Optimus Primal (BW): Difference between revisions

From MediaWiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
Jackpot (talk | contribs)
Cybertron comic: Added pic.
BerylRoll (talk | contribs)
mNo edit summary
 
(668 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Template:Disambig3|Optimus}}  
{{factions|maximal|maximalbm|autobot|protector|onyxprime|liegemaximo|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-Thirteenth.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Thirteenth Prime}}|unicron|hofsilver}}
:''Optimus Primal is a [[Maximal]] and an [[Autobot]] in the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] continuity family.  He is also sometimes known as '''Optimal Optimus''' (not to mention Boss Monkey, Bigbot, Fearless Leader, etc.).''
{{featured}}
{{disambig3|Optimus Primal}}
{{suite}}  
:''Optimus Primal is the [[Maximal]] leader from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''  


[[Image:Optimusprimalbw.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Next one of you says "[[trukk not munky]]" gets it in the FACE.]]
[[File:Optimusprimalbw.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Next one of you says "[[trukk not munky]]" gets it in the [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|FACE]].]]
Young and untested, '''Optimus Primal''' was a mere captain of an exploration ship when he and his crew were diverted off-course to pursue a stolen Predacon ship under the leadership of some crook named [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. The rest, they say, is (literally) history.


Young and untested, '''Optimus Primal''' was a mere captain of an exploration ship when he and his crew were diverted off-course to pursue a stolen Predacon ship under the leadership of some crook named [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. The rest, they say, is (literally) history.
Though he does have a penchant for stuffy speeches, Optimus Primal is much more down-to-Cybertron than his legendary [[Optimus Prime (G1)|namesake]]. He is committed to the Maximal codes of honor and moral judgment, but he does view them with some irreverence, and is not above finding loopholes or administering unorthodox solutions if necessary. ("Sometimes, crazy works", he says.) He is eternally loyal to his friends and respectful to his enemies. He is brave and selfless in battle. However, he is so committed to helping others that he can withdraw into a deep depression when he feels he has let them down. This is the only time he is self-absorbed.  


Though he does have a penchant for stuffy speeches, Optimus Primal is much more down-to-cybertron than his legendary [[Optimus Prime (G1)|namesake]].  He is committed to the Maximal codes of honor and moral judgment, but he does view them with some irreverence, and is not above finding loopholes or administering unorthodox solutions if necessary.  ("Sometimes, crazy works," he says.)  He is eternally loyal to his friends and respectful to his enemies.  He is brave and selfless in battle. However, he is so committed to helping others that he can withdraw into a deep depression when he feels he has let them down.  This is the only time he is self-absorbed.  
Optimus Primal is extraordinary for not only being able to distinguish himself, despite living in the shadow of Optimus Prime, but he may even have surpassed the greatest of the Autobots, seeing as he [[Optimal Situation|saved the life of his namesake]] and ushered in a new [[technorganic]] [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. It is possible Optimus Primal is the greatest Cybertronian hero who has ever lived.


Optimus Primal is extraordinary for not only being able to distinguish himself despite living in the shadow of Optimus Prime, but for perhaps even surpassing him, seeing as he [[Optimal Situation|saved the life of his namesake]] and ushered in a new [[technorganic]] [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].  It is possible Optimus Primal is the greatest Cybertronian hero who has ever lived. 
{{quote|Oh well, come on, let's have it. The usual destiny and honor speech.|Megatron}}
{{quote|Speech this!|Optimus, as he punches Megatron in the face|"[[Nemesis Part 2]]"}}


==Fiction==
===Toy bios===
[[Tigatron (BW)|Tigatron]] was appointed by Primal to be reconnaissance for the northern polar sector. {{storylink|Tigatron (BW)#Toys|Tigatron}} He also tried to lighten up [[Bonecrusher (BW)|Bonecrusher]]'s violent demeanor, if only to keep the poor guy from overheating. {{storylink|Bonecrusher (BW)#Toys|Bonecrusher}} Optimus Primal was "changed into a mighty, metal gorilla by the planetary destruction device," and "has a built-in, rocket-powered hoverboard that lets him hang ten on the air-waves of the Beast Wars world!" {{storylink|Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Transmetal Optimus Primal toy bio}}


{{quote|Come on, let's hear it, the usual destiny and honor speech.|Megatron|"[[Nemesis Part 2]]"}}
Optimus Primal's transformation into Optimal Optimus was due to exposure to a "nebulous entity". {{storylink|Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Optimal Optimus toy bio}} He considered [[Bantor (BW)|Bantor]] his first choice for recon or demolition missions. {{storylink|Bantor (BW)#Toys|Bantor}}
{{quote|Speech this!|Optimus as he punches Megatron in the face|"[[Nemesis Part 2]]"}}


====Wave 1====
{{main|Optimus Prime (G1)#Beast Wars pack in material}}
{{note|The pack-in fiction of the first wave of Beast Wars toys predates the development of the Beast Wars cartoon and its backstory. Instead, it presents the setting as a direct continuation of the previous Autobot/Decepticon conflict, with Optimus Primal and Megatron cast as new forms for their Generation 1 counterparts and their battles taking place on present day [[human]]-inhabited Earth rather than in the distant past. Once the cartoon launched the toyline adjusted itself to match, relegating this to a [[micro-continuity]] separate from the rest of [[Beast Era]] fiction.}}


:''European-market name:'' '''Blackjack'''
===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
:''Japanese name:'' '''[[Convoy]]/Beast Convoy''', '''Convobat/Conbobat''' (Bat version), '''Metals Convoy''' (Transmetal version), '''Powered Convoy''' (Optimal Optimus), '''Ybonco''' (Joke name from Beast Machines<ref>This joke name is first seen in the intro part from Japanese dub version of the episode "[[Fallout]]". "Ybonco" (イボンコ) is the reverse of "Convoy" (コンボイ). </ref>)
{{main|Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity}}
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Jin-gang Wang''' ("King King Kong")
[[File:Call of the Wild Optimus Megatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|''King Kong'' took a weird turn.]]
:''Cantonese name:'' '''Optimum''' <!--?'''Odim'''-->
Optimus Primal was a minor [[Maximal]] officer of little note who commanded the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''. When he received an alert about a fugitive [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] ship, the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'', he had the ''Axalon'' pursue it through a [[unspace|transwarp]] portal, eventually ending up on a primitive planet. There, he and his Maximal crew scanned [[beast mode]]s and battled [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s criminal band of Predacons in what the Maximal dubbed the "[[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]". The two forces soon became embroiled in an "experiment" by the mysterious [[Vok]], and Primal gave his life to stop the destruction of the Maximals by the aliens' [[Planet Buster]]. The planet was revealed to be [[Earth]] in the past, putting the conflict in a vital context. Optimus Primal was soon reborn in a [[Transmetal]] body and was later granted a more powerful body after taking [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s [[spark]] into his body to foil Megatron's plans to change history. Despite his nemesis's numerous machinations, the Predacons were defeated and Megatron brought back to Cybertron.
:''Polish name:'' '''Optimus Naczelny''' ("Naczelny" = "Primal")


==Fiction==
However, Megatron prematurely freed himself, and he arrived at Cybertron before the Maximals. When they arrived, they found the planet to be desolate and conquered by Megatron. They soon met the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], who [[reformatting|reformatted]] the Maximals into [[technorganic]] forms and entrusted Optimus Primal with the task of defeating Megatron and bringing about an evolution of the planet and the species into the technorganic. Despite some missteps, Optimus Primal was able to free Cybertron from Megatron's reign and bring about a new age for Cybertron, albeit with the cost of his life.
===Optimus Primal vs Megatron!===


Under the eerie shadows of a full moon Optimus Primal, a gigantic bat, [[Cheetor]], a swift-stalking cheetah, and [[Razorbeast]], a fearsome wild boar, hunt purposely through the depths of a jungle. Soon Optimus detects the thermal emissions and fusion activity from a building, which mean they've found their target. His motion sensors register what appears to be a harmless [[Earth]] creature below.
When [[Unicron]] instigated the [[Universe War]] with his abductions of Transformers from across the [[multiverse]], [[Primus]] resurrected Optimus Primal to act as the leader of the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]]. Well into the war efforts, Unicron disappeared and Optimus Primal's fate was left unknown.


Before Optimus realizes his mistake the alligator lashes out with as smashing swipe of its tail, knocking Optimus into the swampy waters. The beast transforms and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] towers above him. The building ahead is the Predacons' genetics lab and he'll never let Optimus reach the secrets inside. He orders his troops to attack and everyone transforms to robot mode. The gigantic arthropods Tarantulas and Waspinator engage Razorbeast and Cheetor respectively while Optimus and Megatron face off.  
A different quantum branch of this Optimus Primal became one of the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]]'s dimension-hopping [[Protector|agents]] and met with the [[Thirteen|ancient Transformer]] [[Vector Prime]].


Optimus brags that the Maximal "[[bio-genetic morphing process]] has allowed us to create the perfect fusion of organic musculature and Transformers technology!" Megatron responds that his side did all that too, so nan-neh, but used the DNA of Earth's most vicious predators. When Optimus notes that the Maximals seem to be getting the upper hand, Megatron immediately detonates the lab and escapes, vowing to return with new forms and new plans when the Maximals least expect it. The Beast Wars have just begun! {{storylink|Optimus Primal vs Megatron!}}
In a divergent timeline, Optimus Primal, a possessor of an [[Energon Matrix]], joined forces with various [[Autobot]] and Maximal [[Supreme Commander|leaders]], such as the legendary Optimus Prime himself, the [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] of a different [[Universal stream|universal cluster]], [[Lio Convoy (BW)|Lio Convoy]], and [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]].  


{{note|This comic, along with the on-package [[Bio|bios]] of the first wave of Beast Wars toys, predate the development of the Beast Wars cartoon and its backstory. Instead they seem to present the characters as a direct continuation of the previous Autobot/Decepticon conflict, with Optimus Primal actually being a new form of Optimus Prime and Megatron being his Generation 1 counterpart, and their battles taking place on present day, [[human]]-inhabited Earth, rather than in the distant past. Once the cartoon launched, the toyline adjusted itself to match that continuity instead, relegating this one to an aborted [[micro-continuity]].}}
===''Beast Wars II'' toy catalog===
[[File:PrimalLioConvoyCatalog01.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"And what's that, Lio Convoy? Your toy is now out in '''all major retailers''' and buying it will make children be '''seen as cool''' by their peers? Boy, who ''wouldn't'' want to '''buy your toy'''?"]]


===American cartoon continuity===
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Optimus Primal observed a warrior named [[Lio Convoy (BW)|Lio Convoy]] advance through the ranks of the Maximal Space Patrol. Respecting him for his strength and courage (though feeling he was a bit too straightforward), Primal dynamically named him as his successor. Shaking hands, Lio Convoy swore not to let Primal down. {{storylink|Catalog#Beast Wars II|The next stage of battle advances to the Second War... Beast Wars, Transform!}}
====''Timelines: Dawn of Future's Past''====
{{-}}
[[Image:Optimusprimalbwtimelines.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Pre-fur Optimus Primal, Maximal nobody.]]
Optimus solemnly watched over the crew's stasis pods as they were loaded into the ''Axalon''.


{{charstubfiction}}
===Comedy Beast Wars===
[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] readied his Laser Buster to defeat Optimus Primal, but his tyrannosaurus head failed to deliver because it had to burp first. {{storylink|Comedy Beast Wars}} When [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] literally lost his brain, Optimus showed up to help him. {{storylink|Comedy Beast Wars|Bare-Brained New Year}} During a battle, Optimus ordered [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to transform into a cheetah. Cheetor transformed into the singer [[Kiyoko Suizenji]], whose nickname was Chīta. In response, Optimus berated the writer for a joke elementary school students wouldn't understand. {{storylink|Comedy Beast Wars|Cheetor, Beast Mode!!}}


{{-}}
===''BomBom'' comic continuity===
====''Beast Wars II'' comic====
Many years ago, before [[Lio Convoy (BW)|Lio Convoy]] became "Lio Convoy", Optimus Primal was a sitting member of the [[Convoy Council]] and personally awarded him his [[Energon Matrix]] and [[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]] rank.


====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
Years following that, during a battle with [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] on planet [[Gaia]], Lio Convoy's Energon Matrix was damaged by his foe and corrupted with [[Angolmois Energy]]. The chaotic energy caused Lio Convoy to grow to enormous size and go berserk. Optimus Primal heard the cry of the Energon Matrix and came to Gaia to help his fellow [[Convoy (rank)|convoy]]. Het met up with [[Tasmania Kid (BW)|Tasmania Kid]] and [[Scuba (BW)|Scuba]] and after observing the danger, he stretched out his glowing hand and pressed his palm against Lio Convoy's Energon Matrix, repairing it. This act dispelled the Angolmois Energy's corruption, returning Lio Convoy to normal size and sanity. The deed done, Primal faded away, returning to wherever he had come from. {{storylink|Free the Captured Matrix!}}
:''Voice actor:'' [[Gary Chalk]] (English), [[Takehito Koyasu]] (Japanese), [[Guilherme Lope]] (Brazil)


[[Image:OptimusPrimal_BW1.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Shadows?! I don't need no stinkin' shadows!]]
Before Lio Convoy and his team set out to the artificial planet [[Nemesis (BW)|Nemesis]], Optimus Primal showed up in the [[Maximal Gaia base]] via holographic communication. He warned Lio Convoy would die due to overexposure to the Angolmois Energy if he went to the planet. {{storylink|All Hands, Make a Special Attack on the Evil Planet!}}


Optimus Primal was the captain of the exploration ship [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] when his crew got word that the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] criminal [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had stolen the [[Golden Disk]] and a [[Darkside|ship]] with [[transwarp]] capabilities. Primal's was the closest vessel that also possessed a transwarp drive, so the ''Axalon'' was sent to engage them. Primal followed the Predacons through a transwarp portal and appeared above a mysterious planet, but both ships were damaged in the ensuing space battle, and before both ships crashed into the planet's surface below, Primal ordered that the [[stasis pod]]s carrying the rest of his crew to be ejected into orbit.  
====''Beast Wars Metals'' manga====
[[File:DevilGorilla-sk.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|It's on like a reanimated cyborg Donkey Kong!]]
Following the [[Quantum surge]], Primal was left dead. Within [[unspace|Transwarp space]], he found himself being dragged into the afterlife by a horde of monsters. Suddenly, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] arrived and attempted to return him to life. Primal at first refused, saying he wished to move on. Rhinox then smacked some sense into him, reminding him of his duty to his Maximals. Brought back to his senses, Primal left Transwarp space, his spark being blasted from a laser cannon of Rhinox's design.


The planet was rich with [[energon]] — so much so that prolonged exposure would short out their bodies, so the Maximals and Predacons were forced to take organic forms from the local creatures.  Primal took the form of a silverback gorilla. Primal remarked that his new form was "interesting" upon exit from the [[CR chamber]].  Estranged from his comrades, the Predacon [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] challenged Primal to a duel soon after their arrival, seeking command of the Maximals so he could, in turn, defeat Megatron. However, the Predacons saw the duel and tried to kill them both. Dinobot joined the Maximals after Optimus risked his life to stop him from dropping to his death. Dinobot later repaid him by saving him from a missile fired at him by Megatron.  (That did cause the energon-laced mountain where they were to explode, but nobody got killed).  Optimus earned Dinobot's respect, but the ex-Predacon would never admit to respecting him out loud. {{Storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{Storylink|Beast Wars (Part 2)}}
Over at the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] base, [[Hindenburg]], [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had recovered Primal's sparkless, rampaging body and imprisoned it in shackles. Using a voodoo ceremony of [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]'s design, Megatron intended to turn Primal's body into a Predacon slave. Before he could apply his mutant blood and finish the ceremony, Primal's spark reunited with his body and upgraded into a [[Transmetal]].


