Transformers: The Movie Had the Franchise's First Love Triangle

The Transformers: The Movie introduced many firsts for the medium. But it also brought the franchise many new concepts, like its first love triangle.

The Transformers: The Movie showed the true limits of animated movies and how they could tell a story with detail and emotion. That said, the film was also a mature tale that featured the deaths of some beloved characters, including the tragic death of Optimus Prime. Nevertheless, the movie wasn't afraid to usher the franchise into a new direction. This even included the realm of romance.

The Transformers, while being a series that was skewed toward young boys, still featured a fair share of romance. An entire episode was dedicated to exploring the relationship between a young Optimus Prime and his longtime flame, Elita-1. There was also the teased relationship between Ironhide and Chromia. But the real shocker of the G1 era was the love triangle that was introduced in The Transformers: The Movie and how it changed the franchise forever.

RELATED: Rise of the Beasts' Latest Villain Was Neither a Terrorcon Nor Decepticon

For all the darkness and loss of The Transformers: The Movie, there was also newness that was shown to blossom early on. In the case of romance, this was shown with the character of Arcee, a new addition to the franchise and potentially the most iconic female Transformer. During the attack on Autobot City, her kindness to life and brutality in battle were on full display. However, it was also the chance to light a spark to a love triangle that is still hotly debated today. When protecting Arcee and Daniel, Hot Rod mentioned that she should stay close to him. However, immediately after, Arcee protected Hot Rod, saying he should stay close to her instead.

This was enough to show a small flame between them, and her concern for Hot Rod was shown even earlier than that. As Hot Rod and Kup approached the city, Arcee showed concern while Springer tried to remind her she had a mission. Though not as deeply explored in the movie, it was also the start of a unique flirtationship between Arcee and Springer, where he was a more noble knight compared to the daring Hot Rod. This love triangle would be explored more deeply in The Transformers: The Headmasters cartoon as well. But the subtle love triangle shown in The Transformers: The Movie proved how the franchise could grow in terms of romance.

RELATED: A Transformers Theory Ties Its Newest Villain to a Bayverse Icon

In 1986, the love triangle between Arcee, Springer and Hot Rod was groundbreaking for the franchise. But what made it so important was how it further evolved the concept of love in the Transformers universe. For example, in the comics, Ratchet and Drift showed that even same-sex relationships could exist and flourish among Cybertronians. There was also the Beast Wars series which showed the Romeo and Juliet-esque love between the Predacon Blackarachnia and the Maximal Silverbolt.

While love triangles have often been viewed as needlessly complex and even time-consuming as they play with the emotions of the characters, The Transformers showed why it was important. Complex relationships have not always been the first thing that comes to mind for the franchise. But thanks to Arcee's love triangle, it became more commonplace and, when used correctly, could create dramatic and compelling stories that push the narrative forward. But, like many other great Transformers moments, it couldn't have been possible without The Transformers: The Movie.

Nicholas Brooks has been writing professionally for over a decade, covering many aspects of pop culture from film and video games to comics and anime. Writing has remained his passion in that time and loves to theorize and pick apart unique connections in franchises like Marvel, Jurassic Park and much more. In his spare time, he could be found working on his bookstagram, collecting figures, reading comics or watching movies with his girlfriend.