Best Transformers Series

When one thinks of Transformers, one often remembers the timeless conflict between Optimus Prime and the Autobots, as well as Megatron and his Decepticons. Surprisingly enough, this conflict didn’t just last in one particular outing and instead lasted throughout various Transformers series. This isn’t quite surprising, considering how relentless Megatron is towards conquering Earth and how Optimus just couldn’t let this happen to their new home.

Surprisingly enough, no matter how seemingly repetitive things got, there were quite a lot of landmark Transformers series that stood out among the rest. In fact, some fans might argue that certain Transformers series really set the standards concerning the creation of Transformers stories. Just which Transformers series was a cut different from the rest?

Updated January 6, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam: As Transformers One gave fans of the franchise a look back into the roots of the historic rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron - back then Orion Pax and D-16, those who love the Robots in Disguise might be compelled to watch even more Transformers series.

However, it seems the vast library of the Transformers series means there are must-watches that fans should try to give a shot. These include the Japanese-exclusive "sequel" to Beast Wars, the sequel to Armada, and even a comedic slice-of-life take on the franchise.

21 Transformers: Energon

Certainly The Best At Being The Worst

Hyped as the much-awaited sequel to Armada, it’s not surprising for fans to feel supremely disappointed as they go to Transformers: Energon with high hopes… only for the show to prove what a mess it could do to Armada’s potential legacy. Set a decade after the Autobots and the Decepticons’ war for the Mini-Cons and destruction of Unicron, a new threat named Alpha Q upsets the fragile peace between the two factions. While the Autobots see this as yet another chance to defend the Earth from the new threat, other Decepticons - especially those re-risen such as Megatron and Starscream - see this as a chance to exact vengeance against the Autobots.

As a whole, it can be quite an interesting point of analysis to see where Energon goes wrong in developing the world and its new cast of characters post-Armada, specifically setting the stakes for Alpha-Q as a threat. Animation and art suffer in the attempt to balance 2D and make use of 3D cel-shaded animation, which can be disappointing due to the series’ promising concepts.

Why Watch Transformers: Energon

Although nowhere near the “best” in terms of Transformers series, Energon is certainly an intriguing watch due to its infamous reputation. Should Transformers fans and completionists get past its flaws, Energon can make for an interesting dissection as to where things can go wrong in a Transformers series.

Being the second part to what would be known as the Unicron trilogy of shows, Energon being a somewhat “integral” part of a franchise subseries can be a worthwhile exercise for fans to backtrack which parts of Energon “made” sense and how its messier parts will be resolved by its sequel Cybertron - at least if fans consider even finishing Energon and completing the trilogy.

20 Beast Wars 2: Super Life-Form Transformers

A Lackluster Light-Hearted Beast Wars Spin-Off Sequel

Fans of Beast Wars: Transformers will have a blast knowing they can “choose” two sequels to this fully 3D series - the acclaimed and close-to-the-source Beast Machines: Transformers or the even wilder Beast Wars 2: Super Life-Form Transformers. Unlike its predecessor, this Japan-only show is a much more light-hearted take on the series. Set on the planet Gaia, Beast Wars 2 chronicles the battle between Lio Convo’s Cybertrons and Galvatron’s Destrons for the energy source known as Angolmois Energy. Although the first half of the series focuses more on establishing the lore and the many animal Transformer factions like the Jointrons, Insectrons, Autorollers, and Seacon Space Pirates, the latter half of the series establishes a more serious threat that reveals the hunt for Angolmois as something more sinister than what fans are led to believe.

Unfortunately for this setup, Beast Wars 2 wasn’t able to pull off its epic story as the series is hastily created as a setup to its sequel: Super Life-Form Transformers: Beast Wars Neo. As a result, a lot of the storylines are often left unresolved or quickly finished, with the many animation studios involved resulting in rather so-so or middling graphics.

Why Watch Beast Wars 2: Super Life-Form Transformers

Fans looking for a change of pace away from the darker Beast Wars: Transformers can go to Beast Wars 2 for more comedic effect - especially if they want to see how Japan handles the introduction of completely new characters and concepts, starting with Maximal stand-ins Cybertrons and Predacon stand-ins known as the Destrons. The traditional hero versus villain dynamic of Lio Convoy and Galvatron is certainly refreshing, especially if fans want a lighter show before going back to the darker Beast Machines.

19 Transformers: BotBots

The First Comedic Transformers Series

The story of Transformers: BotBots is loosely based on the BotBots toy line, where even mundane items can become Transformers. In Transformers: BotBots, it’s a mall that is struck by an Energon lightning bolt and converts its stock of items into Transformers. Now known as BotBots, these machines have to hide in plain sight while they operate in squads during the night. Much of the series’ plot involves the Lost Bots of the Lost and Found, whose discovery by Dave the Night Shift Guard has forced them to be shunned by the rest of BotBot society.

Unlike other Transformers series, Transformers: BotBots focuses less on having continuity and more on being an introduction to both kids and adults new and/or remotely familiar with the franchise. Comedy takes center stage in BotBots, focusing more on hijinks among BotBots while having an engaging script despite their short episode runtimes.

