Optimus Primal (ROTB)

Optimus Primal is the Maximal leader from the Rise of the Beasts portion of the Movie continuity family.

He's the leader of the bunch. You know him well.

Optimus Primal had the burden of leadership unexpectedly thrust upon him when Unicron attacked his homeworld. He and a handful of Maximals successfully evacuated their doomed planet and used the Transwarp Key to flee across time and space, a journey that led them to ancient Earth.

Since arriving in the jungles of Peru, Optimus and the last remaining Maximals have spent millennia awaiting the day when they would one day battle Unicron and his many minions once more. While the recently arrived Autobots disguise themselves from prying human eyes, Primal has walked among the tribes of South America for many thousands of years, and in that time has come to regard humans as trustworthy friends and capable allies. Primal has sacrificed much, and seen enough tragedy to compel a gentle, resolute wisdom—sometimes, the better part of wisdom is knowing when to make heroic speeches, and when to use your twin swords and powerful beast mode to protect the innocent.^[1]

Fiction

Rise of the Beasts film

Voice actor: Ron Perlman (English), Takehito Koyasu (Japanese), Michel Vigné (European French), Emmanuel Jacomy (European French, first trailer), Patrick Chouinard (Canadian French), Tilo Schmitz (German), Riccardo Lombardo (Italian), Humberto Solórzano (Latin American Spanish), Ángel del Río (Spain Spanish), Dláigelles Silva (Brazilian Portuguese), Miloslav Mejzlík (Czech), Oszkár Gáti (Hungarian), Poitr Grabowski (Polish), Tarkan Koç (Turkish)

Aren't you tired of being nice?

Optimus Primal—named in honor of the famous Optimus Prime—was one of the Maximals who inhabited a distant jungle world. When Unicron, the Terrorcons, and their Predacon drones attacked, Primal and a small group of Maximals fought their way through to meet their leader Apelinq, guardian of the Transwarp Key that allowed their race to cross time and space. Primal demanded that the Maximals fight back against the Terrorcons, but Apelinq refused, aware that the Terrorcon leader Scourge would try to claim the key. Apelinq pressed onto Primal that he would stay behind to stall Scourge while they escaped, but not before he passed both the mantle of command and the Transwarp Key to him, who used the key to escape their doomed world moments before Unicron devoured their home. Optimus and the three remaining Maximals—Airazor, Cheetor, and Rhinox—fled across space and time to ancient Earth, where they established a new base of operations in southern Peru. Originally, Optimus established a hidden tomb where they stored the Transwarp Key; in time, however, the Maximals came to befriend the humans who took up residence in the region and entrusted them with the device instead.

The Maximals remained in hiding for many thousands of years, until, in the year 1994, a sequence of events set in motion by the accidental discovery of the Transwarp Key on Earth led a team of Autobots and their human allies Noah Díaz and Elena Wallace to the jungles of South America. After Airazor stopped a brief standoff between him and Optimus Prime, Primal agreed to help them retrieve the second half of the Key before the Terrorcons retrieved it, and led them to a nearby village to meet with the latest guardians of the key.

However, the next morning, Scourge's corruption finally overcame Airazor, who'd been previously infected with his corrosive powers during a prior confrontation, and after a brief battle Primal was forced to put his infected teammate down for good. However, the battle allowed Scourge to get a hold of both halves of the Transwarp Key, and used them to open a portal through which to summon Unicron to Earth. The Autobots and Maximals took part in the final battle to retrieve the Transwarp Key and close the portal, with Primal killing a disarmed Battletrap by smashing his head to bits with his own wrecking ball. Although Optimus Prime successfully killed Scourge and destroyed the key, the imploding transwarp portal forced Primal and his allies into a retreat. However, just when it seemed Noah's attempt to rescue Optimus Prime from the imploding portal ended in failure, Primal arrived in the nick of time to help pull the Autobot leader to safety. With the evil defeated for now, the three remaining Maximals chose to stay behind in Peru while the Autobots returned to America, but not before forming an alliance ready to face the return of Unicron someday. Rise of the Beasts

Toys

Rise of the Beasts

Make your pecs dance, you deserve it!

