Optimus Prime: Altered States

This is a very close to complete compilation of all the appearances and states experienced by OPTIMUS PRIME throughout the original TV series. There may be omissions, the reasons for which are explained in the below list.

VARIATION DETAILS

Primary TOEI Colours
A fairly stable colour scheme, though his helmet is occasionally shown to be lighter (and sometimes indeed darker). (Multiple episodes)

Alternate TOEI Colours
At certain times during the earlier episodes, his helmet is coloured in a much brighter blue, rather than the customary tint that features a fair bit more red in the RGB balance. (S.O.S. DINOBOTS, etc.)

Optic Flare
To signify determination, his optics will from time to time light up momentarily as a definitive action is decided. (MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE, etc.)

Transmitter - Version I
One of the earliest examples of Transformer accessories. A very slight variation can be seen in the same episode, but the difference is so negligible it has not been included among these representations. (S.O.S. DINOBOTS)

Colouration Error I
At one point in this episode, OPTIMUS' helmet is shown in a relatively dull blue, which not only intrudes a little on the crest on his forehead but also replaces the usual red of his arms and torso. (S.O.S. DINOBOTS)

Blast Flash
As the Dinobots overpower him after a brief battle, he is fiercely illuminated by the effects of their energy weapons, leaving him weak enough to lose consciousness and fall. (WAR OF THE DINOBOTS)

Submerged
As seen underwater, specifically during a mission to rescue the captive SPARKPLUG WITWICKY from the Decepticons. (THE ULTIMATE DOOM - PART 1: BRAINWASH)

Decapitated
Disassembled by Constructicon HOOK after he attempts to thwart the Decepticons' bid at turning New York City into New Cybertron. (CITY OF STEEL)

Cerebral Control
A trait never otherwise seen is his ability to control his limbs and other body parts with his brain. It is visualized in the form of energy ripples, emanating from his forehead and "making contact" with any of his components that were not attached to his body. (CITY OF STEEL)

Corrupted Optic Flare
As the personality destabilizer implanted in the Autobot recharging chamber by MEGATRON takes effect, OPTIMUS' eyes flash as they become Decepticon red. (ATTACK OF THE AUTOBOTS)

Personality Destabilized
The conversion to evil is complete. (ATTACK OF THE AUTOBOTS)

Colouration Error II
A very brief but interesting flub where his helmet colour is transferred to his entire face, including his optics -- leaving only his faceplate its normal shade of grey. (DAY OF THE MACHINES)

Crystalline Illumination
Lit from below by the beautifully multicoloured, but dangerously unstable, Korlonium crystals. (A PRIME PROBLEM)

Schematic Hologram
As photographed by Decepticon LASERBEAK in order for MEGATRON to create and control an identical clone. (A PRIME PROBLEM)

Closed Optics
Apparently, Transformers have sensitive visual receptors, given the need to pinch them shut as OPTIMUS emerges from an exploded bunker, ablaze with flame and smoke. (AUTO BERSERK)

Camouflage Mask
A neck-less mask worn by STARSCREAM as part of full OPTIMUS PRIME regalia, posing as a no-good version of his enemy. (MEGATRON'S MASTER PLAN - PART 1)

Electrum Coating
Coated with the rare substance electrum, OPTIMUS becomes invulnerable to all means of artillery and attack. (THE GOLDEN LAGOON)

Sewer Soilage
Hiding from danger in the filthy aqueducts of an unidentified planet of green giants. (CHILD'S PLAY)

Transmitter - Version II
Frills and extras are recalled with surprising continuity, even if they are often depicted a little differently, hence the missing antennae and different microphone colouring shown here. (QUEST FOR SURVIAL)

Autonomy Nullified
Aboard the trade freighter of BOSCH, OPTIMUS is captured and deprived of his ability to think on his own. (THE GAMBLER)

Gladiatorial Combatant
Used as collateral for a steeply interested energon chip loan, OPTIMUS is infused with a small dose of energon to duke it out with a vicious Animalien in Lord Gyconi's Pit of Destruction. (THE GAMBLER)

Insulator Compound
A fast-on-his-feet invention of SPARKPLUG's that protects OPTIMUS and a few other Autobots from the electro-scrambling menace of the episode's title creature. (KREMZEEK!)