Both sides entrenched themselves on their new world, and the "[[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]" began. Strange unnatural sites and artifacts were discovered, leading Primal and the others to believe that aliens had seeded the primitive planet with experiments and traps. One such trap, the [[Standing Stones]], ensnared Primal's body for a short time, during which the Maximals scrambled to ascertain their chain of command. In his absence, the Maximals squabbled and fought over leadership, until finally his core consciousness was able to speak to them and name [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] as his replacement. Primal's body was subsequently retrieved from the Standing Stones, and he resumed command.
None too pleased, Primal proceeded to make short work of Tarantulas, [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] and Megatron's army of drones. He then defeated Megatron and escaped Hindenburg, rescuing an injured [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] in the process. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 1|Beast Wars Metals #1}}


[[Image:OptimusPrimal_Transmetal.jpg|righ|thumb|250px|Transmetal Rippedimus Primal.]]
Later, while investigating the remains of the ''Axalon'', Primal was attacked by Rampage. Primal had his robot head bitten off in the attack and lost both his arms (it was brutal). Ultimately, using undersea volcanos and his own hoverboard, Primal launched Rampage into space, trapping him in orbit. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 2|Beast Wars Metals #2}}


When [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] discovered evidence of the [[Vok]]'s imminent arrival, Megatron called a truce, to which Primal reluctantly agreed. While investigating a newly-created Vok installation, Primal was tortured and captured by the aliens, who spoke to him (in the form of [[Unicron]]) and told him of their plans to "sterilize" the planet.  Barely escaping the Vok base, Primal returned to the ''Axalon'' to find it overrun by [[Tarantulas]] and [[Blackarachnia]], who had turned a space stasis pod into an escape ship in order to flee the doomed planet. As the planet's second moon was converted into a [[Planet Buster]], Primal took the ship to do battle with the superweapon, against the objections of his crew. Primal planned to detonate the ship's [[transwarp cell]] when in range of the weapon, after ejecting to safety. The plan worked—with the exception of the "ejecting" part.  Megatron remotely seized control of the vessel, overriding Primal's ejection commands.  The Predacon commander taunted Primal as he futilely beat his fists against the pod, until the detonation obliterated the pod, the Planet Buster, and Primal, reducing them all to so much space junk. {{Storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}}
When [[Jaguar]] attacked a [[anthropoid]] village and killed Dinobot, Primal journeyed there to avenge his friend. Their battle raged into a cave, where Jaguar blew a hole through Primal's torso. Primal managed to tear Jaguar's arms off and then shoot him before letting the villain stumble into a pit. Dinobot was avenged. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 3|Beast Wars Metals #3}}  


[[Image:OptimalOptimus_Opsituation_feralscream1.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Trukk ''and'' munky...and playne.]]
Optimus Primal once again arrived too late to save a friend, as Tigatron, mind-controlled by Tarantulas, killed Airazor. Primal proceeded to stomp the spider to death and tear his body into a thousand pieces. He was much more courteous to Blackarachnia, however, having seen her attempt to help Airazor, and let her leave in peace. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 4|Beast Wars Metals #4}}


Primal's [[Spark]] journeyed to the [[Allspark (dimension)|Matrix]], where it was soon recovered by [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and placed in a [[blank]] [[protoform]], which became his new [[Transmetal]] body.  Primal now transformed into a mechanical gorilla with a gorilla-on-a-hoverboard third mode, which he used to kick the crap out of the Predacons. {{Storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}}
When Optimus learned that Megatron had discovered the ''Ark'', he raced to get there in time, only to be besieged by zombie Predacons. With Tigatron's help, he made it through them, but ONCE AGAIN arrived too late, as Megatron (now merged with the spark of [[Megatron (G1)|his namesake]]) blasted [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to bits. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 5|Beast Wars Metals #5}}  


[[Image:OptimusPrimal_OpSit_Matrixspark.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Continuity error!]]
To save Prime's spark, Optimus Primal ate it and became Optimal Optimus. In their final confrontation, Optimus ripped Megatron's spark out of his body and crushed it, killing his foe. After all was said and done, Primal lamented that repairing Optimus Prime and restoring the time stream would be a tall order. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 6|Beast Wars Metals #6}}


Later on, Primal was captured and imprisoned in [[Metal Hunter|yet another Vok base]], this one controlled by his archnemesis Megatron.  During a daring rescue attempt by the Maximals and Tarantulas, Optimus engaged in a furious battle with Megatron, destroying both the Metal Hunter and the alien disc.  The Maximals then suffered a number of setbacks, including the death of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], the destruction of [[Transmutate]], and Megatron's acquisition of the deadly [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]].  However, the Maximals were soon greeted with good news: the realization that the [[transwarp wavefront]] created by the destruction of the Planet Buster would lead Cybertron to them, making a rescue operation possible.  Help arrived soon enough, but in the unexpected form of the rebuilt [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], who had come to arrest Megatron for his crimes against the [[Pax Cybertronia]].  In the midst of this, Primal was forced to chastise new recruit [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] for his dangerous relationship with Blackarachnia.  Primal assisted Ravage in arresting Megatron, but was soon betrayed by the ex-[[Decepticon]], allowing Megatron to escape and reach the ''[[Ark]]'' in an attempt to assassinate [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{Storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}
{{--}}


Primal was forced to take the great Autobot's spark inside himself to keep it protected. This caused his body to grow larger and stronger, gaining ground and air vehicle modes along with his previous gorilla form. Megatron sardonically dubbed him "Optimal Optimus" (ironically, no one else ever used that name). In his new form, he successfully protected Prime's spark until it could be returned to his repaired body, thus saving history and the future from destruction. {{Storylink|Optimal Situation}}
===''Universe'' CD-ROM===
[[File:UnivCDROM Autobots.jpg|left|thumb|"Pardon me, just passing through."]]
On some alternate Cybertron, that universe's Optimus Primal was leading the Autobots [[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]], [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], and [[Striker]] against [[Reptilion|Reptillion]], [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]], [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]], and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] in the most intense day of fighting that year. Just as the combatants were really starting to beat the slag out of each other, they were interrupted by [[Acheron|a mysterious spaceship]] that swooped down, sucked the [[Decepticon]]s up on beams of light, and flew away. Primal and his troops were left dumbfounded, unaware that the ship had been a tool of [[Unicron]] in his quest to build [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|an army]] for a [[Universe War|grand war]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Universe CD-ROM|Universe CD-ROM}}
{{-}}


With the location of the ''Ark'' revealed and Megatron now desperate to end the war at any cost, Primal was forced to move his Maximals into the volcano where the ''Ark'''s hull lay.  This new, defensive war was much more difficult to fight, and disadvantaged the Maximals severely, even with his new four-mode body and enhanced firepower.  With the loss of their defense system, [[Sentinel]], the arrival of the rebellious and embittered [[Depth Charge]], the awkward and violent maturation of Cheetor, proto-humans to guard, the theft of the original Megatron's spark and the ensuing mutation of Megatron II, the introduction of the previously treacherous and morally ambiguous Blackarachnia into their ranks and her imminent Transmetallization, Optimus Primal had more than his share of problems to deal with.
===Fire in the Dark continuity===
When [[human]] archaeologists uncovered a cave filled with primitive language, [[Mini-Con]] [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] translated it for them. The markings told of a time when the Maximals and Predacons crash-landed on prehistoric Earth, though the stranded Transformers were seen by the [[Natiltec]] tribe as gods. One of the pictographs depicted one of these "gods" in the form of a gorilla. {{storylink|Fire in the Dark}}


The tide was finally turned when the Vok resurrected and combined [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] and [[Tigatron]] into the mighty [[Tigerhawk]], who obliterated the Predacon base.  In the end, Primal's forces defeated Megatron's, and with the captured Predacon leader strapped to the roof of a borrowed Autobot shuttle, the Maximals at last headed home. Leaving the planet and memorializing his fallen comrades, Optimus Primal declared that the Beast Wars were over. {{Storylink|Other Victories}} {{Storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}
In [[Aurex 1104.30-JH Zeta]], Megatron's Predacons fought Optimus Primal's Maximals in the war for the [[Mini-Con]]s, which the Maximals emerged victorious, though Optimus did have to sacrifice his life to thwart the rogue Tarantulas's scheme to gather a cache of [[Super Energon]]. Since Vector Prime recounted Optimus as leading the charge that ended the war, he apparently got better. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#August 13, 2015|Ask Vector Prime}}
 
However, Primal had just traded a war for a nightmare worse than he could imagine.


===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Historyofcybertron.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|He's looking into your other browser tabs RIGHT NOW.]]
When [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] plugged himself into [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s deactivated head to download information on the history of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], he skimmed past some facts on Optimus Primal. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}}
{{-}}
{{-}}


====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
===''Q-Robo Transformer''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Gary Chalk]] (English), [[Takehito Koyasu]] (Japanese), [[Guilherme Briggs]] (Brazil)
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Q-Robo Transformer}}}}


[[Image:Optimusprimalbm.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Release the warrior!  Also, um, the jetpack.]]
===''Mini Mayhem!''===
In a celebration of the Transformers brand, Optimus Primal showed up as a representative for the "Beast Wars" era of the franchise. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}


Seemingly minutes after the shuttle departed for transwarp space, Optimus Primal suddenly found himself back in his original, organic gorilla body and thrust into a dangerous situation on an eerily deserted [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], unfamiliar with how he arrived there and pursued by an army of [[tank drone]]s. Cornered by the mechanical terrors, Primal attempted to Maximize, but his parts only shifted painfully and his body was tortured by electric shocks. Using his ape-mode body's agility, he swung out of reach, and suddenly received a vision of a monorail-vehicle nearby. Swinging into the train car, he found [[Rattrap]], afflicted by the same [[transformation lock virus]] as Primal. Rattrap suggested "taking off these fur suits", but there was not time, for another squadron of tank drones caught them. It would have been the end for Primal and Rattrap, had the timely arrival of [[Cheetor]] not saved them. Once again, Primal received a vision, showing a pit. Heading (well, falling) into the hole, he and his companions were caught on a familiar spiderweb, courtesy of [[Blackarachnia]], who was back in her Season 1 spider form and severely weakened. Heading underground, Primal led the weakened Maximals to the depths of ancient Cybertron on Blackarachnia's webs. Falling into darkness, Primal threw a piece of scrap metal and discovered what appeared to be a wall of fire. He had, in reality, awakened the powerful and legendary [[Vector Sigma|Oracle]]. As the other three Maximals watched, Primal entered into the bowels of the computer, within which he was granted visions he could not yet comprehend, including the prophetic statement that "the seeds of the future lie buried in the past." The Oracle then began to "[[reformat]]" Primal.  Primal emerged in a new, [[technorganic]] beast mode and urged the other dying Maximals to complete their "reformatting" as well. Shortly after this was achieved, the group was attacked by an underground army of Cycle Drones. During the ensuing fight, Primal was the first to master the "art" of transformation as he plunged into a deep pit. Flying out, Primal grabbed the nearest drone and demanded answers, but lost his concentration, causing him to revert to beast mode. {{Storylink|The Reformatting}}  
===''United''===
During the United battle, Optimus Primal entered into battle against the new threat of [[Unicron/Generation 1#United|Ark Unicron]]. During the fight, Primal's ship, the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', mysteriously gained a [[spark]] and became a Transformer. The ''Axalon'' was then the Autobot's greatest hope of defeating Unicron. {{storylink|Axalon (BW)#United 2|''United'' Axalon bio}}


Primal began to teach the three other Maximals the lost art of transformation, which was mastered by achieving an inner calmness and finding their spiritual centers. Though Cheetor and Blackarachnia were successful off the bat, [[Rattrap]] badgered him just to "give us the command codes." Primal and the others were attacked by a [[mole drone]], which broke their concentration and caused them to revert to their beast modes, so they fled. Primal also had to save Cheetor and Blackarachnia from a squadron of Aero-drones shortly after. {{Storylink|Master of the House}} Eventually, Primal and his allies learned that Megatron had broken free during their transwarp flight home and so arrived on Cybertron before them. Megatron had then conquered the planet and laid a trap for Primal's crew and any other Transformers returning to Cybertron.  
===Legends World===
The [[Legends World]], where the rest of the ''Transformers'' [[multiverse]] existed as fiction, had its own version of [[Optimus Primal (Legends)|Optimus Primal]].


A short time later, Primal's crew came across the bat-mode Cybertronian [[Nightscream]], who seemed to suffer from the same transformation lock virus that Primal had upon arrival. Nightscream led them to an underground tree, where Primal, Rattrap, and Blackarachnia ate the fruit and began to revert to their animal instincts. When Nightscream was injured in a Vehicon attack, Primal showed a new talent granted by the Oracle, reformatting the youth into a new, techno-organic body. However, Optimus was critically weakened by this and requested the over-eager Cheetor to take command in his absence. {{Storylink|Forbidden Fruit}}. No longer the inexperienced scientist of his youth, Primal was constantly haunted by the losses of [[Rhinox]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], and many of Rattrap's quips would send him into despair. During the events that followed, Optimus Primal came to be much more in touch with his spiritual side than he ever was before, due to an almost mystical connection to the Oracle. This granted him visions and intuitions, guiding him to complete its designs, though he had some trouble at first comprehending just what the Oracle wanted and how to go about it. However, Rhinox/Tankor would exploit this weakness and separate Optimus from the Oracle, which weakened him and left him lost.  
''Beast Wars'' toy collector [[Rattrap (Legends)|Rattrap]] once missed out on buying a "Dawn of Future's Past" box set, containing [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Timelines|a toy of Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 1}} Rattrap started to bond with his coworker [[Rhinox (Legends)|Rhinox]] over their shared love of ''Transformers'', including their preference for the original Japanese names such as Convoy. However, their relationship hit a snag once Rattrap realised that Rhinox only cared about Generation 1, when [[Trukk not munky|Convoy was a truck rather than a gorilla]]. Rhinox held up his original [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Convoy toy]] to compare to Rattrap's [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#FirstUltra|(Beast) Convoy]]. {{storylink|The Generation Gap}} When another coworker, [[Silverbolt (Legends)|Silverbolt]], failed to see the lasting appeal of ''Beast Wars'', Rattrap took him to a second hand toy store to show him a boxed sample of Beast Convoy and the later [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Telemocha Series|''Telemocha Series'' Convoy]]. {{storylink|The Youth Gap}}


Optimus Primal and the Maximals began to probe deeper into Cybertron and discovered a chamber of fossils and a strange, organic liquid. As the liquid flowed through the chamber, palm-like plants sprang up, revealing Cybertron's organic roots. When Tankor gained control of the Key to Vector Sigma, he infected the verdant orchard, transforming it and Nightscream into "technomatter". While Blackarachnia kept Nightscream under control, the others searched for a mole drone to drill deeper into the core and produce enough liquid to reverse the transformation. {{storylink|The Key}}  
When Rattrap woke up with [[Transformers sickness]]—a malady that turns sufferers into real Transformers due to excessive exposure to ''Transformers'' toys—his Beast Convoy toy was nearby. {{storylink|LG01 Rattrap}} His boss,
Optimus Primal, also contracted the disease, turning him into ''this'' Optimus Primal... though in his case, the cause was eating too many [[banana]]s. {{storylink|LG02 Optimus Primal}} Rattrap later learned to control his transformations; when he needed to fight [[Tankor (Legends)|Tankor]] in his Transformer body, he used his Beast Convoy toy to power up. {{storylink|LG03 Tankor}} He later kept the toy on his shelf, {{storylink|LG10 Arcee}} {{storylink|LG-EX Armada Megatron}} not far away from [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#TM1|Metals Convoy]]. {{storylink|LG10 Arcee}}


Primal later found the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], a device lethal to technological beings. While Megatron readied the planetwide pulse of Vector energy, Primal began to harness the energies of the Chamber to destroy all technological life on Cybertron. As the two forces clashed, Primal's spirit was transported into the Matrix, the Transformers' afterlife. {{storylink|End of the Line}} As he and Megatron fought in the void, he pondered if this was his destiny, to fight his nemesis for eternity. Before him, he saw the faces of his comrades, the Maximals, berate him for his poor leadership and near-genocidal behavior. He then found himself back on prehistoric Earth, where a red-eyed copy of Primal attacked him, scolding him for his fanatical behavior. Finding himself back in space, he saw the collective sparks of Cybertron.
Optimus arrived to work one day having caught Transformers sickness again, this time turning into ''Beast Machines'' Optimus Primal (and completely [[Fallout (episode)|flat]]). {{storylink|Legends Vol. 15|LG03 Tankor Prologue}}


[[Image:Optimalmegatronoptimusprimal.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Yesss, I've skinned you and I'm wearing your head as a hat."]]Meanwhile, the other Maximals journeyed downwards once more, speaking to Primal via the Oracle. Although Primal originally refused to lead the Maximals, he relented and returned. Around him, a forest of techorganic trees sprang up as he realized that his mission was not to destroy technology, but to create a balance, in the same way the Oracle had done for him.
Forewarned of [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]]'s arrival to the Legends World, Optimus turned into ''this'' Optimus again using a banana. {{storylink|LG16 Slipstream}}


As the [[Battle for the Spark]]s continued, the Maximals cultivated an orchard around the Oracle, but the plants fared poorly and began to wither. Worried, Primal wondered if the orchard was to be in vain. When an extraterrestrial shuttle crashed into Cybertron, it was Primal who led the Maximals toward the site. Discovering organic matter inside, the team was attacked by a strange plant-creature. Pursuing the beast towards the Oracle, Optimus reformatted the creature into a techno-organic plant. The plant introduced itself as [[Botanica]], a fellow Maximal scientist, and tended to the dying orchard, restoring it to vigorous life.
During his stay in the Legends World, [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Armada Megatron]]'s plans escalated from stealing [[Mini-Con]]s to stealing rare toys, [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#FirstUltra|the blue ''Comic BomBom'' Convoy]] among them. {{storylink|LG18 Armada Starscream Super Mode}}


In the ultimate conflict between Primal and Megatron, Optimus sacrificed his life, plunging with Megatron into the heart of Cybertron and ushering in the reformatting that returned the deactivated population to life and gave birth to the new, technorganic Cybertron. As the surviving Maximals looked out over their new home, Primal and the Oracle spoke to [[Cheetor]], and Primal departed with the words "Transform, and Transcend", as his Spark joined the Matrix. {{Storylink|Endgame Part 3: The Seeds of the Future}}
Primal again weaponized his Transformers sickness to help defend the Legends World from [[Majin Zarak]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}
{{-}}


====''Robots in Disguise'' toy bio====
In response to the threat of Majin Zarak, the toys of the Legends World revealed themselves to be real Transformers. An ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Encore|Returns Convoy]] toy helped to defend [[Tokyo]]. When [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] thanked it for the assist, it responded with a line from its voicebox–"Yvonco pettanko! Yay!"–confusing the Quantum Operative. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two}}
When a spirit guide was needed to counsel the [[Optimus Prime (RiD)|Optimus Prime]] of a [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|past, alternate reality]], Optimus Primal rose to the task.


====''Universe'' toy pack-in CD-ROM====
When the Legends World citizens were under attack by [[Galvatron II]]'s forces on the [[G1 World]] version of the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]], [[Lio Convoy (BW)|Leo Prime]] made use of Transformers sickness to awaken the power of their spiritual ancestors; Optimus once again took on the form of ''this'' Optimus Primal. {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 3}}
[[Image:UnivCDROM Autobots.jpg|thumb|left|"Pardon me, just passing through."]]


On some alternate Cybertron, that universe's Optimus Primal was leading the Autobots [[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]], [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], and [[Striker]] against [[Reptilion]], [[Obsidian (Universe)|Obsidian]], [[Tankor (Decepticon)|Tankor]], [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]], and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] in the most intense day of fighting that year. Just as the combatants were really starting to beat the slag out of each other, they were interrupted by a mysterious spaceship that swooped down, sucked the [[Decepticon]]s up on beams of light, and flew away.  Primal and his troops were left dumbfounded, unaware that the ship had been a tool of [[Unicron]] in his quest to build [[Minion of Unicron|an army]] for a [[Universe war|grand war]]. {{storylink|Universe CD-ROM}}
===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
On a [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] where the Autobots and Decepticons had grown too decrepit to carry on the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], they constructed proxy armies in the form of the [[Maximal]]s and Predacons. Increasingly questioning the orders of her Autobot masters, the breaking point with [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] came with the death of her colleagues Silverbolt and Rhinox. She conspired with [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] and together they killed their commander, Optimus Primal, who refused to turn against the Autobots. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 25|"TransTech" Blackarachnia's profile in Club magazine #25}}


{{note|This comic shows no signs of being intended to mesh with any other ''[[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' fiction.  Given that ''Universe'' is entirely ABOUT alternate dimensions, it could still be a side note to the [[Universe war|greater storyline]]... but no matter how you look at it, there's no way that this Primal can be the same Primal in the main ''Universe'' comic.}}
===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Vector Prime]] had speculated that the [[Dark Spark]] might have been the essence of a Megatron from an alternate timeline where Optimus Primal and his Maximals failed to stop his plot to absorb all of the sparks on Cybertron, among other explanations. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#May 18, 2015|Ask Vector Prime}}


====3H ''Universe'' comics====
===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' continuity===
[[Image:Csoptimusprimalu2.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Look, up in the sky!  It's... an ''ape?'']]
====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Garry Chalk]] (English, script reading)
[[File:POTP vote Optimus Primal.jpg|thumb|150px|right]]
As the denizens of post-Vehicon [[Cybertron (planet)#Beast Machines cartoon|Cybertron]] just began to settle into their peaceful, [[technorganic]] world that Optimus Primal had given his life to create, [[Unicron]] unexpectedly struck from afar.  He teleported several [[Transformer]]s into himself, a handful of the countless victims across the [[Continuity|multiverse]] whom he pitted against each other in order to harvest their [[energon radiation]] and, eventually, [[spark]]s.  Decimated in some unknown battle and trapped between dimensions, Unicron sought to revitalize himself in this fashion.


