News

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of a major anime in the history of the Transformers franchise. Now, the latest toy line for the brand is honoring this with new figures for an Autobot and Decepticon derived from that anime.

Transformers: Age of the Primes is set to have multiple new action figures based on the Unicron Trilogy anime, and this includes Transformers: Cybertron. While one is a repaint of a previous release, the other is an all-new mold based on a faction-changing character from this anime. The announcement of the figures also comes as Transformers: Cybertron is now more easily available to watch than ever before.

Transformers: Age of the Primes Will Feature 20th-Anniversary Transformers: Cybertron Figures

The latest toys to be revealed for Hasbro's Transformers: Age of the Primes are the Deluxe Class toys for Sideways and Excellion, with both of these characters derived from the anime Transformers: Cybertron.

No Decepticon in the Transformers franchise is more powerful or more iconic than the mighty tyrant Megatron. This infamy is seeing the cruel ruler reimagined by a third-party company into a figure based on one of his comic book incarnations.

R53 Tyrantron Rise (Stormbringer Megatron) by Mastermind Creations is a behemoth of a toy, representing the Decepticon leader at his most imposing. Based on a comic book that's now nearly 20 years old, this retooled action figure is laden with articulation and accessories. Recently showcased by the third-party company that created it, the upcoming figure is an instrument of destruction waiting to be added to Transformers fans' collections.

RelatedFan-Favorite Transformers: Universe Decepticon Seeker Jet Returns to Life in New Action Figure Release

A third-party version of a classic Transformers: Universe toy reimagines an anime Seeker jet in a new figure that's brimming with stunning detail.

A Third-Party Megatron Figure Reimagines an...

The early 2000s were dominated by anime for the Transformersfranchise, with the "Unicron Trilogy" still beloved by many fans. Now, Transformers aficionados can complete their collections and digitally purchase the first entry on a popular streaming platform.

Running from 2002 to 2003, Transformers: Armada began the Unicron Trilogy and saw the debut of a new faction of Transformers. The anime is still influencing the franchise, especially through action figures in an upcoming toy line. With Armada able to be purchased digitally, fans can now buy every part of the Unicron Trilogy via Amazon's Prime Video.

RelatedOptimus Prime & Megatron Put a Stop to the Suck in New Transformers 40th-Anniversary Release

A new stop-motion Transformers video has several Studio Series Autobots and Decepticons facing a common foe in the form of a household appliance.

Transformers Fans With Amazon Prime Video Can Now Watch the Entire Unicron Trilogy Image via Actas

Transformers: Armada isn't streaming for free on Prime Video,...

When it comes to the leader of the good guys in most Transformers works, many will immediately think of Autobot leader Optimus Prime. Because of the character's popularity, he's had many incarnations across various cartoons, anime, video games, comic books and movies. He's not the only leader, however, with the many anime presenting characters who are just as big as heroes.

Generation 1 Optimus Prime is just one version of the character, and he might not even be the best Autobot leader. Likewise, there's also the heroic Maximal faction, which includes and is led by descendants of Optimus Prime's Autobots. When these characters are factored together, it makes the issue of the best leader a much more tough question to answer.

Related10 Anime Transformers Perfect for New Age of the Primes Toys

With Transformers: Age of the Primes already bringing back obscure anime Autobots, the line has several other unknown Transformers to include.

Three Transformers cartoons from the 2000s have now been released for fans to purchase as digital downloads. These include the latter two entries in the Unicron Trilogy of anime.

Transformers Animated, which first aired in 2007, is now on Amazon Prime Video for digital purchase. The same is also the case for Transformers: Energon and Transformers: Cybertron, the latter of which is now two decades old. This news comes amid an online Transformers stop-motion series being released following the franchise's latest animated movie.

Related New Transformers: Age of the Primes Series Reveals First Autobot vs. Decepticon Release for Old-School Fans

Coming to the Transformers: Age of the Primes is a set featuring two obscure characters in color schemes homaging the early days of Transformers.

Three Transformers Shows Join Amazon Prime Video's Digital Downloads Library

Image via Cartoon Network

Recently, Amazon Prime Video added Transformers: Animated, Transformers: Energon and Transformers: Cybertron to...

