TRANSFORMERS: THE BASICS on OPTIMUS PRIME

There's only one character we could possibly be looking at in the 100th episode of The Basics - this is the history of the toy, the character, the PHENOMENON that is OPTIMUS PRIME!
Cullen interview footage courtesy of / comicbookmovie
Thanksgiving parade footage courtesy of / @clickondetroitlocal4wdiv
Support the show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=284426
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Logo by Liam Shalloo: / liamshalloo
Music: Aitech Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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[@ChrisMcFeely]

Pinned for the "well actually" crowd: yes, Prime's Action Master form in the Marvel Comics involves a complicated process including his death, the fusion of his and Hi-Q's minds, and his reconstruction by the Last Autobot - but for everyone saying "Nucleon had nothing to do with it? Please go and read your comics again. When Hi-Q tapped into Grimlock's systems to accelerate his transformation into an Action Master, exposure to the Nucleon within Grimlock was what hyper-accelerated his and Prime's fusion into a singular being to completion. As should be evidenced by the full-length paragraphs you have to write to explain your "corrections," the full story is too long and complicated to get into here - and will be looked at in more detail in the inevitable "Deaths of Optimus" episode - so I boiled it down to a single sentence that is accurate without requiring additional context or characters to be introduced into the recounting.

[@Halbared]

Chris McFeely ta. It’s funny that there has to be an ep for the ‘deaths’. Op was such a careless leader 😁

[@Starcat5]

@@Halbared Died and RETURNED. There is a reason portions of the fanbase refer to him as RoboJesus.

[@Starcat5]

@Chris McFeely This pinned post isn't actually pinned. You might want to fix that.

[@davidaudette9333]

Could you do a basics episode on thunderwing?

[@vailsekaichi5645]

Please do Mirage or Megatron

[@hypersilver1111]

“If you’re going to be a hero, be strong enough to be gentle” Can’t really think of anything else to add, it’s just inspiring and I felt it needed to be repeated.

[@theitalianfukr4270]

??? True

[@cybersilver5816]

Dang, you stole my comment before I could say it, and my profile picture? Great minds think alike.

[@elijahjarman2837]

That always hit hard

[@jamesbond3w]

Xana? That you?

[@johnmunoz-crabb8393]

Same

[@Cassius335]

"I'm not going to make you wait another 100 eps before I do Megatron" - Music to my ears.

[@alexlemonds2838]

IDW Megs a.k.a. Old Man Megatron is my favorite incarnation. Depicting him as a remorseful fallen hero struggling to avoid the darkness again made him a very engrossing figure to follow. Hoping future versions are, at least partly, influenced by what James Roberts did with him in MTMTE.

[@titanstudios2683]

Sure but Megatron is my enemy remember

[@scarydave7245]

Somehow I'm sure its gonna be 101

[@AgentLevitar]

Maybe just... 50. HAHAHAHA!

[@optimistprime3192]

How is this comment 2 days old when the video only released a few hours ago today?....

[@alexeissenstat1407]

I actually kind of like him being able to make a joke every once in a while instead of being stoic all the time

[@vickerandflips8061]

A booby trap that actually catches boobies.

[@load-bearingcoconut5586]

(Camera pans over to Optimus learning to play basketball with the other Autobots)

[@Kuriboh1008]

Don't we all prefer that version over give me your face?

[@VehiconSteveIII]

@@Kuriboh1008 Every version is better than give me your face.

[@Kuriboh1008]

@@VehiconSteveIII true

[@LinkiePup]

I like the fact that Orion Pax became the standard for Primes Origin. Its humble, and the idea that any random person can become a Prime is a good one.

[@Gojirawars03]

That’s part of why I’m not huge on the idea of him being reincarnated as Orion from the 13th original Prime. I just find that it removes a lot of what makes Orion so special.

[@TheUncivilizedNation]

@@Gojirawars03 that only affects his soul and the Matrix. He never recovered his original memories. He sees the 13th Prime as another figure in legend. Unaware that in another life they’re one and the same Orion himself still has humble beginnings until he gets the Matrix. Even then Optimus and the 13th are still radically different individuals

[@concept5631]

​@@TheUncivilizedNation Still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth

[@BonusEggs4Sale]

I like that he was a working-class nobody who eventually becomes a revolutionary hero.

[@krowmontekristo4801]

" Be strong enough to be gentle. " - Larry Cullen

[@colbartus5273]

Michael De Santa no Larry said that line to Peter.

[@jackytran4885]

3:10

[@Drowsyspace128]

You can really here optimus when he says gentle

[@joenormanmusic]

"Be strong enough to be gentle" is now my favorite quote.

[@mithmoonwalker]

bayverse optimus take notes

[@disasterleo8883]

My favorite is: "Amazing! A booby trap that catches boobies"

[@henrysmith8092]

G1 Optimus: be strong enough to be gentle Bayverse Optimus: GIVE ME YOUR FACE!!!

[@Ob1tuber]

I might just use this as my senior quote at the end of my high school years (my first year)

[@nqikki2463]

@@disasterleo8883 BAHAHAHA WHERE I THAT I WANT TO SEE THAT QUOTE

[@TheHeroRises]

Since I was a boy, Optimus has always been my hero. He reminded me of my maternal grandfather. A stoic hardworking man that always did what was right even if it cost him personally. I was in my grandparents’ house every week. Helping in the garden, or workshop or kitchen. He passed away when I was 10 but I will never forget one of the last lessons he shared with me; ‘Always do your best, always do what’s right and always do for others. Even if it may hurt.’ I’m proud to be the grandson of an immigrant that thought of others over himself. When I started watching Transformers, Peter Cullen sounded so much like my Abuelo that the character always stuck with me. Optimus Prime truly is one of modern storytelling’s greatest and humblest heroes. Chris, thanks for making this vid, keep it up!!!