Why Watch Transformers: BotBots

Being the first comedy series of the Transformers franchise, Transformers: BotBots is a much-needed break from the more traditional good versus evil notes of its core series. Despite its child-like undertones, fans will appreciate its rather smartly written script, witty banter, and even decent take on overall visuals. While certainly not the best in terms of story (well, due to its lack thereof), finishing BotBots might have the Transformers fan and newcomer craving for more.

18 Transformers: Robots In Disguise (2001)

Decent Story Amid A Surprising Aesthetic Change

The Transformers franchise adapted the rivalry between Fire Convoy and Gigatron in Japan’s Transformers: Car Robots, this time forming a revival of the rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron in Transformers: Robots in Disguise. Essentially a follow-up to the continuity set up by Beast Machines, RID 2001 once again pits Autobots against Predacons, but now Optimus has the assistance of the human child Koji, as he tries to rescue his scientist father, Dr. Onishi, as the Predacons want his knowledge of an ancient Cybertronian secret.

While the anime aesthetic of Robots in Disguise was new to fans at the time, some viewers may feel a bit let down with the overall flow of the story compared to the narrative cohesion in the previous franchise entries. Thankfully, relationships between its cast are easily highlighted in every episode, especially hijinks involving Sky-Byte, the revived Decepticons led by Scourge, and even the assortment of sub-teams on each side.

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Why Watch Transformers: Robots In Disguise (2001)

Despite its rather middling production quality, Robots in Disguise can become a worthwhile series for fans who are especially curious about how Transformers tries to resolve narrative and continuity differences across its series. The original dynamics between new characters Fire Convoy and Gigatron are serviceable in Car Robots, so retreating to an Optimus Prime and Megatron dynamic in the Western iteration can be a sight to see. Moreover, vehicle designs in RID 2001 have got to be among the most sophisticated in the franchise, especially with the return to form towards automobiles, but with robot forms that don’t immediately follow the blocky design features that G1 established.

17 Transformers: Robots In Disguise (2015)

Bumblebee Takes The Helm

Following the rebuilding of Cybertron in the events of Transformers: Prime, the unexpected crashing of a prison ship on Earth causes a massive jailbreak of Decepticon criminals. In Transformers: Robots in Disguise, street cop Bumblebee is called back to Earth to round up the Decepticon criminals - all the while more sinister forces seem to be afoot. Despite this interesting premise, Robots in Disguise ended up as one of the more polarizing pieces of modern Transformers media due to its approach.

At its core, being a kid-oriented show did reflect in much of Robots in Disguise’s approach to its production: animations are more flexible, plotlines seem less convoluted, and the series at some point began to follow a Monster of the Week format. Fans coming from Prime who want to experience more Transformers media can see RID 2015 as a more lighthearted series, while those looking forward to a continuation of Prime’s riveting story may be disappointed in the shallower storytelling of RID 2015.

Why Watch Transformers: Robots In Disguise (2015)

Bumblebee taking a leadership role in Robots in Disguise can make for an interesting change of pace for his character, especially when his more laid-back approach has to contend with the likes of free-spirited Sideswipe and by-the-books Strongarm. The series being Bumblebee-centric has become the perfect avenue to balance lighthearted stories and the eventual inclusion of Prime-centric content in the later seasons. Some fans might find it contentious that Optimus Prime has taken the role of the more “aged and weary leader” that Bumblebee’s youthful vigor will “eventually replace,” but this new dynamic has at least provided the franchise with much-needed new tension in their relationship.

16 Transformers: Victory

Episodic Approach That Introduces New Characters To The Lore

One of the more interesting aspects of the classic Transformers era is its connection to its American and Japanese counterparts. While the Japanese had largely adapted the original Generation 1 animated series, they also created their spin-offs, such as Transformers: The Headmasters. It was Transformers: Victory, released in 1989, that serves as perhaps the most radical in terms of its differences compared to the original series.

In this series, Autobot Supreme Commander Star Saber is an adamant defender of Earth against Deathsaurus, the new Emperor of Destruction of the villainous Decepticons. It’s up to Star Saber and his allies to stop Deathsaurus from using Earth’s energy to reawaken his planet-destroying fortress. This series is known to take an anime-like episode approach, where stories don’t always change the status quo, and the transformations are seldom but emphasized whenever important. Fans looking for a cult classic that shows the immense creativity surrounding the Japanese’s take on Transformers may appreciate Victory.

Why Watch Transformers: Victory

Despite its rather poor reception among viewers, Victory remains worth the watch for Transformers fans who want to immerse themselves in this part of the “evolution” of the television series within the franchise. While character development suffers from both Autobots and Decepticons having rather bland personalities, seeing the likes of the Autobots’ Star Saber and the Decepticons’ Deszaras attempt to form a similar yet somewhat different take on the Optimus Prime versus Megatron formula is at least worth evaluating. Moreover, seeing new robots and transformations via the Brainmasters, Multiforce, Micromasters, Beastmasters, and Dinoforce adds some variety to classic Transformers materials.