Foamed
Covered in fire-retardant foam from fire truck-mode INFERNO, simply tossed back at them by the intended target -- an enormous composite Kremzeek creature. (KREMZEEK!)

Energy Net Prisoner
Pushing through the many hurdles of big game hunter LORD CHUMLEY to rescue captured friends, OPTIMUS at one point finds himself at the mercy of an energy net that comes close to immobilizing him. (PRIME TARGET)

Temporal Suspension
OPTIMUS is frozen by the special time-stopping power of ELITA ONE and thus is rescued from certain death. (THE SEARCH FOR ALPHA TRION)

In Shadow
When he, reconfigured from the damaged body of ORION PAX, shows himself for the first time, it is with dramatic steps into the light from the darkness of ALPHA TRION's workshop. (WAR DAWN)

Cosmic Rust Infection
Infected with a particularly aggressive mechanical disease. (COSMIC RUST)

Motormaster Colours
Though OPTIMUS is never seen in this form with the Stunticon commander's colour scheme, this is an approximation of how the colours might have been applied in such a case. (MASQUERADE Extrapolation)

Final Moments
As he appears on his death bed in 2005, the last diminishing glimmers of his function slowly pulsing in his optic sensors. (THE TRANSFORMERS - THE MOVIE)

Deceased
At the moment their life force is extinguished, Transformers lose their equivalent of a human being's pigmentation, turning a ghastly grey -- or even bluish-grey. (THE TRANSFORMERS - THE MOVIE)

Matrix Vision
Ethereally appearing before RODIMUS PRIME inside the Matrix of Leadership, aiding in the education of his successor in the history of their home planet. (FIVE FACES OF DARKNESS - PART 4)

Mausoleum Atrophy
In a diabolical scheme to destroy as many Autobots as possible to reclaim what was once their factory, planet Cybertron, the cold and unfeeling Quintessons half revive OPTIMUS, who, before appearing in the grotesque half-living form they give him, would have looked like this. (DARK AWAKENING)

Sarcophagus Effigy
As a group of Autobots and the father-and-son team of SPIKE and DANIEL WITWICKY happen upon the celestial Autobot mausoleum and find the tomb of OPTIMUS PRIME beyond the Veil of Remembrance, his likeness is embossed on the cover of his casket. (DARK AWAKENING)

Zombie Stage I
The undead form of OPTIMUS PRIME, who, even as the residue of his true nature struggles against Quintesson programming, very nearly succeeds in carrying out their nefarious command. (DARK AWAKENING)

Zombie Stage II
Having defeated the Quintesson overrides with the help of the power of the Matrix of Leadership, OPTIMUS leads the Autobot flagship into their trap, sacrificing what is no longer a life, but merely an existence, to turn the tide. Though suffering brutal damage, the wraithlike commander thwarts his once-creators and goes down in one last baptism of fire. (DARK AWAKENING)

AKOM Colours
Rarely animated by this studio, he is symbolically shown as he would have looked if he were still alive. (DARK AWAKENING)

Matrix Spirit
The phantasmal appearance of OPTIMUS PRIME, emerging from the Matrix of Leadership he joined upon perishing in 2005. (THE BURDEN HARDEST TO BEAR)

Restoration Radiance
Undergoing the expert soldering work of a Quintesson left with no option than to attempt his repair. (THE RETURN OF OPTIMUS PRIME - PART 1)

Revival Silhouette
Finally reviving, he stands up as the remaining glow prepares to fade and reveal him as pristine in condition as he ever was. (THE RETURN OF OPTIMUS PRIME - PART 1)

Impervious
Coated with a heat-and-radiation-resistant metal alloy, the revived OPTIMUS PRIME races to save the world from the Hate Plague. (THE RETURN OF OPTIMUS PRIME - PART 2)

Updated March 12, 2014
Formerly updated January 23, 2010