Transformers: The Complete Watching Order (Animated Series And Movies)

In 1984, Hasbro and Takara Tomy released a toy line that included robots that could transform into vehicles. They were Japanese toys rebranded for the Western market, based on the Diaclone and Microman toy lines. The toy line was named Transformers and it would soon enough become a pillar of modern pop-culture, with a series of animated shows, comic books, video games and – subsequently – live-action movies that created one of the most important franchises in the world.

The Transformers have been around for more than 35 years and the stories, as well as the characters have changed during that time; sometimes, even drastically. This is why people often have trouble following the different continuities and storylines.

In light of these facts, we have decided to write up a complete watchlist for you so that you know your way around the franchise. We are going to include all the animated series, the animated films and the live-action films and present them in the chronological order when they came out. Along with that, we’re going to give you a suggested watching order for each “generation”, in which the franchise is usually divided.

So, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about watching the Transformers and enjoy!

Generation 1 (1984 – 1993)

The original broadcast of The Transformers TV series started in 1984, when the pilot miniseries aired on TV. This is considered to be the official start of Generation 1, the first major “generation” of the franchise. This “generation” produced several TV shows and the cult classic animated feature film that thoroughly shook the franchise from bottom to top. Alongside the main series, an OVA was also released. Generation 1 ended in 1993, when the Generation 2 toy line started hitting stores.

Here is a guide on how to watch the Generation 1 material:

Season 1 (1984)

Note: The episodes are ordered by their production (chronological) dates, and not by their broadcast dates, since they were aired out of order. Also, the 3-episode mini-series, which aired separately, is listed as being part of season 1.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1”	September 17, 1984
2	“More Than Meets The Eye, Part 2”	September 18, 1984
3	“More Than Meets The Eye, Part 3”	September 19, 1984
4	“Transport to Oblivion”	October 6, 1984
5	“Roll For It”	October 13, 1984
6	“Divide and Conquer”	October 20, 1984
7	“Fire in the Sky”	December 8, 1984
8	“S.O.S. Dinobots”	October 27, 1984
9	“Fire on the Mountain”	December 22, 1984
10	“War of the Dinobots”	November 24, 1984
11	“The Ultimate Doom, Part 1: Brainwash”	November 3, 1984
12	“The Ultimate Doom, Part 2: Search”	November 10, 1984
13	“The Ultimate Doom, Part 3: Revival”	November 17, 1984
14	“Countdown to Extinction”	December 1, 1984
15	“A Plague of Insecticons”	December 29, 1984
16	“Heavy Metal War”	December 15, 1984

Season 2 (1985-1986)

Note: The episodes are ordered by their production (chronological) dates, and not by their broadcast dates, since they were aired out of order.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Autobot Spike”	September 23, 1985
2	“Changing Gears”	October 1, 1985
3	“City of Steel”	October 17, 1985
4	“Attack of the Autobots”	October 4, 1985
5	“Traitor”	September 27, 1985
6	“The Immobilizer”	September 24, 1985
7	“The Autobot Run”	October 31, 1985
8	“Atlantis, Arise!”	October 3, 1985
9	“Day of the Machines”	October 10, 1985
10	“Enter the Nightbird”	September 30, 1985
11	“A Prime Problem”	October 2, 1985
12	“The Core”	October 29, 1985
13	“The Insecticon Syndrome”	October 9, 1985
14	“Dinobot Island, Part 1”	September 25, 1985
15	“Dinobot Island, Part 2”	September 26, 1985
16	“The Master Builders”	October 8, 1985
17	“Auto Berserk”	October 16, 1985
18	“Microbots”	October 7, 1985
19	“Megatron’s Master Plan, Part 1”	October 14, 1985
20	“Megatron’s Master Plan, Part 2”	October 15, 1985
21	“Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1”	October 21, 1985
22	“Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2”	October 22, 1985
23	“Blaster Blues”	October 23, 1985
24	“A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur’s Court”	October 24, 1985
25	“The Golden Lagoon”	November 4, 1985
26	“The God Gambit”	October 28, 1985
27	“Make Tracks”	October 30, 1985
28	“Child’s Play”	November 7, 1985
29	“Quest for Survival”	November 5, 1985
30	“The Secret of Omega Supreme”	November 6, 1985
31	“The Gambler”	November 11, 1985
32	“Kremzeek!”	December 27, 1985
33	“Sea Change”	November 20, 1985
34	“Triple Takeover”	November 19, 1985
35	“Prime Target”	November 14, 1985
36	“Auto-Bop”	November 13, 1985
37	“The Search for Alpha Trion”	November 12, 1985
38	“The Girl Who Loved Powerglide”	November 18, 1985
39	“Hoist Goes Hollywood”	November 21, 1985
40	“The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1”	November 25, 1985
41	“The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2”	November 26, 1985
42	“Aerial Assault”	December 10, 1985
43	“War Dawn”	November 25, 1985
44	“Trans-Europe Express”	December 23, 1985
45	“Cosmic Rust”	December 26, 1985
46	“Starscream’s Brigade”	January 7, 1986
47	“The Revenge of Bruticus”	January 8, 1986
48	“Masquerade”	December 16, 1985
49	“B.O.T.”	January 9, 1985

Scramble City (1986)

Fight! Super Robot Life-Form Transformers: Scramble City Activation

April 1986

Scramble City is a direct-to-video OVA produced exclusively for the Japanese market in April 1986, which was meant to promote the new “combiner” figures who had been introduced at the end of season 2, and a few other figures from the 1986 product line (like Ultra Magnus, Metroplex and Trypticon) who had not yet appeared in the American cartoon; they did appear in the 1986 movie, but this toy line was not meant to be an introduction of these characters before the movie itself.

Set soon after the end of the second season, the episode focuses on the Autobots’ efforts to construct a new mobile fortress, the titular “Scramble City”, or Autobot City. When the Decepticons learn of this, their combiner robots are deployed to attack, and a battle between them and their Autobot counterparts ensues, focusing on their “Scramble Power” – the interchangeability of the individual limbs – to the extent that at one point, Breakdown of the Stunticons connects to Superion to damage him. At the episode’s conclusion, Scramble City is activated and assumes its robot mode of Metroplex to rout the Decepticons. However, from the ocean depths, the Decepticons’ own city, Trypticon, rises.

Transformers: The Movie (1986)

Transformers: The Movie

August 8, 1986

The epic Transformers movie that came out in 1986 was an important moment for the G1 series. The movie was a bridge between seasons two and three, but was much darker and less kid-friendly than the main animated series. It featured an ensemble voice cast (including the likes of Orson Welles, Leonard Nimoy and Eric Idle) and it was sort of a send-off for a lot of the characters featured in seasons 1 and 2 of the animated series (including the likes of Optimus Prime and Megatron). It also introduced a lot of new characters to the franchise, who would become the protagonists of the subsequent seasons.

The story takes place in 2005, twenty years after the events of the TV series’ second season and serves as a bridge to the third season. Decepticon villains are more menacing, killing Ironhide, Ratchet, Prowl, Brawn, Windcharger and Wheeljack without hesitation. Optimus Prime dies following a battle with Megatron. Later, Megatron is reformed into Galvatron by Unicron, while Skywarp, Thundercracker, Shrapnel, Kickback and Bombshell are reformed as Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps. Starscream is destroyed by Galvatron. Blaster gets four cassettes of his own like Soundwave known as Ramhorn, Steeljaw, Eject and Rewind; however, Soundwave gets a new cassette called Ratbat. At the end of the film, Hot Rod becomes Rodimus Prime and uses the Matrix of leadership to destroy Unicron. He then becomes the new leader of the Autobots.

Season 3 (1986-1987)

Note: The episodes are ordered by their production (chronological) dates, and not by their broadcast dates, since they were aired out of order.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1”	September 15, 1986
2	“Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2”	September 16, 1986
3	“Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3”	September 17, 1986
4	“Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4”	September 18, 1986
5	“Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5”	September 19, 1986
6	“The Killing Jar”	September 29, 1986
7	“Chaos”	September 30, 1986
8	“Dark Awakening”	October 1, 1986
9	“Forever is a Long Time Coming”	October 8, 1986
10	“Starscream’s Ghost”	October 2, 1986
11	“Thief in the Night”	October 6, 1986
12	“Surprise Party”	October 9, 1986
13	“Madman’s Paradise”	October 13, 1986
14	“Nightmare Planet”	October 31, 1986
15	“Ghost in the Machine”	October 21, 1986
16	“Webworld”	October 20, 1986
17	“Carnage in C-Minor”	October 14, 1986
18	“The Quintesson Journal”	November 11, 1986
19	“The Ultimate Weapon”	November 10, 1986
20	“The Big Broadcast of 2006”	November 12, 1986
21	“Fight or Flee”	October 15, 1986
22	“The Dweller in the Depths”	October 30, 1986
23	“Only Human”	November 13, 1986
24	“Money is Everything”	November 17, 1986
25	“Grimlock’s New Brain”	November 14, 1986
26	“Call of the Primitives”	November 18, 1986
27	“The Face of the Nijika”	November 20, 1986
28	“The Burden Hardest to Bear”	November 19, 1986
29	“The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1”	February 24, 1987
30	“The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2”	February 25, 1987

Season 4 (1987)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“The Rebirth, Part 1”	November 9, 1987
2	“The Rebirth, Part 2”	November 10, 1987
3	“The Rebirth, Part 3”	November 11, 1987

Japanese Transformers (1987-1990)

Initially, Takara, the Japanese producers of the Transformers toyline, imported the American Transformers animated series from 1985 to 1986. When the series came to an end with the three-part miniseries “The Rebirth” in 1987, however, Takara decided to continue the series themselves, declining to import “The Rebirth“ and instead created a full-length 35-episode spin-off series, Transformers: The Headmasters (two additional clips episodes were produced after the fact for direct-to-video release). Two additional series – Super-God Masterforce and Victory – were also produced, with the Japanese series concluding with the Zone OVA in 1990.

The Headmasters (1987-1988)

Supplanting The Rebirth’s position in Japanese continuity, The Headmasters occurred one year after “The Return of Optimus Prime” (the two-episode mini-arc from season three), introducing the title characters to the Transformers universe in a different way. Whereas in western fiction, the Headmasters result from the merging of a Transformer with an organic alien being from the planet Nebulos, the Headmasters of the Japanese series are a group of small Cybertronians who departed the planet millions of years ago and crash-landed on the inhospitable planet Master. To survive its harsh climate, a select few Cybertronians constructed larger bodies called “Transtectors”, to which they connected as the heads.

Here is the watching order:

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Four Warriors Come Out of the Sky” “Sora Kara Kita Shiri no Senshi” (空から来た四人の戦士)	July 3, 1987
2	“The Mystery of Planet Master” “Masutā Sei no Nazo” (マスター星の謎)	July 10, 1987
3	“Birth of the Dream Double Prime” “Yume no Daburu Konboi Tanjō” (夢のダブルコンボイ誕生)	July 17, 1987
4	“The Great Cassette Operation” “Kasetto Dai Sakusen” (カセット大作戦)	July 24, 1987
5	“Rebellion on Planet Beast” “Bīsuto Sei no Hanran” (ビースト星の反乱)	July 31, 1987
6	“Approach of the Demon Meteorite” “Akuma no Inseki Sekkin” (悪魔の隕石接近)	August 7, 1987
7	“The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery” “Shi-Hyaku-Man-Nen Nazo no Bēru” (四百万年・謎のベール)	August 28, 1987
8	“Terror! The Six Shadows” “Kyōfu! Muttsu no Kage” (恐怖！六つの影)	September 4, 1987
9-10	“Planet Cybertron Is in Grave Danger” “Seibātoron Sei Kiki Ippatsu” (セイバートロン星危機一髪)	September 4, 1987
11	“The Shadow Emperor Lord Zarak” “Kage no Taitei Sukoruponokku” (影の大帝ロード・ザラック)	September 18, 1987
12	“The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts” “Nazo no Kyūkazan Daifunka” (謎の休火山大噴火)	September 25, 1987
13	“Head On!! Fortress Maximus” “Heddo On!! Fōtoresu Makishimasu” (ヘッドオン！！フォートレスマキシマス)	October 2, 1987
14-15	“Explosion on Mars!!” “Kasei Bakuha!!” (火星爆破！！)	October 9, 1987
16	“Return of the Immortal Emperor” “Kaette Kita Fujimi no Teiō” (帰って来た不死身の帝王)	October 20, 1987
17	“Planet Sandra SOS” “Wakusei Sandora Esu Ō Esu” (惑星サンドラＳＯＳ)	October 27, 1987
18	“Daniel’s Biggest Pinch Ever!!” “Danieru Shijō Saidai no Pinchi!!” (ダニエル史上最大のピンチ！！)	December 4, 1987
19	“Fight to the Death on Planet Bee Hive!!” “Hachi no Su Sei wo Shishu se yo!!” (蜂の巣惑星を死守せよ！！)	December 11, 1987
20	“Battle for Defense of the False Planet” “Misekake Boshi no Kōbōsen” (見せかけ星の攻防戦)	December 18, 1987
21	“Find Scorponok’s Weak Spot!!” “MegaZarakku no Jakuten wo Abake!!” (スコルポノックの弱点をあばけ！！)	December 18, 1987
22	“Head Formation of Friendship” “Yūjō no Heddo Fōmēshon” (友情のヘッドフォーメーション)	December 18, 1987
23	“Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship” “Uchū Kaizoku Sen no Nazo” (宇宙海賊船の謎)	December 25, 1987
24	“Ultra Magnus Dies!!” “Urutora Magunasu Shisu!!” (ウルトラマグナス死す！！)	January 22, 1988
25	“The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg” “Hyōzan ni Kieta Hakai Taitei” (氷山に消えた破壊大帝)	January 29, 1988
26	“I Risk My Life for Earth” “Chikyū ni Kakeru Kono Inochi” (地球に賭けるこの命)	February 5, 1988
27-28	“Miracle Warriors Targetmasters” “Kiseki no Senshi Tāgettomasutā” (奇跡の戦士ターゲットマスター)	February 12, 1988
29	“The Master Sword is in Danger!!” “Ayaushi Masutā Sōdo!!” (危うしマスターソード！！)	February 26, 1988
30	“Zarak Shield Warfare” “Zarakku Shīrudo Kōbōsen” (ザラックシールド攻防戦)	March 4, 1988
31	“Decepticons Annihilation Strategy” “Desutoron Zenmetsu Sakusen” (デストロン全滅作戦)	March 11, 1988
32	“My Friend Sixshot!” “Waga Tomo Shikkusushotto!” (わが友シックスショット！)	March 18, 1988
33	“Asteroid Duel” “Asuteroido no Kettō” (アステロイドの決闘)	March 25, 1988
34-35	“The Final Showdown on Earth” “Saigo no Chikyū Dai Sakusen” (最後の地球大決戦)	March 25, 1988

Super-God Masterforce (1988-1989)

With the conclusion of the U.S. Transformers cartoon series in 1987, Japan produced their first exclusive anime series, Transformers: The Headmasters, which carried out the story concepts begun in The Transformers: The Movie. With the completion of that series, the Decepticons had finally been forced off Earth, and the stage was set for the beginning of Super-God Masterforce.

