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A '''franchise''', for lack of a better term, is an incarnation or "generation" of the [[Transformers brand]]. The word is used here to refer to the collection of not just [[toy]]s, but also media, merchandise, and ideas that surround each of these incarnations. Because of these other elements, the word "toyline" would not be broad enough; the toyline is just the toy component of the whole thing.


==Generation 1==
There have been many franchises over the three decades that ''Transformers'' has been around. A list follows.


{{note|"Flagship" lines—generally those containing the bulk of new-mold toys and supported by an animated cartoon and other marketing—are listed in '''bold'''. Many of the minor "franchises" are little more than toylines, either with little or no fiction, or else new iterations of previous franchises, primarily ''Generation 1''.}}
==Conceptual history==
[[File:BattleForCybertron-TheArk.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Early ''Transformers'' stories established that Transformers needed to be physically rebuilt by an external force to change their alternate modes.]]


[[File:TheTransformers_Logo.jpg|center|300px]]
The earliest ''Transformers'' stories, including the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]], [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic]], and various ancillary storybooks, depicted [[transformation]] not as an innate ability of the species; rather, it was portrayed as a sort of "upgrade" that allowed a Cybertronian to transform. As a result, the process of "scanning" as it is understood today did not exist ''per se'' in these early stories; rather, Transformers who wished to adopt a new shape would have to be manually rebuilt, generally involving a variety of shipboard facilities to do so. In some tales, such as "[[Battle for Cybertron]]," Cybertronians did not transform ''at all'' until their rebuilding at the hands of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s repair protocols after crash-landing on [[Earth]], an unexpected side-effect.  
* 1984–1991, 2001–&nbsp;: For the first eight years, there was no "franchise" as such; the brand of "'''[[The Transformers (franchise)|The Transformers]]'''" alone was used on the toyline and associated media (such as the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Sunbow cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comics]]).  When that toyline was resurrected in the early 2000s, it was retroactively dubbed '''''Generation 1'''''.  New ''Generation 1'' media and toys continue to be produced to this day.


*1990–1991: ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' was the name of a ''Generation 1'' subline in Europe and Australia, reissuing many toys originating from 1984 through 1987.{{-}}
It was the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon, however, that first detailed a specific mechanism by which a Transformer could change their alternate mode: shipboard [[DNA scanner]]s allowed the various [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon]]s to adopt the forms of native organisms while marooned on prehistoric [[Earth]], using an external [[CR chamber]] to finalize the procedure. The sequel series, ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', would lay the groundwork for the finalization of this concept through the character of [[Nightscream]], revealed in the episode "[[Survivor]]" to have directly integrated all of the necessary hardware directly into his chassis—the in-universe explanation being that this was a product of the "[[Quantum Cycle Upgrade]]" that occurred while [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and company were away from Cybertron. With this, Nightscream could directly scan any compatible lifeform and instantaneously make the necessary alterations to his body, though this ability was never displayed on-screen as a result of him becoming a [[technorganic]] shortly thereafter. Japanese-original Beast Era fiction would follow through on this idea, unanimously depicting their casts of characters as able to pick up new altmodes "on the fly."


[[File:G2Logo.jpg|center|300px]]
The next series, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', would take the concept to its logical conclusion by unanimously depicting ''all'' Transformers as having this built-in ability. It is in this form that the concept of "scanning" has more-or-less persevered into the present day, and would be most famously depicted in the [[live-action film series]] as the means by which both Autobots and Decepticons assumed their terrestrial alternate modes after landing on Earth.  
* 1993–1995: '''''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''''' was a relaunch of the toy line, a mix of old and new toy designs. A new comic continued the story of the Marvel ''Generation 1'' comics, while the ''Generation 1'' cartoon was re-edited and rebroadcast. {{-}}


[[File:BWlogo.jpg|center|300px]]
{{-}}
* 1996–2001: '''''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars: Transformers]]''''' changed the direction of the line with robots that changed into "realistically"-styled animals and soon moved into other varieties of animal-[[Alternate mode|alt-mode]] robots. It was supported by a CGI cartoon.{{-}}


[[File:MW logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|MW logo.jpg|300x120px]]
==Fiction==
* 1997: ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers]]'' was a limited line of redecorated older toys, released to capitalize on the popularity of ''Beast Wars''. Fiction was limited to on-package [[bio]]s.
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
[[File:Toaster ark.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]


* 1999: ''[[Animorphs]]'' was a short-lived franchise using the ''Transformers'' name but unrelated with regard to fictional backstory. As this line was in support of a non-Transformers fictional universe, no specific fiction was tied to the toy line. {{-}}
Autonomous systems aboard the Autobot starship ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' gathered data on native lifeforms using autonomous probes, and its shipboard facilities could manually disassemble and rebuilt Cybertronians into a new configuration to disguise themselves. It first did this four million years ago, shortly after its crash on prehistoric [[Earth]];  detecting [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] in the [[Savage Land]], the ''Ark'' obtained information on the region's ancient creatures and reconstructed [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and four other warriors into [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]]s. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}  


