Transformers: War for Cybertron Season 1 begins with an ongoing Civil War between Autobots and Decepticons led by Optimus Prime and Megatron respectively. Optimus Prime and Megatron have different ideologies for their planet Cybertron, however, Megatron’s method and ideals are more autocratic, though there is no definite reason for the Great War. The series hints that it is Megatron’s hunger for total dictatorship and his jealousy towards Prime that ignited this war with gargantuan collateral damage. Megatron will give you enough traits of a Hitler whose methods and ideals resemble the thought process of a Nazi dictator as his ultimate goal is guided by the domination of the universe.
The war, like any other war, has turned Cybertron into a barren and uninhabitable wasteland, devoid of pure Energon. Energon is the primary source of energy for the transformers, like water, oxygen, and food for humans. Autobots and Decepticons struggle for their survival and fight against each other to win the ongoing War for Cybertron. In the midst of it, Megatron learns about an ultimate weapon called AllSpark, the core of the planet Cybertron. With the help of AllSpark, the hidden artifact, Megatron can easily “De-Erase” each Autobot and turn them into Decepticons thus putting an end to the war.
Season 1 “Earthrise” deals with the pursuit of Autobots and Decepticons to find AllSpark. Prime wants it to save its people while Megatron wants to eradicate his enemy’s existence. At the end of Season 1, to save his planet and Autobots, Optimus Prime throws AllSpark in a Space-bridge and sacrifices himself.
Transformers: War for Cybertron Season 2 “Siege” begins with a deserted Cybertron that is quickly fading away due to the absence of its energy source, AllSpark. Meanwhile, Shockwave proposes Project Nemesis to Megatron with the help of which they will be able to leave the planet and look out for new habitat but Project Nemesis needs energy that will come at the cost of Megatron’s own people and the remaining Autobots continue their resistance to stop Megatron at all cost. Later in the story, Season 2 also explores the origin of Transformers as it makes a visit to the ancestral Transformers through Prime and Megatron.
Transformers: War for Cybertron Season 1 & 2 pack some really intriguing dialogues and character graphs. Especially the character of Ultra Magnus, Bumblebee Jetfire, this is probably because these are unexplored characters of the toyline, hence, their persona on screen was something new and fresh. Though Bumblebee has his own solo film, in the series, he acts as a soldier who refuses to take sides and just wanted to survive, which was really a striking point in the whole series.
The animation developed by Rooster Teeth and the team is sharp and aesthetically beautiful. However, the most appealing quality of the series lies in its political narrative. Rarely animated series explore such complex politics, Transformers: War for Cybertron remains loyal to it. The fight sequences are crisp, not overly extended. Personally, I felt that season 1 was far more interesting than the second one. The second season becomes dialogue-heavy. The absence of prominent characters like Prime and Bumblebee causes an air of boredom. Season 2 is a transitional season and that would lead to the final season in the Trilogy, and thus, establishing some grounds and storyline might have caused a drop in the rhythm set by Season 1.
Season 3 “Kingdom” will begin with the ongoing pursuit for AllSpark but now on a different planet, i.e. planet Earth. In the last episode of Season 2, Prime and Megatron end up on Earth while trying to discover the location of AllSpark. I am expecting some major action sequences in the last season as both the enemies will use all their might to get the artifact because it is their last resort. How Earth is going to be affected by the War for Cybertron will be something to look out for.
If you are a fan of animated series that have a complex narrative, mature characters, and thought-proving dialogues, then do check out this amazing series. You won’t be disappointed.
Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy Season 1 & 2 is streaming on Netflix.
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