Optimus Prime (Unicron Trilogy)

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Transformers character
Optimusprime-armada.png
Armada Optimus Prime
Name Optimus Prime
Autobot
Japanese name Convoy (Micron Legend), Grand Convoy (Superlink), Galaxy Convoy (Galaxy Force)
Series Transformers: Armada
Transformers: Energon
Transformers: Cybertron
Transformers: Attacktix
English voice actor Gary Chalk
Japanese voice actor Toru Ohkawa (Micron Legend)
Katsuyuki Konishi (Superlink)
Taiten Kusunoki (Galaxy Force)
Information
Alternate modes Semi truck, Fire engine/aircraft, mechanical gorilla
Function Autobot Leader, Supreme Commander/Ultimate Supreme Commander/Super Ultimate Supreme Commander/High-speed Mobile Supreme Commander
Gender Male
Motto "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings." (Armada)
"Those who threaten peace will fall in pieces." (Energon)
"All hands to combat! I will lead all to freedom with intelligence!" (Galaxy Force)
Partner Sparkplug, Jetfire and Overload (Armada) Primus, Wing Saber and Leobreaker (Cybertron)
Rank 10
Sub-group Super Vehicles, Deluxe Vehicles, Deluxe Beasts

Optimus Prime is a fictional character in the Transformers series. He is leader of the Autobots in the Unicron Trilogy stories; in the Japanese versions he is known as Convoy, Grand Convoy, and Galaxy Convoy in each successive series.

Unicron Trilogy

The "Unicron Trilogy" version of Optimus Prime is a fictional character of this branch of Transformers lore. Appearing in Transformers: Armada, Transformers: Energon and Transformers: Cybertron (known as the aforementioned trilogy), Optimus is the leader of the heroic Autobots. He often converted to his super combat mode. In all three series, Optimus' English voice actor is Gary Chalk, who previously voiced Optimus Primal in Beast Wars and Beast Machines.

Animated series

Transformers: Armada

In Transformers: Armada, Optimus Prime shares the role of main protagonist with Rad, Alexis, Carlos, Red Alert and Hot Shot. The Optimus of this universe shares many similarities with his parallel universe versions, including nobility of spirit and a strong desire to protect all humans on Earth. In this continuity, the two sides are not looking for energon, but a small race of power-enhancing transformers known as Mini-Cons. Optimus led his small band of Autobots to stop Megatron from acquiring their power for himself.

In his first appearance in the series, Optimus looks similar to the original Transformers: Generation 1 Optimus Prime until he copies himself with a semi-truck and his design in robot mode changes to the image shown here. Soon after, he retrieves his Mini-Con partner, Sparkplug. The cab of his truck mode detaches to form Optimus himself, while the trailer transforms into a battle station mode operable by Optimus and several Mini-Cons. Optimus can also combine with his base to form a "Super Mode" robot that, when combined with Sparkplug, can fire a series of powerful lasers. Additionally, Optimus can combine with Jetfire and/or Overload in his Super Mode for additional power.[1]

After many battles on Earth, Optimus died by standing purposefully in the path of the Hydra-Cannon built by Megatron from the three Mini-Con weapons, the Star Saber, the Skyboom Shield, and the Requiem Blaster. He managed to partially reflect the beam, damaging the Hydra-Cannon. It was the Mini-Cons themselves, however, who resurrected him, entering the Matrix and reconstructing a new body for him. Subsequently, Unicron forced Optimus to face the dark part of his soul and that, on some level, he enjoyed the thrill of combat. Following Unicron's defeat, Optimus's denial was sorely tested as Galvatron, an upgraded Megatron, forced him into one final furious battle. The battle ended when Starscream sacrificed himself to end the circle of hate that powered Unicron. Floating through space, Optimus found the Matrix, but said he did not deserve it. Before beginning the battle with Galvatron, he was upgraded by the minicons. His red torso turned black and he was able to battle Galvatron one on one.