Third-party Transformers toys usually involve Generation 1 characters or similarly-recognizable Cybertronians. Now, one new set of figures instead gives a big-time glow-up to three Mini-Cons from the Unicron Trilogy.

Via Tformers, the Fans Hobby Mb-29 The Blaster Team Impact Gun Squad Toy is based on the Space Team from Transformers: Armada, which some fans will recognize for their powerful combined form. Large and in charge, these bigger takes on the characters are in scale with some of the most prestigious high-end toys in the franchise. Now available to order, this three-member team is ready to blast off into fans' collections.

Related Optimus Prime's Evil Twin Rolls Out in New Licensed Transformers Release

A newly-revealed Transformers bust by Unix Square showcases a highly detailed new iteration of the evil twin of Autobot leader Optimus Prime.

Newest Third-Party Transformers Figures Recreate a Legendary Armada Weapon

As noted, the Fans Hobby Mb-29 The Blaster...

Ever since he debuted in 1984, Megatron has been one of the chief villains in the Transformers franchise. Usually portrayed as the leader of the evil Decepticons, other variants are also tied to other villainous factions of Cybertronians. This longevity has given the character many interpretations and just as many notable designs.

The iconic Generation 1 Megatron design continues to inspire new takes on the villain, but he's had many other impressive looks over the years. These include bestial redesigns and Unicron Trilogy upgrades, some of which homage his other forms. Thankfully, the various toylines in the Transformers franchise have captured all of these designs, with fans having over 40 years of Megatron action figures.

Beast Wars Megatron Terrorized the Maximals In Style Alternate Mode: Organic T.rex

Debuting in the toyline for Beast Wars: Transformers, this "new" Megatron was initially suggested to simply be a new form for the original. The cartoon...

Ever since an anime entry in the Transformers franchise, Optimus Prime has had an evil counterpart in the form of Nemesis Prime. Now, an officially licensed bust recreates the dark mirror image in the visage of the original take on the Autobot leader.

Released by Unix Square, "Combot Nemesis Prime" is a bust of Optimus Prime's evil twin. Set to be shipped out in a few months, the collectible has a dark presence with stunning lights and extraordinary detail. With the original variant already available, fans will want to order now in order to own this deadly Decepticon.

Related Transformers Reimagines Optimus Prime, Megatron & More in New Wave of Exclusive Collector Cards

The latest wave of E-Hobby Transformers collectible cards reimagines both obscure and well-known Autobots and Decepticons in a chibi aesthetic.

Combot Nemesis Prime Bust Darkens Transformers Fans' Lightest Hour

A repaint of the Optimus Prime collectible in...

Japanese website E-Hobby has had several collaborations with the Transformers franchise, be it action figures or other collectibles. This includes cards, with the latest wave of this series now being revealed and up for grabs.

The exclusive E-Hobby Transformers cards are now on their 13th wave, with the new cards reaching across the franchise's history. Two of them are based on one of the most iconic Transformers anime ever, while the other characters involved are far more obscure. Now available to order in Japan, these cards are expected to roll out in the second month of the new year.

Related Transformers Farewells Its Masterpiece Line With Optimus Prime's Best Look-Alike

Takara Tomy has revealed a deeper look at two newly-released high-end Transformers toys, with one of these being one of the final Masterpiece figures.

E-Hobby Deals Out Latest Wave of Collectible Transformers Cards

Now on Wave 13, the Transformers collectible cards...

Robot zombies? It could happen, and often did in "Transformers: Prime."

Since "Transformers" has been remade so many times over the past 40 years, new cartoons will sometimes use a central gimmick to set themselves apart from the crowd. "Beast Wars" had robots that transformed into animals instead of vehicles. The 2003 anime series "Transformers: Armada" cashed in on the "Pokémon" craze and had the Autobots and Decepticons fighting over "Mini-Cons," human-sized Transformers that could unlock great powers in the larger ones. The currently airing "Transformers: Earthspark" has introduced a new batch of characters called the "Terrans," who are Transformers created on Earth instead of the metal planet Cybertron.

For the 2010-2013 cartoon "Transformers: Prime," the gimmick was Dark Energon. "Energon" is the Transformers' primary fuel source, and the literal lifeblood of their creator, Primus. Dark Energon (which glows a sickly purple instead of crystal blue) is the blood of Primus' shadow self,...

