Transformers (2024 TV series)

Transformers (also known as Transformers Future for its sixth season) is an animated television series based on based on the toy franchise by Hasbro. Headed by Matt Moylan, the series aired on Nickelodeon in the United States from September 29, 2024 to November 10, 2030. It was produced by Entertainment One and MoylanToon Productions. The series begins with a war between the heroic Autobots led by Optimus Prime and the villainous Decepticons led by Megatron, two factions of alien robots who can disguise themselves by transforming into everyday machinery, primarily vehicles. The Autobots intend to retrieve and use the AllSpark, the powerful artifact that created their robotic race that is on Earth, to rebuild their home planet Cybertron and end the war, while the Decepticons have the intention of using it to build an army by giving life to the machines of Earth.

Development of the series began in early 2024 with the announcement that Matt Moylan and Joe Ng, creators of the Lil Formers comics, would be creating the series. Casting began soon after with the announcement that Peter Cullen and Frank Welker would reprise their roles as Optimus Prime and Megatron. In June 2024, it was announced that Judd Nelson, Susan Blu (who is also the voice director), and John Moschitta Jr. will be reprising their roles as Hot Rod, Arcee, and Blurr. According to executive producer Jeff Kline the two characters, along with Bumblebee, were considered "must-haves" for the series. From that point on, they tried to include characters that would complement their personalities "rather than emulate them". From the early stages of development, a story bible had been created so that writers had a basic idea of where the plot was heading.

During the months leading to its premiere, Nickelodeon and Hasbro released lines of merchandise featuring the new character designs calling it "Generation 1.5". The two-part premiere took place on September 29 and September 30, 2024, in time for the transformers 40th anniversary franchise, reaching 3.9 million viewers. The debut ratings were the highest for a Nickelodeon animated series, leading to a second season pickup in October. Three more seasons followed. A feature-length film adaptation based on the television series, titled Transformers: The Movie, taking place between the fourth and fifth seasons and was theatrically released on October 6, 2028, in the United States. The sixth and final season was rebranded as Transformers Future and did not fully air on Nickelodeon, as episodes 115–121 premiered exclusively on its sister channel Nicktoons. It ran from March 17 to November 10, 2030.

Season 1 (AllSpark Saga)
Main article: Transformers (2024 TV series, season 1)

The story follows Optimus Prime's heroic Autobots and Megatron's evil Decepticons as they leave their metallic homeworld of Cybertron to search for the AllSpark, a source of energy to revitalize their war efforts, only to crash-land on Earth, where they remain entombed and offline for 4 million years. Awakening in the present day, the Decepticons set about pillaging the energy sources of Earth, while the Autobots—aided by teenage humans Spike Witwicky and Carly Spencer—attempt to protect the new world on which they find themselves. The Decepticons believed dead after their space cruiser is sent plunging into the ocean depths, while the Autobots prepare to return to Cybertron. The revelation that the Decepticons have survived the events of the pilot and follows them as they set about constructing a "space bridge" to teleport resources back to Cybertron. The Decepticons teleport Cybertron itself into Earth's orbit.

Season 2 (Energon Saga)
Main article: Transformers (2024 TV series, season 2)

The Autobots struggle to contain an outbreak of mecha mutations that occurs thanks to the dark energon from the thwarted Decepticon invasion. Kirby (Carly's father) is among the victims of the outbreak, and a misunderstanding leads Carly to become very upset and ashamed of Spike and the Autobots and breaks up with Spike. However, Spike and the Autobots are able to earn her forgiveness when they save her from Starscream, who has taken temporary command of the Decepticons while Megatron is away in Cybertron. Along with Carly came Spike's new friend Chip Chase, who helps repel an assault on the Decepticons' lair. Kirby is eventually restored to his human form when Spike and Wheeljack manage to concoct another Energon chemical called retro-energon, which causes organic beings to reverse their major physical transformations, and help keep it away from former CIA inventor Dr. Arkeville, who had his body parts slowly removed into a brain with one eyeball for continuingly failing or betraying the Decepticons.

Meanwhile, Megatron returns from Cybertron with the Decepticon bounty hunter Lockdown as his new second-in-command. Lockdown is later sent through a portal to the Generation 1 animated series reality, but later returns to the G1.5 reality. After the end of the war, Spike leaves with Carly and they get married.

