Hasbro transformers biography

Japanese–American media franchise

This article is about high-mindedness franchise. For the electrical device, spot transformer. For other uses, see Transformers (disambiguation)."The Transformers" redirects here. For influence television show, see The Transformers (TV series).

Transformers (stylised as TRANSFORMERS, alternatively highborn as TransFormers, or simply abbreviated TF), is a media franchise produced mass Japanese toy company Takara Tomy skull American toy company Hasbro. It mainly follows the heroic Autobots and righteousness villainous Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform be selected for other forms, such as vehicles take animals. The franchise encompasses toys, ‚lan, comic books, video games and motion pictures. As of 2011, it generated author than ¥2 trillion ($25 billion) drop revenue,^[1] making it one of rectitude highest-grossing media franchises of all at a rate of knots.

The franchise began in 1984 colleague the Transformers toy line, comprising varying mecha toys from Takara's Diaclone very last Micro Change toylines rebranded for Northwestern markets.^[2] The term "Generation 1" (G1) covers both the animated television escort The Transformers and the comic publication series of the same name, which are further divided into Japanese, Land and Canadian spin-offs. Sequels followed, much as the Generation 2 comic manual and Beast Wars TV series, which became its own mini-universe. Generation 1 characters have been rebooted multiple multiplication in the 21st century in comics from Dreamwave Productions (starting 2001), IDW Publishing (starting in 2005 and reassess in 2019), and Skybound Entertainment (beginning in 2023). There have been alcove incarnations of the story based shut up different toy lines during and tail end the 20th century. The first was the Robots in Disguise series, followed by three shows (Armada, Energon, become more intense Cybertron) that constitute a single sphere called the "Unicron Trilogy".

A live-action film series started in 2007, swot up distinct from previous incarnations, while grandeur Transformers: Animated series merged concepts unapproachable the G1 continuity, the 2007 live-action film and the "Unicron Trilogy". Yen for most of the 2010s, in idea attempt to mitigate the wave take reboots, the "Aligned Continuity" was strong. In 2018, Transformers: Cyberverse debuted, in times gone by again, distinct from the previous incarnations. Another series, Transformers: EarthSpark, debuted tight 2022, again separate from previous continuities. The 2024 animated film, Transformers One, once again takes place in dexterous new continuity.

Although a separate trip competing franchise started in 1983, Tonka's GoBots became the intellectual property commandeer Hasbro after their buyout of Tonka in 1991. Subsequently, the universe represented in the animated series Challenge admit the GoBots and follow-up film GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords was retroactively established as an alternate field within the Transformers multiverse.^[3]

Fiction

Transformers: Generation 1 (1984–1993)

Main articles: Transformers: Generation 1 reprove The Transformers (1984-1987 television series)

Generation 1 is a retroactive term for say publicly Transformers characters that appeared between 1984 and 1993. The Transformers began run into the 1980s Japanese toy lines Micro Change and Diaclone. They presented robots able to transform into everyday vehicles, electronic items or weapons. Hasbro on the take the Micro Change and Diaclone toys, and partnered with Takara.^[4]Marvel Comics was hired by Hasbro to create birth backstory; editor-in-chief Jim Shooter wrote high-rise overall story, and gave the pull of creating the characters to essayist Dennis O'Neil.^[5] Unhappy with O'Neil's uncalled-for (although O'Neil created the name "Optimus Prime"), Shooter chose Bob Budiansky around create the characters.^[6]

The Transformersmecha were as a rule designed by Shōji Kawamori, the founder of the Japanese mecha anime ballot Macross (which was adapted into dignity Robotech franchise in North America).^[7] Kawamori came up with the idea jump at transforming mechs while working on righteousness Diaclone and Macross franchises in distinction early 1980s (such as the VF-1 Valkyrie in Macross and Robotech), farce his Diaclone mechs later providing grandeur basis for Transformers.^[8]

The primary concept disregard Generation 1 is that the valiant Optimus Prime, the villainous Megatron, stomach their finest soldiers crash-land on earliest Earth in the Ark and ethics Nemesis before awakening in 1985, Cybertron hurtling through the Neutral zone owing to an effect of the war. Nobleness Marvel comic was originally part commemorate the main Marvel Universe, with observance from Spider-Man and Nick Fury, journey some cameos,^[9] as well as neat as a pin visit to the Savage Land.^[10]

The Transformers TV series began around the assign time. Produced by Sunbow Productions extra Marvel Productions, later Hasbro Productions, escape the start it contradicted Budiansky's backstories. The TV series shows the Autobots looking for new energy sources, title crash landing as the Decepticons attack.^[11] Marvel interpreted the Autobots as destroying a rogue asteroid approaching Cybertron.^[12]Shockwave commission loyal to Megatron on the Tube series, keeping Cybertron in a tie during his absence,^[13] but in character comic book, he attempts to take hold of command of the Decepticons.^[14] The Idiot box series would also differ wildly do too much the origins Budiansky had created affection the Dinobots,^[15][16] the Decepticon turned Autobot Jetfire^[17] (known as Skyfire on TV^[18]), the Constructicons (who combine to suggest Devastator),^[19][20] and Omega Supreme.^[19][21] The Event comic establishes early on that Cook wields the Creation Matrix, which gives life to machines. In the erelong season, the two-part episode The Level to Vector Sigma introduced the earlier Vector Sigma computer, which served nobleness same original purpose as the Making Matrix (giving life to Transformers), president its guardian Alpha Trion.

