Optimus Prime (Unicron Trilogy)

The "Unicron Trilogy" version of Optimus Prime (based on the character of the same name) is a fictional character and the main protagonist of this branch of Transformers lore. Appearing in "", "" and "" (known as the aforementioned trilogy), Prime 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 was the English voice of Optimus Primal in "Beast Wars".

Unicron Trilogy

Transformers character
name = Optimus Prime


caption =
affiliation = Autobot
japanname = Convoy ("Micron Legend")
Grand Convoy ("Superlink")
Galaxy Convoy ("Galaxy Force")
subgroup = Super Vehicles, Deluxe Vehicles, Deluxe Beasts
function = Autobot Leader
rank = 10
partner = Sparkplug, Overload, Jetfire, Wing Saber
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)
alternatemodes = Semi truck
Fire engine/aircraft
series = '
'
""
engvoice = Gary Chalk
japanvoice = Toru Ohkawa ("Micron Legend")
Katsuyuki Konishi ("Superlink")
Taiten Kusunoki ("Galaxy Force")
plvoice = Dariusz Odija

Animated series

Transformers: Armada

In this series he shares the role of main protagonist with Rad, Alexis and Hot Shot. The Optimus of this universe shares many similarities with his parallel universe version: 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 the 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, Optimus looks very similar to the Optimus from the original "Transformers" series until he copies himself with a semi-truck and his design in robot mode changes to the image shown above. Soon after he retrieves his Mini-Con partner, Sparkplug. The cab of his truck mode detaches and forms Optimus himself, while the trailer can transform 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 and, when he combines with Sparkplug, he can fire a series of powerful lasers. Additionally, Optimus can combine with Jetfire and/or Overload in his Super Mode for additional power.

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 Requiem Blaster, the Skyboom Shield and the Star Saber. It was the Mini-Cons themselves, however, who resurrected him, entering the Matrix and reconstructing a new body for him. Subsequently, Optimus was forced to face the dark part of his soul by Unicron, who forced him to face the fact 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, that ended when Galvatron sacrificed himself to end the circle of hate that powered Unicron. Floating through space, Optimus finds the Matrix and said he doesn't deserve it. Before beginning the battle with Galvatron it seems that he was upgraded by the minicons. His red torso turned black and he was then able to battle Galvatron one on one.

Transformers: Energon

This is the only part of the Unicron Trilogy where Prime is not the main protagonist (that role is given to Kicker). 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, the Prime Force - Fire One, Copter Two, Digger Three and Submarine Four, each of which can form either an arm or a leg when they combine with Prime, creating his super mode. Later, Prime gained the ability to combine with his fellow Autobots, Wing Saber and Omega Supreme, in the latter case creating Optimus Supreme.

Although peacetime in the decade that followed the apparent deaths of Unicron and Galvatron afforded Prime (called Grand Convoy in the Japanese version) the opportunity to train his own elite squadron of Autobots the martial art of Kumite, the re-emergence of the war 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: now a stern commander, he is more direct, and shows little of the conflict that held him back. However, he is still known to make classic "Prime" decisions, which include an emphasis on team work, and the foundation of the Autobot values.

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

In a later battle, Optimus Prime once duplicated the form of Optimus Supreme without actually combining with Omega. In 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", there known as "Transformers: Galaxy Force", was produced as being unrelated to "Armada" and "Energon", the series as originally conceived by Hasbro was as the third part of the trilogy, and the English language dub of the series treats it as such. Consequently, inconsistencies arise between "Cybertron" and the other two series, but these have been explained away 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 showed a near-xenophobic reluctance with interacting with other cultures, believing that such interaction would cause more harm than good and strongly prohibiting 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, but he was saved when Optimus Prime, Vector Prime and Landmine arrived. 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 other Autobots aiding him. Ransack and Crumplezone were contacted by Megatron and were told to keep on eye on things, so they too decided to enter the race, either to win the cup, or at least cause as much damage as they could to the other racers. The qualification round started with Override, Dirt Boss, Ransack, Crumplezone, Optimus Prime, Hot Shot, Red Alert, Landmine, Clocker and Brakedown participating.