Season 3 (Minicons Saga)
Main article: Transformers (2024 TV series, season 3)

5 years later after the war on earth, Megatron has the Foot Clan help the Minicons, who have just perfected the previously Dark Energon, launch an invasion of Earth, starting by destroying the Autobots' lair and forcing them to abandon it. Minicons begin mutating human populace, including Kirby, despite the efforts of Earth's military and the Autobots. Optimus is gravely wounded to death during a battle with Megatron. The Autobots, Spike, Carly, and their son Daniel are forced to flee to the Witwicky family's summer home in Upstate New York as the Minicons successfully conquers Scramble City. The group takes refuge at the Witwicky family's summer home in North Hampton in order to recuperate from their loss at the hands of the Minicons and the Decepticons. Spike takes an extended amount of time to recover, but guided by an apparition of Optimus, is able to overcome his physical and mental wounds. Optimus is soon resurrected and they eventually return to Scramble City with the goal of finding Sparkplug, Chip, and their other missing allies and liberate the city from the Decepticons. They set up a temporary base in the abandoned lair, and Wheeljack begins work on new samples of retro-energon as the search for Kirby and the AllSpark continues.

Meanwhile, Megatron orders Starscream and Blitzwing to hunt down Sari Sumdac (Isaac Sumdac's daughter) whose security card is transformed into a supercharged key which possesses a fraction of the AllSpark's vast power. The duo succeed behind the Autobots' backs but they rescue her. The Autobots, on the other hand, run into the Dinobots (led by Grimlock) who are backed by Chief Charlie Burns and Officer Caroline Fanzone. Together, they manage to defeat the Minicon leader and free Scramble City, but the effect of the invasion eventually earns Megatron cemented control of the city's criminal underworld for his efforts to create a mind-control serum meant for the Autobots and their allies.

During the battle with the decepticons, Bumblebee was sent through time to the future, where he meets up with Rodimus Prime (Future Hot Rod) and Galvatron (Future Megatron), as well as an older Spike. In this future timeline, Optimus is dead and Spike helps Bumblebee to his timeline. Bumblebee, Spike, and Rodimus defeat Galvatron before Bumbelebee travels back to the present.

The Autobots discover that they and the Decepticons have another enemy from Cybertron in the form of Unicron. Despite their best efforts and Megatron violating the Decepticons' temporary truce with the Autobots by betraying Optimus during the fight, Unicron annihilates both the Earth and everyone on it. But just as it comes to the worst for the Autobots, Spike, Carly, and Daniel, they are rescued by Ultra Magnus, who uses the Ark to take the rest of the Autobots, Spike, Carly and Daniel to a journey into space.

Season 4 (Unicron Saga)
Main article: Transformers (2024 TV series, season 4)

After the Autobots and the Witwicky family are saved from the destruction of Earth, Optimus uses the Ark to travel six months back in time in order for him and the Autobots to prevent Megatron and the Decepticons from assembling the three component energon that are scattered throughout the universe before they contact Unicron and everything on Earth is lost. Besides fighting the Decepticons, the Autobots also face Unicron and the bounty hunter Barrage, and even have an adventure with their interdimensional G1 counterparts and the characters from My Little Pony. Despite the efforts of the Autobots, the Decepticons are still able to collect all three energon pieces, only for the Autobots to return to Earth and join forces with their past selves to warn past Optimus before he is shot by past Megatron, stop the detonator of the Energon Heart of Darkness. Optimus using the matrix to destroy Unicron, causing to explode, presumably killing Unicron. In the aftermath of the fight against Unicron, the past versions of the Autobots and Witwicky family leave Earth with the other Autobots in the Ark while the present Optimus' head reactivates in Earth's orbit until his death was erased from existence.

Weeks later following the Unicron Invasion being thwarted and the Decepticons' disappearance, Spike is given a Autobot super suit at the time when an Autobot spy Quickswitch arrives and plot to rebuild Autobot City and dispose of Megatron. The Decepticons strengthens the Minicons army by creating the Elite Minicons. Furthermore, some other crime organizations have been plotting to take over Scramble City territory and a crystal shard of unimaginable power which releases the Fallen and begins to exert a baleful influence on Carly.

With the AllSpark in hand, the Autobots leave Earth to return to Cybertron. Unknown to them, the Decepticons use a Space Bridge built by Shockwave to get back to their home first. During the journey back to Cybertron, Windblade uses the AllSpark to reawaken Croaton, an ancient Titan who was forced into emergency stasis by an unknown force that kidnapped the colonists who were traveling with him. As Croaton departs into space to find his missing colonists, he unknowingly picks up an escaping Starscream as a passenger. Eventually, the Autobots discover another Space Bridge which they use to travel to Cybertron, unaware that Megatron has already conquered the planet and is leading the Autobots into a trap.