[@renzcarlodelacruz7063]

Dont worry he will watching you every day

[@suanfitrioneljack27]

That... That is so beautiful!!! Amazing story. Your grandpa lives in you my friend ❤️🚛💙

[@NaTive219]

I wish I grew up on Transformers If my hero was Optimus Prime instead of Marvel or DC characters maybe I would be able to do things that I feel I cannot do, Optimus Prime is my favourite character and his character and speeches would’ve probably have pushed me to be a better and smart person. His wisdom is to be admired very much. Also Rest In Peace for your maternal grandfather I think he would be proud of you 👍

[@swordpegasus4032]

😊😊😊😊😊😀😀😀

[@hiskobab8687]

dude reading that made me cry. jesus

[@yoshim616]

The strongest warrior with the gentlest heart. The wisest counselor who continued to learn from others. The greatest leader who led in order to serve others. That is Optimus Prime.

[@ditto7047]

Shit, that gave me chills

[@oneric5]

British prime minister Gordon Brown once told the news media that "Optimus Prime could solve the current problems of our world." That's pretty deep considering Optimus Prime is a character that was created for the purpose of entertaining children and selling toys.

[@felixcuthbert2719]

If not Optimus Prime for Prime minister, then Peter Cullen, I would happily nominated and vote for Prime minister.

[@gentlemanlygeeky4088]

Optimus Prime Minister has a good ring to it.

[@makutas-v261]

@@gentlemanlygeeky4088 Translated from latin it would be like "Prime Prime minister"

[@editorrbr2107]

Well, given the slate of Tory candidates this past month, a literal children’s toy may be a better PM

[@vanguardbreaker8826]

Two years in the future, and yep, rings even more true now.

[@cosmiclyrics2307]

"Why are we fighting to protect the humans, they are a primitive and violent race" "Were we so different" My favourite Optimus narrative ever

[@Burning-Twilight]

It's ironic that such an advance species still is subject to all the serious problems we face on Earth.

[@ejhproductions1]

Agreed

[@felixcuthbert2719]

@Kaden Overstreet Peter Cullen did better me. He taught me to be optimistic, emotionally strong, positive, and above all, he taught me to be kind. That is how gooder Voice Actor, and Human Being Peter Cullen is.

[@dimitrescucrncevic9746]

@@Burning-Twilightwell uh they were written by humans, so…..

[@Burning-Twilight]

@@dimitrescucrncevic9746 Gee by that logic we should just say every problem in any fictional setting is only because humans wrote it and not try to understand what's actually happening in the stories.

[@clairemercer3099]

The way Opitmus Prime gently guided his troops always reminded me of the ideal father. No wonder kids were upset when Prime died.

[@Peter_Morris]

I think Optimus Prime is one of the best heroes of all fiction. The reason it hurt so much when he died is because a lot of us could see our own dads in the way he was portrayed in the cartoon, and it was the first time we’d grappled with the mortality of our dads. In a way, it helped us grow up. But it was still a marketing blunder.

[@freshsmart3672]

Who died?

[@marseillejoh]

Bruh I don't have a dad 🥲

[@YarugumaSou]

“If you’re going to be a hero, be strong enough to be gentle” Well Bob Ross was an air force sergeant for 20 years after all.

[@jackytran4885]

3:26

[@affirmingtoe15]

Words to live by

[@fatalisblack7213]

and a Drill Sergent to boot.

[@NemesisPrime69]

*you didn’t say the trees are happy*

[@nicholaschase768]

That’s why he had such a gentle approach to his show and painting. He wanted to be softer later on in life.

[@toaryanonicle2877]

1980s Optimus: "Freedom is the right to all sentient beings" Micheal Bay Optimus: *"GIVE ME YOUR FACE!!!"*

[@Burning-Twilight]

In movie primes defense he still does say and try to encourage the belief of freedom for everyone. He even had these morals question when his own mentor Sentinel turned traitor.

[@DJ_Force]

Michael Bay's Transformers is what you get if you want to remake Commando, but you were hired by Hasbro.

[@thecianinator]

Michael Bay originally wanted Liam Neeson to voice Optimus Prime, and imagined him as a Clint Eastwood "man with no name" type character. So if you imagine him on those terms then his characterization in the movies makes sense. Not that he's congruent with (or even necessarily as good as) the Optimus Prime we all grew up with.

[@TK-0516]

I’m so glad the bumblebee movie is a reboot

[@elusorymonk1941]

It would have been much better if he said "show me your true face", which it's what the actual purpose of the moment. Give me your face sounds straight up creepy.

[@NebLleb]

"Oh, you Optimuses do love to sacrifice yourselves, don't you?" -Megatron, 1996

[@dumpertron1]

Prime O.P. is my favorite by far. Seeing the good in all living things and only inflicting harm when no other options are available, even leaving out team members because fights with their grudges would cloud their sight of good in all things, and even risking his life for Cybertron’s restoration. The cherry on top is Peter’s OUTSTANDING voice.

[@Halbared]

It’s quite likely that without Peter Cullen, Prime wouldn’t have been the cultural icon he is today.

[@imarock.7662]

Agree. Cullens preformance as Prime really helps bring the character to life.

[@cheungmichealcheungkimchi1341]

I would not want to live in a universe where Peter Cullen isn’t the first Optimus Prime

[@captainmega6310]

Eh. If someone else was the first, people would say the same abour him. So...

[@firstnamelastname7470]

Captain Mega The difference is Peter cullens voice is way different than anyone else’s

[@_V.Va_]

@@firstnamelastname7470 True, Cullen's Prime is so iconic that the guy they got to voice him in Cyberverse is trying so hard to emulate him. He forgot he had to act, though.

