Transformers is one of the most successful franchises in the world, with millions of fans worldwide invested in the battle between the righteous Autobots and the cruel Decepticons. This incredible series has influenced the toy, cartoon, and movie industries for more than 4 decades, having celebrated its 40th anniversary on May 15, 2024.

While the franchise is not as popular among Japanese fans as in the West, it has inspired some of the greatest Mecha anime. To commemorate its success, Studio Trigger released a short movie depicting the many iterations of these beloved characters. After its release, fans realized the huge potential that an anime based on Optimus Prime’s adventures could have and began pleading with the animation studio to make it happen.

Studio Trigger Opened The Door To A Transformers Anime

Their Movie Showed How Amazing Their Original Concept Could Be

On September 12, 2024, Studio Trigger, the company responsible for some of the best anime in recent years, like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Kill la Kill, and Delicious in Dungeon released a short movie based on the Transformers franchise. This project was created as a way to celebrate the 40 years Optimus and his allies have inspired audiences around the globe. Instead of recreating one of the already-known storylines of the series, Studio Trigger created its concept, telling a compelling story.

Studio Trigger was founded by many former staff of the studio behind Neon Genesis Evangelion and Gurren Lagann, Gainax.

The video also gave fans a look at the different versions of iconic characters such as Optimus Prime that have been released over the years. As expected from the talented artists of this prestigious animation studio, the video has an outstanding quality, giving viewers a stunning new look at their favorite characters. The story behind the movie is not completely developed, as it only covers a few of the ideas the creators had for their version. Nonetheless, the few scenes depicted in the video caught fans’ attention.

Viewers began to wonder what a full series based on the beloved franchise could be like. Since its debut, fans have asked Studio Trigger about creating an entire series based on the Transformers franchise, exploring the idea behind their mini-movie. While not the only time the heroic Autobots have been animated by Japanese artists, it would be the first one in many years, as the series has not received the same in Japan as in America.

Studio Trigger Has An Amazing Concept To Develop

The Story Of Their Movie Could Create An Instant Classic

Studio Trigger’s movie begins with the Decepticons and Autobots preparing for their inevitable confrontation, showing news versions of their iconic vehicle forms. As the cybernetic aliens fight, scenes of an unnamed group of humans, who seem to be helping Optimus and his friends, can be seen. The war between Cybertron’s natives has caused untold devastation to Earth, with most cities destroyed and many casualties. Surprisingly, the video ends with Optimus and Megatron leaving their differences behind and shaking hands, a nod to their tragic friendship, explored in the critically acclaimed Transformers One movie.

The mini-movie is heavily inspired by Mecha anime tropes, with many transformation sequences looking straight out of a Gundam episode. The video evokes feelings of watching classic 90s animes, with character designs like shows from that time. This fits the franchise perfectly, as many of the best Transformers shows, according to fans, are from the 90s or early 2000s. The idea created by Studio Trigger has the potential to be overwhelmingly successful among both Western and Japanese audiences.

A Transformers Anime Would Be A Loving Homage To Its Origins

The Series Would Not Exist Without Lesser-Known Japanese Toys

Despite the popularity that Transformers has enjoyed in the West for many decades, its origins are entirely Japanese. The brand was created when Hasbro, one of the biggest toy companies in the U.S.A., attempted to resell robot-like action figures from Diaclone and Micro Change, toys created by the Japanese company Takara Tomy. Transformers G1, the first animated series of this beloved franchise, was made and distributed by Toei Animation, one of the biggest and most popular studios in Japan.

A new anime by Studio Trigger would help reignite the flame that was created by both Japan and America, giving the franchise a new chance to succeed. Seeing as the animation house is among the most popular now, thanks to their incredible work, a new show would propel Transformers into a major name in its home country. The latest entry in the franchise, One, has already greatly helped the series become better known among Japanese fans, so a new anime would be an amazing way to continue the trend.

American Shows Have Started To Become Anime

Many Popular Franchises Have Been Animated By Japanese Studios

A couple of years ago, American franchises began releasing anime versions of their shows, giving commence to a trend that continues to this day. One of the most prominent examples of this practice is the fan-favorite Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. This incredible anime was inspired by the video game, Cyberpunk 2077, which tells the story of a dystopic future where humans and machines have fused. David’s adventure in Night City is considered one of the anime of recent years with the best story, characters, and animation. Coincidentally, Studio Trigger was the company that produced this beloved show.

As such, it would not be out of the question to have the Transformers franchise work with the talented animators of this studio to produce their new anime. Fans already trust the work of the artists who work at the company and are always excited to see what they have to offer next. Transformers has everything it needs to release a new epic anime adventure, one that could gain a spot among the most beloved entries in the series.

Transformers is and will likely continue to be one of the most relevant franchises in the world. The idea of a new anime revolving around the never-ending battle between the Autobots and Decepticons is beyond exciting. It could be the next big step for the series, one that could propel its already high popularity.