By the early 1990s, the legendary Transformers franchise had already fallen out of favor in the West as a cartoon and toyline. Having ended its first incarnation beforehand, Hasbro prepped the brand to be rebooted into the ultimately failed Transformers: Generation 2. It hadn't ended yet in Japan, however, which is where the property had gotten its start. Before Japan put the series on ice, however, there were a few more chapters left in the Generation 1 story.

Transformers: The Battlestars was the media representation for the Transformers: Return of Convoy toyline, and it was the first Japanese incarnation of the G1 subseries to not receive a corresponding anime. Fairly esoteric in the West, it represented the waning days of the brand in Japan. Now, it's being revived via the latest toyline for the series, with its incarnation of Optimus Prime being its most notable legacy.

The G1 Transformers Anime Ended On...

The new Transformers toy line is only just being formally announced, but hype and promotion for the upcoming Transformers: Age of the Primes series is already in full swing. This includes several behind-the-scenes looks, courtesy of a Hasbro toy designer, with one of these spotlights showcasing the first of the Primes.

Easily one of the most anticipated toys from the Transformers: Age of the Primes toy line is Prima Prime, the progenitor of all other Primes, including future Autobot leader Optimus Prime himself. The enigmatic Cybertronian ancestor comes with several accessories, and he seemingly has ties to another character in the line. Now, fans can take a closer look at the toy's features before Prima Prime rolls out onto shelves next year.

Related Transformers Fans Get the Ultimate Nostalgia in Newly Released Concept Art of an Almost Forgotten Series

Nostalgia is strong for a forgotten early 2000s Transformers anime series...

The next version of the main Transformers toy line is focused mainly on the Primes, especially those that came before Optimus Prime. However, one anime-derived Autobot showcases the secondary purpose of the new toy line.

Besides featuring the Dynasty of the Primes, Transformers: Age of the Primes will also feature new toys from characters across different timelines and continuities. These include Red Alert, the Autobot medic from the anime Transformers: Armada. Receiving his first new toy in years, the character's presence in the new line proves that the Primes won't be the only focus.

Related Transformers' Most Underrated Seekers Get New Starscream Repaint Release

Two new top-shelf Threezero collectibles based on obscure Seeker jet Decepticons from Transformers allow them to stalk the skies like never before.

Armada's Red Alert Returns in the Newest Transformers Toy Line

Transformers: Age of the Primes Red Alert is a Voyager Class figure, with the...

The next phase of the Transformers franchise is almost here, and it's all about the Primes. Along with showcasing the ancestors of Optimus Prime, the new toy line will also continue the trajectory of the series' current offerings.

Via TFW2005, the art for the first wave of Transformers: Age of the Primes has been revealed, promising new figures for both classic and obscure characters. Chief among these are members of the 13 original Primes who, in most modern media, are the predecessors to Autobot leader Optimus Prime. Also present will be a high-flying Autobot Combiner, a hero from a Transformers anime and one of the most obscure takes on Optimus Prime to date.

Related Transformers' Optimus Prime Becomes Wearable Helmet in New Autobot-Worthy Collectible

A new Transformers collectible from Killerbody allows fans to wear the head of Optimus Prime, with the Autobot leader looking more advanced than ever.

New Transformers Artwork...

Quick Links Hot Shot Debuted In a Forgotten Transformers Anime Hot Shot Was the Face of the Unicron Trilogy Why a New Transformers Anime Must Bring Back Hot Shot

The Transformers franchise has increasingly used a shrinking list of the same characters, with each new series more or less retreading the same Autobots and Decepticons. Chief among these numbers are Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron and Starscream, with the yellow Autobot Bumblebee becoming something of a mascot for the brand. This wasn't always the case, however, and Bumblebee's place in the franchise was briefly taken by a now-forgotten character.

Hot Shot was prominent in the Unicron Trilogy Transformers anime, and was more of a stand-in for Bumblebee than many fans realize. The time has come to bring Hot Shot back into prominence, especially with Bumblebee being used so much. With a new Transformers anime on the way, this could very well...

Starscream is one of the most dynamic and interesting characters in the Transformers franchise. There have been many takes on Starscream, but most are similar to the version of the character seen in Generation 1, where he was a sniveling traitor trying to usurp Megatron for leadership of the Decepticons. One series, however, made massive changes to Starscream and provided one of the best versions of the character yet.