Although nominally occurring in the same continuity as the previous Transformers series, there was a very obvious effort on head writer Masumi Kaneda’s part to make Masterforce a “fresh start” as a mecha story, introducing an entirely new cast of characters from scratch, rather than using any of the previous ones. To this end, although the toys are mostly the same in both Japan and the West (barring some different colour schemes), the characters which they represent are vastly different—most prominently, Powermaster Optimus Prime’s counterpart is Ginrai, a human trucker who combines with a Transtector (a non-sentient Transformer body, a concept lifted from Headmasters) to become a Transformer himself, the same applies to the other Powermasters’ counterparts; the Godmasters. This has led to some continuity errors and quirts, but Super-God Masterforce was generally a success in the Japanese market. Now, let us see the watching order for this series:

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Rise Up!! Pretenders” “Tate!! Puritendā” (立て！！プリテンダー)	April 12, 1988
2	“Fearsome! The Destrons’ Manhunt” “Kyōfu! Desutoron no ningen kari” (恐怖！デストロンの人間狩り)	April 19, 1988
3	“Kidnapping!? The Targeted Jumbo Jet” “Ūkai!? Nerawareta Janbo Jetto” (誘拐！？狙われたジャンボジェット)	April 26, 1988
4	“Birth! Headmaster Jr.” “Tanjō! Heddomasutā Junia” (誕生！ヘッドマスターJr.)	May 3, 1988
5	“Rampage!! Little Devils with no Need for Rules” “Daiabare!! Rūru Muyō no Chīsana Akuma” (大暴れ！！ルール無用の小さな悪魔)	May 10, 1988
6	“Go Goshooter: Showdown in the Wasteland” “Ike Gōshūtā: Kōya no Taiketsu” (行けゴーシューター・荒野の対決)	May 17, 1988
7	“Panic! Protect the Wild Animals!!” “Panikku! Yasei Dōbutsu wo Mamore!!” (パニック！野生動物を守れ！！)	May 24, 1988
8	“The Super Warriors: The Godmaster Brothers” “Chō Senshi: Goddomasutā Kyōdai” (超戦士・ゴッドマスター兄弟)	May 31, 1988
9	“A Fierce Battle! The Cybertrons are in Trouble” “Gekisen!! Saibatoron Ayaushi” (激戦！！サイバトロン危うし)	June 7, 1988
10	“A Hero is Chosen – His Name is Ginrai” “Erabareta Hīrō – Sono Na wa Jinrai” (選ばれたヒーロー・その名はジンライ)	June 14, 1988
11	“Ginrai: God On of Rage!!” “Jinrai: Ikari no Goddo On!!” (ジンライ・怒りのゴッドオン！！)	June 21, 1988
12	“A Strange Friendship: Cancer and Minerva” “Kimyōna Yūjō: Kyansā to Mineruba” (奇妙な友情キャンサーとミネルバ)	June 28, 1988
13	“Friend or Foe!? The True Form of the Monster!!” “Teki ka Mikata ka!? Monsutā no Shōtai!!” (敵か味方か！？モンスターの正体！！)	July 12, 1988
14	“Eliminate the Godmaster Ginrai” “Goddomasutā Jinrai wo Massatsu se yo” (ゴッドマスタージンライを抹殺せよ)	July 19, 1988
15	“Heroic!! Birth of Super Ginrai” “Sōzetsu!! Sūpā Jinrai Tanjō” (壮絶！！スーパージンライ誕生)	August 2, 1988
16	“Lightfoot: A Dramatic Encounter” “Raitofutto: Gekiteki Naru Deai” (ライトフット劇的なる出逢い)	August 9, 1988
17	“An Enemy? Ranger the Third Godmaster” “Teki? Daisan no Goddomasutā Reinjā” (敵？第三のゴッドマスターレインジャー)	August 16, 1988
18	“A Powerful Foe!! Sixknight the Wanderer” “Kyōteki!! Sasurai no Shikkusunaito” (強敵！！さすらいのシックスナイト)	August 23, 1988
19	“At Full Strength! The Four Godmaster Gunmen” “Seizoroi! Goddomasutā Yonjūshi” (勢揃い！ゴッドマスター四銃士)	August 30, 1988
20	“The Cybertron Warrior: Sixknight?!” “Saibatoron Senshi: Shikkusunaito?!” (サイバトロン戦士シックスナイト？！)	September 13, 1988
21	“Save the Little girl! Chojin Warrior Godmasters” “Shōjo wo Sukue! Chōjin Senshi Goddomasutā” (少女を救え！超神戦士ゴッドマスター)	September 20, 1988
22	“Life? Death? Lightfoot’s Desprate Situation” “Nama ka? Shi ka? Zettai Zetsumei Raitofutto” (生か？死か？絶体絶命ライトフット)	September 27, 1988
23	“Expose the Destrons’ Dark Trap!” “Desutoron no Kuroi Wana Oabake!” (デストロンの黒い罠をあばけ！)	October 4, 1988
24	“Super Ginrai Gets Blown Away in the Desert!?” “Sūpā Jinrai Sabaku ni Chiru!?” (スーパージンライ砂漠に散る！？)	October 11, 1988
25	“Will it be Destroyed! The Bomber Project” “Yaburareru ka! Bonbā Keikaku” (破られるか！ボンバー計画)	October 18, 1988
26	“God Ginrai: Into Space!” “Goddo Jinrai: Uchū e!!” (ゴッドジンライ・宇宙へ！！)	October 25, 1988
27	“God Ginrai: Showdown on the Moon” “Goddo Jinrai: Getsumen no Taiketsu” (ゴッドジンライ・月面の対決)	November 1, 1988
28	“Overlord: Terror of the Super Soul Tornado” “Ōbārōdo: Chō Tamashī Tatsumaki no Kyōfu” (オーバーロード・超魂竜巻の恐怖)	November 8, 1988
29	“Escape!! The Exploding Underwater Volcano” “Dasshutsu!! Kaitei Kazan Dai Bakuhatsu” (脱出！！海底火山大爆発)	November 15, 1988
30	“Destroy Godbomber!!” “Goddobonbā wo Hakai se yo!!” (ゴッドボンバーを破壊せよ！！)	November 22, 1988
31	“Appearance!! The Final Godmaster” “Shutsugen!! Saigo no Goddomasutā” (出現！！最後のゴッドマスター)	November 29, 1988
32	“Secret Orders! Destroy the Cybertron Base!!” “Himitsu Shirei! Saibatoron Kichi wo Hakai se yo!!” (秘密指令！サイバトロン基地を破壊せよ！！)	December 6, 1988
33	“Pinch! The Cybertron Base Explodes” “Pinchi! Saibatoron Kichi Daibakuhatsu” (ピンチ！サイバトロン基地大爆発)	December 13, 1988
34	“Black Zarak: Destroyer From Space” “Burakku Zarakku: Uchū Kara no Hakaimono” (ブラックザラック・宇宙からの破壊者)	December 20, 1988
35	“Crisis! The Day of the Downfall of Humanity” “Kiki! Jinrui Metsubō no Hi” (危機！人類滅亡の日)	January 10, 1989
36	“God Ginrai: Save Cancer!?” “Goddo Jinrai: Kyansā wo Sukū!?” (ゴッドジンライ・キャンサーを救う！？)	January 17, 1989
37	“God Ginrai: Showdown at the Destron Base” “Goddo Jinrai: Desutoron Kichi no Kessen” (ゴッドジンライデストロン基地の決戦)	January 24, 1989
38	“The Ultimate Combination! New Lifeform Black Zarak” “Kyūkyoku Gattai!! Shin Seimeitai Burakku Zarakku” (究極合体！！新生命体ブラックザラック)	January 31, 1989
39	“Battle to the Death!! God Ginrai VS Darkwings Reborn” “Shitō!! Goddo Jinrai Bāsasu Shinsei Dākuuingusu” (死闘！！ゴッドジンライVS新生ダークウイングス)	February 7, 1989
40	“Cybertrons! Desprate Attack!!” “Saibatoron! Kesshi no Atakku!!” (サイバトロン！決死のアタック！！)	February 14, 1989
41	“Malevolent and Inhuman! The True Form of Devil Z” “Gokuaku Hidō! Debiru Zetto no Shōtai” (極悪非道！デビルＺの正体)	February 21, 1989
42	“A Battle…And Then” “Tatakai…Soshite” (戦闘…そして)	February 28, 1989
43	“Fight! Super Ginrai” “Tatakae! Sūpā Jinrai” (戦え！スーパージンライ)	Unaired
44	“Bomber Project Announced! Birth of God Ginrai” “Bonbā Keikaku Hatsurei! Goddo Jinrai Tanjō” (ボンバー計画発令！ゴッドジンライ誕生)	Unaired
45	“The Secret of Godbomber!” “Goddobonbā no Himitsu!” (ゴッドボンバーの秘密！)	Unaired
46	“Trading Places! Cybertron Warriors!” “Dai Gyakuten! Saibatoron Senshi!” (大逆転！サイバトロン戦士！)	Unaired
47	“You Too Use the Masterforce to Transform” “Masutāfōsu de Kimi mo Toransufōmu” (マスターフォースで君もトランスフォーム)	March 7, 1989

Victory (1989)

With the Japanese series moving further and further away from the stylistic roots of the American series, Victory represented this divergence at its greatest. The visual style of Victory is derived heavily from the anime of the time, with the transformations of the robots being treated as more monumental, presented through more dynamic and lengthy stock footage. Still frame effects and re-used animation were used wherever possible to compensate for high levels of animation compared to the previous series, possibly due to budget cuts at the time.

Despite his apparent death in The Transformers: The Movie, Wheeljack returned during the death of God Ginrai/Birth of Victory Leo saga, along with Perceptor from the original series, with God Ginrai and Minerva from Transformers: Super-God Masterforce returning too.

Here’s the watching order for the last full G1 series:

