Transformers
Robots in disguise wage an eternal war.
Transformers is a mecha franchise co-owned by Hasbro and Takara Tomy, centering on the heroic Autobots and villainous Decepticons, warring alien robots that can change into vehicles or animals. By 2011, it had earned over ¥2 trillion ($25 billion), ranking among the highest-grossing media franchises ever.
Quick Facts
- Creator
- Takara, Hasbro
- Based on
- Diaclone and Micro Change
- Years
- 1984–present
- Books
- Complete list
- Soundtracks
- Transformers audio releases
Facts from the source article.
Fiction
Generation 1 is a retroactive term for Transformers characters appearing between 1984 and 1993. The franchise began with Japanese toy lines Micro Change and Diaclone, which presented robots able to transform into everyday vehicles, electronic items or weapons. Hasbro bought these toys and partnered with Takara, hiring Marvel Comics to create the backstory. Editor-in-chief Jim Shooter wrote an overall story and assigned character creation to Dennis O'Neil, who created the name Optimus Prime; Shooter then chose Bob Budiansky to complete the characters.
The mecha were largely designed by Shōji Kawamori, who conceived transforming mechs while working on Diaclone and Macross. The primary concept involves Optimus Prime, Megatron, and their soldiers crash-landing on prehistoric Earth in the Ark and Nemesis, awakening in 1984. The Marvel comic was part of the main Marvel Universe, featuring Spider-Man and Nick Fury.
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