Deep within Cybertron, [[Primus]] and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] summoned Optimus Primal back from the dead and sent him on a raid to free Unicron's captives. {{storylink|Abduction}} Once inside the Chaos-Bringer, he found allies in the form of a [[Grimlock (G1)#Dreamwave comics continuity|Grimlock]] and even a [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] from variant timelines. {{storylink|OTFCC Live-Action Drama}} But he also found himself discolored by sinister [[Unicron virus|radiation]] that threatened not only his body, but also his spark.  Nevertheless, he was quite successful in his mission, battling Unicron's [[Minion of Unicron|Minion]]s until he had freed dozens of abductees.  Then, still within Unicron, he sent them back to their home dimensions by the power of prayer.
{{quote|True strength is having the courage to trust that sometimes crazy works.}}
Optimus Primal was a potential bearer of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. As a force for chaos, this King of [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]] planned to herald a new age of beasts, even if it produced a Cybertron where only the strong would survive. {{storylink|Source:Power of the Primes Fan Vote|''Power of the Primes'' fan poll}} Primal was deemed worthy, and granted the power of the Matrix, as well as the [[Throne of the Primes]], the [[Halo of Primus]], and the [[Scepter of Sparks]]. {{storylink|Optimus_Primal_(BW)/toys#SDCC2018|Throne of the Primes toy bio}}
{{--}}


Returning to Cybertron, Primal was glad for his victory, but he wondered if his own resurrection could bring about Megatron's return as well. {{storylink|Escape (Universe comic)|Escape}} More pressingly, Primal was unable to convince the [[Maximal High Council]] that any of this was actually ''happening,'' so he ended up turning to the dead for new troops. Primus gave him a selection of fallen warriors to choose from, and he picked [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Depth Charge]]. They were to launch more raids within Unicron while an orbital defense platform was being constructed above Cybertron. But Depth Charge refused to take part in more violence, so Alpha Trion took a cue from Unicron and transported [[Omega Prime]] into their dimension to fight in his place. {{storylink|Homecoming (Universe comic)|Homecoming}}
====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons====
[[File:PowerOfThePrimesTeaserPoster.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''M-O-N-K-E-Y MONKEY<br>R-O-B-O-T ROBOT'']]
{{voiceactor|[[Ron Perlman]] (English)}}
Optimus Primal was the latest in a long line of noble Cybertronians tasked by the [[Thirteen|gods]] with guarding the [[Requiem Blaster (Thirteen)|Requiem Blaster]]. For as long as he could remember, he was sealed with it inside a dome in [[Primal Swamp]] to watch over it. This continued until [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] eventually found and entered the vault, hoping to retrieve the Blaster in order to keep it out of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'s clutches. Primal appeared before him and fought to defend the Blaster, but Megatron told him that Cybertron was facing extinction and that he was prepared to give his life to save the planet. Sensing the truth in his words, Primal relinquished the Blaster to Megatron, who left the vault with it. As the former Decepticon and his team discussed their next move, Primal followed him outside and properly introduced himself, suggesting they head for the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. {{storylink|Primal (POTP)|Primal}}


{{note|The tale of the Universe war was halted here for a time, as [[Hasbro]] had revoked [[3H Productions|3H]]'s license to the ''Transformers'' property.  But the story would be continued in [[Fun Publications]]' [[Transformers Collectors' Club Official Magazine#Balancing Act|''Cybertron'' comic]].}}
The group traveled to [[Cataclysm Tundra]], where they unearthed the Sanctorum's hidden entrance. Finding a data terminal inside, they learned of Primal's origins as an agent of the gods, but were interrupted when [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]] attacked. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} In the ensuing fight, Rodimus briefly trapped him beneath some rubble. When he emerged, he saw the Requiem Blaster left unguarded and attempted to flee with it. When Windblade called him out, he claimed that letting the Blaster out of Primal Swamp was a mistake, but accusations of cowardice by Windblade promted a change of heart. Instead of leaving, Primal moved himself into the shadows on the higher levels of the Sanctorum before tossing the Blaster to Megatron so he could finish Overlord. {{storylink|Countdown (POTP)|Countdown}} In the aftermath, Primal thanked Windblade for stopping him from running. As Megatronus appeared to take the Blaster, Primal attempted to defend it, but proved no match. Following Megatronus's escape, Primal sided himself with the others in support of Megatron as they marched toward the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] to finish things. {{storylink|Consequences}}
[[File:POTP-Ep9-Megatronus-Unleashed-Primal-becomes-Optimal-Optimus.jpg|thumb|300px|"Before there was time, before there was anything, there was nothing, and before there was nothing, there were monsters."]]


====Fun Publications ''Cybertron'' comic====
Noting the peculiarity of the [[Labyrinth of Tunnels]], he mused to himself about how much of Cybertron and the surrounding universe he had yet to discover due to his isolation. Though his spark was weakened by Megatronus's doomsday device, Primal and the others forced their way into the Well. After saving Windblade from a potentially lethal blast, he and Grimlock worked to restrain Megatronus. However, Megatronus proved too powerful and severely burned Primal and the others. {{storylink|Collision Course}} The flames surrounding him died down while Megatronus fought Rodimus, now completely possessed by [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], and Primal resumed attacking Megatronus's device. Despite interference from Megatronus, Primal did his best to pull the Matrix free from the device. He eventually succeeded and began interfacing with the Matrix unexpectedly, creating a protective shield around him. When Perceptor revealed the Matrix had chosen him, he placed the relic into his chest and was transformed into a new form. Dubbed Optimal Optimus by the Matrix and proclaimed as the protector of all sentient beings, he began to battle Unicron, now seemingly a match for him. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} Optimal eventually overtook his foe and managed to remove the [[Matrix of Conquest]] from his chest, restoring him back to his former self as Hot Rod. When Unicron attempted to use the Matrix to take control of Megatron, Optimal agreed to use the Requiem Blaster to destroy them both, hailing Megatron as a true hero. In the aftermath, thanks to the Matrix's choice of him as the new Prime, Optimal was named the leader of Cybertron. Though Optimal was unsure if he was worthy of the role, the newly revived [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taught him the ways of Cybertron and promised to support him as Optimal declared he would lead Cybertron into a new age of prosperity. {{storylink|Saga's End}}
{{-}}


[[Image:Primal_FPUnivBio.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"Did I say ''Matrix'' of Purification?  I meant fist."]]
===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:ASurfeitOfPrimes-OptimusPrimalMegatron.jpg|left|thumb|300px|And you thought ''Beast Machines'' took him to dark places.]]


Optimus Primal took Omega Prime and others on raids within Unicron's internal "prison cities," freeing more captives. Primal then embarked on an even more proactive venture, leading teams to other dimensions in anticipation of Unicron's strikes and setting up defensive measures before the Chaos-Bringer could gather more victims.  Despite gaining more followers in this process, Primal and other veterans were being worn down by Unicron's corruptive influence.  Certainly those who had been abducted and reformatted by Unicron were affected, but some (such as Primal himself) who had been exposed to Unicron's nanotech virus and its accompanying radiation were also suffering.  In order to avert madness and death, Primus [[reformat]]ted Primal and several of his comrades.  Not only was his [[Optimus Primal#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|new form]] immune to the virus and radiation, but it also possessed the [[Matrix of Purification]], which could heal others of Unicronian corruption.
Twelve million years ago, Optimus Primal was a [[Maximal]] under the command of [[Liege Maximo]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} When [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] and his [[Darklands|Darklander]] army conquered the [[Forgotten Plains]], Maximo and his army were forced into exile, and eventually came into the employ of "[[Onyx Prime]]" in reality, an alias assumed by a time-travelling [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} As part of his grand plan to engineer Cybertronian history, "Onyx" took control of Liege Maximo's forces and incorporated them into his "Menagerie" of bestial warriors, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} and Optimus was one of the warriors who accompanied his new master to the [[Crystal City]]. There, they joined forces with [[Alpha Trion]]'s council to battle the Darklanders. {{storylink|Origin Myths}}


[[Image:Optimusprimaluniverseend.jpg|right|thumb|200px|It's 11pm -- do you know where your ''Beast Wars'' cast is?]]
[[File:GhostStories-OPBeastMode.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]


Months passed as the competing armies grew, their battles raging on a level comparable to the [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|Great Wars]]. Cybertron itself remained stable, but only for a time.  The planet fell victim to a massive invasion, later called "the Culling," in which Unicron's Minions swept across the globe in a killing frenzy, the sparks of their victims feeding the Chaos-Bringer.  Primal's army fended the invaders off, but in the chaotic aftermath, Primal's earlier fears were realized as [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] returned to lead the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s back to glory. He initially fought Primal, but he eventually called a truce to better face their common foe.<ref>Optimus Primal's bio in the [[Revelations Part 3|Transformers Collectors' Club comic #9]]</ref>
Two million years later—after the ascension of the [[Thirteen]] and the subsequent [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] that saw their alliance undone—Primal was now a member of Onyx Prime's innermost retinue, and joined the Prime when he left Cybertron aboard the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Nemesis (BW)|Nemesis]] to advance his plans. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} The Maximals made camp on [[Antilla]], a planet that the Cybertronians had once attempted to colonize years before, now the site of a weapon that Onyx dubbed the "[[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]]." {{storylink|Our Finest}} After many millions of years, Onyx sent the Talisman away aboard the starship ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} with Primal and the other Maximals remaining on Antilla. At some point afterwards, the [[Mistress of Flame|Matriarch of Incaendium]], [[Praesidia Magna|Praesidia]], and [[Magrada]] traveled there to investigate a Cybertronian signal, and Primal was one of the Maximals who watched as Onyx slew Magrada. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Some time later, Primal was among the Maximals who travelled to [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], the Cybertronian colony from whence the intruders had came, and clashed with the [[Torchbearer]]s over a supply of [[Ore-4]]. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}}


Continued raids saved many more captives and brought the Minions to near-defeat.  Then as one raiding party including Primal and Omega Prime battled their way out, Unicron suddenly began to disappear.  The raiders rapidly teleported away, but Omega Prime did not materialize with the rest. He was pulled in mid-teleport by [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] into the Cybertron of the [[Unicron Singularity]], which had been the cause of the Unicron-war Unicron's disappearance.  Presumably Optimus Primal made it back to his own dimension safely, but this is unconfirmed. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}}{{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}
In the modern day, Primal and the other Maximals travelled to Cybertron with Onyx and Liege Maximo as Shockwave put the final stages of his plan into play; as Cybertron collapsed into chaos thanks to his machinations, Primal joined Liege Maximo to attack the crew of the fallen [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]]. Primal was nearly impaled by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]]'s sword before Maximo caught the blade, allowing Primal and [[Megatron (BW)|Beast Megatron]] to restrain the Autobot. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} Though Shockwave and Liege Maximo were both defeated—fatally, in the case of the latter—Primal and the other Maximals fled Cybertron aboard the Nemesis {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} to rendezvous with Shockwave's ultimate weapon: [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}}


===Japanese cartoon continuity===
[[File:StrangerEons-MutantMaximals.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The first Maximal auditions for the live-action movies left something to be desired.]]
====''Beast Wars II''====
[[Image:Burningconvoy.jpg|thumb|right|All these compliments are making me blush.]]


Optimus Primal was summoned across time by [[Lio Junior]] to help [[Lio Convoy]] destroy [[Majin Zarak]].  Optimus Primal became '''Burning Convoy''' by joining the power of his matrix with Lio Convoy's.
Shockwave believed that the Maximals had done so at his behest, helping Unicron devour each colony world before destroying Cybertron, at which point the Talisman would kill Unicron and allow the Transformers to establish a new Transformer empire on Earth. He was unaware of their true intentions; despite pledging fealty to Shockwave, the manipulative ex-Decepticon had shattered ''their'' faith as well, and their decision to ''truly'' join forces with Unicron was an act of revenge, aiming to bring down the entire galaxy in defiance of Shockwave's carefully-curated plan. {{storylink|Ceremony}}


After Majin Zarak's destruction, Optimus Primal returned to ancient [[Earth]]. {{Storylink|Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger}}
[[File:Unicron5-MaximalAttack.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Okay, that's better...]]
{{Note|The events of the ''Beast Wars II'' movie, especially Optimus Primal having an [[Energon Matrix]], did not occur in American continuity. It's not clear when during the Beast Wars Optimus Primal was taken.}}


=====Manga=====
After meeting up with Unicron as the planet-eater consumed [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} the Maximal swarm traveled with him to [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] and attacked the surface, allowing Unicron to consume them as he devoured Caminus. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} This was not the end of the Maximals, however; as Unicron had already consumed [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]] and its supplies of [[Ore-11]], the Maximals were exposed to the mutagenic ore in Unicron's systems. It was in this state that Unicron regurgitated them to deal with the [[Decepticon Vengeance Division]], and thanks to the powers of Ore-11 Primal and the other Maximals were able to manifest a monstrous new robot mode. D.V.D. commander [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], already a Unicron loyalist, had double-crossed the fleet under his command, and allowed the Maximals to board the [[Worldsweeper]] flagship so as to pass on their mutation to the Decepticons sent to impede Unicron's progress. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}


When Lio Convoy goes nuts and grows to giant proportions, wreaking havok across the landscape, Optimus Primal is summoned across time by the power of the Matrix to heal him.
Concealing his new form beneath his old bestial guise, Primal and several other Maximals made their way to [[Earth]] in advance of Unicron's arrival and landed in [[Toronto]] as Shockwave teleported in. With Cybertron gone, Shockwave believed that his plan had worked, and that Unicron had perished in the act; at his command, Primal, Beast Megatron, and Rhinox began razing the city to make way for the birth of Shockwave's new Cybertronian empire. {{storylink|Road's End}} As the Maximals wreaked havoc, Beast Megatron was attacked and crippled by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], bringing Primal and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] running. Primal found himself facing off against [[Stardrive]] and the [[Red Shadows]] in combat, being able to hold his own despite their [[Dire Wraith]] powers. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}} Though he was able to keep Stardrive at bay, Primal was dogpiled by the ninjas and tag-teamed by [[Tempest (G.I. Joe)|Storm Shadow]] and [[Snake-Eyes]], their combined attacks slicing him to bits. {{storylink|Ceremony}}
{{-}}


====''Robot Masters''====
===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Yuto Kazama]] (Japan)
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Optimus-Primal-art.jpg|thumb|left|150px]]
The Maximals traveled across time to find the [[AllSpark]] and change the fate of Cybertron. While battling the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s on pre-[[Ice Age]] Earth, both sides were joined by the Autobots and Decepticons, their epic battle changing their combined destinies forever.


Optimus Primal chased Megatron in yet another time warp into the Generation 1 era. There, he met and joined forces with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Together, their special attack was a massive energon tornado called Double Convoy Tornado. The Double Convoy Tornado would come to be countered by [[Megatron (BW)|Beast Megatron]]'s and [[Megatron (G1)|Rebirth Megatron]]'s Double Megatron Tornado, but emerge victorious with the addition of Lio Convoy's Lio Typhoon Arrow, creating Triple Convoy Tornado Link attack.
Optimus Primal's function was leader of the Maximals, and he [[trans-scan]]ned into a gorilla. His gorilla beast strength and [[sword|scimitar]] mastery were his powers and weapons, and his core traits were his honor, commission, and loyalty. Optimus Primal's message from the future was that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|someone from the past]] has the power to reshape his future. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>


He also had a temporary virus-induced Black Body form.
In a possible destiny recorded on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|''Voyager'' Golden Disk]], Optimus Primal bore witness to Autobot leader Optimus Prime leading Cybertron to a new golden age. {{storylink|Source:Golden Disk destinies|''Kingdom'' Golden Disk cards}}
{{note|Since both were known as simply "Convoy" in their respective Japanese series, Optimus Prime was designated "G1 Convoy" while Optimus Primal was designated "Beast Convoy".}}
{{--}}


====''Beast Wars Reborn'' text story====
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Justin Pierce]] (English), [[Takehito Koyasu]] (Japanese)|[[Bernd-Siegfried Egger]] (German), [[Frantz Confiac]] (French), [[Alexandre Maguolo]] (Portuguese), [[Luis Bajo]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Dan Osorio]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Anil Datt]] (Hindi), [[Stefano Alessandroni]] (Italian)}}


{{note|This story takes place after the events of Beast Machines.}}
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep1-Optimus-Primal-attacks-Optimus-Prime.jpg|thumb|300px|Gorilla Greetings!]]
Optimus Primal was a [[Maximal]] born out of an uninhabitable [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} under the constant threat of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]], {{storylink|Kingdom episode 6}} and was a crew member of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''. He grew bitter towards Nemesis's past self, [[Autobot]] leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], for taking the [[AllSpark]] off-world and abandoning his people, ruining everything. When [[Megatron (BW)|Predacon Megatron]] stole the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] to [[time travel]] and change the past, the ''Axalon'' chased the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] to [[Earth]]. Stranded on the planet, Optimus Primal led the Maximals in a cycles-long conflict with Megatron and the Predacons, {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} with both sides suffering devastating casualties to their ranks {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}} until the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' and ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' crashed on Earth.


