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{{Short description|Japanese–American media franchise}}
{{hatnote group|{{About|the franchise|the electrical device|transformer|other uses|Transformers (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect2|The Transformers|Allspark (artifact)|the television show|The Transformers (TV series){{!}}''The Transformers'' (TV series)|the American former media production and distribution company|Allspark|the 2006 song by English band Editors|All Sparks}}}}
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{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox media franchise
| title = Transformers
| italic_title = no
| image = Transformers 2014 logo.png
| alt = Transformers franchise logo introduced in 2014
| caption = Franchise logo, 2014–present
| creator = {{ubl|[[Takara Tomy]]|[[Hasbro]]}}
| origin = [[Transformers (toy line)|''Transformers'']] (based on [[Diaclone]] and [[Microman|Micro Change]])
| years = 1984–present
| books = [[List of Transformers books|Complete list]]
| novels = 
| comics = [[Transformers (comics)|Complete list]]
| strips =
| magazines = 
| films = '''Animated'''{{plainlist|
* ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''
* ''[[Beast Wars II: Lio Convoy's Close Call!]]''
* ''[[Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising|Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising]]''
* ''[[Transformers One]]''
}}
'''[[Transformers (film series)|Live-action]]'''{{plainlist|
* ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen|Revenge of the Fallen]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon|Dark of the Moon]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction|Age of Extinction]]''
* ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight|The Last Knight]]''
* ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts|Rise of the Beasts]]''
}}
| tv = 
| atv = [[List of Transformers animated series|Complete list]]
| plays = 
| musicals = 
| games = 
| rpgs = 
| vgs = [[List of Transformers video games|Complete list]]
| radio = 
| soundtracks = [[List of Transformers audio releases|''Transformers'' audio releases]]
| music = 
| toys = 
| otherlabel1 = Related franchises
| otherlabel2 = 
| otherlabel3 = 
| otherdata1 = {{ubl|''[[Battle Beasts]]''|''[[G.I. Joe]]''|''[[GoBots]]''}}
| otherdata2 = 
| otherdata3 = 
| imagesize = frameless
}}
'''''Transformers''''' is a [[media franchise]] produced by Japanese toy company [[Tomy|Takara Tomy]] and American toy company [[Hasbro]]. It primarily follows the heroic [[Autobot]]s and the villainous [[Decepticon]]s, two [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|alien]] robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals. The franchise encompasses toys, animation, comic books, video games and films. As of 2011, it generated more than {{nowrap|¥2 trillion}} ({{nowrap|$25 billion}}) in revenue,<ref>{{cite news|title=政府、ハリウッドにアニメ・玩具セールス 国策会社設立|url=http://digital.asahi.com/articles/TKY201111020783.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402201834/http://digital.asahi.com/articles/TKY201111020783.html|access-date=31 May 2021|work=[[The Asahi Shimbun]]|date=2011-11-03|archive-date=April 2, 2012|language=Japanese|url-status=dead}}</ref> making it one of the [[List of highest-grossing media franchises|highest-grossing media franchises]] of all time.

The franchise began in 1984 with the [[Transformers: Generation 1|''Transformers'' toy line]], comprising transforming [[mecha]] toys from [[Takara]]'s ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Microman#Micro Change (1983)|Micro Change]]'' toylines rebranded for Western markets.<ref>{{cite news|title=The History of Transformers on TV|work=IGN|url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/800/800768p3.html|access-date=2010-08-16}}</ref> The term "[[Transformers: Generation 1|Generation 1]]" (G1) covers both the animated television series ''[[The Transformers (TV series)|The Transformers]]'' and the comic book series of [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|the same name]], which are further divided into Japanese, British and Canadian spin-offs. Sequels followed, such as the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2|Generation 2]]'' comic book and ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers|Beast Wars]]'' TV series, which became its own [[Transformers: Beast Wars|mini-universe]]. Generation 1 characters have been [[Reboot (continuity)|rebooted]] multiple times in the 21st century in comics from [[Dreamwave Productions]] (starting 2001), [[IDW Publishing]] (starting in 2005 and again in 2019), and [[Skybound Entertainment]] (beginning in 2023). There have been other incarnations of the story based on different toy lines during and after the 20th century. The first was the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2000 TV series)|Robots in Disguise]]'' series, followed by three shows (''[[Transformers: Armada|Armada]], [[Transformers: Energon|Energon]]'', and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron|Cybertron]]'') that constitute a single universe called the "Unicron Trilogy".

A [[Transformers (film series)|live-action film series]] started in 2007, again distinct from previous incarnations, while the ''[[Transformers: Animated]]'' series merged concepts from the G1 continuity, the 2007 live-action film and the "Unicron Trilogy". For most of the 2010s, in an attempt to mitigate the wave of reboots, the "[[#Aligned Universe (2010–present)|Aligned Continuity]]" was established. In 2018, ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse]]'' debuted, once again, distinct from the previous incarnations. Another series, ''[[Transformers: EarthSpark]]'', debuted in 2022, again separate from previous continuities. The 2024 animated film, ''[[Transformers One]]'', once again takes place in a new continuity.

Although a separate and competing franchise started in 1983, [[Tonka]]'s ''[[GoBots]]'' became the [[intellectual property]] of Hasbro after their buyout of Tonka in 1991. Subsequently, the universe depicted in the animated series ''[[Challenge of the GoBots]]'' and follow-up film ''[[GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords]]'' was [[retroactive continuity|retroactively]] established as an [[Parallel universes in fiction|alternate universe]] within the ''Transformers'' multiverse.<ref>{{cite book|title=Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|last=Sorenson|first=Jim |author2=Forster, Bill|date=July 13, 2010|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]|isbn=978-1600106835}}</ref>

==Fiction==
===''Transformers: Generation 1'' (1984–1993)===
{{Main|Transformers: Generation 1|The Transformers (TV series){{!}}The Transformers (1984-1987 television series)}}
[[File:Transformers layered text logo.png|thumb|Classic ''Transformers'' franchise logo used until 2014]]
[[File:Transformers Marvel Comics Spider-Man vs. Megatron.jpg|thumb|[[Spider-Man]] battles [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]] on the cover of ''The Transformers'' #3.]]
''Generation 1'' is a retroactive term for the ''Transformers'' characters that appeared between 1984 and 1993. The ''Transformers'' began with the 1980s Japanese toy lines ''[[Microman|Micro Change]]'' and ''[[Diaclone]]''. They presented robots able to transform into everyday vehicles, electronic items or weapons. Hasbro bought the ''Micro Change'' and ''Diaclone'' toys, and partnered with [[Takara]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Hasbro Publishes Transformers Timeline to Movie | publisher = TFormers | date = 2007-02-09 | url = http://tformers.com/Hasbro-Publishes-Transformers-Timeline-to-Movie/7132/news.html | access-date = 2007-02-10}}</ref> [[Marvel Comics]] was hired by Hasbro to create the [[backstory]]; editor-in-chief [[Jim Shooter]] wrote an overall story, and gave the task of creating the characters to writer [[Dennis O'Neil]].<ref>{{cite web | author = Matthew Karpowich | title = A Little Q&A With Bob Budiansky | publisher = ASM | date = 2004-07-26 | url = http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/bbudiansky_2.php | access-date = 2007-02-08 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080221202635/http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/bbudiansky_2.php | archive-date = 2008-02-21 }}</ref> Unhappy with O'Neil's work (although O'Neil created the name "[[Optimus Prime]]"), Shooter chose [[Bob Budiansky]] to create the characters.<ref>{{cite web | title = Bob Budiansky | publisher = TransFans.net | date=September 2006 | url = http://transfans.net/interviews_budiansky.php | access-date = 2007-02-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070309223445/http://transfans.net/interviews_budiansky.php | archive-date = 2007-03-09}}</ref>

The ''Transformers'' [[mecha]] were largely designed by [[Shōji Kawamori]], the creator of the Japanese [[mecha anime]] franchise ''[[Macross]]'' (which was adapted into the ''[[Robotech]]'' franchise in North America).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knott |first1=Kylie |title=He created Macross and designed Transformers toys: Japanese anime legend Shoji Kawamori |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2187735/he-created-macross-and-designed-transformers-toys-japanese |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=27 February 2019}}</ref> Kawamori came up with the idea of transforming mechs while working on the ''Diaclone'' and ''Macross'' franchises in the early 1980s (such as the [[VF-1 Valkyrie]] in ''Macross'' and ''Robotech''), with his ''Diaclone'' mechs later providing the basis for ''Transformers''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barder |first1=Ollie |title=Shoji Kawamori, The Creator Hollywood Copies But Never Credits |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/12/10/shoji-kawamori-the-creator-hollywood-copies-but-never-credits/ |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=December 10, 2015}}</ref>

The primary concept of Generation 1 is that the heroic [[Optimus Prime]], the villainous [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]], and their finest soldiers crash-land on [[prehistoric]] Earth in the ''[[Ark (Transformers)|Ark]]'' and the ''[[Nemesis (Transformers)|Nemesis]]'' before awakening in 1985, Cybertron hurtling through the Neutral zone as an effect of the war. [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|The Marvel comic]] was originally part of the main [[Marvel Universe]], with appearances from [[Spider-Man]] and [[Nick Fury]], plus some cameos,<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Jim Salicrup | penciller = Frank Springer | story = Prisoner of War! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]] | issue = 3 | date = January 1985 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> as well as a visit to the [[Savage Land]].<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = William Johnson | story = Repeat Performance! | title = The Transformers (U.S.A) | issue = 8 | date = September 1984 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref>

