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Referenced By / Transformers

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These references are More than Meets the Eye!

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    Advertising 
  • Paramount+: As part of their Mountain of Entertainment Crossover campaign, Bumblebee (as depicted in his form from his film) is present in a couple of the promos. Notably, he takes part in a recreation of the famous water bucket scene from Flashdance.
  • A 1985 commercial for Pepsi features a Coke machine with a head resembling Soundwave duking it out with a Pepsi machine resembling a Gundam.
  • Walmart: In their Super Bowl 2019 commercial, Famous Cars, Bumblebee (again, as depicted in his form from Bumblebee) appears among many other movie cars that have come to pick up groceries from Walmart.

    Anime And Manga 
  • One of the maid cafes in Akiba Maid War is named Invader Café Destronnote , which serves under the employ of Creatureland's rival Maidalien and is home to Nagomi's friend Nerula.
  • Many of the robot designs in the Brave Series were lifted from Transformers (most notably four of the Geisters from Brave Exkaiser being four of the Dinobots), seeing as Takara had a hand in the creation of both.
  • The first opening animation to the Hayate the Combat Butler anime has a silhouetted Optimus Prime (using his G1 design) getting blown to pieces alongside Tetsujin-28 and the RX-78-2 Gundam by the series' titular protagonist.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt features a cameo by the alt mode of Bumblebee from the War For Cybertron video game.
  • Episode 7 of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt is one glorified shout out to Transformers, mostly towards the G1 cartoon and live-action movies. For bonus points, both the sub and dub try to harken back to the original voice cast in different ways, with the former using the original voice actors for both the Optimus and Megatron lookalikes and the dub using sound-alikes.
  • The main sequence of Episode 4 of Pop Team Epic ends with Pipimi transforming into a jet in a manner highly similar to the live-action Transformers films. Doubling as a Casting Gag, Tesshō Genda (the regular Japanese dub voice of Optimus Prime, as well as G1 Omega Supreme and Unicron Trilogy Primus) voices Popuko in the male version of the episode.
  • SSSS.GRIDMAN is absolutely riddled with Transformers references, many of which are surprisingly directed towards Transformers: Shattered Glass. See its page for more details. In a surprising recursion, official Transformers media would acknowledge this with the character of Purple Wicked Convoy, a version of Shattered Glass Optimus Prime who commands monsters on the behalf of a mysterious benefactor much like Akane Shinjo (whose design is modeled after Shattered Glass Optimus).
  • Time Stop Hero: In an omake, Kuzuno Sekai's golem Gankichi unfolds to reveal a beautiful woman inside. He comments that he didn't know Gankichi was a Transformer.

    Asian Animation 
  • In Season 4 Episode 19 of Happy Heroes, Big M. and Little M. pretend to be characters in a television to avoid catching Careless S.'s suspicion. At one point they pretend to be transforming robots, with the music playing in the background - the theme song for The Transformers, the original 80's cartoon - making it obvious they're supposed to be Transformers.

    Comic Books 

    Film 
  • Big features a scene involving a transforming Empire State Building, inspired by the franchise's use of "citybots". The idea for the toy is quickly shut down by Josh, who suggests a transforming prehistoric bug instead.
  • Boogie Nights rather infamously is known for a scene in which Dirk Diggler (played by Mark Wahlberg pre-Age of Exctinction) sings "The Touch" from the original movie.
  • Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022) not only features a cameo from Blaster from the original cartoon near the beginning of the film. Sweet Pete's One-Winged Angel form includes the left leg of live-action Optimus Prime (as seen in Bumblebee) and the fusion cannon of Megatron styled like a Bullet Bill Blaster.
  • Tommy Wiseau is shown owning a Nautilator figure (with decals unapplied) in the film version of The Disaster Artist.
    "Don't look at Robot Crab, he's shy."
  • A Six Shot figure in jet mode can be seen in The Great Outdoors as played with by one of Roman's kids.
  • Ninja Terminator features a messenger robot that is nothing more than a bootleg version of a Generation 1 Omega Supreme toy.
  • Bracer Phoenix from Pacific Rim: Uprising is a green heavy hitter that is later equipped with a wrecking ball, much like Bulkhead.
  • Clips from the episode "War of the Dinobots" from the original cartoon can be seen in The Professional as Mathilda's family is killed by Stanfield and his men.
  • Spaceballs
    • Yogurt show off various (fictional) pieces of Spaceballs merch, two of which (Spaceballs the Coloring Book and Spaceballs the Lunchbox) are actually Transformers merch.
    • Later in the film, Barf describes Spaceball 1's transformation into Mega Maid as "a Transformer".
  • A clip from the Armada anime shows up briefly in Son of the Mask
  • When Michelangelo makes his way through a Day of the Dead parade in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, he meets a Bumblebee cosplayer who praises the "costume" Mikey's wearing.
  • The original Top Gun features some quick appearances from a Starscream toy (albeit dressed up like a standard jet model) that Goose gives to his son. Hasbro would eventually return the favor by making a tie-in Transformer for its sequel, named Maverick. And yes, he comes with a volleyball.
  • A Galvatron figure can be seen among the toys Luke brings with him into the treehouse in the 1990 film version of The Witches.

