Transformers Forum

 Maybe this image ought to erase all doubt.

EganTheVile1 : Optimus Primal is the reincarnation of Optimus Prime and is clearly seen in Beast Wars as merging with the spark of the Big Rig version of Prime, yet in Beast Wars II Optimus is destroyed, his remains crash to Gaea, he is reincarnated as Leo Prim… Transformers Continuity seriously needs to have some discussion in Almost Otaku :) 

I’ve always been a little curious about whether TRANSFORMERS has a place in otakus’ hearts - - and if it does, which specific atrium, specifically? Does it qualify as anime? Since “Generation One” the nationality of the franchise has been a bit complex. The whole thing started with Microman and Dyclone, toylines from a Japanese toy company. But it was Marvel comics personnel who gave those toys identities like Optimus Prime and Megatron; and invented the whole mythos of the Autobots. The cartoon was American, sure, but it always had that anime look. And if you think it’s tricky keeping track of all the latter series and generations, keep in mind that you’re probably disregarding all the spin-offs that aired exclusively in Japan. I never even got to watch those, but I remember the rumors and hearsay from when I was a kid... and the plots still sound four kinds of insane. 

So yeah, for my money, TRANSFORMERS qualifies as anime. Anybody doubting such should seriously take another look at the legions of shinigami in BLEACH and come back trying to tell me that they don’t remind you of the army of Autobots. Transformers is almost like a regent baby that’s been sired by  another country's prince - - it simultaneously fulfills multiple titles and bridges the gaps between old divisions. I'm sure that this was "the gateway to mecha" for many of you lunatics.

I abbreviated EganTheVile1’s question because he gets into some more extensive detail - - more than we have room for here. I, too, find Transformers continuity to potentially be more tangled than the Gordian knot. I suppose it’s a consequence of a franchise that’s both successful enough to run for multiple decades and willing enough to hit the “restart button” every few years (and the two are probably related.) Sooner or later, somebody’s going to want to try reconciling all the different iterations and such an effort will inevitably create some confusion. I’ve seen it in countless superhero comics, I’ve seen it in STAR TREK, I’d probably see it in GUNDAM if the Sunrise every tried to combine all their parallel universes.  It's just a natural outgrowth of long serialization.  

 Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of   HYBRID BASTARDS!  &   UNIMAGINABLE . Order them on Amazon   here   &  here .

"Trick question! Everything counts as anime, because anime simply means animation. ;)  I have always seen Transformers as something Americans have a place in their heart for. In fact, it's one of the few robot shows that I think Mainstream America goes for.  BTW, LOVE Beast Wars and Beast Machines. I'd even give those newfangled versions a shot if I was after school age again. "