• Optimus Primal (Voyager Class, 2023)

• TakaraTomy name: Voyager Class Optimus Primal
• TakaraTomy ID number: BV-02
• TakaraTomy release date: June 24, 2023
• Accessories: 2 swords

Released in the first wave of "Core" Rise of the Beasts Voyager Class figures, Optimus Primal is based on early concept art for his movie appearance, and transforms into a mechanical gorilla with both bipedal and quadrupedal arrangements. Primal comes with two swords very similar in design to those of his original incarnation's, and likewise both can be wielded in one hand. The swords store on two slots on his back.

In the US, Optimus Primal was exclusive to Walmart along with the rest of the Voyager assortment, but was a general retail release in other markets. This figure was first sighted in Mexico before any announcement from Hasbro.

Heyo, look out down below! Here he comes, banana slamma, Kongo Bongo's hero!

• Optimus Primal (Smash Changers, 2023)

• TakaraTomy name: Papapatto (Quick) Change Optimus Primal
• TakaraTomy ID number: BPC-01
• TakaraTomy release date: April 15, 2023
• Known designers: Shogo Hasui and Tomoki Tatsumi (TakaraTomy)

This 9-inch (the same height as the Beast Wars Ultra Class figure) Optimus Primal toy changes automatically from gorilla to robot by tapping his feet against a surface three times -- once to unlock his auto-rotating waist into a standing pose, and twice more to convert him further after turning him face-forward.

TakaraTomy elder statesman and designer of most of Generation 1 Kōjin Ōno considers this toy a triumph of engineering. Yes, really.^[2]

I've heard of Apeface, but this is ridiculous!

• Optimus Primal (2-in-1 Mask, 2023)

This Optimus Primal converts from robot to a wearable mask of Optimus Primal's gorilla mode face in 12 steps.

This Kong's so strong, it's isn't funny!

• Optimus Primal (Ultimate, 2023)

• TakaraTomy Name: Kakusei (Awakening) Optimus Primal
• TakaraTomy release date: July 15, 2023
• Accessories: 2 Cyber Blades, 2 Missiles
• Known designers: Kōjin Ōno and Yūya Ōnishi (TakaraTomy)

"Ultimate" Optimus Primal transforms into a mechanical gorilla and is the same size as the pre-War for Cybertron Trilogy Leader Class figures. He borrows much of his engineering from Kingdom Optimus Primal. He features poseable fingers, a built-in interchangeable face mask, spring-loaded pop-out forearm plasma cannons, and a pair of shoulder cannons complete with fully launchable pressure-launch projectile missiles (a gimmick not seen on a new-mold Transformers toy since Combiner Wars). His swords can combine at the hilt and store on his back. While he can assume a bipedal gorilla stance, his head does not have enough clearance to look forward while doing so.

Pirate Docking Six: Giant Robot Big Emperor!

Primal features additional 5mm ports on the shoulder armors, forearms, lower legs, and back for extra playability, where Beast Battle Masters can be mounted on to create the "Awakening Weapon Gorilla" form. The instructions specify the arrangement of Battle Masters as seen to the left, with Arrowstripe attached to the back in crossbow mode.

While transforming into beast mode, you must push the robot mode head back further (although it is a bit tight) so the chest area can tuck in nicely. The missiles can be left in the shoulder cannons for transformation, but they tend to get caught on other parts in the process. It's easier to leave them out and reattach them at the end.

Ultimate Optimus Primal was first revealed by Hasbro for the Hasbro Pulse store, with TakaraTomy Mall putting up preorders a few days later. TakaraTomy Mall also added the "Burning Cheetor" Battle Master as a freebie with the preorder while orders from Amazon Japan included it as a paid manufacturer bonus.

