What We Know and Want From The New Animated Transformers Series

Hasbro and Skybound team up to deliver a new Transformers series with a mature, dark and gritty tone

Last updated: 3rd December 2025

Transformers has echoed throughout generations and remains a core franchise for Hasbro. Since Generation 1 wrapped, we’ve been given multiple tv shows, a live action movie franchise, and three comic book lines from Marvel, IDW and Robert Kirkman and David Alpert’s Skybound (Image Comics).

Some would argue we already got a dark and gritty tone. Transformers: The Movie proves the franchise can traverse a wide spectrum of depth.

Next year, the latter hopes to re-energise our Cybertronian warriors with a fresh take on the autonomous sentient robots with a new television series. With an immense following, action figures, collectibles and movies already in circulation, it’s a win-win for all.

The Comic Books

Skybound Entertainment launched its comic book arc in 2023, a reboot of the Transformers G1 story using its original and most popular designs. The premise reimagines the origin story in favour of a mature audience. The Autobots continue to search for justice in a universe plagued by the Deceptions whose character profiles trade knocking humans around for ‘squishing’ them. That’s right, it’s a more adult set of panels.

The Television Series

The television series will adapt elements of the comic book line through its ‘Energon Universe’. Billed as a gritty with adult themes, its aims are to capture the imagination of new and faithful audiences.

RELATED: Hasbro Energize Transformers Timelines with Unique Designs

Given the current scope of entertainment on offer, a return to a Transformers universe is most welcome. Beset with inconsistent quality, Skybound could be just the ticket to return it to its former glory, given the success of Invincible and a stunning set of comics.

The 1983 G.I. Joe opening theme.

However, some fans might be aggrieved to know that the proposed series will crossover with the world of G.I. Joe and Void Rivals. Though, if done tastefully, it could be just what fans need.

What We Want To See

We need a reset, and based on Skybound’s understanding of the universe, they’re primed (pun intended) to return it to its former glory.

Firstly, the voice of Peter Cullen, Frank Welker or close to it is non-negotiable. The cadence and tempo each artist brings to the role is second to none, and even if they’re unavailable their blueprint is the one to follow.

The pacing of the show must avoid the trend of current popular intellectual properties and the artificial look most animated titles exude. The original G1 series evolved with the times and held on to its atmospheric charm.

When the third and fourth series aired, its ambience shifted thanks to the release of “Transformers: The Movie” and moved with the growth of its original audience. Now that we’re all big boys and girls, I hope to see the same. Moving backwards into a sanitised visual will end it before it has begun.

Headmasters and Targetmasters

Now, with the news that G.I. Joe and Void Rivals will be included in the screenplay introduces a million and one thoughts. However, these characters could align with our sentient robot friends in a past storyline.

The Targetmasters are helped shape a new dimension concerning the Transformers arc.

The Headmasters and Targetmasters were a fantastic addition to the Transformers arc. It allowed viewers to feel more included, and not just from the sidelines. G.I. Joe and Cobra would make a good update to this mechanic, aligning with the Decepticons and Autobots. Or maybe even a twist?

The Plot

What we know from the current Transformers plot is that it will be adapted from the current run of comics. Through G.I. Joe into the mix, and it will likely see them play a role in investigating them as an otherworldly threat.

Line Drawn or CGI?

At present, there is no word if it will be line drawn, CGI or a mix of the two. However, we can all agree that seasons 1 – 4 are incredible, and fans will not settle for less.

Production Details

The show is a joint production between Skybound and Hasbro. Joe Henderson (White Collar, Almost Human) has been announced as the project’s showrunner, who is also currently working on an untitled Pokémon project. Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) will produce and likely write as he has with recent SB productions.

The battle of Autobot City from Transformers: The Movie (1986)

Release Date

No official release date has been announced. Kirkman is currently shopping the project to potential suitors, and who it goes to could determine its quality. Ideally, this question might be the most important of all, though given Amazon’s affiliation through the hit show Invincible, they could be offered the right of first refusal.

Stanisland Magazine