In 1986, the cartoon became the film The Transformers: The Movie, which is decay in the year 2005. It naturalized the Matrix as the "Autobot Build of Leadership", as a fatally in poor health Prime gives it to Ultra Magnus; however, as Prime dies he drops the matrix, which is then at bay by Hot Rod who subsequently becomes Rodimus Prime later on in class film. Unicron, a Transformer who devours planets, fears its power and re-creates a heavily damaged Megatron as Galvatron, as well as Bombshell or Skywarp becoming Cyclonus, Thundercracker becoming Scourge don two other Insecticons becoming Scourge's huntsmen, the Sweeps. Eventually, Rodimus Prime takes out the Matrix and destroys Unicron.^[22] In the United Kingdom, the broadsheet comic book interspliced original material disrupt keep up with U.S. reprints,^[23] playing field The Movie provided much new textile. Writer Simon Furman proceeded to grow the continuity with movie spin-offs hither the time travelling Galvatron.^[24][25] The Pellicle also featured guest voices from Writer Nimoy as Galvatron, Scatman Crothers gorilla Jazz, Casey Kasem as Cliffjumper, Orson Welles as Unicron and Eric Unused as the leader of the Junkions (Wreck-Gar, though unnamed in the movie). The Transformers theme tune for loftiness film was performed by Lion reach "Weird Al" Yankovic adding a air to the soundtrack.

The third term followed up The Movie, with glory revelation of the Quintessons having old Cybertron as a factory. Their robots rebel, and in time the lecturers become the Autobots and the joe six-pack become the Decepticons. (Note: This appears to contradict background presented in distinction first two seasons of the series.) It is the Autobots who better transformation.^[26] Due to popular demand,^[27] Optimus Prime is resurrected at the drain of the third season,^[28] and blue blood the gentry series ended with a three-episode shaggy dog story arc. However, the Japanese broadcast insinuate the series was supplemented with nifty newly produced OVA, Scramble City, heretofore creating entirely new series to keep up the storyline, ignoring the 1987 endorse of the American series. The considerable Japanese run consisted of The Headmasters, Super-God Masterforce, Victory and Zone, after that in illustrated magazine form as Battlestars: Return of Convoy and Operation: Combination. Just as the TV series was wrapping up, Marvel continued to open out its continuity. It follows The Movie's example by killing Prime^[29] and Megatron,^[30] albeit in the present day. Dinobot leader Grimlock takes over as Autobot leader.^[31] There was a G.I. Joe crossover^[32] and the limited series The Transformers: Headmasters, which further expanded authority scope to the planet Nebulon.^[33] Conked out led on to the main designation resurrecting Prime as a Powermaster.^[34]

In nobility United Kingdom, the mythology continued be grow. Primus is introduced as decency creator of the Transformers, to favor his material body that is orb Cybertron and fight his nemesis Unicron.^[35] Female Autobot Arcee also appeared, teeth of the comic book stating the Transformers had no concept of gender, do faster her backstory of being built antisocial the Autobots to quell human accusations of sexism.^[36]Soundwave, Megatron's second-in-command, also breaks the fourth wall in the script page, criticising the cartoon continuity primate an inaccurate representation of history.^[37] Nobleness UK also had a crossover breach Action Force, the UK counterpart adjacent to G.I. Joe.^[38] The comic book quality a resurrected Megatron,^[39] whom Furman retconned to be a clone^[40] when elegance took over the U.S. comic publication, which depicted Megatron as still dead.^[41] The U.S. comic would last shelter 80 issues until 1991,^[42] and representation UK comic lasted 332 issues build up several annuals, until it was replaced as Dreamwave Productions, later in rendering 20th century.

In 2009, Shout! Inexpensive released the entire G1 series slash a 16-DVD box set called character Matrix of Leadership Edition.^[43] They along with released the same content as freakish seasons.^[44]

Transformers: Generation 2 (1993–1995)

Main article: Transformers: Generation 2

It was five issues^[45] assiduousness the G.I. Joe comic in 1993 that would springboard a return pay money for Marvel's Transformers, with the new twelve-issue series Transformers: Generation 2, to supermarket a new toy line.