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“The Brave Hero of the Universe – Star Saber” “Uchū no Yūsha – Sutā Seibā” (宇宙の勇者・スターセイバー)	March 14, 1989
2	“Surprise Attack! Dinoking” “Kishū! Dainokingu” (奇襲！ダイノキング)	March 28, 1989
3	“Attack! Leozack” “Shūgeki! Reozakku” (襲撃！レオザック)	April 4, 1989
4	“Unite!! Multiforce” “Gattai!! Maruchisentai” (合体！！マルチ戦隊)	April 11, 1989
5	“Move Out! Rescue Team” “Shukkin! Resukyū Butai” (出勤！レスキュー部隊)	April 18, 1989
6	“Infiltration…Uranium Mine” “Sennyū…Uran Kōzan” (潜入…ウラン鉱山)	April 25, 1989
7	“Explosion!! Energy Base” “Bakuha!! Enerugī Kichi” (爆破！！エネルギー基地)	May 9, 1989
8	“Big City – Underground Terror” “Dai Tokai – Chika no Kyōfu” (大都会・地下の恐怖)	May 16, 1989
9	“The New Warrior – Hellbat” “Shin Heishi – Herubatto” (新兵士・ヘルバット)	May 30, 1989
10	“Attack the Shuttle Base!!” “Shatoru Kichi wo Nerae!!” (シャトル基地を狙え！！)	June 6, 1989
11	“Tanker Robbing Operation” “Tankā Gōdatsu Sakusen” (タンカー強奪作戦)	June 13, 1989
12	“Rescue Jean!!” “Jan wo Kyūshutsu se yo!!” (ジャンを救出せよ！！)	July 4, 1989
13	“Mach and Tackle” “Mahha to Takkuru” (マッハとタックル)	July 18, 1989
14	“Fierce Battle!! Asteroid” “Gekisen!! Asuteroido” (激戦！！アステロイド)	July 25, 1989
15	“Planet Micro – The Mysterious Warrior” “Maikuro Boshi – Nazo no Senshi” (マイクロ星・謎の戦士)	August 1, 1989
16	“Rescue! Gaihawk” “Dakkan! Gaihōku” (奪還！ガイホーク)	August 8, 1989
17	“Unite! Liokaiser” “Gattai! Raiokaizā” (合体！ライオカイザー)	August 15, 1989
18	“Resurrection!? The Destron Fortress” “Fukkatsu!? Desutoron Yōsai” (復活！？デストロン要塞)	August 29, 1989
19	“Battle Up of Anger!!” “Ikari no Batoru Appu!!” (怒りのバトルアップ！！)	Unaired
20	“Fight to the Death!! Antarctic Battle” “Shitō!! Nankyoku no Kōbō-sen” (死闘！！南極の攻防戦)	September 5, 1989
21	“Crisis! Desert Ambush” “Kiki! Sabaku no Machibuse” (危機！砂漠の待ち伏せ)	September 12, 1989
22	“A Deadly Battle Bet” “Shi wo Kaketa Gekitō” (死を賭けた激闘)	September 19, 1989
23	“Ginrai Dies!!” “Jinrai Shisu!!” (ジンライ死す！！)	September 26, 1989
24	“Fight!! Victory Leo” “Tatakae!! Bikutorī Reo” (戦え！！ビクトリーレオ)	September 26, 1989
25	“Awaken! Victory Leo” “Mezameyo! Bikutorī Reo” (めざめよ！ビクトリーレオ)	October 3, 1989
26	“Turnaround! Deadly Victory Unity” “Gyakuten! Hissatsu no Bikutorī Gattai” (逆転！必殺のビクトリー合体)	October 17, 1989
27	“Jan – Defend the School!!” “Jan – Gakkō wo Mamore!!” (ジャン・学校を守れ！！)	October 31, 1989
28	“Mysterious?! The Base Explosion Trap” “Nazo?! Kichi Bakuha no Wana” (謎？！基地爆破の罠)	November 7, 1989
29	“The Death-Bringing Space Insects!!” “Shi wo Yobu Uchū Konchū!!” (死を呼ぶ宇宙昆虫！！)	November 14, 1989
30	“Terror of the Giant Tsuanami” “Kyodai Tsunami no Kyōfu” (巨大津波の恐怖)	November 28, 1989
31	“The Wrath of the Resurrected Giant Fortress!” “Kyodai Yōsai Ikari no Fukkatsu!” (巨大要塞怒りの復活！)	December 5, 1989
32	“Clash! Fortress vs Victory Unity” “Gekitotsu! Yōsai tai Bikutorī Gattai” (激突！要塞vsビクトリー合体)	December 12, 1989

Zone (1990)

Transformers: Zone

July 21, 1990

Transformers: Zone is a Japanese OVA released in 1990 as the ultimate conclusion of the Japanese G1 series. It came out a year after Victory and was intended to be another animated series, but was reduced to a 30-minute OVA due to poor toy sales.

Following on from Victory, the mysterious three-faced insectoid being, Violenjiger, dispatches the nine “Great Decepticon Generals”—Devastator, Menasor, Bruticus, Trypticon, Predaking, Abominus, King Poseidon, Overlord and BlackZarak—to acquire “Zone Energy”, destroying the planet Feminia to obtain the world’s store and in search of the powerful Zodiac. Caught in the destruction of the planet, Star Saber is rescued by Dai Atlas, who then repels an attack by the Decepticons on Earth, and is appointed the new Autobot commander at the conclusion of the episode, following a battle with the Decepticons and unlocking the power of the Zodiac that was found on Earth.

Generation 2 (1993 – 1995)

Generation 2 started with a 1993 toy line based on the G1 toys and would soon succeed the famous debut generation. Despite the toys adding a lot of new characters during the evolution of G2, Generation 2 never actually escaped the influence of G1 and was always considered just a weak reinterpretation of its more famous predecessor. This was mainly visible in the comics and the short-lived animated series, which aired in 1993 and was actually a re-run of the G1 series, featuring (sometimes even abridged) versions of the G1 episodes, with the only additional sequence being a series of primitive CGI sequences used for the Hasbro toy commercials (making it one of the earliest computer-animated series, predating ReBoot) and an advertisement for the Marvel Comics title. This is how you should watch the Generation 2 material (if you actually care to do it):

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1)”	August 20, 1993
2	“More Than Meets the Eye (Part 2)”	August 27, 1993
3	“More Than Meets the Eye (Part 3)”	September 3, 1993
4	“Transport to Oblivion”	September 28, 1993
5	“Roll for It”	September 30, 1993
6	“S.O.S. Dinobots”	June 11, 1993
7	“Fire on the Mountain”	November 28, 1993
8	“War of the Dinobots”	September 12, 1993
9	“The Ultimate Doom: Brainwash (Part 1)”	November 7, 1993
10	“The Ultimate Doom: Search (Part 2)”	November 8, 1993
11	“The Ultimate Doom: Revival (Part 3)”	November 9, 1993
12	“Countdown to Extinction”	November 29, 1993
13	“Heavy Metal War”	June 18, 1993
14	“Autobot Spike”	November 1, 1993
15	“Dinobot Island (Part 1)”	July 9, 1993
16	“Dinobot Island (Part 2)”	July 16, 1993
17	“Enter the Nightbird”	October 12, 1993
18	“Changing Gears”	October 4, 1993
19	“A Prime Problem”	October 14, 1993
20	“Atlantis, Arise!”	September 13, 1993
21	“Attack of the Autobots”	October 7, 1993
22	“Microbots”	October 20, 1993
23	“The Master Builder”	July 23, 1993
24	“The Insecticon Syndrome”	October 17, 1993
25	“Day of the Machines”	October 10, 1993
26	“Megatron’s Master Plan (Part 1)”	November 15, 1993
27	“Megatron’s Master Plan (Part 2)”	November 16, 1993
28	“Auto Berserk”	September 14, 1993
29	“City of Steel”	November 22, 1993
30	“Desertion of the Dinobots (Part 1)”	November 3, 1993
31	“Desertion of the Dinobots (Part 2)”	November 4, 1993
32	“Blaster Blues”	October 21, 1993
33	“A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur’s Court”	July 30, 1993
34	“The Core”	July 2, 1993
35	“The Autobot Run”	June 25, 1993
36	“The Golden Lagoon”	August 6, 1993
37	“The Search for Alpha Trion”	October 28, 1993
38	“Prime Target”	August 13, 1993
39	“The Girl Who Loved Powerglide”	November 2, 1993
40	“Triple Takeover”	September 16, 1993
41	“Sea Change”	October 27, 1993
42	“Masquerade”	September 21, 1993
43	“Trans-Europe Express”	November 21, 1993
44	“Cosmic Rust”	November 14, 1993
45	“Kremzeek!”	September 15, 1993
46	“Starscream’s Brigade”	September 19, 1993
47	“The Revenge of Bruticus”	September 20, 1993
48	“Aerial Assault”	November 11, 1993
49	“B.O.T.”	November 10, 1993
50	“Fight or Flee”	September 26, 1993
51	“Ghost in the Machine”	September 22, 1993
52	“The Ultimate Weapon”	September 23, 1993

Beast Era (1996 – 2000)

Generation 2 passed as if it wasn’t even there, so, in 1996, Hasbro decided to completely revamp the whole Transformers line. The changes were radical. Although the basic premise of the good guys (Maximals) fighting the bad guys (Predacons) stayed the same, everything else was changed, with the Transformers now transforming into animals, rather than vehicles, weapons or other objects. Also, the animated series were made using CG, rather than classical animation. This caused a lot of controversy back then, but the Beast Era of the Transformers history is today lauded by a lot of fans. Several animated series were produced, including one movie, along with comic books and video games.

As for the watching order, here’s how you should watch your Beast Era shows:

Beast Wars: Transformers (1996-1999)

This was the first animated series from the Beast Era; an American-Canadian co-production that ran from 1996 to 1999, consisting of a total of three seasons and 52 episodes. The plot is set in the future, years after the original G1 (and G2) stories and features the battle between the Maximals and the Predacons, who are in reality the Autobots and Decepticons, but in animal form. The series was made using CG animation, becoming the first instalment in the franchise to do so. Here is how you should watch it:

Season 1 (1996-1997)

Note: The episodes are ordered by their production (chronological) dates, and not by their broadcast dates, since they were aired out of order.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Beast Wars, Part 1”	September 16, 1996
2	“Beast Wars, Part 2”	September 17, 1996
3	“Chain of Command”	September 24, 1996
4	“Equal Measures”	September 23, 1996
5	“Fallen Comrades”	September 30, 1996
6	“The Web”	September 18, 1996
7	“Double Jeopardy”	October 7, 1996
8	“Power Surge”	September 25, 1996
9	“A Better Mousetrap”	October 8, 1996
10	“The Probe”	October 15, 1996
11	“Gorilla Warfare”	October 14, 1996
12	“Dark Designs”	November 4, 1996
13	“Victory”	November 1, 1996
14	“Double Dinobot”	November 5, 1996
15	“The Spark”	November 11, 1996
16	“The Trigger, Part 1”	November 18, 1996
17	“The Trigger, Part 2”	November 19, 1996
18	“Dark Voyage”	January 27, 1997
19	“Possession”	February 3, 1997
20	“Spider’s Game”	January 6, 1997
21	“Call of the Wild”	January 7, 1997
22	“The Low Road”	February 10, 1997
23	“Law of the Jungle”	February 17, 1997
24	“Before the Storm”	February 21, 1997
25	“Other Voices, Part 1”	March 31, 1997
26	“Other Voices, Part 2”	April 1, 1997

Season 2 (1997-1998)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Aftermath”	October 26, 1997
2	“Coming of the Fuzors, Part 1”	November 2, 1997
3	“Coming of the Fuzors, Part 2”	November 9, 1997
4	“Tangled Web”	November 16, 1997
5	“Maximal, No More”	November 23, 1997
6	“Other Visits, Part 1”	February 8, 1998
7	“Other Visits, Part 2”	February 15, 1998
8	“Bad Spark”	February 22, 1998
9	“Code of Hero”	March 9, 1998
10	“Transmutate”	March 10, 1998
11	“The Agenda, Part 1”	March 11, 1998
12	“The Agenda, Part 2”	March 12, 1998
13	“The Agenda, Part 3”	March 13, 1998

Season 3 (1998-1999)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Optimal Situation”	October 25, 1998
2	“Deep Metal”	November 1, 1998
3	“Changing of the Guard”	November 8, 1998
4	“Cutting Edge”	November 15, 1998
5	“Feral Scream, Part 1”	January 24, 1999
6	“Feral Scream, Part 2”	January 31, 1999
7	“Proving Grounds”	February 7, 1999
8	“Go With the Flow”	February 18, 1999
9	“Crossing the Rubicon”	February 21, 1999
10	“Master Blaster”	February 28, 1999
11	“Other Victories”	March 5, 1999
12	“Nemesis, Part 1”	March 6, 1999
13	“Nemesis, Part 2”	March 7, 1999

Beast Machines: Transformers (1999-2000)

Beast Machines was a direct sequel to the initial Beast Wars series, with its first season being set soon after season three of the original series. This was likewise an American-Canadian co-production and used the same animation as its predecessor. Like Beast Wars, it was much darker in tone and was aimed for adults, as well as children. Here is the correct watching order for this series:

Season 1 (1999)

Note: The production codes of these episodes are not known, so we’re listing them according to their air date. It is possible that the episodes were not aired in the same order as they were produced.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“The Reformatting”	September 18, 1999
2	“Master of the House”	September 25, 1999
3	“Fires of the Past”	October 2, 1999
4	“Mercenary Pursuits”	October 9, 1999
5	“Forbidden Fruit”	October 16, 1999
6	“The Weak Component”	October 23, 1999
7	“Revelations, Part I: Discovery”	October 30, 1999
8	“Revelations, Part II: Descent”	November 6, 1999
9	“Revelations, Part III: Apocalypse!”	November 13, 1999
10	“Survivor”	November 27, 1999
11	“The Key”	December 4, 1999
12	“The Catalyst”	December 11, 1999
13	“End of the Line”	December 18, 1999

Season 2 (2000) – Battle for the Spark

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Fallout”	August 5, 2000
2	“Savage Noble”	August 19, 2000
3	“Prometheus Unbound”	August 26, 2000
4	“In Darkest Knight”	September 2, 2000
5	“A Wolf In The Fold”	September 9, 2000
6	“Home Soil”	September 16, 2000
7	“Sparkwar Part I: The Strike”	September 23, 2000
8	“Sparkwar Part II: The Search”	September 30, 2000
9	“Sparkwar Part III: The Siege”	October 7, 2000
10	“Spark of Darkness”	October 28, 2000
11	“Endgame Part I: The Downward Spiral”	November 4, 2000
12	“Endgame Part II: When Legends Fall”	November 11, 2000
13	“Endgame Part III: Seeds of The Future”	November 18, 2000

Japanese Beasts Wars (1998-1999)

Like it happened with the original G1 series, the Japanese decided to produce their own take on the Beasts War series. But, unlike the Japanese G1 adaptations, which were mostly similar to the original American series, these series were completely different. They used classical animation (save for the leaders, who were made using CG animation) and the whole series had a much more kid-friendly tone. A total of two seasons were produced, along with one tie-in movie. Here’s how you should watch them (if you ever get the chance, since they have not been released outside Japan and South Korea):

