Main Characters
| Name | Alternate mode | First appearance | Last appearance | Voiced by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orion Pax/Optimus Prime | 1984 Freightliner Semi | More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1) | The Rebirth (Part 3) Later killed in Transformers: Headmasters (In Japan). | Peter Cullen - Laurie Faso (as Orion Pax) | Alive |
| Once a young robot known as Orion Pax, he was attacked by Megatron in the episode War Dawn and later rebuilt, making him into the formidable Optimus Prime. As leader of the Autobots, he has dedicated himself to a life of stopping the Decepticons wherever they attack. He is accompanied by a trailer in vehicle mode, which can become a weapon platform. Also accompanied by Roller, a small unspeaking Autobot which is sent on reconnaissance missions. Killed by Megatron in The Transformers: The Movie, later resurrected by the Quintessons in the two-part episode "The Return of Optimus Prime". | |||||
| Wheeljack | 1977 Lancia Stratos Turbo | More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1) | Found dead by Arcee in The Transformers: The Movie Last seen in Transformers: Victory (in Japan). | Chris Latta | Dead |
| The Autobots' resident inventor and gadgeteer. He often produces devices when needed, though his inventions were notorious for exploding in his face while he was still testing/working on them. Optimistic. Along with Ratchet he created the Dinobots. He was found dead by Arcee in The Transformers: The Movie. | |||||
| Bumblebee | 1967 Chevy Camaro | More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1) | Was rebuilt into Goldbug in The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2 and last appeared in The Rebirth Part 3 | Dan Gilvezan | Alive |
| Often referred to as the "smallest Autobot", Bumblebee often volunteers for missions where his small size is an asset. He also possessed the best eyesight of all the Autobots which made him an ideal scout. Was rebuilt into Goldbug in the return of Optimus Prime, part 2. | |||||
| Cliffjumper | 1982 Porsche 924 | More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1) | The Transformers: The Movie (Casey Kasem left the show before season 3 due to objection to the portrayal of Arab characters as stereotypical villains.) | Casey Kasem | Alive |
| Impulsive. Optimus Prime frequently reminds him to exercise caution. | |||||
| Prowl | 1979 Nissan 280ZX Police Car | More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1) | Killed by Scavenger in The Transformers: The Movie, Later appeared in Transformers Headmasters (In Japan). | Michael Bell | Dead |
| A logical and competent tactician who operated as Optimus Prime's right-hand man in many early episodes. Killed by Scavenger. | |||||
| Jazz | 1983 Pontiac Solstice | More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1) | Call of the Primitives Later appeared in Transformers Headmasters | Scatman Crothers | Alive |
| A connoisseur of music, Jazz has the ability to disorient opponents with loud sound. Jazz is also named as Optimus Prime's right-hand man in the Tech Spec that describes his personality on his box. | |||||
| Sideswipe | 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP500S | Appears in More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1). First speaks in More Than Meets the Eye (Part 2). | The Revenge of Bruticus. Seen in "Only Human" (considered an animation error). Later appeared in Transformers: Headmasters (in Japan). | Michael Bell | Alive |
| Brave, powerful warrior, but often uses underhanded tricks to win. Carries a rocket pack that allows him to fly for short periods. "Brother" of Sunstreaker, but nowhere near as cold-blooded. | |||||
| Ratchet | 1979 Hummer H2 Ambulance | More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1) | Was killed by Megatron in gun mode held by Starscream in The Transformers: The Movie | Don Messick | Dead |
| The Autobots' resident doctor and mechanic. While he is a medic, he does not have a particularly good bedside manner as he frequently throws things like wrenches at his patients if they got hurt for doing something stupid/something they could have avoided. He only threw things once he had repaired them properly of course (He does this especially when it is Sunstreaker or Sideswipe as the said patients). He is also credited for creating the Dinobots. | |||||
| Ironhide | 1979GMC Topkick | More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1) | The Transformers: The Movie (Killed by Megatron offscreen with a point-blank blast to the head from his fusion cannon) | Peter Cullen | Dead |
| Tough, but impulsive. Frequently calls for battle against Decepticons, and sometimes engages in battle in spite of Optimus Prime's orders. Is also head of security. | |||||
| Hot Rod / Rodimus Prime | Hot Rod Cybertronian sports car Rodimus Prime Cybertronian RV | Transformers: The Movie | Rodimus Prime The Return of Optimus Prime (Part 2) Hot Rod The Rebirth (Part 3) | Judd Nelson (movie), Richard Gautier (TV series) | Alive |
|
Brash young adventurer and friend of Daniel. Becomes Rodimus Prime at the end of The Transformers: The Movie but reverts to Hot Rod when he relinquishes the Matrix of Leadership back to Optimus Prime. Later becomes a Targetmaster whose weapon is formed by Firebolt (also voiced by Richard Gautier). |
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| Springer | Cybertronian Helicopter/Cybertronian Armored Car | The Transformers: The Movie | The Burden Hardest to Bear | Neil Ross | Alive |
| Strong and heroic, with an intense (possibly romantic) connection to Arcee. | |||||
| Kup | Cybertronian Pickup Truck | The Transformers: The Movie | The Rebirth (Part 3) | Lionel Stander (movie), John Stephenson (TV series) | Alive |
| Old and wise mentor with a wry sense of humor and a penchant for telling stories of his many experiences. Becomes a Targetmaster whose weapon is formed by Recoil (voiced by Johnny Haymer). | |||||
| Ultra Magnus | 1985 Mack Car Carrier | Scramble City | The Rebirth (Part 3) Killed in Transformers: Headmasters (in Japan). | Robert Stack (film), Jack Angel (TV series) | Alive |
| Ultra Magnus is a longtime friend and follower of Optimus Prime who takes over command of the Autobots after the attack on Autobot City in The Transformers: The Movie. He is subsequently destroyed by the Sweeps but rebuilt by the Junkions. After Hot Rod becomes Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus steps down as leader of the Autobots in favor of the chosen one. | |||||
| Blurr | Cybertronian Hover Car | The Transformers: The Movie | The Rebirth (Part 3) | John Moschitta, Jr. | Alive |
| Fast-talking, excitable, and prone to worry or complain. Can sometimes slow his speech when he wants to be taken seriously. Becomes a Targetmaster whose weapon is formed by Haywire (voiced by Rob Paulsen). | |||||
| Arcee | Cybertronian Convertible | The Transformers: The Movie | The Rebirth (Part 3) | Susan Blu | Alive |
| Arcee is the only female Autobot to appear on a regular basis. She was created in an effort by the film's producers to expand the market audience to include girls as well as to appear less sexist. Some have criticized the character for being overly stereotypically female due mainly to her need to protect Daniel Witwicky and act as a surrogate mother. She eventually becomes a Headmaster with Daniel (in an Exo-suit) forming her head. | |||||
| Wheelie | Cybertronian Car | The Transformers: The Movie | The Return of Optimus Prime (Part 2) | Frank Welker | Alive |
| Wheelie aided Grimlock and the other Dinobots in reuniting with Kup and Hot Rod on Quintessa. Wheelie speaks in rhyme. His weapon of choice is a slingshot with energon pellets. | |||||
Read more about this topic: Crystal Widow, Autobots
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