separated from established fiction by a huge time skip.

What awaits the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity as we enter the fifth decade of the Transformers brand? There's no way to say what zag the plot will take next, but if we can say one thing for certain, it's that it will be ''significantly'' more complicated than whatever Hasbro is doing.
{{--}}

==Media==
As of [[{{CURRENTYEAR}}]], the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity includes:
===Generation 1 cartoons===
[[File:VictoryPoster1.jpg|right|upright=1|thumb|Takara dares to imagine a world where Optimus and Megatron stayed in the ground for once.]]
*The first two seasons of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'']], dubbed as ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers''
*The third season of ''The Transformers'', dubbed as ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010''
*''The Transformers: The Movie'', dubbed as ''Transformers: The Movie'' (no "The")
*Further Japanese sequel series and OVAs:
**"[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]"
**''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]''
**''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]''
**''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory]]''
**''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Transformers: Zone]]''
{{--}}

===Generation 1 comics and story pages===
[[File:Battlestars ultra megatron fight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Well it was nice while it lasted.]]
*An extensive run published in [[TV Magazine]] (mostly, [[Japanese_Generation_1_cartoon_continuity#1984_-_TV_Magazine_comics_and_story_pages|see below]]) including:
**Assorted comics:
***''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (manga)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]''
***''[[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers|The Transformers]]''
***''[[The Great Transformer War]]''
***''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (manga)|The Headmasters]]''
***''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (manga)|Super-God Masterforce]]''
***''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (manga)|Victory]]''
***''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone]]''
***''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (manga)|The Battlestars]]''
***''[[Transformers: G-2 (pack-in manga)|G-2]]''
**Story pages for all of the above, plus:
***''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (story page)|Operation Combination]]''

*Also the [[Beastformers catalog|story pages]] included in the product catalogs for ''[[Beastformers]]'', Japan's release of ''Battle Beasts''.
**Yeah you read that right.
{{--}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoons===
[[File:Whitelionrun maximals.jpg|thumb|250px|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvrZJ5C_Nwg&t=128 Big Convoy Enough]]]
The cartoons of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers]]'' franchises, including:
*The dubbed first season of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''
*The second and third seasons of ''Beast Wars'', dubbed as ''Beast Wars Metals''
*''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', dubbed as ''Beast Wars Returns''
*Additional Japan-exclusive seasons and a feature film:
**''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]]''
**''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers|Beast Wars Special]]''
**''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (cartoon)|Beast Wars Neo]]''
{{--}}

===Legacy media===
[[File:Robots masters.jpg|upright=2|thumb|Yeah they pretty much all look like this now.]]
The storylines of numerous 21st century cartoons, comics, and toylines, including:
*2000s:
**''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|Car Robots]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Super Spychanger Lottery|Super Spychanger]]''
**''[[The Transformers: Micromaster|Micromaster]]''
**''[[Transformers: The Battle of the Star Gate|The Battle of the Star Gate]]''
**''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]''
**''[[Story of Binaltech|Binaltech]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk|Binaltech Asterisk]]''
**''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]'' and ''[[Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go!|15 Go! Go!]]''
**''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]''
**''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Diorama Story|Beast Wars Diorama Story]]''
*2010s:
**''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'', kinda sorta (see [[Japanese_Generation_1_cartoon_continuity#2007_-_Binaltech_and_Alternity|below]])
**''[[Macrocosmic Seekers]]
**''[[Transformers United EX|United EX]]''
**''[[Transformers: Generations (Japan)#Fiction|Wars]]''
**''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Legends]]'' and ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]''
**''[[Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime]]''
*2020s:
**''[[Generations Selects Special Comic|Generations Selects]]''
**''[[The Transformers: End of G1 Universe|End of G1 Universe]]''

*[[E-HOBBY#e-HOBBY exclusive fiction|Several comics]] exclusively available with various [[e-HOBBY]] toys
*[[Transformers Generations (series)#Fiction|Several more comics]] exclusively available in various [[Transformers Generations (series)|guidebooks]]
*Numerous story points plucked from assorted [[bio|toy bios]]

And some other stuff the guy who wrote [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline|this timeline]] made up to make it all work.

Phew.

==Splinter continuities==
Despite its creators' extensive, extensive efforts a continuity does not get this big and this old without making a few omelettes along the way. The Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity counts a variety of [[Micro-continuity|smaller fictional universes]] as part of its fabric, both by happenstance and by design. Some of the biggest fish in this small pond are:

===1984 - ''TV Magazine'' comics and story pages===
[[File:TransformersTheComicsCover01.jpg|thumb|175px|]]
Originally conceived as in-continuity supplements to the co-running cartoons, the original ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'' comics and supporting story pages of the 1980s have received peculiar treatment by future stewards of the continuity. While produced as a discrete work by head cartoon writer [[Masumi Kaneda]] and character designer [[Ban Magami]] from the first season all the way up through ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (franchise)|Operation Combination]]'', the first cracks began to show in the ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Masterforce]]'' chapter, where Kaneda and Magami opted to retell slightly more fleshed out versions of the cartoon's events rather than entirely avoiding the content of episodes as had been their previous strategy. For many years, the ''Masterforce'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory]]'' chapters which took this tack were considered outliers of dubious relation to the main timeline until later writers' timeline micromanagement shenanigans shouldered out the ''TV Magazine'' comic entirely, producing an isolated continuity that nonetheless still dovetails with mainline continuity beginning with ''[[Transformers: Zone (franchise)|Zone]]'', for the practical reason that there was no longer any other media to draw from for the final few years of the Japanese Generation 1 toyline.

[[Hidetsugu Yoshioka]]'s 1995 ''TV Magazine'' run picked up right where Kaneda and Magami left off with ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)#G-2|G-2]]'', and was similarly folded directly into the cartoon timeline by future authors as the only fiction associated with Takara's version of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' toyline.
{{--}}

===1996 - ''Beast Wars'' pack-in material===
[[File:Convobat.jpg|thumb|upright=0.95|right|Hey I wonder who this bat is.]]
Not unlike its western counterpart, the Japanese ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' continuity began as a direct continuation of the Generation 1 cartoon continuity starring [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] on present-day Earth in new organic alternate modes. Just like its [[Micro-continuity#The "G1 Beast Wars"|Hasbro equivalent]], this setting was quickly dropped to pivot to the plot of the nascent cartoon. Unlike Hasbro's version of the story, however, TakaraTomy very much did connect the continuity of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon directly to Generation 1, leaving this peculiar little cul-de-sac of pack-in fiction dangling ambiguously until nearly three decades later when the Japanese Generation 1 era and Beast era timelines finally connected, muscling it out into the same micro-continuity status as its western cousin.
{{--}}

===2007 - ''Binaltech'' and ''Alternity''===
[[File:Alternity Ace of Swords Cliffjumper Hytherion.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Licensed cars fare surprisingly well against a terror from beyond the stars.]]
{{main|Story of Binaltech}}
The pack-in fiction of the ''[[Transformers: Alternators#Binaltech|Binaltech]]'' franchise began simply enough, selling Japan's version of the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toyline by giving a fairly down to earth accounting of the comings and goings of the Autobots and Decepticons in the gap between the second and third seasons of the Generation 1 cartoon. This all changed when the Autobots unearthed the spark of ''Beast Wars'' [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], having survived his apparent death in the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]] and taken the long way home. "Battle Ravage" took immediate and dramatic action to spare the Decepticons from the events of ''Transformers the Movie'' with his second chance, and this change created a branched timeline and a new universe referred to as the "[[BT World]]." The citizens of the BT World eventually discovered how to travel freely between their dimension and the main cartoon timeline, providing an elaborate in-universe explanation for the reappearances of various characters in Japan's extra cartoon seasons after their deaths in the film.

When ''Binaltech'' was greenlit for a sequel toyline in the form of ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' series author [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] ''really'' went ham, as the next chapter of the story chronicled how the inhabitants of BT World ascended to become the titular [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]], god-like multidimensional beings aggregating all the iterations of a given Transformer across the multiverse into a singular collective consciousness. As the war between the "[[Protector]]s" and the "[[Hytherion]]" across space and time raged the combatants frequently flitted in and out of "[[universal stream]]s" considered part of the primary cartoon timeline until the Alternity sacrificed their enlightenment to end the conflict, largely returning BT World to normal and ending its active influence on the primary Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity, barring the occasional escapade in [[Fun Publications]]'s [[Ask Vector Prime]] feature to which Ichikawa was a contributor.
{{--}}

===2014 - ''Legends''===
[[File:Legends web comic.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Continuity between gag strips: Not even once.]]
{{main|Transformers Legends (comic)}}
Initially presented as an out of continuity gag comic to move TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' product via a scenario where super deformed versions of the ''Beast Wars'' cast worked as salarymen and collected ''Transformers'' toys themselves, the setting of ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Transformers Legends]]'' was eventually built out not only to be part of the cartoon continuity, but somehow the backbone of an alarming amount of the timeline.

Let's back up.

As the comic wore on, Transformers from the Generation 1 continuity began ''physically appearing'' in the gag comic setting, known as the "[[Legends World]]," through various sci-fi means. In short order, they began bopping back and forth between the Legends World and points all along the main timeline, filling in gaps and patching up continuity errors left and right. In the bizarre finale, the Legends World was revealed to be a pocket dimension created by the [[Jumpstarter]]s of all people as part of a ploy by [[Zamojin (species)|powerful aliens]] from [[The Face of the Nijika|a single episode of the Generation 1 cartoon]] to harvest the [[Chōkon Power|kung fu energy]] from ''Masterforce''. Through a series of events too convoluted to get into here, the relationship between the Legends World and the world of the Generation 1 cartoon ended on a happy note when a reformed Generation 1 Megatron stepped down as its ruler and guardian and returned to his own dimension to forge the second [[Cybertron Alliance]].
{{--}}

===2016 - ''Spin Off'' and ''Generations Selects''===
[[File:Generations Selects Primus Vanguard.jpg|right|upright=2|thumb|The secret origin no one asked for!]]
{{main|Precursor World continuity}}

The universe of the color-coded warriors known as the [[Primus Vanguard]] was conceived as an independent continuity for [[e-HOBBY]]'s [[Spin Off|comics]], inhabited by a smattering of new exclusives along with a population of [[repurposing|repurposed]] old toys. That all changed when this once obscure little continuity was the subject of a sweeping retcon in the pages of the [[Generations Selects Special Comic|web comic]] for the ''[[Generations Selects (franchise)|Generations Selects]]'' franchise that repositioned it not only on the timeline of the Generation 1 cartoon, but as the universe ''before'' that of the Transformers, with the setting fated to eventually be destroyed in a [[Big Bang (event)|Big Bang]] to produce the familiar world of Optimus Prime and friends in a sort of Ragnarok situation. Furthermore, this "[[Precursor World]]" was elevated to the Japanese equivalent of [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel]]'s [[old realms]] with the reveal that it was also the primordial home reality of the [[Unicron]]-creating scientist [[Primacron]] and the Transformers' god [[Primus]] himself.

With the events leading up to said Big Bang left thus far intentionally unrevealed, the Precursor World can at present be thought of as a sort of baroque analogue to the Japanese Beast Era of the 1990s: confidently placed in the Japanese Generation 1 timeline but far enough away from established fiction to functionally present a fresh setting for storytelling without concern for the built up minutiae of the past forty years.

For now.
{{--}}

==See also==
*[[G1 World|The in-fiction article for this continuity]]
*[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline|The full chart of this mess, if you dare]]
*[[Generation 1 continuity family|Everything else in the neighborhood of the original 80's franchise]]

[[Category:Continuities]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon continuity| *]]

Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys

2024-03-07T05:21:45Z

Valkyriesdf1: /* Legacy */ Removed forced opinionated remark

{{factions|hofsilver}}
{{suite}}
[[File:OptimusPrimeUT-Armada.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Hiyaaah...]]
Like [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|other Optimuses]], [[Unicron Trilogy]] '''[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]''' has a lot of toys.

{{TOCclear}}

==''Armada''==
{{anchor|SuperBase}}
[[File:Superbase ArmadaPrime.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Stand up and be counted, container! (''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (Super Base, [[2002]]/[[2003]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara name'': '''Convoy Super Mode'''
:*''Sonokong name'': '''Super Optimus'''
:*''Takara/Sonokong ID number'': '''MC-01'''
:*''Takara release date'': [[December 26]], 2002
:*''Accessories'': Trailer/base/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks
{{toydesigner|[[Aaron Archer]] (Hasbro), [[Hironori Kobayashi]] (Takara)}}

: The first [[Unicron Trilogy]] Optimus Prime toy transforms into a longnose truck cab of made-up model. His clear-plastic smokestacks can detach and form a double-barrelled pistol that he can hold in [[robot mode]], and a button on top of his head causes his [[mouthplate]] to jiggle up and down as if he were talking (the irony being that while this was a familiar trait of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|G1 cartoon Optimus Prime]], in the ''Armada'' animated series, this Prime's mouthplate remained static when he talked). He can also hold a large cannon—inspired by his G1 counterpart's [[ion blaster]]—that is stored within his [[trailer]], and his chest flips down to reveal a (non-removable) [[Matrix of Leadership/toys|Matrix of Leadership]]. He is packaged with his Mini-Con partner [[Sparkplug (Armada)#Toys|Sparkplug]]. His tires are branded with the fictional tyre company "[[Monster Convoy|MONSTER CONVOY]]".<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So it was never going to be called Monster Convoy, but I think I wanted something on the wheels. Again, I wanted an ultimate sense of storytelling that wherever you're looking at these things you're getting- it's just some sort of brand, the fake-out brand they use on Cybertron or whatever. Nothing other than that, it was never a name of the character or any of that.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_iWRrz1W1o&t=932s|name=Aaron Archer|site=''The Toy Armada''|title="11 - Creating A Legend: Transformers Armada Optimus Prime"|year=2023|month=11|day=03}}</ref>

: The toy's primary gimmick is its auto-transforming trailer, which assumes one of three configurations when [[motorized movement|triggered]] by an infra-red signal transmitted from the cab robot. Transforming the cab into robot mode will cause the trailer to automatically flip open into a battle station for Mini-Cons, which Prime can stand in the centre of. The base features a central tower with a pop-out artillery emplacement and a mount for Prime's large cannon; a rotating missile-firing turret; two Mini-Con storage bays, one of which featured a manually-activated tab to launch Mini-Cons out; and two live [[Powerlinx]] hardpoints, one of which pops up a non-firing turret, the other activating a laser noise.

[[File:Armada JetOptimusMegaweapon toy.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Gunjob Spacepants! (''Jet Optimus on the left, Optimus Prime Megaweapon on the right'')]]
: Prime's cab and trailer can also combine to form his "[[Super Mode]]". Transforming the cab into the torso portion sends the transformation command to the trailer, which raises itself up off the ground to become a pair of immobile, statuesque legs (as long as you're not playing with it on carpet), and when the pair are connected, the Super Mode head pops up with a metallic shriek sound effect. Pressing the Autobot symbol on the figure's chest activates a pulsing laser sound effect, and the small grey button on his right shoulder illuminates his fist with a red LED, which can illuminate either of his guns, as well as the [[Star Saber (Armada)#Toys|Star Saber]] (the Star Saber was specifically cast in clear plastic for this purpose, but in practice, the light failed to carry even halfway up the blade). Prime's firing missile and Mini-Con activated gimmicks remain accessible in this mode, but look a bit doofy if you deploy them. The initial [[Hasbro]] release of Prime had tabs in its Super Mode shoulders that prevented them from rotating above the horizontal default position, so as not to break the wires that run through the toy's right arm. Coupled with the limited elbow joints, this left Optimus Prime able only to point his weapons towards the ground, and the tabs were removed on subsequent editions of the figure.

[[File:LOTM Convoy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|(''Takara version pictured'')]]
: Instead of his trailer, Prime can alternately combine with ''Armada'' [[Jetfire (Armada)#Toys|Jetfire]], who forms a pair of legs, as "'''Jet Prime'''" ('''Jet Optimus''' in the cartoon and Korea; "'''Jet Convoy'''" in Japan). In addition to this, ''Armada'' [[Overload (Armada)#Toys|Overload]] (Ultra Magnus in Japan and Korea) can form a pair of massive cannons that attach to either Prime's base mode, or mount over the shoulders of his Super Mode torso (with either his trailer or Jetfire as legs), forming '''Optimus Prime Megaweapon''' ('''Magna Convoy'''/'''Magna Jet Convoy''' in Japan; '''Magna Optimus'''/'''Magna Jet Optimus''' in Korea). When combined with Overload, Prime's smokestacks have to be removed, so that his smaller robot forearms' [[5 mm post]]s can plug into the designated ports on Overload. It appears that Overload wasn't entirely designed with the Jetfire combination in mind, as Jetfire's cockpit section interferes with Overload's speaker box, causing the cockpit to either pop off the friction hinge, or Overload to not sit properly in his designated spot with the 5 mm posts in Prime's smaller robot forearms, so one either has to remove the cockpit or leave Overload hanging "loosely" in the friction slots, without the 5 mm posts and ports lined up.

[[File:LOTM Convoy Combos.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|'''From left to right:''' "Jet Convoy", "Magna Convoy", and "Magna Jet Convoy".]]
: The [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''Legends of the Microns'' '''Convoy Super Mode''' and [[Sonokong]] ''Eunha Yeongung: Cybertron'' '''Super Optimus''' releases of Optimus Prime from the following year made a few changes, noticeably replacing the gold paint and plastic of the Hasbro toy with bright yellow and much brighter gold. The deco had been tweaked to be a bit closer to the original prototype glimpsed in early catalogs, with yellow added back to cab Prime's feet, the cab grill painted silver, and the Super Mode's waist getting much more paint. This version of the figure was never burdened with the mobility-inhibiting shoulder tabs of the initial Hasbro release. Completing the Super Mode combination triggers a new clip of Prime shouting "Convoy, Super Mode!" in Japanese instead of generic mechanical sounds. It's currently unknown what sounds the Korean release makes.

: Care must be taken while articulating the toy's base-robot elbow joints, as the lower joint has been known to snap. This doesn't appear to be [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]] like many in the [[fandom]] have hastily concluded—instead, it seems likely that the break occurs when the elbow joint is moved while the arms are positioned on the back of the combined mode, and have been forced ''just'' enough for them to break. To prevent this, pull the shoulder out and bend the elbow at the red joint first, before moving the arm in any other direction. Other uses of the mold have been known to break in the same place, in the exact same way, and with ''very'' noticeable stress marks, indicating no form of GPS is present. Remember, kids: if a figure breaks and leaves visible cracks and stress marks, it's ''not'' GPS. GPS occurs with no warning signs, and leaves a clean break. The rivets and pins in the elbows being misfired also likely play a big part in these breaks too.

: As the flagship toy of the line, this set was central to a number of [[campaign item|store-exclusive promotional freebies]] in Japan. Ito Yokaido offered one of the three [[Destruction Mini-Con Team#Undergrove|Undergrove Edition Destruction Microns]] with purchase in [[January]]. [[Toys"R"Us]] offered one of three [[Land Military Mini-Con Team#Ultimate|Ultimate Edition Land Military Microns]] in [[March]], with Hello Mac stores having the same offer in [[May]]. Most infamous though was [[AEON|JUSCO]] stores' [[Destruction Mini-Con Team#SpaceGalaxy|Space Galaxy Edition Destruction Micron]] promotion, where one member of this team was [[blindpacking|blind-packed]] into the actual Convoy Super Mode boxes in May. Yes, ''inside''. Good luck.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Armada Super Base Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{ArmadaSuperBaseOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Super-Con}}
[[File:Supercon ArmadaPrime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Fans typically refer to this mold as "Bendy Prime", but it's really more of a shimmy-shimmy Prime. Mini-Con-activated shimmy-shimmy.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (Super-Con Class, 2002)}}</ul>
:*''Takara name'': '''STD Convoy'''
:*''Takara ID number'': '''MC-06'''
:*''Takara release date'': [[December 26]], 2002
:*''Accessories'': Left & right smokestacks
{{toydesigner|[[Aaron Archer]] (Hasbro), [[Hironori Kobayashi]] (Takara)}}

: This highly-poseable "Super-Con Class" version of ''Armada'' Optimus Prime is an entirely original mold, retaining the ability to tow Super Base Optimus Prime's trailer, though he cannot combine with it. He comes with the Mini-Con [[Over-Run (Armada)#Toys|Over-Run]] (Surge in Japan), who can transform into a gun for him, or can peg onto the Powerlinx plug on Optimus's back to activate a double-fisted "punching" action. Like the Super Base figure, Prime has a flip-down chestplate, but in a deliberate choice he lacks a molded-in Matrix (though he does have a molded gap in the center where the Matrix would go, which ''does'' match the end of the show, after he [[:File:Armada 52 - Prime and no Matrix.jpg|relinquishes]] it).<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Dlx Optimus does Not combine with Jetfire. He is able to pull the "big" optimus trailer. Dlx Optimus Mini-con feature is a punching feature, Arms move side to side. Dlx Optimus Mini-con Over-Run (silver-jet) will probably not be in the show. 98% of the Autobots/Decepticons are in the show. 65% of the available Mini-cons are in the show. with redecos and partner Mini-cons we are talking almost 75 Mini-cons! That is way to many to include in the show. To plate on Dlx Optimus opens up like "big" Optimus but the Matrix is not there.... (story TBD) "big" Optimus combines with Jetfire and a item to be shown later. SUPER COOL. Dlx Megatron is NOT planned. Thats the facts,|name=Aaron Archer|site=TFW2005|year=circa 2002}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=He might get small in the show for an episope, but it is not final. It would be a way to explain the scale change.|name=Aaron Archer|site=TFW2005|year=circa 2002}}</ref><ref>"So our idea was there that, yeah we had already done it for the 'super build' part of the torso and I think my thought process at the time—remember this is early days, I don't know everything future me would know—I was like well maybe he's this little guy and when he puts the Matrix in his chest that's when he becomes super. So the little guy wouldn't have the Matrix just sitting there, or maybe he hasn't earned it yet, or just some other… and you noticed it right, that it ''wasn't'' there so… that was the point."—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow2iKv7DrL4&t=1948s Aaron Archer on ''The Toy Armada'', 2022/10/25]</ref> His smokestacks can be removed (and in many cases will simply fall off), but cannot peg together as a gun. Shipping in a great many waves throughout most of the later run of the line, Super-Con Optimus became a notorious [[shelfwarmer|pegwarmer]].

: The initial release of the figure featured silver lights on his roof; later on, the lights were changed to yellow, and later still, an Autobot emblem was added to the hood of the vehicle. These changes were not made on the Japanese release of the figure, which bore the unfortunate appellation of "STD", meaning "standard".<ref>Written in Japanese as {{ruby|STD|スタンダード}}コンボイ (''Sutandādo Konboi''). "STD" is actually a common naming format used in Japanese toylines that release a toy in two different sizes or price points; these usually being the smaller, "Standard" or "STD" release, and the larger "Deluxe" or "DX" (or something else along those lines) release. ''Legends of the Microns'' "Convoy Super Mode" (aka ''Armada'' Super Base Optimus Prime) would be the equivalent of a "DX" figure. Takara notably used these two price points and titles quite a bit during the [[Brave series|''Brave'' series]].</ref>

: The toy is notable for being one of the earliest instances of an important character receiving a second, more affordable toy without this being rationalised as an entirely new body in-fiction—as not all markets would receive the bigger price-points.<ref>"There was a very literal sense, even with ''Beast Wars'' and stuff, where we had to come up with a whole new gimmick for a reason to redo a different guy, right? We had to have Transmetals, Transmetals 2, and Fuzors and stuff like that. […] It had been traditionally: go, well, you put your high-end, most important characters, the leaders, in the highest price point—or a higher price point—so that you guarantee a certain level of sale I guess, or you're putting your best foot forward because you certainly don't want to have a high-end Rando, that would be even worse. So this was an opportunity where we were also, as co-development goes, trying to get more global, trying to expand the reach of just ''Transformers'' being in- England, Japan, Italy, […] North America let's call it. But there were still parts of the globe that couldn't engage with ''Transformers''; the price points weren't right, the scales weren't right, the- various things. So what that Optimus originally did—and would continue to do until the molds literally fell apart—was offer a more affordable leader character that is the primary character in the animation. So that was a very important step in this whole process to get Optimus at a ten-dollar-or-under price point."—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow2iKv7DrL4&t=1765s Aaron Archer on ''The Toy Armada'', 2022/10/25]</ref>

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/SuperConPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Armada Supercon Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{ArmadaSuperConOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|GoldArmada}}
[[File:Armadatoy gold convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''''Kinpika'' Convoy''' (Lucky Draw figure, [[August]] 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks

:This Japanese-exclusive [[vacuum metallizing|vacuum metalized]] golden redeco of Convoy Super Mode, whose name means "Shining Golden", was available as a prize in several draws, including a colouring contest held in the pages of ''[[TV-Kun]]'' magazine, and in-store lottery draws at Tobu Department Stores. Between the draws, at least 58 "''Kinpika'' Convoy" toys are known to have been given away, making it one of the more widely available [[Lucky Draw figure]]s, comparatively speaking. It came packaged in a plain white box, and including all the accessories and features of the standard release of the figure, including a gold-chromed "Prime" Micron.