Beast Wars II: Super Life-Form Transformers (I) (1998)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“New Forces Arrive!” “Shin Gundan Tōjō!” (新軍団登場！)	April 1, 1998
2	“White Lion, Run!” “Shiroi Raion, Hashiru!” (白いライオン、走る！)	April 8, 1998
3	“Bighorn’s Anger” “Bigguhōn no Ikari” (ビッグホーンの怒り)	April 15, 1998
4	“The Lake Trap” “Mizūmi no Wana” (湖のワナ)	April 22, 1998
5	“Galvatron Resurrected” “Fukkatsu Garubatoron” (復活ガルバトロン)	April 29, 1998
6	“Mystery of the Ancient Ruins” “Kodai Iseki no Nazo” (古代遺跡のナゾ)	May 6, 1998
7	“The Insect Army Arrives!” “Konchū Gundan Genwaru!” (昆虫軍団現わる！)	May 13, 1998
8	“Friend or Foe? Insect Robos” “Teki Mikata? Konchū Robo” (敵・味方？昆虫ロボ)	May 20, 1998
9	“The Strongest Tag Team?” “Saikyō Taggu Kessei?” (最強タッグ結成？)	May 27, 1998
10	“Autorollers, Move Out!” “Ōtorōrāzu Shutsugeki se yo!” (オートローラーズ出撃せよ！)	June 3, 1998
11	“Danger! Scissor Boy” “Ayaushi! Shizā Bōi” (危うし！シザーボーイ)	June 10, 1998
12	“Galvatron’s Great Rampage!!” “Garubatoron Dai Bōsō!!” (ガルバトロン大暴走！！)	June 17, 1998
13	“Destron General Offensive!” “Desutoron Sō Kōgeki!” (デストロン総攻撃！)	June 24, 1998
14	“Combined Giant Tripledacus” “Gattai Kyojin Toripurudakusu” (合体巨人トリプルダクス)	July 1, 1998
15	“The Festive Jointrons” “Yōkina Jointoron” (陽気なジョイントロン)	July 8, 1998
16	“A Fearsome Combination Plan?” “Osorubeshi Gattai Sakusen?” (恐るべし合体作戦？)	July 15, 1998
17	“Who Is the Leader!?” “Rīdā wa Dare da!?” (リーダーは誰だ！？)	July 22, 1998
18	“Black Lio Convoy” “Kuroi Raio Konboi” (黒いライオコンボイ)	July 29, 1998
19	“Space Pirate Seacons!” “Uchū Kaizoku Shīkonzu!” (宇宙海賊シーコンズ！)	August 5, 1998
20	“Who Is the Strongest Warrior!?” “Saikyō Senshi wa Dare da!?” (最強戦士は誰だ！？)	August 12, 1998
21	“The Cool Squid Scuba” “Ika Shita Sukūba” (イカしたスクーバ)	August 19, 1998
22	“Megastorm’s Reckoning” “Megasutōmu no Keisan” (メガストームの計算)	August 26, 1998
23	“Underwater Showdown” “Kaichū no Taiketsu” (海中の対決)	September 2, 1998
24	“Face the Setting Sun” “Yūhi ni Mukatte” (夕陽に向かって)	September 9, 1998
25	“The Final Battle” “Saigo no Tatakai” (最後の戦い)	September 16, 1998
26	“Enter Lio Junior” “Raio Junia Tōjō” (ライオジュニア登場)	September 23, 1998
27	“Megastorm Reborn” “Shinsei Megasutōmu” (新生メガストーム)	September 30, 1998
28	“New Weapon Tako Tank” “Shin Heiki Tako Tanku” (新兵器タコタンク)	October 7, 1998
29	“Artificial Planet Nemesis” “Jinkō Wakusei Nemeshisu” (人工惑星ネメシス)	October 14, 1998
30	“Gigastorm’s Treachery” “Gigasutōmu no Uragiri” (ギガストームの裏切り)	October 21, 1998
31	“Starscream’s Last Moments” “Sutāsukurīmu no Saigo” (スタースクリームの最期)	October 28, 1998
32	“The Lio Convoy Assassination Plot” “Raio Konboi Ansatsu Keikaku” (ライオコンボイ暗殺計画)	November 4, 1998

Beast Wars II: Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger! (1998)

Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!

December 19, 1998

This was actually a short animated movie that was released by Toei as part of the larger Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers movie, as one of three films within it; the other ones are Clash! Beast Warriors (a clip show that recaps the first season of Beast Wars) and Beast Wars Metals (the Japanese dubbed version of the Beast Wars season 2 episode “Bad Spark”). Based on what we know from the Beast Wars II animated continuity, the movie is set between episodes 32 and 33 of the anime, which is why we have divided our guide like this.

The film revolves around the Maximals, led by Lio Convoy, the Predacons led by Galvatron and a mysterious device that has crashed on Planet Gaia (a future version of Earth), leading to the arrival of Maximal warrior, and the protagonist of the original Beast Wars series, Optimus Primal. Galvatron also uses the device to summon a monster Decepticon called Majin Zarak who threatens to destroy all the Maximals.

Beast Wars II: Super Life-Form Transformers (II) (1998-1999)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
33	“The Great Angolmois Freezing Operation” “Angorumoa Reitō Dai Sakusen” (アンゴルモア冷凍大作戦)	November 11, 1998
34	“Knock Out Nemesis!” “Nemeshisu wo Buttobase!” (ネメシスをぶっ飛ばせ！)	November 18, 1998
35	“Lio Junior’s Revolt!” “Raio Junia no Hanran!” (ライオジュニアの反乱！)	November 25, 1998
36	“Messenger of the Fourth Planet” “Daiyon Wakusei no Shisha” (第四惑星の使者)	December 2, 1998
37	“The Crisis of Planet Gaia” “Wakusei Gaia no Kiki” (惑星ガイアの危機)	December 9, 1998
38	“Fly Out! Planet Gaia” “Tobidase! Wakusei Gaia” (飛び出せ！惑星ガイア)	December 16, 1998
39	“Assemble! Thirty-Nine Warriors” “Seizoroi! Sanjūkyū Senshi” (勢揃い！三十九戦士)	December 23, 1998
40	“Revenge of the Space Pirates” “Uchū Kaizoku no Fukushū” (宇宙海賊の復讐)	January 6, 1999
41	“Breaking into Nemesis” “Nemeshisu e no Totsunyū” (ネメシスへの突入)	January 13, 1999
42	“Legend! The Green Warrior” “Densetsu! Midori no Senshi” (伝説！緑の戦士)	January 20, 1999
43	“Farewell! Lio Convoy” “Saraba! Raio Konboi” (さらば！ライオコンボイ)	January 27, 1999

Super Life-Form Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (1999)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Big Convoy, Move Out!” “Biggu Konboi Shutsugeki se yo!” (ビッグコンボイ出撃せよ！？)	February 3, 1999
2	“Chase the Mysterious Capsule!” “Nazo no Kapuseru wo Oe!” (謎のカプセルを追え！)	February 10, 1999
3	“Burning Heart Under The Ice” “Hyō Tenka no Moeru Kokoro” (氷点下の燃える心)	February 17, 1999
4	“Go For It! Stampy” “Ganbare! Sutanpī” (頑張れ！スタンピー)	February 24, 1999
5	“Mirage of Sand” “Suna no Shinkirō” (砂のしんきろう)	March 3, 1999
6	“Dinosaur Combiner Magmatron” “Kyōryū Gattai Magumatoron” (恐竜合体マグマトロン)	March 10, 1999
7	“Duel in the Labyrinth” “Meiro no Naka no Kettō” (迷路の中の決闘)	March 17, 1999
8	“Black Hole Crisis” “Burakku Hōru no Kiki” (ブラックホールの危機)	March 24, 1999
9	“Sub-Commander Longrack” “Fuku Shirei Rongurakku” (副司令ロングラック)	March 31, 1999
10	“Wah! Eaten” “Wā! Taberarechatta” (ワー！食べられちゃった)	April 7, 1999
11	“Planet of Time” “Toki no Wakusei” (時の惑星)	April 14, 1999
12	“Lonely Hydra” “Hitoribotchi no Haidorā” (一人ぼっちのハイドラー)	April 21, 1999
13	“Break is Destron?” “Bureiku wa Desutoron?” (ブレイクはデストロン？)	April 28, 1999
14	“Voyage Diary” “Kōkai Nisshi” (航海日誌)	May 5, 1999
15	“Mach Kick Volunteering Enlistment!?” “Mahha Kikku Nyūtai Shigan!?” (マッハキック入隊志願！？)	May 12, 1999
16	“Star of the Ultimate Weapon” “Saikyō Heiki no Hoshi” (最強兵器の星)	May 19, 1999
17	“Troubled DNAVI” “Komatta DĪNABI” (困ったＤＮＡＶＩ)	May 26, 1999
18	“Assault! Randy” “Totsugeki! Randī” (突撃！ランディー)	June 2, 1999
19	“Physicist Bump” “Butsurigakusha Banpu” (物理学者バンプ)	June 9, 1999
20	“Hardhead is Hardhead” “Hādoheddo wa Ishiatama” (ハードヘッドは石頭)	June 16, 1999
21	“Deepsea Single Combat!!” “Shinkai no Ikki Uchi!!” (深海の一騎討ち！！)	June 23, 1999
22	“Stolen Gung Ho” “Ubawareta Gan Hō” (奪われたガンホー)	June 30, 1999
23	“Hotblooded Instructor Survive” “Nekketsu Kyōkan Sabaibu” (熱血教官サバイブ)	July 7, 1999
24	“Gather! New Warrior Friends” “Atsumare! Shin Senshi Tachi” (集まれ！新戦士達)	July 14, 1999
25	“Beast Warrior of Mystery!?” “Nazo no Bīsuto Senshi!?” (謎のビースト戦士！？)	July 21, 1999
26	“Robbed Capsule” “Ubawareta Kapuseru” (奪われたカプセル)	July 28, 1999
27	“Chase the Blentrons!” “Burentoron wo Oe!” (ブレントロンを追え！)	August 4, 1999
28	“Angered Magmatron” “Ikari no Magumatoron” (怒りのマグマトロン)	August 11, 1999
29	“Illusion? Lio Convoy” “Maboroshi? Raio Konboi” (幻？ライオコンボイ)	August 18, 1999
30	“Unicron Resurrection!?” “Yunikuron Fukkatsu!?” (ユニクロン復活！？)	August 25, 1999
31	“Unicron’s Ambition” “Yunikuron no Yabō” (ユニクロンの野望)	September 1, 1999
32	“Fight! Cybertron” “Tatakae! Saibatoron” (戦え！サイバトロン)	September 8, 1999
33	“End of Cybertron!?” “Saibatoron no Saigo!?” (サイバトロンの最期！？)	September 15, 1999
34	“Last Battle” “Saigo no Tatakai” (最後の戦い)	September 22, 1999
35	“Graduation Ceremony!!” “Sotsu Gyōshiki!!” (卒業式！！)	September 29, 1999

Robots in Disguise (2000 – 2001)

Robots in Disguise (also: RID) was the fourth generation of the franchise, but it was as (un)successful as Generation 2; it was initially named Transformers: Car Robots, but the name was changed ultimately. This Japanese series was initially envisioned as a stand-alone reboot of the series and despite having similar visuals as the G1 series, it was not meant to be connected to it. Still, later on, this was retconned and Robots in Disguise was made part of the Japanese G1 continuity (see above), while remaining separate from the Western Generation 1 continuity. Here is how you should watch it:

