Optimus Prime is leader we want to become, but Rodimus Prime is the leader we will most likely become.

I can say Hotrod/Rodimus Prime appears to be very human for a robot. He showed genuine emotions, weaknesses and attitude typical of someone who is trying to prove himself as well as being carefree and reckless at times.

I know that Rodimus Prime's alternate mode was supposed to be a "future truck", but I always thought it looked more like a "future winnebago."

It’s weird because my uncle who was a kid in the 80s discussed some angry thoughts he had about Optimus being dead. For him, Optimus is the only person who should lead the Autobots while for me, a kid born in 2000, I enjoyed Rodimus more. I liked Rodimus because his self doubt showed more frequently allowing him to connect more with his fellow autobots. Optimus knew what he needed to do only keeping a few close allies while keeping everyone else as friendly acquaintances. While Rodimus struggled but was able to become intrenched with the other bots.

He's a representation of having kids before you're ready. You have this slick sports car and no worries, then you get the news and have to swap it for a sensible vehicle you can take them to school in. Also your friend gets torn to pieces by a squid.

You know, I never put it together until now that - between Headmasters, Energon and IDW - "leaving the Autobots to go on a Galactic Quest" is a recurring "Rodimus thing". Funny coincidence!

He was no Optimus, but I've always liked Hot Rod. The scene of him becoming Rodimus in the Movie is one of the greatest scenes in Transformers history. His struggles as leader always felt more real and grounded than any other character. One any of us could relate to.

I grew attached to Hot Rod right away after seeing him rise to leadership as Rodimus Prime in the theaters way back in August of 1986. Yes, he makes mistakes (like all of us) and feels the hard burden of leadership (much like Optimus did when he first became leader), but he accomplished quite a bit when taking command despite being so very hot headed. I find him so very relatable. From one Transformers historian to another, great job covering my favorite character Chris! Merry Christmas!

Meanwhile in an alternate universe: Pessimus composite: get in the way cold bar!

So many people say "Out of the way, Hot Rod!" when talking about the character. I personally prefer "That's right! We achieved something".

As a kid I saw Transformers: The Movie before seeing the original G1 show, so I never hated Hot Rod/Rodimus, to me he was the main character and Optimus was just the "Uncle Ben" figure. I also never saw Season 3 where the hate for Rodimus was really codified in the fandom with his admittedly rather wishy-washy personality. Sure I've seen G1 by now and appreciate Optimus as leader and not just "the one who dies so Rodimus can be a thing" but I still see Hot Rod/Rodimus as a Peter Parker-type. Burdened by great power he feels a sense of responsibility to despite the fact it makes him miserable, I think the Hot Rod/Rodimus could take a lesson from another Spider-Man and not be so focused on emulating Optimus and worrying about what Optimus would do, and instead try to figure out who he is as a Prime and how he should lead. "If there's one thing I know it's don't do it like me, do it like /you./"

If I'm being 100% honest, while I appreciate bringing Optimus back, I felt it was a mistake for Rodimus to just simply go back to being Hot Rod. I feel it severely undercuts his development from a reckless daredevil to a true genuine leader. It's like with Thor in Avengers Endgame. They spent all those past movies to development Thor to becoming the king of Asgard only to revert him back. I hate when stories do that.

"They've got more Sharkticons than we got photon chargers." - Hotrod

Chris i've got to tell you : Rodimus Primal will be happy to see this

I love how IDW’s MTMTE and Lost Light portrayed Hot Rod. He was egoistic, reckless and self-centered, but also so damn charismatic and ultimately truly heroic. And goddamn he has style.

He was cool as resistance leader against the Quintessons in Cyberverse. That entire season was a banger

“This is the end of the road, Galvatron!”

“Out of the way, Hot Rod!” -viewers who are awaiting Basics on G1 Megatron

Hot Rod was framed. A severely under-rated and under-utilized character.

IDW Rodimus is my favorite incarnation of the character, especially since he really seemed (at least to me) to escape the stigma of being "optimus's replacement" because his character had such different characterization and a much different role than he usually gets.

I like Hot Rod/Rodimus. He didn’t have a good start, but he has placed his role now in transformers history.