[[File:BeastMachines Logo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
During the [[1984]] eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]], the reactivated ''Ark'' mistook human machines for the dominant life-form, and rebuilt all of the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s aboard the ship into suitable Earth forms. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} Through a similar process, [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]'s Cybertron-bound Decepticons rebuilt [[Spanner (G1)|Spanner]] into a [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} Future arrivals on Earth would adopt suitable altmodes through manual rebuilds. Some Transformers bypassed the process by encoding their minds onto [[crystalline containment vessel]]s; once [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] decided they needed reinforcements, the ''Ark'' simply constructed a suitable Earth body for the Transformers in question, at which point the Autobots uploaded the mental engrams of their comrades into these new forms. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}
* 2000–2001: '''''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines: Transformers]]''''' continued the directions of ''Beast Wars'' and added futuristic vehicles to the mix. The latter portion of this franchise was subtitled "The Battle for the Spark". Like ''Beast Wars'', it was supported by a CGI cartoon.{{-}}


[[File:123tflogo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
====Cartoon continuities====
* 2001–2002: ''[[1-2-3 Transformers]]'' was a short-lived line of large, simple toys aimed at younger children. The line's niche was later filled by the ''Go-Bots'' line. No fiction exists for this franchise.  
[[File:MTMtE Part1 Prime repair.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Wake up, Prime! Don't make me use this to wake you up."]]


[[File:RIDlogo.png|right|300x120px]]
Transformers possess "[[idento-computer]]s," which help Cybertronians adapt to unfamiliar conditions; in the case of the ravenous [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s, who crash-landed in [[Bali]] four million years ago, their idento-computers somehow modified their bodies so that they transformed into mechanical insects and gave them the power to metabolize organic matter. {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}}
* 2001–2003: '''''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]''''' was a port of the Japanese ''Car Robots'' toyline and cartoon, padded out with additional toys in the United States. {{-}}


* 2002: ''[[Transformers: Expanded Universe]]'' was a short-lived labeling of [[BotCon]] toys. It was used solely for [[BotCon 2002]] and only consisted of [[CatSCAN]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]], and [[Tap-Out (Universe)|Tap-Out]]. For simplicity, most people combine this line with the later ''Universe'' line.
The other Transformers aboard the ''Ark'' went into [[stasis lock]] after their starship crash-landed on Earth; in 1984, volcanic activity stirred the half-buried Ark and awoke [[Teletraan I]]. Teletraan I sent out a [[Sky Spy]] satellite to reconnoiter the new world and scanned terrestrial machinery in order to repair the Transformers, blasting them with an energy beam that not only repaired and re-energized the fallen Cybertronians, but also reformatted them into new alternate modes. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}


[[File:Armadalogo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
{{-}}
* 2002–2003: '''''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Transformers: Armada]]''''' marked a new beginning for the toys and fiction, heralded by the addition of the [[Mini-Con]] faction. The latter portion of the franchise was subtitled "[[The Unicron Battles]]". It was marketed in Japan as ''Micron Legend''. The toyline was supported by a full cartoon series, comic book, pack-in mini-comics, on-line bios, and a great deal of ancillary merchandise. {{-}}


* 2002–2005: The ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series]]'' consisted of reissued toys from the first three years of ''Generation 1'', primarily available at Toys "R" Us. The toys had been previously reissued by Takara in Japan in the ''Transformers Collection'' line. As a reissue line, fiction was limited solely to on-package bios. Effectively ended in 2004, with two more delayed releases coming out in 2005.{{-}}
====Marvel Storybooks continuity====
====Big Looker storybooks====


[[File:Universelogo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
* 2003–2008: ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' supplemented the wildly successful ''Armada'' with [[redeco]]es of older toys and [[BotCon|convention]]-based fiction. Package blurbs provided a general fictional overview, and the line was briefly supported by a comic book. Largely ended in 2005, but still continued in one form or another until early 2008.
[[File:BeastWarsPart1-DNAscanner.gif|thumb|right|250px|The ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[DNA scanner]] gathers information on Earth wildlife for the benefit of its crew.]]


* 2003: ''[[Built to Rule]]'' consisted of Lego-compatible building blocks used to assemble various transformable ''Armada'' characters. It received no fiction independent of ''Armada''.{{-}}
Three hundred years after the conclusion of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], the descendants of the Autobots and Decepticons were known to use '''[[DNA scanner]]s''' while on other worlds to blend in with the native lifeforms. These devices analyzed and copied the genetic material of native wildlife, and the Transformer in question could then use a [[CR chamber]] to adopt a potential [[beast mode]] based on the indigenous fauna. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} DNA scanners could also extract a sufficient amount of genetic data from inorganic remains, such as fossils. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Survivor}} {{storylink|In Darkest Knight}}


[[File:Gobots logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|Gobots logo.jpg|300x120px]]
The scanning process was known to play an integral part in the creation and activation of new Transformers; the [[stasis pod]]s that housed newborn [[protoform]]s during offworld expeditions were equipped with a built-in DNA scanner. Once a pod had touched down on a planet, the scanner would immediately attempt to locate a nearby animal and copy its characteristics onto its protoform occupant to bring the Transformer to life. {{storylink|The Spark}} {{storylink|Spider's Game}}  
* 2002–2005: ''[[Transformers: Go-Bots (franchise)|Transformers: Go-Bots]]'', which also went by the names ''Playskool Big Adventures: Transformers'' and just ''Go-Bots'', introduced a line of larger, simple toys aimed at children too young for the mainline toys. Fiction included on-package bios and a short-lived cartoon.{{-}}