[@camerongrow6426]

Hearing Peter Cullen's inspiration for Optimus's voice is one of those fun facts that make you realize "Oh, so that's why that character means so much to me"

[@defenderyt8335]

Tfp prime is my most favorite because to me he was the most wise and gentle and yet, the most dangerous autobot in the show as you could see that he deeply carded for his team.

[@mraaronhd]

Fun fact: Optimus Prime’s original toy was designed by legendary Japanese mecha artist, Shoji Kawamori, who is most famous for developing the anime series, Macross (which served as the basis of the first season of Robotech). His transforming mecha designs are legendary.

[@Toon_Lucario]

In an interview for the Netflix series “the toys that made us” Peter Cullen said that when he auditioned for the role of Prime he heard his brother’s voice. That felt so sweet and I cried.

[@Mr_Movie_Fan]

@@freshsmart3672 it's a Netflix original documentary about various toys from the 20th century that have shaped pop culture as we know it.

[@TheStrongNerd]

Peter's emotional reaction when discussing his brother really got to me. It seems like Peter had a high opinion of him.

[@Roundboi24]

"amazing, A booby trap that actually catches boobies" the greatest quote ever

[@promoroblox]

Na it’s..... BULK I NEEDED THAT!!!!!!!

[@Miguel_morales99]

Found the comment

[@Scrambledgoofyaww2007]

*JOBBEH WAT R YE DOIN HERE!?*

[@christophermartin7364]

@@promoroblox lol transformers prime is legendary yet underrated

[@willow_or_wyllow]

@@christophermartin7364 Agreed

[@sdp728]

I just noticed that when G1 Prime was revived, he was posed like Lincoln’s statue

[@GracemarieJohnson2763]

I looked at a picture of that, and HOLY SCRAP, you're right! 😳

[@dougc3512]

"Megatron MUST be stopped, No matter the cost!" "One shall stand, one shall fall."

[@garthdavis4320]

Doug C Optimus was right about the cost. Too bad it had to be his own.

[@dougc3512]

@@garthdavis4320 ikr...

[@thevenomspino]

"Why throw away your life so recklessly"

[@blinkachu05]

@@thevenomspino "That's a question you should ask yourself Megatron."

[@matthew_natividad]

You got the touch You Got the power

[@blitzprime3958]

IDW Prime is my favorite by far. The scene where he and Megatron just sit down and talk about all the times they’ve tried to kill each other was so bitter sweet in they way after they where yelling at each other for trying to kill the other, but to share a chuckle was so wholesome. Despite 4 million years of trying to kill each other they never truly hated each other.

[@Mysticgamer]

Which book/series is that from? I'm trying to read the idea comics but I can't figure out the order they're in so I'm picking ones with interesting synopses.

[@blitzprime3958]

Just read the IDW collection books. It has all the comics from 2005-2018 in the recommended reading order

[@Mysticgamer]

@@blitzprime3958 2005-2018? Okay, thanks! I read comics via comixology but it's a mess of series, arcs, annuals lined up at random.

[@Rajang6]

even though that was IDW and the scene im talking about is bayverse here ya go: Megatron: "Remember that time where you rode a giant fire breathing dinosaur and I had this hole in my chest?" Optimus: "Yeah, was some weird shit."

[@eolas55]

Thank you for the background on one of my favorite Transformers. My grandson sent this to me, as we both love Transformers. When he was little ( he’s 14 now), he named my late husband Papa Optimus Prime and named me Grandma Bumblebee. ♥️

[@shadowforge]

Its sad that the only reason Peter Cullen stopped voicing the animated show was because they stopped hiring him. Theres a video out there of him talking about how they "didn't want to have to deal with the VA Guild because it cost more" which was basically a spit in the face to the original reason we loved Prime.

[@rickfd6081]

“Every sentient being deserves an opportunity for redemption , without that hope we may never achieve ever lasting peace “ - Optimus prime

[@Baconchilldophin]

Bayverse Optimus would not approve

[@SnakeRoadComicsOfficial3677]

Where did he said that.

[@NoahDaArk]

@@Baconchilldophin And then G1 Optimus would just say “For you I’ll make an exception! You are not worthy of the title Prime!”

[@arnowisp6244]

This rings so different in 2022.

[@The_Prime_Kiwi]

@@SnakeRoadComicsOfficial3677 Transformers Prime. I believe it was Episode 21 or 22 of Season 1.

[@halite_g]

The fact that you managed to fit this into a 17 minute video is a bloody miracle

[@Theover4000]

I was kinda hoping it would’ve been more like 27 honestly, I enjoy listening to these for long times

[@NoahDaArk]

KZbin: Hey Hasbro, this guy has been using your copyrighted material on his shows with out proper permission. Don’t worry, we demonetized him and took the videos down for you! *Hasbro shoves an Ion Blaster in KZbin’s face* Hasbro: EXCUSE YOU?!?

[@Riley_Mundt]

In Bayverse Prime's defense, he's seen enough death and destruction over the years that he's not taking any chances with the Decepticons. Centuries of untreated PTSD will do that to you.

[@thescarletking9433]

What do the fans want Optimus to do in the movies? Defeat Megatron with a hug and the power of frendship

[@sybilbacyan2183]

@@thescarletking9433 facts

[@The_Prime_Kiwi]

I mean... every other incarnation of Optimus has gone through the same long unending war Bayverse Optimus has. It was Michael Bay wanting Optimus to be more violent that made him more violent. Whether you agree with that choice or not is up to you.

[@zemox2534]

Well I don't fucking agree. Even after everything he has been through Optimus would not murder someone in cold blood, not even Megatron. Bay has no respect for Optimus or TF lore.

