Top 10 Best Transformers Characters From Generation One

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.


Top 10 Best G1 Characters

Oh yeah, we are going there, sparing no one, just like the writers of the original Transformers movie. If anyone cares about the criteria used (probably no one for this list), the way it was decided was by the G1 centric characters that had a greater impact on me and made me either keep coming back to the brand. This isn't a badass meter, but instead, it is a list about the characters from this era that inspire you or haunt you as you go about your day. The G1 title doesn't necessarily refer to the show (although it is usually a big factor) but instead to the era and the prominent characters stemming from it. We will keep specific modern day interpretations (like IDW) for another time though. Let me know which G1 characters you like best once you have finished reading the list. Now let's get to it!

10. Grimlock

The leader of the Dinobots needs a mention on such a list. While not the sharpest tool in the shed, in the show at least, what he adds to the fiction is huge. Firstly, he brings a more beastial warrior aspect to the War in showing how sometimes brute force is what is needed to win with him and the Dinobots essentially being weapons created by the Autobots. He then evolved from being the leader of a team that can take down Devastator into being an actual equal to the other autobots, going on their adventures (and creating Computron). I also love how he still has a nice air of childish wonder, like the War is part of his life but he can still be innocent and full of wonder within it, like when he just wants to hear more of Kup's stories. And of course, in the comics he became Leader of the Autobots.




9. Starscream

Always a fun character but for crying out loud if you want to be Leader of the Decepticons do something instead of saying you will do it. It gets infuriating sometimes to wonder why Megatron keeps this guy around but then you see what he adds, both in wit and firepower, and you can see how Megatron weighs in the pros and cons. Starscream can definitely make the difference in the War, without him we wouldn't have Bruticus. His brotherly rivalry with Megatron is also very entertaining (hence the thumbnail) and he just has great presence! Also, he has an incredible design that is, to me, even more iconic than his superior. But that will probably be for another list.




8. Ironhide

Older transformers add so much to the Transformers mythos. They give the notion that different generations of robots exist and fight together. This adds a lot of diversity to the team, in both the show and the comics, by having contrasting opinions on certain situations depending on a soldier's experience. Ironhide, to me, is akin to DC's Wildcat from the JSA. He keeps what he saw to himself while offering as much wisdom as he deems necessary for a situation. He also always seems to have just the right weapon or tool handy, which makes for an amazing array of accessories for his masterpiece toy. I like to think it's all due to his experience that he has so many tricks up his sleeves. This is the kind of guy I want by my side if ever I would end up on the battlefield, no doubt about it.



7. Shockwave

Shockwave is just stone cold evil and his intelligence is one of the two greatest assets the Decepticons have (the other will be mentioned later) in the cartoon and in the comics. Megatron may be the leader, but it is Shockwave who ended up being the local leader of the Decepticon cause on Cybertron. While I understand that Shockwave did not do that much in the show, his appearance, demeaner and voice did stay with most of us and his G1 comics appearance really showcased the sadistic and cold bast*rd that the show only hinted to.




6. Kup

As I said above with Ironhide, these kinds of characters add a lot to the show and a lot of what I said about Ironhide applies to Kup as well. While we lost Ironhide in the show, Kup came in to take over that role but in a very different way. Kup is more of a R Lee Ermey type, who takes pride in commanding his troops and making a play. He also has awesome war stories that I always want to hear more of (me Grimlock love Kup stories).




5. Megatron and 4. Optimus

Both are very important and iconic characters, and are both as awesome as Chuck Norris riding an armoured Pegasus through the gates of hell to confront Satan (with some Blind Guardian playing in the background). However, they are also quite one note since they are more like archetypes for good and evil. Optimus has a few more nuances due to his paternal side and that gives him the edge over Megatron as far as being a great character. I still love both of these guys though and their rivalry is as iconic as can be (that will be another list, stay tuned for that).






3. Rodimus Prime

Now I am not saying that Rodimus is a better leader than Optimus was or that he was more badass, but I am far more impressed with how he kept his team morality high and how the writers actually succeeded in making him a decent leader on the show. He had an uphill battle to gain the trust of both his troop and the fans and I am impressed that the character always seems to keep his cool. Also his voice and tall stances quickly make you forget he was fishing with Daniel just a few moments ago. I can see how so many have him as their favourite.




2. Soundwave

You know who the baddest mofo in the room is when there is an earthquake and he is the only one keeping his calm (this is an analogy, not a reference to a specific scene). This is what this guy is but as a villain. His efficiency and loyalty is the other greatest asset the Decepticons have (well aside from a giant robot made up of six smaller robots). Megatron may be the leader, but it is this guy I want to mess with the least. Plus he has all his awesome friends who are just as loyal to him as his is to the cause. Decepticons Forever!




1. Galvatron

You would all be surprised as to how easy this was to pick. Megatron is my favourite for his design and legacy, but Galvatron is just INSANE! I love how the writers pulled off an incredible feat of having him be both new and old at the same time. You can tell he was Megatron once (in the fiction where that is the case), but this is a Megatron that was thrown into the Lazarus pit to be reborn unhinged. While Megatron was evil simply because that seems to be what his circuits dictated, Galvatron revels in his own evil and the chaos that he can create. I just feel this character ups the stakes so much and brings the TF world something no one else can. The Webworld episode is a true testament to that.




Honourable mentions: everyone ... except for Broadside.