Optimus Prime (Animated)


 * Optimus Prime is an Autobot in the Transformers Animated continuity family.



Optimus Prime is a relatively naive and idealistic young leader, prone to longwinded "inspirational" speeches, who leads a small and unexperienced Autobot team under supervision from Ratchet. Despite his humble "Bot Next Door" persona, he performs his job with a dedicated seriousness. He transforms into a fire engine and wields a kick-ass rocket-powered battle axe.

"So this is what it feels like, to be a hero."

- Optimus upon his death

Transformers Animated cartoon

 * Voice actor: David Kaye (US), ? (Japan)

Prime has the most useful, multipurpose, superpowered weapon ever.

His stated manifesto includes wanting fuel, wanting fire, and wanting "that which he desires".

He is most notably not the Supreme Commander of the Autobots, the faction showing a command structure similar to that in the Beast Era. His superiors include Ultra Magnus and Sentinel Prime. He is apparently a graduate of some elite academy. When asked what he was doing in a mining crew, he gave no answer.

He and his crew eventually come across the All Spark while repairing a Space Bridge, and bring the artifact aboard their ship. During transport, they are discovered by the Decepticons, and Megatron comes after. He proves too strong to take head on (in spite of his subordinate planting a bomb on his chassis) but when the Autobot ship nears Earth Megatron is knocked overboard. The Autobots stay in stasis for the next 50 years until accidentally awakened by a strange incident. Optimus and the Autobots take on Earth vehicles as alternate modes and stop a giant bio-mechanical bug. They are hailed as heroes for it. Eventually, Starscream comes for the All Spark, and Optimus finds that the schemer can pack quite a punch. However the Autobot officer is able to keep Starscream from getting the artifact, at the cost of his life - although he was quickly revived by Sari via deux ex mac...er...her Allspark-influenced key.

Transformers Animated

 * CYBERTRON Mode Optimus Prime (Deluxe, 2008)


 * Based on his pre-Earth Cybertronian look, the first version of Animated Optimus Prime transforms into a half-track cybertronic truck loosely based on the Mitsubishi Fuso Hybrid concept truck. As a half-track, instead of rear wheels, he has molded caterpillar linked tracks with smaller wheels inside for rolling along smooth surfaces. Prime's axe weapon is stored by partially folding the axe at the grey hinge near the handle peg, then placing the handle peg in a hole on the back of the cab (actually one of his fists) with the blade facing down and a grey peg facing up, acting as a 'fifth wheel' (known as a trailer hitch among fans) should one find a suitable trailer to attach onto it.


 * In robot mode, his head has a retracted mouthplate. He has a superb range of articulation, as is the standard with Animated toys, due to the extensive use of ball joints and universal hinge joints. As stated above, the the hitch assembly becomes his axe, and the truck roof is mounted on his left arm as a shield.


 * Optimus Prime (Voyager, 2008)
 * Based on his Earth look, a futuristic fire truck. His rear portion transforms into a giant gun and wings, but you can remove it in both modes.

Trivia

 * Optimus was killed off after only three episodes AND revived 1 minute and 15 seconds later. That's gotta be a new record.