[@Riley_Mundt]

@@zemox2534 Evidently you've never watched the 1986 movie, as it's quite obvious he's prepared to kill Megatron in the Battle of Autobot City. Kind of the whole point behind "One Shall Stand, One Shall Fall."

[@theveryoriginalgamer532]

My favourite primes: 1. G1-personality 2. Prime-best interpretation 3. Amada- Ridiculous firepower 4. Animated-great reinvention 5. Old RID- the stupid way they handled the fire truck mode

[@wilhelmus1939]

That's also the same types of primes that I liked mate

[@theveryoriginalgamer532]

@@wilhelmus1939 what a coincidence.

[@terischannel]

Prime optimus was kinda boring

[@chad42562]

@@terischannel Bro WHAT BORING U ON. The most special Line of him is "Maximum Overdrive!"

[@terischannel]

@@chad42562 his best part is when he said no when being asked if he wants to see something funny

[@thevenomspino]

"I would have waited an eternity for this. It's over, Prime"

[@titanstudios2683]

Never!

[@TheSevenGuy]

Optimus Prime the bot himself!

[@hamzadawud]

The G1 cartoon will forever be my favorite version of the character. "As I believe the earthlings say: lay it on me, man!"

[@ShinGallon]

The pre-movie Optimus had personality. Every Optimus since has either been really stodgy and boring or a psychopath (I’m looking at you, Bayverse) with the exception of Animated Optimus. But pre-movie G1 Optimus? Tons of personality and likability.

[@lancertreepuffer]

Im not sure that you are well read on IDW Prime..hes awesome and best looking in my opinion

[@meyes5671]

They need to go back to his dad-like characterization. That's why people loved him.

[@doomslayer4610]

I am 69 like

[@keniel-prime6214]

"Amazing, a booby trap that actually catches boobies."

[@bryankenzienuguid4901]

It makes me feel bad how you pointed out how Optimus Prime became the type of action hero that Peter Cullen’s brother told him to avoid. Because Cullen felt so happy to base the character’s voice on his brother and to see how the live action Optimus Prime turned out, Cullen must’ve been a bit disheartened

[@Feverz_]

Yes! If I’m not mistaken, Peter has talked about how he didn’t enjoy doing the bayverse prime and how some of the lines were tough to read

[@ShanaReviews]

@@Feverz_ this was true, in fact in one interview Peter Cullen actually said he got into a small argument with Micheal Bay over doing a line he felt was so out of character for Prime and he refuses to say what it is. hell Bay even got mad at both Peter and Frank at one time because when they got them to do some commercials together Frank and Peter were joking around and trying to have some fun during the session

[@dankerbell]

@@ShanaReviews probably like all of them

[@iancruz6617]

@@ShanaReviews Frank he did not voice megatron in the movies. Also you should see how bubble bee movie treated Peter Cullen terrible

[@ShanaReviews]

@@iancruz6617 Frank and Peter were recording for a commercial that was related to the films. While frank didnt voice megatron until AOE, he did voice Megatron for commercials, a motion comic, and i think some of the games

[@quickfingers7062]

I wanna see more 2018 “bumblebee” Optimus prime. The 3 minutes of screen time he had was epic, and the CGI rendering of him in “bumblebee” is arguably the perfect cgi version of a G1 Optimus prime

[@sirboomsalot4902]

The sequel to bumblebee will have a lot more of him

[@novustalks7525]

He looked fake and unrealistic. He also wasn't really voiced by Peter. A false iteration through and through

[@fraelikkriil830]

@@novustalks7525 no he was voiced by Peter, he just had to alter his voice slightly to match the guy they’d originally had voicing him, who they did the animations for, so the face movements would match.

[@orhandalegend]

i never liked it much, it looked too cheap fpr optimus prime and the face was uncanny, expressionless and looked like a low res 3d model i expect better in ROTB

[@Me-wx1mt]

@@novustalks7525 he was voiced by Peter Cullen, they had someone else voice him and animated over that so then Peter Cullen had to an impression of *that* guy!

[@hightidekraken]

“I have come for Megatron and him alone stand down and be spared” I love Optimus, Peter, this franchise, and TFP!!

[@TFfangeek]

Closing line: "Ever since the 'mistake' of killing off Optimus Prime was done in the original Transformers: The Movie, despite multiple deaths, Optimus Prime always rises from the ashes and returns. This means Optimus Prime isn't going anywhere, and is destined to not only retain his place among the Autobots, but also retain his place in fans hearts."

[@Phanhsackdy]

Has megatron died as many times as optimus? I dont remember the original cartoon or never saw any other cartoons except for beast wars lol

[@TFfangeek]

@@Phanhsackdy Kind of, but half the time he only gets severely injured and rebuilds himself as Galvatron before actually dying.

[@FireStorm56]

TFfangeek but... Thats literally a resurrection :/

[@smoothiemcguffin2721]

Fire Strom nah because he doesn’t die before rebuilding his body most of the time. its the equivalent of a brain transplant.

[@FireStorm56]

@@smoothiemcguffin2721 it's makes sense

[@luiscortazar6291]

My Favorite Prime will still be Animated Prime. There was always a huge leap between Orion Pax and Optimus Prime. But we saw him grow as a leader and gain wisdom.

[@sivanlevi3867]

I just noticed something I hadn't before, Optimus actually lives up to his name in G1 because he's not only brave, kind and compassionate, but also "optimistic". I don't know if that was intentional but it's pretty cool!

[@RKStrikerJK5]

As much as I don't wanna be a 'geewunner', G1 Animated Optimus is my favorite version. He had personality. I liked that he joked and played basketball and didn't just do boring speeches. He was multi-faceted. I also liked his origin story.

[@caninelupus8369]

I grew up with the modern vesions of Optimus, and I can say that we need G1 Optimus back.