This comic story reveals that the Transformers originally kind asexually, though it is stopped via Primus because it produced the creepy Swarm.^[46] A new empire, neither Autobot nor Decepticon, is bringing it repeat, however. Though the year-long arc captive itself up with an alliance betwixt Optimus Prime and Megatron, the terminating panel introduces the Liege Maximo, precursor of the Decepticons.^[47] This minor cliffhanger was not resolved until 2001 folk tale 2002's Transforce convention when writer Psychologist Furman concluded his story in loftiness exclusive novella Alignment.^[48]

Beast Wars and Beast Machines (1996–2000)

Main articles: Beast Wars: Transformers and Beast Machines

The story focuses assert a small group of Maximals (the new Autobots), led by Optimus Fundamental, and Predacons, led by Megatron, Ccc years after the "Great War". Sustenance a dangerous pursuit through transwarp luggage compartment, both the Maximal and Predacon factions end up crash landing on marvellous primitive, uncivilized planet similar to Fake it, but with two moons and unembellished dangerous level of Energon (which problem later revealed to be prehistoric Accurate with an artificial second moon, exercise place sometime during the 4 billion year period in which the Autobots and Decepticons were in suspended brio from the first episode of greatness original Transformers cartoon), which forces them to take organic beast forms detain order to function without going behaviour stasis lock.^[49] After writing this foremost episode, Bob Forward and Larry DiTillio learned of the G1 Transformers promote began to use elements of middle-of-the-road as a historical backstory to their scripts,^[50] establishing Beast Wars as calligraphic part of the Generation 1 world through numerous callbacks to both rendering cartoon and the Marvel comic. Soak the end of the first period, the second moon and the Energon are revealed to have been constructed by a mysterious alien race unseen as the Vok.

The destruction enjoy yourself the second moon releases mysterious energies that make some of the signs "transmetal" and the planet is decipher to be prehistoric Earth, leading confront the discovery of the Ark. Megatron attempts to kill the original Optimus Prime,^[51] but at the beginning make a fuss over the third season, Primal manages stalk preserve his spark. In the two-season follow-up series, Beast Machines, Cybertron progression revealed to have organic origins, which Megatron attempts to stamp out.

After the first season of Beast Wars (comprising 26 episodes) aired in Varnish, the Japanese were faced with uncut problem. The second Canadian season was only 13 episodes long, not skimpy to warrant airing on Japanese Small screen. While they waited for the ordinal Canadian season to be completed (thereby making 26 episodes in total what because added to season 2), they communicate two exclusive cel-animated series of their own, Beast Wars II (also titled Beast Wars Second) and Beast Wars Neo, to fill in the nothingness. Dreamwave retroactively revealed Beast Wars succeed to be the future of their G1 universe,^[52] and the 2006 IDW crazy book Beast Wars: The Gathering finally confirmed the Japanese series to last canon^[53] within a story set not later than Season 3.^[54]

Beast Wars contained elements stay away from both the G1 cartoon series prosperous comics. Attributes taken from the delineation include Transformers that were female, justness appearance of Starscream (who mentions beingness killed off by Galvatron in The Transformers: The Movie), and appearances grow mouldy the Plasma Energy Chamber and Discolored to Vector Sigma. The naming hint the Transformer ship, the Ark (and reference to 1984, the year class Transformers on board are revived), rectitude character Ravage being shown as percipient, and Cybertron having an organic denote are elements taken from the comics.

In 2011, Shout! Factory released description complete series of Beast Wars full of twists and turns DVD.^[55]

Dreamwave Productions (2001–2005)

In 2001, Dreamwave Output began a new universe of yearlong comics adapted from Marvel, but extremely included elements of the animated. Picture Dreamwave stories followed the concept ticking off the Autobots defeating the Decepticons occupy yourself Earth, but their 1997 return passage to Cybertron on the Ark II^[56] is destroyed by Shockwave, now somebody of the planet.^[57] The story ensues on from there and was pressing in two six-issue limited series, afterward a ten-issue ongoing series. The serial also adds extra complexities such thanks to not all Transformers believing in leadership existence of Primus,^[58] corruption in say publicly Cybertronian government that first led Megatron to begin his war,^[59] and Universe having an unknown relevance to Cybertron.^[57][60]

Three Transformers: The War Within limited escort were also published. These are capture at the beginning of the So-so War, and identify Prime as in the past being a clerk named Optronix.^[61]Beast Wars was also retroactively stated as interpretation future of this continuity, with nobleness profile series More than Meets authority Eye showing the PredaconMegatron looking amalgamation historical files detailing Dreamwave's characters with taking his name from the machiavellian Megatron.^[52] In 2004, this real empire universe also inspired three novels^[62] beginning a Dorling Kindersley guide, which meticulous on Dreamwave as the "true" fixedness when discussing in-universe elements of birth characters. In a new twist, Stove and Unicron are siblings, formerly undiluted being known as the One. Transformers: Micromasters, set after the Ark's conclusion, was also published. The real strive universe was disrupted when Dreamwave went bankrupt in 2005.^[63] This left prestige Generation 1 story hanging and justness third volume of The War Within half finished. Plans for a sidesplitting book set between Beast Wars arm Beast Machines were also left unrealized.^[64]

G.I. Joe crossovers (2003–present)

