Are Transformers Aliens or Robots? Unravelling The Mystery

What are the ‘Transformers’ exactly? They are sentient, cybertronic, mechanized lifeforms from the planet Cybertron, making them Cybertronians. Whether they fall under the category of aliens or robots is ambiguous. Divided into factions like the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, their origins and the history of Cybertron are complex and intriguing. This intricate backstory will be crucial as we approach the upcoming CG-animated film, ‘Transformers One.’ Simply put, the Transformers are both aliens and robots.

The first origin story of Cybertronians was presented in the Season 3 episode ‘Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4’ of the original animated series ‘The Transformers’ in 1986. Here, Autobot leader Rodimus Prime (Dick Gautier) uses the Matrix of Leadership to reveal Cybertron's past. The series describes Cybertron as being built by the Quintessons, an ancient and malevolent race who used it as a factory for military and consumer robots. 

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These robots, initially slaves, developed personalities and emotions, eventually rebelling against their cruel masters and claiming Cybertron. The military robots aimed to dominate, while the consumer goods robots, who became the Autobots, discovered the ability to transform and disguise themselves, allowing them to overcome their adversaries.

Initially, the Autobots maintained peace on Cybertron, but unrest resumed when the military robots also learned to transform, giving rise to the Decepticons led by Megatron (Frank Welker). Alpha Trion (John Stephenson) later rebuilt a young factory worker named Orion Pax into Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen), the new Autobot leader. The Autobots and Decepticons engaged in a civil war that devastated Cybertron and extended to Earth, reinforcing that the Transformers are indeed alien robots.

In the Marvel comic series ‘The Transformers,’ a different origin is told in the story ‘Primal Scream’ by Simon Furman. Here, Cybertron is a transformed body of Primus, a godlike being who fought Unicron, another godlike entity. Primus created the Transformers to combat Unicron, making them warriors with the ability to transform.

Whether created by the Quintessons or Primus, the Transformers, Autobots, and Decepticons are sentient alien robots. They think, feel, and have their own culture. The ‘Beast Wars’ animated series introduces the concept of a ‘Spark,’ the life force and individuality of each Transformer, acting as their "soul."

The upcoming CG-animated film ‘Transformers One’ will feature the Quintessons as antagonists and explore the relationship between Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), who become Optimus Prime and Megatron. The film will delve into their journey to find the Matrix of Leadership and save Cybertron, likely blending elements of both origin stories. Ultimately, the Transformers are both aliens and robots, embodying elements of both.

–Farheen Ali