Optimus Prime (Unicron Trilogy)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Transformers character | |
 |
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| Optimus Prime | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot  |
| Japanese name | Convoy (Micron Legend) Grand Convoy (Superlink) Galaxy Convoy (Galaxy Force) |
| Sub-Group | Super Vehicles Deluxe Vehicles Deluxe Beasts |
| Rank | 10 |
| Function | Autobot Leader |
| Partner | Sparkplug Over-Run 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) |
| Alternate Modes | Semi truck Fire engine Machanical Gorilla |
| Series | Transformers: Armada Transformers: Energon Transformers: Cybertron |
| English voice actor | Gary Chalk |
| Japanese voice actor | Toru Ohkawa (Micron Legend) Katsuyuki Konishi (Superlink) Taiten Kusunoki (Galaxy Force) |
The Optimus Prime of the fictional "Unicron Trilogy", consisting of "Transformers: Armada", "Transformers: Energon" and "Transformers: Cybertron" is the leader of the heroic Autobots and the main protagonist of the trilogy.
Contents |
[edit] Fiction
[edit] Animated series
[edit] Transformers: Armada
The Prime of this universe shares many similarities with his predecessor: 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. Prime led his small band of Autobots to stop Megatron from acquiring their power for himself.
Optimus Prime transforms into a semi-truck and is partnered with the Mini-Con, Sparkplug. The cab of his truck mode detaches and forms Prime himself, while the trailer can transform into a battle station mode operable by Prime and several Mini-Cons. Prime can also combine with his base to form a "Super Mode" robot. Additionally, Prime can combine with Jetfire and/or Overload for additional power.
After many battles on Earth, Optimus Prime 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, Prime 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, Prime'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.
[edit] Transformers: Energon
Prime would return in Energon, set ten years after Armada. No longer able to combine with his trailer, Prime has instead 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 also 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, teaching the martial art of Kumite, the re-emergence of the war forced him to return to his role as commander. The war for the Mini-Cons, and the truths he was forced to face in his confrontation with Unicron seem 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. Although some fans view his objective as a single-minded, violent dedication to destroying both Megatron and Unicron, but the fact that much of the characteristics he showed in Armada were still there: he has been known to counsel and advise individuals like Kicker and Ironhide, as well as going so far as to compromise with Alpha Q, shows that this is not true.
When Kicker attempted to stop Galvatron on his own, Omega went to his aid, and then merged one last time with Optimus, who had already combined his Spark of Combination with all the other Autobots, forming Shining Optimus Supreme, who battled with a Unicron-possessed Galvatron until the villain sacrificed himself by plunging into an Energon sun, rather than see Unicron win.
Notably, in one of Prime’s later battles with Galvatron, when he used the power of Unicron to energize him, he duplicated the form of Optimus Supreme without actually combining with Omega. In this form, his Prime Force drones combined with him, as they are capable of doing with his toy figure, never doing so with Omega Supreme himself.
[edit] 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 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 himself, 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.
In addition, Optimus can combine with Wing Saber as well, into Sonic Wing Mode (Sonic Convoy in Japan).
On a few occasions during and after the Autobots go to Gigantron, Optimus Prime wields Metroplex's giant axe-like weapon Sparkdrinker, despite how much larger it is.
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. Tradiational throught the three series and RiD Optimus Prime has been shown to be physically weaker then Megatron/Galvatron, unlike in the original eighties cartoon series. 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.
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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, but a mental link with Primus himself confirmed his fears: 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.
[edit] IDW Publishing
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) and thank each other and remembering those who were lost in the battles.
[edit] Toys
- Armada Optimus Prime (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.
- McDonalds Armada Optimus Prime (2002)
- Premium that came in McDonalds Happy Meals. This toy can combine with the other Autobot Armada Mcdonalds Transformers to for a rather awkward looking gestalt robot.
- Supercon Optimus Prime (2002)
- Deluxe-sized toy came with the Mini-Con Over-Run. Mini-Con could be used to activate a punching action gimmick. Repainted as Armada Scourge, Universe Ultra Magnus and later as a Cybertron Deluxe Optimus Prime.
- Powerlinx Optimus Prime (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 (2003)
- Came with the Mini-Con Sparkplug.
- K-Mart Optimus Prime (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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