• Optimus Primal (Command and Convert, 2023)

• Accessories: 2 Attachable Swords

I don't know what's happenin' to me
I'm gettin' all the blame for things I didn't do

"Command and Convert" Animatronic Optimus Primal stands at 12.5 inches tall, and auto-converts from a robot to a cybernetic gorilla through voice-activation. Included with the figure are two attachable swords that can be placed into the figure's hands.

The figure is marketed as having over 100 voice-activated sound and motion combinations. Though the figure is based on the character's appearance in the Rise of the Beasts film, many of the voice lines include references to the original Beast Wars cartoon series. When the figure is powered on a guitar riff is played that seems to be inspired by the Beast Wars cartoon's opening theme song.

The figure was officially announced on May 25, 2023 with a demonstration video posted on the Official Hasbro Pulse YouTube account featuring Ben MacCrae.

This toy could be found one year later as a Shelfwarmer in stores and be priced as low as £15/20€ at Smyths Toys.

Beast Alliance

"Hey, Tigatron, could you come here for a second?"
"Sure, Optim-HEY WHAT ARE YOU OW OW OW OW-"

• Optimus Primal & Arrowstripe (Beast Weaponizers, 2023)

• TakaraTomy name: Kakusei Change Set Optimus Primal & Arrowstripe
• TakaraTomy ID number: BCS-01
• TakaraTomy release date: April 15, 2023
• Known designers: Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)

Beast Weaponizer Optimus Primal converts from a 5-inch robot to a bipedal gorilla in 7 steps and comes packaged with Arrowstripe, a 3-inch Beast Battle Master toy that can convert from tiger to crossbow in 5 steps. Optimus Primal can wield Arrowstripe in crossbow mode.

Like the same line's Prime, the stock photo of his packaging depicts him being positioned on the left (with Arrowstripe on the right) before the actual product swaps their positions. The promotional render on the back of the box also depicts Arrowstripe's tail as being painted blue, which it is not on the finished toy.

During development stages, Primal was designed with shoulder cannons before being removed.^[3]

Megatron's gonna see this and flip a desk.

• Optimus Primal & Skullcruncher (Beast Combiners, 2023)

• TakaraTomy name: Kakusei Change Armor Set Optimus Primal & Skullcruncher
• TakaraTomy ID number: BCAS-03
• TakaraTomy release date: June 24, 2023
• Known designers: Koki Yamada (TakaraTomy), Marcelo Matere (concept art)^[4]

Beast Combiners Optimus Primal converts simply from a robot to a quadrupedal gorilla in 7 steps, and is packaged with Skullcruncher, who Primal can be armored with after he's converted in 6 partially autotransformed steps.

His coconut gun
Can fire in spurts
If he shoots ya, it's gonna hurt!

• Optimus Primal (Beast Battle Masters, 2023)

• TakaraTomy name: Kakusei Weapon Optimus Primal
• TakaraTomy ID number: BW-04
• TakaraTomy release date: July 15, 2023
• Known designers: Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)

Beast Battle Master Optimus Primal is a 2-inch figure that transforms from gorilla to a blaster in 5 steps. Like other Beast Battle Masters, he features a 5mm peg in blaster mode that allows it to be held by other figures. While stock photos depict his gorilla mode standing on two legs, it is actually designed to look more natural in a quadrupedal stance. The photos also show him to be a deep brown, while the actual toy is gray.

This figure was first found listed on Canadian store kidtoy.ca's website, prior to any announcement by Hasbro.

Studio Series

I'll shower you with coconut cream pies~

• Optimus Primal (Leader class, 2023)

• Movie: Rise of the Beasts
• Hasbro ID number: 106
• TakaraTomy ID number: SS-118
• TakaraTomy release date: ‎February 24, 2024
• Accessories: 2 Scimitars, 2 chain pieces, axe, Transwarp Key, "Peruvian Jungle Discovery" backdrop (1st version)
• Known designers: Evan Brooks (Hasbro), Shuhei Umezu and Koki Yamada (TakaraTomy)^[5][6]