    Literature 
  • In The Pants Project, Liv likes the word "transgender" because it makes him think of Transformers.

    Live Action TV 
  • The original cartoon would place 39 in Channel 4's "100 Greatest Cartoons", with several of the talking heads (including Seth MacFarlane, who introduces the entry) talking about the show's place in pop culture history.
  • A figure of War For Cybertron: Earthrise Ark appears in episode 3 of Fubar.
  • A G1 Trypticon toy can be seen in the background of Matthew's room in the second part of the Goosebumps (1995) Chillogy three-parter.
  • VH1's I Love the 80s series would cover the franchise in its first go-around when it hit 1984 (natch). Henry Rollins even provides a Hilarious in Hindsight moment by bringing up transgender Transformers during the segment.
  • An episode of My Two Dads features a subplot in which a Six Shot toy is played with Joey, inventing new alternate modes along the way.
  • In the ILM documentary Light & Magic for Disney+, a brief clip of the Bonecrusher vs Optimus Prime fight from the 2007 film can be seen in the Title Sequence, transitioning from the initial animation stage to final rendered product.
  • J.D. can be seen painting of nursery mural of G1 Optimus (in his Powermaster body; referred to by Carla as "The Big Ugly One"} fighting Megatron in the Scrubs episode "His Story III".
  • Stranger Things has a cameo from an Ultra Magnus figure in "Suzie, Do You Copy?" as one of the toys leading Eleven to the living room, albeit in 1985 which is a year before the toy's actual release.
  • The Toys That Made Us: Not only do Transformers toys feature prominently in the various backgrounds of the show, but the franchise got an episode dedicated to it for the second season. The franchise is brought up again in the episode on Power Rangers when discussing Hasbro's purchase of the latter franchise and the possibility of the two lines having a Crossover is brought up.

    Music 

    Tabletop Games 
  • In Warhammer Fantasy, the respective mounts of Lizardmen special characters Kroq-gar, Mazdamundi, and Tik’tak’to are named Grymloq (a tyrannosaurus rex), Zlaaq (a triceratops), and Zwup (a pteranodon), after the Dinobots Grimlock, Slug, and Swoop.

    Toys 
  • Harmony Gold's officially licensed Macross toyline by Kitzconcept would pay homage to G1 Jetfire's series of origin by releasing a limited-edition VF-1S Super Valkyrie in the character's color scheme under the name "God of Flame". A stark contrast to the company's previous stance on the character's existence.note 
  • The short-lived Hasbro toyline XEVOZ included a character called “Trans-scorcher”, who was capable of turning into a futuristic vehicle.

    Video Games 
  • The Humongous Mecha Liberty Prime from Fallout 3 is quite obviously named after Optimus Prime.
  • The description for the “King Stitches” skin in Heroes of the Storm references Grimlock’s oft-referenced “catchphrase”.
  • Registeel's cry sounds exactly like the classic transformation sound.
  • The climax of Saints Row IV is a giant homage to Transformers: The Movie, with “The Touch” playing in the background as both the Saint and Zinyak quote Optimus and Megatron’s famous “One shall stand, one shall fall” exchange.
  • StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
    • In one of the early levels, you can find a civilian Hellion decoed in the red and blue flame paint job of movie Optimus Prime.
    • One of the tie-in songs, "Terran Up The Night", calls the Terran Viking unit a Transformer and compares it to Starscream as well.
    • An April Fools special showcased a joke unit called Terra-tron, a Combining Mecha formed from a Terran base whose voice is highly reminiscent of Peter Cullen (the iconic voice of Optimus Prime). Said mecha also quips lines such as “We are More than Meets the Eye”, “Merge to form Rampage” (the command used to form most Combiners, while Rampage has been a name used for multiple different Transformers) and “Terra-tron, Terrorize!” (the transformation phrase of the Predacons from Beast Wars). Lastly, the video's description lists its function as "Omega Supreme Defense", a nod to the Autobot Guardian Omega Supreme.
  • In Starfield, one of the dialogue options in one encounter is the Universal Greeting from the original G1 movie.
  • In Total War: Warhammer III, one of N'Kari's quests is called "Peace through Tyranny", which is G1 Megatron's motto.