[[The Transformers (TV series)|''The Transformers'' TV series]] began around the same time. Produced by [[Sunbow Productions]] and [[Marvel Productions]], later Hasbro Productions, from the start it contradicted Budiansky's backstories. The TV series shows the [[Autobot]]s looking for new energy sources, and crash landing as the [[Decepticon]]s attack.<ref>{{cite episode | title = More than Meets the Eye | episode-link = List of The Transformers episodes#ep1 | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1984-09-17}}</ref> Marvel interpreted the Autobots as destroying a rogue asteroid approaching Cybertron.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Bill Mantlo | penciller = Ralph Macchio | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 1 | date = September 1984 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]] is loyal to Megatron on the TV series, keeping Cybertron in a stalemate during his absence,<ref>{{cite episode | title = Transport to Oblivion | episode-link = Transport to Oblivion | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1984-10-06}}</ref> but in the comic book, he attempts to take command of the Decepticons.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Alan Kupperberg | story = The New Order | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A)]] | issue = 5 | date = June 1985 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> The TV series would also differ wildly from the origins Budiansky had created for the Dinobots,<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Jim Salicrup | penciller = LeBron James | story = The Last Stand | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] |issue=4|date=March 1984|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode | title = S.O.S. Dinobots | episode-link = SOS Dinobots | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1984-10-27 | season = 1}}</ref> the Decepticon turned Autobot [[Jetfire]]<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Herb Trimpe | story = Brainstorm! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 11 | date = December 1985 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> (known as Skyfire on TV<ref>{{cite episode | title = Fire in the Sky | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1984-12-08}}</ref>), the [[Constructicons]] (who combine to form [[Devastator (Transformers)|Devastator]]),<ref name="secret">{{cite episode | title = The Secret of Omega Supreme | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1985-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Ricardo Villamonte | story = The Next Best Thing to Being There! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 9 | date = November 1985 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> and [[Omega Supreme]].<ref name="secret" /><ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Bob Budiansky | penciller = Don Perlin | story = Command Performances | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 19 | date = August 1986 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> The Marvel comic establishes early on that Prime wields the [[Creation Matrix]], which gives life to machines. In the second season, the two-part episode [[The Key to Vector Sigma]] introduced the ancient Vector Sigma computer, which served the same original purpose as the Creation Matrix (giving life to Transformers), and its guardian [[Alpha Trion]].

In 1986, the cartoon became the film ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which is set in the year 2005. It introduced the Matrix as the "[[Autobot#The Primes|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]]", as a fatally wounded Prime gives it to [[Ultra Magnus]]; however, as Prime dies he drops the matrix, which is then caught by [[Hot Rod (Transformers)|Hot Rod]] who subsequently becomes [[Rodimus Prime]] later on in the film. [[Unicron]], a Transformer who devours planets, fears its power and re-creates a heavily damaged Megatron as [[Galvatron]], as well as Bombshell or [[Skywarp]] becoming [[Cyclonus]], [[Thundercracker]] becoming [[Scourge (Transformers)|Scourge]] and two other [[Insecticons]] becoming Scourge's huntsmen, the [[Sweeps (Transformers)|Sweeps]]. Eventually, [[Rodimus Prime]] takes out the Matrix and destroys Unicron.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Transformers: The Movie (1986) | publisher = The Internet Movie Database | url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092106/ | access-date = 2007-02-02}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the weekly comic book interspliced original material to keep up with U.S. reprints,<ref>{{cite web | author = James Roberts | title = The Rise and Fall of Transformers UK | publisher = The Underbase | url = http://www.theunderbase.co.uk/wiki.asp?db=tfdb2000&o=The%20Rise%20and%20Fall%20of%20Transformers%20UK | access-date = 2007-02-16}}</ref> and ''The Movie'' provided much new material. Writer [[Simon Furman]] proceeded to expand the continuity with movie spin-offs involving the time travelling Galvatron.<ref>[[Simon Furman]] (w), Jeff Anderson, [[Geoff Senior]], [[Will Simpson (comics)|Will Simpson]], [[Ron Smith (comics)|Ron Smith]] (p), "[[Target: 2006]]" ''The Transformers (U.K)'' #78-88 1986-09-13 - 1986-11-22 [[Marvel UK]]</ref><ref>[[Simon Furman]] (w), [[Andrew Wildman]], Robin Smith, Dan Reed, Lee Sullivan (p), "Time Wars" ''The Transformers (U.K)'' #199-205 1989-01-07 - 1989-02-18 [[Marvel UK]]</ref> The Movie also featured guest voices from [[Leonard Nimoy]] as [[Galvatron]], [[Scatman Crothers]] as [[Jazz (Transformers)|Jazz]], [[Casey Kasem]] as Cliffjumper, [[Orson Welles]] as [[Unicron]] and [[Eric Idle]] as the leader of the Junkions (Wreck-Gar, though unnamed in the movie). The Transformers theme tune for the film was performed by Lion with [["Weird Al" Yankovic]] adding a song to the soundtrack.

The third season followed up ''The Movie'', with the revelation of the [[Quintessons]] having used Cybertron as a factory. Their robots rebel, and in time the workers become the Autobots and the soldiers become the Decepticons. (Note: This appears to contradict background presented in the first two seasons of the series.) It is the Autobots who develop transformation.<ref>{{cite episode | title = Five Faces of Darkness&nbsp;— Part 4 | episode-link = Five Faces of Darkness#Part 4 | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1986-09-18}}</ref> Due to popular demand,<ref>{{cite news | author = Lane Crockett | title = Hasbro Can't Toy with Optimus Prime | publisher = The Shreveport Times | date = 1987-03-28 | url = http://www.electric-escape.net/node/587 | access-date = 2007-02-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060813092845/http://www.electric-escape.net/node/587  |archive-date = 2006-08-13}}</ref> Optimus Prime is resurrected at the conclusion of the third season,<ref>{{cite episode | title = The Return of Optimus Prime | episode-link = The Return of Optimus Prime | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1987-02-24}}</ref> and the series ended with a three-episode story arc. However, the Japanese broadcast of the series was supplemented with a newly produced [[OVA]], ''[[Transformers: Scramble City|Scramble City]]'', before creating entirely new series to continue the storyline, ignoring the 1987 end of the American series. The extended Japanese run consisted of ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters|The Headmasters]]'', ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce|Super-God Masterforce]]'', ''[[Transformers: Victory|Victory]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Zone|Zone]]'', then in illustrated magazine form as ''Battlestars: Return of Convoy'' and ''Operation: Combination''. Just as the TV series was wrapping up, Marvel continued to expand its continuity. It follows ''The Movie'''s example by killing Prime<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Don Perlin | story = Afterdeath! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 24 | date = January 1987 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> and Megatron,<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Don Perlin | story = Gone But Not Forgotten! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] |issue = 25| date = February 1987 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> albeit in the present day. Dinobot leader [[Grimlock]] takes over as Autobot leader.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Don Perlin | story = King of the Hill! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] |issue = 27| date = April 1987| publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> There was a ''G.I. Joe'' crossover<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Michael Higgins | penciller = Herb Trimpe | story = Blood on the Tracks, Power Struggle, Ashes, Ashes... All Fall Down | title = G.I. Joe and the Transformers | issue = 1-4 | date = January–April 1987 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> and the limited series ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters]]'', which further expanded the scope to the planet Nebulon.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Frank Springer | story = Ring of Hate! Broken Glass! Love and Steel! Brothers in Armor! | title = [[The Transformers: Headmasters]] | issue = 1-4 | date = July–October 1987 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> It led on to the main title resurrecting Prime as a Powermaster.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = [[José Delbo]]| story = People Power! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 42 | date=July 1988 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref>

In the United Kingdom, the mythology continued to grow. Primus is introduced as the creator of the Transformers, to serve his material body that is planet Cybertron and fight his nemesis [[Unicron]].<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = Jeff Anderson | story = The Legacy of Unicron (Part 5) | title = The Transformers (UK) | issue = 150 | date = 1988-01-30 | publisher = [[Marvel UK]]}}</ref> Female Autobot [[Arcee]] also appeared, despite the comic book stating the Transformers had no concept of gender, with her backstory of being built by the Autobots to quell human accusations of sexism.<ref>{{Cite comic | Writer = [[Simon Furman]] | Penciller = [[Andrew Wildman]] | Story = Prime's Rib! | Title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]] | Issue = 234 | Date = 1989-09-09 | Publisher = [[Marvel UK]]}}</ref> [[Soundwave (Transformers)|Soundwave]], Megatron's second-in-command, also [[broke the fourth wall|breaks the fourth wall]] in the letters page, criticising the cartoon continuity as an inaccurate representation of history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sound waves Vs the Transformers cartoon |publisher=The Hub |url=http://www.the-hub.co.uk/comics/transformersmarvel/features/soundwaves/index.html |access-date=2007-02-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103093452/http://www.the-hub.co.uk/comics/transformersmarvel/features/soundwaves/index.html |archive-date=November 3, 2015 }}</ref> The UK also had a crossover in ''Action Force'', the UK counterpart to G.I. Joe.<ref>[[Simon Furman]] (w), [[Geoff Senior]] (p), "Ancient Relics!" ''Action Force'' #24-27 1987-08-15 - 1987-09-05 [[Marvel UK]]</ref> The comic book features a resurrected Megatron,<ref>{{Cite comic | Writer = [[Simon Furman]] | Penciller = [[Geoff Senior]] | Story = Ancient Relics Part 1 | Title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.K.)]] | Issue = 125 | Date = 1987-08-08 | Publisher = [[Marvel UK]]}}</ref> whom Furman [[retcon]]ned to be a [[Cloning|clone]]<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = [[Geoff Senior]] | story = Two Megatrons! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.K.)]] | issue = 244 | date = 1987-11-18 | publisher = [[Marvel UK]]}}</ref> when he took over the U.S. comic book, which depicted Megatron as still dead.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = José Delbo| story = Back from the Dead! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 56 | date=September 1989 | publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> The U.S. comic would last for 80 issues until 1991,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/series/2898/covers/|title=GCD :: Covers :: The Transformers|website=www.comics.org|access-date=18 June 2018}}</ref> and the UK comic lasted 332 issues and several [[Annual publication|annuals]], until it was replaced as [[Dreamwave Productions]], later in the 20th century.

