Energon-axe
| This article is about Optimus Prime's melee weapon. For the Andalite Animorph known as Ax, see Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill. |
The energon-axe (also energon axe) is an iconic weapon used by Optimus Prime whenever he needs a melee weapon. He retracts his hand, and an emitter for the energy axe projects the blade. Despite only using it when he and Megatron are fighting on a particular dam, it was a very memorable ability, so much so that recent rereleases and redesigns of Prime's toy have actually included the axe as an accessory, either replacing or covering a hand.
Fiction
Generation 1 continuity family
Generation 1 cartoon continuity
The Transformers cartoon
When duelling Megatron on top of Sherman Dam, Optimus Prime used his energon-axe against the Decepticon's energon mace. Prime lost the fight when he was distracted by Spike Witwicky calling for help. More than Meets the Eye, Part 2
Japanese cartoon continuity
The Battle of the Star Gate
In the mid-1990s, Optimus Prime helped Professor Adle test-drive his new C-X drone in a mock combat session. When C-X ran out of control thanks to the interference of the time-travelling ghost of Starscream (yes, really), Prime was forced to unleash his energon-axe and chop the drone's head off. Divided Views
A little later, while investigating Decepticon-made earthquakes that were striking Japan, Prime engaged Megatron in combat on the bed of the Sea of Japan, and they battled with their axe and mace. Activation
Robotmasters online comic
While in a battle with Megatron and his time-displaced namesake, Prime's right hand was severed by the latter. Luckily, this didn't affect his ability to summon his axe, which he used to take down both Decepticons in one powerful swing. And Then
Mars Attacks: The Transformers
Yep, this Optimus has an energon axe as well, which he used against the Martians during a temporary Autobot/Decepticon team-up. Mars Attacks: The Transformers
Marvel The Transformers comics
As they made their way to the Ark, Ratchet described the energon-weapon battle at Sherman Dam to the Dinobots as a way to illustrate the difficulties the Autobots had in relaying their peaceful intentions to the humans. Decepticon Dam-Busters!
Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga
While battling Megatron to save the life of his human ally Wataru Hoshinoumi, Optimus Prime busted out his energon-axe, but was bested by Megatron's energon mace. An energy boost courtesy of Wataru's energon-manipulating powers got him back on his feet, powering up his axe into a mighty sword that he used to cleave open Megatron's chest, winning the fight. Optimus Prime's Secret
Prime got his sword out again for a rematch with Megatron when the Decepticon leader was recuperating from his wounds in a bath of molten energon. Prime went so far as to stab him through the chest and break the sword's blade off inside him, but this only drove Megatron into a frenzy, leading him to use the energon to transform himself into Galvatron. Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!! Galvatron proved virtually undefeatable, until a well-placed shot from Starscream re-opened his chest wound, allowing Prime to drive his sword into the gash and tear his opponent wide open. Revenge
Universe cartoon
In a skirmish with Decepticons, Optimus Prime used his energon-axe to knock out Cyclonus. Fight for Energon
2005 IDW continuity
Optimus Prime used his energon-axe to cut off Megatron's right arm during the battle for Sherma Bridge. Chaos Theory Part 1
Prime Wars Trilogy cartoons
Optimus Prime dueled Windblade, using his energon-axe to counter her sword. The Duel He later used his axe in an attempt to bring down Trypticon, though it seemed to have little effect. In Good Hands When he tried to strike Megatronus with it, his blow was easily negated and he was killed. All Things Must Pass
Transformers/Ghostbusters
When challenged to combat by the ghostly Megatron, Optimus Prime wired his proton pack directly into his systems, manifesting the protonic energy in his axe. Ghosts of Cybertron Part 4 Though the axe allowed Optimus to physically harm his incorporeal foe, the Prime sheathed the weapon when the tyrant possessed Ectotron, unwilling to harm a fellow Autobot. Ghosts of Cybertron Part 5
Transformers vs. The Terminator
Upon being reactivated in the Ark, Optimus Prime unsheathed his energon-axe to duel Megatron only for his enemy to call a retreat. Enemy of My Enemy Part Two
Aligned continuity family
Optimus Prime used a double-headed axe since his days at the Hall of Records, learning to transform it from his body while learning to fight. Exodus He could charge it to blow open walls, and would leap into the air with it for finishing moves against Soundwave and Trypticon. Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)
Later, during the evacuation of Cybertron, Prime lost his axe in battle. He created a holographic shrine in memory of his "old friend," which survived the bombardment of Iacon.[1]Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
Dark of the Moon film
Optimus Prime used an energon axe in his fight with Sentinel Prime. When Sentinel called in a squadron of Decepticon fighter ships to attack his former pupil, Optimus was forced to put aside his axe and sword and pull out his gun to fight them. After the fighters were destroyed, Optimus pulled out the axe again and re-engaged Sentinel. It was knocked out of his hand by his former teacher just before losing his right arm and sword. After Sentinel was crippled by Megatron, Optimus used the axe to destroy the Decepticon leader by decapitating him, after refusing his offer of a truce (knowing his true intentions). Dark of the Moon
Cyberverse cartoon
While fighting against a group of bug-like creatures, Optimus deployed his battle axe and, upon witnessing the lifeforms absorbing the weapon's power and thus learning of their dependency on the energon that they had come across, ordered the Autobots to fall back. The Journey
Games
Angry Birds Transformers
Transformers: Devastation
During Megatron's attempt to cyberform Earth, Optimus wielded his axe in battle (until he gained access to more powerful equipment) to fight back the attackers. More powerful variants could be unlocked by massacring large amounts of Decepticons and Insecticons, and by getting lucky in the in-game store. Like every other weapon, its damage output could be increased with parts from other weapons, and it could be pulled apart to power up others.