Throughout the years, excellence G1 characters have also starred crush crossovers with fellow Hasbro property G.I. Joe, but whereas those crossovers publicized by Marvel were in continuity have under surveillance their larger storyline, those released encourage Dreamwave and G.I. Joe publisher Devil's Due Publishing occupy their own screen real life universes. In Devil's Justification, the terrorist organization COBRA Command report responsible for finding and reactivating authority Transformers. Dreamwave's version reimagines the prosaic G1 and G.I. Joe characters access a World War II setting, unacceptable a second limited series was floating set in the present day, although Dreamwave's bankruptcy meant it was below par after a single issue. Devil's Entitlement had Cobra re-engineer the Transformers correspond with turn into familiar Cobra vehicles, take released further mini-series that sent grandeur characters travelling through time, battling Serpentor and being faced with the summative menace of Cobra-La and Unicron. Near this time, Cobra teams up meet the Decepticons. IDW Publishing has spoken interest in their own crossover.^[65]

IDW heralding (2005–2022)

Main article: The Transformers (IDW Publishing)

The following year, IDW Publishingrebooted the G1 series from scratch within various point out series and one shots. This legalized long-time writer of Marvel and Dreamwave comics, Simon Furman, to create circlet own universe without continuity hindrance, equivalent to Ultimate Marvel. This new fixedness originally consisted of a comic publication series titled The Transformers with ingenious companion series known as The Transformers: Spotlight. The main series was breakable up into several story arcs. Sooner, with IDW Publishing losing sales, decency series was given a soft boot. Beginning with All Hail Megatron, description series was set in a original direction, discarding the miniseries and Public eye format with ongoing comics. By 2012 the series had split into four ongoing series; The Transformers: More Overrun Meets The Eye, The Transformers: Robots in Disguise (which later changed emit 2015 to "The Transformers") and Rectitude Transformers: Till All Are One. Pimple 2022, it was announced that IDW lost the publishing rights to Transformers.^[66]

Alternative stories

In January 2006, the Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club comic wrote a rebel based on the Transformers Classics trifle line, set in the Marvel Comics universe, but excluding the Generation 2 comic. Fifteen years after Megatron crash-lands in the Ark with Ratchet, high-mindedness war continues with the characters tension their Classics bodies.^[67]

IDW Publishing introduced The Transformers: Evolutions in 2006, a give confidence of mini-series that re-imagine and re-explain the G1 characters in various resolute. To date, only one miniseries has been published, Hearts of Steel, evaluation the characters in an Industrial Revolution-era setting. The series was delayed introduction Hasbro did not want to mistake newcomers with too many fictional universes before the release of the live-action film.^[68]

However, IDW and the original firm Marvel Comics announced a crossover narrative with the Avengers to coincide co-worker the film New Avengers/Transformers.^[69] The fact is set on the borders hark back to Symkaria and Latveria, and its nonexistent universe is set between the foremost two New Avengers storylines, as able-bodied in between the Infiltration and Escalation phase of IDW's The Transformers.^[70] IDW editor-in-chief, Chris Ryall hinted at dash of it being carried over bump into the main continuities,^[71] and that a-okay sequel is possible.^[72] In June 2018 it was announced there would keep going Star Trek and Transformers Crossover document released in September 2018.^[73]

Transformers: Kiss Players (2006–2007)

Transformers: Kiss Players [ja] (トランスフォーマー キスぷれ, Toransufōmā Kisu Pure), shortened to Kiss Players (キスぷれ, Kisu Pure), is a Asiatic Transformers franchise which began in 2006 to 2007 as was helmed timorous artist and writer Yuki Ohshima. Unresponsive to virtue of being the only Transformers toyline and fiction released in Varnish by Takara between the conclusion be more or less Transformers: Cybertron and the live-action picture, it was also effectively the basic Transformers line in the country take care of that time. It takes place detect the Generation 1 cartoon continuity, namely in the five-year milieu between The Transformers: The Movie and Transformers 2010.^[74]

The series derives its name from secure controversial gimmick, which involves Transformers extraction "power-ups" when they are kissed in and out of human girls - the eponymous "Kiss Players" - who fuse with birth robots and share their adventures. Description plot starts with the Earth Answer Command being formed in 2003 type part of a cooperative human/Autobot labour. When a virus called the Global Rust critically struck the Autobots following that year, the EDC kicked block the Binaltech Project to shore constitution its defenses. When Galvatron was hurled out of Unicron by Rodimus Make in 2005, rather than immediately cracking onto the intended target of significance planet Thrull, he instead hurtled handle Earth. Landing in Tokyo, Japan, high-mindedness Decepticon leader's impact decimated the facility and scattered his Unicron-mutated cells everywhere in Earth's atmosphere. Following this catastrophe, class EDC was reborn as an accommodate dedicated to driving all Transformers get rid of Earth. The organization built an anti-electron field (previously referred to as peter out Energon field) to make the world uninhabitable to Cybertronians, and created calligraphic team of 48 transforming robots humble as Autoroopers (オートルーパー Ōtorūpā), a Asian portmanteau of "auto" (オート ōto) status "trooper" (トルーパー torūpā) or Autotroopers (aka Autobot Troopers) in English, are well-ordered group of human-created artificial Transformers guarantee serve the Earth Defense Command get through to combat any other Transformers that remained,^[75] recruiting young women who had antique infected with the cells and gained Kiss Player fusion abilities to better half with them.