In 2009, [[Shout! Factory]] released the entire G1 series in a 16-DVD box set called the Matrix of Leadership Edition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://insidepulse.com/2009/10/06/transformers-matrix-of-leadership-arrives-october-20th/ |title=Transformers: Matrix of Leadership Arrives October 20th |website=Insidepulse.com |date=October 6, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> They also released the same content as individual seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/37505/transformers-the-complete-first-season-25th-anniversary-edition/ |title=Transformers: The Complete First Season (25th Anniversary Edition) |website=dvdtalk.com |date=June 16, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref>

====''Transformers: Generation 2'' (1993–1995)====
{{Main|Transformers: Generation 2}}
It was five issues<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Larry Hama]] | penciller = [[Andrew Wildman]], Stephen Baskerville, Chris Batista, Jesse Orozco, William Rosado | story = Unfoldings!, Realignments, Goin' South, Sucker Punch, Final Transformations | title = G.I. Joe | issue = 138-142 | date = July–November 1993 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> of the ''[[G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (Marvel Comics)|G.I. Joe]]'' comic in 1993 that would springboard a return for Marvel's Transformers, with the new twelve-issue series ''[[Transformers: Generation 2]]'', to market a new toy line.

This story reveals that the Transformers originally breed [[Asexual reproduction|asexually]], though it is stopped by Primus because it produced the evil [[Swarm (Transformers)|Swarm]].<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = Manny Galan | story = The Power and the Glory | title = [[Transformers: Generation 2]] | issue = 5 | date = March 1994 | publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> A new empire, neither Autobot nor Decepticon, is bringing it back, however. Though the year-long arc wrapped itself up with an alliance between [[Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]], the final panel introduces the Liege Maximo, ancestor of the Decepticons.<ref>{{Cite comic | Writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = Manny Galan | Story = A Rage in Heaven! | Title = [[Transformers: Generation 2]] | Issue = 12 | date = October 1994 | Publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> This minor cliffhanger was not resolved until 2001 and 2002's Transforce convention when writer [[Simon Furman]] concluded his story in the exclusive novella ''Alignment''.<ref>{{cite web | title = Alignment | publisher = Transforce | url = http://www.transforce.org.uk/alignmentbook.swf | access-date = 2007-02-22 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070704093841/http://www.transforce.org.uk/alignmentbook.swf | archive-date = 2007-07-04 }}</ref>

====''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' (1996–2000)====
{{Main|Beast Wars: Transformers|Beast Machines}}
The story focuses on a small group of [[Maximal (Transformers)|Maximals]] (the new Autobots), led by [[Optimus Primal]], and [[Predacon (Transformers)|Predacons]], led by [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]], 300 years after the "Great War". After a dangerous pursuit through [[Wormhole|transwarp space]], both the Maximal and Predacon factions end up crash landing on a primitive, uncivilized planet similar to [[Earth]], but with two moons and a dangerous level of Energon (which is later revealed to ''be'' prehistoric Earth with an artificial second moon, taking place sometime during the 4 million year period in which the Autobots and Decepticons were in suspended animation from the first episode of the original Transformers cartoon), which forces them to take organic beast forms in order to function without going into stasis lock.<ref>{{cite episode | title = Pilot (Part 1) | series = Beast Wars | series-link = Beast Wars | airdate = 1996-09-16 | season = 1}}</ref> After writing this first episode, [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]] learned of the G1 Transformers and began to use elements of it as a historical backstory to their scripts,<ref>{{cite video | people = Bob Forward | title = Interview with writer Bob Forward | medium = DVD | publisher = Rhino | date = 2003-08-12}}</ref> establishing ''Beast Wars'' as a part of the ''Generation 1'' universe through numerous callbacks to both the cartoon and the Marvel comic. By the end of the first season, the second moon and the Energon are revealed to have been constructed by a mysterious alien race known as the [[List of Beast Wars and Beast Machines characters#Non-aligned characters|Vok]].

[[File:G1Prime BWMegs.jpg|thumb|Beast Wars [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]] attacks [[Optimus Prime (Transformers)|Optimus Prime]] in a clash of generations.]]
The destruction of the second moon releases mysterious energies that make some of the characters "[[transmetals|transmetal]]" and the planet is revealed to be prehistoric Earth, leading to the discovery of the ''Ark''. Megatron attempts to kill the original [[Optimus Prime (Transformers)|Optimus Prime]],<ref name="agenda">{{cite episode | title = The Agenda | episode-link = The Agenda (Beast Wars) | series = Beast Wars | series-link = Beast Wars | airdate = March 11{{ndash}}13, 1997 | season=2}}</ref> but at the beginning of the third season, Primal manages to preserve his spark. In the two-season follow-up series, ''Beast Machines'', Cybertron is revealed to have organic origins, which Megatron attempts to stamp out.

After the first season of ''Beast Wars'' (comprising 26 episodes) aired in Japan, the Japanese were faced with a problem. The second Canadian season was only 13 episodes long, not enough to warrant airing on Japanese TV. While they waited for the third Canadian season to be completed (thereby making 26 episodes in total when added to season 2), they produced two exclusive cel-animated series of their own, ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Life-Form Transformers|Beast Wars II]]'' (also called ''Beast Wars Second'') and ''[[Super Life-Form Transformers: Beast Wars Neo|Beast Wars Neo]],'' to fill in the gap. Dreamwave [[retroactive continuity|retroactively]] revealed ''Beast Wars'' to be the future of their G1 universe,<ref name="dream beasts" /> and the 2006 IDW comic book ''[[Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' eventually confirmed the Japanese series to be canon<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = [[Don Figueroa]] | title = [[Beast Wars: The Gathering]] | issue = 1 | date = 2006-02-15 | publisher = [[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> within a story set during Season 3.<ref>{{cite news | title = Interview&nbsp;— IDWs Ryall & Furman Talk Beast Wars Comic | publisher = Comic News International | date = 2005-10-25 | url = http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=208&itemid=7960 | access-date = 2007-01-31 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061030212311/http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=208&itemid=7960 | archive-date = 2006-10-30 }}</ref>

Beast Wars contained elements from both the G1 cartoon series and comics. Attributes taken from the cartoon include Transformers that were female, the appearance of [[Starscream (Transformers)|Starscream]] (who mentions being killed off by Galvatron in ''The Transformers: The Movie''), and appearances of the Plasma Energy Chamber and Key to Vector Sigma. The naming of the Transformer ship, the ''Ark'' (and reference to 1984, the year the Transformers on board are revived), the character [[Ravage (Transformers)|Ravage]] being shown as intelligent, and Cybertron having an organic core are elements taken from the comics.

In 2011, [[Shout! Factory]] released the complete series of ''Beast Wars'' on DVD.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/16/transformers-beast-wars-returns-on-dvd |title=Transformers: Beast Wars Returns on DVD |work=IGN |date=May 16, 2011 |access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref>

====Dreamwave Productions (2001–2005)====
In 2001, [[Dreamwave Productions]] began a new universe of annual comics adapted from Marvel, but also included elements of the animated. The Dreamwave stories followed the concept of the Autobots defeating the Decepticons on Earth, but their 1997 return journey to Cybertron on the ''Ark II''<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Chris Sarracini | penciller = [[Pat Lee (comics illustrator)|Pat Lee]] | title = [[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)#Prime Directive (Volume 1)|Transformers: Prime Directive]] | issue = 1 | date = April 2002 | publisher = [[Dreamwave]]}}</ref> is destroyed by [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]], now ruler of the planet.<ref name="war and peace">{{Cite comic | writer = Brad Mick | penciller = Pat Lee | title = [[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)#War and Peace (Volume 2)|Transformers: War and Peace]] | issue = 6 | date = September 2003 | publisher = [[Dreamwave]]}}</ref> The story follows on from there and was told in [[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)|two six-issue limited series, then a ten-issue ongoing series]]. The series also adds extra complexities such as not all Transformers believing in the existence of Primus,<ref>Brad Mick, Adam Patyk (w), [[Don Figueroa]] (p), "Original Sin" ''[[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)#Generation One (Ongoing title)|Transformers: Generation One]]'' #5, May 2004, [[Dreamwave Productions]]</ref> corruption in the Cybertronian government that first led [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]] to begin his war,<ref>James McDonough, Adam Patykand (w), [[Don Figueroa]] (p), "The Route of All Evil" ''[[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)#Generation One (Ongoing title)|Transformers: Generation One]]'' #10, December 2004, [[Dreamwave Productions]]</ref> and Earth having an unknown relevance to Cybertron.<ref name="war and peace"/><ref>Brad Mick, Adam Patyk (w), [[Don Figueroa]] (p), "Atonement" ''[[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)#Generation One (Ongoing title)|Transformers: Generation One]]'' #6, June 2004, [[Dreamwave Productions]]</ref>