[[File:Energonlogo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
* 2003–2005: '''''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Transformers: Energon]]''''' followed up on ''Armada''. The latter portion of the franchise was subtitled "[[The Powerlinx Battles]]". It was marketed in Japan as ''Super Link''. Fiction included a full cartoon series, a comic book, pack-in mini-comics, and on-line bios.{{-}}


[[File:AlternatorsLogo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
* 2003–2006: ''[[Transformers: Alternators]]'', a toy-only franchise, combined licensed, 1/24th-scale replica vehicles with complex transformations and ''Generation 1'' characters. It was marketed in Japan as ''Binaltech'', where the toys were packaged with bios and short stories that fleshed out the line's place in continuity.  Sadly, the American franchise received no fiction beyond on-package character quotes for the later toys, a brief summary of the original setting of the Japanese ''Binaltech'' story revealed through a promotional Mazda website, and a single toy bio that was never officially released.{{-}}
[[File:HomeSoil-DNAScanner.gif|thumb|left|200px|Upgraded DNA scanners allowed Maximals to quickly adopt new shapes on the fly and rendered [[stasis pods]] obsolete.]]
During the [[Quantum Cycle Upgrade]], which took place while [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and his crew were off-planet fighting the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] on prehistoric [[Earth]], DNA scanners were directly integrated into the bodies of all Maximals, allowing Cybertronians to adopt new beast modes without the need for stasis pods or CR chambers. {{storylink|Survivor}} [[Botanica]] and her crew of explorers used these new DNA scanners to blend in with the lifeforms on [[Regalis V|a distant world of ambulatory plants]]. {{storylink|Home Soil}}


[[File:Cybertron-Logo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
Shortly after [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and his [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s invaded Cybertron, the young Maximal [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] knocked himself unconscious after fleeing into the depths of Cybertron and falling into a [[fossil chamber]], and his onboard DNA scanner somehow activated and scanned the bones of an extinct bat-like creature. {{storylink|Survivor}} [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] was later able to return [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] to his old self, breaking [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]]'s [[shell program]] in the process, by forcing the [[Vehicon General]] to scan a fossilized bird while submerging him in liquid from Cybertron's [[organic core]]. {{storylink|In Darkest Knight}} Additionally, the mystical Oracle displayed the ability to instantaneously "reformat" any Cybertronian life-form into a highly evolved "[[technorganic]]" form,a mystical hybrid of the organic and technological; {{storylink|The Reformatting}} through proper discipline, Optimus Primal was able to channel this power as needed, using it to reformat several other Transformers into new technorganic shapes. {{storylink|Forbidden Fruit}} {{storylink|Home Soil}}
* 2005–2006: '''''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: Cybertron]]''''' completed the arc begun by ''Armada'', capping off the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]". The latter portion of the franchise was subtitled "Primus Unleashed". It was marketed in Japan as ''Galaxy Force''. Fiction included a cartoon, on-package blurbs and pack-in "Planet Maps" with character bios and profiles of various worlds.


* 2006–2008: ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars Transformers]]'' combined the transforming play pattern with the characters and vehicles of the popular movie franchise. Fiction was limited to on-package bios, as this line was in support of a non-''Transformers'' fictional universe.
{{-}}


* 2006: The ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' limited line featured six reissues of older ''Beast Wars'' toys with special packaging, new decos and bonus features, and two all-new molds. Fiction included on-package bios and pack-in DVDs of ''Beast Wars'' cartoon episodes.{{-}}
====''Beast Wars II'' cartoon====
[[File:BWIITasmaniaKidScanning.gif|thumb|right|250px|[[Tasmania Kid (BW)|Tasmania Kid]]'s internal systems were able to instantaneously scan the DNA of a local creature and make the necessary alterations to his body in a matter of seconds.]]


[[File:Classicslogo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
Thousands of years in the future, all Transformers would come to possess a set of optical DNA scanners and bodies that coiuld instantly adapt to new alternate modes, be they organic creatures or more conventional machinery. During the Maximal-Predacon conflict on the post-apocalyptic planet [[Gaia]], [[Tasmania Kid (BW)|Tasmania Kid]] accidentally scanned a Tasmanian devil shortly after landing, {{storylink|The New Forces Arrive!}} while the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s were able to obtain suitable vehicular modes by accessing [[Mother Computer|an ancient computer]] and downloading information on the dead civilization's machines. {{storylink|White Lion, Run!}}
* 2006–2007: ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' was a line of rehashed ''Generation 1'' characters intended to be a stopgap while the 2007 movie toys were being prepared. Its success prompted Hasbro to continue it as the "Classic Series" under the 2008 ''Universe'' line. Fiction was limited to a fan club comic.


