Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Transformers One
Transformers One offers new meaning to the names “Autobots” and “Decepticons”. Featuring the origins of Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and his rise as Optimus Prime alongside D-16’s corruption as Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry), the former brothers–turned-foes come to lead rival factions on the Transformers’ homeworld of Cybertron. To that end, the movie also provides some fascinating origins for the name of each side at the dawn of this great war that has just begun.
In Transformers One, the truth behind Sentinel Prime’s years of lies told to the vast majority of Cybertron’s citizens is revealed. While Pax is determined to expose the truth to Cybertron and restore freedom to all the bots who never received their transformation cogs, D-16 is overcome by vengeance and wants to kill Sentinel for his betrayal. This drives a major wedge between the brothers, one that results in the formation of the rival Autobots and Decepticons by the movie’s end. As such, here are the new meanings behind the names given to Optimus Prime and Megatron’s classic Transformer factions.
The Real Meaning Behind The Autobots Name In Transformers One
“Freedom and Autonomy”
Receiving the Matrix of Leadership and having been chosen by Primus and the Elder Primes to become Cybertron’s new leader, Orion Pax officially becomes Optimus Prime at the end of Transformers One. Using the Matrix to restore the flow of energon to Cybertron, Optimus also makes several bots whole by returning their transformation cogs Sentinel Prime had taken before their activation. This ensured that Sentinel could enforce a class system in which “no-cogs” would relentlessly mine for energon so he could pay off the Quintessons.
In Optimus’ monologue at the end of Transformers One, the heroic new leader confirms his classic belief that “freedom is the right of all sentient beings”. However, Prime also includes the word “autonomy” in Transformers One before declaring his group of like-minded Transformers “Autobots”. As such, there’s now a clearer line of connection between the Autobots’ name and what they’re specifically fighting for, on Cybertron and eventually beyond, once Earth comes into the picture.
The Real Meaning Behind The Decepticons Name In Transformers One
No Longer Deceived
At the same time, Megatron and the bots of the High Guard who chose to follow him are ultimately banished from Iacon City by Optimus Prime. Despite leaving Iacon in defeat at the end of Transformers, Megatron vows that his conflict with Prime has only just begun. To that end, the final post-credits scene for Transformers One reveals the origins of the “Decepticon” name in this new Transformers continuity.
Using molten iron to brand themselves with the symbol of Megatronus Prime just as Sentinel did to D-16, Megatron’s followers listen as their new leader declares that they are now “Decepticons”. Megatron vows that they will never be blinded nor deceived again in the face of this new and personal enemy (Optimus Prime and the new Autobots). As such, these new origins make a lot more sense for Megatron’s faction, especially seeing how they don’t necessarily see themselves as the villains.
How Transformers One’s Autobot & Decepticon Meanings Compare To The Franchise’s Past
The New Meanings Offer Great Depth For Cyberton’s Rival Factions
In previous continuities, “Autobots” was simply short for “Autonomous Robotic Organisms”. The same was true in Michael Bay’s live-action Transformers franchise as well. Meanwhile, past origins have also confirmed that the term “Decepticon” was created as propaganda by the Autobots, a term that Megatron and his forces subsequently embraced during the war for control over Cybertron’s resources.
However, the names were initially created with far less depth, an easy means of identifying the good and bad robots of the Hasbro toy line and the original animated series (with not a lot of origin behind them). To that end, these fleshed out meanings behind the “Autobot” and “Decepticon” names in Transformers One are quite fascinating. As such, it will be very exciting to see how both sides develop in future installments, especially seeing as how a sequel to Transformers has already been confirmed.
Transformers One is now playing in theaters.