::*''[http://www.luckydrawtransformers.com/toy/gallery/review/gold+super+mode+convoy/1084/gold+super+mode+convoy.html More information on Kinpika Convoy at Lucky Draw Transformers]''
{{ArmadaSuperBaseOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Powerlinx}}
[[File:Powelinx Armadaprime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Dracula Prime?]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Powerlinx Optimus Prime with Corona Sparkplug''' (Super Base, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks

: A late-run extensive redeco of the Super Base ''Armada'' Optimus Prime toy, "Powerlinx Optimus Prime" sports the darker color scheme the character takes on in the [[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'' cartoon]] episode "[[Origin]]" following a Mini-Con power-up, but he is not precisely [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]]—the deco would later be fine-tuned with more accurate details for release in Japan as the Magna Convoy DX giftset ([[#MagnaConvoyDX|see below]]). In addition to now sporting fully-mobile Super Mode arms without the movement-impeding tabs, Prime still comes with all his features and accessories, though for this release, his Mini-Con partner Sparkplug got retooled with a new rear chassis and a blinged-out golden chrome body as "Corona Sparkplug".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Powerlinx Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Crystal}}
[[File:Armada CrystalConvoy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Optimus Prime can't avoid his toy contracts even when he's dead!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Crystal Convoy''' (Lucky Draw figure, [[October]] 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Surge Mini-Con, left and right smokestacks

: A Japanese ''[[TV Magazine]]''-[[exclusive]], this release of the STD Convoy toy has almost all of his parts cast in translucent coloured plastics—hence the "crystal" moniker—representing the character's disembodied [[spark]] after his destruction in the ''Armada'' cartoon episode "[[Crisis (Armada)|Crisis]]" and resurrection in "[[Miracle (episode)|Miracle]]". What that means for poor "Surge" (Over-Run), also cast in translucent plastic, we couldn't say! Available via mail-order, only 5000 pieces were distributed in October of 2003.
{{ArmadaSuperConOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|MatrixMultipack}}
[[File:Armada-optimus-prime-gold-kmart.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Battle for the Matrix''' (Multi-pack, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks

: A K-Mart-exclusive set released on "[[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]]" (the day after Thanksgiving, the most hellishly busy shopping day of the year), this set consists of Super Base "Powerlinx Optimus Prime" (not to be confused with the ''actual'' Powerlinx Optimus Prime), "[[Jetfire (Armada)#MatrixMultipack|Powerlinx Jetfire]]" (again, not really), their respective partner Mini-Cons "Corona Sparkplug" (seriously, not that ''actual'' Corona Sparkplug) and [[Comettor (Armada)#MatrixMultipack|Comettor]], the [[Adventure Mini-Con Team#MatrixMultipack|Adventure Mini-Con Team]], and oddly enough, [[Longarm (Armada)#MatrixMultipack|Longarm]]. Optimus Prime's red plastics and paint were replaced with gold, the only changes made to anyone in the set. It is this set from which the name of Optimus Prime's combined mode with Jetfire, "Jet Prime", comes.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/KMartPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Battle for the Matrix Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{ArmadaSuperBaseOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|MagnaConvoyDX}}
[[File:Armada MagnaConvoyDX1.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|I think he needs another gun.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Magna Convoy DX Set''' (Multi-pack, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''MC-XX'''
:*''Release date'': [[November 19]], 2003
:*''Accessories'': Trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks

: This set is a [[Toys"R"Us]] Japan exclusive, consisting of "Convoy Final Battle Coloration" (Powerlinx Optimus Prime), redecoed with more show-accurate colours, principally a silver [[mouthplate]] instead of red and varying color saturation from the Hasbro version), "[[Overload (Armada)#MagnaConvoy|Ultra Magnus Special Clear Version]]", and an exclusive [[Exdimensions]] redeco of the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team#Exdimension|Street Action Microns]]. This set is entirely "new" content not available in the normal mass-retail ''Legends of the Microns'' line, and is also the last release of Exdimensions Microns. Rather than come with individual bio cards for the various characters, the set came with only a single card for the combined "Magna Convoy" form.
{{--}}

==''Built to Rule!''==
{{anchor|AmradaBTR}}
[[File:BTR-toy Optimus-Armada.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|"My Matrix for a quick death." (How could this happen to me?)]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': 2 missiles

:''Armada'' ''[[Built to Rule!]]'' Optimus Prime transforms into a fair approximation of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], but the robot mode is quite inaccurate, due to the very broad, flat Trans-Skeleton with thin, stick-like limbs attached to it. The set came with a very simplistic "Mini-Con" Sparkplug partner kit that did have a more dedicated "Powerlinx" connector than the standard construction pegs, though these are a bit too thin to be used as attachment points for regular Mini-Cons (they stay, sort of, but it's a very loose connection). The 101-piece set also features pressure-launch missile-firing "smokestack" cannons.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/BTROptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Built to Rule! Armada Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EnergonBTR}}
[[File:BTR EnergonPrime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Blocktimus Prime]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (Built to Rule!, [[2005]])}}</ul>
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles''

: The ''Energon'' version of ''[[Built to Rule!]]'' Optimus Prime was designed with a much more solid skeleton with larger, blockier limbs. He can be rebuilt from a Cybertronic truck cab with a trailer-mounted, pressure-launch dual-missile cannon (with electronic lights and sounds) to a robot, to basically whatever you feel like doing with the parts.

: Unfortunately, due to the slow performance of the ''Built to Rule!'' line overall, the ''Energon'' versions only had a limited, test-market release initially in and around Cincinnati, Ohio. The sets later filtered out into many Tuesday Morning and Ollie's chain stores at drastically dropped prices.
{{--}}

==''Energon''==
{{anchor|EnergonSuper}}
[[File:Energon Prime toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Form feet and legs! Form arms and body! And I'll form... the head!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, [[2003]]/[[2004]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara name'': '''Grand Convoy'''
:*''Takara ID number'': '''SC-01'''
:*''Takara release date'': [[December 25]], 2004
:*''Accessories'': "Fire-1", "Copter-2", "Digger-3", "Submarine-4", trailer, rifle, missile
{{toydesigner|[[Eric Siebenaler]] (Hasbro), [[Takashi Kunihiro]] (Takara)|[[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] (detailing)}}

: Leader Class ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' Optimus Prime transforms into a Cybertronic short-nosed truck cab. A switch on his back offers four selectable sound effects, each one corresponding to one member of the [[Prime Force]] ("Grand Force" in Japan), the four drone vehicles contained within Prime's parallelogram-shaped trailer. A tiny, slightly recessed button above the switch activates the sounds. When Prime transforms to [[robot mode]], the trailer stands upright to become a launch base of sorts for the Prime Force, with three of the trailer's four storage compartments featuring launching mechanisms that propel the vehicles into action. The Prime Force consists of "Fire-1", a fire truck with an extending ladder and rotating turret; "Copter-2" ("Gyro-2" in Japan), a helicopter with spinning rotors; "Digger-3", a drill tank with a gear-wheel-activated spinning drill; and "Submarine-4", a submarine with opening capture claws beneath its bow. The four interchangeable drones can combine with Prime to create his [[Super Mode]]; any drone is capable of forming any limb. When in Super Mode, Prime's chest panels are opened, in turn pressing a button on his side that creates more electronic sounds and lights up a red LED in his chest, representing the [[Spark of Combination]].

: Prime is armed with a spring-loaded missile launcher that stores on the rear of his truck mode (which becomes the backpack of his robot mode) when not in use. Like most of the weapons of the ''Energon'' line, it sports a [[5 mm post]], allowing it to be held by most every ''Energon'' figure, to combine with assorted other weapons and [[energon weapon]]s released in the series, and to peg into numerous compatible ports shared by many figures, like the hole in the radar of Prime's own trailer, or even conveniently placed 5mm screw holes like those of the Prime Force.

[[File:Energontoy prime combinations.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
:In lieu of combining with the Prime Force, Optimus Prime can also merge with ''Energon'' [[Wing Saber (Energon)#Toys|Wing Saber]] in a similar fashion, with Wing Saber splitting into four components that connect to Prime as limbs. Wing Saber's red and white torso components can become arms for Prime while his legs attach to Prime's own, creating Prime's "Flight Mode", but the parts can also be swapped around, with Wing Saber's legs deploying large missile launchers and becoming arms to make Prime's "Fight Mode" (both forms are just called "Wing Convoy" in Japan). Alternately, Prime can combine with ''Energon'' [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] to form what his packaging calls "Powerlinx Omega Supreme" ("Optimus Supreme" in the cartoon; "Omega Convoy" in Japan). The Prime Force drones can attach to four connectors on Optimus Supreme's body.

: The earliest releases of ''Energon'' Optimus Prime have no ridges on the inside of the chest windows, and a different head sculpt featuring an [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]-style mouth-slit in his mouthplate. This was soon replaced with a full mouthplate, and it was this version of the toy which appeared in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]] and was released by Takara. Other changes made to the Takara ''Super Link'' "Grand Convoy" release of the toy involved a chromed front grill, more vibrant plastic colors on Digger-3 and Submarine-4, a darker blue plastic on Prime himself, and more intricate [[paint operation]]s. Takara's release also lacks the electronic sound effects seen in Hasbro's version, which were also commonly gutted for the Japanese releases of any Autobot toys who had them, though Prime still retains his light-up chest.

: The Takara's Grand Convoy was also tied to a number of [[campaign item|store-exclusive promotional items]], namely a series of unique-colors [[energon weapon]]s. In late December/early January, buying the toy at [[AEON|JUSCO]] stores netted you the [[:File:En-toy EnergonSpear-CoronaFlame F2F.jpg|Energy Spear Corona Flame Edition]], the [[:File:En-toy EnergyAxe-BlackHole.jpg|Energy Axe Black Hole Edition]] at Ito Yokado, and finally the [[:File:En-toy EnergonSpear-RoyalClear F2F.jpg|Energy Spear Royal Clear Edition]] came with buying Grand Convoy at Hello Mac, Posful, Pelican, Joshin Denki & Heiwado stores. Later in [[July]], Grand Convoy and Wing Saber were the promo-buy-items for the [[:File:En-toy EnergyCutter-DaylightAttack.jpg|Energy Cutter Daylight Attack Edition]] and [[:File:En-toy EnergonBlade-PhantomNight F2F.jpg|Energy Blade Night Phantom Edition]], but this promotion was never advertised, and the most information anyone could get out of Takara's customer service after the fact was that they were available at "1500 select stores".

: The mouth-plated version of this mold was redecoed into ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' "Year of the Snake" [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Platinum Edition|Optimus Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Energon Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EnDx}}
[[File:Energontoy sl grand convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Those upper legs vs. [[Chun-Li]]'s - whose are more powerful??]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''SL Grand Convoy''' (2004)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''SC-13'''
:*''Release date'': [[March 25]], 2004
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

: As had first been done in the ''Armada'' line, Takara elected to supplement their release of the Leader-sized Grand Convoy figure with a new-mold Combat Class-sized toy called "SL Grand Convoy" ({{ruby|S|スーパー}}{{ruby|L|リンク}}グランドコンボイ, pronounced "Super Link Grand Convoy"). Coming without his trailer, the Grand Force, or electronics, this Grand Convoy discarded the larger toy's ability to form his Super Mode in favor of being able to [[Powerlinx]] with the other compatible toys of the ''Super Link'' line, forming either a torso or a pair of legs that the other Cybertrons (Autobots) could connect to. Like the ''Legends of the Microns'' "STD Convoy", this one too was on the small side for its "size class", but just as that figure could, this small Convoy can still tow the Leader-sized figure's trailer.

: Customers who bought this toy at [[AEON|JUSCO]] stores received the [[:File:En-toy EnergyAxe-VioletCluster.jpg|Energy Axe Violet Cluster Edition]] as a [[campaign item|freebie]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/PXOptimusPrime/pxoptimusprime.htm More information on SL Grand Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Kicker2pack}}
[[File:En-toy OptimusPrime SLGrandKicker.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Kicker! I have escaped from the box! I'll come back for you!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''SL Grand Convoy & Kicker''' (multi-pack, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''SS-03'''
:*''Release date'': March 25, 2004
:*''Accessories:'' Rifle

:A slight redeco of Takara's Combat Class-size Grand Convoy was released as part of a special set commemorating both the 20th anniversary of ''Transformers'' and the 30th anniversary of its progenitor, ''[[Microman]]''. Coming with an exclusive metallic redeco of Takara's [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]], which was based on the ''Microman'' body, this Grand Convoy featured a chromed grill where the original had painted plastic, and supposedly slightly shinier plastics. ''Very'' slightly.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/AnnivGrandConvoy/grandconvoy.htm More information on 20th Anniversary SL Grand Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|OprimusMegsTRU}}
[[File:Energontoy prime vs megatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Powerlinx Optimus Prime versus Megatron''' (2-pack, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Rifle

: The SS-03 version of Takara's Combat Class-sized Optimus figure, based on the Anniversary release, was released in Hasbro markets in a two-pack with the smaller Japanese Mega Class-sized "[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Energon|Galvatron]]" figure (aka Takara's release of Megatron). There are some tiny but notable differences between this and the Anniversary figure; the Hasbro version uses a more neutral dark-gray for the main body as opposed to the Takara version's blue-tinted dark-gray, plain dark-blue plastic rather than dark-blue-with-sparkles, and plain yellow paint for the cab's lights rather than sparkly-yellow/gold.

: This set was a Toys"R"US-[[exclusive]] in the US, but sold at pretty much any retailer that wanted to carry it elsewhere in the world.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/PXOptimusPrime/pxoptimusprime.htm More information on Deluxe Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EnergonGold}}
[[File:Energontoy gold grand convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Core Change: '''Re-Rising Gundam!'''"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Gold Grand Convoy''' (Lucky Draw figure, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' "Fire-1", "Gyro-2", "Digger-3", "Submarine-4", trailer, rifle, missile

: This golden-chromed redeco of the Leader-sized Grand Convoy figure was initially offered as a prize to five lucky winners of a colouring contest held in the pages of the ''TV Magazine''. Additional units were later given away via in-store draws at Toys"R"Us Japan; precisely how many is unknown, but the regularity with which the toy appeared on auction sites throughout 2005 suggests it was quite a few.

::*''[http://www.luckydrawtransformers.com/toy/gallery/review/gold+grand+convoy/1094/gold+grand+convoy.html More information on Gold Grand Convoy at Lucky Draw Transformers]''

{{-}}{{anchor|FireSL}}
[[File:Firegrandconvoy.JPG|upright=1.67|thumb|Am I Fire Guts or Burning Convoy? I can't decide!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Fire SL Grand Convoy''' (''TV Magazine''-exclusive, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Rifle

: This vibrant red and orange redeco of the Combat Class-sized Grand Convoy figure was a ''TV Magazine'' exclusive, limited to 3,000 pieces. It shipped in a unique monochrome red version of the traditional ''Super Link'' packaging, and did not include a character card.

{{-}}{{anchor|EnergonSLGold}}
[[File:Energontoy gold sl convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''SL Grand Convoy Mekki Version''' (Lucky Draw figure, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Rifle

: Released as part of the "W Convoy" campaign ("Double" Convoy, that is!) alongside a silver chrome version of "[[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus Convoy]]", this gold chrome "Mekki" ("plating") version of the Combat Class-sized Grand Convoy toy was available only as a prize in a mail-in [[Robot Point]]s contest. Initially limited to 20 units in the original draw, it appears that many more were made available through toy store drawings, given how many went on to appear on online auction sites through 2005 and 2006.

::*''[http://www.luckydrawtransformers.com/toy/gallery/review/gold+sl+grand+convoy/1091/gold+sl+grand+convoy.html More information on SL Grand Convoy Mekki Version at Lucky Draw Transformers]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CostCoOverload}}
[[File:Energontoy costco prime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|How many times has this set been reused?]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Overload with Rollout & Optimus Prime with Corona Sparkplug''' (Multi-pack, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Trailer/armor, light-up rifle, missile, left & right smokestacks

: A [[Costco]]-exclusive redeco of the ''Armada'' Super Base Optimus Prime toy in black, yellow, and brick red, it also came with a redeco of ''Armada'' [[Overload (Armada)#Energon|Overload]]. It is from this set that the name of Prime's combined form with Overload, "Optimus Prime Megaweapon", comes (though the term "Megaweapon" first appeared on Powerlinx Optimus Prime's packaging).

: The stock images to the right are not accurate to the final product. All of Optimus Prime's translucent parts on the final figure are yellow. This includes the windshield, the smokestacks, his rifle, the sensor on the trailer, and the flip-up screen in the trailers' base mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/CostcoPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Costco Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{ArmadaSuperBaseOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|CustomColorEnergon}}
[[File:Energontoy custom color prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Grand Convoy Custom Color Version''' (Lucky Draw Figure, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''SC-01'''
:*''Accessories:'' "Fire-1", "Gyro-2", "Digger-3", "Submarine-4", trailer, rifle, missile

: The color scheme of this special redeco of the Leader-sized Grand Convoy was decided through a colouring contest held in the [[December]] 2004 issue of ''TV Magazine'', in which entrants coloured in lineart of Convoy in the scheme they wanted to see. The winning entry rendered Convoy in a… ''distinct'' palette of grey, cream, dark red, and purple chrome, with blue, white, and yellow drones. It was limited to only ten pieces, making it one of the rarer ''Transformers'' toys in existence.

::*''[http://www.luckydrawtransformers.com/toy/gallery/review/custom+grand+convoy/1105/custom+grand+convoy.html More information on Custom Color Grand Convoy at Lucky Draw Transformers]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Santa}}
[[File:Energontoy unreleased prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, unreleased)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': "Fire-1", "Copter-2", "Digger-3", "Submarine-4", trailer, rifle, missile

:A redeco of the Leader Class Optimus Prime mold with a primarily red cab, much deeper blue, and a Prime Force uniformly colored in black was planned to be released with ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Generation 1 Optimus Prime]] as a [[Target]]-exclusive. The toy got far enough along in development to have package artwork created by [[Dan Khanna]], which was later revealed online, but it was canceled shortly before making it to full production. Its red, white, and black coloration earned it the festive nickname of "Santa Prime" among fans online.

::*''[http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/energon-autobots-166/optimus-prime-with-mini-optimus-prime-unreleased-4079/ More information on this unreleased Optimus Prime at TFW2005]''
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

==''Cybertron''==
[[File:Cybertrontoy leader optimus prime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|"Well... a fire truck is bigger." (''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2004 / 2005)}}</ul>
:*''Takara name'': '''Galaxy Convoy'''
:*''Takara ID number'': '''GC-01'''
:*''Takara release date'': [[December 28]], 2004
:*''Accessories'': Trailer/armor, rifle, 3 missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Matrix [[Cyber Key]]
:*''Cyber Key Code'': '''l8p3'''
{{toydesigner|[[Eric Siebenaler]] (Hasbro), [[Takashi Kunihiro]] (Takara)|[[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] (detailing), [[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

: The first ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Optimus Prime toy transforms into a heavily-armed fire truck of made-up model, topped with two large cannons. The cannons and the sides of the truck fold down to create an unlikely flight mode for the vehicle. His right-side cannon fires a spring-loaded missile, while plugging a [[Cyber Key]] into its key jack pops two more spring-loaded missile launchers out from its sides. Plugging a Cyber Key into his left-side cannon opens up the cannon's outer casing, revealing the inner barrel, lighting the red LED at its tip and playing an electronic "charging up" noise. Pressing the small blue button just over the battery casing plays a "firing" sound effect with accompanying light flash. In this mode, he can also deploy ''another'' pair of (non-firing) cannons from under the main cannons.

: In true Prime style, the forward portion of the vehicle mode detaches to become Optimus himself, while the rear "trailer" transforms into a gun emplacement. In robot mode, the barrel of the missile-launching cannon detaches to become a hand-held rifle. Atypical of most Unicron Trilogy figures, Prime's hands are ''not'' designed to accommodate weapons with [[5 mm post]]s, instead featuring a small peg-hole in his palm that allows him to tightly grip objects designed to fit there, like his own rifle, [[Overhaul (Cybertron)#Toys|Leobreaker]]'s whip, ''Cybertron'' [[Wing Saber (Energon)#Cybertron|Wing Saber's]] swords, and ''Cybertron'' [[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Toys|Metroplex]]'s [[Sparkdrinker|axe]]. However, Wing Saber's sword hilts ''can'' be used as adaptors, allowing Prime to hold and use 5mm weapons. His chest has a compartment to hold his removable Matrix of Leadership accessory; Prime's gigantic hands mean that he can't hold it especially ''neatly'', but he can certainly get a grip on it.

: Of course, Optimus can transform into a Super Mode by combining with his vehicle-mode back end, which becomes a massive winged backpack with under-slung main guns, and a pair of large boots, with the non-firing cannons ending up around his knees. To complete his Super Mode look, a small lever of the back of Prime's head raises his traditional mouthplate into place, covering his Optimus Primal-style mouth slot, and two "crests" fold out from either side of his helmet. Hasbro's instructions and stock photography awkwardly orient the wings so that the two cannons point ''over'' Prime's shoulders; the cartoon portrayed them in the under-slung orientation, as would all subsequent Hasbro redecos of the toy. In Super Mode, Prime is a rather top-heavy robot, and his hip joints are not that tight, which makes standing him up a challenging prospect.

: In Super Mode, Optimus Prime can combine with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)#Voyager|Leobreaker]] to form "Savage Claw Mode", which sees the feline Autobot become a gigantic clawed arm for his leader. Alternately, if Prime's backpack is removed, he can merge with [[Wing Saber (Energon)#Cybertron|Wing Saber]] into "Sonic Wing Mode", with the aerial ace forming a new winged backpack and chestplate for Optimus, and providing him with new hand-held sword weapons and firing missile launchers that connect to his Super Mode boots. The nature of the combination means that the two partners cannot combine with Prime at once—at least, not without physically removing one of Prime's own arms.

: The Takara ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)#Takara Galaxy Force toyline|Galaxy Force]]'' "Galaxy Convoy" version of the toy was released first, and features a number of paint differences from the later Hasbro ''Cybertron'' release. The most immediately-noticeable is that Galaxy Convoy's unique Matrix-shaped Cyber Key has its "frame" painted gold, where Optimus's is unpainted clear-blue plastic, save for the Autobot symbol and the Hasbro-only [[Cyber Key Codes|Cyber Key Code]] printed on its back. The other differences are small but numerous: Galaxy Convoy has more thoroughly painted knees, main cannons and leg-armor cannons, the signal lights above the cab are painted yellow, his leg-wheel hubcaps are painted gold, and his nose is inexplicably painted silver. Galaxy Convoy's wings are also held in place with long metal pins, where the Hasbro version has them just held in place with friction so they can pop off rather than ''break'' off if the toy is dropped.

: Galaxy Convoy was three-part [[AEON|JUSCO]] promotion, tied to the release of Ligerjack and the ''[[Hybrid Style]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Hybrid Style|THS-01 Galaxy Convoy]] in late April: buying him netted you the free all-white version of [[Hellflame Mini-Con Team|Hellflame Micron]] [[Quasar]]. (Buying the other two toys got you the other two all-white Hellflame Microns.)

: Optimus is slightly mistransformed in the image to the right: in vehicle mode his chest windows should be folded around to the sides of the cab to cover the arm sockets.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Cybertron Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|LOC1}}
[[File:LOC CybertronPrime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Takara's version pictured on the left, Hasbro's version pictured on the right.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2005)}}</ul>

: [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]] Optimus is a very simplified version of ''Cybertron'' Optimus Prime, with no weapons or trailer, just the front portion of the truck. It transforms into the standard robot mode, with a very similar transformation scheme to the full-sized toy, and has no useful articulation of the shoulders.

: The figure was released in Japan under the "EZ Collection" banner, in the same packaging as the Hasbro release but with a small card insert featuring the Japanese logo and nomenclature, similar to a [[USA Edition]]. As with all the EZ Collection figures, this release features a substantially greater number of paint operations that increase Optimus's resemblance to his larger figure.

: This mold was redecoed to create ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Menasor (G1)#Classics|Menasor]] and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Hot Spot (G1)#Universe (2008)|Hot Zone]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/LOCOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Legends of Cybertron Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|MegaloConvoy}}
[[File:GF MetallicGalaxyConvoy Legends toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|To [[scale]] with something? Blasphemy!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Megalo Convoy''' (Leader Class, 2005)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''GC-23'''
:*''Release date'': [[August 29]], 2005

: A special metallic-paint version of Legends of Cybertron Optimus Prime was included with the Takara ''Galaxy Force'' release of [[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Toys|Megalo Convoy aka Metroplex]], as a demonstration of their actual size difference as depicted on the television series.

{{-}}{{anchor|GoldGF}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy gold galaxy convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Galaxy Convoy Gold Version''' (Leader Lucky Draw figure, 2005)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Trailer/armor, rifle, 3 missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Force Chip

: This gold-chrome and clear-plastic redeco of the Leader-class Optimus Prime figure was first offered as a prize in a mail-in contest held through ''[[TV Magazine]]'' alongside a silver chrome version of the same toy ([[#SilverGF|see below]]). Both figures were later made available again as prizes in a second contest in the September 2005 issue of ''TV Magazine'', together with "Galaxy Convoy Custom Color Version" (again, [[#CustomGF|see below]]).

: Optimus is slightly mistransformed in the image to the right, in vehicle mode his chest windows should be folded round to the sides of the cab to cover the arm sockets.

::*''[http://www.luckydrawtransformers.com/toy/gallery/review/gold+galaxy+convoy/1099/gold+galaxy+convoy.html More information on Gold Galaxy Convoy at Lucky Draw Transformers]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SilverGF}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy silver galaxy convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Galaxy Convoy Silver Version''' (Leader Lucky Draw figure, 2005)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Trailer/armor, rifle, 3 missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Force Chip

: This silver-chromed redeco of the Leader-class Optimus Prime figure first saw the light of day as a prize in a ''TV Magazine'' mail-in, offered alongside a gold chrome version of the same toy ([[#GoldGF|see above]]). Both figures were later made available again as prizes in a second contest in the September 2005 issue of ''TV Magazine'', together with "Galaxy Convoy Custom Color Version" ([[#CustomGF|see below]]). Despite being offered in equal quantities in these contests, this silver version is apparently much harder to come by.

::*''[http://www.luckydrawtransformers.com/toy/gallery/review/silver+galaxy+convoy/1797/silver+galaxy+convoy.html More information on Silver Galaxy Convoy at Lucky Draw Transformers]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CustomGF}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy custom color convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|It's not that easy being Prime.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Galaxy Convoy Custom Color Version''' (Leader Lucky Draw figure, 2005)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Trailer/armor, rifle, 3 missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Force Chip

: One of the single rarest [[Lucky Draw figure]]s in existence, this "Custom Color" redeco of Super Optimus Prime was limited to only ''one'' in the world. It was the grand prize of a coloring contest held in September 2005's ''TV Magazine'', in which entrants colored in line-art of Prime with the deco they wanted to see. The winning entry was in green, blue and gold, while ten runners-up received one of five gold or five silver Lucky Draw versions of Prime.

::*''[http://www.luckydrawtransformers.com/toy/gallery/review/custom+colour+galaxy+convoy/1104/custom+colour+galaxy+convoy.html More information on Custom Color Galaxy Convoy at Lucky Draw Transformers]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EZClear}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy ez clear optimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''EZ Collection Clear Set''' (Multi-pack, 2005)}}</ul>

: A Takara exclusive multi-pack of "EZ Collection" [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#EZClear|Megatron]], Optimus Prime and [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#EZClear|Starscream]] recast the figures using primarily clear plastics; in Prime's cast, both his blue and red plastics became translucent. A mail-away exclusive to ''[[TV Magazine]]'' in October 2005, the set was limited to 3000 pieces.

::*''[http://plasticcrack.net/archives/2007/07/photo-review-takara-galaxy-force-ez-telemag-exclusive-3pack More information on the EZ Collection multi-pack at PlasticCrack.net]

{{-}}{{anchor|SonicConvoy}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy sonic convoy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|I'm gorgeously shiny!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Sonic Convoy''' (Multi-pack, 2005)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''EX-02'''
:*''Accessories:'' Trailer/armor, rifle, 3 missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Force Chip

: This redeco of Leader-class Optimus Prime replaced most of the plastics in the cab robot with colored translucent equivalents. He also has numerous chromed parts, including chrome-silver wrist-pipes, red chrome window frames and side-cannons, and a chromed Autobot symbol on his Key. His trailer remained opaque, but was cast in much deeper red plastic, with a more metallic silver used for his cannons. He also lacks the weird silver nose-paint, and has the Hasbro trailer assembly with the pop-off-able wings.

: He was available only in a [[Toys"R"Us]] Japan exclusive giftset released in October 2005, packed in with a redeco of [[Wing Saber (Energon)#SonicConvoy|Wing Saber]] and the [[Cobybot|Coby ''Sen'yō'' Ramble]].

: None of the toys in this box set were given bio cards. Aww.

::*''[http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/galaxy-force-cybertrons-341/galaxy-convoy-clear-2412 More information on Sonic Convoy at TFW2005]''

{{-}}{{anchor|GoldMetroplex}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy gold ez convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Megalo Convoy Gold Version''' (Leader Lucky Draw figure, 2005)}}</ul>

: A golden-chrome redeco of ''Cybertron'' Metroplex was offered as a contest prize in the December 2005 issue of ''TV Magazine'', and came with an equally blinged-out Legends/EZ Collection Optimus Prime figure. Fifteen of this set were available as prizes in the initial contest; a single Metroplex was later offered as one of many prizes in a Takara website contest, but this version came only with the standard metallic paint version of Prime.

::*''[http://www.luckydrawtransformers.com/toy/gallery/review/gold+galaxy+convoy/1103/gold+galaxy+convoy.html More information on Gold EZ Collection Galaxy Convoy at Lucky Draw Transformers]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Magnus2-pack}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy ridprime magnus 2pack.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ultra Magnus & Optimus Prime''' (Multi-pack, 2005)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Cannon, 2 missiles

: A red redeco of the 2003 ''Universe'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Cybertron|Optimus Prime]] was sold with a repackaged version of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' version of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] Ultra Magnus in a [[Costco]]-[[exclusive]] multi-pack in 2005. Sold under the ''Cybertron'' banner, their continuity of origin was ambiguous for years until clarified in 2015 by the Facebook edition of [[Ask Vector Prime]].