Transformers: Energon

He next appears in Transformers: Energon, the only time during the Unicorn Trilogy where Prime is not the main protagonist. In Energon, set ten years after Armada, he is no longer able to combine with his trailer. Instead, he has been gifted with the Spark of Combination by Primus, allowing him to combine with the quartet of vehicular drones in his trailer. Fire One, Copter Two, Digger Three, and Submarine Four, can each form either an arm or a leg when they combine with Prime, creating his super mode. Later, Prime gained the ability to combine with fellow Autobots Wing Saber and Omega Supreme, the latter case creating Optimus Supreme.

Although peacetime in the decade that followed the apparent deaths of Unicron and Galvatron afforded Prime the opportunity to train his own elite squadron of Autobots the martial art of Kumite. The re-emergence of the war, however, forced him to return to his role as commander. The conflict for control of the Mini-Cons and the truths he was forced to face in his confrontation with Unicron seems to have changed him. Optimus Prime, Grand Convoy' in the Japanese version, was now a stern, more direct commander and shows little of the conflict that held him back before. Despite this, he is still known to make the same kind of decisions, which include an emphasis on team work and the foundation of the Autobot values.

In order to defeat a Unicron-possessed Galvatron, Optimus Prime formed Shining Optimus Supreme when he combined with all other Autobots.

In a later battle, Optimus Prime duplicated the form of Optimus Supreme without actually combining with Omega. To make this form, his Prime Force drones combined with him,\ without the intervention of Omega Supreme.

Transformers: Cybertron

Although the original Japanese incarnation of Transformers: Cybertron, known as Transformers: Galaxy Force, was produced apart from Armada and Energon, the series, as originally conceived by Hasbro, was as the third part of the trilogy. The English language dub of the series treats it as such.[2] Consequently, inconsistencies arise between Cybertron and the other two series, but have been explained by the Cybertron comic book, available exclusively through the Official Transformers Collectors Club, as the result of fluctuations in the fabric of reality caused by the Unicron-induced black hole.

In this incarnation, Optimus Prime is the main protagonist and shows a near-xenophobic reluctance with interacting with other cultures, believing that such interaction would cause more harm than good. Consequently, he prohibits his team from mingling with the locals of Earth, Velocitron, and the Jungle Planet during their search for the Cyber Planet Keys. This attitude was drastically changed when Prime realized that the only way to acquire the Cyber Planet Keys from Velocitron and Animatros was to play by their laws.

Early in this new series of encounters with Megatron, Red Alert contacted the Autobots on Earth and asked for Optimus Prime to join then on Velocitron. Ransack and Crumplezone tricked Hot Shot and Dirt Boss into believing that a race between them would determine which of them would be allowed to race Override for the Planet Cup. During the race, Ransack and Crumplezone caused a rockslide that buried Hot Shot. Hot shot was saved when Optimus Prime, Vector Prime, and Landmine arrived, but Optimus was upset that Hot Shot had become involved with the locals. Clocker and Brakedown were eager to help the Autobots. After being unable to obtain the Planet Cup from Override herself, Optimus Prime endorsed Hot Shot's plan to win the cup in a race with the aide of the other Autobots. Ransack and Crumplezone were contacted by Megatron and were told to keep on eye on things. They also decided to enter the race, either to win the cup and cause as much damage as they could to the other racers. Override, Dirt Boss, Ransack, Crumplezone, Optimus Prime, Hot Shot, Red Alert, Landmine, Clocker and Brakedown participated in the qualification round.

During the Animatros story arc, it was discovered he could combine with Leobreaker to form Savage Claw Mode, a stronger form. This mode allowed him to defeat Scourge.

In addition, Optimus can combine with Wing Saber to form Sonic Wing Mode, Sonic Convoy in Japan. This mode helps Optimus defeat Starscream.

On a few occasions, during and after the Autobots go to Gigantron, Optimus Prime wields Metroplex's giant axe-like weapon, Sparkdrinker, despite the fact that it is much larger than he is. He used it to defeat Galvatron on several occasions.