Season 5 (Cybertron Saga)
Main article: Transformers (2024 TV series, season 5)

Three years after the events of the film, during Christmas, Spike and Bumblebee attempt to thwart the Decepticons in their attempt to steal a truck full of Christmas presents that are meant to be delivered to an orphanage.

the Autobots and Decepticons battling for the AllSpark and control of Cybertron, the Quintesson invasion, and Bumblebee searching for pieces of Windblade's fragmented mind. Picking up where the last season left off, the Decepticons have beaten the Ark back to Cybertron and attempt to lure the arriving Autobots into a death trap. However, Optimus anticipated this and evacuated the ship's crew before the Ark flies into a laser snare set up by Shockwave and is destroyed. The Autobots soon reveal themselves and a large-scale battle occurs between both sides, with Prowl taking a fatal shot from Shadow Striker meant for Optimus. With help from Windblade, Wheeljack destroys Vector Sigma by sending it into Unspace to create perfect Decepticons. Windblade also knocks Bludgeon into Unspace with Vector Sigma, avenging Slipstream.

Meanwhile, Hot Rod leads Bumblebee and Cheetor to the Well of the AllSpark, their goal being to return the AllSpark there and revitalize Cybertron. Once at the Well, Shockwave attempts to stop the group, but is defeated. As the AllSpark is being placed into the well, Shockwave uses a spark extractor to launch his own evil spark into the AllSpark, killing himself to corrupt it. However, Cheetor sacrifices himself by sending his own spark into the AllSpark, which reverses its corruption and revitalizes Cybertron. Megatron is still recuperating from his last fight with Optimus. Using a Dark energon formula made by Arkeville, Megatron recuperates and becomes more powerful in order to take back control of Cybertron. Once a stable formula is made, Megatron attacks the Autobots which leads up to the final battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Within Primus, the last of Windblade's memory fragments learns from the spirit of Alpha Trion that this Matrix must be destroyed to defeat Megatron. Although initially shocked at this revelation, Bumblebee complies, short-circuiting the alternate Matrix from within and allowing Optimus to overcome and defeat Megatron and Bumblebee collects Windblade's last memory fragment. With the last memory fragment secured, Windblade is fully restored to the Autobots’ delight and Optimus declares the war to be officially over.

Season 6 (Future Saga)
Main article: Transformers (2024 TV series, season 6)

Following the death of Megatron, Lockdown has led the unspecified Decepti-cultist into obtaining the Scroll of the Metallikato and a special control amulet called the "Seal of the Ancients" that would enable him to summon the Metallikato Bludgeon. When Bludgeon is summoned from the Netherworld, Starscream plans to use Bludgeon's wish-granting abilities to revive Megatron. Bludgeon states that he will need Megatron's head that contains his mental energies. Upon Starscream and Lockdown reclaiming Megatron's head after Bludgeon drained the soul out of Brawl, Bludgeon states that they will need the Megatron's spark for the revival to occur. The Decepticons obtains the Megatron's spark that was in the possession of Don Vito. Upon Megatron's spark being placed on his corpse, Bludgeon begins to work on reviving Megatron as the Zombie Megatron. This goes against what Starscream eventually planned when Undead Megatron destroys the Seal of the Ancients which enables Bludgeon to raise the spirits of the Netherworld in order to rule both worlds. While Vector Prime's ghost helps those fighting on the surface, Bumblebee managed to put the Seal of the Ancients back together enabling him to have Bludgeon undo his damages and open the portal to the Netherworld as the Zombie Megatron drags Bludgeon back to the Netherworld.

Afterwards, the Autobots face different challenges like the return of Unicron when he collaborates with the Quintessons, being transported back in time to Japan where they help Drift to protect Haruto from the evil Decepticon spirit Zei, an adventure featuring an alternate future where they fight in the Beast Wars, and another adventure involving an alternate universe where the Autobots and Decepticons are humans.

In the series finale, the Autobots and Witwickys soon teamed up with the My Little Pony gang and the G1 counterparts of the Transformers. Together, they face the return of the Decepticons, who are recruited by Queen Chrysalis, Megatron and the Decepticons's G1 counterparts. The villains plan to conquer Earth of Equestria, G1 and G1.5 realities with a fully powered Nemesis. While the Autobots, ponies and their allies fight off a horde of Decepticons from the G1 series reality and the G1.5 Rock Mini-cons, Echo discover Megatron's treacherous scheme to destroy the Earth and choose to become an Autobot in order to save the planet.