{{-}}{{anchor|LeaderGalaxyForce}}
[[File:Cyb GalaxyForceOptimusPrime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Sowing confusion on message boards everywhere.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Galaxy Force Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2006)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Trailer/armor, rifle, 3 missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Cyber Key
:*''Cyber Key Code'': '''lo9x'''
{{toydesigner|[[Eric Siebenaler]] (Hasbro)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

: Released in fourth and final wave of ''Cybertron'' Leaders, this redeco of the Leader-class Optimus Prime figure introduced a new color scheme that several other tail-end releases would emulate. Taking its name from the Takara version of ''Cybertron'' and with a bio noting that this new body depicts Prime after he embarks on his galaxy-spanning mission at the end of the ''Cybertron'' cartoon, "Galaxy Force" Optimus Prime replaces the original toy's blue parts with black and the translucent blue with smokey clear, and molds several—but not all—grey parts out of red plastic, including the toy's rifles, rail gun covers, missile launchers, and Super Mode leg guns. In the realm of new paint operations, Prime now sports all four Cyber Planet Key symbols on his shoulders, and his unique Matrix-shaped Cyber Key finally has a gold-painted border, as it had always had in Japan. Additionally, Prime's hip joints were tightened up with this release, making it easier to stand him up in Super Mode.

: This toy was later re-released in a [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] multi-pack ([[##VsCrumplezone|see below]]).

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/GFOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Galaxy Force Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.transformers-universe.com/include.php?path=content/ToyDB_Info.php&Toy_ID=1839 More information on Galaxy Force Optimus Prime at Transformers Universe]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CybDx}}
[[File:Cybertron OptimusPrime deluxe toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|You've [[:File:Supercon ArmadaPrime.jpg|already]] [[:File:Armada CrystalConvoy.jpg|bought]] [[:Nemesis Prime (Armada)|me]] [[:Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Universe|five]] [[:File:Cybertron OptimusPrime deluxe toy.jpg|times!]]]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (Deluxe, 2006)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Left and right smokestacks, Cybertron Cyber Key
:*''Cyber Key Code'': '''d56b'''
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] (deco artist)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

: Premiering in the eighth wave of ''Cybertron'' Deluxes, this Optimus is a redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[#Super-Con|Super-Con ''Armada'' Optimus Prime]], recolored in red and black to resemble the Leader Class Galaxy Force Optimus Prime figure.

: He does not come with the mold's nominal Mini-Con partner. Instead, Optimus Prime and his [[wave]]-mate [[Demolishor (Armada)#Cybertron|Demolishor]] debuted a new brand of Cyber Key: [[retool]]ed from the standard Cybertron style key, this version lacked a sculpted [[insignia]], so that any symbol could be [[tampograph]]ed on to it, and featured a [[Mini-Con]]-style [[Powerlinx]] socket on the back, allowing it to operate the figure's formerly-Mini-Con-activated "punching" feature without the figure itself having to be retooled.

: The key sports a tampographed Autobot insignia, a red border, and the [[Cyber Key Codes|Key Code]] "d56b" tampographed on the back. This code, when entered on Hasbro's website, was ''supposed'' to unlock additional information on the character or the toy, but due to an error on behalf of Hasbro, it unlocked information intended for his wave-mate Demolishor. Optimus Prime's information was instead unlocked using the code "dt67", which was on the back of Demolishor's Cyber Key.

: As was the case with the ''Universe'' [[Ultra Magnus (Energon)#Universe .282003.29|"Battle in a Box" Ultra Magnus]] release of this sculpt, initial shipments of Optimus Prime had the forearms [[Misassembly|swapped]], leaving his elbow joints useless. This was corrected for later shipments. A further [[variant|running change]] saw tampographeded graphics depicting the four planet symbols added to the truck mode's cab.

: This sculpt was later redecoed once again for a 2008 ''Universe'' [[#Universe (2008)|multi-pack version of ''Cybertron'' Optimus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/DlxOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Deluxe Cybertron Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{ArmadaSuperConOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|LOCGalaxyForce}}
[[File:Cybertron GFOptimusPrime Legends toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Cause we gotta little ol' convoy, rockin' through the night]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)}}</ul>

: Like the Deluxe Class figure before it, this redeco of ''Legends of Cybertron'' Optimus Prime was designed to resemble the Leader class Galaxy Force Optimus Prime figure, essentially replacing the blue with black, the yellow with silver and adding the Cyber Key symbol tampographs onto his shoulders. It was released in the fourth and final wave of the ''Cybertron'' Legends-class assortment.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/LOCGFOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on "Galaxy Force" Legends Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Gorilla}}
[[File:Cybertron OptimusPrime beast toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|It's a Double [[Garry Chalk]].]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime''' (Deluxe, 2006)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories''" "'Jet-powered' flying board", missile, Jungle Planet Cyber Key
:*''Cyber Key Code'': '''d7s9'''
{{toydesigner|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

: Available in the ninth and final wave of ''Cybertron'' Deluxes, this unusual iteration of Optimus Prime is a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Optimus Primal]], transforming into a robotic gorilla in the pseudo-[[technorganic]]-looking style of the other [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] toys. He comes with a "'jet-powered' flying board" with two [[5 mm post|5mm post]]s at the base, allowing him to ride it in his gorilla mode, or hold it in robot mode via the 5mm posts on his robot palms/gorilla feet. When a [[Cyber Key]] is inserted at the rear of the board, a spring-loaded extending "assault blade" deploys, and a trigger is revealed to allow one to use the spring-loaded missile launcher at the tip. Though it is not intended to be removed, the blade can be popped off and held in Primal's hand thanks to his poseable thumbs.

: This figure contains an unusual amount of sculpted detail on the inside of the plastic. The gorilla mode's chest has a ribcage, and the inside of the gorilla's face has a sculpted microphone, which lines up perfectly with the robot mode's head! Also, opening this toy's chest in robot mode reveals sculpted detail resembling the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] as it appeared in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. His beast mode features a painted scar over his one eye, a seeming homage Peter Jackson's ''[[King Kong]]'' (released the previous year).

: While this mold was first released as part of the ''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary'' line and is obviously meant to be Optimus Primal, it was developed to fit in with ''Cybertron's'' Jungle Planet aesthetic, "in case" the ''Beast Wars'' Anniversary release didn't pan out (according to [[Aaron Archer]]'s statements at [[BotCon 2005]]).

: This mold was also used to make [[BotCon 2014]] [[Apelinq (BM)#Timelines|Apelinq]] and [[Primal Prime#Timelines|Primal Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Jungle Planet Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Costco2pack}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy prime wingsaber 2pack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime / Wing Saber''' (Multi-pack, 2006)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Trailer/armor, rifle, 3 missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Cyber Key

: Released in Fall of 2006, this Costco-exclusive two-pack bundled the original version of the Leader-class Optimus Prime figure with his combination partner [[Wing Saber (Energon)#Cybertron|Wing Saber]] and a DVD including the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] episode "[[United (episode)|United]]".

: This set comes in a particularly huge box, and sold for $35.99, five dollars less than the MSRP for Optimus Prime by ''himself''. Now that's a deal!

{{-}}{{anchor|LOCTarget4pack}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy LOCtarget4pack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Megatron / Soundwave / Jetfire / Optimus Prime''' (Multi-pack, 2007)}}</ul>

: This four pack of Legend-class Optimus Prime, [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#LegendsMegs|Megatron]], [[Jetfire (Armada)#LOC|Jetfire]], and [[Soundwave (Cybertron)#Legends|Soundwave]] was exclusive to [[Target]] stores. All of the toys were identical to their individual releases.
{{-}}

==''Hybrid Style''==
{{anchor|THS01}}
[[File:HybridStyletoy galaxyconvoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Galaxy Convoy''' ([[2006]])
**''ID number:'' '''THS-01'''
**''Accessories'': Trailer/backpack, leg armor (x2), standard head, Super Mode head, left and right fists, left and right pointing hands, left and right open hands, left and right gripping hands, Matrix of Leadership, Force Chip (x2)

:The first in TakaraTomy's ''[[Hybrid Style]]'' series, Galaxy Convoy is a partly die-cast figure with scaled-down equivalents of the accessories that came with the Leader-class figure. This highly-intricate figure retains all the transformation abilities of the original figure—vehicle, flight mode, robot, and Super Mode—and even its Cyber Key-activated features (even coming with two keys so they can be deployed simultaneously), with additional touches like spring-loaded mechanisms that snap his cannons into place, and hand-grips on the weapons for Super Mode. While he does lack electronics or firing missiles, Prime still includes his Matrix, super-tiny yet still removable, and has four alternate sets of hands: two clenched fists, two with pointing index fingers, two with splayed palms, and two curved hands for holding his various weapon handles. Given the figure's small size, a reconfigurable head was infeasible, so it also comes with an alternate Super Mode head with a mouthplate and crests deployed, though the standard head must be attached in order for the figure to be transformed to vehicle mode.

: Starting in late April, customers who purchased this toy at [[AEON|JUSCO]] stores received an exclusive all-white version of the [[campaign item|promotional freebie]] [[Hellflame Mini-Con Team|Hellflame Micron]] [[Graviton (Cybertron)|Graviton]].

::*[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/HybridGalaxyConvoy/galaxyconvoy.htm More information on Hybrid Style Galaxy Convoy at TFU.info]
{{--}}

==''Classics''==
[[File:Classicstoy legends cybertron prime.jpg|thumb|125px]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Legends, [[2007]])

: Bizarrely enough, Optimus Prime was one of three ''Cybertron'' Legends toys straight-released in ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' packaging, though with the modifier "Cybertron Collection" printed on the cardfront. The toy itself is identical to the ''Cybertron'' release.
{{--}}

==''Transformers'' (2007)==
[[File:TargetGenerationsLegends.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Generations Legends''' (Target exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

: A Target exclusive, this four-pack of Legends Class figures contains two versions of both Optimus Prime and Megatron, namely Legends of Cybertron Optimus Prime, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Movie Legends Optimus Prime]], Legends of Cybertron Megatron and [[Megatron (Movie)/toys|Movie Legends Megatron]]. The toy itself is identical to the ''Cybertron'' release.
{{--}}

==''Universe'' (2008)==
[[File:Universe2008toy BftCPK optimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Battle for the Cyber Planet Keys''' (Sam's Club exclusive multi-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories'': Left and right smokestacks, Cybertron Cyber Key
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] (deco artist)}}

: For ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', a redeco of the ''Armada'' Super-Con [[#Super-Con|Optimus Prime]] in more Generation 1-inspired colors was released in a [[Sam's Club]] exclusive five-pack alongside [[Runamuck (Cybertron)#Universe (2008)|Runamuck]], [[Longrack (Cybertron)#Universe (2008)|Longrack]], [[Buzzsaw (Cybertron)#Universe (2008)|Buzzsaw]], and [[Blurr (Cybertron)#Universe (2008)|Blurr]]. Optimus was the only toy in the set different from the original releases. He came with a translucent red version of the remolded style of Cyber Key previously included with this mold's release during the ''Cybertron'' line, featuring a Powerlinx port to activate his punching gimmick.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/SamsClubOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Universe Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{ArmadaSuperConOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|VsCrumplezone}}
[[File:Universe2008CybOptimusPrimeAndCrumplezone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Optimus Prime vs Crumplezone''' (Costco exclusive multi-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories'': Trailer/armor, rifle, three missiles, Matrix of Leadership, Cyber Key

: This Costco exclusive set contains [[#LeaderGalaxyForce|Leader-class "Galaxy Force" Optimus Prime]] and the original [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Crumplezone]]. Both toys were unchanged from their previous individual releases.
{{--}}

==''Bot Shots''==
{{anchor|BotShotJumpShot}}
[[File:BotShots JumpShot Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''B004'''
***''Fist strength'': '''515'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''625'''
***''Sword strength'': '''475'''

: Part of the second wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 2 single-packs, this new-mold Optimus Prime is heavily based on ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], transforming from a robot armed with a gun, into a futuristic firetruck. As a Jump Shot, he springs up when auto-transforming.

:He was redecoed into [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Bot Shots|Ultra Magnus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSJSOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Jump Shot Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShot3pack}}
[[File:BotShots 3pack Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Optimus Prime / Cindersaur / Autobot Jazz''' (Multi-pack, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''BP008'''
***''Fist strength'': '''404'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''854'''
***''Sword strength'': '''362'''

: Part of the second wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 2 three-packs, this redeco of Jump Shot Optimus Prime has a brighter red, a painted silver forehead crest and "nose-strap", blue windows, and glossy blue paint on his legs, head, and firefighting section, among other minor deco changes. He comes with [[Cindersaur (G1)|Jump Shot Cindersaur]] and [[Jazz (G1)/toys#SuperBot|Super Bot Autobot Jazz]].

:The second wave of Series 2 three-packs didn't reach mass retail in the United States, only showing up in discount stores like Ross.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSJS3pkOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on 3-pack Jump Shot Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==''Platinum Edition''==
[[File:PlatinumEditiontoy-YOTSOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Platimus.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Year of the Snake exclusive, 2013)
**''Accessories:'' Firetruck drone, helicopter drone, drill tank drone, submarine drone, trailer, rifle, missile
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Scribner]] (deco artist)}}

: ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' "Year of the Snake" Optimus Prime is a redeco of [[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|''Energon'']] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Energon|Super Class Optimus Prime]] inspired by his [[Show-accuracy|Generation 1 color scheme]]. In lieu of combining with his drones, Optimus Prime can also combine with ''Platinum Edition'' [[Omega Supreme (WFC)#Platinum Edition|Omega Supreme]] to form what his instructions ''also'' call "Super Optimus Prime". The drones are color-matched to Omega Supreme, and can attach to four connectors on his body. In an undocumented feature, Prime can also merge with ''Energon'' [[Wing Saber (Energon)#Energon|Wing Saber]].

:Though the [[stock photography]] shows the original mouthed-face head and smooth inner chest windows, the final toy uses the face-plated head and ridged inner windows. The [[packaging]]'s [[bio]] is every [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] bio ever (well, [[Optimus Prime (SG)|mostly]]), [[Ask Vector Prime]] would eventually declare him to be a version of Unicron Trilogy Optimus.

:''Platinum Edition'' Optimus Prime is exclusive to BigBadToyStore and Amazon.com in America, but was also released at Philippine mass retail in limited quantities, in Australia as a Kmart exclusive and in Canada as a [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive. All electronics have been omitted from this version, even the light-up feature retained by Takara's Superlink release, trading the LED for an open hole in the chest.
{{--}}

==''Kre-O''==
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Mini-Con Combiners, unreleased)
**''Accessories'': Bazooka, [[Phaser (weapon)|phaser]], Uzi, scoped pistol, [[Klingon]] blaster

:"Mini-Con Combiner"' Optimus comes with one standard Kreon and four ''Cityville''-syle mini-Kreons of the same character, each one a different incarnation from various franchises. With some extra parts, the mini-Kreons become limbs to make a larger combiner-bot.

: Two of his limbs are based on ''Armada'' Optimus Prime; one "normal" (Inferno helmet), one pre-[[Earth]]-body (Knock Out helmet). The main torso-bot is based on Generation 1 Optimus's original body. Another limb-bot is based on [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|live-action Optimus]] (Soundwave helmet), and the remaining one (Ironhide helmet)... actually looks to be based on the Optimus-like-but-not-Optimus [[Micromaster]] [[Overload (G1)|Overload]]! The heck?

:[https://www.seibertron.com/events/fullsize.php?event_id=400&size=1&image=29 First shown at New York Toy Fair 2015], the Mini-Con Combiners were apparently cancelled without fanfare... a decision that must have come late in the day, as they went on to star in their own promotional animation, "[[Stuck in a Tree]]", released about eight months after the trade show.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

==''War for Cybertron: Siege''==
[[File:WFC-Siege-WFC-S40-Leader-Class-Galaxy-Upgrade-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Technically not ''Cybertron'' Optimus by this wiki's classification.]]
{{main|Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#S40}}

:The [[2019]] ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' subline of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' includes "Galaxy Upgrade Optimus Prime", which is based heavily on ''Cybertron'' Optimus Prime in its vehicle and Super modes.
{{--}}

==Canceled prototype==
[[File:Generations_Armada_Convoy_Prototype.jpeg|thumb|''Life could be a dream...'']]
*'''Armada Convoy'''

:Revealed as a grayscale prototype at the [[Wonder Festival]] [[2019]] Winter convention, this Voyager-sized Optimus Prime mold is modelled after his ''Armada'' design, though adding many stylized details. Though a pair of hands are visible in the hollows of his legs, the prototype was not designed with a super-mode conversion<ref>{{citesocial|quote=When I [pitched ''Legacy'' Armada Optimus Prime] to TT, I actually sent over the Wondercon Takara Tomy prototype image that was shown at that event. They explained to me that the grey model their domestic team showed off did not have the super mode combining ability.|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr2DhHyscWT/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=05|day=05}}</ref> (and was likely too early in its production to be able to change at all).

:TakaraTomy claimed at Wonder Festival [[2020]] Winter that this figure was not "cancelled", but was not a development priority at that time, and that its proper toyline was not determined.<ref>[https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/2020-winter-wonder-festival-information.1188365/page-21#post-17643985 Report from Gamerlingual on the TFW2005 Forums, 9 February 2020]</ref> [[#Legacy|An entirely different tooling of the character]] would later be released as part of the ''Legacy'' line - and ironically, the unproduced prototype made one final appearance in the ''Legacy:Evolution'' box art mural (the stylized chest grill and curved forearm smokestacks being a dead giveaway), presumably because it was the reference material on hand at the time.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

==''Legacy''==
[[File:TF-Legacy-Commander-Class-Armada-Optimus-Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|The time has come for...SUPER Bendy Prime!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Armada Universe Optimus Prime''' (Commander Class, [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TL-48'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[November]], 2023
:*''Accessories'': Ion blaster, Matrix, insignia plate, left and right smokestack guns
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[April 4]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qv8dh66d48 Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Evan Brooks]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Sam Smith]], [[Shogo Hasui]] and [[Delaney Norris]]</ref>

: Marking the 20th anniversary of the ''Armada'' franchise, ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy: Evolution]]'' "Armada Universe Optimus Prime" is a Commander Class figure modeled after the original Super Base toy listed above, but trades the trailer's remote-controlled autotransformation [[gimmick]] and primary robot's electronics for markedly superior articulation in both regular and "super" robot modes. The deco and some elements of the sculpt are heavily based upon Prime's appearance in the [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|anime]], hence the regular robot mode's silver fists, black chest stripes, and the layout of the gold waist deco on the super mode. The gold itself is a compromise between the original Hasbro figure's darker gold and Takara's bright yellow.

: He comes with a large ion blaster that can be held in both robot modes and smokestacks that can detach and combine (though they cannot form into a singular gun like the original toy) with the rifle as part of his [[Evo-Fusion]] feature; however, the gimmick's logo is oddly absent from the box itself. His trailer unfolds into a base mode and combines with him to form his super mode. The smaller robot is a roughly Voyager-sized figure with a removable [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. An undocumented feature beneath the Matrix chamber is what appears to be a spark chamber modeled after [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s from the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]] episode [[Master Blaster]]. The Autobot insignia on his truck roof/super mode chestplate is also removable — a sign of [[Jetfire (Armada)|things to come]], perhaps? He also has an extra point at the back of his trailer that appears to be meant to pull a second trailer, for possibly [[Overload (Armada)|another future feature.]]

: The turret section for Optimus' trailer/base comes separated in the packaging and must be attached by slightly reconfiguring the trailer, bending the turret's hinges appropriately, then finally pegging it in and tabbing the trailer back into place. The blaster can also be stored on the super mode's back via a 5mm hole.

: The instructions for transforming Optimus into super mode have the torso clip into the backpack first, then drop down onto the legs. You technically ''can'' do these steps in reverse to better replicate the original ''Armada'' super mode transformation, but doing so makes hooking Optimus into the backpack much more difficult. On another note regarding the super mode, all Hasbro photography has the trailer's stabilizer posts mistransformed in super mode. As the instructions show, they're meant to flip out and peg into the gold sections on Super Optimus' shins, mimicking the cannon detailing of the original Super Base toy.

: An undocumented feature involves a conspicuous rectangular red port located on the trailer/base section which forms Super Optimus' backpack. If you have an ''Armada'' [[Overload (Armada)#Toys|Overload]] figure in cannon-pack mode on hand, you can slot Overload into this port and the gap just above it to form "Megaweapon" Optimus! Unfortunately, due to the connection point being on the trailer base for ''Legacy'' Armada Optimus instead of being on the cab like the original ''Armada'' Super-Base Optimus, Overload will sit further back when combining and make ''Legacy'' Armada Optimus become extremely back heavy. This changed position will also make Overload's cannons be further back, making the shoulder stocks of Overload sit behind ''Legacy'' Armada Optimus' shoulders instead of in front of them, thus making them useless if they were real shoulder stocks. Additionally, because of how Overload's gun-feet are molded, the cannons won't sit horizontal due to clearance issues with Optimus' shoulder armor. Easy way to get around this is to just have ''Legacy'' Armada Optimus strike a pose while wearing Overload.

: The extra port at the back of ''Legacy'' Armada Optimus' trailer can also be used to tow Overload as a second trailer. However, unlike the original ''Armada'' Super-Base Optimus' trailer there is no lip to secure the hitch, and the port is much lower, causing him to be towed at an angle that causes his robot mode shoulders to drag on the ground despite his wheels still making contact with the floor. Additionally, the lower port location prevents him from having enough clearance to have [[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]] provide structural support. Also, due to the cab-side of the hitch of ''Legacy'' Armada Optimus' being a port rather than a peg, he cannot tow ''Armada'' Overload by himself.

: While it needs to be transformed in place for the two modes, the butt-end of the blue-colored frame (the one that holds the wheels) can hinder the full rotation of the golden Super Mode hands.

: He was officially revealed on the [[April 4]] [[Hasbro Pulse]] Fanstream, and went up for pre-order on [[April 18]].

: The Japanese release of this figure comes in an additional outer sleeve that features the Hasbro version's package art with the Japanese ''Legacy: Evolution'' logo and the toy's Japanese name on the front, and a modified reprint of the package art for [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Super Base|the original Super Base]] toy on the back of the box. Inside the sleeve, however, is the normal Hasbro version's packaging with additional stickers in Japanese.

:*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr2DhHyscWT/ Designer commentary on ''Legacy'' Armada Optimus Prime (and the above prototype) from Mark Maher on Instagram]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:MonsterConvoy.jpg|upright=1|thumb|Arise, Bigfootimus Prime.]]
* The first test shots of Superbase Optimus Prime had a [http://www.behindthetoys.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7661 molded and recessed Autobot insignia] on the chest button rather than a flat surface with a tampographed symbol. It is unknown why this change was made.
* One of the earliest ''Armada'' Optimus Prime concepts depicts him as being an ENORMOUSLY HUGE MONSTER TRUCK.
* Pre-dating Powerlinx Optimus Prime, designer Aaron Archer asked fans on the TFW2005 forums what they'd want out of a redeco of the large toy—throwing out ideas such as a Scourge deco, a modified vehicle mode, new SFX, a transparent trailer, an added sword accessory, and the remote possibility of a new Mini-Con!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Okay I give. If we did redeco the Elec. Optimus item as is (no new tools) what would you like to see to make you buy it again? Deco excatlly like Scourge? or another ? VM? New sound FX? New Mini-con probably wouldn't happen but what would be a good Vh for a evil Optimus? Clear trailer? Added Sword weapon? Keep this orderly and helpful, I have timing and cost issues to deal with so if you want to complain about next getting a new trailer and that we are killing you with cost them I understand but keep it to yourself. If you want to help make this worth rebuying them let me hear it...!|name=Aaron Archer|site=TFW2005|year=circa 2002}}</ref> In the end, Prime's Mini-Con was in fact retooled into the [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]]-like Corona Sparkplug.
* ''Energon'' Optimus Prime's combination with the Prime Force is...well, it's pretty much as close to a Sentai Robo that ''Transformers'' has ever gotten. It's also highly reminiscent of Voltron, as noted by our captions for that toy's image. That being said, Transformers characters who combine with non-sentient drones have become more common in the years since ''Energon'', so it seems less unusual now than when it was new.
*Under his various Japanese names, Optimus was ''three'' candidates in [[TakaraTomy]]'s [[Fan polls#Masterpiece Fan's Choice|''Masterpiece'' Fan's Choice]] poll, which asked fans to determine which Autobot/Maximal leader from the franchise's then-30 year history should receive a new toy in the prestigious ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line. ''Armada'' Optimus placed third (with 24.3% of the votes), ''Energon'' Optimus placed tenth (with 1.5%), and ''Cybertron'' Optimus placed seventh (2.5%).
* ''Cybertron'' Optimus's design would see re-use for the [[Optimus Prime (G1)|''original'' Optimus]] many years later, with the 2018 ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' toyline's "[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#S40|Galaxy Upgrade Optimus Prime]]".

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm Optimus Prime at TFU.info]
*[http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/binalternator/unreleased/optimus_prime_mini_optimus_prime/ Energon Optimus Prime redeco with Smallest Transformers Optimus Prime gallery]

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The Autobot Run

2024-02-25T18:47:04Z

Valkyriesdf1: /* Trivia */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=23
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=65
|prev2=A Plague of Insecticons
|next2=The Ultimate Doom, Part 1
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=6
|prev3=Heavy Metal War
|next3=The Core
|image=Autobotruncanttransform.jpg
|caption=Hey, look! ''Diaclone'' Sunstreaker!
|title="The Autobot Run"
|season=2
|season ep=7
|production code=#700-22
|airdate=[[October 31]], 1985
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c2Hk7F2QHA
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''When the Autobots perform a race for charity, the Decepticons take the opportunity to trap them in their vehicle modes.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Transfixatron.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|A collection of character models gathers around the Decepticons' new weapon.]]
While watching a car race, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Chip Chase|Chip]] comment on how cool it would be to see the Autobots perform in a race as well.

Meanwhile, in an old west ghost town, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] have completed the [[Transfixatron]], a new device that will lock a [[Transformer]] in the mode they currently occupy (usually [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]). [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] arrives, informing the Decepticons about the Autobot race.

[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] complains that [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is wasting time with the device instead of leading an attack. In response, Megatron tests the device on his whiny subordinate, and it's a success. Starscream is stuck in jet mode and begs to be released, saying he'll do whatever Megatron wants and he's too valuable to the Decepticon cause. Megatron gets bored of Starscream's pleas and frees him. Satisfied with the test, Megatron orders the Constructicons to start working on a second device whose purpose will be revealed later.

[[File:Autobotrunfinishline.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|The guy at the finish line wonders where the Hell his car went.]]
Chip and Spike suggest their race idea to the Autobots, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] agrees, as long as it's for charity. [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] complains that it's a waste of time and a bad idea (as usual), but the Autobots decide to do it. Huffer, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] remain to guard the [[Ark (G1)|base]].

The Autobots arrive at the track and wait at the starting line in [[robot mode]] before they compete "in the greatest automobile race in history." Some numbskull in the audience wonders aloud where their cars are. The Autobots transform, and the race is on with a whole lot of trash talk. [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] and [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] rush ahead of the slower vehicles like [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]].

During the race, [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] teleports to a position over the track and uses the Transfixatron on the Autobots, who don't notice. The Autobots near the finish line, but they're kicking up so much dust it's impossible to tell who won. "The real winners are us, folks!" says the announcer.

Next up, the Autobots line up to do some stunts and make "Evel Knievel look like a kiddie car driver", according to Spike. But Sunstreaker's attempt to jump the other Autobots falls short and he has to be saved by [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]'s magnetic powers.