[[Image:BeastWarsRebornMegatronArtwork1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Rebirth control.]]
Optimus Primal led an attack against the Autobots and defeated Optimus Prime himself, believing he was Nemesis Prime. The Maximal leader demanded to see Prime's [[Matrix of Leadership]] to prove he is not Nemesis, though Optimus succumbed to his injuries and fell unconscious. Primal and Maximal [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] investigated the ''Ark'' [[energon]] supply to repair the ''Axalon'', but are interrupted by Autobot [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and the repaired Optimus Prime. The two Optimuses argued until Prime revealed the Allspark is on Earth and [[Tigatron (BW)|Tigatron]] announced [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] located both [[Megatron (G1)|Megatrons]]. Optimus Primal finally revealed to the Autobots that he was the leader of the Maximals and from the future. Untrustworthy to each other, the two factions discussed amongst themselves if they should help each other. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}}


Both Megatron and Optimus Primal awoke inside a bizare temple-like spaceship which was hurtling through space.  Neither had any memory of who they were or how they got there, only their own names and a feeling of discomfort between one another.  The pair went about investigating the ship in search of answers. While Megatron's memory was lost, his personality remained mostly intact: he was more concerned with seizing control of the ship before Primal did in order to gain the upper hand.
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep3-Optimus-Primal-gorilla.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep4-Optimus-Primal-possessed-by-Dinobot.jpg|thumb|300px]]
{{charfictionstub}}


They eventually found a data log and discovered that their sparks had been taken and they were reborn into new bodies (unbeknownst to them, bodies identical to their original forms).  However, their memories were intentionally not uploaded into their new bodies.  While searching the log they discovered that the ship's main power source was a [[Golden Disk]] lodged within a giant pillar.  Megatron immediately raced to obtain the Disk and Primal followed him.  The closer they got to the disk the more the ship attempted to thwart their advance by manipulating its atmosphere conditions.
===2021 IDW ''Beast Wars'' comic===
[[File:SavageLandingPart1-OptimusPrimal.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]


Once they reached the chamber, the ship's environment suddenly morphed to that of a decaying planet littered with the corpses of robots. The corpses came to life and began shambling toward them, intent on eating their sparks. They made short work of the zombies, leaving Megatron to obtain the Golden Disk and Primal with a feeling that he shouldn't entirely trust Megatron.
Optimus Primal was once a member of the [[Maximal]] [[Maximal Command Security Force|Security Forces]] but was removed from his post and eventually promoted to become captain of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', a job he bemoaned as meant to keep him in line with its monotony. En route to [[H'nkshanaar-4]] to "deliver scientific experiments", the crew of the ''Axalon'' were ordered by [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] to pursue a band of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] who stole [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|an artifact]] and [[Darksyde (BW)|a transwarp-capable ship]]. Elated by the prospect of some adventure, Optimus Primal and his crew followed the other ship into a transwarp portal, ending up in orbit of a mysterious planet. The following battle caused both ships to fall to the planet, disabling both crews. The computer of the ''Axalon'' detected dangerous levels of [[energon radiation]] and outfitted the comatose Maximals with new techno-organic beast modes. Primal awoke to the form of a native gorilla. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 1}}


From another dimension beyond time and space, [[Primus]] recognized that something was amiss and sent one of his messengers to meet Primal and Megatron within the spaceship.
[[File:SavageLandingPart4-Maximalbeastmodes.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]


===''Beast Wars Metals'' manga continuity===
As repairs progressed, Primal received a status report from [[Nyx]] before he sent her out to do an aerial recon of the land. When Cheetor groused that Primal had just cost him tiny servos that could fit into access panels, Primal told him to go ask Rattrap. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 2}} When night fell and Nyx did not return, Primal ordered [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to stay on the ship when the younger Maximal suggested they organize a search effort. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 3}}


Optimus Primal, who was killed while destroying the Vok Planet Buster, is resurrected as a sparkless monster using a voodoo ceremony.  Rhinox rescues Primal's spark from Transwarp Space and restores him to his body.
When Nyx was still overdue to return, Primal repurposed a data collection shell to connect with the orbiting stasis pods to expand their search radius and find Nyx. When the reworked array came online, Primal cursed himself for not ordering rescue sooner when he saw how slow Nyx was moving. When Nyx approached the ''Axalon'', Primal led his crew outside to keep watch, being greeted by the Predacon [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] carrying the prone pilot and formally requesting to defect to the Maximals. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 4}}


Later, he eats Optimus Prime's spark.
[[File:SavageLandingPart5-mynameisoptimusprimal.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]


''The Metals manga takes Primal's manic action hero side to the next level. He once put a bomb in his mouth and tricked the cannibalistic [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] into eating his head. "I have a spare," he says casually, transforming to beast mode.''
After Dinobot had been locked in a holding area for malfunctioning protoforms, Optimus briefly interrogated him before a repaired Nyx asked to speak to the prisoner. Soon afterwards, the rest of the Predacons marched on the ''Axalon'', whose defences had yet to be repaired. Ordering Rattrap to stay behind and repair them, Optimus led his crew into battle, facing off against Megatron. As the battle continued, Megatron steadily began to overpower Primal, {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 5}} and attempted to crush him with his beast mode head only for Optimus to break the hold, being saved from a blast when Nyx threw Terrorsaur into its path. As Optimus and Dinobot prepared to take on Megatron together, Rattrap finished repairs on the defences, the [[force field]] coming online and ejecting all Predacons from the perimeter, including Dinobot. When the Predacons began beating the turncoat to death, Primal fired the point defence cannons to scare them off.


===3D Battle-Card Game===
Days later, Optimus confessed to Rhinox some of his doubts about his leadership capabilities only for his friend to warm him against second-guessing himself before a wounded, but operational, Dinobot thanked Optimus for the repairs and announced his intent to leave the Maximals. Seeing potential in the defector, Primal reminded him of the heritage of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and invited him to stay. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 6}}
====Energon Wars expansion====
Optimus Primal leads a motley crew of Autobots from (potentially) disparate timelines against the forces of Megatron.  He is probably getting tired of having to do this.


==Toys==
Confident that the ship's fully operational force fields would keep the Predacons out and allow the Maximals to dictate the terms of conflict until a transwarp beacon could be constructed, {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 1}} Primal spared with Dinobot in the gymnasium to get a feel of the Predacon's fighting style and how he was healing. That evening, the Maximals engaged in card game while Dinobot described the Predacon ranks. When Cheetor had a weird feeling, he went off to poke around the ship, later shooting off a garbled message to Primal. {{storylink|Pod Part 1}} When Cheetor didn't answer Primal's hails, the Maximals raced to his location, finding him bound by webbing. Recalling that [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] had broken into [[Thetha Lab]] during the battle, Rattrap noted that the intruder was likely a corrupted [[protoform]]. Though Primal ordered the ship placed on lockdown, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] managed to escape the ''Axalon'' while having managed to corrupt 51% of the stasis pods while calling all of them down. Cursing himself for his complacency and overcautious attitude, Primal ordered the Maximals to prepare for an attack on the ''Darksyde''. {{storylink|Pod Part 2}}
===Beast Wars===
* '''Optimus Primal vs Megatron''' (Basic versus two-pack, 1996)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-6'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords


:The first Optimus Primal was a Basic size class blue bat which could autotransform into a robot by pulling the tail.  Two swords were removable from under its wings for use as weaponry in robot mode.  It was packaged along with an alligator version of Megatron and a ''Beast Wars'' mini-comic.
As the Maximals prepared for battle, [[Skold]] appeared outside the ''Axalon'', bringing them the wounded [[Razorbeast]]. After confirming Skold's intentions, Primal brought the Maximal into the ship for medical care. {{storylink|Thicker Skin}}


:Whether this toy can be considered the Optimus Primal character is a matter of debate.  Released before the animated series began, which established Optimus Primal as a separate entity from Optimus Prime, the accompanying profiles and mini-comic seem to assume that the Beast Wars are a progression of the same characters from the Autobot/Decepticon war. Whether the animated series's [[retcon]] affected this set of toys is probably a matter of personal preference. It can be interpreted as representing one of the more interesting [[Micro-Continuities|micro-continuities]].
[[File:MaximalsStrikeBackPart1-wheresmegatron.jpg|thumb|right]]


:The ''[[Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' has asserted that, in [[Beast Wars timeline (IDW)|IDW's version of the ''Beast Wars'' continuity]], Primal's bat form was suggested by the ''Axalon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s computer as a potential alt-mode, but he rejected it in favour of the more powerful gorilla without ever actually reformatting into it. Thus, this [[micro-continuity]] posits bat-mode Primal as an essentially theoretical alt-form that never actually came to be.
After Dinobot explained the origins of the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], Primal led his crew to a retrofitted escape shuttle. While in flight, Primal designated Nyx and Rattrap to destroy the ''Darksyde''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s transwarp drive and steal the Golden Disk respectively while the rest of them would engage the Predacons in battle, ordering Razorbeast to try and talk down Skold. After Dinobot announced their arrival via a [[missile]] barrage, Primal landed on the battlefield. {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 1}} With Megatron absent from the battlefield, Primal first fought [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] before he fought Skold whereupon Razorbeast intervened, trying to talk down his friend only for Terrorsaur to swoop in and kill the red Maximal. Noticing Megatron about to kill Dinobot, Optimus lunged at the Predacon leader. {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 2}} As Optimus kept Megatron's attention, he was informed by Nyx that Rattrap was trapped behind an impregnable door. Impaling Megatron's beast mode head, Optimus managed to disable the Predacon long enough to rescue his comrade only to be caught unawares by a security [[force field]]. Confronted by Megatron, Primal demanded to be released, offering the safe return of the Golden Disk. If not released, he bluffed to destroy the Disk, highlighting that the disabled ''Darksyde'' and the booby-trapped ''Axalon'' would make the Predacons unable to steal another version of it. After a furious Megatron agreed, Primal revealed to the bluff to his crew while Megatron swore to claim Primal's spark. {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 3}}


:This mold was also used to make the Optimus Prime-recolored Convobat (who may or may not be a separate character to either Prime or Primal), and [[Onyx Primal]].
Following a battle at a field of [[energon crystal]]s, Cheetor remained unresponsive in the medical bay despite his perfect health and overactive processor. When Cheetor awoke, he warned Primal of the [[Vok]] before an outside force triggered a hard reboot on Cheetor that left him with no memory of the Vok. {{storylink|The Speedway of Central Consciousness}}


* '''Optimus Primal''' (Ultra, 1996/1997/1998)
When installing new sensors, Optimus and Dinobot were attacked by Tarantulas and Blackarachnia who infected Primal with a hyper-aggression virus. After a loaded suggestion from Dinobot, Primal broke out of the ''Axalon'' and made his way to the ''Darksyde''. As he leapt through the jungle, Primal was ambushed by [[Polar Claw]] whose superior strength easily overpowered Primal's blind rage. {{storylink|Primal Rage}}
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
[[Image:Optimusprimaltoyultraape.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Yes, missiles come out of his butt.]]


: The second Optimus Primal toy was an ape in the Ultra size class. Though the transformation from primate to humanoid was a relatively simplistic one, the toy compensated with more than a fair share of weaponry and action features. A compartment on his right forearm opened to reveal a skull-shaped mace he could hold in his fist. His left forearm could open into a double-barreled missile launcher.  On his back were two spring-loaded missile launchers which auto-flipped over each shoulder.  By pulling a lever in the center of his back, both arms would either spin at the bicep or bend in and out at the elbow, depending on the placement of notch-buttons located on either bicep.  And finally, like many first-year ''Beast Wars'' toys, a battle mask/"[[mutant head]]" could be deployed over his robot head.
Awakening face-to-face with Megatron, Primal leapt at his foe only to bounce off a force field, the backlash burning the virus from his system. As Primal tested out the strength of the field and grilled Megatron for information, their captors made themselves known. Introducing themselves as the "[[Children of the Vok (group)|Children of the Vok]]", the five wayward protoforms informed the two captains that the Vok had grown tired of Cybertronian interference on the planet. As a defiant Megatron raged, Primal observed the field block the discharge of his weapon but not the dust and their captors reverting to [[beast mode]] to exit the cave. Gambling that the force fields were only designed to work on [[robot mode]]s, Primal proved his theory and offered Megatron an alliance to survive. No sooner had the two exited the cave did the Children attack again, Optimus engaging [[Tigatron (BW)|Tigatron]] and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] in battle. After Megatron had killed Polar Claw and [[Saberback (BW)|Saberback]], the Vok finally arrived, [[Pakak]] using Polar Claw's corpse as a medium. As Optimus spoke to the alien, Megatron blasted the corpse, prompting the trio of angered Vok to show their true forms and begin killing the Predacon leader. Coming to his foe's defence, Primal offered the Vok the chance for a new experiment: seeing how the Maximals and Predacons would work together when confronted with a larger threat. Agreeing, the Vok gave the Cybertronians seven unobserved cycles to prepare. {{storylink|Children of the Vok}}


[[Image:prizeprimals.jpg|100px|thumb|right|Brass monkeys.]]
Upon being returned to their ships, Primal and Megatron agreed to an officer exchange to better develop strategies. Optimus deposited Rhinox and Dinobot at the ''Darksyde'' and brought Waspinator, Skold and Blackarachnia to the ''Axalon'', outfitting them with [[restraining bolt]]s. Optimus was later summoned by Skold and Nyx who theorized that the Vok, based on earlier readings that matched the energy clinging to Primal, were from unspace. Cheetor then entered, warning that the ''Darksyde'' was under attack. {{storylink|The Beginning of the End}}


: Takara released the toy as part of their ''Beast Wars'' line in July of 1997, nearly identical to the Hasbro version. The missiles for the Takara version are thinner and simpler than the original Hasbro version, and would be used in all subsequent releases of the mold.
Leaving Rattrap and Waspinator behind to complete the repairs, Primal led the others to the ''Darksyde'', finding it under attack by the totality of the Children of the Vok. Optimus engaged Tigatron once again, having another philosophical discussion as they fought before the Vok arrived. Deciding that Cybertronians were too disruptive, the Vok immobilized all as they prepared to fire their [[reversion device]] only to be fired on by the ''Axalon'', now firing unspace blasts that dissipated the alien entirely. After Optimus failed to convince Tigatron to join them, Megatron lunged at the Maximal leader only to be struck by the unspace beam, sending him forward in time. In the aftermath, Optimus offered to extend the truce with the Predacons, promising to put in a good word for them if they helped capture Tarantulas and Megatron only for the Predacons to refuse. Wearily, Optimus led his crew back into the ''Axalon'', though warning Blackarachnia that the Maximals would not be so understanding when next they met. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}


:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Universe]]'' Optimus Primal, and [[retool]]ed into ''Beast Wars Reborn''/''Beast Wars Tenth Anniversary'' versus pack Optimus Primal. Takara also created multiple special variants, including all-gold (from ''Tele-V Magazine'', only ten awarded), red and gray (''Tele-V'' again, but only ''one'' awarded), and blue-fur (a ''Comics Bom Bom'' design-contest prize, only five awarded).
===Scorching Heat Showdown===
Optimus Primal possessed an [[Avatar]] in the form of [[Convobat]]. After [[Armordillo (BW)|Armordillo]] was gunned down by [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] and Convobat swooped in to fight, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] himself joined the battle. He was soon met by Optimus Primal, who vanquished Megatron after a tussle. Megatron's death triggered an eruption of an unstable [[energon]] volcano, which Optimus Primal and Convobat were able to escape. Optimus regretted not being able to save Armordillo, not realizing that he was attempting to inform him of the crashed ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' being being killed. {{Storylink|Scorching Heat Showdown}}
{{-}}


* '''Special Convoy Real Gray Type''' (Ultra, 1998)
===''Transformers Go! Go!''===
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-1'''
[[File:GoGo20-Primalpunch.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|BANANA SLAMMA!]]
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail


:In January of 1998{{fact}}, Takara released a redeco of the Ultra Optimus Primal toy as '''Special Convoy Real Gray Type''' (スペシャルコンボイ - リアルグレータイプ), changing the black to dark gray and the blue to metallic blue, although the packaging was the same as the original release save for a sticker on the front of the box. According to the sticker, this limited figure was meant to celebrate the "20,000,000 Unit Breakthrough Commemoration" - apparently commemorating ''20 million'' units of Beast Wars toys sold. Whether this was supposed to represent 20 million worldwide or just in Japan is unclear.
As [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] wished their readers a happy New Year, Optimus Primal burst through the page to advertise [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|his new movie]], much to the confusion of the two Autobots. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 19|Go! Go! #19}}


* '''Special Convoy Skeleton Type''' (Ultra, 1998?)
When [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] stole his bananas, Primal was powerless to stop the evil Predacon, until [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] was able to snatch one of the bananas and feed it to the Maximal leader. With the extra surge of power, Primal handily defeated Megatron, but accidentally slipped on the loose peel. {{storylink|Believe in the Bananas!!}} Primal once ordered a plate of [[energon]]-covered bananas from [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], who'd started a food delivery service, but was angry when he learned that Cheetor was also delivering food to the Predacons. {{storylink|Flowers, Delivery, and Inattention}}
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail


: A Toys 'R' Us retail [[exclusive]] redeco of the Ultra figure, '''Special Convoy Skeleton Type''' (スペシャルコンボイ - スケルトンタイプ) was colorless-clear and black with silver paint detailing. The packaging was the same as the general release except for a sticker on the front of the box.
At one point, Primal ordered Rattrap to go on patrol with the intimidating [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]. {{storylink|A Hunch of a Good Duo!}} Primal later sent [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] to check on Tigatron after a period of radio silence. {{storylink|A Natural Couple}}


*'''Convobat vs Megaligator'''
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Go! Go! issue 26}} {{storylink|Gleaming}} {{storylink|Go! Go! Fan Book 2023 special|Fan Book 2023}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 28}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 29}} {{storylink|Transformers Go! Go! Extra Volume|Extra Volume}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 38}} {{storylink|The Transformers Go! Go! Search Quiz is Here!|Search Quiz}} {{storylink|The Transformers Gather on the Snowy Mountain!|Search Quiz 2}}}}
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''S-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:This figure is a red [[redeco]] of Primal's first bat form, and was sold with a purple redeco of Gator Megatron.


*'''Orcanoch''' ([[Microverse]], 1997)
{{ongoing}}
: Part of the Microverse toyline, this orca transforms into a Maximal base. It came with tiny, non-transforming versions of Optimus Primal and Tarantulas.
{{--}}


* '''Optimus Primal''' (Mega Transmetal, 1998)
==Commercial appearances==
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-40'''
*Optimus Primal fluttered about in his bat mode, descending over a river swarming with crocodiles. After one of the beasts nearly snapped him out of the air, Optimus transformed to robot mode to scare it off. But the crocodile transformed as well, revealing itself to be Megatron! Though Optimus took a blast to the side, he was able to relieve Megatron of his gun before the two adversaries continued exchanging blows. {{storylink|Commercial/Beast Wars#Wave 1 Deluxe|Beast Wars Wave 1 Deluxe toys commercial}}
**''Accessories:'' Gun, two clubs/missiles
: [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal is a mechanical gorilla that transforms into a partially organic robot. Like all Transmetals, it featured chromed plastic and a third vehicle-inspired mode.  In Primal's case, his gorilla mode could transform into a gorilla on a hoverboard.  Two maces were stored on his back and could double as missiles for his hip-holstered blaster.