All he needs is a writer who can make his character work

Armada Hot Shot was actually called "Hot Rod" in the Japanese version, as far as I remember; also Red Alert was called "Ratchet" both whose Japanese names make much more sense considering their in-anime appearance and personalities.

Both TFA hot rod and TLK Hot rod were cool. I loved hot rod using a bow n arrow

MTMTE/Lost Light Rodimus is one of my favourite Transformera characters. His speech in LL 24 genuinely made me tear up.

You've earned the right to see the universe without a gun in your hand

Energon Rodimus was my fav as a kid, dudes a red jet engine semi with gold flames, machine gun shoulders, and built in flame throwers. F what anyone else says that figure was badass

I know I'm in the definite minority, but I actually liked Rodimus having to deal with the burden of leadership. Optimus was so supremely confident, and led so effortlessly ... but Roddy felt more 'human', for lack of a better term, by being so uncomfortable with the mantle of leadership ("Can I interest you in a used mantle?") thrust upon him out of nowhere. I kind of with the show had done what IDW's More Than Meets The Eye/Lost Light comics had done and actually shown 'bots dissatisfied with Rodimus commanding them. It might have made an interesting mirror episode with the one where the Decepticons get tired of Galvatron's leadership.

Will Hasbro ever remember that Hot Rod was magenta and not red in the original movie, and release his toys in the correct colours?

🎶Dare! Dare to believe you can survive!🎶

Before anyone says something, Hot Rod didn't actually cause Optimus' death, Megatron was pretending to be almost defeated and was almost going to shot Optimus Prime, we can see this because he gets up really fast, if Hot Rod wasn't there Megatron would have still attacked Prime, we can see this in the Deviations comic, in wich Megatron still shots the weapon, Optimus survives because of the plot as how he didn't shot earlier in the '86 movie because Deviations is about Optimus surviving the battle. Conclusion: Hot Rod's existence didn't matter. Also, what the hell is happening to Kup? He said not to help Prime, like, the war could have ended better if he helped Prime, no, it doesn't have a gun (he was just puting a letter when the Decepticons attacked, so he didn't have one), but it could have said to Prime that Megatron was pretending to be defeated.

I didn't realize how often Judd Nelson came back to voice the character. That's pretty cool

If Hot Rod had been previously introduced as part of the team, he wouldn’t have been as criticized and hated. Especially if he had been treated as a sort of “Son of Optimus Prime” kind of character. Someone Optimus had a personal connection with rather than a random new character. It would have made his ascension to Prime and Autobot leader more natural. IDW treated him very well. Made him a great and complex character. And the movies were the worst. I’d like his next incarnation to have been one of the last protoforms generated before the war. For much of his early like he is a renegade, childish character until he meets Optimus and is inspired to follow him. The 2 develop a close bond, further strengthen by Elita 1 who becomes a sort of mother figure to him. As the war goes on, he’d mature and lead his own team separate from Optimus. I’d also like to see him have a kinship with Bumblebee since he’s replaced the role Hot Rod has filled in recent years. Maybe make them a combiner and call them Firebolt. When Optimus and Megatron have their final battle, Hot Rod steps up and there’s a schism between the Autobots. It’s between him and another Autobot commander who thinks he’s too young to be leader. Meanwhile the Matrix is being held my a revived Megatron, perhaps turned Galvatron. Hot Rod retrieves the Matrix and earns the respect of all Autobots. He becomes Rodimus Prime, gaining a new form and sadly losing the ability to combine with Bumblebee. Bee takes command of his old unit. Eventually, Optimus is revived and Rodimus returns the Matrix. But he remains a Prime. He becomes second in command. A proper evolution for a character often hated.

Hot Rod didn't get Optimus Prime killed, the 1980s writers killed him.

He was a brash and undisciplined, just like another Hot Rod...Rowdy Roddy Piper!

I think, the "Lost Light"-story made the best version of him, also the story itself is great!

My biggest gripe with Hot Rod/Rodimus was how basic his head looked, especially compared to other characters. I've always liked the incarnations where they gave him yellow horns/marks on the forehead, those really nicely brake up the red.

