With the first Transformers movie premiering in 2007, and Bumblebee in 2018, Optimus Prime and his Autobots have appeared in theaters for over a decade. Initially, the first animated series was made just to sell toys, but now, it's evolved into a multi-genre, multi-million dollar empire, and the Autobots have become the heroes of Cybertron, Earth, and the universe in their many adventures.

While Bumblebee is a fan darling, the true iconic character of the films is Optimus Prime, the lawful leader of the Autobots. Optimus has inspired his warrior bots through decades of battles, trials, and victories as he is singularly made to lead and bring people together. As the last of his kind, it's only right for him to do his best to make a difference in the world. Without Optimus' leadership, all the defeats the Autobots faced would surely have eliminated them. He is able to pull them out of any bind and keep them fighting, no matter what happens. Part of what makes Optimus such a great leader and a fascinating character is his anatomy. That body of his is very unique, even among other giant, transforming, hero robots. Between different transformations, different names, and different origin stories, Optimus remains the best leader they could ever ask for. With that being said, here are 20 Strange Details About Optimus Prime's Anatomy.

20. Made For Leadership

When Optimus Prime was created, his core energy source was the Matrix of Leadership. This matrix gives Optimus more power than the average autobot along with the willpower to lead. However, the matrix isn't just for him. In the event of his ing, the matrix es on to a new leader (at least in the animated series), and both Ultra Magnus and Hot Rod have used this matrix as well.

In the films, humans used the matrix a bit differently. This time, Sam puts it into Optimus to resurrect him as a better, higher-powered version of himself. The Matrix of Leadership makes Optimus Prime a stronger leader to his people, something vital during their civil war. As a result, it is one of the most important parts of his body.

19. Mixed Relationship With Earth

Though most people think of Optimus Prime and the Autobots as protectors of Earth, that's not always the case. Even in the highly popularized film, by the time he meets Mark Wahlberg's Cade Yeager, Optimus is starting to lose faith in humanity. This heavily contrasts his earlier position, where he considered Earth their new home.

Furthermore, in some of the animated series, Optimus Prime deliberately orders his team not to get involved with humans, or sometimes, any other planets at all. He wants their efforts to be completely focused on re-taking Cybertron. Unfortunately, though, those orders don't always work out. First and foremost, Optimus wants to protect his people, and it depends on the iteration if Earth and humanity are a part of that.

18. Carries A Personal Armory In The Live Action Films

As the transformative part of Optimus in semi-truck form is only the front carriage, writers have gotten creative with what he's carried in the back. Sometimes, it's for battle stations, scout cars, or even transporting other characters better.

However, in the live action films, the writers particularly chose to make Optimus carry an armory. Over the films, he picks up quite a few cannons, swords, and more, so it's not too wild of a choice. This way, Optimus can remain fairly mobile and reactive while still having his more clunkier items nearby. When the leader of the Autobots is just the front end of a semi-truck, there really is a lot of options. Might as well keep him well-stocked.

17. Martial Arts Master

While the Autobots and Decepticons have a lot of guns and cannons, their durability means they end up doing a lot of hand-to-hand combat. Because of this, all of the main characters end up becoming expert melee fighters, with Optimus Prime being adept in martial arts.

This is because not only are they useful in close up battle, but the Transformers series were also released in Japan first, which makes more sense why the characters would know traditional battle styles. With his guns, blades, and martial arts training, Optimus is a formidable foe for any other bot. He's a hard hitter that's even harder to take down; there's a reason why his battles with Megatron are always so epic.

16. Can Spawn Roller, A Scout Bot

Optimus has always had the same personality: a good, moral individual trying to do his best to lead the Autobots. However, other than that, he's had some whacky changes over the series and films. Between wielding blades, having hidden pasts, riding dinobots, and having robot girlfriends, he's evolved a lot, but one of the cutest things that he sometimes has is a scout bot named Roller.

In timelines/series where Optimus is a semi-truck, his back end sometimes houses this adorable, helpful scout, who will go behind enemy lines and try to acquire recon information for the group. With six wheels and nerves of steel, Roller does his best to help, and his attitude very much reflects that of the bot who owns him.

15. Can Fire Elemental Cannons

With all his different versions in different series, Optimus has had a lot of powers; however, something that's been consistent is his use of cannons. Depending on the timeline, he's used water, fire, and laser varieties, which have also been separate weapons or pieces that extend out of his anatomy. The big guy certainly likes his big weapons.

Moreover, though, they do change in context to the situation. He only used fire and water cannons when he was a firetruck, and he used lasers more often when the cannons came out of his arms. Even in a single character, Autobots are diverse and complex beings.

14. Has Multiple Transformations

The most iconic version of Optimus Prime is easily when he's the front-end of a semi-truck, but that's not his only transformation. In some unique series, he's also transformed into a firetruck or a Pepsi truck. Depending on the scenario or the brand deal, he's been altered a bit.

When the writers do this, though, they do their best to keep Optimus Prime's integrity and character intact. He's still a heroic figure whether he is in a firetruck or a semi-truck, and despite the branding, his classic colors of red, blue, and silver are kept. Writers know better than to mess with his personality as fans and Autobots alike look to him as a pillar of justice and morality, no matter what form he takes.

13. He's Gone By Several Different Names

Before Optimus was the Prime he is, he went by other names. For example, in some stories, Optimus Prime was once the average autobot, Orion Pax, who had a girlfriend and a normal life before everything changed for him. Over time, he evolved into Optimus Prime, leader and hero, instead of remaining who he once was.

Also, in Japan's version, Optimus Prime sometimes had an entirely different name. There, he went by Convoy, likely referencing the fact he's a semi-truck and he's leading the “convoy” of bots. Quite the clever name if one thinks about it. No matter his name or anatomical changes, this Prime bot is willing to put everything on the line to save his people in any situation.

12. Consistent Color Palette Over Multiple Series

Each different Transformers series puts its own spin on the characters. Even between Michael Bay's Transformers series and Bumblebee, the design of the Autobots have shifted. The complex and flashy looks of Bay's Transformers have been traded for simpler, more aesthetically pleasing ones.

Regardless of this kind of change, though, mostly all iterations have remained true to the Autobots' color palettes. No matter if he's a firetruck, a first generation leader, or a movie star, Optimus Prime sticks to those classic blue, red, and silver colors. There are a few deviations to this, though, but they are so few that it's not worth mentioning. Some were even just special toy promotions. Otherwise, this big blue and red guy has stayed pretty consistent.

11. In Some Universes, He And Ultra Magnus Are Brothers

In Transformers: The Movie, the Autobots' first foray into film, Optimus Prime takes a surprising hit and es away. Before he goes, though, he es leadership onto Ultra Magnus, a brave soldier who Optimus trusted to lead well.

Things get complicated, though, in Transformers: Robots In Disguise (a different version of the series). In this one, they aren't just good friends, but in fact brothers. Magnus is jealous of Optimus becoming the leader and tries to take his matrix and leadership away from him. Though the pair eventually come together to become even stronger, it causes a lot of tension among the Autobots. Here, it wasn't Magnus who thought he was just a good soldier, it was their creators as well.