Best Heroes In The Transformers Universe

Summary

• Arcee is a smart and capable Autobot, excelling in recon and strategy.
• Hot Rod went from being over-confident to becoming a heroic leader, saving Autobot City.
• Optimus Prime, the iconic Autobot leader, is the best hero in the Transformers universe.

The Transformers franchise began in the 1980s with the Transformers toy line co-developed by Takara Tomy and Hasbro, bringing hugely popular mecha toys from Japan to the United States and worldwide. The toy line was developed into an animated TV series to coincide with the toys’ release in the United States, and a new pop-culture icon was born. The premise focuses on the huge wars between the Autobots and the villainous Decepticons as they land on a prehistoric Earth before awakening in 1985, with the Autobots looking to protect humanity and the Decepticons looking to conquer Earth.

Having seen many adaptations, including the live-action movies directed by Michael Bay, multiple animated series, and a huge comic book back catalog, fans certainly haven’t been starved of great Transformers content over the last four decades. In said decades, many different heroes have emerged within the Transformers franchise, but just who are the best heroes in the Transformers universe?

8

Arcee

A Smart And Capable Member Of The Autobots Team

• First Appearance: Transformers #19
• Rushed into battle to save Carly in Transformers #5 (2023)

Arcee became a key figure among the Autobots following her appearance in The Transformers: The Movie, where she was shown to be an excellent marksman. Being able to transform into a pink convertible, Arcee is shown as a member of the female Autobots in the comics and has a great relationship with Hot Rod and Springer, her fellow Autobots.

Arcee proves herself as a hero with an advanced intellect when working on recon and strategy for the Autobots team, but she has also shown a ruthless side when her friends are at risk. With a logical outlook on the battles with the Decepticons, Arcee is easily one of the best heroes in the Transformers universe.

7

Hot Rod

The Over-Confident Autobot Became A Hero When Saving Cybertron

• First Appearance: The Transformers: The Movie
• Took on the role of Prime following the death of Optimus Prime in The Transformers: The Movie

Hot Rod is often characterized as being bold and self-confident, becoming the leader of the Autobots in the 1986 animated movie, The Transformers: The Movie. His transformation into Rodimus Prime sees the character become more mature, but his over-confidence turns to self-doubt whilst trying to live up to the previous leader, Optimus Prime.

His actions in The Transformers: The Movie, however, saved Autobot City and his evolution as a character, helping him to overcome his self-doubt and making him a relatable hero for many fans of the Transformers franchise. His actions in the face of the Decepticons and his character development make him one of the best heroes in the Transformers franchise.

6

Cliffjumper

A Key Part Of The Original Crew Who Crashed On Earth

• First Appearance: Transformers: The Animated Series
• Stayed behind to fight an evil Optimus Prime in Transformers Reunification: Part 6

Cliffjumper was part of the original team of Autobots on the Ark that crash-landed on prehistoric Earth. His bravery is one of his most defining characteristics. However, this can come at the detriment of the Autobot mission, with a key example being his attack on Megatron revealing the Autobots’ position in Transformers: The Animated Series.

This bravery is what makes Cliffjumper a great hero in the Transformers universe, being of a similar stature to Bumblebee while also being willing to take on Megatron in a one-on-one fight. This makes Cliffjumper one of the best heroes in the Transformers universe.

5

Prowl

The Expert Strategist For The Autobots

• First Appearance: Transformers: The Animated Series
• Saved Bumblebee from Runabout in IDW’s Transformers

Prowl has proved his worth in the Autobots team since his first appearance in the original Autobots line-up. He operates as the second in command to Optimus Prime, taking the appearance of a police car and being an excellent military strategist.

What makes Prowl a great hero is his level-headed and calm approach, befitting of his work as a strategist. He also possesses immense patience when surrounded by the more brash Autobots on the team. In other variations, Prowl has been shown to be a loner who is more interested in listening than talking, but due to his loyalty, he is one of the best heroes in the Transformers universe.

4

Jazz

The Autobot Who Operates Best On The Fly

• First Appearance: Transformers: The Animated Series
• Sacrificed himself to save the Autobots and humans in Transformers (2007)

Jazz was introduced alongside both Optimus Prime and Prowl, operating as Optimus Prime’s right-hand man. In contrast to Prowl, Jazz prefers to improvise and is better in chaotic situations.

A prime example of Jazz being a great hero comes when, alongside Perceptor, he fights the Decepticon team of Starscream, Astrotrain, and Thrust whilst trying to repair Cosmos in the animated series. Being able to adapt on the fly and reveling in this role makes Jazz one of the best heroes in the Transformers universe.

3

Ironhide

The Old And Wise Member Of The Autobots

• First Appearance: Transformers: The Animated Series
• Sacrificed himself to save Prowl and Hot Rod in Transformers: For All Mankind

Ironhide is the elder member of Optimus Prime’s team, bringing grit and resolve to the Autobots. He is a character who prefers to take action rather than waste time deliberating on what to do.

Ironhide is incredibly loyal to his team, and he possesses great strength and power. He’s also willing to stand toe-to-toe with any threat that comes his way, even when in the face of certain death, as was shown in Michael Bay’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon, where he stands up to the more powerful Sentinel Prime.

2

Bumblebee

The Smallest Of The Autobots Always Puts Up A Fight

• First Appearance: Transformers: The Animated Series
• Fought Rampage one-on-one to protect Sam Witwicky in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

One mustn’t let the size of Bumblebee fool them. Fans have seen this diminutive Autobot take down enemies that dwarf him in size and stature. Although Bumblebee may be small, he is one of the bravest Autobots there is, and this makes him a prime candidate for one of the best heroes in the Transformers universe.

Bumblebee has shown his heroism on many occasions throughout the Transformers universe, from fighting and defeating Megatron in Transformers Prime to rescuing Sam and Mikaela from Barricade in the first Transformers movie. Bumblebee proves that, despite his size, he can be a hero and is easily one of the best in the Transformers universe.

1

Optimus Prime

The Famous Autobot Leader Is The Best Hero In The Transformers Universe

• First Appearance: Transformers: Animated
• Lead the Autobots in the fight against the Decepticons

Being around since the very beginning of the Transformers universe and being one of the most iconic characters, Optimus Prime is the renowned leader of the Autobots and arguably the best hero in the Transformers universe.

Optimus Prime has shown on countless occasions that he is a hero, often protecting humanity from the Decepticons. However, Prime has been shown to have a dark side, too, which arguably makes his heroic acts even more impressive, as they aren’t always aligned with his own feelings. The main attribute that makes him the best hero is his leadership of the Autobots, ensuring that they are fighting for the right cause and that they always do what they can to protect people and themselves. This makes Optimus Prime the best hero in the Transformers universe.