    Web Video 

    Western Animation 
  • In the American Dad! episode “Bahama Mama”, one of the toys Steve plans on giving away is called a ”Trans-changer”, which bears a marked resemblance to Armada Hot Shot.
  • Amphibia: A figure of G1 Megatron can be seen in Marcy's mindscape in "All In".
  • Arthur
    • "Arthur Bounces Back" has a gag where Arthur makes a truck turn into a robot, then into a robotic version of his principal.
    • "My Dad, the Garbage Man" features Arthur asking the audience about how cool their dad would be if he was a Transformer in the Cold Open, complete with the obligatory Imagine Spot of Arthur's dad turning his arms into motorized shovels to dig for treasure.
    • "Buster and the Daredevils" also features transforming robot toys played by Arthur, Buster and Brain as book ends to the episode.
  • Lockdown’s hook and Grimlock's sword can be seen in Khyber’s ship in Ben 10: Omniverse, seeing as both shows were produced by Derrick J Wyatt.
  • Dan Vs.: In "Dan Vs. Anger Management", the Universal Greeting is used as a meditation chant.
  • The Fairly OddParents!: "Beddy Bye" features a transforming street sweeper who breaks out into stand-up.
  • Family Guy
  • Garfield and Friends
  • The King of the Hill episode "Born Again on the Fourth of July" opens the episode by having Bobby watch a cartoon clearly inspired by Transformers featuring a jet that looks like Skyfire with the colors of White Base. A clip from this cartoon can also be glimpsed in "Bill Gathers Moss" as a movie being watched in theaters.
  • MAD
    • "TransBOREMores" takes a potshot at the live-action movie franchise and its regularly rotating MacGuffins so that Prime can invite other robots into Sam's house. This would be followed up with "TransBOREmores 3: Dark of the Blue Moon", in which the Smurfs find their way to Earth, and Sam and Optimus have to get them back to Smurf Village.
    • "Rejected Transformers" shows some rejected Transformers that didn't make the cut.
    • "I Love You, Iron Man" has Optimus make an appearance as Iron Man's friend.
    • "Transformin' Grill" has Optimus hawk a parody of the George Foreman grill.
    • "P.E.D.A.L" has Optimus speak out in People for the Ethical Defense of Autobot Lives.
    • "Super 80s" has a Cy-Kill expy lament his status as a GoBot, wishing he could be a Transformer instead.
    • "Transformal Wear" has Optimus advertise formal wear.
    • "Optimus Prime Suspect" has Optimus take on Helen Mirren's role in Prime Suspect.
    • "Real Veal" has Bumblebee seen in a robot boxing championship.
    • "F·I·E·N·D·S" has Megatron appear as one of the main cast.
  • Being a love letter to the Mecha Show genre, Megas XLR has multiple references to Transformers. See its page for more details.
  • Various vehicles in Olliver's Adventures resemble characters from the original cartoon; with three jets colored like Decepticons Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker showing up fairly often.
  • In the The Powerpuff Girls (1998) episode "Jewel of the Aisle", the girls briefly watch a Beast Wars-inspired series called Mech-Animals.
  • Rick and Morty: The opening to "Amortycan Grickfitti" features the titular duo encountering a group of Changeformers outside a drive-in diner.
  • Robot Chicken makes many references to the franchise:
    • The first episode "Junk in the Trunk" has the now-infamous skit of Optimus Prime getting prostate cancer. With Prime returning later to berate the Human Torch for not having taken his prostate exam. Soundwave also makes an appearance in the "Where Are They Now?" skit from "Toy Meets Girl", where he's taken up the job of a porta-potty at a local fairway.
    • Season 2's "Dragon Nuts" has Devastator get kicked into the distance by Optimus after the Constructicons minus Hook and Scavenger get the flu in the "Omaha's Number 1 News Team" skit.
    • "The Sad Fate of Soundwave" in Season 3's "Werewolf vs. Unicorn" has the Decepticon spy's alt form mocked by two scientists before being sold on eBay.
    • Season 4
      • "The Nerd of Oz" sketch from "Cannot Be Erased, So Sorry" features Optimus Prime in the Tin Man role. Saving Oz by using his disappearing trailer to kill the Witch's flying monkey army.
      • "Tell My Mom" features a segment where Movie Bumblebee is purchased by Sam before the focus shifts to another teen who buys Scooter.
      • "Due to Constraints of Time and Budget" has a skit parodying Jazz's death scene from the first live-action movie, seeing his remarks on him being Not Quite Dead fall on deaf ears.
    • Season 5