Released as part of the thirteenth wave of Studio Series Leader Class figures, Optimus Primal transforms from a mechanical gorilla into a voyager-sized robot in 34 steps, making up for his size with parts complexity and many accessories. He comes with 2 combining scimitars, 2 chains, the Transwarp Key, and an axe which is intended for Studio Series Rise of the Beasts Optimus Prime. The Transwarp Key can split in two like in the movie, though it can be difficult as the peg is painted over. The articulated chain pieces each feature 4 hinges in alternating directions and can be combined with the swords (or axe), or, per the instructions, be wielded in his hands as batons. Storage for Primal's accessories is the same in both modes: the swords tab into his back, the axe plugs into his hips, and the chains plug into 3mm pegs on his back or swords. The Transwarp Key has no official storage, but it can be split and attached to the various 3mm pegs and ports on Primal and the other accessories. Lastly, he comes with a backdrop showcasing where the Autobots and Maximals first meet.

Optimus Primal is a very well articulated figure, including points such as toe bends and butterfly joints (backwards in bot mode, forwards in beast mode). He has a separate pair of hands for each mode, with each hand possessing wrist swivels and two sets of opening fingers. Like other Studio Series Maximals, he also features jaw articulation in beast mode. His gorilla mode is capable of assuming both quadrupedal and bipedal stances, though his gorilla leg articulation is very limited.

Optimus Primal is the first Studio Series toy to be packaged in alternate/beast mode instead of robot mode. The Maximal insignia in his instructions is missing the eyes and forehead details.

(Pre-release deco pictured)

As with the rest of the Studio Series Rise of the Beasts figures, Primal is based on concept art. His chain pieces were not used in the final movie, though they were seen briefly in the first teaser trailer. His head uses a Beast Wars-inspired open mask design, rather than the masked or unmasked faces seen in the film.^[7] The prototype and stock photos also use a monochrome gray color scheme, while the final toy is adds the black colors of the final design.

While Primal himself did not use the chains, his designer Evan Brooks later elucidated that, intentional or not, the 3mm connections utilized on the chains mean that they can be combined with the wrecking ball included with Studio Series Battletrap to recreate the flail Battletrap very much did use in the film.^[8]

Primal would be repacked in the first wave of 2024 Studio Series figures in updated packaging with an open window like the smaller size classes. This was first seen at Cybertron Fest 2023.

• Designer commentary on Optimus Primal('s accessories) from Evan Brooks on Instagram

Merchandise

Yolopark

He has no style
He has no grace
Th-this Kong has a funny face

• Optimus Primal (Model kit, 2023)

• Accessories:

Yolopark's poseable, 8-inch snap-together pre-painted model kit of Rise of the Beasts Optimus Primal comes with his two swords, various replaceable hands, and an alternate face with a mouth.

Printables

• Optimus Primal (Print-in-place figure, 2023)

A 3D printable model of Optimus Primal in gorilla mode was made available for free by Paramount Pictures on Printables. Once printed, the figure features ten points of articulation on its arms and legs.

• More information on print-in-place Optimus Primal at Printables.com

• Optimus Primal (Bust, 2023)

• Accessories: Stand

Another 3D printable model of Optimus Primal available on Printables, this time of his gorilla head on a stand. The stand features a prominent Maximal insignia.

• More information on the Optimus Primal bust at Printables.com

Figural Bag Clip

• Optimus Primal (2023)

Released by Monogram, this 2.5" 3D foam bag clip takes the form of a chibi Rise of the Beasts Optimus Primal in gorilla mode.

It was available only as part of a mystery blind bag collection.

Pop!

• Optimus Primal (2023)

• ID number: 1376

Released as part of a Rise of the Beasts-themed batch of the Pop! Movies segment, Funko's Pop! Optimus Primal is a super deformed vinyl figure of the character roaring in gorilla mode.

Threezero

Does not, in fact, like coconut cream pies.

