Buzz
For anyone who grew up during the 80s, Transformers was the pinnacle of animated entertainment. To celebrate this legendary series, here’s a ranking of the ten most iconic characters from the original cartoon. Each character was evaluated based on their attitude, appearance, combat skills, and unique transformations. Take a trip down memory lane and relive the excitement…
10. Sixshot
Sixshot, a one-man Decepticon force, could morph into six distinct forms: a robot, a tank, a spaceship, a gun, an off-road vehicle, and a winged wolf. Despite his limited appearances in the original cartoon, his debut was unforgettable as he effortlessly defeated the entire Aerialbot team. While he played a minor role in the original Marvel comics, Sixshot became a central figure in the Japanese Transformers series.
9. Shockwave
Equipped with a laser hand and a single, menacing ‘eye’ for a face, Shockwave stood out as one of the most visually striking Decepticons. His eerie voice and role as the guardian of Cybertron for the Decepticons added to his mystique. In the Marvel comics, Shockwave played a more prominent role, even taking command as the Decepticon leader for a period.
8. Jazz
Jazz is the epitome of cool. His motto, “Do it with style or don’t bother doing it,” perfectly captures his personality. As Optimus Prime’s trusted lieutenant, Jazz stood out among the Autobots with his unique flair and street-smart lingo. Voiced by Scatman Crothers, Jazz was the hippest character on the show, equipped with a dazzling sound-and-light weapon that could easily belong on a dance floor. His iconic shades only added to his intergalactic cool factor.
7. Bruticus
Crafted by Starscream, Bruticus emerged as a devastating force, capable of overpowering even Devastator, the Decepticons’ most formidable weapon at the time. Bruticus earns his spot on this list because he’s composed of the Combaticons, one of the most impressive teams in the Transformers universe. Military vehicles are inherently cool, and the Combaticons’ origins as liberated Decepticon prisoners amplify their appeal. Combining five incredibly cool robots results in one mega-cool giant robot – it’s simple math.
6. Predaking
Even more awe-inspiring than Bruticus, Predaking is the combined form of the five Predacons. As described in the show, “as a weapon, Predaking is unmatched; as a warrior, he knows no limits. He can lift one million tons without breaking a sweat.” That’s undeniably cool. However, his defeat at the hands of the boastful Sky Lynx slightly tarnishes his coolness.
5. Devastator
True to his name, Devastator was a force of destruction. In the early series, he stood as the Decepticons’ most formidable weapon. Although later overshadowed by Bruticus, Predaking, and others, Devastator remains notable as the only one to make an appearance in the Transformers movie.
The green and purple color scheme is bold and eye-catching, even though it’s not a common choice for construction vehicles. Devastator was a massive, unstoppable force, often keeping the Autobots fully occupied in their efforts to halt his rampage. In one unforgettable episode, they even attempted to reprogram him to gain control.
4. Grimlock
While all the Dinobots are undeniably cool—dinosaurs always are—Grimlock towers above the rest. After all, he is the king.
Grimlock prioritizes power and strength above everything else. He once challenged Optimus Prime in an episode and famously took on Unicron in the original movie. In the comics, he was portrayed as more intelligent, even leading the Autobots for a time. Armed with both a gun and a sword, Grimlock exudes coolness.
3. Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is unquestionably the most legendary Transformer of all time. His tragic death in the 1986 movie left children worldwide heartbroken. He was later brought back to life in the cartoon series, only to die once more and then be revived again.
Known for turning the tide of battle at critical moments, Optimus Prime is a charismatic and inspiring leader with some of the most memorable lines. No Transformer strikes the perfect balance between being a noble hero and an absolute powerhouse quite like Prime.
2. Soundwave
As Megatron’s loyal lieutenant, Soundwave was always a cunning and deceptive figure in the cartoon. A master of espionage, he often deceived others by disguising himself as an ordinary tape player. While lacking charisma and possessing a less-than-impressive singing voice, Soundwave’s cold, calculating nature made him a formidable foe.
Soundwave is essentially a walking arsenal, housing various cassette troopers within his tape deck. His deep, robotic voice was one of the coolest on the show, and his shoulder-mounted cannon added to his appeal. His transformation was uniquely innovative, and while his cassette player design may seem outdated today, it’s a nostalgic nod to the retro 80s aesthetic that’s currently in vogue.
1. Megatron
The formidable, merciless, and charismatic leader of the Decepticons remained fearless until the very end. After his climactic battle with Optimus Prime in the Transformers movie left him shattered, his fellow Decepticons cast him into space on their journey back to Cybertron. Encountering Unicron on his path to destruction, Megatron initially refused Unicron’s offer of a new body, unwilling to become anyone’s pawn. Now, that’s true coolness.
Megatron’s brilliance, combined with his powerful fusion cannon and gritty voice, solidifies his status as one of the coolest characters. Some of his most sinister schemes from the cartoon include spreading rust to incapacitate the Autobots, manipulating humanity to exile the Autobots from Earth and redirecting their ship toward the sun, and pulling Cybertron into Earth’s orbit, threatening to annihilate the planet and all life on it.