For the first time in forever, I'm glad I'm awake at 5 AM

He was my hero as a child. I watched the original movie so many times I loved him. I hope soon we can see him as a main character of a cartoon again where he comes to grips with being a leader I mean come on he is so human been given power that he has no idea how to use or feels unworthy of. They could do an amazing job by making him a relatable character in a cartoon. Maybe even making his I don't care aditude and his reckless his way of hiding his insecurities and fears that will eventually case him to break down because he's not who he says he is and is genuinely afraid and unsure of himself or what he should do. I would love a character like that.

Transformers Cyberverse is where Hot Rod really shined the most, I just wished that the Michael Bay Hot Rod had the same flame design.🔥❤

Hot Rod deserves more love from the shows now that he has returned to tv

I've always loved Hot Rod. How could I not? He was the Luke Skywalker role of TF:TM with Han Solo's attitude and the colour scheme of those Fruit Salad sweets (except for when Nel Yomtov decided he was more of a Ribena guy). It feels kinda like you're supposed to age out of liking him, though. Or at least resent him for supplanting Optimus. Nah. 'Rodimus' may be a terrible name, but I preferred him as leader. More depth.

FINALLY! THANK YOU! My favorite character and the first person to make Prime a title rather than a name. I truly hope the character becomes a mainstay for a good long time. His Cyberverse appearance was fantastic and IDW defined him even more. Long live the chosen one.

Throughout the entire movie, Hot Rod displayed leadership skills...

Just like Starscream, he has love and hate at same time

"Turbo-revving young punk"

Cyberverse Hot Rod made me really love the character, especially when he has to step up and lead the rag-tag team against the quintissons

It’s always nice to see some love for the character instead of the old “he killed Optimus” joke

I've always thought how the G1 cartoon having Rodimus not only physically revert to Hot Rod, but also in personality, whenever he gave away the Matrix was kinda stupid and silly. Like, the Movie is supposed to be partially about his growth as a character, and then at the end the Matrix backs it up with a physical transformation to match. Making him revert physically upon losing the Matrix is one thing (still kinda silly, but I can deal with it on its own), but having him un-grow as a character robs any depth his arc in the Movie had.

I always thought the French accent in THAT movie was down to him being described as ""Cavalier" on his original Tech Specs

Judd Nelson not voicing Hot Rod in The Last Knight is such a crime.

Its only fair to say that so far in recorded history, G1, Cyberverse, and the War for Cybertron series treat Hotrod/Rodimus with better respect than Animated ever has. And while the character has had somewhat of a rocky history as well as a mixed reception, its good to know that he's not been completely forgotten. And I hope that future entries will pay him the respect he deserves.

Here’s my guess for Obscure Characters Month: Skids!!!

Movie Hotrod may be an unfaithful character who’s only joke is “he’s french”....but he’s the best designed character in that movie so I don’t care.

I always love how his name perfectly explained his actions

Something about Cyberverse hot rod that is important to note is his friendship with Soundwave that develops during the quintesson invasion, where the two have an amazing chemistry and it's probably my favorite incarnation of either character

I like Hot Rod. Kinda wish he could get his old job back from Bumblebee.

Saw this video in my subscription feed today and started audibly celebrating. Had to explain to my mate why the title of a youtube video made me do that. I may have been a kid for the Unicron Trilogy, but I cherish the '86 movie with all its weirdness, Hot Rod is by far and away a favourite of mine.

I always loved Rodimus as a kid, to me it was refreshing seeing a leader who wasn't always so confident. It taught me it is okay sometimes to have doubts.

You could say Rodimus is still the autobot commander by the time of victory since he still possess the matrix.

As long as he not replaces Optimus, I'm always glad to see him in action

Yes, my favourite character!!

“IF YOU’RE GOING RIDE DANNO, RIDE IN STYLE!” Absolutely one of my favorite Autobots. Like many, I hated the guy when I was a kid blaming him solely being responsible for Primes death but ya know, if Prime didn’t monologue and hesitate taking the shot. On top of that I think Megatron still would’ve taken the shot one way or another. IDW Rodimus has to be my favorite, the adventures with Lost Light was just great.