* 2006–2009: The ''[[Titanium Series]]'' was aimed specifically at fans, with a range of characters from older franchises and more obscure corners of the fiction, and die-cast metal designs. As the characters are all based on previous franchises, fiction consisted solely of on-package bios. Effectively ended in 2007, with a few delayed releases coming out as [[exclusive]]s as late as 2009. Later releases were [[co-branding|co-branded]] as part of the ''Movie'' line, ''Universe'' or ''Revenge of the Fallen''.{{-}}
{{-}}


==Live-action film series==
====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:TF2007 Logo.jpg|center|300px]]
* '''2007–2008''': The "'''[[Movie (franchise)|Movie]]'''" franchise marked a new level for Transformers, with [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'']] as its centerpiece. The later portion of the toyline, primarily consisting of redecos, was subtitled "[[AllSpark Power]]", followed by a short-lived second expansion, the [[Premium Series]]. In addition to the movie itself, fiction included various comics, bios, package blurbs, and other ancillary merchandise.{{-}}


[[File:Revenge fallen logo.jpg|center|300px]]
====''Hearts of Steel''====
* '''2009–2010''': '''''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''''' continued in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] direction begun by [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'']].  The later portion of the toyline was subtitled "[[N.E.S.T. Global Alliance]]". {{-}}


[[File:TransformersDOTMLogo-trans.png|center|300px]]
====''Universe'' (2008) promotional video====
* '''2011''': '''''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]''''' is built around the third live-action feature film. {{-}}
Shortly after he awoke on Earth, Optimus Prime used his built-in optical beams to scan a passing truck. {{storylink|Action Blast 1|Action Blast 1 Part 1}}


[[File:TransformersAgeOfExtinctionLogoDarkOnLight.png|center|300px]]
====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
* '''2014:''' '''''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|Transformers: Age of Extinction]]''''' is built around the fourth live-action feature film. {{-}}  
While developing the [[Beast mode|Beast Upgrade]], [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] devised a modified scanner for use on Cybertron's native [[mechanimal]]s. The experimental process led to many horrific failures until the Predacon criminal secured [[Leatherhide]]'s knowledge; testing the scanning procedure on a newborn [[protoform]] led to [[Inferno (BW)|Formikon]]'s creation, the first successful mechanimal Transformer. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}} Once Megatron had perfected the technology, his mass-produced [[Beast Pod]]s came with pre-existing options for beast modes and did not require external scanners. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}


[[File:TransformersTheLastKnightLogo.jpg|center|300px]]
====''Star Trek vs. Transformers''====
* '''2017:''' '''''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (franchise)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]''''' is built around the fifth live-action feature film. {{-}}


[[File:Bumblebeelogo.jpg|center|300px]]
====2019 IDW continuity====
* '''2018-2019:''' '''''[[Bumblebee (franchise)|Bumblebee]]'''''  {{-}}
In this continuity, Transformers are not born with a natural alternate mode; rather, they are given the opportunity to choose a suitable vehicle form at some point after their forging. This choice may indeed tie into their future vocation, {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} though it is possible for a Transformer to change alternate modes multiple times over the course of their long lifespans. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}}


====''Transformers/Ghostbusters''====


===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===


===Unicron Trilogy===


===Live-action film series===
[[File:Bumblebeescanningcamaro.gif|thumb|right|250px|Cybertronians in this continuity family display a unified ability to switch alternate modes almost instantaneously.]]
'''Trans-scanning''' is the mechanical process by which a [[Transformer]]'s built-in sensors choose and examine a new [[alternate mode]], immediately generating a new exostructure around the [[living metal|ultra-dense liquid metal]] that constitutes the base Cybertronian [[protoform]]. After arriving on a new world, a Cybertronian searches for local machinery, then chooses a new form appropriate to its body mass and locale. Depending on the size and mass of their desired alternate mode, Cybertronians may absorb raw minerals from their surroundings to generate an appropriate disguise; in extenuating circumstances, a Cybertronian may have to effectively sacrifice their own weapons to complete the process, breaking them down into base metals. {{storylink|Transformers: The Movie Guide}}


The trans-scanning process replicates every last detail of a Cybertronian's shape, including rust and faded paintwork when imitating old or run-down vehicles. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}} {{storylink|Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee}} At the same time, however, Cybertronians do have the ability to control, at least in part, the nature of their disguise, and have been known to alter the paint jobs or appearances of their new vehicle modes from the template from which they were scanned. {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}} Every Cybertronian maintains a databank of previously assumed alternate modes, from which they can alter their bodies without having to scan that shape again. {{storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday}}


Some Transformers, like [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]], and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], have been noted to possess a specific aptitude for changing disguises. Frenzy, for instance, is specifically noted to possess a "hyper-reactive" trans-scanning and reformatting processor, which allows him to transform into anything at any given moment. Given the incredible ease and fluidity in changing forms that Transformers in this[[continuity family]] display, it's not particularly clear what this entails, or how it distinguishes them from other Cybertronians. {{storylink|Transformers: The Movie Guide}}


[[File:Transformersanimated franchise logo.png|right|300x120px]]
===''Animated''===
* 2008–&nbsp;: '''''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]''''' was the first American-written cartoon franchise in just under a decade. It carries on the brand with a new look and some old familiar faces. Fiction includes the cartoon, a comic book series, and on-package bios.{{-}}


[[File:Universe2008Logo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
===''Shattered Glass''===
* 2008–2009: ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' re-used the catch-all name of several years prior, but is a new umbrella franchise covering products not falling under either ''Crossovers'' or ''Animated''.


