As the leader of the Autobots and one of the oldest Transformers, Optimus Prime has long been a fan favorite. Many of us grew up watching the Transformers and secretly wishing they were real. Optimus Prime has been a constant presence throughout the various iterations of the show, always sacrificing everything for the group in a way that only a few others, like Bumblebee, ever seem capable of doing. But how well do you really know this iconic character? Here are 10 lesser-known facts about Optimus Prime.
1. His original name is Orion Pax.
Depending on which generation of Transformers you’re following, Optimus Prime’s backstory varies. In Generation 1, he was simply the leader of the Autobots without any need for differentiation. However, as the series progressed and changed, he was portrayed as a dock worker named Orion Pax who was injured and remade into Optimus Prime. So, it really depends on which timeline you prefer.
2. He’s a pacifist at heart.
Optimus Prime is known for leading by example and avoiding conflict with his enemies whenever possible. Some might call this a weakness, but Prime is truly fierce only when he needs to be, which, unfortunately, is quite often when dealing with the Decepticons.
3. He’s had a death battle with a Gundam warrior online.
The Gundam Warriors are impressive, but they rely on pilots to control their every move. Even if the bond between pilot and suit is absolute, Prime still has far more combat experience and is much stronger and faster than even the most devastating Gundam suit out there. You just don’t mess with Prime.
4. He has nicknames that never get used.
A few of Optimus Prime’s nicknames have stuck, such as Big Mack, which was used during a G.I. Joe crossover. For the most part, though, he’s just been Optimus, Prime, or Optimus Prime throughout his long history.
5. China has erected huge statues of him.
China is a big fan of the Transformers and anything else robotic. They’ve been rumored to have a statue of Optimus Prime from the G1 series that stands about 12 meters (40 feet) high.
6. Optimus Primal is a different character.
Those who don’t watch the show and have seen Optimus Primal in passing probably associated him with Optimus Prime because they were both leaders and had similar names. However, Primal isn’t quite as conservative as his larger and more pacifistic counterpart.
7. He doesn’t care for music.
Optimus Prime isn’t a fan of all music, but he particularly dislikes the music that has been featured in the series and comics, like rap and rock. Maybe Optimus is more of a classical music kind of guy?
8. He has 13 different alternate modes.
While Optimus Prime is most commonly portrayed as a truck, he has also been depicted as various cars and even an aerial craft that could merge with Jetfire. If you want to count Optimus Primal, he’s also been a gorilla and a bat. However, the truck form remains his most predominant and iconic mode.
9. He’s been voiced by Peter Cullen the most.
It’s hard to believe that the same guy who voices Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh has also voiced the stoic warrior Optimus Prime over 20 times in his career. Interestingly, Prime was also once voiced by Michael Dorn, who is best known as Worf from Star Trek.
10. He tends to die a lot.
In the cartoons, movies, and comics, Optimus Prime has a habit of dying quite often. Some might think this makes him weak, but in reality, he’s one of the strongest characters in the Transformers universe. It takes a lot to take him down, and bringing him back is almost always a priority when possible.
Optimus Prime is, without a doubt, the ultimate Transformer. His leadership, strength, and unwavering dedication to his team make him an unforgettable character in the world of animation.
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