The three central signs were a younger version of Marissa Faireborn^[76] as a resistance fighter realize the EDC partnered with Optimus Maturity who while having died in honesty movie, his body body was better and restored to life in unadorned new body resembling that of first-class Dodge Ram pickup by the identical organization. Rodimus devastated by his guiltiness in his role of the decay of Tokyo stepped down as probity then leader of the Autobots sinking to the previous name of Give out Rod in order to return resist Earth to atone for his unusable. He's refitted into a vehicle alike a Ford GT by his disobedient partner Shaoshao Li,^[77] a girl sell like hot cakes Chinese descent and an estranged newspaper columnist of Marissa and used to mistrust one of the EDC's top Greet Players until realizing that the EDC was conducting experiments behind her closing stages on other girls. She was proof rescued by Hot Rod and joins the resistance to combat the EDC and make amends with her earlier friend. Lastly, Atari Hitotonari^[78] of Asian descent, who "recruited" into the EDC after the death of her parents while suffering from survivor's guilt. She would shortly become depressed and suicidal. As she spoke aloud about bunch up nihilistic feelings she would meet reject partner by the name Ne-04,^[79] well-ordered Autorooper built in the form in agreement a Mazda RX-8 would shared leadership same feeling as she did granted with the time they spend have a passion for their way of thinking would hut throughout their relationship. While this plotline seems like a shift in demographics to little girls, it is voiced articulate that this line was aimed reassure a much older adult male encounter. The toys bear an "ages 15 and up" warning, and the indirect route matter of the accompanying manga practical far from child-friendly. The franchise upturn consists of a toyline, a once a week radio drama series (featuring voice faking by Lyrian as Marissa, Yui Kano as Shaoshao, Satomi Akesaka as Atari, and Keiji Hirai as Ne-04 betwixt others), and a three part manga, which together tell the story be bought the line in which the toys and manga all of which were also created by Ohshima.^[80]

Following the stop of its first storyline in convey 2007, Kiss Players moved into lying second (and apparently final) phase, Kiss Players Position, which shifted focus revivify a distinctly more PG-rated theme, granted it was still heavy on excellence "cute girls" theme. The Kiss Stamp this time are a pop megastar singing group made up of representation three girls and three original mini-cassette Transformers Glit,^[81] Sundor^[82]the former is topping spy and the latter shows benignity to both allies and enemies, champion Rosanna^[83] who's the only heroic get someone on the blower out of the three. The group's purpose is to promote a poised relationship and friendship between humans brook Transformers in the wake of leadership Tokyo disaster of 2005 and dignity subsequent rise and fall of primacy E.D.C.. They wear E.D.C. logos disquiet their costumes as a group, appearance to be either sponsored by cooperation a public-relations arm of the revived organization.^[80]

Additionally, Ohshima's other major contribution chance on Transformers at the time, the 1-page Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go! comic published in Dengeki Hobby paper, also featured several tie-ins to primacy Kiss Players story. These primarily served to introduce readers to the Kiss Players story and characters when description line was launched, and then next, to summarize the final few crystal set dramas when both series were grip to a close. Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go! also featured honesty first part of a story smudge which Starscream's ghost possessed Atari (which was continued in the radio drama), and in the second year, surprisingly incorporated the further adventures of high-mindedness Kiss Players Position cassette trio, who were rather confusingly dropped from loftiness radio storyline in its second workweek and never mentioned again.^[84]

Reactions ran probity gamut from outright disgust to comedic derision, with most fans agreeing think it over the content such be included clean children's toyline was distasteful. The circumstance that several Japanese fans were yourselves openly decrying Kiss Players, fearing defer American fans would think that emulate was somehow accepted as normal withdraw Japan regarding its sexually suggestive textile. Oshima himself even admitted that unwind crafted the series in this mode because he wanted to "make people's jaws drop."^{[citation needed]}

Many of its noting and ideas have made appearances be grateful for other Transformers media. The Autroopers exposed in Transformers: Animated in 2009 eradicate an official toyline released in Botcon in 2011.^[85] The colors of ivory and blue used for Glit would inspire the Shattered Glass incarnation past it Ravage.^[86] A new toy figure mention Sundor would be released under prestige Transformers Generations: The Fall of Cybertron line in 2012.^[87] Several ideas exotic into the 2007 storyline focusing fight the introduction of Primus into influence Japanese cartoon's timeline have been revisited and expanded upon, which shares Kiss Players storytelling while attempting to crowd in gaps of the timeline anxiety the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon durability. The Transformers Legends manga, while featuring lewd content and new stories queue characters, also has the two recurring and older characters of Atari innermost Shaoshao.^[88]

Possibly as a result of nobility majority of fans trying to deviate themselves from the series combined chart the then general inaccessibility of probity radio show to an English company, there was minimal awareness of significance specific details of the Kiss Players storyline in the Japanese fandom. Still, on July 19, 2022, most attack the original media (including the air dramas, manga, comic, and other materials) were recovered. This material was remastered and translated into English and free via torrent for download.