* 2008–&nbsp;: ''[[Transformers: Crossovers]]'' rebranded the ''Star Wars Transformers'' line, as well as bringing in transforming Marvel characters, following Hasbro's acquisition of the Marvel license.{{-}}
===Aligned continuity family===


===Ask Vector Prime===
One cautionary Cybertronian folk tale concerns a contest between a [[Titan (group)|Metrotitan]] and a prideful [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]], each seeking to outdo the other by scanning the perfect shape. When the Malignus tried to scan the concept of entropy as his alternate mode, however, the effort involved disintegrated him beyond any hope of repair: an allegorical warning for 'bots not to scan more than they can handle. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/15}}


[[File:Transformerswarforcybertron.jpg|right|300x120px]]
==Notes==
* 2010: '''''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''''' was the first franchise in the [[Aligned continuity family]]. {{-}}
[[File:Cheetor-beastmodescan.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The {{w|People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA}} gonna SUE!!]]
*In an advertisement of PSX version of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|Beast Wars: Transformers]]'' in the [[United Kingdom]] [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] grabs and scans a cheetah by the scan beam emitted from his optics.


* 2010–&nbsp;: ''[[Transformers: Generations]]'' continued on from 2008's Universe to be the catch-all franchise covering products not falling under the concurrent ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers (2010)]]'' toyline.  It is not slated to receive any fiction except for on-package bios although it includes characters from the game ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]''.{{-}}
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Scan''' (スキャン ''skyan'')


* 2010–2011: the non-subtitled ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers]]'' toyline built on the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' toyline but also included other toys and characters, acting as a general celebration of the Transformers lineage.  Sub-sections of this franchise include the [[Hunt for the Decepticons]] promotion and the [[Reveal the Shield]] subline.  Reveal the Shield covers the same territory as the concurrent ''Generations'' line, recreating classic characters with new modern designs.{{-}}
==References==
<references/>


[[File:Transformersprimelogo.png|right|300x120px]]
==Toys==
* 2010–2013: '''''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]''''' served as the basis for the "Aligned" continuity family for some time, incorporating video games, comics, and a CGI TV show.  The toyline began in late 2011 with the subline "First Edition", followed by "Robots in Disguise" in early 2012. {{-}}
===Trans-Scanning===
[[Image:TransScanningOptimusPrime.jpg|right|150px|thumb|The Optimus Prime of your nightmares.]]
* '''[[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Bumblebee]]'''
* '''[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Optimus Prime]]'''


Japanese-only releases, these figures are spindly skeletons referred to as "Core Bodies". To these skeletons, two sets of armor pieces can be attached to create one of two forms for either character: their [[protoform]] mode or their Earth mode.


[[File:TransformersRescueBotslogo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
===The Scan Series===
* 2011–2016: '''''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (franchise)|Transformers: Rescue Bots]]''''' {{-}}
[[Image:DOTM_Deluxe_Scan_Ironhide_toy.jpg|thumb|150px|Toys"R"Us exclusive Scan Series Ironhide]]
*'''[[Ironhide (Movie)/toys#Deluxe Class toys 2|Ironhide]]'''
*'''[[Sideswipe (Movie)#ScanSeries|Sideswipe]]'''
*'''[[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#ScanSeries|Bumblebee]]  
*'''[[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#ScanSeries|Autobot Ratchet]]'''  


[[Exclusive]] to [[Toys"R"Us]]' Mission Earth, these [[redeco]]es represent each character trans-scanning their vehicle mode. As such, nearly all of their vehicle mode parts (and thus, most of their robot modes) are cast in translucent clear plastic, with the rear of their vehicle modes being left unpainted, their middle portions having painted scan lines, and their fronts having a heavy amount of [[paint operation]]s in order to cover the clear plastic.


==Notes==
''See also:'' '''[[Scanning]]'''


 
==References==
[[File:Transformers RID 2015 logo.png|right|300x120px]]
{{reflist}}
* 2015: The second franchise named '''''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]''''' was not connected to the 2001 series; rather, it served as a loose sequel to the ''Prime'' franchise, focusing on the continuing adventures of [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] on Earth. It was accompanied by a toyline, comic series, and some other ancillary merchandise. {{-}}
 
 
[[File:Transformers- Rescue Bots Academy logo.jpg|right|300x120px]]
* 2018: '''''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy (franchise)|Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy]]'''''  {{-}}
 
[[File:Cyberverse 2018 logo.png|right|300x120px]]
* 2018: '''''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Transformers: Cyberverse]]'''''  {{-}}
 