Near the end of the series, in what is generally regarded by fans to be his most impressive feat, Optimus Prime takes on Galvatron without combining with any other transformer. Traditionally, throughout the three series and RiD, Optimus Prime has been shown to be physically weaker than Galvatron. At the end of the intense fight, Galvatron proved stronger than Prime, but Prime managed to destroy Galvatron with Vector Prime's sword.

In the final episode of Transformers: Cybertron, Optimus Prime proposed a new Space Bridge project using the power of the four Cyber Planet Keys and the four great Cybertronian ships. Many Autobots and former Decepticons joined in the project. Jetfire was left in charge of Cybertron as Optimus Prime led the Atlantis with the Earth Cyber Planet Key, joined by Red Alert, Safeguard, Scattorshot, Leobreaker, Menasor, and Heavy Load.

Comics

Dreamwave Productions

Just as Marvel Comics produced a companion comic to the original Transformers toyline that differed from its animated counterpart, so did Dreamwave produce a comic to go along with the Transformers: Armada and Energon lines that owed little to their animated fellows. This incarnation of Optimus Prime, however, is not particularly different from his animated counterpart in personality.[3][4]

Transported to a parallel Universe, as the walls of reality began to crumble, foretelling the coming of Unicron to the Armada universe, Optimus Prime and Jetfire were reformatted by their Mini-Con companions using the Mini-Con Matrix into new "Powerlinx" forms. Optimus Prime and Jetfire combined to hold the chaos-bringer at bay. Unicron was eventually defeated by the united power of the Mini-Cons.

Ten years after Unicron's defeat, Cybertron was seemimngly at peace, but Optimus still feared another attack from Unicron. Although the Autobot High Council dismissed his fears, a mental link with Primus confirmed that Unicron was still alive. Megatron's disembodied spark, trapped within the chaos-bringer, called out to Prime. Events overtook Prime as Unicron's four Horsemen, Rhinox, Airazor, Cheetor, and Terrorsaur, attacked Cybertron, devastating it. Prime's link with Primus allowed him to upgrade himself into his Energon form and drive them off.

Using the Spacebridge to travel to Earth, Prime was sidetracked when Megatron transported him to Unicron's body. Megatron attempted to cajole him into distracting Unicron long enough to transfer his consciousness into a new body. Prime refused until Megatron showed him what was happening on Earth. A massive Terrorcon invasion had devastated many of Earth's greatest cities, with the stalwart Autobot defenders nearly overwhelmed. Megatron offered to deal with the invasion if Prime would aid his rebirth. Out of options, Prime agreed, and battled Unicron's internal defences to disable a sensor, allowing Megatron's resurrection. As Megatron teleported to Earth to keep his end of the bargain, Prime, still inside Unicron, prepared to fight back.

Dreamwave's closure meant that resolution to the storyline was not accomplished, nor was the Cybertron era of the Dreamwave comics reached.

Fun Publications

Left to right: Sentinel Maximus, Generation 2 Optimus Prime, Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime, Transtech Optimus Prime, Leo Prime and Cybertron Optimus Prime in Invasion Prologue

IDW's Transformers Collectors Club exclusive comic story, Revelations part 6, is set after the defeat of Galvatron, but before Optimus Prime's mission to start a new Space Bridge project. In this story, the Autobots from the IDW series Robots in Disguise, Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Sentinel Maximus, Downshift, Perceptor, Alpha Trion, Over-Run, Anti-Blaze, Checkpoint, and Scythe, meet the Autobots from the animated series, Cybertron Optimus Prime, Jetfire, Override, Scattorshot, Red Alert, Hot Shot, Lori, Bud, and Coby Hansen, and thank each other and remembering those who were lost in the battles.

Optimus Prime appears in Invasion Prologue by Fun Publications. In this story he is in his Beast Planet form.[5] "Ask Vector Prime" subsequently revealed that this Optimus Prime was from an alternate Unicron Trilogy reality in which both he and Megatron were reformatted into beast forms prior to a final confrontation similar to that seen in the animated series.

Optimus Prime appears in "A Flash Forward Epilogue" by Fun Publications. Transtech Optimus Prime sends Generation 1 Optimus Prime and Unicron Trilogy to find Depth Charge.[6] Another Galaxy Convoy was also mentioned in "Ask Vector Prime" as a Maximal who served on the Primal Council and had the alternate form of a Klud.