: [[Takara]]'s version of the toy exchanged the brown plastic for translucent maroon, and was also available in a set with Transmetal Megatron.
==Games==
===''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game continuity===
====''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game advertising comic====
Upon arriving on "[[Earth|Planet Energon]]", the dangers of Energon radiation forced the six surviving Maximals and their Predacon adversaries to take on beast alternate forms. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers video game advertising comic}}


: This mold was used to make [[Apelinq]].
====''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game====
{{voiceactor|??? (English), ??? (Japanese)}}
Many of the Beast Wars combatants had managed to built personal bases, customized to their personal tastes, due to the extended duration of the war. Optimus Primal himself remained stationed at the ''Axalon''. Optimus Primal joined his fellow Maximals in battling not only an entrenched Predacon threat, but the interdimensional monsters known as the [[Skriix]].


* '''Optimal Optimus''' (Super Transmetal, 1998)
=====Maximal campaign=====
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-47'''
{{Note|Optimus Primal is a playable character for both rescue missions and normal gameplay.}}
**''Accessories:'' Gun, four missiles
[[File:BeastWarsPSX-Optimusstats.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2]]
: Transmetal Optimal Optimus was the first toy in the Super size class, featuring electronics and four transformations: robot, ape, jet, and armored transport.  When a back section of the cannon module was pulled, the eyes and shoulder-mounted missile launchers lit up and the launchers fired.  It came with four missiles, two of which stored on its legs.  Its forearms featured blast-away armor plates that could also be pegged to its upper arms.
Optimus and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] had the task to rescue any of their comrades that were captured whenever a mission against the Predacons failed.


:Optimal Optimus's on-package [[bio]] states that he has Cybertronian "air guardian" technology and twin scramjet modules. [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s function was Air Guardian, and his Tech Specs said he had these same scramjet modules.
Upon having eliminated the Predacon threat, Optimus Primal declared the galaxy to be at peace thanks to the Maximals.


: This mold was used to make [[Primal Prime]].
{{BW VG|Optimus Primal|M}}


===Beast Wars II===
=====Predacon campaign=====
* '''Burning Convoy'''
Retaliating after [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] had been assassinated by the Predacons, Optimus launched an offensive directly against the Predacon's ship. His drone troops were unsuccessful in destroying the Predacons, who launched a counter-offensive while Optimus troops were still in disarray after the failed attack. The Maximal leader was ultimately assassinated, securing the Predacons their victory in the Beast Wars. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|Beast Wars: Transformers}}
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
:Clear-red redeco of Primal, with gold "flame" markings also included. Was released as a limited edition figure to promote the ''Beast Wars Special'' movie alongside the ''Flash LioConvoy'' toy.


===Beast Machines===
===''Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars''===
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Deluxe, 2000)
Optimus Primal and Cheetor chased [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] through a portal, emerging thousands of years later in an alternate dimension where the super-powerful [[Energon Quartz]] was located. He partook in a series of one-on-one battles, his goal to become the last warrior standing, allowing him to take possession of the crystal.
**''Accessories:'' Energy star
: The first Beast Machines Optimus Primal was a dark bronze and translucent blue technorganic gorilla that transformed into a technorganic robot.  Its arm was spring-loaded to throw the shuriken that stored in its shoulder.  Like all ''Beast Machines'' toys, it had a hidden "spark crystal" that displayed his faction allegiance.  Had a transformation reminiscent of [[Optimus Minor]].
*'''Blast Punch Optimus Primal''' (Mega, 2001)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BR-01'''
:His second toy incarnation, which unlike the previous toy (which had been designed prior to the series) actually looked mostly like the character.


===Robots in Disguise===
Optimus could also partake in various other tasks, such as a mission to break a boulder to reveal an energon crystal hidden within before sundown, using a block in a mission to defend himself against various incoming projectiles, and missions to run across a pit-riddled field, sometimes involving hideously large bacteria he had to fend off.
* '''Air Attack Optimus Primal''' (Supreme, 2002)
:Intended for release in the ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' toyline, this delayed figure is by far the most show-accurate version of BM Optimus. Unfortunately, being a supreme-class toy he is grossly, indeed ''uselessly'', out of [[scale]] with his fellow Maximal figures. Or pretty much anyone for that matter. Still, he looks swank, and he talks! With [[Gary Chalk]]'s voice!!!


===Universe===
Megatron was the final bot opposing him at the end of his quest. Overcoming his Predacon foe, he used the power of the Quartz to finally defeat the Predacons, saving the universe! {{storylink|Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle|Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars}}
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Ultra, 2003)
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail


===Robot Masters===
{{BW fighter ending|Optimus Primal|GBC}}
*'''Beast Convoy'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-11'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords


*'''Beast Convoy Limited Black Version'''
====Move list====
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
{{note|This move list presumes the player is facing right; when facing left, reverse the left and right inputs.}}
: Available only via mail order through ''Hobby Japan'' magazine.
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|'''Robot Mode'''
!colspan=2|'''Beast Mode'''
|-
|Cyber Blade||→↓→B
|Hammer Knuckle||↓→B
|-
|Plasma Cannon||↓→B
|Counter Hammer||↓←A (counter)
|-
|Giga Attack||←↓→A
|Megaton Hammer||→↓→B
|-
|Convoy Driver||←↓→B
|Megaton Slam||←↓→B (grapple)
|-
|Zetsu Convoy Driver (super)||↓→↓← B (grapple)
|Gigaton Bomb (super)||↓→↓← B (grapple)
|-
|God Ascension (desperation)||↓←↓→ A
|God Ascension (desperation)||↓←↓→ A
|}


* '''Burning Beast Convoy'''
===''Transformers Battle Universe''===
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-21'''
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Optimus Primal was among several warriors (and [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimuses]]) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:This toy refers to the ''Beast Wars II'' movie form where he partnered with Lio Convoy, turning them into Burning Convoy and Flash Lio Convoy respectively.


===Beast Wars 10th Anniversary===
===''Transformers Legends''===
* '''Optimus Primal''' (2006)
[[File:LegendsPrimal.jpg|thumb|250px|BEEF MUNKY]]
**''Accessories:'' Surfboard, assault blade, missile, Jungle Planet Key
During a tectonic upshift, a huge amount of [[Energon]] was exposed.
[[Image:Optimusprimalbwx.jpg|left|thumb|200px|''Surf monkey/ that funky monkey'']]
Optimus Primal and the other Maximals found themselves the victims of a Predacon ambush as they tried to secure the Energon themselves, and the cache ultimately fell into Predacon hands. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Legends)|Beast Wars}} On their return to Cybertron, the Maximals discovered that Megatron had conquered the planet, and they were forced to face his Vehicon generals. {{storylink|Beast Machines (Legends)|Beast Machines}}
{{--}}


: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary (BWX) Optimus Primal is a new toy design based loosely on his original ultra ape action figure and pulling some elements from other figures, including a transformation very similar to the Playskool Go-Bot [[Gorillabot]], which itself was a nod to Optimus Primal's Beast Machines form.  Similar to his Transmetal form, BWX Optimus Primal also comes with a hoverboard that fires a missile when a [[Cyber Planet Key]] is inserted.  The board also features a spring-loaded extending "assault blade" (or "ass lt blade" as the directions call it). Though it is not intended to be removed, the blade can be popped off and held in Primal's hand thanks to his posable thumbs.
===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Optimus-Primal.jpg|thumb|400px|SUPER RARE MUNKY]]
Optimus Primal participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in multiple different bodies:
*''Optimus Primal''—This Super Rare character was available as a reward in the "Beast Wars: Episode 1" event.
*''Optimus Primal Bat''—This Epic character was available as a reward in the "Beast Wars: Episode 3" event.
*''Optimus Primal Transmetal''—This Epic character first appeared in the "Transmetals: Beast Wars: Episode 1" event, and could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Transmetal, 250 units of Cybermetal, 100 event cores, and 50 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Optimus-Primal-Bat.jpg|thumb|400px|Because I'm Batman!]]
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Optimus-Primal-Transmetal.jpg|thumb|423px|EPIC MUNKY]]
{{!}}}


[[Image:PrimalXsword.jpg|100px|thumb|Opposable thumbs!]]
===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Optimus-Primal-Earth-Wars.jpg|thumb|400px|Battle Munky!]]
In an unknown time and place, the Beast Wars came to an end. Optimus Primal planned on going home to a new command, while [[Megatron (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Megatron]] went into incarceration. {{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Primal Instinct}} As the [[Autobot Shuttle Omega Delta|shuttle]] was traveling through chronospace, Optimus and Megatron found that they both reverted from their Transmetal forms to their original beast modes. {{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|A Stitch in Time}} They were soon ripped from his place in space-time; Primal tried telling [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] to disengage their transwarp engines and abort their travel, to no avail. {{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Mixed Signals}}


: He is also packaged with a mini-comic-sized reprinting of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Gathering]]'' #1, a small [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] ship figurine, and a [[Jungle Planet]] style Cyber Planet Key without a [[Cyber Key Code]] stamped on it.
They ended up at 21st century Earth, just as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] were closing in to secure their new recruits. Optimus Primal decided to ally himself with the Autobots and figure out who brought him here and why. He was shoved aside by [[Grimlock (G1)|Megatron]], assumed Megatron was the future version of himself. After that mistake, Grimlock ordered the Dinobots to secure the... monkey. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Blast from the Past}} {{storylink|Quantum Beast Leap}}


:This mold was [[redeco]]ed and released as [[Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'']] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]. It's worth noting that the sculpt for both BWX leader toys were intentionally designed to blend in with the Jungle Planet aesthetic, "in case" they didn't get a Beast Wars Anniversary release (according to [[Aaron Archer]]'s statements at [[BotCon 2005]]).
Optimus Primal soon figured out he was back on Earth and in the [[Transformers: Earth Wars|Earth Wars]], to his disappointment. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] came and questioned [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] on the ongoing battle between the Dinobots and the Predacons, and the new primate. Perceptor explained that the primate was a Prime and the idea was Grimlock's. Optimus Prime replied, "Well, that's just prime", and the annoyed Primal told him to get his own catchphrase.


* '''Optimus Primal vs Megatron''' (Toys "R" Us, 2006)
*'''Class''': Special
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
*'''Lowest star rating''': 2 stars
:Identical to the ''Beast Wars Reborn'' set as detailed below, but in new packaging with a DVD of the ''Beast Wars'' episode "[[Possession]]".
*'''Weapons''': Primal in his beast mode first uses his shoulder cannons on a target far away. (15 second cooldown) He thens leaps into the air and lands on a target dealing Area of Effect damage. (10 second cooldown) He then proceeds to pound the target.
*'''Ability: Battle Orders''' - Target their defenses! Friendly bots are given a health shield and prioritize all defenses for a time.
**'''Cost''': 6 ability points, +2 for reuses.
{{note|This ability was fan-voted as a community favorite on the Transformers: Earth Wars BAND page. It has been redesigned from restoring health to bonus health.}}


===Beast Wars Reborn===
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:optimus-primal Optimus Primal at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
[[Image:Optimusprimaltoybwrebornheads.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Staring contest -- go!]]
* '''Convoy vs Megatron''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BWR-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
[[Image:Optimusprimaltoybwreborn.jpg|left|thumb|100px|The eighth Optimus of the world... PRIMAL!]]


: This release is a [[retool]] of the original 1996 Ultra toy, with new heads and robot chest sculpted to match the television series's portrayal.  The color scheme was also altered to be show-accurate, changing the black to dark gray, much of the light gray to medium gray with hints of bronze, primary red to crimson, and blue to a more dull steel blue. 
{{-}}{{anchor|TFEWOptimal}}
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}


:This figure came packaged with a similarly-remolded [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and a [[Golden Disk]] CD-ROM that contains control art for a number of ''Beast Wars'' toys.
;'''Optimal Optimus'''
[[File:Optimal Optimus EarthWars.jpg|right|thumb|500px|New Funky Mode]]


*'''Class''': Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Ability: Flying Inferno''' - For 10 seconds you set nearby enemies on fire dealing damage per second.
**'''Cost''': 7 ability points, +2 for reuses.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:optimal-optimus Optimal Optimus at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}
{{-}}


===Titanium Series===
===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
* '''Optimus Primal''' (3" Robot Master figurine)
[[File:ForgedToFight-OptimusPrimal.jpg|right|thumb|300px|#GORILLACHANNEL #DEEPSTATE]]
:Features Primal in his Beast Wars Season 1 appearance, with swords drawn in an action pose.  


* '''Optimal Optimus''' (6" Transformable figure)
As a Brawler, Optimus Primal has Armor that resists all critical damage, which he can convert into Melee Buffs by ground-pounding shockwave heavy attacks. He's Just Prime as damage debuffs expire faster the more Armor he has, and heals from Bleeds.


:For undetermined reasons, this incarnation of Optimal Optimus does not include the beast mode. This does have precedent in the fiction:  When [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] built a copy of that body for himself at the end of ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', his version didn't have a beast mode either.
{{charstubgame}}


===Timelines===
{{--}}
* '''Dawn of Future's Past''' (Boxset, BotCon 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Two missiles
:A [[redeco]] and [[retool]] of ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]]. Available only in a multi pack with the [[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]] versions of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], and [[Rattrap]], as well as the [[Darksyde]] version of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]].


===Beast Wars Telemocha Series===
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
*'''Convoy''' (2007)
Optimus Primal was originally the inexperienced captain of the ''Axalon''. When their ship was pulled off-course to pursue Megatron and a crew of Predacon rebels and subsequently crashed on prehistoric Earth, Primal was forced to step up as a commander and learn on the job. Primal fought in many battles over the course of the Beast Wars, and came to regard [[Razorbeast]] as one of his best soldiers. He had a special fondness for Earth's creatures, and constantly put his own life on the line to protect innocent bystanders menaced by the Predacons. After Primal's Spark was transplanted into a new Protoform, Optimus gained a new Transmetal body.
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TM-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:An extensive redeco of the Robot Masters Beast Convoy figure in a similar style to the ''Beast Wars Reborn'' retool of the Ultra-class figure.


*'''DX Convoy''' (2007)
When Megatron tried to kill Optimus Prime, Primal was forced to hold the spark of Optimus Prime, which caused him to gain the power of the Primes and grow into an enormous new body.  
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TM-SP'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
:An extensive show-accurate redeco of the original Ultra-class Optimus Primal mold ''without'' the recently remolded head and chestplate. Oh TakaraTomy, you so crazy.


==Merchandise==
Some time later, Optimus Primal returned to Cybertron and was reformatted into a [[technorganic]] form by the Oracle, becoming the keeper of the Matrix. In this form, he could reformat other Transformers into technorganic bodies. {{storylink|Technorganic Secrets}}
===Metal Monument===
* '''Metal Monument Convoy''' (TAKARA, 1999)
: As the name suggests, the product is a [[die-cast]] statue of Optimus Primal. The head is convertible/removable in order to change the normal one with the battle mask/mutant head. The [[box art]] and  the design of the product are both done by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]].


===3D Battle-Card Game===
==Toys==
*'''Optimus Primal''' (2007)
[[File:Optimus Primal toys.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|There's a lot more where these came from!]]
{{main|Optimus Primal (BW)/toys}}


: A 52-point "rare" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Optimus Primal "transforms" into a black ape.  He uses the same parts layout as [[Cheetor]], [[Ravage]] and [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]], although the figure's beast mode is assembled differently.  Optimus Primal is nominally the leader of the Autobots in the set.
==Merchandise==
 
{{main|Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Merchandise}}
===Robot Heroes===
{{--}}
{{comingsoontoy}}
 
==Trivia==
* Primal's gorilla mode, paired against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s t-rex mode, was inspired by the showdown in [[wikipedia:King Kong|King Kong]]. <!--Needs citation!  Argh, where did we recently confirm this...?  BotCon I think.-->
 
* Indeed, gorilla Primal's original tech specs (which belong to the [[micro-continuity]] that takes place on modern-day Earth) seems to strongly imply that Primal is a building-scaling ape of Kong-like stature. As speculated in the ''Beast Wars'' volume of the ''[[Cybertronian: The Unofficial Transformers Recognition Guide|Cybertronian]]'' action figure guide, this may have been intended to explain why he is [[Scale|in the same scale]] as Megatron, a Tyrannosaurus Rex. This would also make somewhat greater sense in the context of the toyline itself, wherein the leader characters were of a much larger "Ultra" size-class than their minions, unlike their eventually much smaller depictions in [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|the CG cartoon]].
 
* According to a guide book published in conjunction with the ''[[Beast Wars II]]'' theatrical film, Optimus Primal's original body had the following technical specifications. The veracity of these numbers in relation to anything actually featuring Primal, of course, is questionable.
 
:Height: 2.8m (9.19 feet).
:Weight: 2 tons.
:Running Speed: 60km (37.28 mph, beast mode), 50km (31.07 mph, robot mode).
:Airspeed: Mach 7.
:Maximum Power Output: 1,000,000 horsepower.
 
* According to his [[bio]] in the end of the comic "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", Optimus Primal graduated near the top of his class at the Maximal Military Academy.
 
* In his Transmetal form, Optimus Primal's spark chamber is on a hinge in his chest to swing down to the opening in his abdomen. In his Optimal Optimus form, he stored Prime's spark in his vehicle mode [[cockpit]].