Three ''[[Transformers: The War Within]]'' limited series were also published. These are set at the beginning of the Great War, and identify Prime as once being a clerk named Optronix.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = [[Don Figueroa]] | title = [[Transformers: The War Within]] | issue=1 | date = October 2002 | publisher = [[Dreamwave Productions]]}}</ref> ''Beast Wars'' was also [[retroactive continuity|retroactively]] stated as the future of this continuity, with the profile series ''More than Meets the Eye'' showing the [[List of Beast Wars characters#Predacons|Predacon]] [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]] looking at historical files detailing Dreamwave's characters and taking his name from the original Megatron.<ref name="dream beasts">{{Cite comic | writer = Adam Patyk, Brad Mick | penciller = Joe Ng, James Raiz, Edwin Garcia, [[Don Figueroa]], Alex Lin | title = Transformers: More than Meets the Eye | issue = 8 | date = November 2003 | publisher = [[Dreamwave]]}}</ref> In 2004, this real life universe also inspired three novels<ref>{{cite book | title=The Transformers Trilogy|isbn=0739445626|last1=Ciencin |first1=Scott |year=2004 |publisher=Science Fiction Book Club }}</ref> and a [[Dorling Kindersley]] guide, which focused on Dreamwave as the "true" continuity when discussing in-universe elements of the characters. In a new twist, Primus and Unicron are siblings, formerly a being known as the One. ''[[Transformers: Micromasters]]'', set after the ''Ark'''s disappearance, was also published. The real life universe was disrupted when Dreamwave went bankrupt in 2005.<ref>{{cite news | title = Immediate Press Release&nbsp;— Dreamwave will be ceasing operations! | publisher = Seibertron | date = 2005-01-04 | url = http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=4495 | access-date = 2007-01-31}}</ref> This left the ''Generation 1'' story hanging and the third volume of ''The War Within'' half finished. Plans for a comic book set between ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' were also left unrealized.<ref>{{cite news | author = Benjamin Ong Pang Kean | title = Starting the beast war: dreamwave talks tformers: beast war | publisher = Newsarama | date = 2004-07-12 | url = http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22884 | access-date = 2007-01-31 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926223311/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22884 | archive-date = 2007-09-26 }}</ref>

====''G.I. Joe'' crossovers (2003–present)====
Throughout the years, the G1 characters have also starred in crossovers with fellow Hasbro property ''[[G.I. Joe]]'', but whereas those crossovers published by Marvel were in continuity with their larger storyline, those released by Dreamwave and ''G.I. Joe'' publisher [[Devil's Due Publishing]] occupy their own separate real life universes. In Devil's Due, the terrorist organization [[Cobra (G.I. Joe)|COBRA Command]] is responsible for finding and reactivating the Transformers. Dreamwave's version reimagines the familiar ''G1'' and ''G.I. Joe'' characters in a [[World War II]] setting, and a second limited series was released set in the present day, though Dreamwave's bankruptcy meant it was cancelled after a single issue. Devil's Due had Cobra re-engineer the Transformers to turn into familiar Cobra vehicles, and released further mini-series that sent the characters travelling through time, battling [[Serpentor]] and being faced with the combined menace of [[Cobra-La]] and [[Unicron]]. During this time, Cobra teams up with the [[Decepticon]]s. [[IDW Publishing]] has expressed interest in their own crossover.<ref>{{cite news|title=BotCon 2006 - Transformers Comics: Past, Present & Future|publisher=TFormers.com|date=2006-09-30|url=http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=6608|access-date=2007-02-27}}</ref>

====IDW publishing (2005–2022)====
{{Main|The Transformers (IDW Publishing)}}
The following year, [[IDW Publishing]] [[reboot (fiction)|rebooted]] the G1 series from scratch within various [[The Transformers (IDW Publishing)|limited series]] and [[The Transformers: Spotlight|one shots]]. This allowed long-time writer of Marvel and Dreamwave comics, [[Simon Furman]], to create his own universe without continuity hindrance, similar to [[Ultimate Marvel]]. This new continuity originally consisted of a comic book series titled The Transformers with a companion series known as [[The Transformers: Spotlight]]. The main series was broken up into several story arcs. Eventually, with IDW Publishing losing sales, the series was given a soft reboot. Beginning with ''All Hail Megatron'', the series was set in a new direction, discarding the miniseries and Spotlight format with [[Ongoing series|ongoing comics]]. By 2012 the series had split into three ongoing series; The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye, The Transformers: Robots in Disguise (which later changed in 2015 to "The Transformers") and The Transformers: Till All Are One. In 2022, it was announced that IDW lost the publishing rights to Transformers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-21 |title=IDW Loses GI Joe, Transformers License at the End of the Year |url=https://www.cbr.com/idw-loses-gi-joe-transformers-licenses-2022/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=CBR}}</ref>

====Alternative stories====
In January 2006, the ''Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club'' comic wrote a story based on the Transformers Classics toy line, set in the Marvel Comics universe, but excluding the ''Generation 2'' comic. Fifteen years after [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]] crash-lands in the ''[[Ark (Transformers)|Ark]]'' with Ratchet, the war continues with the characters in their ''Classics'' bodies.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer=Forest Lee|penciller=Dan Khanna|story=Crossing Over|title=Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club|date=January–February 2006|issue=13|publisher=Fun Publications}}</ref>

IDW Publishing introduced ''[[The Transformers: Evolutions]]'' in 2006, a collection of mini-series that re-imagine and reinterpret the G1 characters in various ways. To date, only one miniseries has been published, ''[[The Transformers: Evolutions|Hearts of Steel]]'', placing the characters in an [[Industrial Revolution]]-era setting. The series was delayed as Hasbro did not want to confuse newcomers with too many fictional universes before the release of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action film]].<ref>{{cite news|title=IDW's Plans For Transformers Revealed At The 2006 San Diego Comic Con|publisher=Comics News International|date=2006-07-26|url=http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=245&itemid=8842|access-date=2007-02-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043559/http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=245&itemid=8842|archive-date=2007-09-27}}</ref>

However, IDW and the original publisher [[Marvel Comics]] announced a crossover storyline with the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] to coincide with the film ''[[New Avengers/Transformers]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Avengers/Transformers|publisher=IDW Publishing|url=http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/tf-na.shtml|access-date=2007-02-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070228111509/http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/tf-na.shtml  |archive-date = 2007-02-28}}</ref> The story is set on the borders of [[Symkaria]] and [[Latveria]], and its [[fictional universe]] is set between the first two ''[[The New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]]'' storylines, as well in between the ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]'' phase of IDW's ''[[The Transformers (IDW Publishing)|The Transformers]]''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Jay|title=Stuart Moore Talks New Avengers/Transformers|publisher=Comics News International|date=2007-03-02|url=http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=99&itemid=9440|access-date=2007-03-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070721005916/http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=99&itemid=9440|archive-date=2007-07-21}}</ref> IDW editor-in-chief, Chris Ryall hinted at elements of it being carried over into the main continuities,<ref>{{cite news|title =Ryall answers fans' questions on TF/Avengers crossover|publisher=TFormers|date=2007-02-26|url=http://tformers.com/Ryall-Answers-Fans-Questions-On-TFAvengers-Crossover/7231/news.html|access-date=2007-02-27}}</ref> and that a [[sequel]] is possible.<ref>{{cite news|author=Dave Richards|title=NYCC, DAY 2: MOORE, ROSEMANN AND RYALL TALK "NEW AVENGERS/ TRANSFORMERS"|publisher=Comic Book Resources|date=2007-02-24|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9791|access-date=2007-02-27|archive-date=2007-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011165816/http://comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9791|url-status=dead}}</ref> In June 2018 it was announced there would be [[Star Trek vs Transformers|Star Trek and Transformers Crossover]] being released in September 2018.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Gizmodo]]|title=A New IDW Comic Is Mashing Up Star Trek and Transformers in the Most Glorious Way Possible|author=Whitbrook, James|date=June 19, 2018|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/a-new-idw-comic-is-mashing-up-star-trek-and-transformer-1826960426}}</ref>

====''Transformers: Kiss Players'' (2006–2007)====
''{{ill|Transformers: Kiss Players|ja|トランスフォーマー_キスぷれ#}}'' (トランスフォーマー キスぷれ, ''Toransufōmā Kisu Pure''), shortened to ''Kiss Players'' (キスぷれ, ''Kisu Pure''), is a Japanese Transformers franchise which began in 2006 to 2007 as was helmed by artist and writer Yuki Ohshima. By virtue of being the only Transformers toyline and fiction released in Japan by [[Takara]] between the conclusion of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron]]'' and [[Transformers (film)|the live-action movie]], it was also effectively the main Transformers line in the country for that time. It takes place in the [[Transformers: Generation 1|Generation 1 cartoon]] continuity, specifically in the five-year milieu between ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and ''[[List of The Transformers episodes#Japanese seasons|Transformers 2010]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/kiss/|title=トランスフォーマー キスぷれ|website=takaratomy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208001826/http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/kiss/ |access-date=February 17, 2024|archive-date=2010-02-08 }}</ref>

The series derives its name from its controversial gimmick, which involves Transformers getting "power-ups" when they are kissed by human girls - the eponymous "Kiss Players" - who fuse with the robots and share their adventures. The plot starts with the Earth Defense Command being formed in 2003 as part of a cooperative human/Autobot effort. When a virus called the Cosmic Rust critically struck the Autobots later that year, the EDC kicked off the Binaltech Project to shore up its defenses. When [[Megatron#Kiss Players|Galvatron]] was hurled out of [[Unicron]] by [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters#Autobots|Rodimus Prime]] in 2005, rather than immediately crashing onto the intended target of the planet Thrull, he instead hurtled toward Earth. Landing in Tokyo, Japan, the Decepticon leader's impact decimated the city and scattered his Unicron-mutated cells throughout Earth's atmosphere. Following this catastrophe, the EDC was reborn as an organization dedicated to driving all Transformers off Earth. The organization built an anti-electron field (previously referred to as an [[Transformers: Energon#Plot|Energon]] field) to make the planet uninhabitable to Cybertronians, and created a team of 48 transforming robots known as Autoroopers (オートルーパー Ōtorūpā), a Japanese portmanteau of "auto" (オート ōto) and "trooper" (トルーパー torūpā) or Autotroopers (aka Autobot Troopers) in English, are a group of human-created artificial Transformers that serve the Earth Defense Command to combat any other Transformers that remained,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autotrooper_(Animated)|title=Autotrooper (Animated)|website=Transformer Wiki|access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> recruiting young women who had been infected with the cells and gained Kiss Player fusion abilities to partner with them.

