
This was due to that character's prominence during the Unicron Trilogy, but the success of the 2007 live-action film made the showrunners change their minds. Things would get almost reversed for the Cartoon Network series Transformers: Animated, in which Bumblebee was going to originally be Hot Shot. Interestingly enough, Sparkplug (Optimus Prime's Mini-Con partner in Armada who shared a name with Spike Witwicky's father) was clearly based on Generation 1 Bumblebee's design, namely the transformation and horns. By the time they would regain it, Hot Shot had become a big part of the franchise. Impetuous, hot-headed and sporting an Audi TT vehicle mode, he was lightyears away from the Bumblebee of old.ĭespite this, he was actually going to be the first new incarnation of the classic character! The reason that this wasn't done, however, was due to Hasbro lacking the rights to the name, having ironically lost it around the time of Beast Wars. This was Hot Shot, who outside of his age and color scheme was nothing like Bumblebee.

During this time, another yellow "kid" Transformer was introduced in Transformers: Armada.

Unfortunately, he wouldn't become a factor in the franchise again until the live-action films, which radically reinterpreted his character. Combined with his yellow Volkswagen Beetle alternate mode, he quickly became one of the most recognizable parts of the franchise.

Bumblebee was a pretty prominent character in the first two seasons of the series' original cartoon The Transformers, where he was the best friend of human ally Spike Witwicky. As one of the smallest and weakest of the Autobots, his character was one kids watching the show could relate to the most.