* According to the control art of Optimus Primal's toy, his chest originally seemed to be a kind of launcher instead of being an homage to the [[Autobot Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].<ref>Toy database section in ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]''</ref>
==Notes==
*The design of Optimus Primal's bat form is an [[homage]] to [[Batman]], an action figure license also held at the time by [[Kenner]].<ref>Page 78, Toy database section in ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]''</ref>
*Optimus was given the rank of "Maximal General" on his punch-out card for McDonald's original Beast Wars promotion.
*According to the control art of Optimus Primal's toy, his chest originally seemed to be a kind of launcher instead of being an homage to the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].<ref>Page 50, Toy database section in ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]''</ref>
*Primal's gorilla mode, paired against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s ''T. rex'' mode, was inspired by the showdown in ''[[King Kong]]''.<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p2</ref>
[[File:OptimusPrimalBMconcept.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|It's an evolution revolution! It's two modes of the same character designed by two different artists!]]
*Indeed, gorilla Primal's original tech specs (which belong to the [[micro-continuity]] that takes place on modern-day Earth) seems to strongly imply that Primal is a building-scaling ape of Kong-like stature. As speculated in the ''Beast Wars'' volume of the ''[[Unofficial guidebooks#Cybertronian: The Unofficial Transformers Recognition Guide|Cybertronian]]'' action figure guide, this may have been intended to explain why he is [[Scale|in the same scale]] as Megatron, a ''Tyrannosaurus rex''. This would also make somewhat greater sense in the context of the toyline itself, wherein the leader characters were of a much larger "Ultra" size-class than their minions, unlike their eventually much smaller depictions in [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|the CG cartoon]].
*In the ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|Beast Wars II]]'' chapter "[[All Hands, Make a Special Attack on the Evil Planet!]]", [[Tasmania Kid (BW)|Tasmania Kid]] calls Optimus Primal "'''Mr. Gori'''" (ゴリさん ''Gori-san''). Optimus likes the nickname.
*"Powered Convoy", Optimal Optimus's Japanese name, is Ultra Magnus's [[pre-Transformers|pre-''Transformers'']] name in the ''[[Diaclone]]'' toyline.
*Early concept artwork for the ''Beast Machines'' toyline depict Optimus's new body as having a white/silver, black, and red color scheme.
*According to his [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' toyline]] [[bio]], Optimus Primal is from "the future", suggesting the events of ''Robots in Disguise'' are somehow part of the [[Beast Era]]'s past. Though this could have been an element of ''Car Robots'' , RID's original counterpart being part of the Generation One continuity family in Japan and as shown in a [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline|2007 timeline]] the ''same'' continuity as their version of [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)#Japan|Beast Wars]] in 2015 the Facebook version of [[Ask Vector Prime]] fleshed out a form of this, portraying a dimensionally-displaced Optimus Primal fighting a similarly displaced Megatron in the future of a ''Robots in Disguise'' universe before traveling to that universe's past to aid ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime.
*The ''Beast Machines'' incarnation of Optimus Primal seems to have inspired the ''[[Transformers: Go-Bots (franchise)|Go-Bots]]'' character [[Beast-Bot|Gorillabot]] (later redubbed Beast-Bot).
*In the 2021 ''Beast Wars'' comic, Optimus Primal's Cybertronian body takes design cues from his ''[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|10th Anniversary]]'' figure. Most prominently, he possesses that toy's characteristic grey feet and antennae, mechanical segments on his abdomen, red knees, and blue chest highlights.


* According to the diagram of Optimus Primal on the catalog packed with "TM-SP DX Convoy", his spark chamber is Matrix-shaped. <small>''[[Optimal Situation#Continuity errors|Oh lord]].''</small>
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Convoy''' (コンボイ ''Konboi''), '''Beast Convoy''' (ビーストコンボイ ''Bīsuto Konboi''), '''Convobat''' (bat, コンボバット ''Konbobatto''), '''Optimus Primal''' (オプティマスプライマル ''Oputimasu Puraimaru'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Odim''' (奧狄武 ''Oudikmou'')
*''Italian:'' '''Black Jack'''
*''Korean:'' '''Optimus Primal''' (옵티머스 프리멀 ''Optimeoseu Peurimeol'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jīngāng Wáng''' (Taiwan, 金剛王, "King Kong King"), '''Hēixīngxīng Duìzhǎng'''(China ''Beast Wars'', 黑猩猩队长, "Captain Chimpanzee"), '''Xīngxīng Jiāngjūn''' (China ''Beast Machines'', 猩猩将军, "General Gorilla"), '''Qíng Tiān Shèng''' (comics, 擎天圣, "Sage that Supports the Sky")
*''Polish:'' '''Optimus Naczelny''' ("Optimus Primal")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Primata Optimus''' (''Beast Machines'', "Optimus Primal")
*''Russian:'' '''King Kong''' (first ''Beast Wars'' dub), '''Optimus Commandeer''' (second ''Beast Wars'' dub, "Optimus the Commander"), '''Optimus Perviy''' (''Beast Machines'', "Optimus First")
*''Spanish:'' '''Optimus Primal''' (Spain), '''Optimus Primitivo''' (America, "Optimus Primal")


==Reference==
====Transmetal====
{{reflist}}
*''Japanese:'' '''Metals Convoy''' (メタルスコンボイ ''Metarusu Konboi'')
*''Italian:'' '''Metal Gorilla''' (toy)


==External links==
====Optimal Optimus====
*[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Maximal/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm Optimus Primal at TFU.info]
*''Japanese:'' '''Powered Convoy''' (パワードコンボイ ''Pawādo Konboi''), '''Optimal Optimus''' (オプティマルオプティマス ''Oputimaru Oputimasu'')
*''Italian:'' '''Optimus Primal''' (toy)


==References==
<references />


[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category:Alternators characters]]
[[Category: Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Alternity characters]]
[[Category: Beast Machines characters]]
[[Category:Armada Maximals]]
[[Category: Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category: Beast Wars II characters]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category: Children of Primus]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category: Contest prizes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars II Maximals]]
[[Category: Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Children of Primus]]
[[Category: Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Council members]]
[[Category: Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category: Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Autobots]]
[[Category: Maximal leaders]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Maximals]]
[[Category: Maximals]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category: Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Transformers]]
[[Category: Robot Masters characters]]
[[Category:Go! Go! Maximals]]
[[Category: Robots in Disguise characters]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category: Timelines characters]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Maximals]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category: Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Maximal leaders]]
[[Category: Transmetals]]
[[Category:Robotmasters Autobots]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Maximals]]
[[Category: Universe (2008)]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>
[[Category:Transformers with multiple modes]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Maximals]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Latest revision as of 18:38, 14 May 2026


This article is a featured article, and considered to be one of the most informative on this wiki.

The name or term "Optimus Primal" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Optimus Primal (disambiguation).
Optimus Primal is the Maximal leader from the Beast Era portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.
Next one of you says "trukk not munky" gets it in the FACE.

Young and untested, Optimus Primal was a mere captain of an exploration ship when he and his crew were diverted off-course to pursue a stolen Predacon ship under the leadership of some crook named Megatron. The rest, they say, is (literally) history.

Though he does have a penchant for stuffy speeches, Optimus Primal is much more down-to-Cybertron than his legendary namesake. He is committed to the Maximal codes of honor and moral judgment, but he does view them with some irreverence, and is not above finding loopholes or administering unorthodox solutions if necessary. ("Sometimes, crazy works", he says.) He is eternally loyal to his friends and respectful to his enemies. He is brave and selfless in battle. However, he is so committed to helping others that he can withdraw into a deep depression when he feels he has let them down. This is the only time he is self-absorbed.

Optimus Primal is extraordinary for not only being able to distinguish himself, despite living in the shadow of Optimus Prime, but he may even have surpassed the greatest of the Autobots, seeing as he saved the life of his namesake and ushered in a new technorganic Cybertron. It is possible Optimus Primal is the greatest Cybertronian hero who has ever lived.

Oh well, come on, let's have it. The usual destiny and honor speech.Megatron
Speech this!Optimus, as he punches Megatron in the face, "Nemesis Part 2"

Fiction

[edit]

Toy bios

[edit]

Tigatron was appointed by Primal to be reconnaissance for the northern polar sector. Tigatron He also tried to lighten up Bonecrusher's violent demeanor, if only to keep the poor guy from overheating. Bonecrusher Optimus Primal was "changed into a mighty, metal gorilla by the planetary destruction device," and "has a built-in, rocket-powered hoverboard that lets him hang ten on the air-waves of the Beast Wars world!" Transmetal Optimus Primal toy bio

Optimus Primal's transformation into Optimal Optimus was due to exposure to a "nebulous entity". Optimal Optimus toy bio He considered Bantor his first choice for recon or demolition missions. Bantor

Wave 1

[edit]
The pack-in fiction of the first wave of Beast Wars toys predates the development of the Beast Wars cartoon and its backstory. Instead, it presents the setting as a direct continuation of the previous Autobot/Decepticon conflict, with Optimus Primal and Megatron cast as new forms for their Generation 1 counterparts and their battles taking place on present day human-inhabited Earth rather than in the distant past. Once the cartoon launched the toyline adjusted itself to match, relegating this to a micro-continuity separate from the rest of Beast Era fiction.

Beast Wars cartoon continuity

[edit]
King Kong took a weird turn.

Optimus Primal was a minor Maximal officer of little note who commanded the Axalon. When he received an alert about a fugitive Predacon ship, the Darksyde, he had the Axalon pursue it through a transwarp portal, eventually ending up on a primitive planet. There, he and his Maximal crew scanned beast modes and battled Megatron's criminal band of Predacons in what the Maximal dubbed the "Beast Wars". The two forces soon became embroiled in an "experiment" by the mysterious Vok, and Primal gave his life to stop the destruction of the Maximals by the aliens' Planet Buster. The planet was revealed to be Earth in the past, putting the conflict in a vital context. Optimus Primal was soon reborn in a Transmetal body and was later granted a more powerful body after taking Optimus Prime's spark into his body to foil Megatron's plans to change history. Despite his nemesis's numerous machinations, the Predacons were defeated and Megatron brought back to Cybertron.

However, Megatron prematurely freed himself, and he arrived at Cybertron before the Maximals. When they arrived, they found the planet to be desolate and conquered by Megatron. They soon met the Oracle, who reformatted the Maximals into technorganic forms and entrusted Optimus Primal with the task of defeating Megatron and bringing about an evolution of the planet and the species into the technorganic. Despite some missteps, Optimus Primal was able to free Cybertron from Megatron's reign and bring about a new age for Cybertron, albeit with the cost of his life.

When Unicron instigated the Universe War with his abductions of Transformers from across the multiverse, Primus resurrected Optimus Primal to act as the leader of the Children of Primus. Well into the war efforts, Unicron disappeared and Optimus Primal's fate was left unknown.

A different quantum branch of this Optimus Primal became one of the Alternity's dimension-hopping agents and met with the ancient Transformer Vector Prime.

In a divergent timeline, Optimus Primal, a possessor of an Energon Matrix, joined forces with various Autobot and Maximal leaders, such as the legendary Optimus Prime himself, the Optimus Prime of a different universal cluster, Lio Convoy, and Star Saber.

Beast Wars II toy catalog

[edit]
"And what's that, Lio Convoy? Your toy is now out in all major retailers and buying it will make children be seen as cool by their peers? Boy, who wouldn't want to buy your toy?"

On Cybertron, Optimus Primal observed a warrior named Lio Convoy advance through the ranks of the Maximal Space Patrol. Respecting him for his strength and courage (though feeling he was a bit too straightforward), Primal dynamically named him as his successor. Shaking hands, Lio Convoy swore not to let Primal down. The next stage of battle advances to the Second War... Beast Wars, Transform!

Comedy Beast Wars

[edit]

Megatron readied his Laser Buster to defeat Optimus Primal, but his tyrannosaurus head failed to deliver because it had to burp first. Comedy Beast Wars When Rattrap literally lost his brain, Optimus showed up to help him. Bare-Brained New Year During a battle, Optimus ordered Cheetor to transform into a cheetah. Cheetor transformed into the singer Kiyoko Suizenji, whose nickname was Chīta. In response, Optimus berated the writer for a joke elementary school students wouldn't understand. Cheetor, Beast Mode!!

BomBom comic continuity

[edit]

Beast Wars II comic

[edit]

Many years ago, before Lio Convoy became "Lio Convoy", Optimus Primal was a sitting member of the Convoy Council and personally awarded him his Energon Matrix and Convoy rank.

Years following that, during a battle with Galvatron on planet Gaia, Lio Convoy's Energon Matrix was damaged by his foe and corrupted with Angolmois Energy. The chaotic energy caused Lio Convoy to grow to enormous size and go berserk. Optimus Primal heard the cry of the Energon Matrix and came to Gaia to help his fellow convoy. Het met up with Tasmania Kid and Scuba and after observing the danger, he stretched out his glowing hand and pressed his palm against Lio Convoy's Energon Matrix, repairing it. This act dispelled the Angolmois Energy's corruption, returning Lio Convoy to normal size and sanity. The deed done, Primal faded away, returning to wherever he had come from. Free the Captured Matrix!

Before Lio Convoy and his team set out to the artificial planet Nemesis, Optimus Primal showed up in the Maximal Gaia base via holographic communication. He warned Lio Convoy would die due to overexposure to the Angolmois Energy if he went to the planet. All Hands, Make a Special Attack on the Evil Planet!

Beast Wars Metals manga

[edit]
It's on like a reanimated cyborg Donkey Kong!

Following the Quantum surge, Primal was left dead. Within Transwarp space, he found himself being dragged into the afterlife by a horde of monsters. Suddenly, Rhinox arrived and attempted to return him to life. Primal at first refused, saying he wished to move on. Rhinox then smacked some sense into him, reminding him of his duty to his Maximals. Brought back to his senses, Primal left Transwarp space, his spark being blasted from a laser cannon of Rhinox's design.

Over at the Predacon base, Hindenburg, Megatron had recovered Primal's sparkless, rampaging body and imprisoned it in shackles. Using a voodoo ceremony of Tarantulas's design, Megatron intended to turn Primal's body into a Predacon slave. Before he could apply his mutant blood and finish the ceremony, Primal's spark reunited with his body and upgraded into a Transmetal.

None too pleased, Primal proceeded to make short work of Tarantulas, Terrorsaur and Megatron's army of drones. He then defeated Megatron and escaped Hindenburg, rescuing an injured Airazor in the process. Beast Wars Metals #1

Later, while investigating the remains of the Axalon, Primal was attacked by Rampage. Primal had his robot head bitten off in the attack and lost both his arms (it was brutal). Ultimately, using undersea volcanos and his own hoverboard, Primal launched Rampage into space, trapping him in orbit. Beast Wars Metals #2

When Jaguar attacked a anthropoid village and killed Dinobot, Primal journeyed there to avenge his friend. Their battle raged into a cave, where Jaguar blew a hole through Primal's torso. Primal managed to tear Jaguar's arms off and then shoot him before letting the villain stumble into a pit. Dinobot was avenged. Beast Wars Metals #3

Optimus Primal once again arrived too late to save a friend, as Tigatron, mind-controlled by Tarantulas, killed Airazor. Primal proceeded to stomp the spider to death and tear his body into a thousand pieces. He was much more courteous to Blackarachnia, however, having seen her attempt to help Airazor, and let her leave in peace. Beast Wars Metals #4

When Optimus learned that Megatron had discovered the Ark, he raced to get there in time, only to be besieged by zombie Predacons. With Tigatron's help, he made it through them, but ONCE AGAIN arrived too late, as Megatron (now merged with the spark of his namesake) blasted Optimus Prime to bits. Beast Wars Metals #5

To save Prime's spark, Optimus Primal ate it and became Optimal Optimus. In their final confrontation, Optimus ripped Megatron's spark out of his body and crushed it, killing his foe. After all was said and done, Primal lamented that repairing Optimus Prime and restoring the time stream would be a tall order. Beast Wars Metals #6

Universe CD-ROM

[edit]
"Pardon me, just passing through."

On some alternate Cybertron, that universe's Optimus Primal was leading the Autobots Snarl, Silverbolt, and Striker against Reptillion, Obsidian, Tankor, Razorclaw, and Blackarachnia in the most intense day of fighting that year. Just as the combatants were really starting to beat the slag out of each other, they were interrupted by a mysterious spaceship that swooped down, sucked the Decepticons up on beams of light, and flew away. Primal and his troops were left dumbfounded, unaware that the ship had been a tool of Unicron in his quest to build an army for a grand war. Universe CD-ROM

Fire in the Dark continuity

[edit]

When human archaeologists uncovered a cave filled with primitive language, Mini-Con Laserbeak translated it for them. The markings told of a time when the Maximals and Predacons crash-landed on prehistoric Earth, though the stranded Transformers were seen by the Natiltec tribe as gods. One of the pictographs depicted one of these "gods" in the form of a gorilla. Fire in the Dark

In Aurex 1104.30-JH Zeta, Megatron's Predacons fought Optimus Primal's Maximals in the war for the Mini-Cons, which the Maximals emerged victorious, though Optimus did have to sacrifice his life to thwart the rogue Tarantulas's scheme to gather a cache of Super Energon. Since Vector Prime recounted Optimus as leading the charge that ended the war, he apparently got better. Ask Vector Prime

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers

[edit]
He's looking into your other browser tabs RIGHT NOW.

When Serpent O.R. plugged himself into Soundwave's deactivated head to download information on the history of Cybertron, he skimmed past some facts on Optimus Primal. The Art of War #1

Q-Robo Transformer

[edit]


I want to tell you about the Transformers!

This character article is a stub and is missing information on their fictional appearances. You can help MediaWiki by expanding it.

Q-Robo Transformer

Mini Mayhem!

[edit]

In a celebration of the Transformers brand, Optimus Primal showed up as a representative for the "Beast Wars" era of the franchise. Mini Mayhem!

United

[edit]

During the United battle, Optimus Primal entered into battle against the new threat of Ark Unicron. During the fight, Primal's ship, the Axalon, mysteriously gained a spark and became a Transformer. The Axalon was then the Autobot's greatest hope of defeating Unicron. United Axalon bio

Legends World

[edit]

The Legends World, where the rest of the Transformers multiverse existed as fiction, had its own version of Optimus Primal.

