The Evolution of Cheetor: Unveiling Transformers' Rise of the Beasts Legacy

The process of creating Transformers must have been incredibly enjoyable. After establishing the concept of giant robots transforming into vehicles, the creative team in the writer's room could freely come up with amusing names and comical designs. However, Beast Wars revolutionized the series by introducing robots that could transform into animals. Recently, Cheetor gained attention in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, but where did he first make an appearance?

Rise of the Beasts reintroduced the Beast Wars storyline into the Transformers franchise, a series that many fans were not familiar with, despite its popularity in Canada during the 90s. In modern iterations, the focus has mainly been on creating new versions of the classic characters. Nevertheless, just like in any superhero-themed franchise, there are fans who have their personal favorites among the Transformers robots, including Cheetor.

Who is Cheetor in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?

In the Rise of the Beasts, Cheetor, one of the Maximals, is voiced by Tongayi Chirisa, a Zimbabwean actor. He is introduced in the opening scene when Unicron arrives on the Maximals' homeworld. Cheetor, who transforms into a cheetah, is known for his incredible speed, making him the fastest member of the team. Along with the other Maximals, he leaves their home planet after their leader Apelinq sacrifices himself, trapping Unicron in their universe for an unknown period.

Cheetor and his allies find refuge in the jungles of Peru, where they hide among the local population, safeguarding their half of the Transwarp Key. In 1994, humans inadvertently discover the other half of the Transwarp Key, unknowingly sending a signal to Unicron's emissary, Scourge. The Autobots aim to use the Key to return to their home planet, while Scourge seeks to summon Unicron. Upon the Autobots' arrival in Peru, Cheetor and the other Maximals launch an attack. Cheetor confronts Mirage while Arcee keeps the cat at gunpoint. Fortunately, the misunderstanding is quickly resolved, and the Maximals and Autobots join forces.

Throughout the story, Cheetor participates in numerous battles against Scourge and his Terrorcon cronies. He showcases his remarkable speed, surpassing that of a sports car. During the final showdown against hordes of Terrorcon drones, Cheetor unveils his alternate, bipedal form. He possesses a slender and sleek physique, complete with clawed hands and feet. Additionally, he wields a double-edged spear that emerges from his back. Cheetor throws his spear to save Noah Diaz from the malevolent Nightbird and fights to survive against Unicron's Scorponok drones, leaping onto piles of enemies. In his last appearance, he stands alongside both his old and new friends, anxiously awaiting Unicron's impending return.

What was Cheetor's first appearance in Transformers media?

What happened to Cheetor?

Cheetor made his debut in the 1996 Beast Wars animated series, with Ian James Corlett lending his voice to the character. Corlett is well-recognized for his portrayal of Goku in the original Ocean dub of Dragon Ball Z and continues to work in shows such as Skull Island. Cheetor is depicted as a youthful and impulsive member of the Maximals, known for his boundless energy. Alongside his allies, he finds himself stranded on an enigmatic, uninhabited planet after the Maximal exploration vessel Axalon crash-lands along with a Predacon ship. Each member of the group chooses a wild animal to emulate, and Cheetor selects the cheetah, embracing its title as the swiftest creature he could find. Although his speed serves as his greatest asset, it often leads to unforeseen consequences. Cheetor possesses an overconfident and spontaneous nature, which is magnified when he volunteers to fill the role of Optimus Primal, his leader, in a gladiatorial arena during an early episode. Frequently compared to characters like The Flash due to his attitude and obsession with velocity, Cheetor is regarded as the Beast Wars' equivalent of Hot Rod. Over time, he gains the respect of his fellow Maximals and proves himself as an equal to his formidable allies in battles.

Cheetor made his return in Beast Machines, the follow-up to Beast Wars, where he played a significant role as a member of the Maximals. Subsequently, he was featured in the IDW comics starting in 2006. The 2018 Transformers: Cyberverse series once again showcased Cheetor as a prominent character on the small screen, while also making shorter appearances in Armada, TransTech, Shattered Glass, and Animated (2011). Despite not being as prominent as in Beast Wars, Cheetor has maintained a presence throughout the franchise. Transformers has always approached its canon with flexibility, treating its history as if it were a toy box filled with possibilities. Although Cheetor may not be a favorite among fans, he is still a likable character.

In Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Cheetor emerges as a Maximal character. While the film tends to prioritize a select few machines and leaves others as mere background props, Cheetor is finally granted a chance to shine on the silver screen. Though he may not take center stage this time, it is still gratifying to witness his presence in the film. Cheetor's enduring presence suggests that he may play a more prominent role in the upcoming installment. Perhaps in the next encounter with Unicron, his distinctive personality will be further revealed.