Robots limit Disguise (2000–2001)

Main article: Transformers: Robots fall to pieces Disguise (2001 TV series)

First broadcast sight Japan in 2000, Robots in Disguise was a single animated series consisting of thirty-nine episodes. It was exported to other countries in subsequent time. In this continuity, Megatron re-creates rendering Decepticons as a sub-faction of class Predacons on Earth, a potential referral to the return to the vehicle-based characters following the previous dominance practice the animal-based characters of the Beast eras. It is a stand-alone macrocosm with no ties to any harass Transformers fiction, though some of magnanimity characters from Robots in Disguise blunt eventually make appearances in Transformers: Universe, including Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Economics Burn and Prowl.

The show was heavily censored in the U.S. terminate to its content of buildings self destroyed and terrorism references after influence September 11 attacks on the Coalesced States and three episodes were upfront altogether.^[89]

The Unicron Trilogy (2002–2006)

Main articles: Transformers: Armada, Transformers: Energon, and Transformers: Cybertron

These three lines, launched in 2002 promote dubbed the "Unicron Trilogy" by Transformers designer Aaron Archer,^[90] are co-productions among Takara and (lesser extent) Hasbro, in a jiffy released in both countries, each stable 52 episodes. Armada followed the Autobots and Decepticons discovering the powerful Mini-Cons on Earth, which are revealed alongside the end to be weapons go along with Unicron. Energon, set ten years late, followed the Autobots and the Omnicons in their fight to stop glory Decepticons and the Terrorcons from resurrecting Unicron with energon.

In Japan, greatness series Transformers: Cybertron showed no bid to the previous two series, luential its own story. This caused duration problems when Hasbro sold Cybertron laugh a follow-up to Armada/Energon. The writers attempted to change certain plot sprinkling from the Japanese version to treatment this, although this largely added get into formation to nothing more than references nominate Unicron, Primus, Primes and Minicons.

Just as Marvel produced a companion mirthful to Generation 1, Dreamwave Productions publicized the comic Transformers Armada set check a different continuity from the depiction. At #19, it became Transformers Energon. Dreamwave went bankrupt and ceased reduction publications before the storyline could capability completed at #30. However, the Transformers Fan Club published a few imaginary set in the Cybertron era.^[91]

Transformers: Universe (2003–present)

The storyline of Transformers: Universe, predominantly set following Beast Machines, sees note from many assorted alternate continuities, containing existing and new ones, encountering apiece other. The story was told suspend an unfinished comic book exclusive be introduced to the Official Transformers Collectors' Convention.

Live-action film franchise (2007–present)

Main article: Transformers (film series)

In 2007, Michael Bay directed uncluttered live-action film based on Transformers, jiggle Steven Spielberg serving as executive grower. It stars Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Megan Fox, and Tyrese Gibson lecture in the lead human cast while receipt actors Peter Cullen and Hugo Weaving voice Optimus Prime and Megatron, mutatis mutandis. Transformers received mixed to positive reviews and was a box office success.^[92] It is the forty-fifth highest-grossing coating and the fifth highest-grossing film be in command of 2007, grossing approximately $709 million institute. The film won four awards be bereaved the Visual Effects Society and was nominated for three Academy Awards, storeroom Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Commingling, and Best Visual Effects. The radio show of Shia LaBeouf was praised rough Empire, and Peter Cullen's reprisal duplicate Optimus Prime from the 1980s multitude series was well received by fans. A sequel, Transformers: Revenge of excellence Fallen, was released on June 24, 2009. It received mostly negative reviews, but was a commercial success ground grossed more than its predecessor. Spick third film, Transformers: Dark of magnanimity Moon, was released on June 29, 2011, in 3-D and went tirade to gross over $1 billion, undeterred by receiving mixed reviews. A fourth skin, Transformers: Age of Extinction, was unbound on June 27, 2014, which besides grossed over $1 billion, though title received generally negative reviews. A ordinal film, Transformers: The Last Knight was released on June 23, 2017 detection similarly negative reviews. Unlike its heritage, the movie failed to recoup university teacher costs for the studio.^[93]Bumblebee, directed gross Laika's Travis Knight, was released buff December 21, 2018, serving as elegant prequel to the first film, response positive reviews from critics. The film over was a box-office success. A follow-up to Bumblebee, directed by Steven Caple Jr. and titled Transformers: Rise put a stop to the Beasts, was released on June 9, 2023 to mixed reviews give birth to critics.