Before they can do anything else, the Decepticons arrive. The Autobots attempt to [[Transformation|transform]], only to find that they are all stuck in vehicle mode. Optimus orders the Autobots to ram the Decepticons, but they simply shoot out the Autobots' tires, fire rays to make their engines overheat and disable their radios. Helpless, the Autobots are herded away by the 'Cons.

[[File:Autobotrunbyeironhide.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] takes Spike and Chip back to the base, hoping Ratchet and Wheeljack can figure a fix for the Transfixatron ray. As usual, Huffer complains, but a massive bearhug from Brawn gets him to shut up, while Ratchet and Wheeljack get to work.

At the ghost town, Megatron forces Optimus Prime to watch his soldiers die one by one in the Constructicons' second device, a horrific crushing machine, starting with Ironhide. The Autobot leader dispatches [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] to distract Megatron, allowing Prime to ram the crusher, which frees Ironhide. [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] manages to send a signal to [[Teletraan I]], just as Ratchet and Wheeljack finish working on a device which will allow the Autobots to transform...a [[Anti-transfixation grenade|grenade]]. (Real good thinking there, guys.)

[[File:Autobotrunravageattackschip.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Unfortunately for Chip, he was five minutes late refilling Ravage's bowl.]]
Spike and the other Autobots arrive to save their comrades, but [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] dispatches [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] to deal with them. After a game of keep-away with the grenade, Chip manages to get it close enough to release its energy, allowing the Autobots to transform to robot mode.

The Constructicons form [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]], but [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] and Wheeljack fire the Transfixatron at the giant Decepticon, causing the [[Combiner]] to separate. The Decepticons retreat, and the Autobots destroy the Transfixatron.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]]
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (16)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (17)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (18)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (19)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (20)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (21)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (22)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (23)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (24)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (25)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (26)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (27)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (28)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (29)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (30)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (32)
*[[Roller (G1)|Roller]] (33)
|c2=
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (4)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (6)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (7)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (8)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (9)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (10)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (11)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (12)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (13)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (14)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (15)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (31)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (34)
*[[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] (35)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
*[[Chip Chase]] (2)
}}

==Quotes==
"Transform." 
"No, Megatron. You can't mean to—" 
"What's a test without a [[guinea pigatron]]? Transform, I say!"
:—'''Megatron''' selects '''Starscream''' as the test subject for his latest device.

"Hey! Where are their cars?!"
:—Someone who somehow hasn't heard of the Autobots, yet turned up to a race for them.

"Uh, probably just energy evaporation from all the speed, maybe... I hope..."
:—'''Bumblebee''' fails physics forever.

"If you're going to do what I think, Sunstreaker, you've got boom-glitches in your brain garage."
:—'''Mirage'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s colorful terms for Transformer anatomy.

"I'm gettin' a sunburn on the inside!"
:—'''Ironhide''' falls victim to Thundercracker's incendaries.

"I knew the racing bit was bad news, but would anyone listen to me? Oh, noooo!" 
"Stifle it, Huffer, or I'll put my footio in your audio!!"
:—'''Huffer''' being an aft and '''Brawn''' looking to kick some.

"Ironic, isn't it, Autobots, that after so many valiant battles, you will meet your end in the crushing jaws of this device so lovingly fashioned by my Constructicons."
:—'''Megatron'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s concept of irony is off.

[[File:Autobotrun ironhide carcrusher.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
"Later, guys. It's been really great knowin' ya."
:—Headed for the crushing device, '''Ironhide''' accepts his fate.

"Hey, what's that?" 
"I'd call it a TARGET!"
:—'''Thundercracker''' and '''Starscream''' spotting Roller.

"I'm transforming! I see my true beauty emerging!"
:—'''Sunstreaker''', vain as always.

"We're outnumbered!" "Let me guess: we retreat?"
:—'''Starscream''' knows '''Megatron''' all too well.

==Notes==

===Production information===
* Dialogue recording: 8th January 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:AutobotRun madeup Transformer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Pre-[[Prime (rank)|Prime]] {{w|Saint George's Cross|version}} pictured. The Prime version features {{w|Union Jack}} wings.]]
*This is Roller's third and final appearance.
*This is the first episode where the Transformers formally refer to themselves as ''Transformers''.
*Ironhide references [[Units of time|astro-seconds]].
*Megatron orders Devastator to extinguish the Autobots' [[laser core]]s forever.
*Wheeljack and Cliffjumper give Devastator a taste of the Decepticons' own "electro-medicine".
*Gadgets and powers:
**Jazz's speaker levels jump from seven to <s>eleven</s> ''eight hundred''. Or maybe he was just tuned in to an AM station.
**Megatron can shoot laser beams from his eyes, especially when he wants to scare away earth germs.
**This is the third and final episode where Skywarp uses his teleportation powers, after "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]" and "[[Divide and Conquer]]". Megatron had also taken advantage of them via Skywarp's power-chip rectifier in "[[Heavy Metal War]]".
**Thundercracker uses his incendiary guns to overheat the Autobots' engines; while the blasts are animated as simple purple lasers, Prime explicitly refers to them as "incendiary blasts." The simplified description of Thundercracker's weapons included in the series [[Production bible]] didn't explain exactly what these guns were supposed to do (per his bio, they shoot bullets containing highly-flammable material) which has resulted in them being depicted as flamethrowers in previous episodes.
**Skywarp uses his heat-seeking missiles.
**Devastator's eye beams can magnetically lift a robot into the air. He can also fire lasers from his fingertips.
**Wheeljack surveys the battlefield by using the rocket jets in his forearms, an ability mentioned in his [[bio]] appearing here for the first time in the cartoon; he previously flew ''without'' visibly using these jets in "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]" and "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]".
*Where does the trailer go?
**When Optimus Prime transforms after the Autobots are fixed by Wheeljack's grenade, his trailer shrinks into his back rather than rolling away as usual.
*A bizarre robot of made-up design appears on the screen as Chip begins researching the Transfixatron's effects. It's loosely based on Optimus Prime, but has a yellow body, Prowl/Bluestreak's doors as wings, and parts of Starscream mixed in.
*When instructing Starscream to transform out of vehicle mode, Megatron tells him to return to his "root mode". This was almost certainly the result of a typo in the script that was ''supposed'' to say "ro'''b'''ot mode", but it makes a charming amount of sense as a term.
*Thundercracker actually displays his Bio's described antipathy to the ground-bound Autobots, calling them "earth-crawlers".
*The idea of a [[Transfixatron|device to keep a Transformer frozen in one mode]] would be revisited over the years in other fictions, with [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]'s [[Transformation Lock Lens]], [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s [[Transformation virus|transformation lock virus]], the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]' [[mode lock]] used on [[Blaster (G1)#Marvel Comics continuity|Blaster]], the various incarnations of the [[inhibitor claw]] and [[Spotlight: Soundwave|an experimental weapon]] created by Shockwave.
*The Autobots seem to learn from this experience; many future episodes such as "[[The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders]]" and "[[The Revenge of Bruticus]]" show them to be armed and dangerous in their automotive forms.

[[File:TheAutobotRun-Spideyshirt.jpg|thumb]]

===Real-world references===
*Spike references [[w:Evel Knievel|Evel Knievel]], a famous daredevil stuntman.
*[[Spider-Man]] makes a cameo on a kid's T-shirt.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**As Megatron orders the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] to attack the Autobots, they emit the [[TIE Fighter]] engine noise when they fly over a wooded area.

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:AutobotRun Brawn picks up Huffer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Being one of the Season 2 [[AKOM]] episodes, "The Autobot Run" features several unusual animation models:
**Optimus Prime's "backpack" is white instead of red.
**Huffer has a white outline around his eyes.
**Gears' truck mode is mostly red instead of mostly blue.
**Megatron's gun barrel is dark gray instead of light gray.
**Laserbeak's beak is (sometimes) the same dark gray as the rest of his head.
**The "disk" on Bumblebee's back is dark gray instead of yellow. Bumblebee also has two random dark gray squares on the back of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]].
**Prowl is a medium gray instead of white.

Of course, AKOM found lots of less-excusable things to mess up, too:
*This episode's [[transformation]] sound effects are oddly applied, stopping and starting halfway through and even playing over the wrong transformation type (i.e., vehicle-to-robot vs. robot-to-vehicle) at times.
*Ignoring the big, paved driveway right next to him, Bumblebee arrives at the race track by ''driving across the grass''.
*That's okay, though, because as the race finishes, Chip nonchalantly turns his wheelchair and ''rolls across the grass''.
*Chip then rolls into Bumblebee, and sits in the driver seat, while still in his wheelchair. Huh?
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**After a dialogue section where Huffer complains about the race idea and Optimus orders him to stay and guard the base, he is seen transforming and rolling out to the race. He is not at the race and is later back at the base. However, a number of other characters who do not roll out and are not shown at the base during the discussion turn up at the race.
*For the duration of this episode, actor [[Michael Bell]] performs Scrapper with a very different voice than normal, sounding...well, frankly, quite ''normal'', compared to Scrapper's usual hoarse rasp.
*Scrapper's faceplate doesn't move as he reports the Transfixatron's completion. In fact it doesn't move at all the whole episode.
*Coloring errors:
**Thundercracker's feet are blue instead of black, and Soundwave's eject button is blue instead of white, as they watch the completion of the Transfixatron.
**As Laserbeak enters Soundwave's chest to report, Soundwave's eyeband is colored white like his faceplate, while his forehead is colored red like his eyeband should be.
**A moment later, in jet mode, Starscream's right air intake is colored as if it extends way back into his fuselage, and has some black details that shouldn't be there; the left intake isn't colored to match. He also has extra stripes on his tail fins. In a wider-angle shot, both intakes are colored with the long length and the extra black parts.
**In the first shot of the Autobots, Ironhide's entire torso is red. In the next shot, the top of his chest is red instead of red/gray.
**The entirety of Trailbreaker's lower legs are white as he listens to Prime, instead of just the stripe down the middle. The error repeats as the Autobots stand at the race track.
**Prowl has no black detailing on his car mode as Jazz passes him. He's also his correct white color instead of the light gray that AKOM usually colors him.
**As Wheeljack flees, he fires at Starscream and Thundercracker. In the next shot, his target is a pair of Thundercrackers. One of them teleports away (indicating that it was supposed to be Skywarp.) When he re-materializes, he's colored like Starscream, but still speaks in Skywarp's voice.
**A second later, Skywarp has a yellow stripe down his back where there should be black.
**Thundercracker's "gloves" are white instead of black as he transforms above Ironhide.[[File:Autobotrungreenteletraan.jpg|thumb|Chip Chase always did have the luck of the Irish.]]
**When Chip is trying to locate the Autobots, Teletraan I is colored green instead of orange.
**Soundwave's head changes colors between shots as he destroys Hound's turret gun. (Hound manages to stay off-screen until he's in [[robot mode]] later in the episode, sidestepping the need for the animators to remember his gun is destroyed.)
**When Soundwave ejects Ravage, the inside of his chest is grey.
**When the Autobots are un-transfixed and transform into robot modes, Brawn is shown transforming with them.
**Long Haul's eyeband isn't colored red as we pan across the Constructicons prior to them combining.
**Windcharger's face is the same dark gray as his head as Ironhide threatens the Decepticons, and his mid-torso is red instead of gray. The same error repeats during the repair lineup at the end.
*In the first pan over it, the Old West "town" has no streets! Subsequent shots show it with many more buildings than the handful shown in this shot.
*Missing Seeker insigina:
**Starscream has no insignia as he watches Laserbeak report back to Megatron.
**One of Starscream's insignia disappears as he backs away from the Transfixatron. The other disappears as he transforms a second later.
**When Thundercracker turns from blasting Optimus to fire on Ironhide, he has no back wing insignias.
**He still has none as he walks off with the captive Autobots.
**Starscream's missing an insignia as he fires on Roller.
*Starscream is missing one of his wings prior to the Transfixatron test. The other wing is abnormally large. The same overlarge wing shape shows up on Thundercracker later in the episode.
*Even if Shockwave ''was'' supposed to be standing behind Megatron (see Continuity Errors below), he and Scavenger were not standing anywhere near Megatron just a shot or two earlier.
*AKOM reuses the same scrolling cloud background at least four times behind Starscream. To be fair, it would actually make sense for him to be flying in circles at this point.
*Instead of being provided by [[Neil Ross]] as usual, Bonecrusher's single line in this episode is supplied by Michael Bell, using the same nondescript "normal" voice as he uses for Scrapper. The temptation, of course, is to peg this on an animation error that mistakenly depicted Bonecrusher instead of Scrapper, but the script for the episode actually called for Bonecrusher to speak the line.
*Responding to Huffer's constant complaining back at the Ark, Ratchet's line "Tell ya what, Huffer!" cuts off at the very end - even if it's hard to notice at first.
*For whatever reason, the screen flickers when Optimus transforms for the first time in the episode.
*As Skywarp transforms to robot mode over the raceway, he pulls the Transfixatron out of [[subspace storage pocket|nowhere]], despite it being as large as he is.
*When Skywarp uses it on the Autobots, the Transfixatron beam effect is not properly animated to glow.
*Transfixed Sideswipe essentially becomes a red Sunstreaker (which would be ''[[Diaclone]]''-accurate) as he tries to transform - the [[Transformation|transformation scheme]] is Sunstreaker's, as are the details of his vehicle mode once he's in mid-transformation. He then morphs back to Sideswipe when he reverts fully back to vehicle mode.
*After the Autobots discover they're locked in vehicle mode, when Megatron laughs the other Decepticons just sort of... vibrate.
*Megatron's eye lasers are the slowest-moving lasers in the universe.
*The Seekers transform and start rolling across the race track. In the next shot, they're suddenly in the air.
*Wheeljack's ears do not flash in time with his speaking at first.
*The crusher's lights flash multiple colors as it first activates, but later they only flash white. While the lights ''could'' change colors, it really raises the question of why it needs bizarre flashing lights in the first place.
*Wheeljack and Ratchet gather around Chip at the computer two times in a row.
*As we pan across the captive Autobots at the ghost town, Wheeljack and Bumblebee are among the crowd, despite both being back at Autobot Headquarters at this point. In the same pan, two Starscreams are guarding them. Also, the ghost town has gained a couple of streets and several extra buildings.
*Maybe not an error, but definitely bizarre: Hound gets Optimus Prime's rifle sound effect as he "fires" his hologram.
*As Wheeljack explains the grenade, his ears flash, but aren't properly backlit to glow.
*As Spike and company arrive at the ghost town, Ironhide is shown arriving and transforming instead of Ratchet.
*Ironhide's tires aren't flat anymore when he falls out of the crusher's claw.
*Bumblebee has no headlights as the newly arrived Autobots transform.
*A series of shots shows the grenade's radiation as concentric circles radiating out. The center point stays in four successive shots, despite only one of them being the point where the grenade exploded.
*As the grenade does its work, a series of vehicle-mode Autobots flash into existence out of nowhere.
*Devastator's combining sequence is screwy. First Scrapper and Mixmaster are shown forming Long Haul's portion of the combiner robot in addition to their own. Long Haul then forms Devastator's upper torso, instead of the lower torso (the chest plate is green at first, then turns its correct purple.) Hook then forms a tiny part of the upper torso, including the head, and... Bonecrusher's bulldozer kibble.
*Devastator has two small eyes instead of an eyeband as he fires lasers from his hand.
*He has two large eyes as he looms over Wheeljack and Cliffjumper.
*As Cliffjumper zaps Devastator with the Transfixatron, the shot suddenly jumps to a slight close-up of Devastator from exactly the same angle as before. In the closer angle, the glowing animation effect is missing from the Transfixatron beam.
*Thundercracker is drawn with his cockpit on the bottom of his jet mode as he and the other Seekers retreat.
*The [[commercial bumper]]s for the second act break feature the [[theme song|theme music]] for ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'', not ''The Transformers''.

===Continuity errors===
*Why the heck are Spike and Chip watching the race from next to the grand stands, instead of, y'know, ''inside'' them? Almost certainly because the stands aren't wheelchair-accessible. Besides being easier to animate, the show might have been very subtly making a point.
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] appears twice in this episode: first when Megatron is gloating about the Transfixatron, then when the Decepticons arrive at the race. Of course, it's ''possible'' that Shockwave came to [[Earth]] during this episode, but the idea of him just popping up and hanging around in the background seriously goes against the established notion that he always stays on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] as its full-time guardian.
*Why does Megatron pick up the Transfixatron to aim it at Starscream, when a moment later he can just pivot it on its base?
*The race gets started VERY quickly. Chip and Spike come up with the idea, go back to the base, tell Prime, and apparently the Autobots just show up and demand to race for charity. Granted, some time could have elapsed in between, but ''still''. The Decepticons, meanwhile, are just hanging around in this Old West ghost town.
*How does the dust at the finish line get ''ahead'' of the Autobots?
*Ratchet stays behind to guard the Autobot base, but is later briefly seen at the race track driving alongside Sideswipe.
*Speaking of Ratchet staying behind, he earlier tells Huffer that he and Wheeljack will stay behind to keep him company. However, it was Brawn who delivered the line about "staying behind" and Ratchet leans in like he's addressing Brawn when he says they will also stay behind.
*When Chip gets Teletraan I to analyse the data on the transforming process, among the images which flash up is a picture of Megatron's crusher. What has that got to do with transforming?
*Hound can ''shoot'' a hologram? For miles? And have it land ''inside a volcano''? What the hell?
*Flying Autobots:
**Cliffjumper gets a rocket sound effect as he comes flying out of the debris.
*Is the elaborate claw/tentacle mechanism on the crusher really necessary?
*At the end of Act 2, Ironhide is a few feet away from the crusher's jaws, presumably mere seconds from being crushed. A minute or more elapses in Act 3 before Prime comes to his rescue.
*Wheeljack states that the [[Transfixatron]] will "cancel Devastator's robot mode", though one would really expect it to just transfix Devastator ''as'' Devastator. If the intention was that the Transfixatron traps Transformers in their vehicle mode rather than in their current mode, then that wasn't made clear (especially since Megatron ordered Starscream into his vehicle mode ''before'' testing it on him).
*So... did the Decepticons just leave the transfixed Constructicons sitting there in a pile? They aren't shown retreating.

===Trivia===
[[File:Chipchase.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*This was one of twelve episodes of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] released as audio adventures by the [[Germany|German]] company [[Karussell|Karussell Musik und Video]].
*To catch the grenade, Chip stands up from his wheelchair. It should be noted that Chip's precise medical condition is never explained, so we have no way of knowing why he uses a wheelchair or how much use of his legs he actually has. A close inspection of the animation shows him apparently ''pushing'' himself up with his arms, but it's really not conveyed very well.
*This is one of three episodes from Season Two which were animated by [[AKOM]] (the others being "[[The Core]]" and "[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]"). They share similar art and animation styles (lots of one-point perspective action shots, scrolling backgrounds, and random zoom-ins), prominent use of the Constructicons, slightly more juvenile plots than usual, and a set of character model oddities such as Megatron's dark gray gun barrel, Optimus Prime's white backpack, and Chip Chase's blue jacket.
*AKOM also has a strange habit of showing vehicle-mode close-ups with painted artwork instead of typical flat colored cel art. Witness Gears getting shot by Soundwave, and Sideswipe and Jazz's dashboards. The same thing can be seen in "The Core", as Chip leans out of a painted Wheeljack.
*Another unique trait of AKOM's animation in Season 2 is how often the animation models are directly traced onto the animation cels for crowd shots, instead of drawing original linework for each character.
*A one-time-only bit of Westernish background music, presumably culled from [[Robert J. Walsh]]'s enormous archives, plays across the opening scene in the Decepticons' ghost town.
*Stores in the ghost town: Liquor Saloon, Harrys Bakes, Sonata 3, Cows(?), Hotel, Saloon, Grain Feed, Livery, Glass (which in a visual gag is the only building in its row of three to survive the battle), and RC P&W(?).
*Signs at the race track: Grand Prix, Irel(and?), XAM, HO KY, New Year Tires, Dav-Mac, A&E O(il?), (Go?)od Year Tires, and Fenzoil Lubes. The "XAM" is very likely a reference to the animation company XAM! ("Ex-Ahern-Marshall"), who included their company initials in the background art of various 1980s animated series, ''The Transformers'' among them.<ref>[http://www.povonline.com/2003/News030103.htm#030503a] "NEWS from me: March 5, 2003"</ref>
*The synopsis for "The Autobot Run" included in the series [[production bible]] reveals that the Transfixatron was originally named the "Stasitron". On its model sheet, it is misspelled "Satsitron".
*In an unfortunate [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Generation 1|foreshadowing]], Sunstreaker remarks that when they made him, they 'broke the [[mold]]'.
*Wheeljack uses his wrist rockets to fly, which is one of the few times it's shown correctly.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French broadcast):'' "'''Le neutralisateur'''" ("The Neutralizer")
:*''Title (European French DVD release):'' "'''La course des Autobots'''" ("The Autobots Run")
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''La grande course'''" ("The Great Race")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*The usual voice effect for the robots is absent from the episode, all the Transformers speak with the voice actors' raw voices.
::*[[Georges Atlas]] is back and takes back all his characters. However, he inverts the voices he did for Ratchet and Skywarp in all previous episodes.
::*Again, some dialogues happening in vehicle mode are not dubbed. Among those are the one between Ironhide and Trailbreaker at the beginning of the race, or the one just after, between Mirage and Jazz. However, Jazz still has his line "Okay Mirage, you wanna play fancy?".
::*Optimus Prime's line "Now, while Roller has his attention" is absent from the dub.
::*Ironhide's line "I knew you'd come through, Prime, and not an astrosecond too soon" is translated by "I knew you would make it, Optimus Prime, and you're not an astrosecond late, ''for once''". Rude.
::*To avoid pronouncing the name, Wheeljack's line "Cliffjumper, reply! Are you still functioning ?" is dubbed by "Watch out! Fall back!".

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Wer ist der schnellste Autobot?'''" ("Who Is the Fastest Autobot?")
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Die Geheimwaffe'''" ("The Secret Weapon")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 9]], [[1989]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' '''Corsa automobilistica''' ("Car Race")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Broadcasting-wise (considering this to be episode 42 of the series) this episode uses the second group of voice actors for the second time after ''[[Blaster Blues]]'' (not considering ''[[A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (episode)|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court]]'' and ''[[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon]]'' since it's unknown if they even got a dub at the time). This group will remain until the end of the season.
::*In one scene, Spike clearly calls Soundwave "Memo", despite his Italian name being "Memo'''r'''".
:*''Title (dub 2):'' '''La corsa degli Autobots''' ("The Autobots Run")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Transform o Tomero!'''" (トランスフォームをとめろ!, "Stop the Transforming!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 31]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Qìchērén Sǐ Lǐ Táoshēng'''" (汽车人死里逃生, "Autobots' Narrow Squeak ")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fuga dos Autobots'''" ("Escape of the Autobots")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode did not air in the 1980s and was first released on DVD with a different dub from the rest of the show.

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Gran'pree "Avtobot"'''" (Гран-при "Автобот", "Grand-prix "Autobot"")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1995]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan Carly sucks, right?]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2002]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2003]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — La Course des Autobots ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Bumper Collection Special (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (3DVDs) ([[Flex Media]]) — German audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2008]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 03: Stagione Due Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=10in8YheDM1M_DfcXq95HDDgrbkaGGOkg Episode dialogue script]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Autobot Run}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Cybertron City (episode)

2024-02-07T01:21:04Z

Valkyriesdf1: /* Real-world references */ Noted an Initial D reference.

{{disambig3|Cybertron City}}
{{episode|
|series=Energon
|ep=1
|prev=Mortal Combat
|next=Energon Stars
|title="Cybertron City"
|japanese=浮上! オーシャンシティ
|romaji=Fujō! Ocean City
|translation=Arise! Ocean City
|image=E1_titlecard.jpg
|caption=You're going to wish Hot Shot had a trigger finger.
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Akira Okeya]]
|director=[[Yutaka Satoh]], [[Jun Kawagoe]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.|Actas]], [[Studio A-CAT]] (3D)
|airdate=[[January 9|9 January]] [[2004]] (Japanese) [[January 31]], 2004 (English)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy continuity|Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''Ten years after the defeat of Unicron, a new threat arises...'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Energon Ocean City rises.jpg|thumb|left|200px|We built this city on rock and roll!]]

Deep within the shattered remains of [[Unicron]], [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]]—one of Unicron's many victims—is resurrected, to gather [[energon]] to revive Unicron. Alpha Q releases a horde of energon-eating [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]]s, which will scavenge [[Earth]]'s abundant supplies of the power source.

As [[Ocean City]] and its bridge rise and unfold from one of Earth's oceans, [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] narrates: it has been ten years since [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and Unicron disappeared in the depths of space. He and the other surviving [[Decepticon]]s have had to suffer through working with the [[Autobot]]s and [[human]]s in search of energon, and he's ''not'' happy about it.

The city has surfaced so that the human known as [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]] can go out on [[High Wire (Armada)|his motorbike]] and get some fresh air, much to Demolishor's consternation. [[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] shows up too, and berates Demolishor for neglecting his work before running off in pursuit of the wayward Kicker. Kicker's tired of being cooped up in the submerged city and taking orders from 'bots. Suddenly, his hair flashes golden.

[[File:Cybertron City Optimus and Ironhide train.jpg|thumb|200px|Primedouken!]]

Below the waves, the [[Omnicon]]s are hard at work mining; they suddenly hit a golden glowing seam.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Rad White|Rad]] pays a visit to Earth's [[Extraterrestrial Research and Development Center]], where he communicates briefly with [[Sally Jones|Sally]]. Rad tells Kicker's father, [[Brian Jones|Dr. Jones]], that the Omnicons have hit a big vein of energon right where Dr. Jones predicted. Energon is a clean energy source, needed to get Earth through an energy crisis, as well as the [[Transformer]]s' requirements for the repair of Cybertron.

On an asteroid colony, two 'bots give the stoic [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] a hard time about his terminal silence. Suddenly, a barrage of lights from the depths of space pound the colony, as the mysterious Terrorcon drones attack.

In a training arena, [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] spars with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], and is ready to go again despite getting put down. Optimus comments that the young 'bot reminds him a lot of Hot Shot, which Ironhide regards as about the best compliment ever.

Rad and Dr. Jones report the attack to Optimus, telling him that their [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] depot is under attack, as reported by [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]]. Prime speaks with [[Primus]] about the strange development. Prime rounds up [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] to check out the situation, and Ironhide insists on coming too. Rad activates a [[space bridge]] gate, and the four Autobots roll out.

[[File:E01 shinjiface.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This is my "Shinji" face.]]

Arriving on Mars, the four find the smoking ruins of [[Mars City]]. The team detects no life, even though there were many Transformers working there. They quickly head to Earth.

At Ocean City, Sally and [[Miranda Jones|her mother]] observe the Omnicons' energon research, and squabble with Kicker. Kicker recalls arriving on planet Cybertron as a very young boy with his father, and meeting the gargantuan and rather terrifying Autobots. Present-day Kicker grumbles that he doesn't need any [[Transformer]]s to protect him.

Carlos reports that the Mars base was destroyed by asteroids. Kicker urgently tells Hot Shot that they're under attack, and he must submerge the city. He and Hot Shot race outside.

[[File:E01 glowing kicker.jpg|200px|thumb|'''Finding God:''' Yer doing it wrong!]]

In a flashback sequence...

:''Optimus Prime searches for a young Kicker, who, driven by his fear of the Autobots, has run away and hidden in a restricted zone. Falling into a void, Kicker is snared by a glowing light. The voice of Primus speaks, wondering what energy source powers humans. Primus then bestows Kicker with a sixth-sense granting him the ability to detect danger and energon.''

Present day, Hot Shot and Kicker observe as a huge swarm of Terrorcons appear in the sky, opening fire. Hot Shot returns fire. Demolishor soon finds himself against a pile of the creatures. The timely arrival of Optimus's crew saves Kicker from another group. Prime unleashes his [[Prime Force]] drones, then gives Hot Shot a [[Spark of Combination]], allowing him to [[Powerlinx]] with Inferno. [[Super Mode|Prime merges with his drones]], and blows away a ton of the Terrorcons.

