Charting The Transformers’ rise over the years

Over 40 years ago Hasbro changed the face of the toy market with the release of Transformers toys. These robots, split into factions of the heroic Autobots and villainous Decepticons, have captured hearts and minds since their arrival in 1984. Join us as we chart the franchise’s history and its impact on pop culture.

Created as a collaboration between the Japanese and American toy companies, Takara Tomy and Hasbro, Transformers changed the face of toys in the US. Combined with a comic written by Marvel and an animated series from Toei and Sunbow, it was a multimedia powerhouse that still resonates with fans today.

While the success of the toy line and the animated TV show was going strong, the 1986 movie provided an opportunity for change. Unfortunately that change came in the form of prominent characters in the Transformers universe meeting their end during the film.

The outrage sparked from the death of Autobot leader and franchise protagonist Optimus Prime led to a frenzied letter-writing campaign from fans. Despite the controversy, The Transformers: The Movie has gone on to become a cult classic for fans of Autobots and Decepticons alike.

10 years after the divisive movie, the Transformers franchise evolved into something slightly different. Transporting fans 300 years after the events of the original series, Transformers: Beast Wars saw a new generation of bots ditching their vehicular forms, opting instead for the animal-inspired Maximals and Predacons.

Interestingly, Beast Wars was the first Transformers production to utilize full CGI animation. While it may not seem impressive by today’s standards, it was a leap forward in 1996 and, in some ways, laid the groundwork for what came next.

In 2007 there really was more than meets the eye with Hasbro’s robot series. Director Michael Bay of “Bad Boys” and “Pearl Harbor” fame brought Autobots back to the cinema screen for the first time since 1986. This time, however, their mission to save Cybertron spilled out into real-life modern-day America.

Not only did this live-action Transformers movie bring Hasbro’s toy line to life, but it also jumpstarted a whole series of live-action films - now numbering seven in tota. Their success has also sparked a revival of interest in the classic story.

Since its release 40 years ago, the Transformers franchise now has over 28 animated series – totalling over 1,200 episodes – 26 video games, and 11 movies to its name. The latest of which arrived this year.

Set on Cybertron, Transformers One takes the story right back to its roots where two of the series’ biggest characters – Optimus Prime and Megatron – turn from the best of friends into enemies.