Hot Rod was never held responsible for Optimus Prime's death. It was Hasbro, the Writers, Optimus's code of honor that got in the way and finally it was Megatron himself. That's what most people seem to forget a lot over the years.

I actually like Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime, I understand why people blame him for Prime's death, but I personally don't. Very comprehensive and informative video as always, Mr. Mcfeely!

Long live Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime! I related to the character as a young man with something to prove and stepping up into a bigger role, despite his wish otherwise.

I love Hot Rod! He's been one of my favorites since forever! Animated Hot Rod was the first Transformer I bought when I resumed collecting in 2012, and Titans Return Hot Rod was my travel-buddy when I roadtripped across the US in 2017! He's a very special character to me.

"Hotshot sported Hotrod themed colours" Shows a picture of Excellion.

MTMTE did the impossible and made everyone like Hot Rod

The first time I heard his name was when my dad was telling me about the 1986 movie when I was 9. Rodimus sounded like a really dumb name. Fast forward a decade and I guess I could put him in a favourites list thanks to idw

Rodimus is one of my absolute favorite characters. I've always hated how Hasbro just brushed him aside at the end of season three. I also hated how whenever he lost the Matrix he'd go back to being Hotrod.

YES! finally, my favourite character of basically all time is covered! i first got into transformers through him, actually - this person i was following posted a bunch of photos called"internation photosets of rodimus day" specifically from the idw comics, and i saw them and was like "well this looks interesting and also funny, guess i'll check it out". and since then, he has consistently remained my fave character - i especially love how he was portrayed in the quintesson episodes in cyberverse, and he and soundwave cooperating and getting the other cybertronians to work together was so fun. he is also my first (and only) masterpiece figure! and i do not regret a single pound spent. overall he's probably one of the best and most complex transformers to emerge from the franchise, and its a travesty that many people dont know of him, and the geewunners all complain about him cause of the movie.

He’s a weird one. I like him purely for aesthetic reasons for the most part. My favorite design and brief interpretation of him is in TFA, but I think the most rounded and best design is in Roberts’ mtmte and ll.

The standard central character in a lot of action shows tends to be a youngish hero and this made The Transformers (Seasons 1 and 2) unusual (consider also Star Trek The Next Generation). An older leader felt both realistic and refreshing. But having done that it was _then_ interesting to move onto another character and explore the challenges involved in leadership transitions. Maybe my own shift into adolescence around that time helped me feel that way.

I've always wanted more hot rod in transformers. For whatever reason I've always been drawn to his character

Energon Rodimus was my very first transformer, followed by Energon Prowl and Tow-line.......and my love of the franchise was born!! Hot Rod/Rodimus will always hold a special place in my heart for me.

I'm a Bayverse kid who loves the first 3 movies but come on even i know TLK Hot Rod was just awfully inaccurate lol

Something tells me that Rodimus Primal’s happy about this video.

For most people Optimus is favourite but I was introduced to this franchise first by watching transformers the movie back in the 80s. My favourite has always been and will be Hot Rodimus.

One idea I had to get Hot Rod some spotlight in a future series without killing Optimus (which Hasbro is never going to do for more than a couple episodes), is to make HIM the Arisen instead of Optimus, with him fusing with the Allspark instead of gaining the Matrix. It keeps Optimus from becoming too Mythic, keeps Hot Rods 'chosen one' role from the movie, and makes more sense than ANOTHER primes relic restoring Orion Pax to Optimus. Heck, it could even be used as a way to keep the switch between Hot Rod and Rodimus from the OG cartoon without messing with his development - fusing with the Allspark restores his memories of his first life, but removing it takes them away again, with him only remembering stuff he did after becoming Rodimus again, with even those being a little vague. After using the Allspark to heal Cybertron, the series could end with him going off to track down his wayward siblings, joined by his a group of his closest friends along with his two remaining siblings, Alpha Trion and Alchemist (who would have found protégés to handle Vector Sigma and run MacAdams respectively) as a reference to MTMTE, Headmasters and Energon. Heck, throw in a redeemed Megatronus the double up on the MTMTE references! Anyway, that was just a ramble about what I'd do with Hot Rod. Can't wait for Obscure Characters Month! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Hot rod/rodimus prime is one of my favorite transformers character and has always been ( easily my 2nd favorite) I loved his role in cyberverse, idw and of course the 86 movie and was one of the reasons why he not slowly became one of my favorite characters but also the reason why the 86 movie became my favorite movie of all time up until 2020’s sonic the hedgehog movie.( also he reminds of me of myself sometimes) I’m happy you made this episode and to those that blames him for killing Optimus just remember he tried to save him it fail and while it may have not made sense to you but it sense to him ( Mary Christmas and happy new year )