Kicker leaps aboard Ironhide and makes good use of his cannon, but ultimately has to be saved by Prime, who launches a suit from his Spark of Combination to protect him from a fall. The surprised Kicker is told that the suit was made for him by his father. Kicker is furious—this is his planet and nobody can tell him what to do!

Alpha Q observes that the first attack was a failure, but there are many hands yet to be played.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] (8)
*[[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]]s (9)
*[[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]]s (10)
*[[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] (15)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (16)
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (17)
*[[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] (18)
*[[Prime Force]] (24)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s corpse (4)
*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (5)
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] (14)

|c3=
*[[Kicker Jones]] (6)
*[[Rad White]] (11)
*[[Sally Jones]] (12)
*[[Brian Jones]] (13)
*[[Carlos Lopez]] (19)
*[[Miranda Jones]] (21)
*[[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] (22, flashback)

|c4=
*[[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] (1)
*[[Battle Ravage]]s (2)
*[[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb]]s (3)
*[[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (7)
*[[Primus]] (20)
*[[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] (23)
}}

==Quotes==
"You're not the boss of me, Autobot!"
:—'''Demolishor''' apparently liked taking orders from [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|his last boss]] more.

"Tidal Wave like Asteroid Belt."
:—'''Tidal Wave''' enjoying the view on the moon.

"She said our Earth station has detected molecular activity at the precise coordinates where you suspected energon to be."
:—'''Rad''' begins the grand ''Energon'' tradition of things making no sense at all.

"Man! This is great!" 
"Just... Zip it."
:—'''Ironhide''' loves the Space Bridge! '''Jetfire''' doesn't love that Ironhide loves the Space Bridge.

"Is that energon?" 
"Yes. It's the energy source that all Transformers need to survive, Sally." 
"I'm not sure I get it, Mom."
:—'''Sally''' and '''Mrs. Jones''', who doesn't know much about biology.

"Kicker! Don't be an idiot!"
:—'''Hot Shot''' is a real optimist.
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Super Link''===
*There are two distinct English-language dubs of this episode—a version broadcast on television, which is a straight dub of the Japanese edition of the episode, and the substantially-altered version released on the Paramount DVD. In addition to a ''heavily'' re-written script, the DVD version re-orders several scenes, chief among them the opening sequence with Alpha Q and Kicker's flashbacks, and inserts a new opening monologue from Optimus Prime, along with clips from ''Armada''. The original televised version of the episode was restored for the Shout! Factory release, and appears on streaming platforms such as [[Tubi]].
*The prolonged sequence of Ocean City rising up from beneath the waves differs across the various editions of this episode. The ''Super Link'' version features only music and sound effects. The TV-broadcast version of ''Energon'' features a monologue from Demolishor touching upon the events of the last ten years, to cement the series as a continuation of ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]''. The Paramount DVD version replaces this monologue with an argument between Kicker and [[Misha Miramond|Misha]] about raising the city. Misha does not actually appear in the episode, though, and shouldn't actually ''be'' in Ocean City anyway.
*In the opening sequence of this episode, Alpha Q states that Unicron has brought him back online, in order to stop Unicron from going offline—a claim that is totally at odds with what we will learn of the character and his history as the series progresses. As an error, it's entirely confined to ''Energon'', but unlike the multitude of errors that would come to populate ''Energon'', this was most likely a very deliberately inserted line. This "minion of Unicron" role was Hasbro's intention for the character, and is how he is portrayed in the [[Transformers: Energon (comic)|Dreamwave comic]], but the Japanese production staff wound up creating an entirely different story for the character that contradicted it. To get things back in order, the line was deleted from the Paramount DVD release of the ''Energon'' episode.
*Curiously, the Paramount DVD version of this episode removed the cameos of young Alexis, Carlos, and Rad departing the Autobot starship [[Axalon (Armada)|''Axalon'']] from Kicker's flashback sequence, instead jumping straight to Dr. Jones and Kicker leaving the vessel.

===Pain count===
The "Uh?"s start very early:
*"Uh?": 9
*"It's time to": 1
*"Gimme a break!": 1

===Animation and technical errors===
*This episode's English title fails to localize the faction name "Cybertron" to "Autobot".
*In the version broadcast on television, there is an audio synch mistake when Rad and Dr. Jones watch Prime's Autobots depart for Mars; their dialogue begins too soon, cringingly causing their lip movements to lag behind it. Surprisingly, this was fixed for the DVD release.
*During the attack on Ocean City, Sally wonders where her brother is, and her mother adds "Where's Kicker?" in Sally's voice. Oops. This was not fixed for the DVD release.
*Kicker references the military clock position system. He yells "9 o'clock!" before kicking Ironhide's head to the left to shoot the Divebomb drones. Although it's true that "9 o'clock" means "left", the way Ironhide is facing is closer to 10 or 11 o'clock.
**In the Paramount DVD release, Kicker instead yells at Ironhide to "pay attention!", removing the slight error.
*At the very end of the episode, Alpha Q says there are "plenty of Cybertron Earth cities". Again, "Cybertron" is the Japanese name for "Autobot" that wasn't translated.

===Continuity notes===
*Just like ''Armada'', it is never explicitly stated what year the events of ''Energon'' take place. All [[canon]] sources establish each show in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] taking place ten years apart from one another, starting with the then-future year of [[2010]], meaning ''Energon'' takes place in [[2020]].
**However, the Paramount DVD release suggests it's been 20 years since the [[Unicron Battles]], making it [[2030]], which is the year the events of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' take place.
**In the ''Armada'' episode "[[Chase (episode)|Chase]]", [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]]'s laptop has [[2002]] listed as the year, obviously due to the year the episode was animated/released, long before 2010 became the established year.
*The Paramount DVD release with Optimus Prime recapping the story so far shows footage of the Unicron Battles from ''Armada.''
*The corpse of [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is briefly shown in the opening scene, when the camera is moving through Unicron's body.
*While the returning Autobots and [[Mini-Con]]s from ''Armada'' have been upgraded into entirely new bodies, fit with new weapons systems and alternate forms, the extent of the returning Decepticons' upgrades are merely reduced to new color schemes. This, topped off with the fact that the Decepticons only serve as guards of energon mining facilities, suggests there is no equality between the Autobots and Decepticons. Who are the ''real'' villains again?
*The poor [[Street Action Mini-Con Team|Street Action Mini-Cons]] have had their roles reduced to washing cars and being used as Kicker's transportation.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Kicker can sense Energon and danger, a power bestowed upon him by Primus.
**Terrorcons have the ability to eat raw Energon and convert it into [[Energon star]]s.
**Copter-2 can slice through enemies with its rotor blades.
**Digger-3 can create whirlwinds with its drill.
**Submarine-4 fires torpedoes.
**Optimus carries the [[Spark of Combination]] in his chest where his [[Matrix of Leadership]] used to be. He also carried Kicker's armor inside the Spark of Combination too.
**Ironhide can deploy his head in vehicle mode like a [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]].
**Powerlinx Hot Shot wields both his and Inferno's weapons.
**Optimus fire his "Energon Blast" attack in [[Super Mode]].
*[[Powerlinx]] forms:
**Perceptor (first use)
**Powerlinx Hot Shot with Inferno (first use)
**Optimus Prime Super Mode (first use)

===Continuity errors===
*In Optimus Prime's opening monologue in the Paramount DVD version of the episode, he refers to the series as taking place 20 years after the Unicron Battles of ''Armada'', rather than 10.
**In the same opening monologue, he incorrectly names Galvatron "Megatron", likely due to Energon having everyone going back to calling him Megatron.
*Optimus Prime is somehow able to identify the Terrorcons by name, before he has any way to know what they are. Again, this line was not in ''Super Link'', and was removed for the Paramount DVD release of ''Energon''.
*As stated [[#Differences with Super Link|above]] the Paramount DVD version of the episode has Misha placed in Ocean City, when subsequent episodes reveal she had been in [[Desert City]] the entire time, hence the converstaion featured in the [[Energon Stars|next episode]], post-evacuation, has Misha and Kicker talking from screens rather than in person.

===Transformers references===
[[File:EnergonCybertronCityTakaraBike.jpg|200px|thumb]]
*A close-up of High Wire's motorbike mode reveals TAKARA branding, an obvious reference to [[TakaraTomy]] (who at the time was still just called "Takara" before the brand merge with Tomy in [[2006]]).
*The aforementioned inequality between Autobots and Decepticons is very similar to the state of Cybertron during the [[Beast Era]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].

===Real-world references===
*According to the ''[[Transformers: Energon Official Guidebook]]'', the sparring match was Optimus Prime training the others in the martial arts discipline {{w|Kumite}}.
*As stated above, Kicker references the {{w|Clock position}} while he's on top of Ironhide.
*Before the Terrorcons attack, High Wire is seen washing a car that clearly resembles the Toyota Trueno AE86 from the racing manga and anime series {{w|''Initial D''}}.

===Trivia===
*Compared to later episodes, this one is ''astonishingly'' well-animated and acted.
*Kicker is apparently able to raise and lower the city without anyone stopping him or even asking why.
*The space shuttles the humans use are partarially designed to reflect Jetfire's shuttle mode. The most significant difference between the two is the absence of the red booster rocket portion that forms Jetfire's legs and torso in robot mode. This would also mean in-universe that Jetfire has since reformatted into the newest Earth model of space shuttle.
*Due to use of an earlier unfinished CGI model, Jetfire's rifle is incorrectly colored gray. The colors won't be corrected until "[[Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary]]."
{{--}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — Volume 1: The Battle for Energon ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — Volume 1: The Battle for Energon (Paramount) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — Volume 1: The Battle for Energon (Paramount)
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2004 — ''Transformer: Super Link'' — Volume 001 ([[Interchannel]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — Volume 1: The Battle for Energon (Paramount) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — Volume 1: The Battle for Energon (Paramount) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — Volume 1: The Battle for Energon (Paramount) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — The Ultimate Collection (Paramount) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — Volume One (Shout! Factory)

[[Category:Energon episodes]]

Microbots

2023-11-26T05:59:06Z

Valkyriesdf1: /* Trivia */ 37564 or Minagoroshi easter egg

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=34
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=25
|prev2=Auto Berserk
|next2=Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=33
|prev3=The Insecticon Syndrome
|next3=Blaster Blues
|image=Microbots shrink.JPG
|caption=In the '80s, every cartoon had to have a shrinking episode.
|title="Microbots"
|season=2
|season ep=18
|production code=#700-33
|airdate=[[October 7]], 1985
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]], [[Anime R]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kDzSX7cqXM
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''Perceptor, Brawn, and Bumblebee must shrink themselves to go inside Megatron and retrieve an artifact, the Heart of Cybertron, that gives him enormous power.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:NemesisMicrobots1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"We've passed here for the past 20 years! How could we never have spotted this before?!" "Every time we passed here, you pointed to that rock with the funny shape on the other side of the road, Mike."]]

While digging for [[Mayan]] artifacts in [[South America]], a group of archaeologists stumble upon an ancient spacecraft. As news of the discovery is broadcast on the news, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] recognize it as the [[Nemesis (G1)|Decepticon ship]] they traveled to Earth in four million years ago. Megatron states that there is something on that ship which he wants, and sets out to get it.

Meanwhile, at the [[Autobot]]s' [[Ark (G1)|headquarters]], [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] is using a [[transmat reduction beam|shrinking-enlarging device]] to repair one of [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide's]] memory chips while being insulted by [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] for not being a soldier. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] walks in and tries to make him stop, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] orders Brawn and Bumblebee to follow him to South America along with [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], to stop Megatron from obtaining what he wants.

[[File:Microbots Megatron energy blasts.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Now you will experience the full power of the dark side.]]
As Megatron's troops blast their way through a rainforest in order to avoid satellite detection, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] manages to first miss blasting a tree and then get attacked by a giant snake, to the amusement of [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. Meanwhile, [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] has met his match in the form of a real jaguar, which attacks him but Ravage slaps it and it flees. The Autobots arrive and decide not to burn the forest down, because Optimus says "that's not our style".

Megatron gets through the forest first, and reaches the ship. Blasting it open, he retrieves the ship's energy core, the [[Heart of Cybertron]]. [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] implants it into Megatron's torso, vastly increasing his power level. Optimus Prime then arrives and orders the Autobots to attack, but they are all defeated by Megatron's new ability to continuously fire energy from his fingertips. The Autobots only manage to escape when Optimus orders [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] to generate a smokescreen, allowing them to bring a hill down on the Decepticons.

[[File:Microbots Decepticons drunk.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Soundwave superior. Lightweights inferior.]]
After limping back to base, [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] creates a force-field to keep Megatron at bay. Perceptor hatches a plan to shrink himself, Brawn and Bumblebee to microscopic sizes in order to infiltrate Megatron's body and disconnect the Heart of Cybertron.

Meanwhile, the Decepticons sit around and get <s>plastered</s> overcharged on [[energon]]. After Megatron rambles on about the "good ol' days" and passes out, [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] delivers the tiny Autobots into his body. This wakes up Megatron, who fires a few parting shots at Powerglide. Finding that none of his warriors can even stand up (or in [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak's]] case, ''fly straight''), Megatron departs to destroy the Autobots himself.

[[File:Microbots Brawn and heroic Perceptor.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"You're not the guy to make the sacrifice play, to lay down on a wire and let the other guy crawl over you." "I think I would just cut the wire."]]
Perceptor, Brawn and Bumblebee make their way through Megatron's body, avoiding his [[electro-sanitizer]]s, until they reach the Decepticon's [[brain module|brain]]. The others have to restrain Brawn from destroying the brain, since the fall would likely cause the Heart of Cybertron to explode. Megatron reaches Autobot headquarters and begins firing on the force field protecting Optimus Prime. The miniaturized trio ride one of Megatron's [[evil brain impulse]]s to the Heart of Cybertron, which Perceptor disconnects while dodging more brain impulses. Taking the heart, they make a dash for safety as the shrink-ray's effects begin to wear off. Megatron, deprived of his weapon and knocked flat by Optimus, is shocked by the sight of three rapidly-growing Autobots jumping out of his shoulder joint, and flies off.

Observing that the Heart of Cybertron has become unstable, Brawn tosses it two thousand miles into the sky, at which point Perceptor detonates it with a blast from his cannon. After this, Brawn shows much more respect for Perceptor.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (6)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (7)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (9)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (10)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (11)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (19)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (20)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (21)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (22)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (23)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (24)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (26)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (27)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (28)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (31)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (32)
|c2=
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (4)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (12)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (13)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (14)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (15)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (16)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (17)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (29)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (30)
|c3=
*[[Merrick]] (1)
*[[Jose (cartoon)|Jose]] (2)
*[[Joan]] (3)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (25)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:Microbots RumbleScavenger.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
"Nice scenery." 
"Yeah, let's waste it! I hate nice things."
:—'''Rumble''' and '''Scavenger''' are why we can't have nice things.

[[File:G1toon snakes on a plane.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.85]]
''[Starscream shoots at a tree and misses]'' 
"Good shot, Starscream!" 
"Shut up or I'll blast ''you'', punk!" 
"Hey, hold that pose! I wanna remember you that way!" 
''[A snake wraps itself around Starscream's neck]'' 
"Help! Get this thing off me!" 
"I think it looks stunning on ya!"
:—'''Rumble''' and the Constructicons laugh at '''Starscream'''.

"He'll blow us away if we attack." 
"He'll blow us away if we just stand here! ''Charge!''"
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Cliffjumper''' debate whether or not to attack the powered-up Megatron.

'''Brawn''': Are you ''defective?'' ''How''<nowiki>'</nowiki>re we gonna do ''that?!'' 
'''Perceptor''': Simple! We use my transmat reduction beam to shrink down to microscopic size. Then, we crawl into Megatron, and rip the blasted heart out! 
'''Optimus''': What do you think of his intelligence now, Brawn? 
'''Brawn''': Ahhh, I reserve judgment.
:—'''Brawn''' is just being pissy at this point.

[[File:Microbots-DrunkThundercracker.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
'''Megatron''': Decepticons: a toast. To the imminent destruction of the accursed Autobots! 
''[The Decepticons begin drinking Energon]'' 
'''Starscream''': Energy! We won't need to conserve it after tomorrow. We can bleed this planet dry! 
'''Rumble''': ''[hiccups]'' Boy, these are good. ''[hiccups]'' I needed to refuel. Energy! 
'''Megatron''': Energy! Energy! 
'''Thundercracker''': Hey! This stuff's the greatest! ''[passes out]'' 
'''Megatron''': Ah, those were the good ol' days, back on Cybertron...Didn' hafta...sneak around in these...ugly Earth disguises, heh... 
''[Powerglide arrives]'' 
'''Powerglide''': Time to cut the jets and glide! ...What in the world? 
'''Megatron''': Good ol' Cybertron! Land... of the metal moon!
:—The Decepticons give us what is quite possibly the intentionally funniest scene in the series.

"How come it's so quiet?" 
"Because he isn't engaging any of his main brain functions." 
"Then I got a honey of an idea. Let's bash brain!"
:—'''Brawn''' and '''Perceptor''' in Megatron's cranial chamber

[[File:Microbots brain impulse.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
"What are they?" 
"Brain impulses... ''evil'' brain impulses!"
:—'''Brawn''' and '''Perceptor''' discuss Decepticon neuroscience.

"It's all over, Prime!" 
"Not until every last Autobot program is erased, Megatron."
:—'''Megatron''' anticipates the destruction of the Autobots, as if it was a new thing.

"You filthy [[retrorat]]s!! Rrrarrgh!!" 
:—'''Megatron,''' realizing that three Autobots have been messing with his insides.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script: 15th February 1985

===Continuity notes===
*[[Nemesis (G1)|The Decepticon ship]] is the same one last seen in the series pilot episode, "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". A decade later, it would be given a name and a central role in the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'']] cartoon episode "[[Nemesis Part 1]]".
[[File:Microbots impulse ride.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|Maybe this is how Teletraan I is able to detect "[[Attack of the Autobots (episode)|evil presences]]".]]
*Scavenger detects traces of [[cybertroid alloy]], suggesting the Decepticon ship is made of it.
*Hook uses [[cyber-forcep]]s.
*We learn quite a bit about Megatron's physiology in this episode:
**He can fly at least 600 miles per hour (100 miles in ten minutes, per Prime's reading of [[Teletraan I]].)
**He has an open spot amid his chest circuitry for the Heart of Cybertron, much like Ultra Magnus and Hot Rod have reserved spots (holes) for the Matrix.
**He has a wristwatch on his left wrist, which he looks at while flying around (causing concern for the Autobots within his shoulder joints). Oddly enough, this has [[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|precedent]].
**While drunk, Megatron rants about disliking his "ugly Earth disguise", yet in 2005, he still has the same alt-mode. Surely he could have found time to change his gun mode if he really hated it that much! Maybe he doesn't like his ''troops<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' [[alternate mode]]s, or perhaps he simply despises the concept of taking Earth alternate modes to begin with.
**[[Evil brain impulse]]s!
*Perceptor compares the explosion of the Heart of Cybertron to a "[[hyperbomb]]", which could level the planet.
*Warpath actually fires shells from his cannon, rather than the usual lasers.
*Warpath's [[Tech Spec]] weakness comes into play: he is "helpless if upended".
*Megatron calls the Autobots "filthy [[retrorat|retro-rat]]s".

===Real-world references===
*The pulsating sound heard when Perceptor and company approach the Heart of Cybertron within Megatron is the same one used for the [[Dalek]] control rooms in all episodes of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' since its debut in 1963.

===Animation and technical errors===
*The excavation site changes radically between shots. When the archeologists first strike the Decepticon ship, they're digging downward into flat ground. In the next shot, they've removed an entire hillside, while still standing on flat ground. In the third shot ("this thing's been here longer than the hill!") the hill has become much bigger.
*Coloring errors:
**As Soundwave is looking at the giant computer in Decepticon Headquarters, the white parts of his face guard are blue for a split second just as he turns to call for Megatron.
**As Perceptor unshrinks Ironhide's microchip, Perceptor has a red Decepticon symbol.
**Scavenger's head is colored light gray instead of dark gray as Rumble mocks him for missing.
**After Megatron hands the Heart of Cybertron to Hook, Hook's head is white instead of black.
**Perceptor's eyes are white instead of blue when he reacts to the damaged Autobots.
**While Perceptor is giving his monologue about shrinking down and going into Megatron, Optimus Prime's waist is red instead of white.
*When the Constructicons laugh at Starscream, they use Rumble's laughter while Rumble is talking. This laughter is reused a second later by Rumble himself when he is done talking.
*Megatron gives the order to "'''''cut''''' the ship open". Hook proceeds to blast a huge explosive hole in the vessel.
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**In three different scenes, only Ratchet, Prime, Bumblebee and Brawn are shown making the journey to South America. After the first commercial break, however, lots more Autobots just show up in the middle of the battle (Cliffjumper, Bluestreak, Ironhide, Huffer, Smokescreen, Windcharger, Hoist...)
*The doofy shot of Megatron firing upwards at the Autobots on the hill keeps getting re-used, even after the Autobots are no longer attacking from the hill.
*Optimus falls forwards down the hillside, but ends up on his back in the very next shot.
*One gun, many lasers:
**In the same sequence of shots, multiple beams of energy are streaking in towards the Autobots from multiple directions, despite Megatron only having two hands to fire the beams from. (There's no on-screen evidence that the other Decepticons have joined in the firing at all.)
*When Smokescreen finds Prime, he's lying in a completely different spot than where he fell after getting knocked out.
*The damaged Autobots include Ratchet and Hoist, who didn't have a mark on them when the battle concluded. They also include Wheeljack and Gears, who weren't seen at the battle at all.
*When the Decepticons get drunk, Soundwave is seen drinking amongst the crowd, despite having a faceplate. Maybe it can drop down like that of [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (as seen in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3]]").
*Flying Autobots:
**As Brawn leaps up to attack the electro-sanitizers, he has a flight sound effect.
*After he leaps back down, the top of his backpack is yellow instead of olive green.
*The animation of Megatron stepping aside to avoid Warpath's shells is played twice in a row, which means the first shell's explosion is missing in the second shot.
*In typical cartoon fashion, the energy shield shatters like glass, complete with breaking glass sound effects. The [[Dome of Invulnerability]] went down the same way in "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]"
*When Prime opens fire on Megatron, his shots don't quite reach the whole, oh, maybe 50 feet of distance between him and Megatron.
*After Megatron falls, a closeup shot shows the joint in Megatron's shoulder. The next shot is a tighter closeup; the joint has suddenly gone from solid to hollow (allowing us to see the Autobots running past.)
*As the three Autobots flee Megatron's interior and start to return to their normal size, the Heart of Cybertron grows right along with Brawn during the first growing spell.
*The line "But it's destabilizing. It could explode at any second!" is voiced by Brawn, but Perceptor's mouth moves. The line sure sounds like it was written for Percy.
*When the Heart of Cybertron is supposedly 1,500 miles above the ground, it's still in front of the night sky clouds.
*As he shoots at the Heart of Cybertron, Perceptor's laser blast is given a rocket sound effect.

===Continuity errors===
*The archaeologists at the beginning of the episode are digging for Mayan artifacts in South America, though in the real world the Maya civilization never reached further south than modern-day Honduras.
*Megatron rather strangely identifies the vessel as "''a'' Decepticon ship", as if he's never seen it before, despite later verifying that it is "our ship".
*Optimus is hesitant to cut down a path so his forces can drive through. Yet he does EXACTLY that in "Changing Gears". Did he have a change of heart or does he have something against African Jungles? To be fair, in this episode the Autobots had plenty of time to reach the Decepticons, while in "Changing Gears" the ENTIRE SOLAR SYSTEM was about to be vaporized by its own exploding sun.
*Do the Decepticons ''really'' need to carve a path the size of an interstate highway? Wouldn't a single-file pathway be a lot quicker?
*The Decepticons' ship was depicted as being the same size as the ship used by the Autobots in the opening episode, but here it's considerably smaller.
*Would the ship's vital, fragile power source really be that close to its exterior hull?
**Would said hull also be quite vulnerable to a small hand-held weapon?
*Was there ''nothing'' else in the ship that would be of value to the Decepticons?
*Why on Earth are the Decepticons sitting around in the middle of the desert somewhere? And how does Powerglide know to find them there?
*Prime has "all available Autobots" move out to attack Megatron. Responding to the call are... Cliffjumper, Windcharger and Warpath. What happened to everybody else?!
[[File:Microbots Heart throw.JPG|right|upright=1.4|thumb|"Why don't we install it in Optimus, Perceptor?" "Because you're an idiot, Brawn."]]
*At one point, Brawn proposes killing Megatron from the inside (by PUNCHING HIS BRAIN TO PIECES). Perceptor stops him, saying that if he fell while flying, the impact could detonate the Heart of Cybertron. But while they're having this debate, Megatron lands, so it wouldn't seem to be a concern anymore. Perhaps even a short fall would have been enough? Maybe not, since Megatron falls right over when Prime shoots him a moment later! Also, with Megatron's change in orientation, the room that Perceptor and company are in should really undergo a 90 degree gravity shift, but nothing changes.
**As a sub-point, why do they never employ that tactic afterward? The hardest part is getting inside Megatron.
*Why is it so hard for Perceptor to reach the wire that's right in front of him? He's not damaged or anything!
*For that matter, why did he have to cut all three himself, when Brawn was ready and willing to help? It didn't seem like a particularly complex procedure.
*We're not doubting the strength of the almighty, indestructible Brawn or anything, but... can something as tiny and light as the Heart of Cybertron really be ''thrown'' 2,000 miles into space?
*For that matter, Perceptor's tracking report means the Heart is moving at about 250 miles ''per second''. Wouldn't it have incinerated in the lower atmosphere at such speeds?

===Trivia===
[[File:Microbots Huffer charges.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Huffer charging at Megatron...]]
*"Microbots" features some of the most beautifully animated sequences in the entire series: Ratchet tumbling into the camera as he's shot, Soundwave trying to outrun the avalanche, Brawn ripping apart the electro-sanitizers, Cliffjumper getting hit by rocks, Warpath's shells closing on Megatron...
*When Perceptor shoots down the Heart of Cybertron, the numbers "37564" appear on his targeting display. In Japan, this combination of numbers is a play-on-words, where combining the first syllable of each number in Japanese creates "minagoroshi" meaning annihilate, massacre, kill them all, etc.
*Brawn's assertion that "five of us are functional" actually accords with the animation; Prime calls on Ratchet, Grapple and Hoist, and Bumblebee and Brawn are shown still standing in the preceding shot. Amusingly, Grapple is never seen in the animation at all.
*Decepticons make funny, happy drunks.
*Writer David Wise [[David Wise#Recycle-o-matic|recycled]] much of this episode's plot from his ''He-Man and the Masters of the Universe'' episode "Day of the Machines". Mainly, the plot in which the heroes have to shrink themselves and crawl inside a machine to disable it. He would further recycle the script for a ''Mighty Orbots'' episode, "Leviathan," in 1984, and again, almost word-for-word, in parts of the ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (1987) episode "Shredder and Splintered". That same ''He-Man'' episode was also cannibalized for the ''Transformers'' episodes "[[Day of the Machines]]" and "[[Kremzeek!]]".