Pack in comics

In the second Transformers: Energon pack-in comic, Prowl, Inferno, and Landmine discover some hills on Earth rich with energon and request permission from Optimus Prime build an energon tower. Optimus agrees, but warns the Autobots that Decepticon activity has been detected nearby. Megatron attacks with a horde of Divebomb Terrorcon clones. The Autobots attempt to fight back by having Mirage and Inferno powerlink, while Landmine goes into 'brute' mode. However, they are overwhelmed when Insecticon Terrorcon hordes join in the attack. The Autobots retreat and Megatron takes the energon for himself.

What does any of this have to do with Optimus Prime? Yes, Optimus is mentioned, but that's it. This is just the story that takes place rather than a description of Optimus in this universe. I don't know anything about Optimus Prime, or I would do something about it myself, but I don't know enough about Pack in comics.

Games

Optimus Prime is among the characters appearing in the 2004 Transformers video game for the Playstation 2.[7][8]

Toys

  • Armada Leader Optimus Prime with Sparkplug (2002)
Came with the Mini-Con Sparkplug. Could combine with Armada Jetfire (and its repaints) and/or Armada Overload (and its repaints). The trailer could convert into a base for Mini-Cons. In Japan a gold chrome edition of this toy was released as a Lucky Draw special. With its trailer the vehicle mode of this toy bears a great resemblance to G1 Star Convoy. According to the Armada video game Armada Optimus Prime is supposed to be 22 feet 10 inches tall (696 cm tall) and the toy is 17.5 cm tall. So that's a scale of 1:40.[9]
  • Armada McDonalds Optimus Prime (2002)
Premium that came in McDonald's Happy Meals. This toy can combine with the other McDonald's Autobot toys to form a gestalt robot.
  • Armada Deluxe Supercon Optimus Prime with Over-Run (2002)
Deluxe-sized toy came with the Mini-Con Over-Run. Mini-Con could be used to activate a punching action gimmick. Several variants of this figure exist. One difference is some had yellow painted headlights, while other had silver.[10]
Repainted as Armada Scourge, Universe Ultra Magnus and later as a Cybertron Deluxe Optimus Prime.
An imitation of this figure was released in 2007 called Transformax Superon Autobot Optimus Prime. It is nearly identical to the real figures, and even came with an imitation Over-Run, but lacks paint on the truck grill and the lower arms are one solid piece, and cannot fold up when he transforms.
  • Armada Leader Powerlinx Optimus Prime with Sparkplug (2003)
Came with the Mini-Con Corona Sparkplug. Could combine with Armada Jetfire/Armada Powerlinx Jetfire and/or Armada Overload/Energon Ultra Magnus.[11]
  • Armada Built To Rule Optimus Prime with Sparkplug (2003)
Came with the Mini-Con Sparkplug.[12]
  • Armada K-Mart Optimus Prime with Sparkplug (2003)
Came with the Mini-Con Sparkplug.
  • Armada Flashlight Keychain Optimus Prime
Non-transforming collectable keychain flashlight of Armada Optimus Prime in robot mode.
  • Armada Spinpop Optimus Prime
Press his groin plate and his sucker spins.
  • Energon Leader Class Optimus Prime (2004)
Super class vehicle, with trailer and 4 drones who combine with Optimus prime for his super mode. Could later combine with Energon Wing Saber in two different modes, or with Energon Omega Supreme or Omega Sentinel. This toy represents Optimus Prime as he appeared in the Energon animated series and in the Dreamwave Energon comics after his upgrade.
Energon Optimus Prime stands 765 centimeters or 25 feet tall in super robot mode. With the toy standing 25 centimeters tall, he would be 1/31 scale.[13] A Lucky Draw version was released in red, gray, and purple as opposed to the blue, white, and red color scheme of the original figure and alternately colored components: a light purple fire truck, a yellow helicopter, and light blue drill and submarine. Gold and silver Lucky Draw variants were also released.
  • Energon Deluxe Optimus Prime (2004)
A Deluxe sized version of Energon Optimus Prime. Looks like a smaller version of the Leader class toy, without any trailer or drones. Can Powerlinx with other Energon Autobot toys. This toy was a Toys-R-Us store exclusive in the U.S. and was packaged together with a downsized Energon Megatron. In Japan this toy was packaged together with Kicker and a Star Saber accessory.
  • Energon Transforming Pen Optimus Prime (2004)
Basic sized toy which transforms from robot to truck and has a built in pen.
  • Energon Built To Rule Optimus Prime
The second Built to Rule Optimus Prime, comes with a trailer. Only sold in Cincinnati for a short period of time to test the market.
  • Energon Mcdonald's Optimus Prime
Packaged in with Happy Meals, only available in Europe. Came with an energon cube with sound effects. The cube was placed inside the figure and the sounds were activated remotely by a small red airplane.
  • Pla-Kit Grand Convoy
A building kit that features Energon Optimus in his Powerlinked form with his drones; was later recolored into Grand Scourge.