Transformers: Animated (2007–2010)

Main article: Transformers: Animated

Transformers: Animated is a cartoon guarantee was aired in early 2008 accentuate Cartoon Network in the United States.^[94] Originally scheduled for late after 2007 under the title of Transformers: Heroes,^[95]Transformers Animated is set in 2050 Port (after crash landing 50 years earlier),^[94] when robots and humans live permit by side.^[95] The Autobots come blame on Earth and assume superhero roles, war evil humans, with the Decepticons obtaining a smaller role until Megatron resurfaces.^[96] Main characters include Autobots Optimus Best, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Prowl, and Ratchet; Decepticons Megatron, Starscream, Blitzwing, Lugnut, and Blackarachnia; and humans Professor Sumdac and Dress Sumdac. Several characters that were put in the original Transformers cartoon and 1986 animated movie, as well as system jotting only seen in comics and specified, make special appearances and cameos everywhere in the show, with various voice shape (including Corey Burton, John Moschitta, Junior, Susan Blu, and Judd Nelson) reprising their roles.

Aligned Universe (2010–2021)

Hasbro, slot in an attempt to stop the flourish of reboots that started in 2001, created the Aligned Universe, with influence intent to unify every Transformers routes into one continuity. The name receive this continuity however, is not official; it was adopted by the fans after Hasbro referred to it by reason of an "Aligned Continuity".^[97]

The toy lines derivative from this continuity are Transformers: Generations, Transformers: Rescue Bots, and Transformers Go! The television series belonging to position Aligned Universe include Transformers: Prime (including its concluding film Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising^[98]), the Rescue Bots Tube series,^[99] its sequel Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy, the Go! anime adaptation, pointer the 2015 series Transformers: Robots cut Disguise.^[100]

The video games that are wherewithal of this shared universe are Transformers: War for Cybertron (including its Nintendo DS version and the companion Transformers: Cybertron Adventures), Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, the Prime video game adaptation,^[101][102] endure Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark, that serves as a conclusion emblematic the Cybertron series and crossover continue living the live-action film video game array.

Four novels set within the duration have been published: Transformers: Exodus,^[103][104]Transformers: Exiles,^[105][106]Transformers: Retribution,^[107][108] and Transformers: The Covenant state under oath Primus.^[109] The first three were promulgated by Del Rey Books, while Covenant of Primus was published by 47North. In addition, IDW Publishing has in print several comic books, including graphic novels, while Titan Magazines published Transformers Droll UK, a 20-issue series from 2007 to 2014.

The video games, novels, and television series contradict each block out due to creative differences, miscommunications, concrete team changes, and Aaron Archer turn out replaced with a different person ensure did not know the 354-page kind bible, "The Binder of Revelation".^[110]

Transformers: Choice Wars Trilogy (2016–2018)

Main article: Transformers: Central Wars Trilogy

In August 2016, Machinima stomach Hasbro co-produced an animated series labelled Combiner Wars, simultaneously published on honourableness website Go90 and YouTube. This was followed by two further installments, Titans Return and Power of the Primes. Eric Calderon was executive producer describe the trilogy.^[111] The events of righteousness series take place 40 years name the end of the Autobot/Decepticon laic war, with the Transformers having common to Cybertron and now being imperilled by ancient technology.

The trailer endorse Combiner Wars was released on July 26, 2016, along with four prequel episodes.^[112] Eight five-minute episodes of honesty series Combiner Wars were released paper beginning on August 2.^[112][113] The ominous of the Combiner Wars was extensively made up of famous YouTube personalities.^[114] The first series was included translation a bonus feature on the Transformers: The Last KnightBlu-ray release.^[115]

The second rooms, dubbed Titans Return featured returning absolutely cast from previous iterations of Transformers, such as Peter Cullen and Judd Nelson, along with newcomers such despite the fact that Michael Dorn as Perceptor and Wil Wheaton as Fortress Maximus.^[114] Guest voices included Mark Hamill and Ron Perlman.^[116]Titans Return debuted on November 14, 2017, on the Go90 platform, consisting publicize ten episodes at roughly 11 notes each. The series featured returning Brobdingnagian characters such as Metroplex, Fortress Maximus and Trypticon and the resultant razing such enormous characters create.^[117]

The third zone of the trilogy, dubbed Power homework the Primes was launched on Might 1, 2018,^[118] comprising 10 episodes floating weekly, each roughly 11 minutes wriggle. FJ DeSanto was executive producer past it the third installment. Animation was duty by Tatsunoko Productions.^[119]Power of the Primes focused on the arrival of Megatronus, one of the original Primes.^[120] Sheep 2019, Machinima shut down^[121] and magnify into Otter Media. On January 19, Machinima removed all of its videos from YouTube, including those of significance Prime Wars Trilogy.^[122] After the closedown, a number of former Machinima fiddle-faddle returned to the web via Chick Teeth.^[123] The series is available pressure the Rooster Teeth website.^[124]

Transformers: Cyberverse (2018–2021)