[@orhandalegend]

prime be fuckin *BALLIN*

[@captainlastreo5160]

Imagine thinking Optimus' awe-inspiring speeches are boring.

[@NoahDaArk]

@@caninelupus8369 #BringBackDadimusPrime

[@RobPryme]

G1 Optimus was the Optimus I grew up with. I loved how he could go between serious, stoic leader and playful dad depending on the situation. He was a great role model, as I always think of him doing the hard thing when necessary. He would never order his troops to do something that he wasn't 100% willing to do himself.

[@jadenhawes7603]

Rob Rosenberg he can also kick ass at basketball

[@donavianwillis7759]

Was kinda sad when they made the primes don't party rule in prime series. Appreciated his humor and timing.

[@yagamijubei28]

@@jadenhawes7603 thats cuz cullen really loves basketball.

[@nerdly745]

The G1 series was always weird for me seeing Optimus so happy and friendly. By the time I started watching Transformers, he was cast as the worn torn leader with a Batman complex.

[@Girard1020]

Optimus Prime has died 26 times through out the Franchise, but he always comes back whenever he’s needed the most by his Allies. The Matrix of Leadership came from the Core of Cybertron aka the Spark of Primus. Since Primus is immortal like his brother Unicron, I believe the Matrix is part of the reason he keeps coming back to life. He’s everything a True leader should be: Wise, Charismatic, Compassionate, Selfless, Brave, Daring, Motivational, Ever Vigilant, and so much more. He believes freedom is the right of all Sentient Being, he cherishes all life that he’s always willingly & ready to sacrifice himself for the safety of his friends & allies, in the pursuit of everlasting peace & harmony.

[@johnmunoz-crabb8393]

"Be strong enough to be gentle" what a statement

[@mindlessshark946]

"One shall stand, one shall fall" "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings"

[@Nagatem]

Mindless Shark “freedom is the right of all Americans”, Liberty Prime, ( didn’t even realize they were making an optimus till someone pointed it out)

[@granmastersword]

"... except for the decepticons...and the dinobots...*

[@toastedroastedpeanuts]

AMAZING, A BOOBY TRAP THAT ACTUALLY CATCHES BOOBIES

[@pokemonprojektczandrockruf2388]

Roll out

[@nategodwin8654]

And two shall rchange the wirld

[@genbu2366]

Honestly I know he’s more commonly a pick up truck but I feel like a fire truck fits Optimus prime’s character so much better, I really hope they return to that concept

[@brianholmes1812]

Hands down aligned prime is my favourite. An almost Marcus Aureleus type, a stoic, gentle philosopher unafraid to take up the sword when necessary

[@massimilianoreali4398]

Do you mean the light star saber?

[@greenlampertrush]

A role model and a father figure, a leader some of us aspire to be. He is simply the Best, no matter which incarnation. Thank you so much for this episode, i was really looking forward to see it. You are also amazing.

[@ShadowWingTronix]

For one guy the father figure thing was literal as the character was more of a father figure than his actual father. Dude literally and legally changed his name to Optimus Prime. And before someone jokes about that he was a firefighter who also served in the first Iraq war, so as far as I'm concerned he can call himself whatever the hell he wants.

[@orderlysummit3449]

Thank you for talking about Peter Cullen getting the inspiration for his voice from his older brother. Not enough people know about that and it's just so wholesome and awesome.

[@yagamijubei28]

Its what he told him before he went for the interview. "I'm gonna be a truck" and his brother looked at him perplexed.

[@muhammadbinadnan739]

My favourite incarnation of Optimus Prime has got to be the one from Transformers Prime. The animation style is a mix of realism and animation. That made all of the Characters unique and Incredible. (Like these videos)

[@bubblybobabubbles]

Optimus Prime and Peter Cullen have said some of my favorite and most inspirational quotes. They're both heroes to me.

[@LuqmanHakim-xi9qz]

Glad Chris covers this very niche character. Not a lot of people knows about him

[@erubin100]

IKR? Even Getaway has more recognition than this guy!

[@briankim2555]

This is the first time I've heard of him

[@aztn19]

Exactly!!! The cosmically powered Starscream has gotten more mentions on this site!! This underrated character is indeed a hidden gem that needs more attention drawn to him!

[@MR-1]

SoLoMoN DaViDSoN I’m really glad to hear about this underrated and amazing character!

[@fabianrocha9924]

Thats a joke right?

[@tomfoolery5680]

"You, who are without mercy, now plead for it? I thought you were made of sterner stuff.". Chills my guy, chills.

[@cyberwarrior5939]

@@basedpota to be fair hot rod gave megatron the opening he needed

[@cyberwarrior5939]

@@basedpota I think its a combination of both

[@Gojirawars03]

I love/hate Bayverse Prime’s realistic take on what millennia of fighting and losses would do to a military commander wracked with grief, guilt, and a lot of PTSD. He goes through a sort of downward spiral of an arc. He starts out a lot more empathetic and even more playful and goofy at times in the first movie, but too many losses and struggles throughout the films slowly but surely breaks him down, with his lowest point probably being the start of Age of Extinction. The point at which he was so scared, confused, and angry, that he was willing to kill humans. Then after becoming Nemesis and subsequently snapping out of it, he has a sort of awakening, and at the very least gets back to a somewhat stable point like around how he was in Revenge of The Fallen.

[@SirBroccolingtonIII]

The problem with this take on Bayverse Optimus is that none of what you wrote is at any point conveyed onscreen. The closest the writers get to actually doing that is the 2 minute long conversation between Cade and Optimus on Lockdowns's ship in AOE. Everything else is essentially fanfiction.