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Battle Protocol!” “First Deployment! Fire Convoy” (初出動! ファイヤーコンボイ)	April 5, 2000
2	“An Explosive Situation” “High Speed Battle! Gelshark” (高速バトル! ゲルシャーク)	April 12, 2000
3	“”Bullet Train to the Rescue” “Unite! Bullet Train Robo” (合体せよ! 新幹線ロボ)	April 19, 2000
4	“Spychangers to the Rescue” “Ninja Robo! Enter the Spychangers” (忍者ロボ! スパイチェンジャー参上)	April 26, 2000
5	“The Hunt for Black Pyramid” “Resolute Jump! Mach Alert” (決死のジャンプ! マッハアラート)	May 3, 2000
6	“The Secret of the Ruins” “Gigatron’s Raid!” (ギガトロンの襲撃!)	May 10, 2000
7	“Sideburn’s Obsession” “Speedbreaker’s Crisis!” (スピードブレイカーの危機!)	May 17, 2000
8	“Secret Weapon: D-5” “Mysterious Weapon! D5” (謎の兵器! D5)	May 24, 2000
9	“Mirage’s Betrayal” “Counterarrow’s Betrayal!?” (カウンターアローの裏切り!?)	May 31, 2000
10	“Skid Z’s Choice” “Out of Control! Indy Heat!!” (爆走! インディーヒート!!)	June 7, 2000
11	“Tow-Line Goes Haywire” “Parking Violation! Wrecker Hook” (駐車違反だ! レッカーフック)	June 14, 2000
12	“The Ultimate Robot Warrior” “The Ultimate Extreme! The Large Buddha Statue Transformer” (究極! 大仏トランスフォーマー)	June 21, 2000
13	“Hope for the Future” “Gigatron’s Ambitions Revealed!” (ギガトロンの野望を暴け!)	June 28, 2000
14	“The Decepticons” “Friend? Foe!? Black Convoy” (敵? 味方!? ブラックコンボイ)	July 5, 2000
15	“Commandos” “Quintuple Merge! Baldigus” (5体合体! バルディガス)	July 12, 2000
16	“Volcano” “En Garde! Two Convoys!” (対決! ふたりのコンボイ)	July 19, 2000
17	“Attack from Outer Space” “Aiming from Space! Shuttler!!” (宇宙から狙え! シャトラー!!)	July 26, 2000
18	“The Test” “Awaken to Righteousness! Black Convoy” (正義に目覚めよ! ブラックコンボイ)	August 2, 2000
19	“The Fish Test” “Secret Strategy! Gelshark” (秘密作戦! ゲルシャーク)	August 9, 2000
20	“Wedge’s Short Fuse” “Hot-Blooded Warriors! Buildmasters” (熱血戦士! ビルドマスター)	August 16, 2000
21	“Landfill” “Quadruple Merge! Build King” (四体合体! ビルドキング)	August 23, 2000
22	“Sky-Byte Saves the Day” “Friend of Righteousness? Gelshark” (正義の味方? ゲルシャーク)	August 30, 2000
23	“A Test of Metal” “Targeted Buildmasters” (狙われたビルドマスター)	September 6, 2000
24	“Ultra Magnus” “Enter! God Magnus” (登場! ゴッドマグナス)	September 13, 2000
25	“Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!” “Forced Fusion! God Fire Convoy” (強制合体! ゴッドファイヤーコンボイ)	September 20, 2000
26	“Lessons of the Past” “Assemble! New Troops” (集結せよ! 新戦士たち)	September 27, 2000
27	“The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus” “Stalemate! 3 Car Robo Brothers” (絶体絶命! カーロボ3兄弟)	October 4, 2000
28	“Power to Burn!” “Invoke! Double Matrix” (発動! ダブルマトリクス)	October 11, 2000
29	“Fortress Maximus” “Arise! Cybertron City” (浮上! サイバトロンシティ)	October 18, 2000
30	“Koji Gets His Wish” “JRX versus Baldigus” (JRX 対バルディガス)	October 25, 2000
31	“A Friendly Contest” “Gelshark’s Trap” (ゲルシャークの罠)	November 1, 2000
32	“Peril from the Past” “The Final Key? Farewell, Ai” (最後の鍵? さよならアイ)	November 8, 2000
33	“Maximus Emerges” “Stolen Plasma” (奪われたプラズマ)	November 15, 2000
34	“The Human Element” “The Mystery of Brave Maximus” (ブレイブマキシマスの謎)	November 22, 2000
35	“Mystery of the Ultra Magnus” “Gelshark’s Blues” (ゲルシャークの憂鬱)	November 29, 2000
36	“Mistaken Identity” “Black Convoy’s Ambition” (ブラックコンボイの野望)	December 6, 2000
37	“Surprise Attack!” “Brave Maximus’s Rise!” (ブレイブマキシマスの起動!)	December 13, 2000
38	“Galvatron’s Revenge” “Counterattack! Devil Gigatron!” (逆襲! デビルギガトロン!)	December 20, 2000
39	“The Final Battle” “Final Battle! Fire Convoy” (最後の戦い! ファイヤーコンボイ)	December 27, 2000

Unicron Trilogy (2002 – 2006)

Transformers saw a proper return to its roots in 2002, when the Unicron Trilogy began airing. It was named like that because of the big role Unicron, the franchise’s ultimate villain, played in all of the three animated series that comprise the trilogy. The trilogy was a big success for the franchise, not only because it properly rebooted the original G1 characters, but also because of its dark tone, great narration and great animation.

It was the first American-Japanese co-production of a Transformers series, which explains the heavy anime influence it has. It is usually divided into three parts – Armada, Energon and Cybertron. Despite being a co-production, the series aired in the United States first.

If you want to check it out, you should do it like this:

Transformers: Armada (2002-2003)

Note: The air dates are the dates when the episode debuted, regardless of country. Some of the episodes debuted in the United Kingdom or Canada before they were aired in the United States.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“First Encounter”	August 23, 2002
2	“Metamorphosis”	August 23, 2002
3	“Base”	August 23, 2002
4	“Comrade”	September 20, 2002
5	“Soldier”	September 27, 2002
6	“Jungle”	October 4, 2002
7	“Carnival”	October 11, 2002
8	“Palace”	October 18, 2002
9	“Confrontation”	October 25, 2002
10	“Underground”	November 1, 2002
11	“Ruin”	November 15, 2002
12	“Prehistory”	November 22, 2002
13	“Swoop”	November 29, 2002
14	“Overmatch”	December 13, 2002
15	“Gale”	December 20, 2002
16	“Credulous”	December 27, 2002
17	“Conspiracy”	January 20, 2003
18	“Trust”	January 21, 2003
19	“Vacation”	January 22, 2003
20	“Reinforcement”	January 23, 2003
21	“Decisive Battle”	January 24, 2003
22	“Vow”	January 25, 2003
23	“Rebellion”	January 26, 2003
24	“Chase	January 27, 2003
25	“Tactician	January 28, 2003
26	“Link Up”	January 29, 2003
27	“Detection”	March 1, 2001
28	“Awakening”	March 8, 2003
29	“Desperate”	March 15, 2003
30	“Runaway”	March 22, 2003
31	“Past, Part 1”	March 29, 2003
32	“Past, Part 2”	April 5, 2003
33	“Sacrifice”	April 12, 2003
34	“Regeneration”	April 19, 2003
35	“Rescue”	April 26, 2003
36	“Mars”	May 3, 2003
37	“Crack”	May 10, 2003
38	“Threaten”	August 18, 2003
39	“Crisis”	August 19, 2003
40	“Remorse”	August 20, 2003
41	“Depart”	September 5, 2003
42	“Miracle”	September 12, 2003
43	“Puppet”	September 19, 2003
44	“Uprising”	September 25, 2003
45	“Dash”	September 26, 2003
46	“Drift”	September 27, 2003
47	“Portent”	September 28, 2003
48	“Cramp”	September 29, 2003
49	“Alliance”	September 30, 2003
50	“Union”	October 1, 2003
51	“Origin”	October 2, 2003
52	“Mortal Combat”	October 3, 2003

Transformers: Energon (2004)

Note: This series debuted in Japan.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Cybertron City”	January 9, 2004
2	“Energon Stars”	January 16, 2004
3	“Scorpinok”	January 24, 2004
4	“Megatron’s Sword”	January 30, 2004
5	“The New Cybertron City”	February 6, 2004
6	“Megatron Resurrected”	February 13, 2004
7	“Megatron Raid”	February 20, 2004
8	“Starscream, The Mysterious Mercenary”	February 27, 2004
9	“Battle of the Asteroid Belt	March 5, 2004
10	“Energon Tower	March 12, 2004
11	“The Legend of Rodimus	March 19, 2004
12	“Crisis in Jungle City	March 26, 2004
13	“Kicker Beware!	April 2, 2004
14	“Energon Grid	April 9, 2004
15	“Rodimus: Friend or Foe?	April 16, 2004
16	“Go For Unicron!	April 23, 2004
17	“The Return of Demolishor	April 30, 2004
18	“A Tale of Two Heroes”	May 7, 2004
19	“Battle Stations	May 14, 2004
20	“Alpha Q: Identity	May 21, 2004
21	“Shockblast: Rampage”	May 28, 2004
22	“Survival Instincts	June 4, 2004
23	“Each One Fights…”	June 11, 2004
24	“Unicron Unleashed”	June 18, 2004
25	“Open Fire!”	June 25, 2004
26	“Ripped Up Space”	July 2, 2004
27	“Team Optimus Prime“¹	July 9, 2004
28	“Protection”	July 16, 2004
29	“Imprisoned Inferno”	July 23, 2004
30	“Jungle Planet”	July 30, 2004
31	“Bulkhead”	August 6, 2004
32	“Farewell Inferno”	August 13, 2004
33	“Scorpinok’s Scars”²	August 20, 2004
34	“Crash Course”	August 27, 2004
35	“Omega Supreme”	September 3, 2004
36	“A Heroic Battle”	September 10, 2004
37	“The Power”	September 17, 2004
38	“Optimus Supreme”	September 24, 2004
39	“Unicron Perishes”	October 1, 2004
40	“Ambition”	October 8, 2004
41	“Wishes”	October 15, 2004
42	“Galvatron!”	October 22, 2004
43	“Break Through”	October 29, 2004
44	“Distribution”	November 3, 2004
45	“The Omega Train	November 5, 2004
46	“Decepticon Army”	November 12, 2004
47	“Ironhide Team”	November 19, 2004
48	“Formidable”	November 26, 2004
49	“Galvatron Terror”	December 3, 2004
50	“Destructive Power”	December 10, 2004
51	“Spark”	December 17, 2004
52	“The Sun”	December 24, 2004

¹ This episode was just a clip show.
² This episode was never aired outside Japan. The reason for the decision is unclear, but according to Heather Ann Puttock of Voicebox, English voices weren’t even recorded for this episode. This is why the American dub of the anime has only 51 episodes.

Transformers: Cybertron (2005)

Note: This series debuted in Japan, but had some interventions when it was broadcast in the West. Namely, the Japanese producers wrote Cybertron as a stand-alone series, rather than a sequel to Energon and the final chapter of the Unicron Trilogy. The Japanese version aired as the producers intended, but the western producers wanted to establish a connection so they changed some of the dialogue throughout the show and added some (very small quantity) additional animation to establish a link. This has no effect on the watching order, though.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“The Fall of the Holy Land, Seibertron?!” “Fallen” (聖なる故郷　セイバートロン星崩壊！？)	January 8, 2005
2	“Encounter with the Transformers” “Inferno”(トランスフォーマーとの遭遇)	January 15, 2005
3	“Protect the Secret Base!” “Haven” (秘密基地を守れ！)	January 22, 2005
4	“We’ll Teach You How to Live on Earth” “Hidden” (地球での暮らし方教えます)	January 29, 2005
5	“Find the Chip Square!” “Landmine” (チップスクエアを探せ！)	February 5, 2005
6	“The Amazing Planet of Speedia” “Space” (驚異の惑星スピーディア)	February 12, 2005
7	“Nitro Convoy, the Fastest Hero” “Rush” (最速の勇者ニトロコンボイ)	February 19, 2005
8	“Fierce Fighting! Starscream” “Speed” (激闘！スタースクリーム)	February 26, 2005
9	“Save the City of the People!” “Collapse” (人間の街を救え！)	March 5, 2005
10	“Vector Prime’s Decision” “Time” (ベクタープライムの決断)	March 12, 2005
11	“Beast Planet Animatros” “Search” (魔獣惑星アニマトロス)	March 19, 2005
12	“Flame Convoy, the Monstrous Dragon King” “Deep” (怪竜王フレイムコンボイ)	March 26, 2005
13	“The Fight of Atlantis” “Ship” (アトランティスの攻防)	April 2, 2005
14	“The Great Race Begins!” “Hero” (グレートレース開始！)	April 9, 2005
15	“Bud and Hop’s City Trip” “Race” (バドとホップの都会旅行)	April 16, 2005
16	“Beast Reincarnation! Liger Jack” “Detour” (野獣転生！ライガージャック)	April 23, 2005
17	“Link-Up! Liger Convoy” “Savage” (リンクアップ！ライガーコンボイ)	April 30, 2005
18	“Scorching Dead Heat” “Sand” (灼熱のデッドヒート)	May 7, 2005
19	“The Planet Cup of Glory” “Champion” (栄光のプラネットカップ)	May 14, 2005
20	“Mortal Showdown Beyond the Aurora” “Ice” (オーロラの彼方の死闘)	May 21, 2005
21	“Fight! Liger Jack” “Honor” (戦え！ライガージャック)	May 28, 2005
22	“Lori, to the Beast’s Planet” “Primal” (ローリ、魔獣の星へ)	June 4, 2005
23	“Decisive Battle! Animatros” “Trust” (決戦！アニマトロス)	June 11, 2005
24	“The Return of the Monsters” “Trap” (怪物たちの復活)	June 18, 2005
25	“Guardian of the Earth Live Convoy” “Invasion” (地球の守護神ライブコンボイ)	June 25, 2005
26	“The Third Planet Force” “Retreat” (3つ目のプラネットフォース)	July 2, 2005
27	“The Countdown to the Doom of the Universe” “Revelation” (宇宙滅亡へのカウントダウン)	July 9, 2005
28	“The Reincarnation of the Vanguard Team!” “Critical” (転生！バンガードチーム)	July 16, 2005
29	“The Awesome Guy From Outer Space” “Assault” (宇宙から来たスゴい奴)	July 23, 2005
30	“The King of Ambition, Ill Will Unleashed” “Starscream” (野望の王　邪心全開)	July 30, 2005
31	“High Speed Mobile Unit Sonic Convoy” “United” (高速機動合体ソニックコンボイ)	August 6, 2005
32	“Transcendental Transformation! The Liberating Power” “Cybertron” (超絶変形！解放される力)	August 13, 2005
33	“The Resurrected Giant God” “Balance” (よみがえった巨大神)	August 20, 2005
34	“Counterattack from the Darkness” “Darkness” (暗黒からの逆襲)	August 27, 2005
35	“The Maze of Atlantis” “Memory” (アトランティスの迷路)	September 3, 2005
36	“The Great Escape Operation” “Escape” (それゆけ脱出大作戦)	September 10, 2005
37	“And So, It’s Time to Depart” “Family” (そして、旅立ちの時)	September 17, 2005
38	“Clash of Crushing Ambitions!” “Titans” (激突！砕け散る野望)	September 24, 2005
39	“Ultra Space-Time Tunnel Breach” “Warp” (超時空トンネル突破)	October 1, 2005
40	“Megalo Convoy of Gigalonia” “Giant” (ギガロニアのメガロコンボイ)	October 8, 2005
41	“The Descent of Master Galvatron” “Fury” (マスターガルバトロン降臨)	October 15, 2005
42	“To the Underworld!” “City” (地下世界へＧＯ！！)	October 22, 2005
43	“Showdown! Lori vs. Chromia (Ambush)” “Fallen” (対決！ローリＶＳクロミア)	October 29, 2005
44	“The Secret of Planet X” “Challenge” (プラネットＸの秘密)	November 5, 2005
45	“A Small Town With Big Stars” “Scourge” (大きな星の小さな町)	November 12, 2005
46	“The Last Planet Force” “Optimus” (最後のプラネットフォース)	November 19, 2005
47	“The End of Great Ambition” “Showdown” (大いなる野望の果て)	November 26, 2005
48	“The Eternal Watcher of Time and Space” “Guardian” (永遠の時空監視者)	December 3, 2005
49	“The Cybertron Mass Gathering” “Homecoming” (サイバトロン大集結)	December 10, 2005
50	“The Light of Hope at the End” “End” (終末の時、希望の光を)	December 17, 2005
51	“Galaxy Convoy VS Master Galvatron: Final Battle!” “Unfinished” (ギャラクシーコンボイVSマスターガルバトロン最終決戦！)	December 24, 2005
52	“A New Journey” “Beginning” (新たなる旅立ち)	December 31, 2005

Live-action films (2007 – present)

In 2007, Hasbro finally launched a live-action film series based on the Transformers franchise. At the time of writing this article, the series consists of six films – five from the main continuity, and a spin-off/soft reboot film focused on Bumblebee. Initially, the series was quite well-received, mostly due to its use of CG animation in designing the Transformers, their transformations and the action sequences. It was even nominated for several technical Oscars. Still, the fact that Michael Bay directed the franchise and that the story became more ridiculous with every instalment sent the series on a downward spiral from being an Oscar-contender to becoming a Golden Raspberry-winner. The franchise is still active, but with the produces pondering some changes to make it more relevant once again.