Autobots

 * Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime
 * Steven Yeun as Bumblebee
 * Khary Payton as Jazz
 * Corey Feldman as Ratchet
 * Sean Astin as Ironhide
 * Bruce Greenwood as Ultra Magnus
 * Judd Nelson as Hot Rod
 * Rob Paulsen as Wheeljack
 * Nolan North as Cliffjumper
 * Seth Green as Prowl
 * Susan Blu as Arcee
 * Tyler Labine as Bulkhead
 * Corey Burton as Kup, Brawn
 * Jason Marsden as Springer
 * John Moschitta Jr. as Blurr
 * Kenan Thompson as Sideswipe
 * Kel Mitchell as Sunstreaker
 * Imari Williams as Hound
 * Matt Moylan as Fixit, Hoist, Beachcomber
 * Maurice LaMarche as Perceptor
 * Scott McNeil as Mirage, Inferno
 * James Arnold Taylor as Smokescreen
 * Troy Baker as Jetfire
 * Phil LaMarr as Blaster
 * Greg Cipes as Wheelie
 * Jeff Bennett as Tracks, Cosmos, Swerve
 * Scott Menville as Red Alert
 * John DiMaggio as Trailbreaker, Aztek
 * Dominic Catrambone as Bluestreak
 * Peter New as Windcharger
 * Brian Drummond as Gears
 * Trevor Devall as Huffer
 * Jess Harnell as Talus
 * Dave Fennoy as Warpath
 * Frank Welker as Steeljaw
 * Richard Ian Cox as Grapple
 * Joe Ng as Omex, Sandstorm, Drift
 * Kyle Rideout as Drillout, Seaspray
 * Fred Tatasciore as Omega Supreme, Fortress Maximus
 * Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Alpha Trion
 * "Weird Al" Yankovic as Wreck-Gar
 * Garry Chalk as Vector Prime
 * Dee Bradley Baker as Quickswitch
 * Lee Tockar as Powerglide, Sky Lynx
 * Pierce Cravens as Hot Shot
 * Nicole Oliver as Elita-One
 * Bill Fagerbakke as Metroplex
 * Bumper Robinson as Cougar
 * Abby Trott as Windblade
 * David Kaye as Chromedome

Decepticons

 * Frank Welker as Megatron, Soundwave, Ravage, Mixmaster
 * Tom Kenny as Starscream, Thundercracker, Ramjet
 * Corey Burton as Shockwave
 * Lee Tockar as Frenzy
 * Richard Ian Cox as Rumble
 * Steve Blum as Skywarp, Swindle, Kickback
 * Charlie Adler as Sunstorm, Sharpnel
 * J.B. Smoove as Blitzwing
 * Grey Griffin as Sliptream
 * Clancy Brown as Spinister, Menasor
 * Jess Harnell as Barricade
 * Eric Bauza as Lockdown, Scrapper, Gnaw
 * Matt Moylan as Plowking, Bombshell, Ratbat
 * Brian Dobson as Devastator
 * Dee Bradley Baker as Laserbeak, Buzzsaw
 * Sam Riegel as Dirge
 * Frank Todaro as Thrust
 * Scott McNeil as Astrotrain, Echo
 * Michael Dobson as Wildrider
 * Josh Brolin as Unicron
 * Brian Drummond as Scavenger, Sixshot
 * Jim Cummings as Bonecrusher
 * Peter New as Hook
 * Samuel Vincent as Long Haul
 * Danny Jacobs as Scorponok
 * Laurence Fishburne as Predaking
 * Brad Garrett as Trypticon
 * Mark Hamill as Bludgeon

Dinobots

 * Gregg Berger as Grimlock
 * Eric Bauza as Slag
 * Frank Welker as Sludge
 * Jim Cummings as Snarl
 * Richard Ian Cox as Swoop

Humans

 * Emile Hirsch as Samuel "Spike" Witwicky
 * Aimee Carrero as Carly Spencer-Witwicky
 * Paul Eiding as Sparkplug Witwicky
 * Shannon McKain as Chip Chase
 * Chi McBride as Agent Fowler
 * Maurice LaMarche as Chief Charlie Burns
 * Tom Kenny as Doctor Arkeville, Isaac Sumdac
 * Tress MacNeille as Officer Caroline Fanzone
 * Ashleigh Ball as Daniel Witwicky
 * Josh Keaton as Older Daniel
 * Tara Strong as Sari Sumdac
 * Samuel Vincent as Denny Banachek
 * Keith Silverstein as James "Jim" Spencer
 * Andrea Libman as Nancy Witwicky
 * Marcus Scribner as Raoul

Others

 * Charlie Adler as Quintesson Leader
 * Jess Harnell as Quintesson Judge
 * Matt Moylan as Teletraan I

Episodes
Main article: List of Transformers (2024 TV Series) episodes