Transformers: Armada, the first series in the Unicron Trilogy, had a familiar yet strikingly different take on Starscream. Armada made key changes to Starcream's relationship with Megatron and gave him more power and depth than he had ever had before. Here's what makes the version of Starscream in The Unicron Trilogy so fascinating.

Related 10 Best Transformers from the G1 Anime

Seen in the Transformers Generation 1 anime, several somewhat obscure Autobots and Decepticons became fan-favorites in the franchise's Japanese media.

Transformers: Armada Shows...

Transformers One features Starscream as one of the story's main villains, reflecting the character's legacy in the franchise. By the time of Transformers One's ending, the film somewhat reinvents the origins of the titular alien robots, delving into the earliest days of the conflict that erupts between the Autobots and Decepticons. While much of the film will be rooted in the emotional conflict that emerges between Orion Pax/Optimus Prime and D-16/Megatron - played by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry respectively in Transformers One's voice cast - the film will also include other important characters in the franchise.

The trailers for the film teased as much, with Transformers One's new Optimus Prime origin story also including iconic titular robots like Bumblebee, Elita-1, Sentinel Prime, Soundwave, and Shockwave. As Transformers One's Autobots and Decepticons become what is known of them from the franchise at large,...

The Transformers have rolled out across several mediums, with one of these being anime. Ever since the days of Generation 1, the robots in disguise are as much of a Japanese property as they are Western characters. Now, a recent celebration of the brand's legacy showcases just how perfect the current climate is for a new Transformers anime series.

Recently, Studio Trigger released an anniversary video showcasing the history of the Transformers franchise, from G1 to now. In doing so, it proved that anime is a great medium to portray these characters, especially with how popular anime as a whole has gotten across the globe. Add in the studio's experience with reviving a similar brand, and it's clearly a match made on Cybertron.

The Studio Trigger Transformers Tribute Was Truly More Than Meets the Eye

Related Transformers' Most Unusual Optimus Prime Figure Yet Will Be Made-to-Order for Over $4000

A new Optimus Prime...

This post contains spoilers for "Transformers One."

"Transformers One," the fully-animated prequel, has arrived. Set on Cybertron, home planet of these autonomous robots, the movie depicts how Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry) went from best friends -- and nobodies named Orion Pax and D-16 -- to leading two sides of a galactic civil war. (Read /Film's "Transformers One" review here to find out whether or not it succeeds.)

Even with its brief 104-minute runtime, "Transformers One" shows the beginnings of the other most important conflict in Megatron's life: The one with his future second-in-command, the Decepticons' treacherous Air Commander Starscream.

Starscream's defining quality has always been a desire to overthrow Megatron and supplant him as Decepticon leader. He's too ambitious and egomaniacal to accept serving under someone else, but in the end, he can never surpass Megatron as a warrior or leader. Starscream is so synonymous...

The Unicron Trilogy of anime within the Transformers franchise was the definitive take on the brand in the early 2000s, and it was full of both familiar and new faces. Many of these became the best parts of these anime, namely the shows' take on Starscream. Sadly, not every character was a winner, with some of them actually dragging the shows down.

The Unicron Trilogy had its fair share of disliked characters, be they Autobots, Decepticons or anyone in between. This included Cybertronians who were barely developed and one of the most disliked human sidekicks in the franchise. As a result, those cast members are largely considered the worst part of these shows, dragging down an otherwise decent anime trilogy.

Your browser does not support the video tag. Cybertron Jetfire Was a Major Downgrade

Faction

Alternate Mode

Series

Autobot

Antonov An-225

Transformers: Cybertron

Related 10 Transformers Anime/Manga Characters Perfect...

There have been multiple Transformers anime throughout the franchise's 40 years of existence, with the initial examples of this being in the Generation 1 continuity. These shows continued, or at least were derived from, the classic 1984 cartoon that started it all. Perhaps the most popular anime in the franchise, however, defined the property for most of the early 2000s.