  • Cybertron Leader Optimus Prime (2005)
Leader class figure, this is his form used in the Cybertron television series. Can combine with Leobreaker (or Nemesis Breaker) and/or Cybertron Wing Saber, and can use Metroplex's axe or Vector Prime's sword. At first, Optimus Prime's (Galaxy Convoy in the Japanese version) alt-mode is a futuristic firetruck, although some believe it to be some sort of mobile weapons platform (the show itself treats it as a firetruck). This can also transform into a wing mode, with wings and cannons on each side of the truck. In addition to his standard robot mode, he can combine with his rear 'trailer' section to form a heavily armed super mode. That trailer section can also form an independent weapons platform, usable by anyone. His face, designed in the classic Prime style, merges the two mouth-plate elements - a slitted version to expose his mouth, like Beast Wars Optimus Primal did on the television series and a full mouth-plate which can rise to cover it.[14]
Like most toys sold in the Galaxy Force toy line by Takara, then later in the Cybertron toy line by Hasbro, there are small paint differences between the two versions of the toy. The Hasbro version has a code number on the back of his Cyber Key, while the Takara version has no number on his Force Chip.
There is some difference of opinion on how the super mode of Leader Class Optimus Prime is supposed to assembled. Takara toys and the television series portrayed with the wings up and his two large guns underslung, however Hasbro later sold the toy with pictures and instructions having the wings down and the guns over the shoulders. Commercials and repainted models by Hasbro went back to the way Takara assembled the super mode. In 2006 a Costco exclusive of Optimus Prime packaged with Wingsaber and a DVD (with Armada Supercon Optimus Prime printed on it!) of the episode United was sold, again with the wings-under gun-over super mode. In Japan gold and silver chrome editions of this toy were released as a Lucky Draw special; a single green variant was also released as the prize for a contest.
Early concept sketches of this Optimus Prime showed that they intended to allow Optimus's Super Mode extras to combine with other Transformers to boost their power, but this idea seemed to be abandoned.
  • Cybertron Burger King Optimus Prime
A kids meal toy giveaway about the size of a Scout class toy, but very simple. Transforms from truck to robot. Transformation of this toy is similar to the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime toy.
  • Cybertron Legends Optimus Prime
There is also a smaller "Legends of Cybertron" Micro sized version of this Optimus Prime, without a trailer, and a Burger King Kid's Meal toy, again without a trailer. There is also a rotating sucker holder version of Cybertron Optimus Prime. Later releases of the Leader class and Micro class Optimus Prime were repainted in darker colors, supposedly representing Optimus Prime after the television story. This toy is called Galaxy Force Optimus Prime. A special metallic painted version of this toy was included with Megalo COnvoy in Japan.
In 2007 a Target store exclusive value pack of four Voyager class Cybertron toy was released. It included Jetfire, Megatron, Optimus Prime and Soundwave. All identical to their original releases.
This toy was repainted as Classis Legends Menasor in 2007.
  • T.H.S.-01 Galaxy Convoy
A Japanese exclusive, the first hybrid style figure. Four inches tall, part die-cast metal, part plastic, it had a very wide range of possibility with interchangeable hands for different poses. Heads could be changed depending on if the figure was in normal or super mode.
  • Cybertron Leader Galaxy Force Optimus Prime (2006)
Darker repaint of Cybertron Leader Class Optimus Prime with 4 planet unity symbols on the shoulders. Some bonus packs of Galaxy Force Optimus Prime came with the Autobot Brakedown as a bonus item. Also this version comes with the Matrix of Leadership in side Optimus.
  • Cybertron Deluxe Optimus Prime (2006)
A repaint of the Armada Supercon Optimus Prime, minus the Mini-Con, but instead had a Cyber Key with a Mini-Con port in it. Repainted to match Cybertron Galaxy Force Optimus Prime. This is supposed to be a drone which Optimus Prime controls to get into small places, built for him by Metroplex. Several paint variations of this toy exist, and early releases have the forearms swapped, just as had occurred with the last repaints of the mold.[15]
  • Cybertron Deluxe Jungle Planet Optimus Prime (2006)
There is also the release of Optimus Prime as a deluxe sized brown gorilla which is a repaint of the Beast Wars 10th anniversary Optimus Primal toy most likely trying to tie Optimus Prime in some way to the jungle planet Animatros in the Cybertron series. According to his bio, Optimus Prime was temporarily mutated into this form by the Animatros Cyber Planet Key. The colors of this toy are a homage to Transformers: Universe Optimus Primal.

