The Transformers
Series, 1984, The '80s toy era, Set in Earth, 1984
The Transformers is #5 of 28 in release order and #5 of 28 in chronological order in the Saturday Morning Cartoons.
The story
The Transformers is the first animated television series in the Transformers franchise. The series depicts a war among giant robots that can transform into vehicles and other objects.
The Transformers recap
Millions of years ago, two factions of giant robots from the planet Cybertron, the heroic Autobots led by Optimus Prime and the evil Decepticons led by Megatron, crash on Earth and lie dormant inside a volcano. In 1984 an eruption reactivates them, and the war continues on Earth. The robots disguise themselves as cars, trucks, jets, cassette players and guns, and the Decepticons want Earth's energy to build Energon cubes, while the Autobots protect humans, including their friend Spike Witwicky and his father Sparkplug. Starscream, Megatron's second in command, is always plotting to take over; Bumblebee, Jazz, Ironhide and the Dinobots fight for the Autobots; Soundwave, the Constructicons and the Insecticons for the Decepticons. Season 2 introduced many new toys, including robot teams that combine into giants. The Transformers: The Movie (1986), set in 2005, killed off Optimus Prime and others, made Hot Rod the new leader, Rodimus Prime, and turned Megatron into Galvatron. Season 3 continued from it, and after a fan outcry Optimus returned in 1987. Sunbow and Marvel made the show with Japan's Toei to sell Hasbro's toys, and it ran in syndication from 1984 to 1987.
The Transformers ending explained
The American series ended with "The Rebirth", a three-part fourth season in 1987, in which the Autobots and Decepticons reach the planet Nebulos and bond with its people to become Headmasters and Targetmasters. Cybertron is restored, but Galvatron and the Nebulan villain Zarak are still fighting for control of the galaxy. Japan continued the story in its own series, starting with The Headmasters, and the franchise later returned with Beast Wars (1996), the live-action films from 2007 and Transformers One (2024).
Where to watch The Transformers
The Transformers is streaming on Hoopla, Plex, Xumo Play, and Tubi in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes 63%
Where it fits
- Release order: after He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, before G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.
- Chronological order: after He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, before G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.
Cast
- Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime / Streetwise / Nightstick / Slugslinger / Wingspan
- Frank Welker as Megatron (voice) / Soundwave (voice)
- Jack Angel as Ultra Magnus / Cyclonus (voice)
- Corey Burton as Spike Witwicky / Sunstreaker / Brawn
- Dan Gilvezan as Bumblebee (voice)
- John Stephenson as Kup (voice)
- Christopher Collins as Starscream / Wheeljack / Sparkplug / Reflector
- Victor Caroli as Narrator (voice)
- Neil Ross as Crosshairs (voice)
- Michael Bell as Prowl / Bombshell / Sideswipe/ Swoop
- Hal Rayle as Snarl / Shrapnel / Pipes
- Casey Kasem as Cliffjumper / Bluestreak / Teletraan 1