The Unicron Trilogy was a set of three popular Transformers anime: Transformers: Armada, Transformers: Energon and Transformers: Cybertron. While familiar faces such as Optimus Prime and Megatron were present in each show, there were a host of characters who, in some cases, debuted in these anime. Along with unique new robots in disguise, the shows also had what was possibly the best take on a particular Decepticon, making the Unicron Trilogy a must-watch for Transformers fans.

Side Swipe Grew from a Rookie to a Seasoned Autobot

Faction

Alternate Mode

Series

Autobot

Nissan Skyline...

The Transformers franchise is celebrating its 40th anniversary in a major way, with several new figures recoloring existing toys in nostalgic color schemes. Referencing other characters from throughout the brand's history, one of these toys represents one of Starscream's biggest glow-ups.

Via Hakabanogarou, The Transformers: Legacy "Super Starscream" repaints the previous figure from the line, showcasing the character's incarnation from the Transformers: Armada anime series. Depicting his final form, the figure theoretically constitutes two characters in one. This is along with other figures based on robots in disguise from the series' history, such as a dark version of Optimus Prime.

Related Anime Decepticon Combiner Dinoking Roars Into Transformers: Legacy Toyline

An obscure Decepticon Combiner from a G1 Transformers anime is getting a new action figure, courtesy of the Transformers: Legacy United toy line.

Takara's Newest Starscream Figure Represents the Decepticon's Greatest Moment

Revealed at the Transformers 40 Anniversary Exhibition, an...

The latest Transformers toy line has featured both iconic and more obscure characters from the franchise's history. Now, an anime-exclusive combiner roars back from the edge of extinction.

Revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 and reported on via TFW2005, the new Transformers Legacy United: Dinobot Dinoking Multipack is a deepcut that will have fans reaching for their wallets. Combining six mighty Decepticon warriors, this underrated team finally gets a chance to shine on international toy aisles. The same is likewise the case for a similar Autobot rival, who's also a part of the Transformers: Legacy line.

Related Kodansha Reveals New Transformers Bumblebee Action Figure

A preview for an upcoming Japanese Transformers action figure promises a remix of an existing Bumblebee toy with a shiny new color scheme.

The Goofiest Combiner Joins the Transformers: Legacy Line

The new Dinobot Dinoking Multipack features six Decepticons -- Yokuryu, Rairyu, Goryu, Doryu, Gairyu and...

The Transformers franchise has been rolling out for 40 years, with the brand debuting in 1984. Now, Japanese parent company Takara is celebrating with a trip down memory lane, courtesy of some of the most iconic toys in the franchise.

The 40th anniversary release of the "Our Origin" video briefly gives a look at some of the most legendary moments in Transformers history, including the original Generation 1 series. Many of the characters seen are now receiving updated toys in various lines, showcasing how far the legacy of the Transformers goes. In fact, one of these epic new figures is seen at the beginning of the video, advertising the tangible nostalgia that's 40 years in the making.

Related Kodansha Reveals New Transformers Bumblebee Action Figure

A preview for an upcoming Japanese Transformers action figure promises a remix of an existing Bumblebee toy with a shiny new color scheme.

A New Transformers Anniversary Video Looks...

Various characters from the many Transformers anime and manga have made their way to the Transformers: Legacy toy line. Now, one high-flying Autobot is soaring back with a redeco and package refresh.

Via Tfw 2005, The Transformers: Legacy United "G1 Universe" Metalhawk is a repaint of the earlier release in the Legacy toy line. Designer Mark "Markclonus" Maher took to Instagram to discuss the new figure which, in a way, is actually one of a kind. It's also just one of the toys in the current toy line that represents the anime history of Hasbro and Takara's Transformers.

Related Kodansha Reveals New Transformers Bumblebee Action Figure

A preview for an upcoming Japanese Transformers action figure promises a remix of an existing Bumblebee toy with a shiny new color scheme.

Transformers: Legacy's Metalhawk Is Back With a New Paint Job View this post on InstagramA post shared by Mark Maher (@markclonus)

As noted,...

The iconic characters in the Transformers franchise have had many toys released by Hasbro and Takara Tomy. At the same time, other companies still produce figures for the robots in disguise, including the series' villainous robots in the skies.

Flame Toys' Kuro Kara Kuri line now has a new entry that hails from Transformers. Representing the Decepticon Starscream, this figure is certain to cut a sharp and terrifying presence on fans' shelves. While it doesn't transform, it does combine elements of various versions of the Decepticon Seeker.