As for the best watching order, here it is:

Bumblebee (2018)

Bumblebee

December 21, 2018

Despite being the most recent instalment in the franchise, Bumblebee is chronologically the first one, detailing why and how the Transformers actually arrived on Earth, as shown in the 2007 movie. This is why we think that you should – if you haven’t seen any of the movies – start with this one.

On Cybertron, the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, are on the verge of losing the Great Cybertronian War to their enemies, the Decepticons, had begin making preparations to leave the planet. The Decepticons led by Shockwave, Soundwave and Starscream ambush them during the evacuation, and Optimus sends a young scout, B-127, to Earth in order to set up a base of operations where the Autobots can regroup. B-127 reaches Earth alone in 1987, crash-landing in California and disrupting a training exercise being conducted by Sector 7, a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial activity on Earth. Sector 7 agent Colonel Jack Burns presumes B-127 to be a hostile invader and attacks, driving B-127 into the forest, where he is then ambushed by the Decepticon Blitzwing. When B-127 refuses to reveal Optimus’ whereabouts, Blitzwing spitefully tears out his voice-box and damages his memory core. B-127 manages to destroy Blitzwing before collapsing from his wounds. Before entering stasis, B-127 scans and transforms into a yellow 1967 Volkswagen Beetle.

Transformers (2007)

Transformers

July 3, 2007

When you’re done with Bumblebee, you can start watching the movies in the order they were filmed, since they follow the narrative chronologically from that point; Bumblebee is the only instalment that went back in time with its narrative.

High-school student Sam Witwicky buys his first car, who is actually the Autobot Bumblebee. Bumblebee defends Sam and his girlfriend Mikaela Banes from the Decepticon Barricade, before the other Autobots arrive on Earth. They are searching for the Allspark, and the war on Earth heats up as the Decepticons attack a United States military base in Qatar. Sam and Mikaela are taken by the top-secret agency Sector 7 to help stop the Decepticons, but when they learn the agency also intends to destroy the Autobots, they formulate their own plan to save the world.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

June 24, 2009

The week Sam Witwicky starts college, the Decepticons make trouble in Shanghai. A presidential envoy believes it’s because the Autobots are around; he wants them gone. He’s wrong: the Decepticons need access to Sam’s mind to see some glyphs imprinted there that will lead them to a fragile object that, when inserted in an alien machine hidden in Egypt for centuries, will give them the power to blow out the Sun. Sam, his girlfriend Mikaela Banes, and Sam’s parents are in danger. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee are Sam’s principal protectors and they have to do everything they can to protect him, and with him – the world.

Transformers: Cyber Missions (2010)

Cyber Missions is actually a CG animated web-series set within the live-action universe. It consisted of 13 episodes that followed the Autobots in their continued battles against the Decepticons with the help of the allies in N.E.S.T. The series was set between Revenge of the Fallen and Dark of the Moon. Here are the episodes:

3#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	#1	January 21, 2010
2	#2	February 7, 2010
3	#3	March 4, 2010
4	#4	March 27, 2010
5	#5	March 27, 2010
6	#6	March 27, 2010
7	#7	June 18, 2010
8	#8	June 30, 2010
9	#9	September 10, 2010
10	#10	September 8, 2010
11	#11	October 3, 2010
12	#12	September 29, 2010
13	“Decepticons Attack”	September 29, 2010

Note: The episode order is correct, but due to lacking information about the exact air dates, the original air dates for the episodes might not be correct. Also, Episode 13 is the only one that got an official name.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

June 29, 2011

Picking up two years after the Egypt incident, the Autobots and their human allies discover a lost piece of Cybertronian technology which has been in human possession for several years. It is revealed that the artifact is part of an Autobot spacecraft which has crashed on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon and carries a special technology and the legendary Sentinel Prime (Optimus Prime’s old mentor). However, Sam Witwicky discovers a conspiracy by the Decepticons who plot to use it for their own evil purposes. And Optimus Prime finds that they are up against a menace who plans to also use it to enslave humanity in order to restore Cybertron.

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

Transformers: Age of Extinction

June 27, 2014

Five years after defeating Sentinel Prime and Megatron in Chicago, the Autobots have gone into hiding after the government deemed all Transformers as threats, and thus, began to hunt them all down. The government have thus replaced the Autobots with their own Transformers using technology from the fallen Transformers. For a reward, Texas mechanic Cade Yeager finds a truck that turns out to be the leader of the Autobots known as Optimus Prime. As the government hunts down all Transformers, Cade and his family are involved in the business between a bounty hunter and Optimus.

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Transformers: The Last Knight

June 21, 2017

Three years after Optimus Prime left Earth, the Autobots are still a world threat and they are at war with the Decepticons. Cade Yeager finds a Talisman given from a dying Transformer. However, the U.S. Military and the Decepticons find Cade and the Autobots and are now on the run again. Cade meets a Transformer known as Cogman and tells him and Bumblebee to head to London with him. They meet with an English Lord known as Sir Edmund Burton and head to a Cybertronian Knights ship underwater. They encounter Optimus Prime, but he’s now evil and his master is Quintessa. Quintessa’s intention is to collide Cybertron and Earth so Cybertron can begin again. and it’s up to Cade, an English professor known as Vivian Wembley , Sir Edmund Burton, Cogman, Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots to save the world.

Transformers: Animated (2007 – 2010)

Starting in 2007, Animated was an attempt on Hasbro’s side to completely unify the history of the franchise under a new, kid-friendly dome with modern animation and stories that would draw influence from all the previous iterations, but also the live-action films. The series aired on Cartoon Network and was a mild success for the franchise, airing until 2009. If you want to watch it, we have the proper watching order for you right here:

Season 1 (2007-2008)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1–3	“Transform and Roll Out”	December 26, 2007
4	“Home Is Where the Spark Is”	January 5, 2008
5	“Total Meltdown”	January 12, 2008
6	“Blast from the Past”	January 19, 2008
7	“Thrill of the Hunt”	January 26, 2008
8	“Nanosec”	February 9, 2008
9	“Along Came a Spider”	February 16, 2008
10	“Sound and Fury”	February 22, 2008
11	“Lost and Found”	March 1, 2008
12	“Survival of the Fittest”	March 8, 2008
13	“Headmaster”	March 15, 2008
14	“Nature Calls”	March 22, 2008
15–16	“Megatron Rising”	March 29, 2008 April 5, 2008

Season 2 (2008)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“The Elite Guard”	April 12, 2008
2	“The Return of the Headmaster”	April 26, 2008
3	“Mission Accomplished”	May 3, 2008
4	“Garbage In, Garbage Out”	May 10, 2008
5	“Velocity”	May 17, 2008
6	“Rise of the Constructicons”	May 24, 2008
7	“A Fistful of Energon”	May 31, 2008
8	“SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy”	June 7, 2008
9	“Autoboot Camp”	June 14, 2008
10	“Black Friday”	June 21, 2008
11	“Sari, No One’s Home”	June 28, 2008
12–13	“A Bridge Too Close”	July 5, 2008

Season 3 (2008)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1–3	“Transwarped”	March 14, 2009
4	“Three’s a Crowd”	March 21, 2009
5	“Where Is Thy Sting?”	March 21, 2009
6	“Five Servos of Doom”	April 4, 2009
7	“Predacons Rising”	April 11, 2009
8–9	“Human Error”	April 18, 2009 April 25, 2009
10	“Decepticon Air”	May 2, 2009
11	“This Is Why I Hate Machines”	May 9, 2009
12–13	“Endgame”	May 16, 2009 May 23, 2009

Season 4 (cancelled)

Interesting enough, Animated was supposed to have a fourth season that would have focused on the discovery of Energon deposits left by the Allspark across Detroit. The season has a complete episode list and synopses for each of the unproduced episodes, but the show was ultimately cancelled. This is what the season would have looked like:

Episode Title	Notes
“Trial of Megatron”	_{Envisioned as a three-part episode}
“Turf War”
“This is Why I Hate Organics”
“Mirror, Mirror”
“Gremlins in the Geers”
“What a Tangled Web We Have”
“S.T.E.A.M.”
“It Came from (Planet) Cybertron”
“Triple Threat”
“Allspark-alypse Now!”
“Process of Elimination”
“Trukk vs. Munky”
“Megatron Must Be Destroyed!”	_{Envisioned as a two-part episode}

Aligned Universe (2010 – present)

In 2010, the Transformers franchise went through another shakeup, when a new narrative continuity was created with the Prime series. The continuity used modern animation, but drew inspiration from earlier iterations. So far, there have been four animated series (with one still running), an OVA series and an animated movie, which makes this continuity one of the largest and longest-running continuities in the history of the franchise. This is why we have prepared a proper watching order for you:

Transformers: Prime (2010-2013)

Prime was the first series of the Aligned universe. It consists of three seasons and an animated movie, and follows the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime and aided by three human children, in their fights against the evil Decepticons, led by Megatron. The series was critically and commercially successful, winning several awards during its run. This is the complete watching order:

Season 1 (2010-2011)

#	Episode Label	Air Date
1	“Darkness Rising, Part 1”	November 29, 2010
2	“Darkness Rising, Part 2”	November 30, 2010
3	“Darkness Rising, Part 3”	December 1, 2010
4	“Darkness Rising, Part 4”	December 2, 2010
5	“Darkness Rising, Part 5”	December 3, 2010
6	“Masters and Students”	February 11, 2011
7	“Scrapheap”	February 18, 2011
8	“Con Job”	February 25, 2011
9	“Convoy”	March 4, 2011
10	“Deus Ex Machina”	March 11, 2011
11	“Speed Metal”	April 9, 2011
12	“Predatory”	April 16, 2011
13	“Sick Mind”	April 30, 2011
14	“Out of His Head”	May 7, 2011
15	“Shadowzone”	May 14, 2011
16	“Operation: Breakdown”	June 18, 2011
17	“Crisscross”	June 25, 2011
18	“Metal Attraction”	July 9, 2011
19	“Rock Bottom”	July 16, 2011
20	“Partners”	July 23, 2011
21	“T.M.I.”	September 10, 2011
22	“Stronger, Faster”	September 17, 2011
23	“One Shall Fall”	September 24, 2011
24	“One Shall Rise, Part 1”	October 1, 2011
25	“One Shall Rise, Part 2”	October 8, 2011
26	“One Shall Rise, Part 3”	October 15, 2011

Season 2 (2012)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Orion Pax, Part 1”	February 18, 2012
2	“Orion Pax, Part 2”	February 25, 2012
3	“Orion Pax, Part 3”	March 3, 2012
4	“Operation: Bumblebee, Part 1”	March 10, 2012
5	“Operation: Bumblebee, Part 2”	March 17, 2012
6	“Loose Cannons”	March 24, 2012
7	“Crossfire”	March 31, 2012
8	“Nemesis Prime”	April 7, 2012
9	“Grill”	April 14, 2012
10	“Armada”	April 21, 2012
11	“Flying Mind”	April 28, 2012
12	“Tunnel Vision”	May 5, 2012
13	“Triangulation”	May 12, 2012
14	“Triage”	May 19, 2012
15	“Toxicity”	May 26, 2012
16	“Hurt”	August 24, 2012
17	“Out of the Past”	August 31, 2012
18	“New Recruit”	September 7, 2012
19	“The Human Factor”	September 14, 2012
20	“Legacy”	September 21, 2012
21	“Alpha Omega”	September 28, 2012
22	“Hard Knocks”	October 5, 2012
23	“Inside Job”	October 12, 2012
24	“Patch”	October 19, 2012
25	“Regeneration”	October 26, 2012
26	“Darkest Hour”	November 2, 2012

Season 3 (2013)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Darkmount, NV”	March 22, 2013
2	“Scattered”	March 29, 2013
3	“Prey”	April 5, 2013
4	“Rebellion”	April 12, 2013
5	“Project Predacon”	May 17, 2013
6	“Chain of Command”	May 24, 2013
7	“Plus One”	May 31, 2013
8	“Thirst”	June 7, 2013
9	“Evolution”	June 28, 2013
10	“Minus One”	July 5, 2013
11	“Persuasion”	July 12, 2013
12	“Synthesis”	July 19, 2013
13	“Deadlock”	July 26, 2013

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising (2013)

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising

October 4, 2013

This TV-movie, which aired in 2013, was the conclusion of the Prime saga, ending the series, but also giving it a new beginning in a way. The plot was set after the Autobots’ victory on Earth, when Unicron returns in possession of Megatron’s body with the intent on destroying Cybertron, forcing Autobots, Decepticons, and Predacons to form an unlikely alliance to counter this threat.