Gallery

References

  1. Rennie, Jonathan (2003-04-18). "That's not all folks; CARTOON CLASSICS: 1970s CULT HEROES RETURN". Evening Times. 
  2. "Transformers - Galaxy Force Secret Special DVD!". TV Magazine. February 2006. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvsjngLBR54. 
  3. Rollens, Patrick (2003-04-25). "'Robots in disguise' hide from plot". University Wire. 
  4. Solomon, Rizal (2002-07-17). "Return of the Transformers". The Malay Mail. 
  5. Pete Sinclair & Jesse Wittenrich (w), Will Mangin (p), Jake Isenberg (i). "Invasion Prologue" Transformers Timelines (March, 2012), Fun Publications
  6. Jesse Wittenrich & Pete Sinclair (w), Robby Musso (p), Matt Frank (i), Thomas Deer (col), Jesse Wittenrich (let), Pete Sinclair (ed). "A Flash Forward Epilogue" The Transformers Collectors Club (September 2012), Fun Publications
  7. Atari Begins the Ultimate Conflict with Worldwide Release of TRANSFORMERS Video Game, Business Wire, May 12, 2004
  8. VIDEO GAME REVIEWS: You can swerve to avoid 'Driv3r', Charleston Gazette; August 21, 2004; by Jeb Haught
  9. "Armada Optimus Prime with Sparkplug". Unicron.us. http://www.unicron.us/tf2002/toypix/optimusprime.htm. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 
  10. "Optimus Prime with Over-Run". Unicron.us. http://www.unicron.us/tf2003/toypix/optimusprime.htm. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 
  11. Hasbro banks on strong licenses. (Toy Fair 2002). Playthings; February 1, 2002
  12. Toy Wishes Announces 2003 'Hot Dozen'; Magazine Hits Newsstands Today; Celebrated Magazine Predicts 'Must Have' Toys for Holiday 2003. Business Wire, October 8, 2003
  13. "Transformer Toy Reviews: Energon Optimus Prime". Cliffbee.com. http://www.cliffbee.com/reviews/fatimus.php. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 
  14. Hasbro Arrives at Toy Fair 2004 Loaded With the Industry's Premier Brands and a Wide-Range of Innovative New Toys and Games for the Entire Family. Business Wire; February 10, 2004
  15. "Transformer Toy Reviews: Cybertron Optimus Prime (Armada Repaint)". Cliffbee.com. http://www.cliffbee.com/reviews/cybprimer.php. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 

External links