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| Transformers | |
|---|---|
 Franchise logo, 2014–present | |
| Created by | |
| Original work | Transformers (based on Diaclone and Micro Change) |
| Years | 1984–present |
| Print publications | |
| Book(s) | Complete list |
| Comics | Complete list |
| Films and television | |
| Film(s) | Animated |
| Animated series | Complete list |
| Games | |
| Video game(s) | Complete list |
| Audio | |
| Soundtrack(s) | Transformers audio releases |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Related franchises | |
Transformers (stylished as TRANSFORMERS, alternatively titled as TransFormers, or simply abbreviated TF), is a media franchise produced by Japanese toy company Takara Tomy and American toy company Hasbro. It primarily follows the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals. The franchise encompasses toys, animation, comic books, video games and films. As of 2011, it generated more than ¥2 trillion ($25 billion) in revenue,[1] making it one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
The franchise began in 1984 with the Transformers toy line, comprising transforming mecha toys from Takara's Diaclone and Micro Change toylines rebranded for Western markets.[2] The term "Generation 1" (G1) covers both the animated television series The Transformers and the comic book series of the same name, which are further divided into Japanese, British and Canadian spin-offs. Sequels followed, such as the Generation 2 comic book and Beast Wars TV series, which became its own mini-universe. Generation 1 characters have been rebooted multiple times in the 21st century in comics from Dreamwave Productions (starting 2001), IDW Publishing (starting in 2005 and again in 2019), and Skybound Entertainment (beginning in 2023). There have been other incarnations of the story based on different toy lines during and after the 20th century. The first was the Robots in Disguise series, followed by three shows (Armada, Energon, and Cybertron) that constitute a single universe called the "Unicron Trilogy".
A live-action film series started in 2007, again distinct from previous incarnations, while the Transformers: Animated series merged concepts from the G1 continuity, the 2007 live-action film and the "Unicron Trilogy". For most of the 2010s, in an attempt to mitigate the wave of reboots, the "Aligned Continuity" was established. In 2018, Transformers: Cyberverse debuted, once again, distinct from the previous incarnations.
Although a separate and competing franchise started in 1983, Tonka's GoBots became the intellectual property of Hasbro after their buyout of Tonka in 1991. Subsequently, the universe depicted in the animated series Challenge of the GoBots and follow-up film GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords was retroactively established as an alternate universe within the Transformers multiverse.[3]
- ^ "政府、ハリウッドにアニメ・玩具セールス 国策会社設立". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 2011-11-03. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ "The History of Transformers on TV". IGN. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
- ^ Sorenson, Jim; Forster, Bill (July 13, 2010). Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II. IDW Publishing. ISBN 978-1600106835.