Prime (Transformers)

Prime is a title in Transformers fiction, the designation given to the leader of the Autobots and bearer of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. The Japanese equivalent of Prime is Convoy, sometimes explained in Western Transformers folklore as an honorific nickname given to Autobots (called Cybertrons in Japan) who possess the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. The name is derived from their creator, Primus.

An Autobot Supreme Commander may be called "Prime" even if he does not possess the Matrix. In such cases the term is a title only and not part of that Autobot’s name (see Ultra Magnus). In other cases an Autobot may serve as a Matrix Templar without being the Supreme Commander (see Vector Prime), however the honorific “Prime” is still attached to their name.

Contents

History of Primes

Marvel G1[1]

Dreamwave G1

IDW Publishing G1

Thirteen Primes

Note: Each of the Thirteen Primes is a Prime.[2]

Beast Wars & Beast Machines

Robots in Disguise

Unicron Trilogy

Transformers: Armada

Transformers: Energon

Transformers: Cybertron

Dynasty of Primes

Transformers Animated

In Transformers Animated, Prime is not a title, but a commanding rank amongst the Autobots, as indicated by Optimus to Sentinel. Further proof is in the episode "Autoboot Camp", where Sentinel Prime is known as "Sentinel Minor" in a flashback scene. The rank of Prime is second only to that of Magnus.

Transformers: Prime

Convoy

Convoy is the Japanese Equivalent of Prime. This is sometimes explained in Western Transformers lore as an honorific nickname given to the Autobot (called Cybertrons in Japan) who possess the Autobot Matrix of Leadership.[3]

Unlike the Decepticon (Destron) title Emperor of Destruction, an Autobot with the Convoy honorific is not necessarily the supreme commander of all Autobots. Instead, the title Convoy can be given to any Autobot officer as a sign of their office. There have been occasions, however, when an Autobot has been made Supreme Commander but lacks the Convoy honorific. The most famous of these is the hero Star Saber. Other notable non-Convoy commanders include Fortress Maximus and Dai Atlas.

In Transformers Galaxy Force (Western name: Transformers Cybertron), each of the planets has a Convoy who is said to be the living embodiment of the planet's driving force. Galaxy Convoy (Optimus Prime) is Supreme Commander of Cybertron. Nitro Convoy (Override) is the fastest on the Speed Planet. Flame Convoy (Scourge) is the strongest on the Beast Planet. Megalo Convoy (Metroplex) is the biggest on Giant Planet. Live Convoy (Evac) is an oddity, as there is no native Transformer population on Earth. For the most part, their names pay homage to the fact that Convoys are leaders.

The list of Convoy

Entries without an equals sign indicate a Prime for which there is no American equivalent.

Generation One
Beast Era
Transformers: Car Robots
Transformers: The Legend of Microns
Transformers: Super Link
Transformers: Galaxy Force

Council of Convoys

The Council of Convoy is actually the Maximal Council of Elders: the Maximal Equivalent of the Tripredacus Council during the Beast Wars era, specifically the Japanese-exclusive 1999 anime Beast Wars: Neo . Each one resembled Optimus Prime; and each may have been Prime at one time. One of the Convoys is known as "Great" Convoy, another was known as "Crow" Convoy. Great Convoy was apparently the Supreme Commander of the Council of Convoy, and in the Beast Wars II manga it is he who appoints Lio Convoy to go after the Predacons.

References

  1. ^ "We are Primus. We are Prima. We are Prime Nova. We are Sentinel Prime. We are Optimus Prime." (from Marvel US issue 65, pages 25, panel 5
  2. ^ "We are the 13, the first, the forgotten, each of us serving a function vital to the survival of the universe. Each of us designated a 'Prime' and given a function to serve during the long march of infinity." --- Vector Prime
  3. ^ The anime encyclopedia: a guide to Japanese animation since 1917, by Jonathan Clements, Helen McCarthy - 2006
  4. ^ GameAxis Unwired - March 2007 - Page 90, No. 43
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