Related Shinkalion McDonald's Toys Bring Transformers-Esque Fun to New Happy Meals Shinkalion: Change the World, a series featuring transforming train robots, is now docking at Japanese McDonald's with a new Happy Meal collaboration. Starscream Is Flame Toys' Newest Transformers Figure Release

Reinterpreted by Flame Toys for the Kuro Kara Kuri line, Starscream is an absolute beast of a Decepticon. His latest...

When it comes to Autobots in the Transformers franchise, most fans are familiar with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and other Cybertronians from the classic Generation 1 cartoon. They've since appeared in other Western works, along with the Maximals from spinoff series, Beast Wars: Transformers. While these might be the most recognizable robots in disguise, they are just as many heroic Transformers from the franchise's many anime iterations.

Be they Autobots or Maximals, these Transformers were important in various ways in their respective shows. Many have gone on to become fan-favorites, with some still receiving new action figures in modern toylines. This legacy reflects how Transformers has always been a joint collaboration between East and West, with Japan being the origin for some of the coolest 'bots in the franchise.

Your browser does not support the video tag. Hot Shot Was a Stand-In for Two G1 Autobots Hot Shot Was Rebellious & Got Into...

Quick Links Armada Sideways Was a Devious Double Agent Transformers: Cybertron Reintroduced Sideways Is Sideways a Headmaster? Who Kills Sideways in Transformers? Is Sideways the Same Transformer In Every Universe?

In the world of Transformers, nothing is as it seems. The titular robots in disguise frequently hide their true forms, though symbols alluding to the Autobot or Decepticon allegiances reveal the truth. For some Cybertronians, however, they even go so far as to hide their faction loyalties. There's no Transformer who embodies this concept more than the mysterious Sideways.

Debuting in the 2000s, Sideways seemingly updated two later concepts from the days of Generation 1. At the same time, he was a completely new character who wasn't based on a pre-existing, classic Transformer. Likewise, his allegiance to the darkest Transformer of them all has allowed him to exist in several different realities, making the multifaceted Sideways a multiversal threat to both Autobots and Decepticons.

The Transformers franchise has been around for forty years at this point and the media train is not slowing down. This is a huge milestone for any franchise, lasting for this long to have a huge impact on multiple generations. The characters are also iconic, especially Optimus Prime and Megatron who are used in art all over the world. The Transformers franchise has existed in almost every form of media as well: cartoons, movies, music, and, of course, anime.

The Unicron Trilogy is considered one of the most interesting Transformers franchises, being one of the few anime versions of the series to reach America closer to the time it was released. It was a joint effort between Hasbro and Takara, the companies that made the toys in America and Japan respectively, and it managed to score a lot of acclaim. As with any series though, there are a lot of...

Transformers anime became a cultural touch-point worldwide due to iconic characters and their impact on both American and Japanese audiences. Transformers: Kiss Players is a franchise entry that can turn off even the most die-hard fans due to its disturbing fan service. Transformers: Armada is widely loved and respected for its animation, characters, plot, and mature handling of Starscream's character development.

Transformers as a franchise may have started in America, but ties to the Japanese toy industry paved the way for some unforgettable Transformers anime and manga. Giant robots have been a feature in anime for decades, with mecha being a popular genre. In theory, robots and anime go hand in hand, but in most cases when it comes to mecha anime the robots are piloted by young adults and teens, and that's what made the Transformers unique. The robots were their own characters, and the impact they made in...

The Mini-Cons are a smaller subspecies of Transformers, roughly the size of humans, that first appeared in Transformers: Armada. Mini-Cons possess a unique ability known as Powerlinxing that allows them to enhance the powers of larger Transformers. If they were to appear in live-action films, the Mini-Cons could bridge the gap between the Transformers and human characters.

The Transformers toy line and the accompanying animated Transformers: Generation 1 series and Marvel Comics have been around since '84, with the franchise changing things up every couple of years. One such strange and exciting innovation came in the early 2000s called Mini-Cons. While most fans easily recognize the Autobots and Decepticons, the Mini-Cons are a smaller subspecies of Transformers that can combine with larger Cybertronians to unlock new abilities or weapons, making them more powerful than they initially appear.