• Optimus Primal (DLX Scale, Q4 2023)

• Accessories: three faceplates, two cyber swords, chain, sword connector, two sword adaptors, four pairs of hands (two closed, two relaxed, two open, two weapon-holding)

Part of Threezero's Rise of the Beasts lineup, DLX Optimus Primal is a screen-accurate, highly-articulated figure based off his appearance in the film. As with previous offerings, Primal features a diecast skeleton (complete with over seventy points of articulation), light-up LED eyes (two LR-44 batteries not included), premium weathered deco and a smorgasbord of accessories. Included are three interchangeable faceplates (one based off his beast mode face, one unmasked and the other masked), eight interchangeable hands (of the fist, relaxed, open and weapon-holding varieties), and his iconic cyber swords. These swords have some customization to them as well - they can either combine to form the double-ended sword by way of a small connector, or be combined via the included chain. The swords can also be stored on the back of the figure via a different pair of adaptors. The figure also comes with an adjustable display stand.

• More information on Rise of the Beasts DLX Optimus Primal at the official Threezero website

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available at mass retail.

Killerbody

Talk bad, look bad, be bad
Walk bad, think bad, BE BAAAAD!!

• Optimus Primal Wearable Helmet Collectible Voice Changer (2023)

This high end mask features touch control LED light up eyes, voice changing and mouth that moves up and down while speaking, and deployable battle mask.

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available at mass retail.

Blokees

• Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal (Robot) Battle Scene (2024)

If you build it, they will play. This toys & merchandise-related article is a stub. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it.

• Optimus Primal Beast (2024)

If you build it, they will play. This toys & merchandise-related article is a stub. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it.

• Optimus Primal Robot (2024)

If you build it, they will play. This toys & merchandise-related article is a stub. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it.

Prime 1 Studio

• Optimus Primal (2025)

• Movie: Rise of the Beasts
• ID number: MMTFM-37 / MMTFM-37UTS (Ultimate Bonus Version)
• Accessories: Base, alternate base with beast mode (Ultimate), alternate robot head (Ultimate), alternate beast head (Ultimate), alternate open right hand (Bonus), alternate left hand with double-bladed sword (Bonus)

Prime 1 Studio Museum Masterline Optimus Primal is a massive non-transforming sculpture mostly made of polystone and based on his Rise of the Beasts robot mode appearance.

The regular version comes with his mask closed and with each of his hands holding a sword, as well as a base made out of ruins and a decapitated Scorponok head. The Bonus Version, limited to 350 pieces, includes alternate hands, an open right hand and a left hand holding both swords combined. The Ultimate Version comes with a bigger base that features plants among the ruins, the entire dead body of a Scorponok, and Primal himself in beast mode. Plus, this version also comes with an alternate robot head with his mouth exposed, as well as two options for the beast mode head, one with his mouth closed and another one roaring.

The statue features LED lights on Primal's robot and beast eyes, inside of his roaring beast mouth, on Scorponok's eyes and on a Maximal insignia featured on the base.

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available at mass retail.

Notes

Mmm... monkey

• Optimus Primal was originally conceived for Transformers: The Last Knight. His design in Rise of the Beasts is actually a heavy modification of Furio Tedeschi's unused concept art from said film. Aside from the removal of the AOE/TLK Optimus Prime-like helmet and the addition of organic components (like leather and fur), the most notable differences are a more brown-ish paintjob, green eyes and a more anatomic chest with a Maximal insignia. While the concept art intends for him to be larger, standing at least at 50 feet tall compared to a human, the official AR statue website app depicts Primal at 13'2" in beast mode.
• As a contrast to the more static faces of the Autobots, Steven Caple Jr. needed Primal's beast mode face to be more expressive. He had the graphics team split the face into myriad slivers so the mouth and eyebrows could move expressively, without subtracting the fact that he was supposed to be a robot in disguise.^[9]

Foreign names

• Japanese: Optimus Primal (オプティマスプライマル Oputimasu Puraimaru)
• Hungarian: Optimusz Falkavezér ("Pack Leader Optimus")
• Mandarin: Jīngāng Wáng (金剛王, "Vajra King"),^[10] Qíng Tiān Shèng (擎天圣, "Sage that Supports the Sky")^[11]

References