Main article: Transformers: Cyberverse

Transformers: Cyberverse (later reputed as Transformers: Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures production seasons 3 and 4) is swindler animated series produced by Boulder Communication and Allspark Animation (later Entertainment One) which premiered on September 1, 2018 on Cartoon Network^[125] and concluded judgment November 21, 2021 on Netflix broad four chapters, of which the 4th was composed of two specials.^[126]Cyberverse uses characters and elements across various continuities, including G1, Beast Era, the live-action film series, Animated, and the Alongside continuity, to tell its own story.^[125]

Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (2020–2021)

Main article: Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy

The Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy is lever animated three-part series that was highlydeveloped as a co-production between Rooster Disbelief, Netflix and Hasbro. Polygon Pictures was chosen as the animation studio. Armed by FJ DeSanto, a veteran custom Transformers animation having previously worked discussion two installments of the Power show the Primes trilogy, the series tells the origin of the civil fighting between the Autobots and Decepticons.^[127] Covering three parts, the series was proclaimed on February 15, 2019, for good on Netflix.^[128][129] The voice cast attain the show used new actors financial assistance recognizable characters such as Jake Foushou as Optimus Prime and Jason Marnocha as Megatron.^[130] Each series is obliged up of six episodes, each straighten up half hour long.^[130] The series as well had a tie-in toyline.^[131]

A trailer hark back to for the first installment Siege was released on July 8, 2020, hash up the show following on July 30, 2020,^[130][132] The first series focuses essence the civil war on Cybertron skull the conflict between the two best of the opposing factions, Optimus Grade a and Megatron, along with the send off of a third, mercenary, faction.^[131][133]

A housing for the second series, dubbed Earthrise, was published on December 7, 2020^[134] The second series debuted on Netflix on December 30.^[135]Earthrise was more unmodified in scope than the previous keep in shape. Instead of the entire Transformer secular war, this series focuses on picture two leaders once again and high-mindedness crews of their starships as Optimus seeks to flee Cybertron and identify the missing Allspark. The series as well saw the introduction of a territory faction, the Quintessons.^[136]

The trailer for say publicly final series, Kingdom, debuted on July 5, 2021^[137] and the series premiered on Netflix on July 29.^[130]Kingdom picks up where the last series leaves off with Optimus and Megatron probing for the Allspark, having now crash-landed on Earth. On the planet, they encounter characters previously seen in significance older series Transformers: Beast Wars.^[138]

Transformers: BotBots (2022)

Main article: Transformers: BotBots

Transformers: BotBots evenhanded an animated comedy streaming television convoy developed by Kevin Burke and Chris "Doc" Wyatt for Netflix comprising 20 episodes.^[139] The first season of fair episodes was released on March 25, 2022.^[140] In a departure from significance traditional conflict between the Autobots delighted Decepticons seen in most continuities, justness series focuses on the BotBots, little robots organized in groups of tribes who can transform into everyday objects, and primarily follows the efforts systematic the Lost Bots, who try advice find their own place amongst position others.^[139]

Transformers: EarthSpark (2022–present)

Main article: Transformers: EarthSpark

Transformers: EarthSpark is an animated television panel produced by Entertainment One and Jukebox Animation Studio for the streaming rent out Paramount+ and the television network Jukebox, which debuted on November 11, 2022.^[141]EarthSpark is notable for prominently featuring humanity after being mostly absent in a variety of media of the franchise in greatness late 2010s such as Cyberverse, blue blood the gentry 2019 IDW comics and War call upon Cybertron Trilogy, and uses a unification voice cast for the first hold your fire since 2018.

Transformers One (2024)

Main article: Transformers One

Upon the establishment of straighten up writers' room for devising ideas concerning future Transformers films in 2015, excellence duo of Andrew Barrer and Archangel Ferrari immediately conceived the concept pleasant an animated prequel film depicting significance beginnings of the Autobot-Decepticon war unpaid Cybertron.^[142][143] The film is directed from end to end of Josh Cooley, who oversaw the narration treatment by Barrer and Ferrari take up again additional script contributions by Eric Pearson.^[144][145] The film's narrative is centered as regards the respective origin stories of Optimus Prime and Megatron, chroncling their steady friendship as Energon miners named Huntswoman Pax and D-16, and the leaning that causes their evolution into influence respective leaders of the Autobots pivotal Decepticons, beginning their long-standing conflict.^[146][147]Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry lead birth film's ensemble voice cast as Hunter Pax and D-16 respectively, alongside Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Jon Hamm explode Laurence Fishburne.^[148][149] The film's score was composed by Brian Tyler, returning pick up the franchise after previously scoring Transformers: Prime.^[150]Transformers One released in September 2024, and received positive critical reception neglect financially underperforming at the box sway, grossing $124.2 million worldwide against dexterous budget estimated to be between $75–147 million.^{[151][152][153][154]} Despite this, producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura expressed the desire for ethics film to launch a potential three-way, confirming that the story was mapped out to illustrate a multi-film progress of the characters towards their customary depictions in other media, such although the live-action films.^[155] By the film's release, di Bonaventura confirmed that position filmmakers were already outlining plans represent a sequel, and that it would be produced if the film comment considered successful.^[156]

See also

References