Making their debut in the early 2000s, the Mini-Cons were released as part...

The latest HasLab Transformers crowdfunding project involves a nostalgic take on an iconic Autobot leader.

Based on the versions of Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus from the early 2000s anime Transformers: Robots in Disguise (known as Transformers: Car Robots in Japan), the new Omega Prime figure is a long-awaited new take on toys that have become collector's items. It also brings an exciting variation on the original toys' weaponry.

Related Takara's Latest Transformers Masterpiece Figure Turns Into Iconic Japanese Train The Transformers: Masterpiece toy line is adding a new Combiner Autobot who transforms into a real-life bullet train that's beloved across Japan. Omega Prime Is the Newest HasLab Crowdfunded Transformers Figure Close

Announced on Jan. 30, 2024, the HasLab Omega Prime figure is actually three toys in one, all designed by Hisashi Yuki, who worked on the original versions. The "main" figure in the trio is the Robots in Disguise...

Fans of the Transformers franchise who collect the series' toys are about to be hit by a rogue wave.

Hasbro Pulse has released a new video showcasing the Transformers: Legacy Titan Class Tidal Wave action figure. This toy is the sole Titan Class figure of the Transformers: Legacy: United toy line, making it the largest toy in the wave. The size of Tidal Wave makes sense given his design in the Transformers: Armada anime series, where he combined with Megatron, and this feature is still represented in the new toy.

Related Takara's Latest Transformers Masterpiece Figure Turns Into Iconic Japanese Train The Transformers: Masterpiece toy line is adding a new Combiner Autobot who transforms into a real-life bullet train that's beloved across Japan. The New Tidal Wave Figure Is One of Transformers: Legacy's Biggest Toys

As seen in the video, the Tidal Wave figure in the Transformers...

Newly-revealed concept art for a 2010s Transformers cartoon showcases how different the series could have been.

Unveiled by the website Night Shining, concept art for the series that became Transformers: Prime has been released over ten years after the show debuted. According to these preliminary concepts, the show was at the time simply referred to as Transformers: Robots In Disguise, which was a title previously given to a 2000-2001 Transformers anime. Likewise, this title was also ironically used for the sequel to Transformers: Prime. While the finished product was a fairly "serious" amalgamation of the live-action Transformers movie aesthetic and more traditional incarnations, the concept art took this idea to a new level.

Related Invincible Creator Raves About Transformers' Peter Cullen Joining the Series Invincible creator Robert Kirkman doesn't mask his surprise in securing one of his biggest inspirations for Season 2: Transformers' Peter Cullen. The Transformers: Prime Concept Art...

Transformers has many characters that evolve from the original 1984 series. Optimus Prime serves as an impressive paragon of growth and evolution over the many iterations of his iconic character. Optimus Prime's evolution showed him grow from a strong leader to a soldier with a dark side and themany struggles that came with those changes.

The Transformers franchise launched in 1984 with the Hasbro line of toys. Based on the conflict between the heroic Autobots and the hostile Decepticons, Transformers has a myriad of stories in the form of comics, movies, and animated television series that accompany the toys. The first media tie-ins were originally created with the intent of helping sell the toys, but what really makes Transformers popular isn’t the exciting merchandise but the characters that are at the center of the stories. No character embodies this better than the leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime.

While Michael Bay...

Among the many Transformers in Hasbro and Takara's massive popular franchise, only a handful tend to receive evergreen focus in the numerous iterations and continuities. Cybertronians that are heavily pushed in one series might be completely absent in another. Add in that some Transformers projects are exclusive to Japan, and the result is that certain robots in disguise are incredibly obscure.

This makes those characters perfect for the current Transformers: Legacy toyline. Giving new action figures to some of the brand's most overlooked Transformers, Legacy has allowed international fans to own toys for characters once shackled to increasingly rare older products. With the line's continued success, there are still several Autobots, Decepticons and anything in between that deserve new figures of their own.

Related: 10 Smartest Transformers, Ranked

Grandus

Introduced as part of the Return of Convoy toyline, Grandus was a gigantic Autobot base in the vein of Metroplex and Fortress Maximus.

When it comes to the Transformers franchise, countless robots in disguise have taken on the most coveted alternate form of all: icon status. Nevertheless, there are others that lack this acclaim, instead veering to the opposite extreme. Said Cybertronians are seen as both the worst parts of their respective cartoons or movies.

