39 Facts about the original Transformers television show

10 March 2023
The original Transformers television show was an animated series that aired from 1984 to 1987. It followed the battles between the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, who are both factions of sentient robots that can transform into vehicles and other objects. The show became an instant hit, captivating audiences of all ages with its epic battles, engaging characters, and innovative concept.

The Transformers movie, released in 1986, was a continuation of the television show's storylines. It took the action to a whole new level, with higher stakes and more intense battles. The movie was also notable for its impressive animation, its star-studded voice cast, and its iconic soundtrack featuring rock bands such as Stan Bush and Lion.

The original Transformers show and movie had a significant impact on popular culture and influenced many future works in the science fiction and animation genres. They introduced the concept of sentient robots and inspired a whole generation of children to play with toy Transformers and to create their own stories and adventures.

bumblebee cartoon G1

Additionally, the Transformers franchise has remained popular and relevant to this day, with numerous spin-offs, reboots, and adaptations in various media formats. The original show and movie will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans, who continue to celebrate and cherish their timeless stories and characters.
  1. The original Transformers animated TV show was created by Hasbro in collaboration with Marvel Comics, and premiered in the United States in 1984.
  2. The show was initially intended as a vehicle to promote Hasbro's Transformers toy line, which was also introduced in 1984.
  3. The first season of the show consisted of 16 episodes, and introduced the Autobots and Decepticons, the two factions of Transformers, who are sentient robots that can transform into vehicles, weapons, or other objects.
  4. The second season of the show was much longer, with 49 episodes, and introduced many new characters, including Dinobots, Insecticons, Constructicons, and many more.
  5. The show was hugely popular with children in the 1980s, and spawned a wide range of merchandise, including toys, comic books, video games, and clothing.
  6. The voice cast of the original Transformers TV show included many well-known actors, such as Frank Welker, Peter Cullen, Chris Latta, and Corey Burton.
  7. Frank Welker provided the voices for many of the show's iconic characters, including Megatron, Soundwave, and many more.
  8. Peter Cullen provided the voice of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, and his voice has become synonymous with the character.
  9. The show was produced by Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions, and animated by a Japanese animation studio called Toei Animation.
  10. The show's theme song, "Transformers: More than meets the eye," was composed by Robert J. Walsh and Johnny Douglas, and is one of the most iconic theme songs in television history.
  11. The show was known for its memorable catchphrases, "Autobots, transform and roll out," and "Decepticons, transform and rise up."
  12. The show's first season was released on DVD in 2002, and subsequent seasons were released in the following years.
  13. The Transformers: The Movie was released in 1986, and featured many of the show's iconic characters, as well as many new ones.
  14. The movie was set in the year 2005, and featured a storyline that involved the Autobots and Decepticons battling over the power source known as the Matrix of Leadership.
  15. The movie featured a star-studded voice cast, including Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Idle, and Orson Welles in his final role as the voice of the villainous Unicron.
  16. The movie also introduced many new characters, including the Autobot Hot Rod, who would go on to become the new leader of the Autobots as Rodimus Prime.
  17. The movie was directed by Nelson Shin and produced by Sunbow Productions, and was a box office success, grossing over $5 million in its opening weekend.
  18. The movie was notable for its darker tone and more mature themes, and many fans consider it to be the definitive version of the Transformers story.
  19. The movie also featured a memorable soundtrack, with songs by artists such as Stan Bush, Weird Al Yankovic, and Vince DiCola.
  20. The movie was initially criticized for killing off many of the show's iconic characters, such as Optimus Prime and Megatron, but it has since become a beloved cult classic among Transformers fans.
  21. The Transformers: The Movie was released in theaters with a PG rating, which was unusual for an animated movie at the time.
  22. The movie's climactic battle between Unicron and the Autobots was inspired by the Japanese tokusatsu genre, which features live-action special effects and giant monsters.
  23. The movie's production was fraught with difficulties, including budget constraints and the death of Orson Welles before he could complete his voice work for Unicron
  24. The show's iconic transforming sound effect was created by sound designer Mark Mangini, who used a combination of metal objects and recordings of hydraulic systems to achieve the effect.
  25. The show's writers often used pseudonyms to avoid being associated with the show, which was seen as a lowbrow children's cartoon at the time.
  26. The show's production was moved from Japan to South Korea after Toei Animation was unable to keep up with the show's demanding production schedule.
  27. The character of Bumblebee, a small and plucky Autobot who transforms into a Volkswagen Beetle, was a fan favorite and became a cultural icon in the 1980s.
  28. The character of Optimus Prime was named after a line of toys called "Diaclone Battle Convoy," which were released in Japan in the late 1970s.
  29. The show's toy line was hugely successful, and helped to establish the Transformers franchise as one of the most popular and enduring properties in pop culture.
  30. The show's original opening sequence featured a voiceover that described the Transformers as "robots in disguise," a phrase that has become synonymous with the franchise.
  31. The character of Grimlock, the leader of the Dinobots, was known for his brash and confrontational personality, and his distinctive speech pattern, which involved using the word "me" instead of "I."
  32. The character of Shockwave, a Decepticon who transforms into a laser gun, was originally intended to be the main villain of the show, but was ultimately overshadowed by Megatron.
  33. The show's third season introduced many new characters, including the Quintessons, a race of ancient aliens who created the Transformers.
  34. The show's finale, "The Rebirth," was intended to set up a fourth season of the show, but was ultimately canceled due to declining ratings and the growing popularity of the Transformers toy line.
  35. The character of Arcee, the show's first female Autobot, was introduced in the third season, and was notable for her pink color scheme and sleek design.
  36. The character of Wheelie, a small and talkative Autobot who transforms into a futuristic car, was introduced in the movie, and became a popular character among young fans.
  37. The character of Ultra Magnus, a stoic and no-nonsense Autobot who transforms into a car carrier, was introduced in the movie as a replacement for Optimus Prime.
  38. The show's production team included many notable writers and animators, including J. Michael Straczynski, who would go on to create the science fiction series Babylon 5.
  39. The character of Jazz, an Autobot who transforms into a sleek Porsche 935 Turbo, was known for his love of Earth culture, particularly jazz music.
  40. The show's original run lasted for a total of 98 episodes,

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About the author Jimmy Jangles


My name is Jimmy Jangles, the founder of The Astromech. I have always been fascinated by the world of science fiction, especially the Star Wars universe, and I created this website to share my love for it with fellow fans.

At The Astromech, you can expect to find a variety of articles, reviews, and analysis related to science fiction, including books, movies, TV, and games.
From exploring the latest news and theories to discussing the classics, I aim to provide entertaining and informative content for all fans of the genre.

Whether you are a die-hard Star Trek fan or simply curious about the world of science fiction, The Astromech has something for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and join me on this journey through the stars!
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