AKA the character everyone hates for doing the only sensible thing in wanting to gang up on the genocidal warlord.

I actually like Hot Rod, I never could see Bumblebee as an Autobot leader, to me Hot Rod is the teen that's just about to be an adult football or other sport team captain that thinks he knows everything that's needed in the real world. Bumblebee... he's more of the adult that never lost his child-like trust and faith

Personally when it comes to who becomes prime, Hot Rod is for me, and bumblebee can become an Ultra Magnus like figure, and if it is allowed, they both have the power of the matrix

Hot Rod didn't get Optimus killed - Optimus got himself killed. Optimus said "Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost" the cost would turn out to be Hot Rod's life, Prime should have listened to his own advise, blasted them both and given Hot Rod a heroes funeral. Prime died because he didn't follow his own advise. #HotRodDidNothingWrong

Well done Chris! your content has lit our darkest year! Stay Safe and Thank you!

Yayyyy so excited to finally see a video about my boy ^_^ MTMTE was my introduction to the character and I have to say that is still my favorite version of him, it blended his "daredevil young punk" traits and "leader struggling with leadership" traits in a really natural and compelling way and made for a super great character. I still have such a soft spot for him throughout the franchise as a whole and am sad Bumblebee has started to take over his role more T^T Also whenever I listen to The Touch I think about his big speech at the end of Lost Light and him pulling the Matrix open with his teeth, what a fantastic moment

Hot Rod is one of my favorite transformers and forever be one my favorites no matter how much hate he’s gotten

The first I saw of G1 was the movie and season 3/4, it was the only stuff my father managed to record of the show from back in the day, that probably led me to like the character more then most. The Power of the Primes Hot Rod/Rodimus is probably my all time favourite Transformers toy I own.

Yay a transformers video realesed on my birthday

I just grabbed the new Studio Series '86 Hot Rod and it lead me down the KZfaq rabbit-hole to your channel. I really like your presentation with these "Transformers: The Basics" videos, you got yourself a new subscriber!

Love that opening scene of the movie when he catches Daniel and transforms to “Dare.” He was my 2nd masterpiece to add to my collection.

Merry Christmas Chris! Thank you for a year of great content! Creators like you are one of the reasons we managed to get through this lockdown.

7:49 G1 Cameos. I see gears, Sideswipe or Red alert and Bumblebee or CliffJumper and Ratchet.

I always liked Hotrod. Those of us that grew up with the G1 cartoon, Hotrod was a euphemism for us. His transition from a boy to a man mirrored ours from children to adolescents. We could empathize with his feelings of being unworthy or unsure. Season 3 was my favorite because of this.

I cried like a little beyotch when Optimus Prime was killed in the movie, but I wasn't turned off by Rodimus Prime becoming the new leader in the animated series

The reason Hot Rod doesn't have his flames in the live action films is becues Optimus stole them.

I would absolutely love it if we got a whole series with Rodimus Prime as the lead. With little interference from Optimus.

I've always been a fan of hot rod/rodimus. I didn't grow up with the full series so the movie was my first introduction to the characters. Hot rod easily became my favorite. And remains my favorite to this day. His mistakes made him relatable. He wasn't a perfect leader.

Of all the "maturation to leadership" Autobots, Hot Rod is my favourite, and I didn't even grow up with him! I grew up with Hot Shot and then Bumblebee, but IDW's comics have done a really good job making me care about Hot Rod.