Transformers the Movie 1986 is highly noted for the death of many popular Transformers including that of Optimus Prime. Other Transformers that suffered the same fate are Ironhide, Ratchet, Prowl, Brawn, Wheeljack, Windcharger, Megatron, Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Shrapnel, Kickback and Bombshell are all casualties. It is learned in the third season that Huffer also died at some point off-camera during the movie.The movie also marks the first appearance of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership which contains the accumulated wisdom and knowledge of all the past Autobot leaders.It also marks the first appearance of of several new characters. On the Autobots side are Arcee, Blurr, Eject, Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime, Kup, Ramhorn, Rewind, Springer, Steeljaw,Ultra Magnus and Wheelie. On the Decepticons side are Cyclonus, Galvatron, Ratbat, Scourge and his huntsmen The Sweeps.Also the world devourer, Unicron makes his debut. Other first-time characters are The Quintessons, The Junkions, Kranix, The Sharkticons, Unicron, Daniel Witwicky and Wreck-Gar.
The movie is an excellent movie about leadership. It shows the passing of the torch from Opimus Prime to his successor Rodimus Prime. This shows a contrast in our ideas of what leadership is. The first was the ideal leader. A leader who was always confident in what he did and trusted his capabilities in crucial situations. He was a role model to all Autobots due to his unselfishness, his courage and his sense of justice. On the flip side is Rodimus Prime who keeps on doubting himself and does not think he is worthy to be the bearer of the Matrix. He always aims to do the right thing but he is at times uncertain if he is doing the right thing. He is forever embroiled in self conflict. Optimus is the ideal. Rodimus is the real.