Beast Wars toy collector Rattrap once missed out on buying a "Dawn of Future's Past" box set, containing a toy of Optimus Primal. Legends Vol. 1 Rattrap started to bond with his coworker Rhinox over their shared love of Transformers, including their preference for the original Japanese names such as Convoy. However, their relationship hit a snag once Rattrap realised that Rhinox only cared about Generation 1, when Convoy was a truck rather than a gorilla. Rhinox held up his original Convoy toy to compare to Rattrap's (Beast) Convoy. The Generation Gap When another coworker, Silverbolt, failed to see the lasting appeal of Beast Wars, Rattrap took him to a second hand toy store to show him a boxed sample of Beast Convoy and the later Telemocha Series Convoy. The Youth Gap

When Rattrap woke up with Transformers sickness—a malady that turns sufferers into real Transformers due to excessive exposure to Transformers toys—his Beast Convoy toy was nearby. LG01 Rattrap His boss, Optimus Primal, also contracted the disease, turning him into this Optimus Primal... though in his case, the cause was eating too many bananas. LG02 Optimus Primal Rattrap later learned to control his transformations; when he needed to fight Tankor in his Transformer body, he used his Beast Convoy toy to power up. LG03 Tankor He later kept the toy on his shelf, LG10 Arcee LG-EX Armada Megatron not far away from Metals Convoy. LG10 Arcee

Optimus arrived to work one day having caught Transformers sickness again, this time turning into Beast Machines Optimus Primal (and completely flat). LG03 Tankor Prologue

Forewarned of Slipstream's arrival to the Legends World, Optimus turned into this Optimus again using a banana. LG16 Slipstream

During his stay in the Legends World, Armada Megatron's plans escalated from stealing Mini-Cons to stealing rare toys, the blue Comic BomBom Convoy among them. LG18 Armada Starscream Super Mode

Primal again weaponized his Transformers sickness to help defend the Legends World from Majin Zarak. Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One

In response to the threat of Majin Zarak, the toys of the Legends World revealed themselves to be real Transformers. An Encore Returns Convoy toy helped to defend Tokyo. When Skids thanked it for the assist, it responded with a line from its voicebox–"Yvonco pettanko! Yay!"–confusing the Quantum Operative. Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two

When the Legends World citizens were under attack by Galvatron II's forces on the G1 World version of the planet Beast, Leo Prime made use of Transformers sickness to awaken the power of their spiritual ancestors; Optimus once again took on the form of this Optimus Primal. The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 3

Beast Wars: Uprising

[edit]

On a Cybertron where the Autobots and Decepticons had grown too decrepit to carry on the Great War, they constructed proxy armies in the form of the Maximals and Predacons. Increasingly questioning the orders of her Autobot masters, the breaking point with Blackarachnia came with the death of her colleagues Silverbolt and Rhinox. She conspired with Nightscream and together they killed their commander, Optimus Primal, who refused to turn against the Autobots. "TransTech" Blackarachnia's profile in Club magazine #25

Ask Vector Prime

[edit]

Vector Prime had speculated that the Dark Spark might have been the essence of a Megatron from an alternate timeline where Optimus Primal and his Maximals failed to stop his plot to absorb all of the sparks on Cybertron, among other explanations. Ask Vector Prime

Prime Wars Trilogy continuity

[edit]

Prime Wars Trilogy marketing material

[edit]
True strength is having the courage to trust that sometimes crazy works.

Optimus Primal was a potential bearer of the Matrix of Leadership. As a force for chaos, this King of Eukaris planned to herald a new age of beasts, even if it produced a Cybertron where only the strong would survive. Power of the Primes fan poll Primal was deemed worthy, and granted the power of the Matrix, as well as the Throne of the Primes, the Halo of Primus, and the Scepter of Sparks. Throne of the Primes toy bio

Prime Wars Trilogy cartoons

[edit]
M-O-N-K-E-Y MONKEY
R-O-B-O-T ROBOT
Voice actor: Ron Perlman (English)

Optimus Primal was the latest in a long line of noble Cybertronians tasked by the gods with guarding the Requiem Blaster. For as long as he could remember, he was sealed with it inside a dome in Primal Swamp to watch over it. This continued until Megatron eventually found and entered the vault, hoping to retrieve the Blaster in order to keep it out of Megatronus's clutches. Primal appeared before him and fought to defend the Blaster, but Megatron told him that Cybertron was facing extinction and that he was prepared to give his life to save the planet. Sensing the truth in his words, Primal relinquished the Blaster to Megatron, who left the vault with it. As the former Decepticon and his team discussed their next move, Primal followed him outside and properly introduced himself, suggesting they head for the Athenaeum Sanctorum. Primal

The group traveled to Cataclysm Tundra, where they unearthed the Sanctorum's hidden entrance. Finding a data terminal inside, they learned of Primal's origins as an agent of the gods, but were interrupted when Overlord and Rodimus Cron attacked. Athenaeum Sanctorum In the ensuing fight, Rodimus briefly trapped him beneath some rubble. When he emerged, he saw the Requiem Blaster left unguarded and attempted to flee with it. When Windblade called him out, he claimed that letting the Blaster out of Primal Swamp was a mistake, but accusations of cowardice by Windblade promted a change of heart. Instead of leaving, Primal moved himself into the shadows on the higher levels of the Sanctorum before tossing the Blaster to Megatron so he could finish Overlord. Countdown In the aftermath, Primal thanked Windblade for stopping him from running. As Megatronus appeared to take the Blaster, Primal attempted to defend it, but proved no match. Following Megatronus's escape, Primal sided himself with the others in support of Megatron as they marched toward the Well of Sparks to finish things. Consequences

"Before there was time, before there was anything, there was nothing, and before there was nothing, there were monsters."

Noting the peculiarity of the Labyrinth of Tunnels, he mused to himself about how much of Cybertron and the surrounding universe he had yet to discover due to his isolation. Though his spark was weakened by Megatronus's doomsday device, Primal and the others forced their way into the Well. After saving Windblade from a potentially lethal blast, he and Grimlock worked to restrain Megatronus. However, Megatronus proved too powerful and severely burned Primal and the others. Collision Course The flames surrounding him died down while Megatronus fought Rodimus, now completely possessed by Unicron, and Primal resumed attacking Megatronus's device. Despite interference from Megatronus, Primal did his best to pull the Matrix free from the device. He eventually succeeded and began interfacing with the Matrix unexpectedly, creating a protective shield around him. When Perceptor revealed the Matrix had chosen him, he placed the relic into his chest and was transformed into a new form. Dubbed Optimal Optimus by the Matrix and proclaimed as the protector of all sentient beings, he began to battle Unicron, now seemingly a match for him. Megatronus Unleashed Optimal eventually overtook his foe and managed to remove the Matrix of Conquest from his chest, restoring him back to his former self as Hot Rod. When Unicron attempted to use the Matrix to take control of Megatron, Optimal agreed to use the Requiem Blaster to destroy them both, hailing Megatron as a true hero. In the aftermath, thanks to the Matrix's choice of him as the new Prime, Optimal was named the leader of Cybertron. Though Optimal was unsure if he was worthy of the role, the newly revived Optimus Prime taught him the ways of Cybertron and promised to support him as Optimal declared he would lead Cybertron into a new age of prosperity. Saga's End

2005 IDW continuity

[edit]
And you thought Beast Machines took him to dark places.

Twelve million years ago, Optimus Primal was a Maximal under the command of Liege Maximo. Endless Forever When Megatronus and his Darklander army conquered the Forgotten Plains, Maximo and his army were forced into exile, and eventually came into the employ of "Onyx Prime" in reality, an alias assumed by a time-travelling Shockwave. Origin Myths As part of his grand plan to engineer Cybertronian history, "Onyx" took control of Liege Maximo's forces and incorporated them into his "Menagerie" of bestial warriors, Endless Forever and Optimus was one of the warriors who accompanied his new master to the Crystal City. There, they joined forces with Alpha Trion's council to battle the Darklanders. Origin Myths

Two million years later—after the ascension of the Thirteen and the subsequent First Cybertronian Civil War that saw their alliance undone—Primal was now a member of Onyx Prime's innermost retinue, and joined the Prime when he left Cybertron aboard the Titan Nemesis to advance his plans. Unstopped and Unstoppable The Maximals made camp on Antilla, a planet that the Cybertronians had once attempted to colonize years before, now the site of a weapon that Onyx dubbed the "Talisman." Our Finest After many millions of years, Onyx sent the Talisman away aboard the starship Axalon, Strange Visitors with Primal and the other Maximals remaining on Antilla. At some point afterwards, the Matriarch of Incaendium, Praesidia, and Magrada traveled there to investigate a Cybertronian signal, and Primal was one of the Maximals who watched as Onyx slew Magrada. Surfeit of Primes Some time later, Primal was among the Maximals who travelled to Caminus, the Cybertronian colony from whence the intruders had came, and clashed with the Torchbearers over a supply of Ore-4. Ghost Stories

In the modern day, Primal and the other Maximals travelled to Cybertron with Onyx and Liege Maximo as Shockwave put the final stages of his plan into play; as Cybertron collapsed into chaos thanks to his machinations, Primal joined Liege Maximo to attack the crew of the fallen Metrotitan. Primal was nearly impaled by Arcee's sword before Maximo caught the blade, allowing Primal and Beast Megatron to restrain the Autobot. Endless Forever Though Shockwave and Liege Maximo were both defeated—fatally, in the case of the latter—Primal and the other Maximals fled Cybertron aboard the Nemesis Unforgivable to rendezvous with Shockwave's ultimate weapon: Unicron. Unstopped and Unstoppable

The first Maximal auditions for the live-action movies left something to be desired.

Shockwave believed that the Maximals had done so at his behest, helping Unicron devour each colony world before destroying Cybertron, at which point the Talisman would kill Unicron and allow the Transformers to establish a new Transformer empire on Earth. He was unaware of their true intentions; despite pledging fealty to Shockwave, the manipulative ex-Decepticon had shattered their faith as well, and their decision to truly join forces with Unicron was an act of revenge, aiming to bring down the entire galaxy in defiance of Shockwave's carefully-curated plan. Ceremony

Okay, that's better...

After meeting up with Unicron as the planet-eater consumed Devisiun, Unstopped and Unstoppable the Maximal swarm traveled with him to Caminus and attacked the surface, allowing Unicron to consume them as he devoured Caminus. Last Stand This was not the end of the Maximals, however; as Unicron had already consumed Eukaris and its supplies of Ore-11, the Maximals were exposed to the mutagenic ore in Unicron's systems. It was in this state that Unicron regurgitated them to deal with the Decepticon Vengeance Division, and thanks to the powers of Ore-11 Primal and the other Maximals were able to manifest a monstrous new robot mode. D.V.D. commander Bludgeon, already a Unicron loyalist, had double-crossed the fleet under his command, and allowed the Maximals to board the Worldsweeper flagship so as to pass on their mutation to the Decepticons sent to impede Unicron's progress. Stranger Eons

Concealing his new form beneath his old bestial guise, Primal and several other Maximals made their way to Earth in advance of Unicron's arrival and landed in Toronto as Shockwave teleported in. With Cybertron gone, Shockwave believed that his plan had worked, and that Unicron had perished in the act; at his command, Primal, Beast Megatron, and Rhinox began razing the city to make way for the birth of Shockwave's new Cybertronian empire. Road's End As the Maximals wreaked havoc, Beast Megatron was attacked and crippled by G.I. Joe, bringing Primal and Rhinox running. Primal found himself facing off against Stardrive and the Red Shadows in combat, being able to hold his own despite their Dire Wraith powers. Assembly Though he was able to keep Stardrive at bay, Primal was dogpiled by the ninjas and tag-teamed by Storm Shadow and Snake-Eyes, their combined attacks slicing him to bits. Ceremony

War for Cybertron Trilogy continuity

[edit]

War for Cybertron Trilogy marketing material

[edit]

The Maximals traveled across time to find the AllSpark and change the fate of Cybertron. While battling the Predacons on pre-Ice Age Earth, both sides were joined by the Autobots and Decepticons, their epic battle changing their combined destinies forever.

Optimus Primal's function was leader of the Maximals, and he trans-scanned into a gorilla. His gorilla beast strength and scimitar mastery were his powers and weapons, and his core traits were his honor, commission, and loyalty. Optimus Primal's message from the future was that someone from the past has the power to reshape his future. Kingdom webpage[1]

In a possible destiny recorded on the Voyager Golden Disk, Optimus Primal bore witness to Autobot leader Optimus Prime leading Cybertron to a new golden age. Kingdom Golden Disk cards

War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon

[edit]
Voice actor: Justin Pierce (English), Takehito Koyasu (Japanese), Bernd-Siegfried Egger (German), Frantz Confiac (French), Alexandre Maguolo (Portuguese), Luis Bajo (Castilian Spanish), Dan Osorio (Latin-American Spanish), Anil Datt (Hindi), Stefano Alessandroni (Italian)
Gorilla Greetings!

Optimus Primal was a Maximal born out of an uninhabitable Cybertron Kingdom episode 1 under the constant threat of Unicron, Galvatron, and Nemesis Prime, Kingdom episode 6 and was a crew member of the Axalon. He grew bitter towards Nemesis's past self, Autobot leader Optimus Prime, for taking the AllSpark off-world and abandoning his people, ruining everything. When Predacon Megatron stole the Golden Disk to time travel and change the past, the Axalon chased the Predacons to Earth. Stranded on the planet, Optimus Primal led the Maximals in a cycles-long conflict with Megatron and the Predacons, Kingdom episode 1 with both sides suffering devastating casualties to their ranks Kingdom episode 2 until the Ark and Nemesis crashed on Earth.

Optimus Primal led an attack against the Autobots and defeated Optimus Prime himself, believing he was Nemesis Prime. The Maximal leader demanded to see Prime's Matrix of Leadership to prove he is not Nemesis, though Optimus succumbed to his injuries and fell unconscious. Primal and Maximal Rhinox investigated the Ark energon supply to repair the Axalon, but are interrupted by Autobot Bumblebee and the repaired Optimus Prime. The two Optimuses argued until Prime revealed the Allspark is on Earth and Tigatron announced Airazor located both Megatrons. Optimus Primal finally revealed to the Autobots that he was the leader of the Maximals and from the future. Untrustworthy to each other, the two factions discussed amongst themselves if they should help each other. Kingdom episode 1


I want to tell you about the Transformers!

This character article is a stub and is missing information on their fictional appearances. You can help MediaWiki by expanding it.

2021 IDW Beast Wars comic

[edit]

Optimus Primal was once a member of the Maximal Security Forces but was removed from his post and eventually promoted to become captain of the Axalon, a job he bemoaned as meant to keep him in line with its monotony. En route to H'nkshanaar-4 to "deliver scientific experiments", the crew of the Axalon were ordered by Ironhide to pursue a band of Predacons who stole an artifact and a transwarp-capable ship. Elated by the prospect of some adventure, Optimus Primal and his crew followed the other ship into a transwarp portal, ending up in orbit of a mysterious planet. The following battle caused both ships to fall to the planet, disabling both crews. The computer of the Axalon detected dangerous levels of energon radiation and outfitted the comatose Maximals with new techno-organic beast modes. Primal awoke to the form of a native gorilla. Savage Landing Part 1

As repairs progressed, Primal received a status report from Nyx before he sent her out to do an aerial recon of the land. When Cheetor groused that Primal had just cost him tiny servos that could fit into access panels, Primal told him to go ask Rattrap. Savage Landing Part 2 When night fell and Nyx did not return, Primal ordered Cheetor to stay on the ship when the younger Maximal suggested they organize a search effort. Savage Landing Part 3

When Nyx was still overdue to return, Primal repurposed a data collection shell to connect with the orbiting stasis pods to expand their search radius and find Nyx. When the reworked array came online, Primal cursed himself for not ordering rescue sooner when he saw how slow Nyx was moving. When Nyx approached the Axalon, Primal led his crew outside to keep watch, being greeted by the Predacon Dinobot carrying the prone pilot and formally requesting to defect to the Maximals. Savage Landing Part 4

After Dinobot had been locked in a holding area for malfunctioning protoforms, Optimus briefly interrogated him before a repaired Nyx asked to speak to the prisoner. Soon afterwards, the rest of the Predacons marched on the Axalon, whose defences had yet to be repaired. Ordering Rattrap to stay behind and repair them, Optimus led his crew into battle, facing off against Megatron. As the battle continued, Megatron steadily began to overpower Primal, Savage Landing Part 5 and attempted to crush him with his beast mode head only for Optimus to break the hold, being saved from a blast when Nyx threw Terrorsaur into its path. As Optimus and Dinobot prepared to take on Megatron together, Rattrap finished repairs on the defences, the force field coming online and ejecting all Predacons from the perimeter, including Dinobot. When the Predacons began beating the turncoat to death, Primal fired the point defence cannons to scare them off.