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (Canadian and European French broadcasts):'' "'''Les Microbots'''" ("The Microbots")
:*''Title (European French DVD release):'' "'''Microbots'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*All the logo transitions were cut. It is unknown if it was that way for the original broadcast or if the episode was chopped for the DVD release.
::*Perceptor calls Brawn "mon gros" ("big boy").
::*The whole dialogue between the Autobots as they walk in the forest is missing.
::*Scavenger's lines are missing as he's looking for traces of cybertroid alloy.
::*Megatron's line "Hook! You cyber-forceps!" was misunderstood by the translator, who thought it was "Look! Your cyber-force". Consequently, that is what Megatron says even if it does not really make sense.
::*The drunk Decepticons scene is very softened. Rumble's hiccups sound more like "Ah!", and Thundercracker's line "This stuff's the greatest!" is replaced by "I've been craving ''indigestion'' for a while". Plus, Megatron speaks pretty normally during his ''indigestion''. The very strict French censorship laws of the time may have something to do with it.
::*Powerglide's lines as he arrives above the Decepticons are missing from the dub.
::*Perceptor's line "Thanks, Bumblebee!" is missing after he got saved.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Nel corpo di Megatron'''" ("In Megatron's Body")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Megatron's speech about "good ol' Cybertron" was changed by having him saying: «Those were good times for our beloved Cybertron! Then you didn't have to fight with anyone to get your own energy! Do you remember it?», which in quite off-character since it makes it look like Megatron dislikes war. Then Megatron proceeds by saying: «Good ol' Cybertron, I'll never forget what you managed to bring me: life!», a sentence which totally makes no sense but, after all, he was drunk, so... whatever...
::*Instead of saying that the Decepticons have "over energized", Powerglide explicitely says that they were drunk, which is quite the opposite of what happened in the French dub.
::*When the Autobots get to Megatron's shoulder joint, instead of saying: «Just hope he doesn't make any sudden moves.», Perceptor tells Brawn to not make any sudden moves.
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Microbots'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Micro no Kesshi Tai'''" (ミクロの決死隊, "The Micro Suicide Squad")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 27]], [[1985]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Xiǎo Jīqìrén '''" (小机器人, "Small Robots")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Microbots'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2000 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 12: Size Matters ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 3 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 7 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 04: Stagione Due Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128200918/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-33.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1R3KXXFSwRLjgT5D7Hr0mxPmYSp6S2xIJ First draft script, submitted on 15th February 1985]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Kaname Production

2023-11-16T07:17:06Z

Valkyriesdf1:

'''Kaname Production''' (株式会社カナメプロダクション ''Kabushiki-gaisha Kanamē Purodakushon'') was an animation studio based in Tokyo, Japan that was established in Spring [[1982]] by former [[Ashi Productions]] animators. In terms of anime, they are known for producing obscure original shows such as ''{{w|Plawres Sanshiro}}'', ''{{w|Birth (1984 film)|Birth}}'' , ''{{w|Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko}}'', and ''{{w|Windaria}}''.

In regards to Transformers, founding studio member and Kaname mechanical designer [[Shohei Kohara]], responsible for mechanical designs on the aforementioned anime, designed the earliest Transformers [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]] at the animation studio. Additionally, Kaname provided animation work on the original cartoon as a subcontractor for [[Toei Animation]].

By [[1988]], Kaname Production changed its name to "Diva Co., Ltd." shortly before filing for bankruptcy.

==''Transformers'' work==
*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Initial [[character model|mechanical designs]] by [[Shohei Kohara]]
**Season 1 (1 episode, [[Transport to Oblivion]])
**Season 2 (1 episode, [[Autobot Spike]])

==External links==
*[https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A%E3%83%A1%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%83%80%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3 Kaname Production on Japanese Wikipedia]
*[https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=739 Kaname Production on Anime News Network]

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Kaname Production

2023-11-16T01:25:23Z

Valkyriesdf1:

'''Kaname Production''' (株式会社カナメプロダクション ''Kabushiki-gaisha Kanamē Purodakushon'') was an animation studio based in Tokyo, Japan that was established in Spring [[1982]] by former [[Ashi Productions]] animators. In terms of anime, they are known for producing obscure original shows such as ''{{w|Plawres Sanshiro}}'', ''{{w|Birth (1984 film)|Birth}}'' , ''{{w|Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko}}'', and ''{{w|Windaria}}''.

In regards to Transformers, founding studio member and Kaname mechanical designer [[Shohei Kohara]], responsible for mechanical designs on the aforementioned anime, designed the earliest Transformers [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]] at the animation studio. Additionally, Kaname provided animation work on the original cartoon as a subcontractor for [[Toei Animation]].

By [[1988]], Kaname Productions changed its name to "Diva Co., Ltd." shortly before filing for bankruptcy.

==''Transformers'' work==
*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Initial [[character model|mechanical designs]] by [[Shohei Kohara]]
**Season 1 (1 episode, [[Transport to Oblivion]])
**Season 2 (1 episode, [[Autobot Spike]])

==External links==
*[https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A%E3%83%A1%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%83%80%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3 Kaname Production on Japanese Wikipedia]
*[https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=739 Kaname Production on Anime News Network]

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Transport to Oblivion (episode)

2023-11-16T01:24:51Z

Valkyriesdf1:

{{disambigr|Transport to Oblivion|the Rising event|Transport to Oblivion (Rising)}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=4
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=4
|prev2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
|next2=Roll for It
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=25
|prev3=Fight or Flee (episode)
|next3=Roll for It
|image=RollForIt spacebridge opens.jpg
|caption=
|title="Transport to Oblivion"
|season=1
|season ep=4
|production code=#700-01
|airdate=[[October 6]], 1984
|written by=[[Bryce Malek]] [[Dick Robbins]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]], [[Kaname Production]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07yYfhX69Ac
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''After months in hiding, the Decepticons return and have a new method for moving energon cubes to Cybertron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:TransporttoOblivion Decepticon-shaped rock.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|The Shadow knows....]]
The [[Decepticon]]s have not been seen in months and are presumed dead by the [[Autobot]]s. That doesn't stop a twitchy [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] from blasting [[Decepticon-shaped rock|a rock that vaguely resembles a Decepticon]]. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] is also not completely convinced of the Decepticons' demise. Unknown to the Autobots, the Decepticons are in fact still alive and have constructed a [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|undersea fortress]] out of their [[Victory (G1)|crashed ship]] under the ocean.

Meanwhile, on Cybertron, an energy-depleted [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] attempts to make contact with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. Shockwave succeeds in his attempt and informs Megatron that the [[energon]] reserves on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] are almost depleted. He also tells him of the newly constructed [[space bridge|Space Bridge]].

The Decepticons head out again to collect more energy. Their first target is a solar power plant. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] scare off the workers and secure the generators for energon creation.

[[File:TransporttoOblivion Cliffjumper attacks Megatron.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|If Megatron were human, that'd be really painful.]]
While cruising the city, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] encounter a traffic jam—the cause of which is a city-wide blackout. Both decide they need to head back to base to check in. [[Teletraan I]] shows that the blackout has spread across the city. Optimus has Teletraan survey the surrounding power stations. At the solar plant, Optimus sees Megatron.

Optimus puts together a small strike team consisting of [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], Cliffjumper, [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] to take care of the Decepticon raid (the rest of the force are out on patrol). The Autobots arrive and drive off the Decepticons, but not before they manage to steal a large amount of energy. During the battle, Ironhide is injured while saving Optimus from an attack.

Back at base, Ironhide is worked on by Ratchet and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], but his pride is more wounded then his chassis. Wanting to know how they plan to get the energon to Cybertron, Optimus sends Bumblebee out on recon to search for signs of the Decepticons in the surrounding area; Spike offers to go with him.

The two stumble upon the location of the Space Bridge and witness the Decepticons' first failed attempt to transport a small vehicle across space. Bumblebee and Spike attempt to leave, but are captured before they can report back. Megatron decides to use his two captives as pilots for the shuttle to help keep it on its course to Cybertron.

[[File:TransporttoOblivion Bumblebee escapes.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|left|That's what happens when you drive your car too close to Area 51.]]
Bumblebee and Spike are placed in the second test vehicle and sent toward the Space Bridge portal, but the Decepticons run out of time and the alignment between Cybertron and [[Earth]] passes. The Bridge can't be reactivated for 3,000 astro-seconds. While the Decepticons grouse about the delay, Bumblebee transforms into his car mode and smashes free of the transport vehicle. Spike is recaptured immediately. Bumblebee manages to evade them for a short time but is also recaptured. Megatron alters Bumblebee's memory chips so he can lead the Autobots into a trap.

Bumblebee returns to [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] and tells the gathered Autobots that Spike has been captured. They head for the Space Bridge, but Bumblebee has given them an incorrect location. The false location leads them to a cave where the Decepticons, tipped off by Laserbeak, have been waiting in ambush.

[[File:TransporttoOblivion Bumblebee rescues Spike.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Spike performed his own stunts.]]
The battle is cut short as the dimensional alignment between Cybertron and Earth recurs, allowing for Space Bridge transport. The Decepticons leave, but not before Megatron blasts the cave, sealing the Autobots within. During the battle, Bumblebee is injured and Ratchet discovers that a bank of Bumblebee's memory chips have been altered. The Autobots soon learn the true location of the Space Bridge and once free of the cave, roll out.

The Autobots engage the Decepticons once more at the true location of the Space Bridge, managing to rescue Spike and destroy the shipment of energon. As the battle nears its conclusion, Megatron is knocked into the active Space Bridge and is presumed destroyed. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] assumes command and orders a retreat. But within [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|the Decepticon base]] on Cybertron, Megatron emerges intact from the Space Bridge, and swears vengeance on his enemies.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (2)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (3)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (11)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (13)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (14)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (15)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (16)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (20)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (22)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (23)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (24)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (8)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (10)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (17)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (19)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (21)
|c3=
*[[Ed (worker)|Ed]] (7)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (12)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Cliffjumper:''' "Don't worry, Megatron. I'll get them after I've taken care of YOU!" 
(Cliffjumper punches Megatron downstairs. This has no effect, and he is brushed aside like a rag doll.) 
'''Megatron:''' "WHO will take care of me?" 
'''Optimus Prime:''' "I will, Megatron."
:—Megatron gets put in his place for picking on the short one.

'''Skywarp:''' "Starscream! Behind you!" 
(Starscream turns to see Cliffjumper and Gears running towards him) 
'''Cliffjumper:''' "Too late, Starscream!" 
'''Starscream:''' "It's never too late, Autobot." 
[''calmly raises his left arm and fires'']

[[File:G1 Transport RatchetSparkplug fixingIronhide.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Ok Ironhide, turn your head and cough."]]
"No more backtalk, or I'll short your mouth circuit."
:—'''Ratchet'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bedside manner toward Ironhide.

"How're we gonna get out of this?" 
"By the skin of our teeth!" 
"I didn't know human teeth had skin!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Spike'''

"Well, uh... I guess I served my time and I'm free to go, huh?" 
"Free to go... to Cybertron."
:—"Inmate" '''Spike''' finds out the "warden", '''Soundwave''', also took smart-ass lessons.

"The Autobots robbed me of my victory, but they have not seen the last of Megatron. I shall be avenged!"
:—'''Megatron''', for the first time, but not the last.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script: 4 June 1984
* Revised script: 8 June 1984
* Finalised script: 22 June 1984
* Returned to the US for telecine: 24 September 1984
* Official Sunbow Productions synopsis:
:''The Decepticons, working with Shockwave on Cybertron, create the "space bridge" -- a device to transport energon cubes between the two planets. When Spike and Bumblebee stumble across the river bed where the space bridge is being tested, they are captured by the Decepticons, who intend to use the boy to guide the energon shipment through the dangerous device. Bumblebee escapes, and ultimately leads the Autobots back to rescue Spike and destroy the shipment.''

===Continuity notes===
*Ironhide says the Decepticons were sent to the bottom of the sea "months ago". In real-world terms, this episode only aired about two weeks after "More than Meets the Eye, Part 3". However, there were three months between the pilot being written and this episode being written, so... that works?
*This episode does a fair bit to establish the status quo for the rest of Season 1 and all of Season 2:
**The Decepticons are shown to have converted their crashed space cruiser into the vast [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] complex.
**The Decepticons re-establish contact with Cybertron.
**The 'Cons make their first use of the [[space bridge]], a device that will feature in many future episodes. The space bridge's erratic performance and seemingly random opening times and locations would feature in a few more episodes, but would largely be downplayed.
*The stock party music originally from Johnny Douglas' "Spider-Man" score makes its Transformers debut in this episode; the guitar section is featured as source music played by both Jazz and Soundwave.
*Prime's casual reference to "the entire city losing power" might be construed by continuity hounds as meaning that the traffic jam that Spike and Bumblebee run into is in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], a city later demonstrated to be close to, and have some legal jurisdiction over, the land where Autobot Headquarters is located. That might be giving the continuity editors too much credit, however.
*This episode continues the trend of Cybertron being located outside the [[Milky Way]] galaxy, as Shockwave refers to the space bridge as an "intergalactic transport system".
*Gadgets and powers:
**When Cliffjumper opens fire on the rock formation, he is carrying Jazz's gun.
**Ratchet describes Starscream's fire as "a concussion blast" (it's supposed to be a null ray.)
**Ratchet has a [[laser scalpel]] (or something similar) that emerges from his forearm. Later, he uses a less focused device that slides out of his wrist.
**Megatron has a chest-mounted hose-like memory scrambler... and a gauntlet-launched saw blade... and a wrist laser.
**Starscream apparently wears a wristwatch. Who knew?
**Watching Bumblebee make his scrambled report, Laserbeak uses a head-mounted retractable microphone. Later episodes (and the Movie) would have a video camera in the same spot instead.
**Ratchet has a wrist-based net launcher, that fires a Pac-Man shaped net (which for some reason brings down Laserbeak.)
**Ironhide totes a [[Cliffjumper's bazooka|HUGE bazooka cannon laser gun thing]] when the Autobots attack the space bridge. While he's never had this weapon before, it is in fact a reuse of [[:file:Cliffgun.JPG|Cliffjumper's bazooka]] from the pilot miniseries in green. He would VERY briefly wield it again (this time in grey) in "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]".
**Optimus Prime's laser rifle has a variable focus barrel that allows him to shoot a needle-beam blast.
**The blue button on Megatron's tummy blinks to show him communicating with Shockwave. [[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Later]], it would be the two trapezoids on his pecs that blinked.
*What makes Starscream the leader? Megatron fell into the space bridge! '''[[S.O.S. Dinobots|'''> >]]'''

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Laserbeak is a one-bot ''Star Wars'' effects gallery. He launches from his spy mission with the sound of the [[Death Star]]'s superlaser obliterating the planet Alderaan.
**He then arrives at the Decepticon Headquarters docking tower with the sound of the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' arriving at the Rebel Base on Yavin IV, followed by a repeat of the Death Star/Alderaan effects.
**He then flies into Soundwave's chest with another burst of ''Millennium Falcon'' engines.

===Animation or technical glitches===
*Maybe not an error, but definitely odd: The establishing shots of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] are two completely different matte paintings that show exactly the same thing.
*A strange establishing shot meant to convey the transition of an Earth-bound scene to one set on Cybertron shows a whole bunch of gray planets near each other, then suddenly cuts to the stock shot of Cybertron. It's possible this was meant to be a pan across our solar system, showing the Moon and then Saturn, but what it actually portrays is more like three moons orbiting a distant ringed planet unlike any in our [[Solar System]].

[[File:TransporttoOblivion colourchanging Ed.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Black-White-Black]]
*The animated glow behind Shockwave when he is communicating to Megatron is mis-aligned with his body.
*Coloring errors:
**Ed, a solar power plant worker, has his skin change color from one shot to the next. He's first seen as an African-American when his coworker tells him to turn the radio down. When he turns to face the radio in the next shot, he's white. As he backs away from Soundwave's transformation, he's black again, possibly suffering from a rapid (but intermittent) form of {{w|Vitiligo}}.
**When the Autobots crash through the skylight, Cliffjumper is colored like Bumblebee.
**After Ironhide is shot protecting Optimus Prime, Prowl's gun is black.
**The sides of Starscream's air intakes are gray instead of red when Megatron restrains him from attacking Bumblebee.
**Starscream's thighs are dark gray instead of light gray as he and Megatron fire on the fleeing Bumblebee.
**As the Autobots are waiting for Bumblebee and Spike's return home, Cliffjumper is colored as Bumblebee. Hey, it's the yellow Cliffjumper toy [[variant]]!
**Megatron's fusion cannon is white instead of black as he threatens to finish Ironhide and Prime.
**After Megatron blasts the cave shut (again) and returns to [[robot mode]], blue sky can be seen between Starscream's arms and torso, in the space where his wings should be. Possibly the artists thought his wings were attached to his arms instead of his back.
**Ironhide's cheek guards are gray instead of red as he patches himself up after the cave battle.
**Megatron's face is black as he listens to Shockwave's instructions about the space bridge.
**Megatron's eyes are blue instead of red as he punches buttons on the space bridge console during the final battle.
**After Megatron falls into the [[space bridge]], two successive shots feature Skywarp in Starscream's color scheme, resulting in two Starscreams appearing on screen at once.
[[File:Soundwave jesus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|So Soundwave and Laserbeak [[Warrior School!|use their alternate forms to sneak into an industrial facility and take it over]]...]]
*A glow effect surrounds Soundwave as he enlarges out of his tape player form. While it is clearly a deliberate artistic choice, this effect is never again seen for Soundwave's transformations.
*Cliffjumper and Gears' voices can clearly be heard among the panicked power plant workers.
[[File:TransporttoOblivion fillingcubes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|...and the Decepticons [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|re-establish contact with Cybertron]], and [[The Bridge to Nowhere!|build a space bridge]], and [[Rock and Roll-Out!|start making energon cubes]]...]]
[[File:Trans to ob megs spacebridge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|...and the whole thing ends with [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|Megatron getting tossed into his own space bridge and unceremoniously launched to Cybertron]]. Did [[Bob Budiansky]] watch this episode or what?]]
*As the Decepticons start filling energon cubes, the background cubes filled by Skywarp are layered in front of the foreground cubes filled by Starscream.
*Just before Jazz gets into the traffic jam, he keeps passing by the same buildings with the same signage (see below) multiple times as part of a single straight city block.
*When Jazz slams on his brakes during the traffic jam, the car in front of him is green. When he backs up to leave, the car is blue and a different model.
*On-screen [[Japanese language|translation flubs]]:
**The signage in the city includes some rather odd phrases: Par (maybe this was meant to say "Parking"?), Led Bulue (or Bulve?), Spu Rashu, Mascot, IOU, April, AGF (which might be an incomplete "{{W|Agfa-Gevaert|Agfa}}"), Bell. The only one that does make sense is a vertical "fee", since it could very well be that the top half that's cut off by the edge of the screen says "Cof".
**When Optimus Prime is using Teletraan I to survey nearby power stations, the map on the screen is labeled "EVE ISLAND".
**Teletraan's readout screen has a number of lost-in-translation typographical errors. It reads: SOLOR POWE STATION #001; CAPACITY: 80%; PURRENT PRODUCTION: 0%.
*During Optimus' close-up when he says "Megatron lives.", the background is of a cloudy sky instead of [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters']] interior.
*Skywarp has the wrong voice as he says his "Hurry it up!" and "Starscream! Behind you!" lines.
*As Megatron gloats over Optimus Prime's defeat and prepares to transform into gun mode, he says "Soundwave—Prime is target, Soundwave! FIRE!", an awkward-sounding line that... was actually written that way in the [[dialogue script]]. In the '''original''' script, the line was "Prime is target, Soundwave -- fire!", suggesting an extra instance of Soundwave's name somehow got written in by mistake. (Additionally, Megatron orders Soundwave to fire him before he even finishes transforming.)
*When the Decepticons are leaving the power station, Skywarp is seen flying away twice.
*Laserbeak's caws and cries are not electronically modulated and are much more bird-like than the synthetic trill that would become his standard vocalization later in the series.
*The Autobots storming into the power plant at the battle's end do not have the standard Autobot laser fire sound effects.
*As the space bridge powers up for its first test, the light effects at the back of the ring pass in front of the test vehicle, which is inside the ring.
*Amid the rocks and debris sucked up into the space bridge, the test vehicle can be seen rising... then falling back down again!
*Bumblebee and Spike clearly withdraw from the edge of the river canyon, yet Bumblebee is standing right at the edge again when he transforms (a convenient conceit, so he can fall down and be captured).
*As Megatron says that Bumblebee and Spike have "volunteered", a glint of light plays across his optics. The sound guys mistook this for a powered light-up effect and inserted a sound effect accordingly.
*The animation of test run #2 is recycled from the first test run... which means that the test vehicle is shown inside the ring, even though it shouldn't be there.
*When Shockwave says, "Test run number two aborted," the animation is of Megatron speaking.
*Skywarp and Starscream get the same not-standard-issue laser sound effect that the Autobots at the power plant had.
*Upon arriving, Bumblebee says that "''Pike'' was taken by the Decepticons!" Maybe it's [[The Insecticon Syndrome|a nickname]]?
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**Four red(dish) cars are among the group leaving Autobot Headquarters. Ironhide and Cliffjumper should be red; the third could be Gears. The fourth is either a miscolored Prowl or Jazz, leaving the group one man short.
**Best guess is that it's Jazz who is missing from that last shot, because he's also missing from the lineup of Autobot cars outside the cave. His voice shows up once the group enters the cave... but he's not actually ''seen'' until after the first commercial break.
**Brawn, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and Trailbreaker all appear at various points during the battle in the cave and its aftermath, despite not being part of the group that arrives and leaves the cave.
*As often happens, Soundwave's chest is suddenly see-through transparent when he's playing back a tape report.
*Prowl's car form is horrifically off-model when Ironhide asserts that Bumblebee is never wrong. Gears isn't much better and is missing some of his red coloration as well. When off-model Prowl transforms, his missing headlights and bumper appear out of nowhere.
*Megatron's wrist blaster disappears instantly after he fires it.
*Starscream is holding one of his arm-mounted weapons in his hand as Megatron orders him to blast the cave entrance open.
*Ratchet announces that Bumblebee's memory banks have been altered, despite not doing any work near or inspection of his head. All he does is weld 'Bee's chest for a brief second.
*As Ravage guards Spike, the energy cage is layered over Ravage's neck, even though he is closer to the camera's point of view.
*Spike makes a very strange gesture as the energy cage disappears, seemingly rubbing a rock in the background as if he were wiping it off. Not only is it strange, it's also spatially impossible, as the "rock" is actually the ground below him, meaning he's just making a random wiping motion in the air.
*Soundwave's shadow over Spike disappears a second before the shot ends.
*As Megatron coaches Spike, Soundwave is missing his Decepticon insignia. Megatron's own insignia is missing its central crest.
*When the space bridge opens for the third time (with Spike as the driver), the inside of the ring is bizarrely misdrawn; the outlines and edges of the bridge ring do not line up correctly, resulting in [http://www.blifaloo.com/illusions/impossible.php impossible shapes].
*Ironhide goes from carrying a copy of Jazz's pistol to toting his green bazooka in the space of a shot.
*Starscream is missing his back wing insignia as he takes off.
*As the space bridge beam arrives on Cybertron, the beam is layered in front of the bridge receiver tower that it's supposed to be entering.
*The remastered DVD releases of this episode incorrectly use the closing credits from the [[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|pilot mini-series]] instead of the expanded Season 1 credits.

===Continuity errors===
*At the end of the previous episode, the Autobot ship was being refueled and repaired in preparation for the imminent return of the Autobots to Cybertron. At the beginning of this episode, their journey home seems to have been all but forgotten.
**In the original script, just before Cliffjumper blasts the rock formation, Optimus and Ironhide are talking about their ship being ready to launch the next day.
*This is the only time Autobot Headquarters is ever depicted as being near a cliffside overlooking the ocean.
*In the opening scenes, Optimus seems pretty certain that the Decepticons have survived... yet he still seems shocked when Megatron reappears.
*Speaking of which, could the Decepticons really have built this whole huge underwater fortress without anybody noticing their activities?
*If Shockwave is "losing power", then he really shouldn't be up on the roof of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] shooting at nothing. The animation fails to convey that he had any sort of target or that a battle was occurring.
*Shockwave is clearly the most loyal soldier in all of creation. He's still trying to communicate with Megatron ''four million years after he disappeared'' and clearly expects an answer. What would it take to convince Shockwave that Megatron is actually dead??
*There doesn't appear to be any purpose to Soundwave sneaking into the power station in tape player mode. Megatron just marches right in about five seconds after Soundwave launches his attack.
*A ''solar'' power station would not need generators.
*Again, if Prime is shocked to find that Megatron is alive, it doesn't make a lot of sense for over half the Autobots to be on patrol.
*Ratchet and Sparkplug are working on Ironhide outside, in the desert sand, even though Ratchet has a (presumably) sanitary medical center for such things.
*Given that Starscream is a highly sophisticated living machine, it seems unlikely that he would have to look at his (notably unadorned) wrist to count down five seconds accurately. That said, he also does count an unusually long second.
*Would it really have killed Bumblebee to stop for half a second to let Spike get inside, instead of making him run alongside?
*Jazz is somehow able to use a stalagmite as a bat to knock back a null ray blast at Starscream.
*Optimus Prime's foot gets caught in a boulder for no apparent reason. In one shot, he's just standing around after helping Ironhide; in the next, he's suddenly stuck.
*It's a totally [[The Agenda (Part III)|stock cartoon trope]], but really, how many times can one cave be blasted open and shut? (Two times each in this episode.)
*Megatron can't possibly be dumb enough to think that Prime and company couldn't just blast their own way out of the cave, yet he declares that sealing the cave means "the end of Prime and the Autobots".

===Trivia===
[[File:TransporttoOblivion Cliffjumper attacks Megatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Right in the gonads!]]
*In an unusual directorial choice, the second and third acts of this episode lack most of the usual flip-symbol [[scene transition]]s, instead using a series of ''Star Wars''-like transition effects (iris out, triangular wipes, radar screen wipe, etc.)
*The third act also features a one-time-only bit of background music as the Decepticons retreat from the cave.
*Seriously, Cliffjumper charges Megatron and punches him in the junk! That takes bearings of chrome steel.
*This was one of twelve episodes of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] released as audio adventures by the [[Germany|German]] company [[Karussell|Karussell Musik und Video]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French):'' "'''Transport pour l'oubli'''" ("Transport to oblivion")
:*''Title (Canadian French & European French DVD release):'' "'''Le Pont Spatial'''" ("The Spacebridge")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*About the European French dub:
:::*Megatron briefly calls Soundwave "Shockwave".
:::*This is one if not the only episode in which Bumblebee's name is pronounced correctly. However, it happens only once in that episode (by Optimus Prime). Throughout the rest of the episode, everyone calls him "Bubblebee". Still a little victory for European French dub enjoyers.
:::*Some names are still avoided. At the end of the episode, Optimus even calls Bumblebee "mon gros" ("big boy"). Soundwave calls Laserbeak "Laserobreak" but does not say anything at all for Ravage.
:::*Megatron's line "This time I'll blow more than your shoulder" is dubbed by [[Francis Lax]], Optimus Prime's voice actor. He barely changes his voice, which makes the scene kinda confusing.
:::*When looking for Optimus, Megatron calls him "Primus" instead of "Prime". Interestingly, "Optimus Primus" is the Autobot leader's Canadian French name.

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die Weltraumbrücke'''" ("The Spacebridge"), "Reise nach Cybertron" (''Generation 2'', "Journey to Cybertron")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 19]], [[1989]]

'''Hebrew'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Shigoor El Avadon'''" (שיגור אל אבדון, "Transport to Oblivion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il ponte spaziale'''" ("The Space Bridge")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*The opening narration is completely changed: instead of talking about Autobots, the narrator talks about Shockwave and the lack of energon on Cybertron.
::*A couple of sentences are changed, making little sense in the context:
:::*Ironhide's: «Cliffjumper!» at the beginning of the episode became: «Look at this, Cliffjumper.».
:::*Optimus's: «What could be causing it?» (while using Teletraan I) became: «An energy signal.».
::*Optimus Prime briefly calls Teletraan I "Supervista", which is [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]]'s name.
::*When talking to Spike during the last transport test, Megatron briefly uses a plural verb, like if he was talking to more than one person.

:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Passaggio verso l'oblio'''" ("Passage to the Oblivion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Space Bridge Sakusen'''" (スペースブリッジ作戦, "Operation: Space Bridge")
:*Original airdate: [[July 27]], [[1985]]
:**'''Cut:''' After Prime discovers that Megatron still lives and orders the Autobots to assemble, following the symbol transition, the role call of Ironhide through Gears is cut. The sequence resumes at his lines about half the force being out on patrol.
:**'''Cut:''' After Megatron gets his "power boost" and punches Prime in the face, the following scene of Starscream lifting Energon cubes, getting shot at, shooting Ratchet and Prowl, Cliffjumper and Gears attacking him, and his line "It's never too late, Autobot" before firing on them have all been cut. The sequence resumes at his transforming to [[alternate mode|jet mode]] and flying off with Skywarp.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tàikōngqiáo de Xiànluò '''" (太空桥的陷落, "Fall of the Space Bridge")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Transporte Pra Destruição'''" ("Transport to Destruction")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?, [[1986]]
::*This was the first episode of the series to air in Brazil.

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Doroga v nikooda'''" (Дорога в никуда, "Road to Nowhere")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Putovanje u zaborav'''" (Путовање у заборав, "Voyage into Oblivion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Swedish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Resa in i det okända'''" (Generation 2, "Journey into the Unknown")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
[[File:FHE-TransportToOblivion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Cliffjumper IS Admiral Ackbar.]]
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 7: "Transport to Oblivion" ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Le Cosmitron ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (3DVDs) ([[Flex Media]]) — German audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (2DVDs) (Flex Media) — German audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — More than Meets the Eye (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1m7-rWq0-_NlWnKopinM__0uP7Xsdj2lH Full episode script, as revised on 8th June 1984]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1T52jANElww5VQEIvtZQV_Q9zldWHdHIY Full episode script, as finalised on 22nd June 1984]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Autobot Spike

2023-11-16T01:24:24Z

Valkyriesdf1:

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=17
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=11
|prev2=Heavy Metal War
|next2=Changing Gears
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=37
|prev3=The Search for Alpha Trion
|next3=The Girl Who Loved Powerglide
|image=AutobotSpike Autobotx concealed weapon.jpg
|caption=''I'm a teenage Frankenstein! The local freak with the twisted mind!''
|title="Autobot Spike"
|season=2
|season ep=1
|production code=#700-16
|airdate=[[September 23]], [[1985]]
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]], [[Nakamura Production]], [[Kaname Production]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1C1W-jy0P4
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''A wounded Spike is turned into an Autobot Frankenstein's monster to save his life.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:AutobotSpike-AutobotXTabled.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Elevate me." "...now? Right here?"]]
The Autobots gather around [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s worktable in [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] for a demonstration. Using spare parts and human ingenuity, Sparkplug has cobbled together a large robot he has dubbed [[Autobot X (G1)|Autobot X]], and with a flip of a switch sets him loose. He immediately runs amok—groaning, growling and smashing everything in sight. It takes [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] to bring him down. Sparkplug apologizes to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] for the mess and recommends Autobot X be put in storage.

Before this can be done, the party is interrupted by an alarm. Decepticons are attacking the new Air Force rocket base. The Autobots roll out to the base and engage the Decepticons. During the battle, the rockets and their fuel are inadvertently destroyed, and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] orders a retreat.

To cover their escape, Megatron creates a diversion for the Autobots; he blasts [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] while [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] is riding in him. The attack leaves Bumblebee damaged and Spike comatose. Spike is taken to Metro Hospital, where the doctors suggest that if Spike's mind could be transferred somewhere else, they would be able to operate on his fragile body.

[[File:BotX.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"Abby.... Normal."]]
[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and Sparkplug transfer Spike's mind into Autobot X's body. However, as a side effect of the transferral process, Spike's mind is in an extremely unstable state. Angry and confused about his new body, Autobot Spike rampages, destroying several computers and machines in Wheeljack's shop.

Optimus Prime is able to subdue Autobot Spike without damaging his mind. To keep Spike calm, Wheeljack tunes [[Teletraan I]] to a television station, where cruel Fate just happens to have scheduled an airing of a movie featuring [[Frankenstein|Doctor Frankenstein]]'s unholy attempt to create life. Spike is roused to anger, convinced that he, like [[Frankenstein's monster|the Doctor's creation]], is a "monster." He again rampages throughout the Ark, then escapes.

[[File:AutobotSpike-Moping.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Quiet dignity and grace.]]
Alone in the wilderness, Spike suffers from the conflict between his own mind and what there is of Autobot X. Will he use his new body and powers to help the world like Optimus Prime, or conquer all Humanity?

[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] informs Megatron of Spike's new Autobot body and unstable mind, and Megatron forms a plan to trick Autobot Spike into destroying the Autobots. Megatron soon finds Spike with [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]'s help. Autobot Spike attacks, but Megatron has other plans. Spike's unstable mind makes it hard for him to think, and he is easily twisted by Megatron to side with him against the Autobots.

Bumblebee brings the Autobots to Spike's location, but they are unable to fight against the vengeful being for fear of destroying Spike's mind. Only after Autobot Spike shoots his father off the edge of a cliff does he realize what he has done. At once, he saves his father and turns on the [[Decepticon]]s.

Finally, Spike's mind is returned to his [[human]] body after the surgical operation is successfully completed.

Spike will never be placed in a robot's body again. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Never?]]
{{--}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (6)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (7)
*[[Autobot X (G1)|Autobot X]] (8)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (9)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (10)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (11)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (12)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (20)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (21)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (25)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (26)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (27)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (28)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (14)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (15)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (16)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (17)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (18)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (22)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (23)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (24)
|c3=
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (2)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (4)
*Air Force General (13)
*Spike's doctor (19)
|c4=
'''On TV'''
*[[Frankenstein]]
*[[Frankenstein's assistant]]
*[[Frankenstein's monster]]
}}

==Quotes==
"Another Autobot? Even if it works, who needs it?"
:—'''Ratchet''' is a [[GEEWUN|1984 purist]].

"It's not supposed to do that!"
:—'''Sparkplug''' referring to Autobot X destroying Autobot headquarters

"So you Decepticreeps like to fly, eh? Well, take off!"
:—'''Brawn''' after kicking Soundwave

"Hmmm...if only there were a way of separating Spike's mind from his body while we work..."
:—'''Spike's doctor''' clumsily moves the narrative along within earshot of Autobot X's creator.

"He wants a battle—let's give him one!"
:—'''Starscream''', referring to the now-mechanized Spike

"I must say, you've improved your appearance since our last encounter, Spike!"
:—'''Megatron''', upon meeting Spike in Autobot form

[[File:Autobotspike spike and bee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Yes, yes! Say it! He was MY BOYFRIEND!]]
'''General''': Aren't they a gorgeous sight? 
'''Optimus Prime''': Impressive. ''[To Ironhide]'' For primitive rocket technology.
:—Only Optimus Prime could both praise and diss humanity at the same time.

[''Crazed laughter'']"Man, I've got powers I haven't even discovered yet!"
:—A mentally-deteriorated '''Spike''' as he fires on the Autobots.

"Hmmm, I wonder—I wonder what it would be like for a robot mind to be transferred to a human?"
:—'''Bumblebee''', being [[Only Human|eerily prophetic]]

==Notes==

===Continuity notes===
[[File:AutobotSpike Prime firing from shoulder height.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Stand back, for the love of God! He's got a rotten brain!]]
*The three Reflector components, while speaking in unison, refer to themselves as "I".
*It's also the last time Reflector has a speaking part in an episode. The rest of his appearances are silent cameos.
*Autobot X/Spike demonstrates a few abilities that his component parts have never shown. None of the 1984 Autobots shoot lasers from their fingertips; Trailbreaker's gun arm has never been shown to be an extendable grappling hook; Bluestreak has never fired lasers from the headlights on his chest.
*When Optimus Prime tries to subdue Autobot X/Spike, he fires his ion blaster from his shoulder, like an RPG launcher.
*[[Furmanism]] alert: The phrase "What's that?" is said not once ... not twice ... but ''three times'' in this episode alone - First by the rocket general, then by Bumblebee hanging from cliff, and then by Ironhide at the rocket base.
*It's not the [[The Human Factor|last time]] a human mind is placed in a robot's body.
[[File:AutobotSpike Brawn's almighty foot.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Walk ''this'' way.]]
*[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3|<<]] '''Brawn vs. Soundwave''', Round 3: Brawn gives Soundwave a good proper kick to the tail! Brawn 3, Soundwave 0 [[Attack of the Autobots (episode)|>>]]

===Real-world references===
[[File:Autobot spike - dr frankenstein.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Two nasty-looking switches over there, but I'm not going to be the first.]]
*So obviously, this episode has the whole Frankenstein thing goin' on. That this script came from the pen of Don Glut is no coincidence, as he has written many novels, articles, short stories and non-fiction books about Frankenstein.
**Given Glut's knowledge, it's no surprise then that when talking about Autobot X, Spike correctly makes the reference to "Frankenstein's monster", instead of making the common mistake that usually sees the monster referred to simply as "Frankenstein".
**Glut refrains from directly copying the dialogue of any existing film version of the Frankenstein story, scripting his own scene from whole cloth.
*The 1967 Hammer Film ''Frankenstein Created Woman'' has a plot element that asserts the human soul can be transferred from one body to another. Baron Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) even states that the transfer of souls from one body to another would be of great use to "medical science". Could be just a coincidence, but if Don Glut is a Frankenstein fan, he was probably familiar with the Hammer series while scripting this episode.

===Animation and technical errors===
All in all, remarkably few errors:
*There are many shots when the eyes of the robots get sparkly, making them look very anime-like. This can create jarring instances where one robot will have the standard solid eyes while another has the added in shines.
*The beginning of Sparkplug's line "It's not working" is cut off, as if the sound dropped out for a split second.
*''Technically'' it's not an error, but Ratchet maintains his "who needs it?" arm gesture for a ''very'' long time after he finishes speaking.
*Coloring errors:
**After Autobot X fires on Ironhide, Trailbreaker and Prowl, Ironhide's face is colored red.
**Skywarp has an all-yellow chest as the Decepticons prepare to retreat from the rocket base. Only his cockpit canopy should be yellow.
**Optimus's bumper is completely yellow when the Autobots pull up to the rocket base.
**Rumble's visor is blue when Megatron addresses Autobot X.
**Immediately after that when Autobot X says, "The way I see it, I've become a monster... like you!", the white portion of his upper body changes to black as he turns to his side.
**As he flies out of Spike's hand, [[Throwback Blaster|Megatron's gun-mode]] handle is colored gray instead of black.
**Just before Megatron orders a retreat, Soundwave has Skywarp's colors, and Skywarp is firing a laser beam that somehow passes in front of Starscream's air intake, even though Starscream is in the foreground.
*Autobot X's demise in the Ark is animated without the accompanying in between frames. When the animations play later on after the Seekers down him (now with Spike's mind inside), it has them.
*When commenting on Spike's need for medical attention, Optimus Prime's mouthplate is briefly missing at the beginning of the shot.
*Spike's hospital room is hilarious. Not only is it completely devoid of any medical equipment whatsoever (not even so much as an IV drip), but Spike's ancient-looking dormitory-style bed is placed ''directly in the middle of the room''. Despite this, the ticking of a heart monitor can be heard.
*Sideswipe's voice is off as he and Sunstreaker rush to contain Autobot X. The delivery's a bit off, too: he sounds like he's discussing the weather, not rushing into battle.
*The docking tower for [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] is right off of a rocky coast. Usually it's in open water.
*Spike's second round of fire on the Decepticons hits ''[[generic|three]]'' Thundercrackers.
*Okay, it's a cartoon and all, but... when Spike blasts him off the cliff, Sparkplug falls for an ''incredibly'' long time.
*An issue introduced in later releases has the footage go from clear to blurry in several scenes. Spike's rampage aboard the Ark and his fight against the Decepticons are particularly muddy.

===Continuity errors===
*Throughout the episode, Spike struggles with unpredictable destructive urges and freaks out at the slightest provocation. Sparkplug and the rest repeatedly assume that this is a side-effect of the mental transfer process, rather than the fault of the body they put it in. Did they forget that the body itself goes on similar rampages even ''without'' Spike's mind in it? Spike even says himself that it feels like "something" is telling him to do "bad things."
*A body's dead if a body's dead, right? How does it help the medical process if he isn't in his body?

===Trivia===
*The episode begins with a narrative voice-over from [[Victor Caroli]]. Most such narratives recap events from previous episodes; however, this one is solely to introduce the episode's opening events. After a couple more tries ("[[Day of the Machines]]", "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]"), this convention would be dropped entirely.
*Ratchet is standing behind Wheeljack when Wheeljack "volunteers" him to help improve Autobot X. Ratchet has a comical surprised reaction to the news. Wheeljack later looks visibly depressed that his mind transfer device has burned itself out.
*This episode features a curiously large amount of extreme close ups with the camera constantly going straight into characters' faces for no reason.
*The episode finally addresses that it's incredibly unsafe to bring a teenager to a battle between two factions of giant robot killing machines. Except that Spike continues to tag along in the future...
*Thirty years later, the device which accomplished the consciousness transfer was given a name in the pages of [[Ask Vector Prime]]... the [[Cortexitron]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Frankenstein chez les Autobots'''" ("Frankenstein among the Autobots")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode is one of those that has never been released on DVD in French.
::*[[Albert Augier]], [[Jacques Ferrière]] and [[Georges Atlas]] are all absent from this episode, depriving the usual dub of many characters. Some of them are taken over by the other regular members of the cast, like the narrator, Sideswipe and Ratchet, while a yet unidentified actor comes to the rescue to voice Sparkplug, Soundwave, Reflector and Starscream.
::*When Optimus Prime names all the Autobots to transform, he skips Windcharger.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il mostro Frankenstein'''" ("The Frankenstein Monster")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Prowl is misnamed as Ratchet at the beginning.

:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''L'Autobot Spike'''" ("The Autobot Spike")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Frankenstein Spike'''" (フランケンシュタイン・スパイク)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 14]], [[1985]]
:**This episode was actually broadcast in Japan ''before'' it aired in the United States; one of the few episodes of ''The Transformers'' to do so.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Qìchērén Spike'''" (汽车人斯派克, "Autobot Spike")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Autobot Spike'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1994]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1998]] — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2002]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2003]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Bumper Collection Special (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2008]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 03: Stagione Due Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=15mn7Wvxrb0qc5vTZKRVjPyAXX-M6jQmC Episode dialogue script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/the-transformers-mp-700-16-autobot_5.html Gallery of storyboards for Act II of this episode]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Kaname Production

2023-11-16T01:23:54Z

Valkyriesdf1: Created page with "'''Kaname Production''' (株式会社カナメプロダクション ''Kabushiki-gaisha Kanamē Purodakushon'') was an animation studio based in Tokyo, Japan that was establish..."

'''Kaname Production''' (株式会社カナメプロダクション ''Kabushiki-gaisha Kanamē Purodakushon'') was an animation studio based in Tokyo, Japan that was established in Spring [[1982]] by former [[Ashi Productions]] animators. In terms of anime, they are known for producing obscure original shows such as ''{{w|Plawres Sanshiro}}'', ''{{w|Birth (1984 film)|Birth}}'' , ''{{w|Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko}}'', and ''{{w|Windaria}}''.

In regards to Transformers, founding studio member and Kaname mechanical designer [[Shohei Kohara]], responsible for mechanical designs on the aforementioned anime, designed the earliest Transformers [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]] at the animation studio. Additionally, Kaname provided animation work on the original cartoon as a subcontractor for [[Toei Animation]].

By [[1988]], the Kaname Productions changed its name to "Diva Co., Ltd." shortly before filing for bankruptcy.

==''Transformers'' work==
*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Initial [[character model|mechanical designs]] by [[Shohei Kohara]]
**Season 1 (1 episode, [[Transport to Oblivion]])
**Season 2 (1 episode, [[Autobot Spike]])

==External links==
*[https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A%E3%83%A1%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%83%80%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3 Kaname Production on Japanese Wikipedia]
*[https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=739 Kaname Production on Anime News Network]

[[Category:Animation companies]]

ShÅhei Kohara

2023-11-16T00:51:04Z

Valkyriesdf1:

'''Shōhei Kohara''' (小原渉平 ''Kohara Shōhei'') was an artist, animator, and mechanical designer from the Japanese animation studio [[Kaname Production]], providing designs and artwork for all of their anime such as ''{{w|Plawres Sanshiro}}'', ''{{w|Birth (1984 film)|Birth}}'' , ''{{w|Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko}}'', and ''{{w|Windaria}}''. He translated the earliest Transformers' toy designs into [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]]. Having founded Kaname Production in 1982 alongside several fellow animators, Kohara's studio had previously provided designs for prior [[Toei Animation]] robot anime, such as ''{{w|Lightspeed Electroid Albegas}}'' and ''{{w|Video Warrior Laserion}}''. According to fellow Kaname Production member and Transformers animator Kazuhiro Ochi, Kohara created the initial eight Transformers animation models at Kaname's studio during Albegas's broadcasting period. While making the models, Kohara placed [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s toys on a 360° turntable to aid in translating them to animation.<ref>https://twitter.com/kazuhiro_ochi/status/1401499791603863557?t=JZz-wXbLZQnl_RzZWc803Q&s=19</ref>

Indications are that Kohara designed the first animation models for the characters who appeared in the original [[Commercial/Generation 1|1984 Transformers commercials]], likely having been commissioned directly by Toei (rather than [[Hasbro]] or [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]) no differently from their previous anime collaborations. His designs were simplified for the commercial animation by [[Floro Dery]], who generally removed wheels in robot mode and enlarged the characters' heads; Dery would revise the models further for the cartoon, and would go on to design most new Transformers characters for the series.

The most notably different of Kohara's designs was [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s, which he based on a prototype image of the toy, rather than the finished figure. Dery's modified version of the design, seen in the commercials and early issues of the Marvel comic, retained many of the distinctly-different details from Kohara's model, such as the head and fusion cannon; Dery's second revision, for the cartoon,altered these elements to better match the toy.

[[Image:Kohara Autobots.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].]]

[[Image:Kohara Decepticons.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].]]

==External links==
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=30024 Anime News Network profile]
*[https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A%E3%83%A1%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%83%80%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3 Kaname Production on Japanese Wikipedia]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1353408/ Internet Movie Database profile]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shōhei, Kohara}}
[[Category:Generation 1 designers|Kohara, Shohei]]
[[Category: Illustrators|Kohara, Shohei]]

ShÅhei Kohara

2023-11-15T19:11:13Z

Valkyriesdf1: /* External links */

'''Shōhei Kohara''' (小原渉平 ''Kohara Shōhei'') was an artist, animator, and mechanical designer from the Japanese animation studio Kaname Production, providing designs and artwork for all of their anime such as ''{{w|Plawres Sanshiro}}'', ''{{w|Birth (1984 film)|Birth}}'' , ''{{w|Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko}}'', and ''{{w|Windaria}}''. He translated the earliest Transformers' toy designs into [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]]. Having founded Kaname Production in 1982 alongside several fellow animators, Kohara's studio had previously provided designs for prior [[Toei Animation]] robot anime, such as ''{{w|Lightspeed Electroid Albegas}}'' and ''{{w|Video Warrior Laserion}}''. According to fellow Kaname Production member and Transformers animator Kazuhiro Ochi, Kohara created the initial eight Transformers animation models at Kaname's studio during Albegas's broadcasting period. While making the models, Kohara placed [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s toys on a 360° turntable to aid in translating them to animation.<ref>https://twitter.com/kazuhiro_ochi/status/1401499791603863557?t=JZz-wXbLZQnl_RzZWc803Q&s=19</ref>

Indications are that Kohara designed the first animation models for the characters who appeared in the original [[Commercial/Generation 1|1984 Transformers commercials]], likely having been commissioned directly by Toei (rather than [[Hasbro]] or [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]) no differently from their previous anime collaborations. His designs were simplified for the commercial animation by [[Floro Dery]], who generally removed wheels in robot mode and enlarged the characters' heads; Dery would revise the models further for the cartoon, and would go on to design most new Transformers characters for the series.

The most notably different of Kohara's designs was [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s, which he based on a prototype image of the toy, rather than the finished figure. Dery's modified version of the design, seen in the commercials and early issues of the Marvel comic, retained many of the distinctly-different details from Kohara's model, such as the head and fusion cannon; Dery's second revision, for the cartoon,altered these elements to better match the toy.

[[Image:Kohara Autobots.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].]]

[[Image:Kohara Decepticons.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].]]

==External links==
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=30024 Anime News Network profile]
*[https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A%E3%83%A1%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%83%80%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3 Kaname Production on Japanese Wikipedia]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1353408/ Internet Movie Database profile]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shōhei, Kohara}}
[[Category:Generation 1 designers|Kohara, Shohei]]
[[Category: Illustrators|Kohara, Shohei]]

ShÅhei Kohara

2023-11-15T19:06:43Z

Valkyriesdf1:

'''Shōhei Kohara''' (小原渉平 ''Kohara Shōhei'') was an artist, animator, and mechanical designer from the Japanese animation studio Kaname Production, providing designs and artwork for all of their anime such as ''{{w|Plawres Sanshiro}}'', ''{{w|Birth (1984 film)|Birth}}'' , ''{{w|Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko}}'', and ''{{w|Windaria}}''. He translated the earliest Transformers' toy designs into [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]]. Having founded Kaname Production in 1982 alongside several fellow animators, Kohara's studio had previously provided designs for prior [[Toei Animation]] robot anime, such as ''{{w|Lightspeed Electroid Albegas}}'' and ''{{w|Video Warrior Laserion}}''. According to fellow Kaname Production member and Transformers animator Kazuhiro Ochi, Kohara created the initial eight Transformers animation models at Kaname's studio during Albegas's broadcasting period. While making the models, Kohara placed [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s toys on a 360° turntable to aid in translating them to animation.<ref>https://twitter.com/kazuhiro_ochi/status/1401499791603863557?t=JZz-wXbLZQnl_RzZWc803Q&s=19</ref>

Indications are that Kohara designed the first animation models for the characters who appeared in the original [[Commercial/Generation 1|1984 Transformers commercials]], likely having been commissioned directly by Toei (rather than [[Hasbro]] or [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]) no differently from their previous anime collaborations. His designs were simplified for the commercial animation by [[Floro Dery]], who generally removed wheels in robot mode and enlarged the characters' heads; Dery would revise the models further for the cartoon, and would go on to design most new Transformers characters for the series.

The most notably different of Kohara's designs was [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s, which he based on a prototype image of the toy, rather than the finished figure. Dery's modified version of the design, seen in the commercials and early issues of the Marvel comic, retained many of the distinctly-different details from Kohara's model, such as the head and fusion cannon; Dery's second revision, for the cartoon,altered these elements to better match the toy.

[[Image:Kohara Autobots.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].]]

[[Image:Kohara Decepticons.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].]]

==External links==
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=30024 Anime News Network profile]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1353408/ Internet Movie Database profile]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shōhei, Kohara}}
[[Category:Generation 1 designers|Kohara, Shohei]]
[[Category: Illustrators|Kohara, Shohei]]

Toei Animation

2023-11-15T19:05:26Z

Valkyriesdf1:

[[File:Toei Animation logo svg.png|right|200px|thumb]]

'''Toei Animation Co., Ltd''' (東映アニメーション株式会社 ''Tōei Animēshon Kabushiki-gaisha'') is an animation studio based in Japan that was established on [[January 23]], [[1948]], and {{w|Toei Company|Toei Company, Ltd}}. is the largest shareholder. In terms of anime, they are known for animating shows such as ''Devilman'', ''[[Stephanie Sheh|Sailor Moon]]'', ''Golion'' (aka ''Voltron''), ''[[Mazinger Z]]'' (aka ''Tranzor Z''), ''Getter Robo'', the ''Dragon Ball'' franchise, ''One Piece'', ''Digimon'', ''Fist of the North Star'', ''Kinnikuman'', ''World Trigger'' and among many, ''many'' more titles to count.

In the 1980s, American animated series were frequently outsourced to Toei (though Toei abruptly discontinued the practice in 1989). Some American cartoons Toei animated include ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', ''The Real [[Ghostbusters]]'', the first season of the original ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', ''[[Spider-Man]] and his Amazing Friends'', ''Pryde of the [[X-Men]]'', ''[[Inhumanoids]]'', ''[[My Little Pony]]'', ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[Robotix]]'', ''Dungeons & Dragons'', and a small number of just about every other show you can think of.

==''Transformers'' work==
*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Season 1 (16 episodes)<ref name="S123">[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 2 (39 episodes)<ref name="S123"/>
**Season 3 (13 episodes)<ref name="S123"/>
**Original and revised [[character model|character design]]s
**[[Title sequence]]s, seasons 1, 2, 4 (partial, recycled animation), 5 (recycled animation)
**[[Storyboard]]s
**[[Commercial/Generation 1|Toy commercial]]s, 1984 - 1987
**[[Commercial bumper]]s, seasons 1, 2
**[[Public service announcement]]s, 5 total

*''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''

*"[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]" (OVA)

*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' (35 episodes, plus [[clip show]]s)

*''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]'' (43 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory]]'' (38 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Transformers: Zone]]'' (OVA)

*''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]''
**"[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]" (hosted by Toei Company*)

*''[[1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair]]''
**"[[Cutting Edge]]" (hosted by Toei Company*)

(*Toei Company is Toei Animation's parent company that handles the distribution of their studios' work as well as the occasional project by other studios).

==The trouble with Toei==
Perhaps unflatteringly, Toei is notorious among Western anime distributors for being difficult to work with. For distributors releasing their material outside of Japan, Toei often refuses to provide quality video masters. The masters they ''do'' provide are routine of the inferior picture and sound quality, and sometimes are even ''incomplete'' in their material.

The masters for ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon Toei provided to [[Metrodome]], [[Madman Entertainment]] and [[Shout! Factory]] for Western release contained none of the before credits recaps and next episode segments. This was unfortunate, as some of those segments contained new content and not just clips. The ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' masters provided by Toei did not include the [[clip show]] episodes; while this would not normally be a serious issue, in the case of ''Masterforce'' the clip shows were vital for making the rather convoluted plot of that series coherent.

For their US release of ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization|Scramble City]]'', [[Sony]] was provided the video but refused the audio track, forcing them to replace it with a non-optional audio commentary. Metrodome and Madman Entertainment circumvented Toei entirely, releasing a low-quality fansubbed version of the OVA with burnt-in subtitles. Shout! Factory attempted to negotiate with them professionally but was outright denied in their request for ''Scramble City'', leaving them no choice but to omit it from their releases of US and Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons.

Toei later denied Shout! Factory a distribution license for the ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]'' OVA. How Metrodome and Madman Entertainment got around them is unknown, though they likely used an unlicensed copy of ''Zone'' as they did with ''Scramble City''.