The three central characters were a younger version of [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters#Humans|Marissa Faireborn]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Marissa_Faireborne#Kiss_Players|title=Marissa Faireborne (''Kiss Players'')|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref> as a resistance fighter against the EDC partnered with Optimus Prime who while having died in the movie, his body body was recovered and restored to life in a new body resembling that of a [[Dodge Ram]] pickup by the same organization. Rodimus devastated by his guilt in his role of the destruction of Tokyo stepped down as the then leader of the Autobots reverting to the previous name of Hot Rod in order to return to Earth to atone for his mistake. He's refitted into a vehicle resembling a [[Ford GT]] by his headstrong partner Shaoshao Li<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Shaoshao_Li|title=Shaoshao Li (''Kiss Players'') profile|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref>, a girl of Chinese descent and an estranged friend of Marissa and used to be one of the EDC's top Kiss Players until realizing that the EDC was conducting experiments behind her back on other girls. She was then rescued by Hot Rod and joins the resistance to combat the EDC and make amends with her former friend. Lastly, Atari Hitotonari<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Atari|title=Atari Hitotonari (''Kiss Players'') profile|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref> of Japanese descent, who "recruited" into the EDC after the death of her parents while suffering from [[survivor's guilt]]. She would shortly become depressed and self-destructive. As she spoke aloud about her nihilistic feelings she would meet her partner by the name Ne-04<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ne_Squad|title=Ne Squad (''Kiss Players'') profile|website=Transformer Wiki|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref>, an Autorooper built in the form resembling a [[Mazda RX-8]] would shared the same feeling as she did though with the time they spend together their way of thinking would change throughout their relationship. While this plotline seems like a shift in demographics to little girls, it is said that this line was aimed at a much older adult male audience. The toys bear an "ages 15 and up" warning, and the subject matter of the accompanying manga is far from child-friendly. The franchise itself consists of a toyline, a weekly [[radio drama]] series (featuring voice acting by [[Lyrian]] as Marissa, [[Yui Kano]] as Shaoshao, [[Satomi Akesaka]] as Atari, and Keiji Hirai<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aoni.co.jp/search/hirai-keiji.html|title=ひらい けいじ　/　Keiji Hirai's actor profile page|website=Anoi Pro|access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref> as Ne-04, among others), and a three part manga, which together tell the story of the line in which the toys and manga all of which were also created by Ohshima.<ref name="トランスフォーマー・キスぷれ">{{cite web|url=http://snakas.web.fc2.com/kisspre/index.htm|website=snakas|title=トランスフォーマー・キスぷれ|access-date=February 17, 2024}}</ref>

Following the conclusion of its first storyline in late 2007, ''Kiss Players'' moved into its second (and apparently final) phase, ''Kiss Players Position'', which shifted focus to a distinctly more PG-rated theme, though it was still heavy on the "cute girls" theme. The Kiss Players this time are a pop idol singing group made up of the three girls and three original [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters#Mini-Cassettes|mini-cassette]] Transformers Glit,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Glit|title=Glit (''Kiss Players'') profile|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date= December 31, 2023}}</ref> Sundor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tfu.info/2006/Cybertron/Sundor/sundor.htm|title=Sundor's profile -Cybertron-Function: Spy|website=TFU.INFO|access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> [[List of The Transformers characters#Decepticon Mini-Cassettes|the former is a spy and the latter shows compassion to both allies and enemies]], and Rosanna<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Rosanna_(KP)|title=Rosanna (''Kiss Players'') profile|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref> who's the only [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters#Autobot Mini-Cassettes|heroic one out of the three]]. The group's purpose is to promote a positive relationship and friendship between humans and Transformers in the wake of the Tokyo disaster of 2005 and the subsequent rise and fall of the E.D.C.. They wear E.D.C. logos on their costumes as a group, appearing to be either sponsored by or a public-relations arm of the revitalized organization.<ref name="トランスフォーマー・キスぷれ"/>

Additionally, Ohshima's other major contribution to ''Transformers'' at the time, the 1-page ''Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go!'' comic published in ''[[Dengeki Hobby]]'' magazine, also featured several tie-ins to the ''Kiss Players'' story. These primarily served to introduce readers to the ''Kiss Players'' story and characters when the line was launched, and then later, to summarize the final few radio dramas when both series were drawing to a close. ''Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go!'' also featured the first part of a story in which [[Starscream#Animated series|Starscream's]] ghost possessed Atari (which was continued in the radio drama), and in the second year, notably incorporated the further adventures of the ''Kiss Players Position'' cassette trio, who were rather confusingly dropped from the radio storyline in its second week and never mentioned again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mangadex.org/title/3d445c63-90df-4b1f-a475-3ae37bf11dfb/transformers-kiss-players?tab=chapters|website=MangaDex|title=Transformers: Kiss Players Transformers: Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go! Compilation|access-date=February 17, 2024}}</ref>

Reactions ran the gamut from outright disgust to comedic derision, with most fans agreeing that the content such be included a children's toyline was distasteful. The fact that several Japanese fans were themselves openly decrying ''Kiss Players'', fearing that American fans would think that it was somehow accepted as normal in Japan regarding its sexually suggestive material. Oshima himself even admitted that he crafted the series in this manner because he wanted to "make people's jaws drop."{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Many of its characters and ideas have made appearances in other ''Transformers'' media. The Autroopers appeared in ''[[Transformers: Animated]]'' in 2009 with an official toyline released in [[Botcon]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/BCAutotrooper/autotrooper.htm|title=Autotrooper-Autobot-Function: Law Enforcement|website=TFU.INFO|access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> The colors of white and blue used for Glit would inspire the ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass|Shattered Glass]]'' incarnation of [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters#Mini-Cassettes|Ravage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ravage_(SG)#Kiss_Players|title=''Kiss Players'' - Cassettron Set Kiss Players Position|website=Ravage (SG)|access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> A new toy figure of Sundor would be released under the ''Transformers Generations: The Fall of Cybertron'' line in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfsource.com/products/view/product_id/6186/|title=Rewind and Sundor Legends Class - Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron|website=tfsource|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref> Several ideas introduced into the 2007 storyline focusing on the introduction of Primus into the Japanese cartoon's timeline have been revisited and expanded upon, which shares ''Kiss Players'' storytelling while attempting to fill in gaps of the timeline in the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity. The ''Transformers Legends'' manga, while featuring lewd content and new stories and characters, also has the two returning and older characters of Atari and Shaoshao.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers_Legends_(comic)|title=Transformers Legends (comic)|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date=January 10, 2024}}</ref>

Possibly as a result of the majority of fans trying to distance themselves from the series combined with the then general inaccessibility of the radio show to an English audience, there was minimal awareness of the specific details of the ''Kiss Players'' storyline in the Japanese fandom. However, on July 19, 2022, most of the original media (including the radio dramas, manga, comic, and other materials) were recovered. This material was remastered and translated into English and released via torrent for download.

===''Robots in Disguise'' (2000–2001)===
{{Main|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 TV series)}}
First broadcast in Japan in 2000, ''Robots in Disguise'' was a single animated series consisting of thirty-nine episodes. It was exported to other countries in subsequent years. In this continuity, Megatron re-creates the Decepticons as a sub-faction of the Predacons on Earth, a potential reference to the return to the vehicle-based characters following the previous dominance of the animal-based characters of the ''Beast'' eras. It is a stand-alone universe with no ties to any other Transformers fiction, though some of the characters from ''Robots in Disguise'' did eventually make appearances in ''Transformers: Universe'', including Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, [[Side Burn]] and [[Prowl (Transformers)|Prowl]].

The show was heavily censored in the U.S. due to its content of buildings being destroyed and terrorism references after the [[September 11 attacks]] on the United States and three episodes were cut altogether.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.looper.com/1262999/sci-fi-episodes-so-controversial-they-were-banned/ |title=Sci-Fi Episodes So Controversial They Were Banned |work=Looper.com |last=Roe-Owen |first=Kristi |date=April 23, 2023 |access-date=August 30, 2023}}</ref>

===The Unicron Trilogy (2002–2006)===
{{Main|Transformers: Armada|Transformers: Energon|Transformers: Cybertron}}
These three lines, launched in 2002 and dubbed the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]" by ''Transformers'' designer Aaron Archer,<ref>{{cite news | title = Hasbro Cartoon Creation Panel | publisher = The Allspark | date = 2006-09-30 | url = http://www.allspark.com/content/view/69/20/ | access-date = 2007-02-04 | archive-date = 2007-06-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608151336/http://www.allspark.com/content/view/69/20/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> are co-productions between Takara and (lesser extent) Hasbro, simultaneously released in both countries, each lasting 52 episodes. ''Armada'' followed the Autobots and Decepticons discovering the powerful [[Mini-Cons]] on Earth, which are revealed by the end to be weapons of [[Unicron]]. ''Energon'', set ten years later, followed the Autobots and the Omnicons in their fight to stop the Decepticons and the Terrorcons from resurrecting Unicron with energon.