Days later, Optimus confessed to Rhinox some of his doubts about his leadership capabilities only for his friend to warm him against second-guessing himself before a wounded, but operational, Dinobot thanked Optimus for the repairs and announced his intent to leave the Maximals. Seeing potential in the defector, Primal reminded him of the heritage of the Dinobots and invited him to stay. Savage Landing Part 6

Confident that the ship's fully operational force fields would keep the Predacons out and allow the Maximals to dictate the terms of conflict until a transwarp beacon could be constructed, Maximals Strike Back, Part 1 Primal spared with Dinobot in the gymnasium to get a feel of the Predacon's fighting style and how he was healing. That evening, the Maximals engaged in card game while Dinobot described the Predacon ranks. When Cheetor had a weird feeling, he went off to poke around the ship, later shooting off a garbled message to Primal. Pod Part 1 When Cheetor didn't answer Primal's hails, the Maximals raced to his location, finding him bound by webbing. Recalling that Tarantulas had broken into Thetha Lab during the battle, Rattrap noted that the intruder was likely a corrupted protoform. Though Primal ordered the ship placed on lockdown, Blackarachnia managed to escape the Axalon while having managed to corrupt 51% of the stasis pods while calling all of them down. Cursing himself for his complacency and overcautious attitude, Primal ordered the Maximals to prepare for an attack on the Darksyde. Pod Part 2

As the Maximals prepared for battle, Skold appeared outside the Axalon, bringing them the wounded Razorbeast. After confirming Skold's intentions, Primal brought the Maximal into the ship for medical care. Thicker Skin

After Dinobot explained the origins of the Golden Disk, Primal led his crew to a retrofitted escape shuttle. While in flight, Primal designated Nyx and Rattrap to destroy the Darksyde's transwarp drive and steal the Golden Disk respectively while the rest of them would engage the Predacons in battle, ordering Razorbeast to try and talk down Skold. After Dinobot announced their arrival via a missile barrage, Primal landed on the battlefield. Maximals Strike Back, Part 1 With Megatron absent from the battlefield, Primal first fought Waspinator before he fought Skold whereupon Razorbeast intervened, trying to talk down his friend only for Terrorsaur to swoop in and kill the red Maximal. Noticing Megatron about to kill Dinobot, Optimus lunged at the Predacon leader. Maximals Strike Back, Part 2 As Optimus kept Megatron's attention, he was informed by Nyx that Rattrap was trapped behind an impregnable door. Impaling Megatron's beast mode head, Optimus managed to disable the Predacon long enough to rescue his comrade only to be caught unawares by a security force field. Confronted by Megatron, Primal demanded to be released, offering the safe return of the Golden Disk. If not released, he bluffed to destroy the Disk, highlighting that the disabled Darksyde and the booby-trapped Axalon would make the Predacons unable to steal another version of it. After a furious Megatron agreed, Primal revealed to the bluff to his crew while Megatron swore to claim Primal's spark. Maximals Strike Back, Part 3

Following a battle at a field of energon crystals, Cheetor remained unresponsive in the medical bay despite his perfect health and overactive processor. When Cheetor awoke, he warned Primal of the Vok before an outside force triggered a hard reboot on Cheetor that left him with no memory of the Vok. The Speedway of Central Consciousness

When installing new sensors, Optimus and Dinobot were attacked by Tarantulas and Blackarachnia who infected Primal with a hyper-aggression virus. After a loaded suggestion from Dinobot, Primal broke out of the Axalon and made his way to the Darksyde. As he leapt through the jungle, Primal was ambushed by Polar Claw whose superior strength easily overpowered Primal's blind rage. Primal Rage

Awakening face-to-face with Megatron, Primal leapt at his foe only to bounce off a force field, the backlash burning the virus from his system. As Primal tested out the strength of the field and grilled Megatron for information, their captors made themselves known. Introducing themselves as the "Children of the Vok", the five wayward protoforms informed the two captains that the Vok had grown tired of Cybertronian interference on the planet. As a defiant Megatron raged, Primal observed the field block the discharge of his weapon but not the dust and their captors reverting to beast mode to exit the cave. Gambling that the force fields were only designed to work on robot modes, Primal proved his theory and offered Megatron an alliance to survive. No sooner had the two exited the cave did the Children attack again, Optimus engaging Tigatron and Airazor in battle. After Megatron had killed Polar Claw and Saberback, the Vok finally arrived, Pakak using Polar Claw's corpse as a medium. As Optimus spoke to the alien, Megatron blasted the corpse, prompting the trio of angered Vok to show their true forms and begin killing the Predacon leader. Coming to his foe's defence, Primal offered the Vok the chance for a new experiment: seeing how the Maximals and Predacons would work together when confronted with a larger threat. Agreeing, the Vok gave the Cybertronians seven unobserved cycles to prepare. Children of the Vok

Upon being returned to their ships, Primal and Megatron agreed to an officer exchange to better develop strategies. Optimus deposited Rhinox and Dinobot at the Darksyde and brought Waspinator, Skold and Blackarachnia to the Axalon, outfitting them with restraining bolts. Optimus was later summoned by Skold and Nyx who theorized that the Vok, based on earlier readings that matched the energy clinging to Primal, were from unspace. Cheetor then entered, warning that the Darksyde was under attack. The Beginning of the End

Leaving Rattrap and Waspinator behind to complete the repairs, Primal led the others to the Darksyde, finding it under attack by the totality of the Children of the Vok. Optimus engaged Tigatron once again, having another philosophical discussion as they fought before the Vok arrived. Deciding that Cybertronians were too disruptive, the Vok immobilized all as they prepared to fire their reversion device only to be fired on by the Axalon, now firing unspace blasts that dissipated the alien entirely. After Optimus failed to convince Tigatron to join them, Megatron lunged at the Maximal leader only to be struck by the unspace beam, sending him forward in time. In the aftermath, Optimus offered to extend the truce with the Predacons, promising to put in a good word for them if they helped capture Tarantulas and Megatron only for the Predacons to refuse. Wearily, Optimus led his crew back into the Axalon, though warning Blackarachnia that the Maximals would not be so understanding when next they met. The End

Scorching Heat Showdown

[edit]

Optimus Primal possessed an Avatar in the form of Convobat. After Armordillo was gunned down by Predacons and Convobat swooped in to fight, Megatron himself joined the battle. He was soon met by Optimus Primal, who vanquished Megatron after a tussle. Megatron's death triggered an eruption of an unstable energon volcano, which Optimus Primal and Convobat were able to escape. Optimus regretted not being able to save Armordillo, not realizing that he was attempting to inform him of the crashed Ark being being killed. Scorching Heat Showdown

Transformers Go! Go!

[edit]
BANANA SLAMMA!

As Optimus Prime and Bumblebee wished their readers a happy New Year, Optimus Primal burst through the page to advertise his new movie, much to the confusion of the two Autobots. Go! Go! #19

When Megatron stole his bananas, Primal was powerless to stop the evil Predacon, until Rattrap was able to snatch one of the bananas and feed it to the Maximal leader. With the extra surge of power, Primal handily defeated Megatron, but accidentally slipped on the loose peel. Believe in the Bananas!! Primal once ordered a plate of energon-covered bananas from Cheetor, who'd started a food delivery service, but was angry when he learned that Cheetor was also delivering food to the Predacons. Flowers, Delivery, and Inattention

At one point, Primal ordered Rattrap to go on patrol with the intimidating Dinobot. A Hunch of a Good Duo! Primal later sent Airazor to check on Tigatron after a period of radio silence. A Natural Couple


I want to tell you about the Transformers!

This character article is a stub and is missing information on their fictional appearances. You can help MediaWiki by expanding it.

Go! Go! issue 26 Gleaming Fan Book 2023 Go! Go! issue 28 Go! Go! issue 29 Extra Volume Go! Go! issue 38 Search Quiz Search Quiz 2


This section covers fiction that is ongoing. It will be added to as the story progresses. If it isn't current, you can help by updating it.

Commercial appearances

[edit]
  • Optimus Primal fluttered about in his bat mode, descending over a river swarming with crocodiles. After one of the beasts nearly snapped him out of the air, Optimus transformed to robot mode to scare it off. But the crocodile transformed as well, revealing itself to be Megatron! Though Optimus took a blast to the side, he was able to relieve Megatron of his gun before the two adversaries continued exchanging blows. Beast Wars Wave 1 Deluxe toys commercial

Games

[edit]

Beast Wars: Transformers video game continuity

[edit]

Beast Wars: Transformers video game advertising comic

[edit]

Upon arriving on "Planet Energon", the dangers of Energon radiation forced the six surviving Maximals and their Predacon adversaries to take on beast alternate forms. Beast Wars: Transformers video game advertising comic

Beast Wars: Transformers video game

[edit]
Voice actor: ??? (English), ??? (Japanese)

Many of the Beast Wars combatants had managed to built personal bases, customized to their personal tastes, due to the extended duration of the war. Optimus Primal himself remained stationed at the Axalon. Optimus Primal joined his fellow Maximals in battling not only an entrenched Predacon threat, but the interdimensional monsters known as the Skriix.

Maximal campaign
[edit]
Optimus Primal is a playable character for both rescue missions and normal gameplay.

Optimus and Airazor had the task to rescue any of their comrades that were captured whenever a mission against the Predacons failed.

Upon having eliminated the Predacon threat, Optimus Primal declared the galaxy to be at peace thanks to the Maximals.

Due to the nature of this game, a player may select various individual characters to perform the feats required in every level, and complete the game's narrative. Thus, any playable Maximal can fill the role of protagonist in Maximal Mode. To view the various feats Optimus Primal can accomplish throughout gameplay in Maximal Mode, it is told on the Beast Wars video game page, wherein Optimus Primal fills the role of the nameless Maximal.
Predacon campaign
[edit]

Retaliating after Dinobot had been assassinated by the Predacons, Optimus launched an offensive directly against the Predacon's ship. His drone troops were unsuccessful in destroying the Predacons, who launched a counter-offensive while Optimus troops were still in disarray after the failed attack. The Maximal leader was ultimately assassinated, securing the Predacons their victory in the Beast Wars. Beast Wars: Transformers

Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars

[edit]

Optimus Primal and Cheetor chased Megatron through a portal, emerging thousands of years later in an alternate dimension where the super-powerful Energon Quartz was located. He partook in a series of one-on-one battles, his goal to become the last warrior standing, allowing him to take possession of the crystal.

Optimus could also partake in various other tasks, such as a mission to break a boulder to reveal an energon crystal hidden within before sundown, using a block in a mission to defend himself against various incoming projectiles, and missions to run across a pit-riddled field, sometimes involving hideously large bacteria he had to fend off.

Megatron was the final bot opposing him at the end of his quest. Overcoming his Predacon foe, he used the power of the Quartz to finally defeat the Predacons, saving the universe! Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars

Each character possessed an alternate ending, displayed if Single Battle was beaten with said character. Each character has only their own ending listed on their pages; see the other characters' pages for Optimus Primal's fate in those outcomes.

Move list

[edit]
This move list presumes the player is facing right; when facing left, reverse the left and right inputs.
Robot Mode Beast Mode
Cyber Blade →↓→B Hammer Knuckle ↓→B
Plasma Cannon ↓→B Counter Hammer ↓←A (counter)
Giga Attack ←↓→A Megaton Hammer →↓→B
Convoy Driver ←↓→B Megaton Slam ←↓→B (grapple)
Zetsu Convoy Driver (super) ↓→↓← B (grapple) Gigaton Bomb (super) ↓→↓← B (grapple)
God Ascension (desperation) ↓←↓→ A God Ascension (desperation) ↓←↓→ A

Transformers Battle Universe

[edit]

At the edge of time, when the Matrix needed a new host, Optimus Primal was among several warriors (and Optimuses) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. Transformers Battle Universe

Transformers Legends

[edit]
BEEF MUNKY

During a tectonic upshift, a huge amount of Energon was exposed. Optimus Primal and the other Maximals found themselves the victims of a Predacon ambush as they tried to secure the Energon themselves, and the cache ultimately fell into Predacon hands. Beast Wars On their return to Cybertron, the Maximals discovered that Megatron had conquered the planet, and they were forced to face his Vehicon generals. Beast Machines

Transformers: Battle Tactics

[edit]
SUPER RARE MUNKY

Optimus Primal participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in multiple different bodies:

  • Optimus Primal—This Super Rare character was available as a reward in the "Beast Wars: Episode 1" event.
  • Optimus Primal Bat—This Epic character was available as a reward in the "Beast Wars: Episode 3" event.
  • Optimus Primal Transmetal—This Epic character first appeared in the "Transmetals: Beast Wars: Episode 1" event, and could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Transmetal, 250 units of Cybermetal, 100 event cores, and 50 cores of this character.

Transformers: Battle Tactics

Because I'm Batman!
EPIC MUNKY

Transformers: Earth Wars

[edit]
Battle Munky!

In an unknown time and place, the Beast Wars came to an end. Optimus Primal planned on going home to a new command, while Megatron went into incarceration. Primal Instinct As the shuttle was traveling through chronospace, Optimus and Megatron found that they both reverted from their Transmetal forms to their original beast modes. A Stitch in Time They were soon ripped from his place in space-time; Primal tried telling Rattrap to disengage their transwarp engines and abort their travel, to no avail. Mixed Signals

They ended up at 21st century Earth, just as the Dinobots and Predacons were closing in to secure their new recruits. Optimus Primal decided to ally himself with the Autobots and figure out who brought him here and why. He was shoved aside by Megatron, assumed Megatron was the future version of himself. After that mistake, Grimlock ordered the Dinobots to secure the... monkey. Blast from the Past Quantum Beast Leap

Optimus Primal soon figured out he was back on Earth and in the Earth Wars, to his disappointment. Optimus Prime came and questioned Perceptor on the ongoing battle between the Dinobots and the Predacons, and the new primate. Perceptor explained that the primate was a Prime and the idea was Grimlock's. Optimus Prime replied, "Well, that's just prime", and the annoyed Primal told him to get his own catchphrase.

  • Class: Special
  • Lowest star rating: 2 stars
  • Weapons: Primal in his beast mode first uses his shoulder cannons on a target far away. (15 second cooldown) He thens leaps into the air and lands on a target dealing Area of Effect damage. (10 second cooldown) He then proceeds to pound the target.
  • Ability: Battle Orders - Target their defenses! Friendly bots are given a health shield and prioritize all defenses for a time.
    • Cost: 6 ability points, +2 for reuses.
This ability was fan-voted as a community favorite on the Transformers: Earth Wars BAND page. It has been redesigned from restoring health to bonus health.

Optimus Primal at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki



The Game Full of Death and Suffering...!

This character article is a stub and is missing information on their video game appearances. You can help MediaWiki by expanding it.

Transformers: Earth Wars
Optimal Optimus
New Funky Mode
  • Class: Special
  • Lowest Star Rating: 2 stars
  • Ability: Flying Inferno - For 10 seconds you set nearby enemies on fire dealing damage per second.
    • Cost: 7 ability points, +2 for reuses.

Optimal Optimus at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki

Transformers: Forged to Fight

[edit]
#GORILLACHANNEL #DEEPSTATE

As a Brawler, Optimus Primal has Armor that resists all critical damage, which he can convert into Melee Buffs by ground-pounding shockwave heavy attacks. He's Just Prime as damage debuffs expire faster the more Armor he has, and heals from Bleeds.


The Game Full of Death and Suffering...!

This character article is a stub and is missing information on their video game appearances. You can help MediaWiki by expanding it.

Transformers Roleplaying Game

[edit]

Optimus Primal was originally the inexperienced captain of the Axalon. When their ship was pulled off-course to pursue Megatron and a crew of Predacon rebels and subsequently crashed on prehistoric Earth, Primal was forced to step up as a commander and learn on the job. Primal fought in many battles over the course of the Beast Wars, and came to regard Razorbeast as one of his best soldiers. He had a special fondness for Earth's creatures, and constantly put his own life on the line to protect innocent bystanders menaced by the Predacons. After Primal's Spark was transplanted into a new Protoform, Optimus gained a new Transmetal body.

When Megatron tried to kill Optimus Prime, Primal was forced to hold the spark of Optimus Prime, which caused him to gain the power of the Primes and grow into an enormous new body.

Some time later, Optimus Primal returned to Cybertron and was reformatted into a technorganic form by the Oracle, becoming the keeper of the Matrix. In this form, he could reformat other Transformers into technorganic bodies. Technorganic Secrets

Toys

[edit]
There's a lot more where these came from!

Merchandise

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  • The design of Optimus Primal's bat form is an homage to Batman, an action figure license also held at the time by Kenner.[2]
  • Optimus was given the rank of "Maximal General" on his punch-out card for McDonald's original Beast Wars promotion.
  • According to the control art of Optimus Primal's toy, his chest originally seemed to be a kind of launcher instead of being an homage to the Matrix.[3]
  • Primal's gorilla mode, paired against Megatron's T. rex mode, was inspired by the showdown in King Kong.[4]
It's an evolution revolution! It's two modes of the same character designed by two different artists!
  • Indeed, gorilla Primal's original tech specs (which belong to the micro-continuity that takes place on modern-day Earth) seems to strongly imply that Primal is a building-scaling ape of Kong-like stature. As speculated in the Beast Wars volume of the Cybertronian action figure guide, this may have been intended to explain why he is in the same scale as Megatron, a Tyrannosaurus rex. This would also make somewhat greater sense in the context of the toyline itself, wherein the leader characters were of a much larger "Ultra" size-class than their minions, unlike their eventually much smaller depictions in the CG cartoon.
  • In the Beast Wars II chapter "All Hands, Make a Special Attack on the Evil Planet!", Tasmania Kid calls Optimus Primal "Mr. Gori" (ゴリさん Gori-san). Optimus likes the nickname.
  • "Powered Convoy", Optimal Optimus's Japanese name, is Ultra Magnus's pre-Transformers name in the Diaclone toyline.
  • Early concept artwork for the Beast Machines toyline depict Optimus's new body as having a white/silver, black, and red color scheme.
  • According to his 2001 Robots in Disguise toyline bio, Optimus Primal is from "the future", suggesting the events of Robots in Disguise are somehow part of the Beast Era's past. Though this could have been an element of Car Robots , RID's original counterpart being part of the Generation One continuity family in Japan and as shown in a 2007 timeline the same continuity as their version of Beast Wars in 2015 the Facebook version of Ask Vector Prime fleshed out a form of this, portraying a dimensionally-displaced Optimus Primal fighting a similarly displaced Megatron in the future of a Robots in Disguise universe before traveling to that universe's past to aid Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime.
  • The Beast Machines incarnation of Optimus Primal seems to have inspired the Go-Bots character Gorillabot (later redubbed Beast-Bot).
  • In the 2021 Beast Wars comic, Optimus Primal's Cybertronian body takes design cues from his 10th Anniversary figure. Most prominently, he possesses that toy's characteristic grey feet and antennae, mechanical segments on his abdomen, red knees, and blue chest highlights.

Foreign names

[edit]
  • Japanese: Convoy (コンボイ Konboi), Beast Convoy (ビーストコンボイ Bīsuto Konboi), Convobat (bat, コンボバット Konbobatto), Optimus Primal (オプティマスプライマル Oputimasu Puraimaru)
  • Cantonese: Odim (奧狄武 Oudikmou)
  • Italian: Black Jack
  • Korean: Optimus Primal (옵티머스 프리멀 Optimeoseu Peurimeol)
  • Mandarin: Jīngāng Wáng (Taiwan, 金剛王, "King Kong King"), Hēixīngxīng Duìzhǎng(China Beast Wars, 黑猩猩队长, "Captain Chimpanzee"), Xīngxīng Jiāngjūn (China Beast Machines, 猩猩将军, "General Gorilla"), Qíng Tiān Shèng (comics, 擎天圣, "Sage that Supports the Sky")
  • Polish: Optimus Naczelny ("Optimus Primal")
  • Portuguese: Primata Optimus (Beast Machines, "Optimus Primal")
  • Russian: King Kong (first Beast Wars dub), Optimus Commandeer (second Beast Wars dub, "Optimus the Commander"), Optimus Perviy (Beast Machines, "Optimus First")
  • Spanish: Optimus Primal (Spain), Optimus Primitivo (America, "Optimus Primal")

Transmetal

[edit]
  • Japanese: Metals Convoy (メタルスコンボイ Metarusu Konboi)
  • Italian: Metal Gorilla (toy)

Optimal Optimus

[edit]
  • Japanese: Powered Convoy (パワードコンボイ Pawādo Konboi), Optimal Optimus (オプティマルオプティマス Oputimaru Oputimasu)
  • Italian: Optimus Primal (toy)

References

[edit]
  1. Kingdom webpage
  2. Page 78, Toy database section in Beast Wars Universe
  3. Page 50, Toy database section in Beast Wars Universe
  4. Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva, p2