Toei's stubbornness to cooperate with Western distributors is infamous outside of ''Transformers''. Western distribution of ''Sailor Moon'' material was forbidden for many years after both DiC & Cloverway's licenses lapsed in 2005, and even before that they never granted permission for the final season of that series (''Sailor Stars'') to be distributed in North America by either entity. Toei continued refusing new potential ''Sailor Moon'' licensees until Viz Media (a Japanese-owned company) finally worked something out in 2014. Toei rigorously oversees the localization of ''Digimon'' material in Western markets, often forbidding necessary edits or forcing inexplicable changes. Just about the only Western distributor they ''do'' get along with is Funimation (now part of the Sony-owned Crunchyroll), the licensee for almost everything ''Dragon Ball'', ''One Piece'', and ''Toriko'', but that most likely has to do with the company's founder, Gen Fukunaga, whose uncle had been a Toei producer in the past.<ref>https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE/InfoFor/AlumniAndFriends/OECE/2003/fukunaga.whtml</ref>

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

==External links==
* [http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/ Toei Animation's Official English-language Website]
* {{w|Toei Animation|Toei Animation on Wikipedia}}

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Toei Animation

2023-11-15T19:01:32Z

Valkyriesdf1:

[[File:Toei Animation logo svg.png|right|200px|thumb]]

'''Toei Animation Co., Ltd''' (東映アニメーション株式会社 ''Tōei Animēshon Kabushiki-gaisha'') is an animation studio based in Japan that was established on [[January 23]], [[1948]], and {{w|Toei Company|Toei Company, Ltd}}. is the largest shareholder. In terms of anime, they are known for animating shows such as ''Devilman'', ''[[Stephanie Sheh|Sailor Moon]]'', ''Golion'' (aka ''Voltron''), ''[[Mazinger Z]]'' (aka ''Tranzor Z''), ''Getter Robo'', the ''Dragon Ball'' franchise, ''One Piece'', ''Digimon'', ''Fist of the North Star'', ''Kinnikuman'', ''World Trigger'' and among many, ''many'' more titles to count.

In the 1980s, American animated series were frequently outsourced to Toei (though Toei abruptly discontinued the practice in 1989). Some American cartoons Toei animated include ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', ''The Real [[Ghostbusters]]'', the first season of the original ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', ''[[Spider-Man]] and his Amazing Friends'', ''Pryde of the [[X-Men]]'', ''[[Inhumanoids]]'', ''[[My Little Pony]]'', ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[Robotix]]'', ''Dungeons & Dragons'', and a small number of just about every other show you can think of.

==''Transformers'' work==
*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Season 1 (16 episodes)<ref name="S123">[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 2 (39 episodes)<ref name="S123"/>
**Season 3 (13 episodes)<ref name="S123"/>
**[[Title sequence]]s, seasons 1, 2, 4 (partial, recycled animation), 5 (recycled animation)
**[[Storyboard]]s
**[[Commercial/Generation 1|Toy commercial]]s, 1984 - 1987
**[[Commercial bumper]]s, seasons 1, 2
**[[Public service announcement]]s, 5 total

*''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''

*"[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]" (OVA)

*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' (35 episodes, plus [[clip show]]s)

*''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]'' (43 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory]]'' (38 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Transformers: Zone]]'' (OVA)

*''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]''
**"[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]" (hosted by Toei Company*)

*''[[1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair]]''
**"[[Cutting Edge]]" (hosted by Toei Company*)

(*Toei Company is Toei Animation's parent company that handles the distribution of their studios' work as well as the occasional project by other studios).

==The trouble with Toei==
Perhaps unflatteringly, Toei is notorious among Western anime distributors for being difficult to work with. For distributors releasing their material outside of Japan, Toei often refuses to provide quality video masters. The masters they ''do'' provide are routine of the inferior picture and sound quality, and sometimes are even ''incomplete'' in their material.

The masters for ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon Toei provided to [[Metrodome]], [[Madman Entertainment]] and [[Shout! Factory]] for Western release contained none of the before credits recaps and next episode segments. This was unfortunate, as some of those segments contained new content and not just clips. The ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' masters provided by Toei did not include the [[clip show]] episodes; while this would not normally be a serious issue, in the case of ''Masterforce'' the clip shows were vital for making the rather convoluted plot of that series coherent.

For their US release of ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization|Scramble City]]'', [[Sony]] was provided the video but refused the audio track, forcing them to replace it with a non-optional audio commentary. Metrodome and Madman Entertainment circumvented Toei entirely, releasing a low-quality fansubbed version of the OVA with burnt-in subtitles. Shout! Factory attempted to negotiate with them professionally but was outright denied in their request for ''Scramble City'', leaving them no choice but to omit it from their releases of US and Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons.

Toei later denied Shout! Factory a distribution license for the ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]'' OVA. How Metrodome and Madman Entertainment got around them is unknown, though they likely used an unlicensed copy of ''Zone'' as they did with ''Scramble City''.

Toei's stubbornness to cooperate with Western distributors is infamous outside of ''Transformers''. Western distribution of ''Sailor Moon'' material was forbidden for many years after both DiC & Cloverway's licenses lapsed in 2005, and even before that they never granted permission for the final season of that series (''Sailor Stars'') to be distributed in North America by either entity. Toei continued refusing new potential ''Sailor Moon'' licensees until Viz Media (a Japanese-owned company) finally worked something out in 2014. Toei rigorously oversees the localization of ''Digimon'' material in Western markets, often forbidding necessary edits or forcing inexplicable changes. Just about the only Western distributor they ''do'' get along with is Funimation (now part of the Sony-owned Crunchyroll), the licensee for almost everything ''Dragon Ball'', ''One Piece'', and ''Toriko'', but that most likely has to do with the company's founder, Gen Fukunaga, whose uncle had been a Toei producer in the past.<ref>https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE/InfoFor/AlumniAndFriends/OECE/2003/fukunaga.whtml</ref>

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

==External links==
* [http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/ Toei Animation's Official English-language Website]
* {{w|Toei Animation|Toei Animation on Wikipedia}}

[[Category:Animation companies]]

ShÅhei Kohara

2023-11-15T18:59:15Z

Valkyriesdf1:

'''Shōhei Kohara''' (小原渉平 ''Kohara Shōhei'') was an artist, animator, and mechanical designer from the Japanese animation studio Kaname Production, providing designs and artwork for all of the anime such as ''{{w|Plawres Sanshiro}}'', ''{{w|Birth (1984 film)|Birth}}'' , ''{{w|Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko}}'', and ''{{w|Windaria}}''. He translated the earliest Transformers' toy designs into [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]]. Having founded Kaname Production in 1982 alongside several fellow animators, Kohara's studio had previously provided designs for prior [[Toei Animation]] robot anime, such as ''{{w|Lightspeed Electroid Albegas}}'' and ''{{w|Video Warrior Laserion}}''. According to fellow Kaname Production member and Transformers animator Kazuhiro Ochi, Kohara created the initial eight Transformers animation models at Kaname's studio during Albegas's broadcasting period. While making the models, Kohara placed [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s toys on a 360° turntable to aid in translating them to animation.<ref>https://twitter.com/kazuhiro_ochi/status/1401499791603863557?t=JZz-wXbLZQnl_RzZWc803Q&s=19</ref>

Indications are that Kohara designed the first animation models for the characters who appeared in the original [[Commercial/Generation 1|1984 Transformers commercials]], likely having been commissioned directly by Toei (rather than [[Hasbro]] or [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]) no differently from their previous anime collaborations. His designs were simplified for the commercial animation by [[Floro Dery]], who generally removed wheels in robot mode and enlarged the characters' heads; Dery would revise the models further for the cartoon, and would go on to design most new Transformers characters for the series.

The most notably different of Kohara's designs was [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s, which he based on a prototype image of the toy, rather than the finished figure. Dery's modified version of the design, seen in the commercials and early issues of the Marvel comic, retained many of the distinctly-different details from Kohara's model, such as the head and fusion cannon; Dery's second revision, for the cartoon,altered these elements to better match the toy.

[[Image:Kohara Autobots.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].]]

[[Image:Kohara Decepticons.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].]]

==External links==
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=30024 Anime News Network profile]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1353408/ Internet Movie Database profile]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shōhei, Kohara}}
[[Category:Generation 1 designers|Kohara, Shohei]]
[[Category: Illustrators|Kohara, Shohei]]

ShÅhei Kohara

2023-11-15T18:40:31Z

Valkyriesdf1: grammar

'''Shōhei Kohara''' (小原渉平 ''Kohara Shōhei'') was an artist, animator, and mechanical designer from Kaname Productions, who translated the earliest Transformers' toy designs into [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]]. Having formed Kaname Productions in 1982 alongside several fellow animators, Kohara's studio had previously provided designs for prior [[Toei Animation]] robot anime, such as ''{{w|Lightspeed Electroid Albegas}}'' and ''{{w|Video Warrior Laserion}}''. According to fellow Kaname Productions member and Transformers animator Kazuhiro Ochi, Kohara created the initial eight Transformers animation models at Kaname's studio during Albegas's broadcasting period. While making the models, Kohara placed [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s toys on a 360° turntable to aid in translating them to animation.<ref>https://twitter.com/kazuhiro_ochi/status/1401499791603863557?t=JZz-wXbLZQnl_RzZWc803Q&s=19</ref>

Indications are that Kohara designed the first animation models for the characters who appeared in the original [[Commercial/Generation 1|1984 Transformers commercials]], likely having been commissioned by Toei no differently from their previous anime collaborations. His designs were simplified for the commercial animation by [[Floro Dery]], who generally removed wheels in robot mode and enlarged the characters' heads; Dery would revise the models further for the cartoon, and would go on to design most new Transformers characters for the series.

The most notably different of Kohara's designs was [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s, which he based on a prototype image of the toy, rather than the finished figure. Dery's modified version of the design, seen in the commercials and early issues of the Marvel comic, retained many of the distinctly-different details from Kohara's model, such as the head and fusion cannon; Dery's second revision, for the cartoon,altered these elements to better match the toy.

[[Image:Kohara Autobots.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].]]

[[Image:Kohara Decepticons.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].]]

==External links==
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=30024 Anime News Network profile]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1353408/ Internet Movie Database profile]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shōhei, Kohara}}
[[Category:Generation 1 designers|Kohara, Shohei]]
[[Category: Illustrators|Kohara, Shohei]]

ShÅhei Kohara

2023-11-15T18:38:18Z

Valkyriesdf1: Fixed errors in Kohara's career. Provided further details on his Transformers work.

'''Shōhei Kohara''' (小原渉平 ''Kohara Shōhei'') was an artist, animator, and mechanical designer from Kaname Productions, who translated the earliest Transformers' toy designs into [[character model]]s that formed the basis of the designs used in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon series]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic books]]. Having formed Kaname Productions in 1982 alongside several fellow animators, Kohara's studio had previously provided designs for prior [[Toei Animation]] robot anime, such as ''{{w|Lightspeed Electroid Albegas}}'' and ''{{w|Video Warrior Laserion}}''. According to fellow Kaname Productions member and Transformers animator Kazuhiro Ochi, Kohara created the initial eight Transformers animation models at Kaname's studio during Albegas's broadcasting period. While making the models, Kohara utilized a 360° turntable to aid in translating [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s toys to animation.<ref>https://twitter.com/kazuhiro_ochi/status/1401499791603863557?t=JZz-wXbLZQnl_RzZWc803Q&s=19</ref>

Indications are that Kohara designed the first animation models for the characters who appeared in the original [[Commercial/Generation 1|1984 Transformers commercials]], likely having been commissioned by Toei no differently from their previous anime collaborations. His designs were simplified for the commercial animation by [[Floro Dery]], who generally removed wheels in robot mode and enlarged the characters' heads; Dery would revise the models further for the cartoon, and would go on to design most new Transformers characters for the series.

The most notably different of Kohara's designs was [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s, which he based on a prototype image of the toy, rather than the finished figure. Dery's modified version of the design, seen in the commercials and early issues of the Marvel comic, retained many of the distinctly-different details from Kohara's model, such as the head and fusion cannon; Dery's second revision, for the cartoon,altered these elements to better match the toy.

[[Image:Kohara Autobots.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].]]

[[Image:Kohara Decepticons.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Kohara's designs for [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].]]

==External links==
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=30024 Anime News Network profile]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1353408/ Internet Movie Database profile]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shōhei, Kohara}}
[[Category:Generation 1 designers|Kohara, Shohei]]
[[Category: Illustrators|Kohara, Shohei]]

User talk:Valkyriesdf1

2018-09-05T20:45:52Z

Valkyriesdf1: Blanked the page

MediaWiki talk:Community Portal

2018-09-05T20:45:22Z

Valkyriesdf1: /* Transformers The Movie final character model artist */ new section

__NEWSECTIONLINK__

This is the place for discussion of topics that affect the entire wiki. Some topics that would ordinarily be here have merited their own pages:

{{chapters|title=Specific Discussion Subjects|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">'''Moving From Wikia:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Arriving|Arriving]]
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Leaving|Leaving]]
* [[Transformers Wiki:Community Portal/Complaints|Complaints]]
 <div class="list-header">'''New Ad Policy:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki:Ads|Ads]]
 <div class="list-header">'''Bookworm Database-Crash:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Damage Control Central|Damage Control Central]]
* [[Project:Bookworm Crash]]
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Leaving2|Leaving Take 2]]
 <div class="list-header">'''Server Move:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Arriving2|Arriving Take 2]]
 <div class="list-header">'''Relicensing:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Relicensing|Relicensing]]
 <div class="list-header">'''Dealing With Vandalism:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Vandalism|Vandalism]]
 <div class="list-header">'''GoBots Sister Wiki:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/GoBots|Discussion on the place of GoBots in this wiki]]
 <div class="list-header">'''Wiki Technical Information:'''</div>
* [[Transformers_Wiki:Tech|A Not So Brief Summary of the Horrible Things That McFly and Co. Have Done To Keep This Wiki From Melting Down]]
}} 

{{:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}/Archive}}


== IDW first appearances on character pages ==

Why are these being added? Are similar additions going to be made for other continuities? They seem pretty useless and silly to me.--[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 12:06, 18 June 2018 (EDT)
:[[#"First appearances" on IDW pages|Well this is awkward.]] -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 14:09, 18 June 2018 (EDT)
::That proposal was for making notes about first appearances on the pages of the fiction, not the characters. I have no opinion on that. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 14:29, 18 June 2018 (EDT)

Anyhow, M Sipher stated in the Allspark discussion thread that given the tendency of IDW continuity to show characters out of chronological sequence, it would be useful to list first real world appearances. [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 14:37, 18 June 2018 (EDT)

:It's been brought up on Twitter as a problem with "nerd wikis" in general to value in-universe event order over real-world reading/experience order to the Nth degree, often to the detriment of not-already-hugely-invested readers. While we do compare favorably to most (take note that Wookiepeedia wedges licensed video game events directly into a character's main timeline, like, ''right in the middle of the movie story''), something as simple as finding a character's first appearance in real-world reading order shouldn't be a chore requiring digging and multi-link jumping. ''Generally'' any given chunk of Transformers media's diagetic and real-world chronologies have lined up pretty well and it hasn't been much of an issue, as most of the prequel/backfills are spinoff media and we split those into their own subsections. But IDW, particularly after "phase two" started, '''''really''''' bounces around its own timeline; the example given was that Grimlock's IDW writeup starts with a material published four years after his first appearance.
:This seems like a thing the larger IDW character sections need, a simple "start here". Honestly we should probably take a look at the IDW-as-a-publisher/continuity pages and see about making the real-world publishing list a bit more easily-found/readable (it's kind of a morass of text). It's unlikely we'll need this for most of the fiction sections of character pages, since most fictions are relatively straightforward. But IDW is an exception. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 16:39, 18 June 2018 (EDT)
:Seems like that would be better served with an Appearances section with all entries in chronological release order. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 05:29, 19 June 2018 (EDT)
::That could get excessive for some of the more popular characters. The simple "First Appearance" entry at the top of their IDW fiction section seems just fine to me. -- [[User:Dark T Zeratul|Dark T Zeratul]] ([[User talk:Dark T Zeratul|talk]]) 17:24, 4 July 2018 (EDT)
:::To me, just saying "their IDW first appearance was here" seems pretty pointless and useless if we're not going to tell the reader what comes after. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 19:54, 4 July 2018 (EDT)
::::I concur with MSipher etc. that this is useful and valid, given the achronal order of IDW's reading (I was rather startled while looking at the timeline last night to be reminded that events in ''Lost Light'' are only up to ~TAAO #9!) - [[User:TBR|TBR]] ([[User talk:TBR|talk]]) 22:06, 4 July 2018 (EDT)
:::::Still not sure what good telling me "His first issue was X" is if you don't then tell me "His second issue is Y" and so on. Also, why would it get excessive? Just a summary list, not necessarily linked out. Like this:
:::::Appearances
::::::First Title #7, 10
::::::Second Title #1-3
::::::First Title #13-25 --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 10:28, 15 August 2018 (EDT)
I see Wookieepedia was brought up as an example of a bad nerd wiki, but do you know what they do? [https://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Luke_Skywalker#Appearances Sensible appearance lists.] Make it a subsection (for IDW or whatever) and list in publishing order and you basically get what everybody wants. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 11:57, 23 August 2018 (EDT)
:Except "everybody" doesn't want comprehensive appearance lists. Some people do, but others ''don't'', and for some characters (like Optimus frex.) this would result in some ''serious'' bloat. - [[User:TBR|TBR]] ([[User talk:TBR|talk]]) 03:11, 24 August 2018 (EDT)
::It gives you the "first appearance", which is what some people want. And how is "bloat" relevant here with a scrollbox like Wookieepedia? [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 03:30, 24 August 2018 (EDT)

== YouTube template ==

I've noticed we've got a few hundred pages with different links to YouTube videos, and with more and more fiction being released via Hasbro's or other parties' YouTube channels, it might not hurt to have a template we can use to make the process easier and cleaner. I've got a [[User:Cyberlink420/sandbox|draft]] going on my sandbox; as it stands now, it'll be a basic "'Name of video' on YouTube", link, with options to add the channel name at the end or add your own text in place of the generated linktext, but I figured I'd get opinions first. Is this something people would use, and if so, should the format be changed at all? -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 15:51, 10 July 2018 (EDT)

==Uglydolls page question==
Hey, I'm still a bit shaky on this wiki, but I found that Uglydolls did an official collab with Transformers for the 2018 SDCC this year, with uploaded pictures for proof (in my contributions). I was wondering how a page should be handled for these. Thanks in advance! --[[User:ZootyCutie|ZootyCutie]] ([[User talk:ZootyCutie|talk]]) 16:25, 19 July 2018 (EDT)
: I would suggest making entries for each of the dolls on the Merchandise pages for [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/merchandise|Bumblebee]]. If you think it's warranted, perhaps make a company page for Uglydolls as well that links to those two entries. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 17:46, 19 July 2018 (EDT)
:: All right, thanks for the help! --[[User:ZootyCutie|ZootyCutie]] ([[User talk:ZootyCutie|talk]]) 19:05, 19 July 2018 (EDT)

== Transformers Armada [PS2] - Demo / Alpha / Unreleased Material ==

I've recently gone on a deep dive into the 2004 Armada PS2 game, primarily to get a copy of the complete soundtrack but also to see whether any unreleased material existed for the project. In my travels, I've come across several demo versions and an Alpha Version of the game that contains stuff like:

A bunch of unreleased music, An official instrumental of the Transformers Armada TV Theme, Voice Clips not used in the final game, The in-house audio-cues done before recording dialogue with the voice actors, Material from Star Wars Episode II and The Transformers: The Movie (1986), Early video material and artwork, as well as string files giving an earlier glimpse of what could have been.

And this is what I've found and been able to access, record and convert so far! I'm slowly dumping everything onto Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO5pmQ0j-aD0Yctrjk_KFhw], but I'd have no idea how to add this info to the Wiki, as it's all pretty disparate, and the game page as it stands now is pretty simple in it's construction.

I'd love to hear your thoughts as to how and structure this information, as well as your thoughts on the actual material.

Cheers!

== Listing product names with Japanese words ==

Currently, both [[Unicron of Light]] toys are listed on that page with a direct transliteration of the Japanese words in the item name, but [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#MP29Plus|MP-29+ Defense Officer Shockwave]] is listed on his page by a translation of the Japanese words. Er, we should have some kind of consistency in this, no? [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 22:54, 16 August 2018 (EDT)
:Don't the Masterpiece toys always have Latin text on them? [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 14:48, 17 August 2018 (EDT)

== Underlining continuity headers ==

Of late, Sipher has tested underlining major continuity headers in fiction sections, as can be seen on "[[Toaster]]" and "[[Cybertronian colonies]]". How does everyone feel about utilizing this feature on pages? [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 21:41, 18 August 2018 (EDT)
:Oppose.--[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 22:03, 18 August 2018 (EDT)
:I like it. It makes it way easier to sort through the information being presented; the various headers can get pretty overwhelming, and this helps a lot. -[[User:Foffy the Sheep|Foffy]] ([[User talk:Foffy the Sheep|talk]]) 00:52, 19 August 2018 (EDT)
:Anything with multiple <nowiki>===</nowiki> and <nowiki>====</nowiki> level sub-headers becomes a bog-down where the text size and bolding between the two is so minimally different that telling where one <nowiki>===</nowiki> level header ends and the next one begins becomes difficult. Underlining at the <nowiki>===</nowiki> level is a clear delineation; most anything at that header is going to be a "start-over" point, and the underline indication that the above continuity string (or jumble) is done and what follows, well, doesn't follow, but being ONLY under the text shows "we ain't done with the major <nowiki>==</nowiki> level section yet". Honestly, I'm mulling giving any text under a <nowiki>====</nowiki> or higher (we do get up to five sometimes) header an indent like we do with the toy entries for further visual shorthand of what is a sub-header of what. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 05:18, 19 August 2018 (EDT)
:Seriously opposed to this, at least the underlining. Frankly it makes the page look amateurish and my initial reaction was that something had ''broken''. - [[User:TBR|TBR]] ([[User talk:TBR|talk]]) 05:52, 19 August 2018 (EDT)
::I oppose. [[User:Notirishman|notirishman]] ([[User talk:Notirishman|talk]]) 09:08, 19 August 2018 (EDT)
:I, for one, like the look of this. [[User:Omegatron|Omegatron]] ([[User talk:Omegatron|talk]]) 18:39, 19 August 2018 (EDT)
I have to say, when the two sides to this are "it makes the information on pages clearer and easier to read" and "it is a slight bother to me and I find it vaguely aesthetically displeasing", I find the former to be a lot more compelling than the latter. Like... Cybertronian colonies reads SO much better with those underlines in place, that's infinitely more important than whatever sense of aesthetics they may offend. -[[User:Foffy the Sheep|Foffy]] ([[User talk:Foffy the Sheep|talk]]) 12:07, 19 August 2018 (EDT)
:Yeah, well that isn't just it, it's also takes much work to fix it on most of the pages on the wiki. While that wouldn't stop us normally, I see it as a "if it ain't broke, dont fix it." However, I can see Sipher's point, I personally don't feel its necessary, but that's just me. [[User:Notirishman|notirishman]] ([[User talk:Notirishman|talk]]) 14:12, 19 August 2018 (EDT)
::1. I’m pretty sure if we choose to go through with this, the underlines will be added to the site’s style sheet, thus changing all the h3 headers on every page all at once. (admins correct me if I’m wrong here). 2. I’m not really sure how to tackle the idea of improved readability being “not necessary”. Like, wearing shoes while you walk across a gravel road isn’t strictly “necessary”, but it’s a massive improvement. Just because it’s not of any noticable benefit to you in particular doesn’t mean it’s of use to anyone. -[[User:Foffy the Sheep|Foffy]] ([[User talk:Foffy the Sheep|talk]]) 15:55, 19 August 2018 (EDT)
:::Yes, this would be done via style sheet, not manually. Well, indenting (if used) would be manual but that's also far more case-by-case and less common anyway. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 16:43, 19 August 2018 (EDT)

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/User:M_Sipher/Sandbox:Subheaders Experimenting with every section having SOME text.

::::The indents are something I think is good. The underlines are not. Regarding a few lines up...please don't put words in my virtual mouth. It is not "a slight bother and vaguely aesthetically displeasing". It's "horrible looking and makes TFWiki look 1. broken or 2. like a Wikia". - [[User:TBR|TBR]] ([[User talk:TBR|talk]]) 05:55, 20 August 2018 (EDT)
:::::Would it help if the underline looked more like the horizontal bar under the level 2 headers? Like this for instance. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 06:10, 20 August 2018 (EDT)
::::::That ''is'' a bit better, but still seems "off" in general to me - part of the problem I think is that underlined stuff looks like a hyperlink. - [[User:TBR|TBR]] ([[User talk:TBR|talk]]) 06:24, 20 August 2018 (EDT)
:::::::I could support such a horizontal bar. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 07:15, 20 August 2018 (EDT)

== "Preferred" Airdate ==

Just to establish a consensus/precedent for cases like the recent Cyberverse opener: If an episode is ''officially'' released via a streaming service or storefront like iTunes or the CN app ahead of its TV premiere, which of the two dates should take preference for the "airdate" field? -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 19:43, 27 August 2018 (EDT)
:Just put both in. For RID, we put both the earlier Candian release and American release. [[User:Notirishman|notirishman]] ([[User talk:Notirishman|talk]]) 19:50, 27 August 2018 (EDT)

== Toyline sub-headers for ease of use ==

[[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Archive65#Multiple co-brandings in headings|I have brought this up before]], and I will again: scores of people think of ''Generations''-branded toys by their subline name first instead of "Generations". Ergo, is it not the point of a wiki to have a navigation style that directs people in such a utilitarian fashion? Consider [[Blackout (Movie)#Generations|''Studio Series'' Blackout]] or [[Crowbar#Generations|''Studio Series'' Crowbar]]. I can't think of any casual fan who would look at the page and expect the table of contents header "Generations" to be the one that leads them to the ''Studio Series'' figure. Should we not do something about this? Just today a non-frequent user pointed out this problem and cited the hypothetical parallel of Wikipedia eliminating "bird" and "mammal" in favor of the supercategory "amniote". [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 11:30, 31 August 2018 (EDT)

== Prime 1 Studio Statues ==

I thought the large official statues that are being created by studios like Prime 1 and Imaginarium Art should be added to the wiki so I created an account and am trying to do so but all this wiki code is confusing me. Anyone know enough about the coding to add the statues? I already added a placeholder for Optimus Primal's Prime 1 statue. https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Beast_Wars_(merchandise)#Statues -- [[User:Radi0activsquid|Radi0activsquid]] ([[User talk:Radi0activsquid|talk]]) 22:25, 02 September 2018 (CST)

== Transformers The Movie final character model artist ==

Who was responsible for creating the final character models for Transformers The Movie? It wasn't Floro Dery, the final style of the characters is too "anime-esque" for him I feel. But I can't seem to find anything on who made the finished models. Walruslaw's site has lots of the finished character model sheets, all of them are signed by "Kou" and written in Japanese. Whoever this could be I'm not sure, perhaps someone on Toei's end of the production? Here's a link to the final models http://tfraw.blogspot.com/p/g1-movie-model-sheets.html?m=1

User talk:Valkyriesdf1

2018-09-05T18:30:58Z

Valkyriesdf1: Transformers The Movie final character model artist

Who was responsible for creating the final character models for Transformers The Movie? It wasn't Floro Dery, the final style of the characters is too "anime-esque" for him I feel. But I can't seem to find anything on who made the finished models. Walruslaw's site has lots of the finished character model sheets, all of them are signed by "Kou" and written in Japanese. Whoever this could be I'm not sure, perhaps someone on Toei's end of the production? Here's a link to the final models http://tfraw.blogspot.com/p/g1-movie-model-sheets.html?m=1

MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity

Kaname Production

Kaname Production

Tatsunoko Production

Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity

Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys

The Autobot Run

Cybertron City (episode)

Microbots

Kaname Production

Kaname Production

Transport to Oblivion (episode)

Autobot Spike

Kaname Production

ShÅhei Kohara

ShÅhei Kohara

ShÅhei Kohara

Toei Animation

Toei Animation

ShÅhei Kohara

ShÅhei Kohara

ShÅhei Kohara

User talk:Valkyriesdf1

MediaWiki talk:Community Portal

User talk:Valkyriesdf1

ShÅhei Kohara

ShÅhei Kohara

ShÅhei Kohara

ShÅhei Kohara

ShÅhei Kohara

ShÅhei Kohara