In Japan, the series ''Transformers: Cybertron'' showed no ties to the previous two series, telling its own story. This caused continuity problems when Hasbro sold ''Cybertron'' as a follow-up to ''Armada/Energon''. The writers attempted to change certain plot elements from the Japanese version to remedy this, although this largely added up to nothing more than references to Unicron, Primus, Primes and Minicons.

Just as Marvel produced a companion comic to ''Generation 1'', [[Dreamwave Productions]] published the comic ''Transformers Armada'' set in a different continuity from the cartoon. At #19, it became ''Transformers Energon''. Dreamwave went bankrupt and ceased all publications before the storyline could be completed at #30. However, the Transformers Fan Club published a few stories set in the ''Cybertron'' era.<ref>{{cite news | title = Transformers Comics For April 2007 From IDW | publisher = Comics News International | date = 2007-01-08 | url = http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=208&itemid=9249 | access-date = 2007-02-02 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043437/http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=208&itemid=9249 | archive-date = 2007-09-27 }}</ref>

===''Transformers: Universe'' (2003–present)===
The storyline of ''Transformers: Universe'', mainly set following ''[[Beast Machines]]'', sees characters from many assorted alternate continuities, including existing and new ones, encountering each other. The story was told in an unfinished comic book exclusive to the Official Transformers Collectors' Convention.

===Live-action film franchise (2007–present)===
{{Main|Transformers (film series)}}
[[File:Transformers costume characters at Universal Studios Hollywood.jpg|thumb|Costume characters at Universal Studio Hollywood]]
In 2007, [[Michael Bay]] directed a [[Transformers (film)|live-action film]] based on ''Transformers'', with [[Steven Spielberg]] serving as executive producer. It stars [[Shia LaBeouf]], [[Josh Duhamel]], [[Megan Fox]], and [[Tyrese Gibson]] in the lead human cast while voice actors Peter Cullen and Hugo Weaving voice Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively. ''Transformers'' received mixed to positive reviews and was a box office success.<ref name="boxmojo">{{cite web|title=Transformers|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers06.htm|access-date=2008-02-13}}</ref> It is the [[List of highest-grossing films|forty-fifth highest-grossing film]] and the [[2007 in film#Top grossing films|fifth highest-grossing film of 2007]], grossing approximately $709 million worldwide. The film won four awards from the [[Visual Effects Society]] and was nominated for three [[Academy Award]]s, for [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Editing]], [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound Mixing]], and [[Academy Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]]. The performance of Shia LaBeouf was praised by ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'', and Peter Cullen's reprisal of Optimus Prime from the 1980s television series was well received by fans. A sequel, ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', was released on June 24, 2009. It received mostly negative reviews, but was a commercial success and grossed more than its predecessor. A third film, ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]'', was released on June 29, 2011, in [[3-D film|3-D]] and went on to gross over $1 billion, despite receiving mixed reviews. A fourth film, ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction]]'', was released on June 27, 2014, which also grossed over $1 billion, though it received generally negative reviews. A fifth film, ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight]]'' was released on June 23, 2017 to similarly negative reviews. Unlike its predecessors, the movie failed to recoup its costs for the studio.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hasbro Confirms The Transformers Cinematic Universe - Transformers 5 In 2017?|url=http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/hasbro-confirms-the-transformers-cinematic-universe-transformers-5-in-2017-182515/|publisher=TFW2005|access-date=April 21, 2015|date=April 20, 2015}}</ref> ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', directed by [[Laika (company)|Laika]]'s [[Travis Knight]], was released on December 21, 2018, serving as a prequel to the first film, receiving positive reviews from critics. The movie was a box-office success. A sequel to ''Bumblebee'', directed by [[Steven Caple Jr.]] and titled ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]'', was released on June 9, 2023 to mixed reviews from critics.

===''Transformers: Animated'' (2007–2010)===
{{Main|Transformers: Animated}}
''[[Transformers: Animated]]'' is a cartoon that was aired in early 2008 on [[Cartoon Network]] in the [[United States]].<ref name="back to tv"/> Originally scheduled for late after 2007 under the title of ''Transformers: Heroes'',<ref name="heroes">{{cite news | title = Next TF Cartoon Series: "Transformers Heroes"? | publisher = Seibertron | date = 2006-09-02 | url = http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=8312 | access-date = 2007-02-02}}</ref> ''Transformers Animated'' is set in 2050 [[Detroit]] (after crash landing 50 years earlier),<ref name="back to tv">{{cite news | title = 'TRANSFORMERS' BACK TO TV | publisher = [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] | date = 2007-06-25 | url = http://www.wizarduniverse.com/television/tvother/004962732.cfm | access-date=2007-06-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070628060302/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/television/tvother/004962732.cfm |archive-date = 2007-06-28}}</ref> when robots and humans live side by side.<ref name="heroes"/> The [[Autobot]]s come to Earth and assume [[superhero]] roles, battling evil humans, with the [[Decepticons]] having a smaller role until Megatron resurfaces.<ref>{{cite news | author = Kelly Aherne | title = New Transformers Series Coming to Cartoon Network | publisher = IGN | date = 2007-06-25 | url = http://tv.ign.com/articles/799/799046p1.html | access-date=2007-06-27}}</ref> Main characters include Autobots Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Prowl, and Ratchet; Decepticons Megatron, Starscream, Blitzwing, Lugnut, and Blackarachnia; and humans Professor Sumdac and Sari Sumdac. Several characters that were in the original Transformers cartoon and 1986 animated movie, as well as characters only seen in comics and such, make special appearances and cameos throughout the show, with various voice actors (including [[Corey Burton]], [[John Moschitta, Jr.]], [[Susan Blu]], and [[Judd Nelson]]) reprising their roles.

===Aligned Universe (2010–2021)===
Hasbro, in an attempt to stop the wave of reboots that started in 2001, created the Aligned Universe, with the intent to unify every ''Transformers'' media into one continuity. The name of this continuity however, is not official; it was adopted by the fans after Hasbro referred to it as an "Aligned Continuity".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tfviews.com/news/main/hasbro-q-and-a/1024 |title=Hasbro Answers to TFviews Questions #11 |website=tfviews.com |date=July 26, 2010 |access-date=July 3, 2021}}</ref>

The toy lines derived from this continuity are ''Transformers: Generations'', ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots]]'', and ''[[Transformers Go!]]'' The television series belonging to the Aligned Universe include ''[[Transformers: Prime]]'' (including its concluding film ''[[Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising|Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Busis|first1=Hillary|title='Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising': Watch the trailer here first!|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2013/09/17/transformers-prime-beast-hunters-predacons-rising-trailer|access-date=August 23, 2019|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=September 17, 2013}}</ref>), the ''Rescue Bots'' TV series,<ref>{{cite web|author=Sol Fury |title=Steve Blum and Jeff Kline talk Rescue Bots & Transformers Prime |url=http://news.tfw2005.com/2012/02/06/steve-blum-and-jeff-kline-talk-rescue-bots-transformers-prime-174315 |website=Transformers World 2005 |access-date=August 23, 2019|date=February 6, 2012}}</ref> its sequel ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy]]'', the ''Go!'' anime adaptation, and the 2015 series ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 TV series)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Graser |first1=Marc |title=Hasbro to Launch 'Transformers: Robots in Disguise' in Spring 2015 |url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/hasbro-to-launch-transformers-robots-in-disguise-series-in-spring-2015-exclusive-1201219103/ |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=September 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622235211/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/hasbro-to-launch-transformers-robots-in-disguise-series-in-spring-2015-exclusive-1201219103/ |archive-date=June 22, 2017 |date=June 12, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The video games that are part of this shared universe are ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' (including its [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (Nintendo DS)|Nintendo DS version]] and the companion ''[[Transformers: Cybertron Adventures]]''), ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', the [[Transformers: Prime – The Game|''Prime'' video game adaptation]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers Prime: The Game for Wii U|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/transformers-prime-the-game/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=August 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226195835/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/transformers-prime-the-game|archive-date=February 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers Prime: The Game for 3DS |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/transformers-prime-the-game/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=August 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228183429/http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/transformers-prime-the-game |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark]]'', that serves as a conclusion of the ''Cybertron'' series and crossover with the live-action film video game series.

[[List of Transformers books#Aligned Continuity|Four novels]] set within the continuity have been published: ''Transformers: Exodus'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Transformers: Exodus |url=http://www.randomhouse.com/book/198674/transformers-exodus-by-alex-irvine |publisher=[[Random House]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710094317/http://www.randomhouse.com/book/198674/transformers-exodus-by-alex-irvine#blurb_tabs |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Transformers : exodus : the official history of the war for Cybertron | year=2010 |url=https://catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=LCCN&searchArg=2010283815&searchType=1&permalink=y |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] | isbn=9780345519856 | oclc=462881050 |access-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719215359/https://catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=LCCN&searchArg=2010283815&searchType=1&permalink=y |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Transformers: Exiles'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Transformers: Exiles |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/198675/transformers-exiles-by-alex-irvine/ |publisher=[[Penguin Random House]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719231552/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/198675/transformers-exiles-by-alex-irvine/ |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Exiles |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1028398517 |publisher=[[WorldCat]] |oclc=1028398517 |access-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719223253/https://www.worldcat.org/title/exiles/oclc/1028398517 |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Transformers: Retribution'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Transformers: Retribution |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/198676/transformers-retribution-by-david-j-williams-and-mark-s-williams/ |publisher=[[Penguin Random House]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719231946/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/198676/transformers-retribution-by-david-j-williams-and-mark-s-williams/ |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Transformers. Retribution |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/852824096 |publisher=[[WorldCat]] |oclc=852824096 |access-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719232433/https://www.worldcat.org/title/transformers-retribution/oclc/852824096 |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Transformers: The Covenant of Primus''.<ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 978-1477805992|title = Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|last1 = Robson|first1 = Justina|year = 2013| publisher=47 North }}</ref> The first three were published by [[Del Rey Books]], while ''Covenant of Primus'' was published by [[47North]]. In addition, [[IDW Publishing]] has published several comic books, including graphic novels, while [[Titan Magazines]] published ''[[Transformers Comic UK]]'', a 20-issue series from 2007 to 2014.