The reasons for why these characters are frowned upon range from intentionally being portrayed as unlikable to unflattering designs and poor writing. Some of them added to the issues present in already criticized continuities, while others brought down otherwise well-received entries. Worst of all, two Autobots in particular were the offensive faces of what may be the property's worst movie ever.

Related: Transformers: Top 5 Best (and 5 Worst) Versions of Optimus Prime

Botanica

Botanica debuted near the conclusion of Beast Machines: Transformers, which was already a controversial series. She added to it in several ways, namely due to...

Easily, the most iconic character in the Transformers franchise is Optimus Prime, the heroic leader of the Autobots. As one of the property's breakout protagonists, he frequently transforms and rolls out across various continuities. While these different incarnations usually share various traits, there's a lot that makes each iteration unique.

These exclusive elements also make for a better - or sometimes worse - take on the hero. Some versions of Optimus Prime are actually fairly deep and developed, whereas others are merely one-note heroes. Thus, while almost all versions of the character have the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, only some iterations of Optimus Prime have got both the touch and the power.

Related: Transformers: The 20 Strongest Decepticons, Ranked

5. (Best) G1 Cartoon

The first version of Optimus Prime is still one of the best. Voiced by Peter Cullen, the Prime from the Generation 1Transformers cartoon epitomized many of the elements that became synonymous with the hero.

With Transformers: Rise of the Beasts set to release on June 9, 2023, all eyes turn to see how The Maximals will get along with the Autobots as a battle for planet Earth rages on. Set in the 1990s, it's also worth wondering how the franchise sequel will tie into Transformers One, the next origin story slated for September 2024.

Related: 10 Coolest Autobots In The Transformers Franchise

To prepare viewers for Rise of the Beast, it's worth pouring through roughly 30 Transformers animated TV shows that have been produced since 1984 and seeing how they stack up in the eyes of IMDb voters. Spanning from 1984 to 2020, there are plenty of options for every generation.

Transformers: The Headmasters (1987) – 6.9

Transformers: The Headmasters ran for 35 episodes between 1987 and 1988. The story finds The Headmasters joining the Cybertrons to take down the Destrons, with the sudden absence of Convoy (Optimus Prime) playing a key role in the war.

A markedly...

While the battles between the Autobots and Decepticons have always been a great source of story and drama for The Transformers, it was never the main pull. As the name of the franchise would explain, what has always brought in its fans has been the ability for robots to hide in plain sight as any type of vehicle. This also translated well into toy form and brought a whole new level of play for its fans that have never been topped. But the franchise was put to the test in The Transformers: The Movie and affected future entries for decades to come.

The Transformers: The Movie was a feat in animation and proved that even beloved cartoons could make the leap into a big blockbuster. However, it also had the unforgiving task of killing off many of its classic characters to introduce new ones. This included the death of Optimus Prime,...

Transformers has seen many of the same names be used through its many iterations. For example, in the original series, Jetfire was a Cybertronian jet, but Transformers: Armada had him as a space shuttle, and in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, he was an old Sr-71. But Autobots weren't the only faction that had their names used for distinct and unique characters. In the case of the Decepticons, none know this better than Scorponok.

In The Transformers cartoon, Scorponok was first introduced as a massive Scorpion from the planet Nebulos. However, in 2007's Transformers, Scorponok was a much smaller and more violent scorpion robot that worked alongside Blackout and tunneled through the desert. Now, the character may return in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts as part of a collection of other Scorpion robots. But rather than be a nod to a Decepticon, it may instead be a tease of the...

LONDON -- U.K. kid's rights specialist Entertainment Rights said Tuesday that it has signed a distribution deal with Cartoon Network in the Asia Pacific region to provide more than 80 hours of programming for the channel's launch in the region. Included in the deal are boys' action series Transformers Armada, Transformers Energon and Duel Masters, plus all three Barbie feature film, the companies said. Also included are preschool series Postman Pat, Little Red Tractor, Ethelbert the Tiger and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The deal follows Entertainment Rights' announcement Monday that it has signed a pan-European broadcast deal with Turner Broadcasting System Europe for Duel Masters to air on Cartoon Network and Toonami.