 
==Takara franchises==
===Generation 1===
Beginning in 1986, (the second year of the franchise in Japan), [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] got into the habit of annually [[rebranding]] the ''Transformers'' property. Moreover, 1987's ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (franchise)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' kicked off a trend in which Takara's toylines and fiction branched off from [[Hasbro]]'s versions to increasingly significant degrees. Thus, the later iterations of Japanese Generation 1 are often referred to as "franchises", despite being part of the larger Generation 1 franchise. They include:
 
*1985: ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]''
*1986: ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]''
*1987: ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (franchise)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]''
*1988: ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]''
*1989: ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory]]''
*1990: ''[[Transformers: Zone (franchise)|Transformers: Zone]]''
*1991: ''[[Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Transformers: Return of Convoy]]''
*1992: ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination]]''
 
===Beast Wars===
To fill the sometimes-lengthy gap between the seasons of the ''Beast Wars'' television show, Takara decided to augment that series with two Japanese-exclusive franchises.
 
*1998: ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers]]'', with a toyline mostly consisting of redecorated existing ''Beast Wars'' toys.
 
*1999: ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo: Super Lifeform Transformers]]'', numerous new molds with additional redecos.
 
===Post-Beast Wars===
* 2000: ''[[Transformers: Car Robots]]'' was a mixed line of complex new molds and redecorated toys from previous lines. An expanded version was later marketed in America as ''Robots in Disguise''.
 
*2002–2004: ''[[The Transformers: Micromaster|Micromaster]]'' re-released the various Japanese-exclusive Micromaster combining teams from late in the Generation 1 era.
 
*2002-2006: ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' consisted of book-boxed reissues of toys from the early years of Generation 1. Many of the same toys would subsequently be reissued in the United States in the ''Commemorative Series'' line.
 
*2003: ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' (often mislabeled "World's Smallest Transformers") reworked early Generation 1 toys at extremely small scale.
 
*2003–2008: ''[[Binaltech]]'', Japan's version of ''Alternators''. Originally ended in 2006, later reanimated.
 
*2003–&nbsp;: ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece]]'' is a collector-oriented series of "ultimate" versions of classic Generation 1 characters, with great complexity and high prices.
 
*2004–2005: ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' was a line of mixed heritage, collecting characters from several continuities. Most of its toys were redecos or new designs based on larger toys reduced in scale.
 
*2006–2007: ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|Transformers: Kiss Players]]'' picked up the tail end of the ''Binaltech''/''Alternators'' toyline, but with an all-new, all-creepy storyline.
 
*2007: The ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]'' was Japan's expanded equivalent of the ''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary'' line.
 
*2007–&nbsp;: ''[[Transformers Encore]]'' revives the trend of reissuing older Generation 1 toys, including many not previously available in Japan.
 
*2007–&nbsp;: ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (franchise)|Henkei! Henkei! Transformers]]'' uses the molds created for the 2007 ''Classics'' and 2008 ''Universe'' lines and gives them color schemes more accurate to the original Generation 1 cartoon. Fiction exists in the form of a pack-in comic.
 
*2013–&nbsp;: ''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (franchise)|Triple Combination: Transformers Go!]]'' is a Japanese sequel to ''Transformers: Prime''.
 
===Other franchises===
*2003: ''[[Kids' Transformers: Rescue Hero Go-Bots (franchise)|Kids' Transformers: Rescue Hero Go-Bots]]'' is Takara's answer to Hasbro's ''1-2-3 Transformers'' and ''Transformers: Go-Bots'' lines, using molds from both to create a separate line.
 
==Merchandising franchises==
Several lines of non-transforming figures have been released, capitalizing on the popularity of the ''Transformers'' characters.
 
* 2000–?: [[Super Collection Figure]], a Japanese line of PVC figures based on character models from the Generation 1 cartoon. It was later marketed in America as ''Heroes of Cybertron'', with some minor alterations.
* 2002–2003: [[MyClone]], a Transformers iteration of a super-deformed figure line in Japan.
* 2007: ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', adorably cute figurines of various characters. It started out under the ''Movie'' banner (despite originally containing toys based on Generation 1 characters), then continued under ''Universe'' (2008) and ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
 
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Latest revision as of 18:44, 11 May 2026


Conceptual history

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Early Transformers stories established that Transformers needed to be physically rebuilt by an external force to change their alternate modes.

The earliest Transformers stories, including the cartoon, comic, and various ancillary storybooks, depicted transformation not as an innate ability of the species; rather, it was portrayed as a sort of "upgrade" that allowed a Cybertronian to transform. As a result, the process of "scanning" as it is understood today did not exist per se in these early stories; rather, Transformers who wished to adopt a new shape would have to be manually rebuilt, generally involving a variety of shipboard facilities to do so. In some tales, such as "Battle for Cybertron," Cybertronians did not transform at all until their rebuilding at the hands of the Ark's repair protocols after crash-landing on Earth, an unexpected side-effect.