15 Transformers: Titans Return

Adds More Depth To The Franchise

Serving as the second installment of the Prime Wars alternate Generation 1 timeline, Titans Return gives a rather wild take on fan-favorite characters after the devastating events of Combiner Wars. With Cybertron on the path of being rebuilt, a dead Starscream manages to revive into the deadly Trypticon.

Such was its power that Windblade was forced to make uneasy allies of ages-old enemies, including Optimus Prime and Megatron, as they made their way to resurrect the only powers capable of matching Trypticon - the Titans. Unfortunately for Windblade and her team, reviving them may have put Cybertron in more peril. Fans who want to see Optimus and Megatron team up with unlikely allies may appreciate Titans Return.

Why Watch Transformers: Titans Return

Unlike other Transformers series, Titans Return being the second part of the Prime Wars Trilogy doesn’t do anything to set itself “apart” from its other components. At first glance, this makes Titans Return difficult to appreciate as its own entity. However, Titans Return does have the potential to impress in its format, especially when the series is one extended fight against Trypticon with all factions working behind the scenes to secure the upper hand. This approach opens multiple subplots and makes progress with others established in the first season, making this series boast more depth compared to other Transformers cartoons.

14 Transformers: Rescue Bots

A Fun Kids Show Featuring Transforming Robots

Given the popular acclaim of Transformers and the appeal of transforming toy cars to children, it makes sense for the franchise to try and create a kids show. While Robot Heroes already existed back then, Transformers: Rescue Bots was created as a direct successor, again featuring a new team of Autobots dedicated to teaching children about safety and hazards.

However, Rescue Bots isn’t just a run-of-the-mill children’s show with funny Transformers elements, as its premise is rather heavy. In it, the Rescue Bots respond to Optimus Prime’s original message for active Autobots in space to come to Earth. While the Rescue Bots had arrived on Earth after stasis, they were fortunate to have been away when Cybertron was destroyed by war long ago. With Heatwave, Boulder, Blades, and Chase being the only Rescue Bots remaining, Optimus Prime assigned them to the Burns Family of first responders to help the community of Griffin Rock near Maine.

Why Watch Transformers: Rescue Bots

Despite the demographic of Rescue Bots catering primarily to children, it’s interesting to find out how the Transformers could dial down its ages-old conflict between the Autobots and the Decepticons in a format that isn’t too violent for children. The titular Rescue Bots focusing on a younger generation of Autobots as they’re trained to do good allows younger audiences to relate to their experiences, especially when it’s emphasized throughout the series that Rescue Bots, like children, have talents they can use to help others.

13 Transformers: Combiner Wars

Seeing Transformers Combine Into An Even Bigger Robot Is Always Cool

Due to the expanded nature of the Transformers universe, it makes sense for some stories to explore the lives of specific characters and alternate takes on their series. For instance, the Shattered Glass series gives an inverted take on the franchise’s factions, with Decepticons being good and Autobots being evil. This time around, the 2016-2018 Prime Wars trilogy gives an alternate take on the Generation 1 story, albeit more subtly.

Starting with Combiner Wars, this story involves an uneasy peace in Cybertron created after the mysterious disappearances of Optimus Prime and Megatron. With the Enigma of Combination creating Combiners such as the powerful Victorion that led into the Combiner Wars, it’s up to Windblade, discontent with the inaction of the new Cybertronian Council, to take matters into her own hands - all with intense Transformers action scenes. Fans looking for a Transformers series that Optimus Prime and the Autobots don’t necessarily headline may appreciate Combiner Wars.

Why Watch Transformers: Combiner Wars

The idea of Combiners being Transformers fusions was unprecedented even during the original toys’ release, making Combiner Wars a worthwhile watch to see how a show could adapt these new robots in a modern-day format. Its premise of a Transformers sequel without Optimus Prime and Megatron, as well as introducing lore in the form of the Mistress of Flame, Rodimus Prime, and even the “threat” of Combiners adds some variety to the classic Autobots versus Decepticons formula.

12 Transformers: Power Of The Primes

A Worthwhile Ending To A Trilogy

It’s not all the time that a third season neatly wraps around a short miniseries, and Transformers: Power of the Primes gets the job done for retelling the Generation 1 story as the last entry in the Prime Wars trilogy. In it, the rest of the Transformers team, led by Windblade and Transformers villain Megatron, need to cope with the fact that Optimus Prime has died. In contrast, the immensely powerful Fallen (Megatronus) has a nefarious plan to bring Cybertron under his control.

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This part of the Prime Wars series explores the Dinobots and a slight retelling of the Beast Wars story, with Optimus Primal eventually proving himself to be one worthy of being Optimus Prime’s successor. Fans looking for a straight-to-the-action take on the Transformers franchise won’t feel lost, with Power of the Primes, with its extremely entertaining take on the sci-fi action adventure.

Why Watch Transformers: Power Of The Primes

This final third of the Prime Wars Trilogy makes it evident that Transformers as a franchise is allowed to set stakes with world-ending consequences, character deaths, and the horrifying realization that Autobots can’t always be the “winners” of their war against the Decepticons. While hardcore fans may feel disappointed in the way Power of the Primes approaches certain set lore in the franchise, being set in its own universe can help to forgive the miniseries for its rather surprising takes on classic plotlines.