Transformers Go! (2013-2014)

Go! is a Japanese OVA series consisting of ten 13-minute OVA episodes that aired exclusively in Japan. It was the first Japanese Transformers series in eight years and was set within the Prime continuity, but it was a stand-alone series set in Japan. Since it came out before Robots in Disguise, we believe it’s better if you watched it directly after Prime. This is the correct watching order:

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Cubed Combination! Swordbot: Samurai!”	June 1, 2013
2	“Triple Combination! Swordbot: Ninja!”	August 1, 2013
3	“Pursue! The Legendiscs!”	August 1, 2013
4	“The Invincible Swordsman – Ryoma Sakamoto!?”	September 1, 2013
5	“Discover! The Legendiscs!”	October 1, 2013
6	“Showdown! Benkei Musashibo!”	November 1, 2013
7	“Enter! The New Warrior!”	January 1, 2014
8	“Depart! Optimus Exprime!”	February 1, 2014
9	“Final Battle! Link-Up Triple Combination DaiGekisou!”	April 1, 2014
10	“Final Battle! Link-Up Triple Combination DaiKenzan!”	May 1, 2014

Note: The air dates are taken from IMDb. Since the information on there is not always 100% reliable, the exact air dates might not be fully correct. The Japanese Wikipedia lists different dates, but they are related to the DVD editions of each of the OVA episodes.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015-2017)

Despite sharing its name with the series from 2000, Robots in Disguise doesn’t have anything to do with it. Rather, it is a stand-alone sequel to Prime, featuring characters (most of whose voice actors reprise their roles) and storylines mostly self-contained from the events of its predecessor as well as an overall more lighthearted tone. Still, it was set in the same narrative continuity and should, thus, be watched after Prime and the Japanese OVA series. The series consists of three seasons, a miniseries and a series of online shorts, and we have the watching order for you:

Season 1 (2015)

Note: Episodes 1-13 debuted in China.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Pilot, Part 1”	December 31, 2014
2	“Pilot, Part 2”	December 31, 2014
3	“Trust Exercises”	December 31, 2014
4	“More Than Meets the Eye”	December 31, 2014
5	“W.W.O.D.?”	December 31, 2014
6	“As the Kospego Commands!”	December 31, 2014
7	“Collect ‘Em All”	December 31, 2014
8	“True Colors”	December 31, 2014
9	“Rumble in the Jungle”	December 31, 2014
10	“Can You Dig It?”	December 31, 2014
11	“Adventures in Bumblebee-Sitting!”	December 31, 2014
12	“Hunting Season”	December 31, 2014
13	“Out of Focus”	December 31, 2014
14	“Sideways”	June 20, 2015
15	“Even Robots Have Nightmares”	June 27, 2015
16	“Some Body, Any Body”	July 4, 2015
17	“One of Our Mini-Cons Is Missing”	July 11, 2015
18	“Deep Trouble”	July 18, 2015
19	“The Champ”	July 25, 2015
20	“The Trouble with Fixit”	August 1, 2015
21	“Lockout”	August 8, 2015
22	“Similarly Different”	August 15, 2015
23	“The Buzz on Windblade”	August 22, 2015
24	“Ghosts and Impostors”	August 29, 2015
25	“Battlegrounds, Part 1”	September 5, 2015
26	“Battlegrounds, Part 2”	September 12, 2015

Online shorts (2015)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Fixit Jam”	April 29, 2015
2	“To Catch a Phrase”	May 13, 2015
3	“Sticky Situation”	May 26, 2015
4	“Carjacked!”	June 23, 2015
5	“Perfect”	June 23, 2015
6	“Knock, Knock!”	October 28, 2015
7	“The Power of Dibs”	October 28, 2015
8	“Back and Forth”	November 6, 2015
9	“The Tragedy of Slipstream”	November 6, 2015
10	“A Level Playing Field”	November 6, 2015
11	“Two Plus Two Equals More”	November 6, 2015

Season 2 (2016)

Note: Episodes 7-13 debuted in the United Kingdom.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Overloaded, Part 1”	February 20, 2016
2	“Overloaded, Part 2”	February 27, 2016
3	“Metal Meltdown”	March 5, 2016
4	“Suspended”	March 12, 2016
5	“Cover Me”	March 19, 2016
6	“Brainpower”	March 26, 2016
7	“Misdirection”	March 27, 2016
8	“Bumblebee’s Night Off”	April 2, 2016
9	“Impounded”	April 3, 2016
10	“Portals”	April 9, 2016
11	“Graduation Exercises”	April 10, 2016
12	“Decepticon Island, Part 1”	April 16, 2016
13	“Decepticon Island, Part 2”	April 16, 2016

Miniseries (2016)

Note: The series debuted in Canada.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“History Lessons”	September 10, 2016
2	“Strongarm’s Big Score”	September 17, 2016
3	“Pretzel Logic”	September 24, 2016
4	“Mighty Big Trouble”	October 1, 2016
5	“Mini-Con Madness”	October 8, 2016
6	“Worthy”	October 15, 2016

Season 3 (2017) – Combiner Force

Note: Episodes 1-4 debuted in France; episodes 11-13 and 25-26 debuted in the United Kingdom; episodes 14-17 debuted in Canada.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“King of the Hill, Part 1”	April 25, 2017
2	“King of the Hill, Part 2”	April 25, 2017
3	“Defrosted”	April 25, 2017
4	“Blurred”	April 25, 2017
5	“Sphere of Influence”	May 20, 2017
6	“Bee Cool”	May 27, 2017
7	“The Great Divide”	June 3, 2017
8	“Get a Clue”	June 10, 2017
9	“Out of the Shadows”	June 17, 2017
10	“Disordered Personalities”	June 24, 2017
11	“Guilty as Charged”	July 15, 2017
12	“The Golden Knight”	July 16, 2017
13	“The Fastest Bot Alive!”	July 22, 2017
14	“Railroad Rage”	August 5, 2017
15	“Combine and Conquer”	August 12, 2017
16	“Moon Breaker”	August 19, 2017
17	“Exiles”	August 26, 2017
18	“Breathing Room”	September 16, 2017
19	“Prepare for Departure”	September 23, 2017
20	“Prisoner Principles”	September 30, 2017
21	“Collateral Damage”	October 7, 2017
22	“Something He Ate”	October 14, 2017
23	“Sick as a Bot”	October 21, 2017
24	“Five Fugitives”	October 28, 2017
25	“Enemy of My Enemy”	October 29, 2017
26	“Freedom Fighters”	November 4, 2017

Transformers: Rescue Bots (2012-2016)

Rescue Bots is a series set within the Aligned Universe, but it has no connection to the previous series, which is why we have listed it here, as a separate entry. It was more kid-friendly show with different animation and is generally considered to be a less important instalment in the franchise. Nevertheless, it is one of the longest Transformers shows. Here is how you should watch it:

Season 1 (2012)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Family of Heroes”	February 18, 2012
2	“Under Pressure”	February 18, 2012
3	“Hotshots”	February 25, 2012
4	“Flobsters on Parade”	March 3, 2012
5	“The Alien Invasion of Griffin Rock”	March 10, 2012
6	“Cody on Patrol”	March 17, 2012
7	“Four Bots and a Baby”	April 14, 2012
8	“Walk on the Wild Side”	April 21, 2012
9	“Christmas in July”	April 28, 2012
10	“Deep Trouble”	May 5, 2012
11	“Return of the Dinobot”	May 12, 2012
12	“The Other Doctor”	May 19, 2012
13	“The Reign of Morocco”	May 19, 2012
14	“Small Blessings”	June 9, 2012
15	“The Griffin Rock Triangle”	June 16, 2012
16	“Rules and Regulations”	June 23, 2012
17	“The Lost Bell”	June 30, 2012
18	“Bumblebee to the Rescue”	July 7, 2012
19	“You’ve Been Squilshed”	July 14, 2012
20	“Countdown”	July 21, 2012
21	“The Haunting of Griffin Rock”	July 28, 2012
22	“Little White Lies”	August 4, 2012
23	“Shake Up”	August 11, 2012
24	“Rescue Boy”	August 11, 2012
25	“It’s a Bot Time”	August 18, 2012
26	“Bot to the Future”	August 18, 2012

Season 2 (2014)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Road Trip”	March 1, 2014
2	“Sky Forest”	March 1, 2014
3	“One for the Ages”	March 8, 2014
4	“Tip of the Iceberg”	March 15, 2014
5	“Spellbound”	March 22, 2014
6	“A Virtual Disaster”	March 29, 2014
7	“Prescott’s Bots”	April 5, 2014
8	“Blame the Gremlins”	April 12, 2014
9	“Feed the Beast”	April 19, 2014
10	“What Lies Below”	April 26, 2014
11	“What Rises Above”	May 3, 2014
12	“Space Bots”	May 10, 2014
13	“The Island of Misfit Tech”	May 17, 2014
14	“The Vigilant Town”	May 24, 2014
15	“Buddy System”	May 31, 2014
16	“In Search of the Griffin’s Nest”	June 7, 2014
17	“Bots and Robbers”	June 14, 2014
18	“Rescue Dog”	June 21, 2014
19	“Changes”	June 28, 2014
20	“Movers and Shakers”	July 5, 2014
21	“Odd Bot Out”	July 12, 2014
22	“The Griffin Rock Express”	July 19, 2014
23	“Double Villainy”	July 26, 2014
24	“Rise of the Heroes”	August 2, 2014

Season 3 (2014-2015)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Land Before Prime”	November 1, 2014
2	“Big Game”	November 1, 2014
3	“Too Many Kades”	November 8, 2014
4	“Phantom of the Sea”	November 15, 2014
5	“Unfinished Business”	November 22, 2014
6	“No Place Like Dome”	November 29, 2014
7	“Bugs in the System”	December 6, 2014
8	“Switcheroo”	December 13, 2014
9	“The Riders of Midwinter”	December 13, 2014
10	“Bot-Tastic Voyage”	December 20, 2014
11	“Quarry vs. Quarry”	December 27, 2014
12	“Chief Woodrow”	January 18, 2015
13	“Did You See What I Thaw?”	February 28, 2015
14	“The Attack of Humungado”	March 7, 2015
15	“Thieves Like Us”	March 14, 2015
16	“Time After Time”	March 21, 2015
17	“Pirates Ahoy”	March 28, 2015
18	“Turning the Tide”	April 11, 2015
19	“The Last of Morocco”	April 18, 2015
20	“The New Recruits”	April 25, 2015
21	“Rescue Bots Academy”	May 2, 2015
22	“A New Hero”	May 9, 2015
23	“Four-Legged Hero”	May 16, 2015
24	“Endangered Species”	May 23, 2015
25	“More Than Meets the Eye”	May 30, 2015
26	“I Have Heard the Robots Singing”	June 6, 2015
27	“Now and Then”	June 13, 2015
28	“Today and Forever”	June 13, 2015

Season 4 (2016)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“New Normal”	April 23, 2016
2	“Bridge Building”	April 23, 2016
3	“Arrivals”	April 30, 2016
4	“Plus One”	May 7, 2016
5	“Back to Virtual Reality”	May 14, 2016
6	“Vanishing Returns”	May 21, 2016
7	“Ghost in the Machine”	May 28, 2016
8	“Enemy of My Enemy”	June 4, 2016
9	“Mayor May Not”	June 11, 2016
10	“All Spark Day”	June 18, 2016
11	“Part Time Heroes”	June 25, 2016
12	“The More Things Change…”	July 2, 2016
13	“The More Things Stay the Same”	July 9, 2016
14	“Hot Rod Bot”	July 23, 2016
15	“King Burns”	July 30, 2016
16	“Pizza Pi Party”	August 6, 2016
17	“Uninvited Guest”	August 13, 2016
18	“Camp Cody”	August 27, 2016
19	“Once Upon a Time”	September 3, 2016
20	“The Need for Speed”	September 10, 2016
21	“Cody’s 11”	September 17, 2016
22	“A Brush with Danger”	October 1, 2016
23	“To Infinity…and Back”	October 8, 2016
24	“Family Business”	October 15, 2016
25	“Upgrades”	October 22, 2016
26	“Transformations”	October 22, 2016

Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy (2019-present)

Rescue Bots Academy is a sequel to Rescue Bots, set within the same universe and having the same tone and animation style. It is still running, with the second season being half-finished at the moment of writing this article. The episodes all last 11 minutes. Here is the list:

