G1 (Generation 1) is what fans call the original Transformers era that began in 1984. The name came later, when the Generation 2 line launched in the 1990s and fans needed to tell the generations apart.
How it started
Hasbro, together with Japan's Takara, took robot toys from the Japanese Diaclone and Micro Change lines and united them under one story. A cartoon and a Marvel comic were created for it — both launched in 1984.
The cartoon
The classic cartoon ran for four seasons: three full ones and a short fourth of three episodes. Between the second and third seasons came the 1986 film, after which the action jumped to 2005, with new heroes led by Rodimus Prime.
Why G1 still matters
Almost everything we know about the franchise comes from here: the names and personalities of Optimus, Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave, the idea of Energon, the Ark and disguising as vehicles. Modern series and films keep returning to G1 — in designs, quotes and even music.