Other than this iconic axe, the axe weapon class included similar weapons with various extra, often elemental powers, and even a weapon used by a different Optimus Prime. None of these weapons could be used by other members of the Autobot team, however. Transformers: Devastation
Toys
The Transformers Collection
- Convoy (2003)
- Japanese ID Number: 0
- The Transformers Collection reissue of the original Optimus Prime toy comes with a new energon-axe accessory that plugs into either of Prime's wrist holes in place of his hand.
20th Anniversary/Masterpiece
- Optimus Prime (2003/2004)
- The energon-axe is again a hand-replacing accessory for 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, cast in transparent orange plastic.
- Convoy Complete Edition (2006)
- Same as above.
- Convoy (2011)
- MP-10 Convoy is an all-new mold. He has a new-mold, soft-plastic, transparent orange axe that slips over his fist, and can store inside the trailer, regardless of which configuration the trailer is in. The axe actually consists of two pieces—the base and the rest of the axe—which tend to detach easily, with the result being that it can be quite difficult to remove the axe from the dedicated storage space in the trailer without just pulling the axe apart.
- This new mold of Masterpiece MP-44 Convoy comes with a shorter version of his Energon Axe.
Robot Masters
- G1 Convoy (2004)
- Another clear orange axe that replaces Prime's hand.
- G1 Convoy Limited Black Version (2005)
- For this black repaint, the energon-axe was decoed in silver.
Classics
- Optimus Prime (20th Anniversary DVD Edition, 2006)
- In this redeco of 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, the energon-axe remains the same.
Hybrid Style
- Convoy (2006)
- An energon-axe that plugs into the ball-joint socket intended for Convoy's many hands.
Dark of the Moon
- Optimus Prime (MechTech Deluxe, 2011)
- Deluxe Class Optimus Prime's MechTech weapon is a Blaster that converts into an Energon Axe.
Tranformers (2010)
- Masterpiece Optimus Prime (2012)
Generations
- Orion Pax (Deluxe, 2013)
- Generations: Thrilling 30 Deluxe Class Orion Pax comes with his Energon Axe, which can peg onto 5mm ports on his hands and vehicle rear sides.
- Orion Pax VS Megatronus (Multi-pack, 2013)
- Same as above.
War for Cybertron: Siege
- Optimus Prime (Voyager, 2018)
- Siege Optimus Prime comes with a battle axe that transforms into a shield, which can be mounted on his arm in reference to the energon axe he used in the original cartoon.
War for Cybertron Trilogy
- Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack (Multi-pack, 2020)
- Optimus Prime's energon axe is sold separately as part of the War for Cybertron Trilogy Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack set, and can be used by the Siege and Earthrise figures of the Autobot leader.
The Last Knight
- Calibur Optimus Prime (Leader Class, 2017-07-15)
- Japanese ID Number: TLK-15
- Bronze Calibur Axe (Promational Giveaway, 2017)
Movie The Best
- Nemesis Prime (Leader Class, 2018-03-24)
- Japanese ID Number: MB-20
Cyberverse
Merchandise
Super Collection Figure
- Convoy (2000)
- Act: 1
- Accessories: Stand
- Available in the first Super Collection Figure wave was a rare "Secret Figure" version of the Prime figure, decorated in metallic paint and replacing his gun-wielding right hand with his energon-axe. It was presumably released at a ratio of one per every ten cases; while this has not been officially confirmed, later waves gave these odds for Secret Figures.
- Exclusive to the Tokyo Game Show 2002, this special set includes the original first-wave Optimus Prime figure, along with the Megatron PVC from the same wave. Both feature new battle damage paint operations with an addition of panel line paint washes, and come with the interchangeable energon-axe and mace weapons from their first-wave chase figures.
- This set was limited to 1000 units.
Heroes of Cybertron
- Optimus Prime (2002)
- This second-wave Heroes of Cybertron release is a variation of the chase figure from the first Super Collection Figure wave, depicting Prime with his right hand replaced with his energy axe. This figure is a little different from its Japanese progenitor (beyond the "clear-plastic painted over" deal, of course), being painted in normal matte/gloss rather than metallic paint, and replacing the left "pointing" hand with the clenched fist of the later "communicator" version of Optimus. It also retains the Heroes molding alterations to Optimus's helmet.
- Oddly, he comes with the same collector card as the first version, and the packaging does not call out the energy weapon in any way. The card-back cross-sell even shows only the original Optimus. (The same happened to this wave's energy-weapon-wielding Megatron.)
Revoltech
- Jet Wing Ver. Optimus Prime (2012)
- Series number: 040
- Accessories: Two open hands, two fists, Jet Wing, Energon axe, Energon sword, sword handle adaptor, alternate head, display base, name plate
- This release of Revoltech Sci-Fi Optimus Prime features an Energon axe.
Notes
- Generation 1 Prime's energon-axe served as the inspiration for the arm-mounted Dual Energon Swords sported by live-action movie Optimus Prime.
- A redeco of Dark of the Moon Voyager class Optimus Prime comes with a new mold MechTech rifle that converts into a more movie-accurate Battle axe, but is instead made of Cybertanium.
Foreign names
- French: Hache d'Energon
- Portuguese: Machado de Energon
- Spanish: Hacha de Energon
- Japanese: Energon-axe (エネルゴンアックス Enerugon Akkusu, エナジョン・アックス Enajon Akkusu [2])
References
- ↑ Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Chapter 2: Defend the Ark - hidden near the first Audio Log
- ↑ Japanese reprint of The Transformers: Chaos Theory.
