Optimus Prime is the icon of the Transformers universe.  The ultimate hero and leader, Optimus is strong, skillful whilst being just and fair.  He is also known as the greatest Autobot Commander in Transformers history, answering only to to his creator Alpah Trion.  Optimus, while strong and just commands the respect of his fellow Autobots, as any would die for him.  But his honorable persona, his strength is also his greatest weakness.

At times of opportunity, to defeat the Megatron and the Decepticons, his sense of honor is usually manipulated easily by Megatron. When backed into a corner, Megatron will cowardly admit defeat, leaving Optimus no choice but to let him live, only to be deceived and create an opening of Megatron’s escape. But although this can be a major disadvantage in the ongoing war between Autobots and Decepticons, it has a far deeper message to all who follow his cause – to be fair and just, to always choose what’s right instead of what’s advantageous.  This message is what makes Prime one of the most respected Autobots in history, as he leads by example, always moulding the future of the Autobots.

As mentioned earlier, Optimus Prime was built by Alpha Trion.  In the original cartoon series, he was previously known as Orion Pax, before being killed by Megatron during an attack to steal energy. Alpha Trion was then brought the body of Orion by some strange unknown Autobots (who turn out to be the Aerialbots, from the future) where he rebuilt him into the first of a new line of Autobot warrior, and he was named Optimus Prime. Alpha Trion was also responsible for giving Optimus the Matrix of Leadership, an icon of leadership and wisdom, handed down to all Autobot leaders.

Optimus lead the Autobots for millions of years, throughout The Great War, until his death in 2005, after a fatal battle with Megatron.  He handed A fellow Autobot, Ultra Magnus, the Matrix of Leadership and passed on.  Until years later when he was revived byt eh Quintessons and Manipulated as an instrument of destruction to Destroy the remaining Autobots.  Now lead by Rodimus Prime, Optimus was given back the Matrix and reassumed command just before betraying Rodimus and his accompanying Autobots.  He later came to his senses during a confrtontation where he handed the Matrix back to Rodimus and  crashed his ship in order to save the Autobots.  Shortly after that his body was recovered and revivied once again where he lead the Autobots into Victory and began the new golden age of Cybertron.

Optimus’ fat in the Japanese cartoons was different however.  After his revival he sacrificed himself once again to save the Autobots and handed the Matrix back to Rodimus, until many years later when he would be rebuilt and reborn as Star Convoy.  Star Convoy was again handed leadership from the current commander Dai Atlas, to battle a new threat – Super Megatron – a rebuilt and reborn Galvatron!  And the story continues from there!