[@Man_Aslume]

TF1 Optimus is more calmer than whatever the hell is TF2 Optimus was Yeah I ain't bashing on bayformers block fans

[@rafaelarcas942]

@@SirBroccolingtonIIIactually, it is a good depiction of that version of Optimus but as everyone know, the movies that came out between 2007 and 2017 before the reboot “Bumblebee” and his sequel “Rise of the beasts” didn’t really focus enough on the character and only showed him as a ruthless knight warrior who doesn’t believe in pacifism anymore. In comparison, tv shows such as “Transformers Prime” and the trilogy “War for Cybertron” but also the movies that recently came out really show us who Optimus is and so did the IDW comics for modern audience.

[@fatimaumar3031]

My personal favourite will always be the optimus from Transformers Prime. He was and is such an inspirational character to me. I miss TFP, best series ever..

[@MutantPuke]

"Be strong enough to be gentle" I love Peter Cullen, I hope to meet him one day.

[@garthdavis4320]

Me too.

[@xrexc3179]

I was 10 years old when the original 'Transformers' movie came out. The death of Optimus so disallusioned me that I swore off Transformers until the new live action movies piqued my nostalgia. As a result I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to catch up on all that I missed in the years between. Thank you for your work!!!

[@Blackwind_Legacy]

I was 5, almost 6 years old. My father died when I was 2 and I have no memory of him. Watching Optimus fall, a character I looked up to... ... ... Let's just say I understand.

[@xrexc3179]

@@Blackwind_Legacy bro im sorry fot your loss even after all these years. Looking back on it it truly boggles my mind to think about thd descision making processes for that movie. They obviously realized that they had created a successful hit show with children or they would not have undertaken the film. So then to so easily kill off chsracters who were literally the stars of that show based on toy line productions is confounding merely from the perspective of tye business model. Not ti mention whst they were doing to tye children who were their fans

[@kevbotech238]

Completely understand! The 86 movie was the beginning of the end of the transformers for me. Started watching at the ground level in 84 got attached to the main characters then seen the movie in 86 and in the 1st half HR. They killed off the characters we were so attached to ! Just so Hasbro could sell more toys. So disappointed as a 8 yr old then. What Hasbro didn't understand was imagine going to a Batman movie and in the 1st 15 minutes they killed off Batman and replaced him with another super hero ! They didn't understand that the characters are the Transformers not the other way around....

[@basedpota]

@Samuel Cannon Illogical, Optimus hesitating is what got him killed.

[@moxxiiscarlett7141]

What Peter described Optimus as, with that phrase from his brother, made me think that's the idea they did for Transformers Prime Optimus. Why I loved him the most.

[@Robocopnik]

Optimus Prime's feats are all the more impressive when you consider that his entire mind can apparently be contained on a single floppy disk.

[@ColonelFrontline1152]

_"There's A Difference To Being A Hero. And Being A Memory."_ *- Optimus Prime Leader Of The Autobots.*

[@titanstudios2683]

😊

[@BenBoyee]

Going to have to say that my favorite incarnation of prime is a tie between G1 optimus and Alligned optimus. Alligned was a really great interpretation, but I kind of wish the franchise would revisit the softer, gentler more fatherly portrayal in the original cartoon. In terms of design, the one from the Bumblebee movie is definitely my favorite. An absolutely stellar interpretation of the big bot.

[@Jeddostotle7]

Adding in some of the gentler, fatherly, occasionally joke-y Optimus from the G1 cartoon is something I wish Jake Foushee would do with his Optimus voice. It's a nice Peter Cullen impression, but it frequently feels kinda flat, and hewing a bit more G1 cartoon Optimus could help with that I feel.

[@alangroves6763]

G1 comic or G1 Cartoon?

[@skeebas_2541]

Alan Groves probably cartoon

[@skeebas_2541]

My favorite version of Optimus was him in war for cybertron the game. He just looked so new and cool, yet the same leader that I always knew.

[@BenBoyee]

@@alangroves6763 g1 cartoon

[@dapperdanman8486]

I love the warm, calm fatherly figure G1 Prime who wasn't scared of a bit of action. He has much more personality

[@andrewolson5471]

I'd like to see the lighter side of Optimus Prime get brought back. This made him more relatable without diminishing his status as an inspirational leader. G1 Optimus all the way.

[@concept5631]

Cyberverse?

[@battleupsaber462]

What an obscure character. I would never have known who this "Optimus Prime" fellow was if it wasn't for this video.

[@Keokithederp]

I thought obscure characters were just for the first month. Glad Chris changed his mind.

[@alignedlove6927]

lol

[@jerrycorrea5974]

Yeah, not like those in every continuity characters like Maccadams

[@stefy7234]

Cosmos, Warpath and Seaspray , the forgotten trinity

[@Callon4968]

G1 is the iconic Prime my Father grew up with. The Unicron Trilogy Prime is the one I grew up with. However, the Aligned Continuity is, in my personal opinion, the best incarnation of Optimus in animation while the IDW incarnation is the best telling of his story

[@justat1149]

JT Stuard Music Transformers Prime is probably one of the top 5 best versions of Optimus Prime in all of TF history. Those guys writing the show absolutely nailed OP, and the return of Peter Cullen voicing him made that incarnation the best in my book

[@titanstudios2683]

👍🏻

[@wolfgang6442]

Facts💯💯💯

[@S0larisPrime]

I found TFP Optimus to be almost entirely lacking in characterization, outside of his brief stint of amnesia. He's so unimpeachable heroic, it's boring.

[@saulamaral574]

One of Optimus's favorite speech is what says to Huffer. "We must have courage, Huffer we can't ignore the danger we must conquer it." Optimus prime has great dramatic speeches and one liners.

