Transformers has always had Optimus Prime as the proud and heroic leader of the Autobots. There’s a reason Optimus Prime is held in such high regard. Part of that very reason is his willingness to sacrifice his own life, above all else. Optimus Prime would lay down his life if it meant saving one human or Autobot in the process, showing what makes Optimus Prime one of the greatest leaders of the Transformers franchise.
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Throughout the history of Transformers, whether in animated shows, comics, games, or movies, Optimus Prime has been killed many times. Yet, there’s always one consistency: Optimus Prime will always get resurrected to roll out and lead the Autobots to victory once more.
10 The Death Of Orion Pax (Transformers G1)
As a humble dock worker, Orion Pax lived on Cybertron as a gentle robot. Orion conversed with Megatron, excited to talk to a Decepticon due to their new forms. Yet, as Megatron reveals his true evil intentions, Orion Pax goes in to attack, something he had never done before. This heroic moment bound Orion’s fate to become Optimus Prime.
Orion Pax’s death at the hands of Megatron led to his friends taking him to a medic, in which the medic saw a strong spirit within Orion Pax. Entirely rebuilt, Orion was no more, and Optimus Prime was born. Megatron inadvertently created his nemesis.
9 Quintessons’ Weapon (Transformers G1)
The Quintessons managed to resurrect Optimus Prime, but not in the heroic way that one would want. Instead, the evil Quintessons used Optimus Prime, bringing him back from death in a zombified state where he would be forced to battle Rodimus Prime against his will. This death is all the more tragic, considering Optimus has been dead since Transformers: The Movie.
Seeing Optimus Prime resurrected in such a horrific state scarred viewers once again, and his death was far more violent due to the wounds of war. Optimus manages to regain control of his body, and he pilots a ship into the Quintessons, to destroy himself and them, ending out with the iconic “’Til All Are One” phrase.
8 “This Is What It Feels Like To Be A Hero” (Transformers: Animated)
Starscream and Optimus Prime battle it out for the AllSpark. Yet, their refusal to let go of the AllSpark activates it, causing it to send through a powerful blast that knocks them away. Optimus Prime had been shot by Starscream, exploded by the AllSpark, and then falls off a skyscraper to keep hold of the relic.
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Due to these wounds, Optimus Prime dies, and the color from his metal is fading out of existence. It’s a sad moment in the Transformers: Animated franchise, but one that can be redeemed, as of course, Optimus Prime can never truly stay dead.
7 Stabbed By Megatron (Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen)
In a desperate attempt to protect Sam, Optimus Prime finds himself battling the Decepticons alone in a forest. Outmanned, Optimus Prime struggles against his assailants in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’s forest battle. Optimus takes on three Decepticons, ripping apart one of them and even taking off Starscream’s arm.
Despite the battle prowess of Optimus Prime against the Decepticons, his search for Sam leaves him unguarded and open for attack. Megatron cowardly stabs him with a sword from behind, plunging the blade into his chest, exploring his Matrix, thus killing him.
6 Fatal Battle With Megatron (Transformers: The Movie)
The death that started it all, Optimus Prime’s death after a fatal battle with Megatron scarred many children upon the release of Transformers: The Movie. Audiences had to witness the death of their hero on the big screen, as Optimus Prime succumbs to his wounds obtained in his final battle with Megatron.
Optimus Prime’s final breath was taken amongst friends, and his emotional death is heightened by the power and performance of Peter Cullen. His words are unforgettable, and his passing of the Matrix of Leadership shows that even in death, he continues to inspire and believe.
5 Destroying The GroundBridge (Transformers Prime)
Optimus Prime saw the despicable damage that the Decepticons could cause with their newly created fortress. To try and stop them, Optimus Prime destroyed the GroundBridge, a space technology that allowed transportation, and was caught in the explosion that would cost him his life.
Smokescreen may have broken into the Decepticon headquarters of the Nemesis to steal the Forge, a relic of the Prime that could be used to restore the health of a battle-damaged Optimus Prime. But Optimus sacrifices himself, seeing the Forge as a tool that could help rebuild Cybertron, which takes priority over his own life. However, Smokescreen refused to heed Optimus’ words and resurrected him quickly after his death.
4 Virtual Death (Marvel G1 Comics)
In the Marvel Comics continuity for the Transformers, Optimus Prime dies after battling Megatron in a virtual environment known as Multi-World. Optimus and Megatron have an agreement, that the loser of their virtual fight will die in real life. Megatron, of course, cheats, but that does not stop Optimus Prime from besting his foe.
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However, Optimus Prime is devastated to know that his victory came at the cost of innocent computer-generated innocents. The failure to save innocents, even those in a virtual world, makes Optimus Prime believe he has failed, so he asks Ethan Zachary, the programmer who started this, to kill him instead of Megatron. Zachary obliges, and Optimus Prime explodes.
3 Killed In Emergency Stasis (Transformers: Beast Wars)
Beast Wars was the sequel to the Transformers series that saw limited ties to the franchise. Many fans enjoyed the new Maximals crew but longed for the return of the Autobots, and Optimus Prime in particular. However, prayers were answered differently, as Megatron manages to travel through time to find The Ark, which housed Optimus Prime in emergency stasis.
Megatron’s trip through time saw Optimus Prime asleep, and Megatron attempts to alter the future by killing his nemesis while he sleeps. Megatron succeeds, blasting Optimus in the face to kill him. Poor Optimus wasn’t even awake to resist.
2 Defeated By Rodimus Prime (Transformers: Regeneration One)
In the Gen 2 comic Regeneration One, Optimus Prime was possessed by the Dark Matrix. This entity corrupted Optimus Prime, causing him to battle against a will of his own. Rodimus Prime managed to best the Autobot leader, even if he did not want to.
This battle allowed Optimus Prime to take some control over himself once more, where he, along with Rodimus Prime and Circuit Smasher, was able to thwart the Dark Matrix’s plans to spread through the multiverse. In victory, Optimus died in the arms of his protégé.
1 Eaten By The Swarm (Transformers G2)
There’s something rather horrific about the inevitability of The Swarm. This enemy was a black mass, a swarm of a metal-eating plague that could destroy everything in its wake. The Swarm was a grave threat in the Marvel Generation 2 Transformers comics, and their journey to Earth led Optimus Prime to make yet another noble sacrifice.
Optimus Prime refused to let others die, so he gave himself to the Swarm. Optimus Prime was fed alive to the Swarm, and as they ate him, they were all killed due to their mindless feast on Optimus Prime’s Matrix.
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