      • "Terms of Endaredevil" features three "sneak peeks" for Transformers 3 — The first has Optimus giving Sam a convoluted speech about the AllSpark and what it would do to Megatron; the second has Judy get knocked up on angel dust; the third featuring a pair of blatantly racist Indian Autobot taxis.
      • "Kramer Vs. Showgirls" has Bumblebee get off to a car being washed.
      • The "Nicky Passion" segment from "Malcolm X: Fully Loaded" has Megatron among the attendees, relating his issues with Starscream to Nicky.
      • "Beastmaster & Commander" features a sketch where the movie versions of Jazz, Bumblebee, and Optimus get their Earth names. The former two mock their leader for his name until he tells them about his drunk and abusive father, after which the two realize Prime's plight and cheer him up.
      • A quick skit from "The Godfather of the Bride II" references the rather questionable placement of the trigger to Megatron's gun mode when transformed into his robot mode.
    • Season 6
      • "Poisoned by Relatives" has a sketch with Megatron and Starscream hiding from the Autobots in a Prius dealership, to Megatron's disgust.
      • "In Bed Surrounded by Loved Ones" features a bit where Prime's trailer has sex with another man, refusing to respond to a rescue operation.
    • Season 7
      • "Panthropologie"'s "World War B" sketch features an appearance from Kre-O Bumblebee as one of the knockoff LEGO zombies. Ironically, This was produced around the same time Stoopid Buddy Studios would be hired by Hasbro to animate some official Transformers animation for them, starting with some of the Transformers Kre-O shorts.
      • "Noidstrom Rack" has the Zybots (a toyline made by Remco to cash in on the popularity of Transformers) try to help the Autobots, who rudely dismiss them. Megatron takes pity on the eager robots when they confront him and gives them a win.
    • Season 8
      • "Cake Pillow" features the Autobots and Maura from Transparent crossing over.
      • "Zero Vegetables" features a look into the Transformers 5 writing room as a naked Michael Bay makes script changes with his penis.
      • "Fridge Smell" has Optimus try to get out of jury duty with his motto and fail.
      • "Not Enough Women" has Soundwave unwind by listening to Creed, prompting his minions to flee in terror.
    • Season 9
      • "Factory Where Nuts Are Handled" has a sketch where Beast Wars Scorponok has to talk Megatron out of killing a panda bear. Said bear ends up being Polar Claw; who escapes before the Predacons, who are too busy burning a real panda alive convinced that is the Maximal in disguise in lava, notice.
      • "Gimme That Chocolate Milk" has the Nerd say the "Roll Out!" command just as he sticks a vacuum cleaner hose on his dick in the final sketch as payoff for imagining himself trying to get a BJ from a Transformer. It ends as well as you'd expect it to.
    • Season 10
      • "Fila Ogden in: Maggie's Got a Full Load" has Optimus engage in sex with a self-driving car during an Uber presentation.
  • The Simpsons
    • "Future-Drama" has a Couch Gag where the familynote  transform from car-to-robot, then sit on the couch.
    • "Apocalypse Cow" has Trans-Clownomorphs, a cartoon about transforming clown cars fighting evil pteranodons based on the original series. Even the show's logo is a homage to it.
    • "Treehouse Of Horror XIX"'s "Untitled Robot Parody" segment is a full-on parody of the franchise, with Springfield caught in the crossfire of the battle of two warring robot armies. Two of them even resemble the G1 incarnations of Optimus Prime and Megatron (as formed from Homer and Ned's cars).
    • "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" has a scene where Ned watches a movie with two Hebrew Transformers fighting each other until they stop and find time to read from Jewish scripture.
  • Smiling Friends: Figures of Armada Jetfire and Megatron, and G1 Rippersnapper can be seen in Shrimp's room in "Shrimp's Odyssey".
  • South Park
    • Optimus Prime is seen as one of the good guys in the "Imaginationland" trilogy.
    • Magazine covers with Optimus's likeness on it can be seen in "Sexual Healing" as Cartman and Kenny play the new Tiger Woods game.
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) has a quick joke in "The Big Cufflink Caper!" where a transforming tractor robot is referred to as a "Transfarmer". The episode's writer and series script editor David Wise also wrote for the original Transformers cartoon and would recycle several plot elements from there into Turtles scripts.

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