[@themoosefigs3331]

Movie Prime gets a lot of flack but the 07 movie was my introduction to the character and the franchise, and I kept help but always have it as my personal favorite version. Movies 1-3 Prime is still my favorite Optimus design, and Cullen's voice just seem to boom and resonate so much more for me in the 07 movie.

[@matthew_natividad]

Especially the tone they did for his voice making him sound even more robotic was just a 👌 detail they added which was sadly one for the first movie

[@johnivanoplimo5172]

"Well, that's just Prime."

[@garthdavis4320]

No, that’s Optimus Primal. There’s a video about him.

[@parkersummerlin865]

"The future is built on dreams." -Optimus Prime

[@Rex10111]

Oddly enough Armada Optimus is my favorite. Part of it was that Armada was my first proper Transformers series, but another was that he had all the dignity and gravitas Optimus is known for, with a tinge of sounding so TIRED and DONE but doing the work he must anyway. His final fight with Megatron at the end and the aftermath is still my personal favorite Transformers moments.

[@matthewreynoso6904]

I love how you address the popularity of Optimus Prime, him as the face of the franchise and thus the main character!

[@Jetstorm77]

I had almost completely forgotten Transformers: Cybertron until I heard that "Our worlds are in danger." line and instantly got chills. Little, elementary school me used to get so incredibly hyped up by that intro.

[@lukedelameter7961]

Scattershot! Red Alert! Landmine! Hotshot! Vector Prime! Optimus Prime!

[@anjaneyasreetrout2444]

It's kinda funny that THIS show introduced me to transformers universe

[@Xeno-The-Wanderer]

@@lukedelameter7961 Hotshot, Jetfire, Vector Prime, Landmine, Scattorshot, Optimus Prime! Transform and roll out!

[@mithmoonwalker]

megatron is still a loser

[@TeamDusk215]

12:40 Ah man! Hearing this always gets me jazzed up to find the 4 cyber planet keys before the decepticons can use them for evil!

[@ChrisMcFeely]

IT is your MISSION!!

[@kevinp.h8655]

HOT SHOT JETFIRE VERTOR PRIME LANDMINE SCRATTERSHOT OPTIMUS PRIME TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!

[@anthonyaleman8963]

@@kevinp.h8655 Transformers more than meets the eye.

[@legoawcstopmotioner9435]

@@anthonyaleman8963 Autobots! Decepticons!

[@Tarbtano]

I respect Cullen heavily, and he is well earned any recognition or fame he has coming to him. Though I do admit as a late 90s and early 2000s kid, I actually mostly remember Chalk as the voice of prime from the Unicron trilogy, in particular Cybertron. He may not be able to nail the wise fatherly figure as well as Cullen can in my mind, but Chalk has his own inflections that still make him very unique.

[@Anthintendo]

When you said “Nemesis Prime,” a cheeky little grin crossed my lips. That name is so silly, but it’s also absolutely perfect.

[@Nathonus]

Fun Fact: linguistically: Optimus=Optimal/Optimum=BEST. Prime=Young/early or FIRST, In modern English, his name translates to "BEST FIRST."

[@CosmicPlatonix]

As does that of his G1 romantic interest, Elita One.

[@cerealcereal1280]

I love the fact that they did that

[@skeebas_2541]

The first best prime lol

[@MrWill7980]

Prime can also mean "one". So Optimus Prime = The Best One

[@toastedroastedpeanuts]

11:07 Optimus has so many famous quotes but my favorite has gotta be: "AMAZING, A BOOBY TRAP THAT ACTUALLY CATCHES BOOBIES"

[@stevenhamilton5427]

As someone who is still a Optimus fan I wanted to say thank you for making this video about Optimus Prime,👌 up the 👍 work and stay safe and stay healthy.

[@oolooo]

14:56 Translation: "He hurt one of my Human babies , I will destroy him without mercy"

[@ish2965]

No matter the generation there is a lot of incarnations of Optimus we Know in Love. But from the pictures you used for the video I think G1, Robots in disguise, Unicron Trilogy, Animated, Live Action Movie, War for Cybertron/Fall of Cybertron and Prime are the versions everyone sees and love the most. May the greatest legend, leader, father figure and hero of the Transformers Franchise continue to live on and inspire more series and fans to come. “Till all are one”.

[@tfsomegaguy6203]

There are a few more incarnation that people love like for example cyberverse and idw

[@russellmarch4983]

Incarcerations......... when was he sent to prison? I believe the word you’re looking for is “incarnations “

[@kellydolan9717]

@@russellmarch4983 Well...there was that one time he was framed for stealing energy from humans and sent on a one way trip to the Sun.

[@ashleyveloz444]

While the Movieverse Prime was my introduction to the franchise, my favorite version of Prime has to be the Prime from the first series I ever watched religiously, Transformers Animated. Definitely the most relatable out of all the Primes from the 21st Century in my opinion. However, Transformers Prime Optimus Prime is definitely a close second due to the rich history and lore surrounding the character In that continuity.

[@krystalrodriguez5232]

Ashley Veloz same

[@weirdaccount9872]

Whenever i see him i feel like I should salute or something lmao

[@sivanlevi3867]

You know, for a time, Hasbro also released an Optimus Prime-themed gun in the form of the Nerf N-Strike Barricade RV-10. Nerf is another Hasbro product franchise of toy guns that is just as loved as Transformers.

[@HiperPivociarz]

I'm glad Chris also noticed that after the movie Optimus lost his positive, humorous side. Really a shame.

[@dorinahasimja5408]

You meant for the Michael Bay Transformers movies only?

[@yuutaruu4242]

@@dorinahasimja5408 He means the G1 Optimus.