During the Animatros story arc, it was discovered he could combine with Leobreaker (Ligerjack) into a stronger form called Savage Claw Mode. This mode allows him to defeat Scourge.

In addition, Optimus can combine with Wing Saber as well, into 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 that the it's much larger than he is. He used it to defeat Galvatron a lot of times.

What is generally regarded by fans to be his most impressive feat happened towards the end of the series, where he was able to take on Galvatron without combining with any other Transformer. Traditional throughout the three series and "RiD" Optimus Prime has been shown to be physically weaker then Galvatron, unlike in the original eighties cartoon series. Although it was intense fight, Galvatron did prove stronger then 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. Leaving Jetfire (Dreadrock) in charge of Cybertron, Optimus Prime lead the Atlantis with the Earth Cyber Planet Key, joined by Red Alert, Safeguard, Scattorshot, Leobreaker, Menasor and Heavy Load. Override lead the Ogygia and Velocitron Cyber Planet Key with Brakedown, Quickmix and Stripmine. Evac lead the Hyperborea and Jungle Planet Cyber Planet Key with Backstop and Lugnutz. Metroplex lead the Lemuria and Gigantion Cyber Planet Key with Drillbit, Undermine and Brimstone.

Dreamwave Productions

Transformers: Armada

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.

Transported to a parallel Universe as the walls of reality began to crumble, foretelling the coming of Unicron to the "Armada" universe, 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.

Transformers: Energon

Ten years later after the end of the Armada comic series, Unicron rose again, and Megatron's disembodied spark, trapped within the chaos-bringer, called out to Prime.

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 himself confirmed them: Unicron was still alive - and so was Megatron, his spark trapped inside him. 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. Attempting 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 then 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 to allow Megatron's resurrection. As Megatron teleported to Earth and (surprisingly) kept 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.

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 warns the Autobots that Decepticon activity has been scanned 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.

Fun Publications

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.

Toys

*Armada 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). In Japan a gold chrome edition of this toy was released as a Lucky Draw special. 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. [ [http://www.unicron.us/tf2002/toypix/optimusprime.htm Armada Optimus Prime with Sparkplug ] ]

*McDonalds Armada 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 rather awkward looking gestalt robot.

*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. [ [http://www.unicron.us/tf2003/toypix/optimusprime.htm Optimus Prime with Over-Run ] ] :Repainted as Armada Scourge, Universe Ultra Magnus and later as a Cybertron Deluxe Optimus Prime. :An immitation 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 immitation Over-Run, but lacks paint on the truck grill and the lower arms are one solid piece, and cannot fold up when he transforms.

*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.

*Built To Rule Optimus Prime with Sparkplug (2003):Came with the Mini-Con Sparkplug.

*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.

*Leader Class Energon 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. [ [http://www.cliffbee.com/reviews/fatimus.php Cliffbee.com: Transformer Toy Reviews: Energon Optimus Prime ] ]

*Deluxe Class Energon Optimus Prime: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: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 Mcdonalds 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.

*Cybertron Optimus Prime: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, useable 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. :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 a gold chrome edition of this toy was released as a Lucky Draw special.:Early concept sketehes 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 Micro 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 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. [ [http://www.cliffbee.com/reviews/cybprimer.php Cliffbee.com: Transformer Toy Reviews: Cybertron Optimus Prime (Armada Repaint) ] ]

*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.

*Attacktix Optimus Prime (2006):Series 1 of the Transformers Attacktix figures included Cybertron Optimus Prime figures in both vehicle and super robot modes. Series 2 included a flame orange repaint of the super robot mode.

*Transformable Robot Commander Car (2007):A Chinese made unofficial toy based on the Legends of Cybertron Optimus Prime in a larger size and with slightly different colors. This version came with additional parts to make a super mode. Available at discount stores like Big Lots.

References