Editing Autobot (section)

==The Primes==
In the original toyline and animated series ''[[The Transformers (TV series)|The Transformers]]'', Optimus Prime (known as Convoy in Japan) is shown as the leader.<ref name=":6" /> Formerly named Orion Pax, his label of "Prime" is indicated to simply be part of the name he adopted when he became a soldier. Since the 1986 animated film ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' however, US and UK ''Transformers'' media have depicted "prime" as a title and rank given to the leader of the Autobots and sometimes all government of Cybertron (while Japanese media has portrayed "convoy" as a rank of military leadership in transformer society).<ref name=":5" /> Later media depicted earlier leaders of Cybertron to have names such as Nova Prime, Nominus Prime, and [[Sentinel Prime (Transformers)|Sentinel Prime]], along with others.<ref name=":4" />

In several comics and cartoon stories, the Prime is a figurehead of a ruling council that governs Cybertron (or the entire transformer race that is scattered across different planets). Each Prime is chosen by and bonded to a powerful artifact called the '''Matrix of Leadership'''.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5" /> The origin and nature of the Matrix differs across Transformers media, but it is consistently shown to be a powerful object that houses the memories and wisdom of previous Autobot leaders who wielded it.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5">[[The Transformers: The Movie|''The Transformers: The Movie'' (1986).]]</ref> Often, the Matrix is shown to have a direct connection to Primus, a god-like being who became the planet Cybertron itself and created its race of living robots.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> Some media portray it as a conduit to the energy source of all transformer life and/or an access point to a dimension that acts as an afterlife for transformers.<ref name=":1" /> In some stories, being chosen by the Matrix of Leadership causes an immediate power enhancement and physical change in a transformer.<ref name=":5" />

In several branches of the Transformers franchise, the title of "Prime" is a reference to '''Prima''', a heroic warrior of Cybertron's past.<ref name=":1" /> In these versions of canon, Prima is one of "the original thirteen Primes (or "the Thirteen") who are ancestors of the transformer race and direct creations of Primus, the god-like being who became Cybertron.<ref name=":4" /> Across Transformers media, Prima is the first to wield the Matrix of Leadership and his wisdom and essence are absorbed into it after he dies in battle with another ancient Prime known as Megatronus.<ref name=":1" />

In some media, Optimus Prime eventually gives up his connection to the Matrix of Leadership and it is passed on to a new leader such as the Autobot soldier Ultra Magnus,<ref name=":5" /> the young Autobot fighter called [[Hot Rod (Transformers)|Hot Rod]] (who becomes Rodimus Prime),<ref name=":5" /> or eventually [[Maximal (Transformers)|Optimus Primal]], a [[Maximal (Transformers)|Maximal]].<ref name=":4" />