Transformers One is an animated prequel that explores the origins of the Transformers, an alien race of metallic humanoids that can transform into vehicles. It delves into the roots of the conflict between the franchise's rival groups: the Autobots and the Decepticons.

Transformers One took the opportunity to not only reveal how Optimus Prime and Megatron became the respective leaders of the Autobots and the Decepticons, but the prequel film also revealed how Orion Pax and D-16 went from simple mining 'bots to full-fledges Transformers.