The video games, novels, and television series contradict each other due to creative differences, miscommunications, constant team changes, and Aaron Archer being replaced with a different person that did not know the 354-page brand bible, "The Binder of Revelation".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/transformers-aligned-continuity-ambitious-failure/#:~:text=Transformers'%20Aligned%20Continuity%20Was%20Never%20Well%20Implemented&text=The%20characterizations%20of%20certain%20Autobots,in%20Grimlock%20and%20other%20Transformers. |title=Transformers: The Aligned Continuity Was the Franchise's Most Ambitious Failure |work=cbr.com |last=Donhoo |first=Timothy |date=June 11, 2023 |access-date=August 29, 2023}}</ref>

===''Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy'' (2016–2018)===
{{Main|Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy}}
In August 2016, [[Machinima, Inc.|Machinima]] and Hasbro co-produced an animated series named ''Combiner Wars'', simultaneously published on the website Go90 and [[YouTube]]. This was followed by two further installments, ''Titans Return'' and ''Power of the Primes''.
Eric Calderon was executive producer of the trilogy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/transformers-prime-wars-trilogy-set-titans-return-power-of-the-primes-machinima-1201861119/ |title=Machinima & Hasbro Reteam To Develop Final Two Transformers Prime War Trilogy Chapters |work=Deadline |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> The events of the series take place 40 years after the end of the Autobot/Decepticon civil war, with the Transformers having returned to Cybertron and now being threatened by ancient technology.

The trailer for ''Combiner Wars'' was released on July 26, 2016, along with four prequel episodes.<ref name="trumbore">{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/transformers-combiner-wars-trailer/ |title='Transformers: Combiner Wars': First Trailer Reveals a Bigger Challenge for Optimus Prime |work=Collider |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |date=July 16, 2016 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> Eight five-minute episodes of the series ''Combiner Wars'' were released weekly beginning on August 2.<ref name="trumbore"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/transformers-combiner-wars-review/ |title='Transformers: Combiner Wars' Offers Battling Bots in Bite-Size Portions |work=Collider |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> The cast of the ''Combiner Wars'' was predominantly made up of famous YouTube personalities.<ref name="kotaku">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-transformers-titans-return-animated-series-gets-re-1797049238 |title=The Transformers: Titans Return Animated Series Gets Real Voice Actors |work=Kotaku |last=Fahey |first=Mike |date=July 19, 2017 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> The first series was included as a bonus feature on the ''Transformers: The Last Knight'' [[Blu-ray]] release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/transformers-5-bluray-dvd-combiner-wars/ |title=Exclusive: 'Transformers: The Last Knight' Blu-ray Includes 'Transformers: Combiner Wars' Series |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |work=Collider |date=September 26, 2017 |access-date=September 9, 2021 }}</ref>

The second series, dubbed ''Titans Return'' featured returning voice cast from previous iterations of Transformers, such as Peter Cullen and Judd Nelson, along with newcomers such as [[Michael Dorn]] as Perceptor and [[Wil Wheaton]] as Fortress Maximus.<ref name="kotaku"/> Guest voices included [[Mark Hamill]] and [[Ron Perlman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/ransformers-prime-wars-trilogy-mark-hamill-ron-perlman/ |title='Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy' Adds Mark Hamill and Ron Perlman in Iconic Roles |work=Collider |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |date=January 9, 2018 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> ''Titans Return'' debuted on November 14, 2017, on the Go90 platform, consisting of ten episodes at roughly 11 minutes each. The series featured returning Titan characters such as Metroplex, Fortress Maximus and Trypticon and the resultant destruction such enormous characters create.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.superherohype.com/news/407793-watch-the-first-transformers-titans-return-episode-right-now#/slide/1 |title=Watch the First Transformers: Titans Return Episode Right Now! |work=Superherohype.com |last=Evry |first=Max |date=November 14, 2017 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>

The third part of the trilogy, dubbed ''Power of the Primes'' was launched on May 1, 2018,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comicbookmovie.com/transformers/transformers-power-of-the-primes-trailer-offers-first-look-at-final-chapter-of-the-prime-wars-trilogy-a160078#gs.ats74m |title=Transformers: Power of the Primes Trailer Offers First Look At Final Chapter Of The Prime Wars Trilogy |work=Comicbookmovie.com |date=April 27, 2018 |access-date=September 7, 2021 }}</ref> comprising 10 episodes released weekly, each roughly 11 minutes long. FJ DeSanto was executive producer of the third installment. Animation was done by Tatsunoko Productions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/ok-ko-lets-be-heroes-season-1-dvd-release-date/ |title=This Week in Animation: 'OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes: T.K.O.' Arrives on DVD This Summer |work=Collider |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |date=May 5, 2018 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> ''Power of the Primes'' focused on the arrival of Megatronus, one of the original Primes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/transformers-prime-wars-mark-hamill-ron-perlman/ |title=Mark Hamill & Ron Perlman Join Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy |work=Screenrant |last=Stowe |first=Dusty |date=January 9, 2018 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> In 2019, Machinima shut down<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/machinima-closing-layoffs-warnermedia-otter-media-1202547949/ |title=Machinima Is Shutting Down, With 81 Staffers Laid Off |work=Deadline |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=February 1, 2019 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> and folded into Otter Media. On January 19, Machinima removed all of its videos from YouTube, including those of the Prime Wars Trilogy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/entire-machinima-youtube-channel-set-to-private-1831894744 |title=Entire Machinima YouTube Channel Set To Private [UPDATE] |work=Kotaku |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |date=January 19, 2019 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> After the shutdown, a number of former Machinima creations returned to the web via [[Rooster Teeth]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/machinima-rooster-teeth-inside-gaming-1203136988/ |title=After Machinima Shutdown, Rooster Teeth Revives 'Inside Gaming' and Rescues Other Machinima Shows |work=Variety |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=February 14, 2019 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> The series is available on the Rooster Teeth website.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://roosterteeth.com/series/transformers |title=Transformers |publisher=Rooster Teeth |access-date=September 7, 2021 }}</ref>

===''Transformers: Cyberverse'' (2018–2021)===
{{Main|Transformers: Cyberverse}}
''Transformers: Cyberverse'' (later known as ''Transformers: Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures'' for seasons 3 and 4) is an animated series produced by [[Boulder Media]] and [[Allspark (company)|Allspark Animation]] (later [[Entertainment One]]) which premiered on September 1, 2018 on [[Cartoon Network]]<ref name="ewcyber">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/08/23/transformers-cyberverse-series-trailer/ |title=First Look: Watch the trailer for the 1980s-inspired Transformers: Cyberverse |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=August 23, 2018 |access-date=August 30, 2023}}</ref> and concluded on November 21, 2021 on [[Netflix]] comprising four chapters, of which the fourth was composed of two specials.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/556461122/netflix-to-release-two-new-transformers-cyberverse-movies-featuring-xavier-cadeau-as-the-voice-of-dead-end |title=Netflix To Release Two New "Transformers: Cyberverse" Movies Featuring Xavier Cadeau as the Voice of Dead End |publisher=Xavier Cadeau |last=Cadeau |first=Xavier |via=Newswires |date=November 16, 2021 |access-date=August 30, 2023}}</ref> ''Cyberverse'' uses characters and elements across various continuities, including G1, Beast Era, the live-action film series, ''Animated'', and the Aligned continuity, to tell its own story.<ref name="ewcyber"/>

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy'' (2020–2021)===
{{Main|Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy}}
The Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy is an animated three-part series that was developed as a co-production between [[Rooster Teeth]], [[Netflix]] and Hasbro. [[Polygon Pictures]] was chosen as the animation studio. Headed by FJ DeSanto, a veteran of Transformers animation having previously worked on two installments of the Power of the Primes trilogy, the series tells the origin of the civil war between the Autobots and Decepticons.<ref name="variety">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/transformers-war-for-cybertron-netflix-rooster-teeth-studios-1234719516/ |title='Transformers: War for Cybertron' on Netflix: Why Rooster Teeth Didn't Produce Anime Series for Its Own Channels |work=Variety |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=July 29, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2021 }}</ref> Comprising three parts, the series was announced on February 15, 2019, for release on Netflix.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://tformers.com/transformers-war-for-cybertron-coming-to-netflix-press-release/34760/news.html |title=Transformers: War For Cybertron Coming To Netflix Press Release |via=tformers.com |publisher=Hasbro |date=February 15, 2019 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="hasbro">{{cite press release |url=https://corporate.hasbro.com/en-us/articles/transformers_war_for_cybertron_trilogy_siege_out_now_on_netflix |title=Transformers: War for Cybertron: Siege Out Now on Netflix |publisher=Hasbro |date=July 31, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2021 }}</ref> The voice cast of the show used new actors for recognizable characters such as [[Jake Foushou]] as Optimus Prime and [[Jason Marnocha]] as Megatron.<ref name="radiotimes">{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/transformers-war-for-cyberton-kingdom-release-date/ |title=Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy – Kingdom release date: Trailer, cast and story so far |work=Radio Times |last=Furn |first=Daniel |date=July 21, 2021 |access-date=September 7, 2021 }}</ref> Each series is made up of six episodes, each a half hour long.<ref name=radiotimes/> The series also had a tie-in toyline.<ref name="polygon">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/30/22204836/transformers-war-for-cybertron-earthrise-easter-egg-cameos |title=Unboxing War for Cybertron: Earthrise's deeper cut Transformers references |work=Polygon |last=Willis |first=David |date=December 30, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2021 }}</ref>