[@mrbray2876]

Yeah it's really a shame

[@KilosFoxo]

i love g1 cartoon prime because he is generally one of the most light hearted versions of prime and also him being the father of the autobots

[@fabianrocha9924]

I always loved when he hugged Bumblebee in that one Episode

[@codaboi138]

I think the Transformers Prime incarnation us my favourite. You could really tell why he was followed as a leader in that show. When he wasnt around, the autobots started to fall apart, but once he returned, his gentle yet commanding presence really pulled the cast together. Plus his stoic persona would sometimes crack a little, making some small yet funny scenes.

[@skelecado]

11:30 Optimus prime suffering form success

[@RexBlazer1]

You know, considering David Kay's history in the franchise, he's the only actor I know of who's played both Optimus Prime _and_ Megatron. As far as favorites go, hands down, my favorite is the one from the Aligned Continuity, even though I didn't care for the "Reincarnated Original Prime" aspect due to the implications. If Hasbro just _had_ to have an Optimus Prime in the 13 Original Primes, I would've done it differently. Namely, have 13-Optimus & present-day-Optimus be totally separate characters, no reincarnation or resurrection involved, and with the latter getting his name from the former, much like how Megatron got his name from the Fallen, thus making the 2 leaders mirror each other.

[@shanoo2746]

Gary Chalk (Unicorn trilogy OP) also played G1 Megatron in Beast wars. These 2 are the only one I can think of.

[@ycastro2003]

Optimus is also descendant of the Primes in the Tyran universe so you can still have Optimus being part of Thirteen without him actually being a Thirteen Prime himself.

[@titanstudios2683]

Yes that's is also correct

[@alexanderstavroulakis335]

Rex Blazer1 Or maybe like the IDW version where it's left ambiguous if Optimus is or isn't the reincarnation of the 13th Prime (aka The Arisen).

[@NoahDaArk]

RexBlazer1 Or maybe have the thirteenth Prime sacrifice his spark to help create the Matrix of Leadership, and choosing Optimus to be its future wielder

[@mdredheadguy1979]

As someone who considers himself a diehard fan of G1 Optimus Prime, I wanted to say thank you for making this video! Well done! Thank you for also pointing out the differences in G1 cartoon as opposed to his live action movie version.

[@lauraconnolly663]

My favourite version of Optimus Prime has to be Animated. I simply adore that his inexperienced and young personality fluctuates emotionally in a believable manner when situations heat up. He confines in Ratchet when he is honestly uncertain or doubtful about either his ability to lead them or how humanity viewed him as a hero. Not to mention the many times where he showed up for various gatherings in Detroit that had nothing to do with battling Decepticons. (Sari's birthday party, the many public gatherings in the city etc.) He was always willing to pitch in to assist. Saving people from burning buildings, stopping criminals. Not to mention the number of times he readily embraced human customs including holidays like Halloween and Christmas. Yes. He got angry. (When Prowl and Bulkhead let slip that the Dinobots were still online... Engine reving mad!) Yes. He got cheeky. (Just all the times he had to deal with sentinel.) But he, to me is the most relatable Optimus in that he may not have the lengthy amounts of experience as a Prime, he may not hold the same stoic, poetical spoken demeanor that past generations display... But he truely has the purest, most innocent spark of them all! (Don't believe me? His inquisitive question to Sari about where human babies come from soon left him wide opticed and most likely wishing he hadn't been informed of the true answer! 🤣🤣)

[@cartkart1]

I always find it funny in the cartoons when optimus prime does what he wants and you can tell all the other characters are frustrated by him but he doesn’t listen.

[@m.s.e.advanced2842]

This is a *Prime* example of a fan favorite

[@jerrycorrea5974]

The *Optimal* choice.

[@aztn19]

Gentlemen, I salute you & your taste in puns LOL!!

[@prexp9026]

You've convoyed that joke perfectly

[@joshua_prime3743]

Goddamn

[@bread64]

Cliffjumper dies 3 times in Transformers Optimus Prime: am I a joke to you

[@Ob1tuber]

Everyone jokes about cliffjumper dying, but Prime has died once, every series

[@alexandriaprime4503]

Yeah, I mean, what is Optimus's death count? 25?

[@ysantana75]

Well make that 29

[@Phantom-Agent-X]

but he's a much more significant character with more screen time than any other bot, and he almost always come back to life

[@mikecrownshaw1646]

Optimus at the beast wars alone had so many deaths or forms that... Cheetor: Optimus sure learns a new body fast. Rattrap: he should he changes them often enough

[@Aidan_Yao]

I was genuinely frustrated when I heard that Optimus Prime got his toy discontinued in 1986 with some others. I mean, I'm fine with Rodimus being leader, but Optimus is just much better. I feel like Optimus has a certain gravitas thanks to a combination of his amazing voice (Thank you, Peter Cullen. You're my hero), ground-breaking character and unique depictions that no other character has, which makes him so recognisable and famous even to non Transformers fans.

[@michaelcutler5538]

Fun fact: David Kays doesn't just play all these robots, they're actually the same character. After filming beast machines, sony bought megatrons remains and rebuilt them into clank for ratchet and clank. After a while, hasbro bought clank back from sony and used the parts to make animated prime.

[@Gojirawars03]

I… wh- wait… wha?

[@concept5631]

What

[@scrapywrappy6758]

Real

[@quakywacky8048]

Love how Ultra Magnus is kind of a marvel comic Prime, being a soldier who rose through the ranks.

[@justinlloyd2446]

The one iteration I grew up with is still my favorite. The original series Optimus Prime. I wish to thank you most sincerely for this series. I had almost forgotten how wonderful the universe of Transformers was until I came across your channel. Please don't stop making these.

[@sivanlevi3867]

Alan Tudyk is also doing a bang-up job of portraying Optimus Prime in Earthspark, now as an ally of human organization GHOST alongside Elita One, Bumblebee and Megatron.