It was the Beast Wars cartoon, however, that first detailed a specific mechanism by which a Transformer could change their alternate mode: shipboard DNA scanners allowed the various Maximals and Predacons to adopt the forms of native organisms while marooned on prehistoric Earth, using an external CR chamber to finalize the procedure. The sequel series, Beast Machines, would lay the groundwork for the finalization of this concept through the character of Nightscream, revealed in the episode "Survivor" to have directly integrated all of the necessary hardware directly into his chassis—the in-universe explanation being that this was a product of the "Quantum Cycle Upgrade" that occurred while Optimus Primal and company were away from Cybertron. With this, Nightscream could directly scan any compatible lifeform and instantaneously make the necessary alterations to his body, though this ability was never displayed on-screen as a result of him becoming a technorganic shortly thereafter. Japanese-original Beast Era fiction would follow through on this idea, unanimously depicting their casts of characters as able to pick up new altmodes "on the fly."

The next series, Robots in Disguise, would take the concept to its logical conclusion by unanimously depicting all Transformers as having this built-in ability. It is in this form that the concept of "scanning" has more-or-less persevered into the present day, and would be most famously depicted in the live-action film series as the means by which both Autobots and Decepticons assumed their terrestrial alternate modes after landing on Earth.


Fiction

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Generation 1 continuity family

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Marvel Comics continuity

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Autonomous systems aboard the Autobot starship Ark gathered data on native lifeforms using autonomous probes, and its shipboard facilities could manually disassemble and rebuilt Cybertronians into a new configuration to disguise themselves. It first did this four million years ago, shortly after its crash on prehistoric Earth; detecting Shockwave in the Savage Land, the Ark obtained information on the region's ancient creatures and reconstructed Grimlock and four other warriors into dinosaurs. The Last Stand

During the 1984 eruption of Mount St. Hilary, the reactivated Ark mistook human machines for the dominant life-form, and rebuilt all of the Autobots and Decepticons aboard the ship into suitable Earth forms. The Transformers Through a similar process, Straxus's Cybertron-bound Decepticons rebuilt Spanner into a space bridge. The Bridge to Nowhere! Future arrivals on Earth would adopt suitable altmodes through manual rebuilds. Some Transformers bypassed the process by encoding their minds onto crystalline containment vessels; once Optimus Prime decided they needed reinforcements, the Ark simply constructed a suitable Earth body for the Transformers in question, at which point the Autobots uploaded the mental engrams of their comrades into these new forms. Rock and Roll-Out!

Cartoon continuities

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"Wake up, Prime! Don't make me use this to wake you up."

Transformers possess "idento-computers," which help Cybertronians adapt to unfamiliar conditions; in the case of the ravenous Insecticons, who crash-landed in Bali four million years ago, their idento-computers somehow modified their bodies so that they transformed into mechanical insects and gave them the power to metabolize organic matter. A Plague of Insecticons

The other Transformers aboard the Ark went into stasis lock after their starship crash-landed on Earth; in 1984, volcanic activity stirred the half-buried Ark and awoke Teletraan I. Teletraan I sent out a Sky Spy satellite to reconnoiter the new world and scanned terrestrial machinery in order to repair the Transformers, blasting them with an energy beam that not only repaired and re-energized the fallen Cybertronians, but also reformatted them into new alternate modes. More than Meets the Eye, Part 1


Marvel Storybooks continuity

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Big Looker storybooks

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Beast Wars cartoon

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The Axalon's DNA scanner gathers information on Earth wildlife for the benefit of its crew.

Three hundred years after the conclusion of the Great War, the descendants of the Autobots and Decepticons were known to use DNA scanners while on other worlds to blend in with the native lifeforms. These devices analyzed and copied the genetic material of native wildlife, and the Transformer in question could then use a CR chamber to adopt a potential beast mode based on the indigenous fauna. Beast Wars (Part 1) DNA scanners could also extract a sufficient amount of genetic data from inorganic remains, such as fossils. Beast Wars (Part 1) Survivor In Darkest Knight

The scanning process was known to play an integral part in the creation and activation of new Transformers; the stasis pods that housed newborn protoforms during offworld expeditions were equipped with a built-in DNA scanner. Once a pod had touched down on a planet, the scanner would immediately attempt to locate a nearby animal and copy its characteristics onto its protoform occupant to bring the Transformer to life. The Spark Spider's Game


Beast Machines cartoon

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Upgraded DNA scanners allowed Maximals to quickly adopt new shapes on the fly and rendered stasis pods obsolete.

During the Quantum Cycle Upgrade, which took place while Optimus Primal and his crew were off-planet fighting the Beast Wars on prehistoric Earth, DNA scanners were directly integrated into the bodies of all Maximals, allowing Cybertronians to adopt new beast modes without the need for stasis pods or CR chambers. Survivor Botanica and her crew of explorers used these new DNA scanners to blend in with the lifeforms on a distant world of ambulatory plants. Home Soil

Shortly after Megatron and his Vehicons invaded Cybertron, the young Maximal Nightscream knocked himself unconscious after fleeing into the depths of Cybertron and falling into a fossil chamber, and his onboard DNA scanner somehow activated and scanned the bones of an extinct bat-like creature. Survivor Blackarachnia was later able to return Silverbolt to his old self, breaking Jetstorm's shell program in the process, by forcing the Vehicon General to scan a fossilized bird while submerging him in liquid from Cybertron's organic core. In Darkest Knight Additionally, the mystical Oracle displayed the ability to instantaneously "reformat" any Cybertronian life-form into a highly evolved "technorganic" form,a mystical hybrid of the organic and technological; The Reformatting through proper discipline, Optimus Primal was able to channel this power as needed, using it to reformat several other Transformers into new technorganic shapes. Forbidden Fruit Home Soil


Beast Wars II cartoon

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Tasmania Kid's internal systems were able to instantaneously scan the DNA of a local creature and make the necessary alterations to his body in a matter of seconds.