A trailer of for the first installment ''Siege'' was released on July 8, 2020, with the show following on July 30, 2020,<ref name="radiotimes"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/transformers-war-for-cybertron-trilogy-siege-trailer-all-or-nothing/article32020357.ece |title='Transformers: War For Cybertron Trilogy - Siege' trailer: All or nothing |work=The Hindu |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2021 }}</ref> The first series focuses on the civil war on Cybertron and the conflict between the two leaders of the opposing factions, Optimus Prime and Megatron, along with the introduction of a third, mercenary, faction.<ref name="polygon"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/transformers-war-for-cybertron-trilogy-season-1-siege-review-netflix-hasbro |title=Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy - Chapter 1 "Siege" Review |last=Griffin |first=David |work=IGN |date=July 30, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>

A trailer for the second series, dubbed ''Earthrise'', was published on December 7, 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/netflixs-transformers-war-for-cybertron-earthrise-trailer-revealed |title=Netflix's Transformers: War for Cybertron: Earthrise Trailer Revealed |work=IGN |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=December 7, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> The second series debuted on Netflix on December 30.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/11/netflix-transformers-war-for-cybertron-earthrise-release-date |title=Netflix Announces Release Date for 'Transformers: War for Cybertron - Earthrise' |work=Hypebeast |date=November 29, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> ''Earthrise'' was more limited in scope than the previous series. Instead of the entire Transformer civil war, this series focuses on the two leaders once again and the crews of their starships as Optimus seeks to flee Cybertron and find the missing Allspark. The series also saw the introduction of a fourth faction, the Quintessons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mashable.com/article/transformers-war-for-cybertron-earthrise-review |title=In 'Earthrise,' Netflix takes Transformers even deeper into the darkness |work=Mashable |last=Rosenberg |first=Adam |date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>

The trailer for the final series, ''Kingdom'', debuted on July 5, 2021<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/transformers-war-for-cybertron-kingdom-trailer-netflix/ |title=Exclusive: 'Transformers: War for Cybertron: Kingdom' Trailer Reveals the Final Battle Between Autobots and Decepticons |work=Collider |last=Lane |first=Carly |date=July 5, 2021 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> and the series premiered on Netflix on July 29.<ref name="radiotimes"/> ''Kingdom'' picks up where the last series leaves off with Optimus and Megatron searching for the Allspark, having now crash-landed on Earth. On the planet, they encounter characters previously seen in the older series ''Transformers: Beast Wars''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mashable.com/article/netflix-transformers-war-for-cybertron-kingdom-review |title=The final Transformers miniseries on Netflix is a bloated mess, sorry |work=Mashable |last=Rosenberg |first=Adam |date=July 29, 2021 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>

===''Transformers: BotBots'' (2022)===
{{main|Transformers: BotBots}}
''Transformers: BotBots'' is an animated comedy streaming television series developed by Kevin Burke and [[Chris "Doc" Wyatt]] for Netflix comprising 20 episodes.<ref name="milligan">{{cite web |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2021/02/netflix-slates-transformers-botbots-and-my-little-pony-g5-series/ |title=Netflix Slates 'Transformers: BotBots' and 'My Little Pony' G5 Series |work=Animation Magazine |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=August 29, 2023}}</ref> The first season of ten episodes was released on March 25, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/1212946-netflix-releases-6-images-for-transformers-botbots-animated-series |title=Netflix Releases 6 Images for Transformers: BotBots Animated Series |last=Nash |first=Anthony |website=Comingsoon.net |date=February 26, 2022 |access-date=August 29, 2023}}</ref> In a departure from the traditional conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons seen in most continuities, the series focuses on the BotBots, small robots organized in groups of tribes who can transform into everyday objects, and primarily follows the efforts of the Lost Bots, who try to find their own place amongst the others.<ref name="milligan"/>

===''Transformers: EarthSpark'' (2022–present)===
{{main|Transformers: EarthSpark}}
''Transformers: EarthSpark'' is an animated television series produced by Entertainment One and [[Nickelodeon Animation Studio]] for the streaming service [[Paramount+]] and the television network [[Nickelodeon]], which debuted on November 11, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Jason |date=March 24, 2022 |title=Nickelodeon Expands Franchises in Upfront In-Person Return |url=https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/nickelodeon-franchise-expansion-upfront/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=www.adweek.com |language=en-US}}</ref> ''EarthSpark'' is notable for prominently featuring humans after being mostly absent in various media of the franchise in the late 2010s such as ''Cyberverse'', the 2019 IDW comics and ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'', and uses a union voice cast for the first time since 2018.

=== ''Transformers One'' (2024) ===
{{Main article|Transformers One}}
Upon the establishment of a [[writers' room]] for devising ideas regarding future ''Transformers'' films in 2015, the duo of Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari immediately conceived the concept of an animated prequel film depicting the beginnings of the Autobot-Decepticon war on Cybertron.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=2015-05-27 |title='Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room: Cybertron Pic In Offing? |url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-07 |title=Michael Bay In Talks For 'Transformers 5'; Animated Cybertron Origin Movie Confirmed |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/539925/transformers-5-shoot/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207052917/https://www.slashfilm.com/539925/transformers-5-shoot/ |archive-date=2023-02-07 }}</ref> The film is directed by [[Josh Cooley]], who oversaw the story treatment by Barrer and Ferrari with additional script contributions by [[Eric Pearson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=2020-04-30 |title=Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount |url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Paramount Drops 'Transformers One' Trailer #2 |url=https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Animation World Network |language=en}}</ref> The film's narrative is centered on the respective origin stories of Optimus Prime and Megatron, chroncling their early friendship as Energon miners named Orion Pax and D-16, and the rift that causes their evolution into the respective leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons, beginning their long-standing conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wakeman |first=Gregory |date=2018-12-20 |title=Will there be a Bumblebee 2? What's the future for the Transformers universe? Here's what its producer told us – Metro US |url=https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=www.metro.us |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zahed |first=Ramin |date=2024-04-18 |title=Watch: New Trailer for Paramount's 'Transformers One,' Read Our Exclusive Interview with Director Josh Cooley |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/04/watch-new-trailer-for-paramounts-transformers-one-read-our-exclusive-interview-with-director-josh-cooley/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Chris Hemsworth]] and [[Brian Tyree Henry]] lead the film's ensemble voice cast as Orion Pax and D-16 respectively, alongside [[Scarlett Johansson]], [[Keegan-Michael Key]], [[Jon Hamm]] and [[Laurence Fishburne]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=2023-04-27 |title='Transformers' Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Grobar |first2=Matt |last3=Sitek |first3=Natalie |date=2024-07-25 |title='Transformers One' Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies |url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> The film's score was composed by [[Brian Tyler]], returning to the franchise after previously scoring ''Transformers: Prime''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=says |first=Dylan E. |title=Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley's 'Transformers One' {{!}} Film Music Reporter |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Transformers One'' released in September 2024, and received positive critical reception despite [[Box-office bomb|financially underperforming at the box office]], grossing $124.2 million worldwide against a budget estimated to be between $75–147 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2024-09-29 |title='Wild Robot' Powers To Third Best September Animated Debut With $35M; 'Megalopolis' Collapses With $4M & D+ CinemaScore; 'Saturday Night' Alive In Limited Release — Sunday Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/box-office-megalopolis-the-wild-robot-1236101618/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Transformers One {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_one |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |date=2024-09-12 |title='Transformers One' Review: Animated Origin Story Reveals There's More to the Series' Central Conflict Than Meets the Eye |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/transformers-one-review-1236139042/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Transformers One'' |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt8864596/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> Despite this, producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] expressed the desire for the film to launch a potential trilogy, confirming that the story was mapped out to illustrate a multi-film progression of the characters towards their traditional depictions in other media, such as the live-action films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Villei |first=Matt |date=2023-04-20 |title=Here's What the New Animated 'Transformers' Movie Is About [Exclusive] |url=https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref> By the film's release, di Bonaventura confirmed that the filmmakers were already outlining plans for a sequel, and that it would be produced if the film is considered successful.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Casio |first=Jerome |date=2024-09-14 |title=Transformers One Sequel Depends On 1 Condition, Gets Encouraging Update From Franchise Producer |url=https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-sequel-chances-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-response/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*''[[Gundam]]''
*''[[Macross]]''
*[[List of space science fiction franchises]]
*[[Mecha anime and manga]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://www.transformerland.com/toysbycategory2.php?genid=1 G1 Transformers toy figures and parts identification archive] at Transformerland.com 
* [https://shop.hasbro.com/en-us/playskool Official Hasbro Transformers web site]
* [https://www.youtube.com/transformers Transformers] official [[YouTube]] channel

{{Transformers}}
{{Transformers comics}}
{{Transformers animated series}}
{{Transformers film series}}
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