Season 1 (2019)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1-2	“Recruits”	January 5, 2019
3	“If at First…”	January 5, 2019
4	“Tough Luck Chuck”	January 5, 2019
5	“Whirl’d View”	January 12, 2019
6	“Plan Bee”	January 12, 2019
7	“The Bot Who Cried Rescue”	January 19, 2019
8	“Mount Botmore”	January 19, 2019
9	“Mission Inaudible”	January 26, 2019
10	“Glitch”	January 26, 2019
11	“Five Into Four”	February 2, 2019
12	“Rescue Promo”	February 2, 2019
13	“Blame Game”	February 9, 2019
14	“Surprise, Medix!”	February 9, 2019
15	“The TX3000”	February 16, 2019
16	“Little Bot Peep”	February 16, 2019
17	“Driving a Wedge”	February 23, 2019
18	“The Big, Small Rescue”	February 23, 2019
19	“Go, Team, Go!”	March 2, 2019
20	“About a Rock”	March 2, 2019
21	“Dog Stray Afternoon”	March 9, 2019
22	“Lucky Ducky”	March 9, 2019
23	“Flight School”	March 16, 2019
24	“Battle of the Bots”	March 16, 2019
25	“Screen Time”	March 23, 2019
26	“Fright at the Museum”	March 23, 2019
27	“Space Case”	September 7, 2019
28	“All at Sea”	September 7, 2019
29	“All Washed Up”	September 7, 2019
30	“Who’s Teaching Who? “	September 7, 2019
31	“Balloon Up a Tree”	September 14, 2019
32	“The Mystery of Dragon Mountain”	September 14, 2019
33	“Hack Attack”	September 21, 2019
34	“Life of the Party”	September 21, 2019
35	“Tyrannosaurus Wrecked”	September 28, 2019
36	“Dino Hard”	September 28, 2019
37	“Buddy Cop”	October 5, 2019
38	“Escape from Penguin Island”	October 5, 2019
39	“All the Glitters”	October 19, 2019
40	“Dig Fest”	October 19, 2019
41	“Trick or Treat”	October 26, 2019
42	“Monster Savings”	October 26, 2019
43	“Tune Out”	November 2, 2019
44	“Metal Munchers”	November 2, 2019
45	“Bee Prepared”	November 9, 2019
46	“Whirl’s Wise-Bot Quest”	November 9, 2019
47	“Flying Hunk-A-Junk”	November 16, 2019
48	“Into the Depths”	November 16, 2019
49	“Milford Goes to the Dogs”	November 23, 2019
50	“The Ice Wave”	November 23, 2019
51-52	“Best Bots Forever”	November 30, 2019

Season 2 (2020-present)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Back to School”	March 21, 2020
2	“Mission Dinobot”	March 21, 2020
3	“In Training”	March 28, 2020
4	“Medix Steps Up to the Bat”	March 28, 2020
5	“Robo-Cody”	April 4, 2020
6	“Heatwave’s Shiny Coat”	April 4, 2020
7	“Acting Out”	April 18, 2020
8	“Need to Know”	April 18, 2020
9	“Trouble Cubed”	April 25, 2020
10	“My Favorite Rescue”	April 25, 2020
11	“The Great Energon Rush”	May 2, 2020
12	“The Vault of the Primes”	May 2, 2020
13	“Wild Ghost Chase”	May 9, 2020
14	“Little Plot of Horrors”	May 9, 2020
15	“Museum Mystery”	May 16, 2020
16	“Partners”	May 16, 2020
17	“Critical Condition”	May 23, 2020
18	“Fun-Droids”	May 23, 2020
19	“Power Up and Energize”	May 30, 2020
20	“Shall We Dance?”	May 30, 2020
21	“Mul-T-Change of Pace”	June 6, 2020
22	“Five Little Rescue Bots”	June 6, 2020
23	“Good Advice”	June 20, 2020
24	“Campfire Fright”	June 20, 2020
25	“Small Cogs”	June 27, 2020
26	“Big Wheels”	June 27, 2020
27	“TBA”	TBA
28	“TBA”	TBA
29	“TBA”	TBA
30	“TBA”	TBA
31	“TBA”	TBA
32	“TBA”	TBA
33	“TBA”	TBA
34	“TBA”	TBA
35	“TBA”	TBA
36	“TBA”	TBA
37	“TBA”	TBA
38	“TBA”	TBA
39	“TBA”	TBA
40	“TBA”	TBA
41	“TBA”	TBA
42	“TBA”	TBA
43	“TBA”	TBA
44	“TBA”	TBA
45	“TBA”	TBA
46	“TBA”	TBA
47	“TBA”	TBA
48	“TBA”	TBA
49	“TBA”	TBA
50	“TBA”	TBA
51	“TBA”	TBA
52	“TBA”	TBA

Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy (2016 – 2018)

The Prime Wars Trilogy was a three-part web series that chronicled the future of the Transformers after the great war between the Autobots and Decepticons, with the main villain being Megatronus, a.k.a. The Fallen. Despite consisting of only twenty-eight 7-12-minute episodes, the trilogy was well received and is lauded for its animation, story and themes. If you’d care to watch it, here’s how you should do it:

Combiner Wars (2016)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“The Fall”	August 2, 2016
2	“The Council”	August 9, 2016
3	“The Duel”	August 16, 2016
4	“Unforgotten”	August 23, 2016
5	“Homecoming”	August 30, 2016
6	“A War of Giants”	September 6, 2016
7	“Darkest Hour”	September 13, 2016
8	“Destruction’s Dawn”	September 20, 2016

Titans Return (2017-2018)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Aftermath and Rebirth”	November 14, 2017
2	“Our Heroes Respond”	November 14, 2017
3	“The Fight Begins”	November 21, 2017
4	“Overlord and Emissary”	November 28, 2017
5	“At the Last Second”	December 5, 2017
6	“Desperate Actions”	December 12, 2017
7	“Run for Our Lives”	December 19, 2017
8	“In Good Hands”	December 26, 2017
9	“Consumed”	January 2, 2018
10	“All Things Must Pass”	January 9, 2018

Power of the Primes (2018)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“The Swamp”	May 1, 2018
2	“Volcanicus”	May 8, 2018
3	“Without Warning”	May 15, 2018
4	“Primal”	May 22, 2018
5	“Athenaeum Sanctorum”	May 29, 2018
6	“Countdown”	June 5, 2018
7	“Consequences”	June 12, 2018
8	“Collision Course”	June 19, 2018
9	“Megatronus Unleashed”	June 26, 2018
10	“Saga’s End”	July 3, 2018

Transformers: Cyberverse (2018–2020)

Cyberverse was a recent Cartoon Network animated series that ran for a total of three seasons. It was set in its unique continuity with the character designs being mostly inspired by G1 Transformers, but more kid-friendly. The show generally had a much lighter tone and was aiming for a younger audience, unlike the G1 series that inspired it. The watching order is as follows:

Season 1 (2018) – Chapter One

Note: The air dates in the table are the actual debut dates of each episode, regardless of whether they were released online or in some other country before their original U.S. air date.

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Fractured”	August 27, 2018
2	“Memory”	August 27, 2018
3	“Allspark”	September 14, 2018
4	“The Journey”	September 21, 2018
5	“Whiteout”	September 28, 2018
6	“Megatron Is My Hero”	September 30, 2018
7	“Cube”	October 7, 2018
8	“Terminal Velocity”	October 7, 2018
9	“Shadowstriker”	October 14, 2018
10	“MacCadam’s”	October 14, 2018
11	“Sabotage”	October 26, 2018
12	“Teletraan-X”	November 10, 2017
13	“Matrix of Leadership”	November 10, 2017
14	“Siloed”	November 17, 2017
15	“King of the Dinosaurs”	December 2, 2017
16	“The Extinction Event”	December 2, 2017
17	“Awaken Sleeping Giants”	December 15, 2017
18	“Eruption”	December 15, 2017

Season 2 (2019-2020) – Power of the Spark

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Sea of Tranquility”	September 7, 2019
2	“Bad Moon Rising^“	September 14, 2019
3	“The Visitor”	September 21, 2019
4	“Bring Me the Spark of Optimus Prime”	September 28, 2019
5	“Trials”	October 5, 2019
6	“Dark Birth”	October 12, 2019
7	“Parley”	October 19, 2019
8	“Starscream’s Children”	October 26, 2019
9	“Spotted”	November 2, 2019
10	“Secret Science”	November 9, 2019
11	“Infinite Vendetta^“	November 16, 2019
12	“I Am the Allspark^“	November 23, 2019
13	“Escape From Earth”	November 30, 2019
14	“Party Down”	December 7, 2019
15	“Wiped Out”	December 14, 2019
16	“Ghost Town”	December 21, 2019
17	“Perfect Storm”	December 28, 2019
18	“The Crossroads”	January 4, 2020

Season 3 (2020) – Bumblebee: Cyberverse Adventures

Note: Episodes 1-17 were aired in the United Kingdom in February 2020 before they aired in the United States. Episodes 18-26 were simultaneously aired everywhere in the world.

#	Episode List	Air Date
1-4	“The Battle for Cybertron”	February 17, 2020
5	“The Loop”	February 18, 2020
6	“The Dead End”	February 18, 2020
7	“The Sleeper”	February 18, 2020
8	“The Citizen”	February 18, 2020
9	“The Trial”	February 19, 2020
10	“The Prisoner”	February 19, 2020
11	“The Scientist”	February 19, 2020
12	“The Alliance”	February 19, 2020
13	“The Judge”	February 20, 2020
14-17	“The End of the Universe”	February 20, 2020 February 21, 2020
18	“Enemy Line”	May 3, 2020
19	“Thunderhowl”	May 17, 2020
20	“Wild Wild Wheel”	May 17, 2020
21	“Alien Hunt! With Meteorfire and Cosmos”	May 24, 2020
22	“Journey to the Valley of Repugnus”	May 24, 2020
23	“Rack N’ Ruin N’ Ratchet”	May 31, 2020
24	“Dweller in the Depths”	May 31, 2020
25	“Silent Strike”	June 7, 2020
26	“The Other One”	June 7, 2020

Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (2019 – present)

The most recent instalment in the franchise is the War for Cybertron Trilogy, which is currently airing on Netflix with – at the moment of writing this article – season two (out of three) coming out soon. The trilogy is a fresh take on the origin of the conflict between the Autobots and the Decepticons, but with a different twist to a well-known story. The series has impressed both critics and fans alike, with Rotten Tomatoes saying: “Visually stunning, surprisingly deep, and still a lot of fun, War for Cybertron: Siege breathes new life into the Transformers franchise.” We can only agree.

As for the watching order (so far), here it is:

Siege (2020)

#	Episode Title	Air Date
1	“Episode 1”	July 30, 2020
2	“Episode 2”	July 30, 2020
3	“Episode 3”	July 30, 2020
4	“Episode 4”	July 30, 2020
5	“Episode 5”	July 30, 2020
6	“Episode 6”	July 30, 2020

Earthrise (2020)

The second season – consisting also of 6 episodes – has been announced and is expected to air sometime during 2020.

Kingdom (TBA)

The exact air date of the third season of the War for Cybertron Trilogy is yet to be announced.

***

Thank you for sticking with us until the end. This is our ultimate guide to watching Transformers, from the first animated TV show to the current iterations. We have given you a detailed insight into the animated aspect of the franchise and you will now know the exact chronological and narrative order of the whole franchise. We sincerely hope you’ll find this article helpful and that you’ll enjoy it as much as you’re going to enjoy Transformers! Have fun watching!

And that’s it for today. We hope you had fun reading this and that we helped solve this dilemma for you. See you next time and don’t forget to follow us!

Generation 1 (1984 – 1993)

Season 1 (1984)

Season 2 (1985-1986)

Scramble City (1986)

Transformers: The Movie (1986)

Season 3 (1986-1987)

Season 4 (1987)

Japanese Transformers (1987-1990)

The Headmasters (1987-1988)

Super-God Masterforce (1988-1989)

Victory (1989)

Zone (1990)

Generation 2 (1993 – 1995)

Beast Era (1996 – 2000)

Beast Wars: Transformers (1996-1999)

Season 1 (1996-1997)

Season 2 (1997-1998)

Season 3 (1998-1999)

Beast Machines: Transformers (1999-2000)

Season 1 (1999)

Season 2 (2000) – Battle for the Spark

Japanese Beasts Wars (1998-1999)

Beast Wars II: Super Life-Form Transformers (I) (1998)

Beast Wars II: Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger! (1998)

Beast Wars II: Super Life-Form Transformers (II) (1998-1999)

Super Life-Form Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (1999)

Robots in Disguise (2000 – 2001)

Unicron Trilogy (2002 – 2006)

Transformers: Armada (2002-2003)

Transformers: Energon (2004)

Transformers: Cybertron (2005)

Live-action films (2007 – present)

Bumblebee (2018)

Transformers (2007)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Transformers: Cyber Missions (2010)

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Transformers: Animated (2007 – 2010)

Season 1 (2007-2008)

Season 2 (2008)

Season 3 (2008)

Season 4 (cancelled)

Aligned Universe (2010 – present)

Transformers: Prime (2010-2013)

Season 1 (2010-2011)

Season 2 (2012)

Season 3 (2013)

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising (2013)

Transformers Go! (2013-2014)

Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015-2017)

Season 1 (2015)

Online shorts (2015)

Season 2 (2016)

Miniseries (2016)

Season 3 (2017) – Combiner Force

Transformers: Rescue Bots (2012-2016)

Season 1 (2012)

Season 2 (2014)

Season 3 (2014-2015)

Season 4 (2016)

Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy (2019-present)

Season 1 (2019)

Season 2 (2020-present)

Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy (2016 – 2018)

Combiner Wars (2016)

Titans Return (2017-2018)

Power of the Primes (2018)

Transformers: Cyberverse (2018–2020)

Season 1 (2018) – Chapter One

Season 2 (2019-2020) – Power of the Spark

Season 3 (2020) – Bumblebee: Cyberverse Adventures

Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (2019 – present)

Siege (2020)

Earthrise (2020)

Kingdom (TBA)

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