Thousands of years in the future, all Transformers would come to possess a set of optical DNA scanners and bodies that coiuld instantly adapt to new alternate modes, be they organic creatures or more conventional machinery. During the Maximal-Predacon conflict on the post-apocalyptic planet Gaia, Tasmania Kid accidentally scanned a Tasmanian devil shortly after landing, The New Forces Arrive! while the Predacons were able to obtain suitable vehicular modes by accessing an ancient computer and downloading information on the dead civilization's machines. White Lion, Run!


2005 IDW continuity

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Hearts of Steel

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Universe (2008) promotional video

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Shortly after he awoke on Earth, Optimus Prime used his built-in optical beams to scan a passing truck. Action Blast 1 Part 1

Beast Wars: Uprising

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While developing the Beast Upgrade, Megatron devised a modified scanner for use on Cybertron's native mechanimals. The experimental process led to many horrific failures until the Predacon criminal secured Leatherhide's knowledge; testing the scanning procedure on a newborn protoform led to Formikon's creation, the first successful mechanimal Transformer. Not All Megatrons Once Megatron had perfected the technology, his mass-produced Beast Pods came with pre-existing options for beast modes and did not require external scanners. Cultural Appropriation

Star Trek vs. Transformers

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2019 IDW continuity

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In this continuity, Transformers are not born with a natural alternate mode; rather, they are given the opportunity to choose a suitable vehicle form at some point after their forging. This choice may indeed tie into their future vocation, The World In Your Eyes Part Three though it is possible for a Transformer to change alternate modes multiple times over the course of their long lifespans. The World In Your Eyes Part One

Transformers/Ghostbusters

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2001 Robots in Disguise cartoon

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Unicron Trilogy

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Live-action film series

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Cybertronians in this continuity family display a unified ability to switch alternate modes almost instantaneously.

Trans-scanning is the mechanical process by which a Transformer's built-in sensors choose and examine a new alternate mode, immediately generating a new exostructure around the ultra-dense liquid metal that constitutes the base Cybertronian protoform. After arriving on a new world, a Cybertronian searches for local machinery, then chooses a new form appropriate to its body mass and locale. Depending on the size and mass of their desired alternate mode, Cybertronians may absorb raw minerals from their surroundings to generate an appropriate disguise; in extenuating circumstances, a Cybertronian may have to effectively sacrifice their own weapons to complete the process, breaking them down into base metals. Transformers: The Movie Guide

The trans-scanning process replicates every last detail of a Cybertronian's shape, including rust and faded paintwork when imitating old or run-down vehicles. Transformers Bumblebee At the same time, however, Cybertronians do have the ability to control, at least in part, the nature of their disguise, and have been known to alter the paint jobs or appearances of their new vehicle modes from the template from which they were scanned. Age of Extinction Every Cybertronian maintains a databank of previously assumed alternate modes, from which they can alter their bodies without having to scan that shape again. Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday

Some Transformers, like Frenzy, Skids, and Mudflap, have been noted to possess a specific aptitude for changing disguises. Frenzy, for instance, is specifically noted to possess a "hyper-reactive" trans-scanning and reformatting processor, which allows him to transform into anything at any given moment. Given the incredible ease and fluidity in changing forms that Transformers in thiscontinuity family display, it's not particularly clear what this entails, or how it distinguishes them from other Cybertronians. Transformers: The Movie Guide

Animated

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Shattered Glass

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Aligned continuity family

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Ask Vector Prime

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One cautionary Cybertronian folk tale concerns a contest between a Metrotitan and a prideful Malignus, each seeking to outdo the other by scanning the perfect shape. When the Malignus tried to scan the concept of entropy as his alternate mode, however, the effort involved disintegrated him beyond any hope of repair: an allegorical warning for 'bots not to scan more than they can handle. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/15

Notes

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The PETA gonna SUE!!

Foreign names

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  • Japanese: Scan (スキャン skyan)

References

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Toys

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Trans-Scanning

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The Optimus Prime of your nightmares.

Japanese-only releases, these figures are spindly skeletons referred to as "Core Bodies". To these skeletons, two sets of armor pieces can be attached to create one of two forms for either character: their protoform mode or their Earth mode.

The Scan Series

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Toys"R"Us exclusive Scan Series Ironhide

Exclusive to Toys"R"Us' Mission Earth, these redecoes represent each character trans-scanning their vehicle mode. As such, nearly all of their vehicle mode parts (and thus, most of their robot modes) are cast in translucent clear plastic, with the rear of their vehicle modes being left unpainted, their middle portions having painted scan lines, and their fronts having a heavy amount of paint operations in order to cover the clear plastic.

Notes

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See also: Scanning

References

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