Just pondering the ranking system in animated... we know "Ultra" denotes the leader, and higher "officer" types (Sentinel, Optimus, Longarm) are referred to as "Prime". However, Jazz, being an Elite Guard (and outranking Optimus, as seen in the show when he was left in charge of the Earth crew), should therefore be.... Jazz Prime, the worst name ever?
It's just Jazz. If there was anything more to it I'm sure we would have heard Ultra Magnus say it at some point, as he does refer to everybody by their full name/rank.
Hmm... Jazzimus Prime. I kind of like the sound of that. I'd say that Jazz isn't actually a Prime, though. Prime seems to denote some kind of leadership position, which Jazz (and fellow elite Guard member Blurr) doesn't have. Optimus may not be in the EG, but he is the commander of his Space Bridge repair crew, hence the title of Prime. Jazz outranks Optimus because he's in a more powerful organization, not because he's also a Prime. It's like if the Autobots were all sailors - Optimus would be a captain of a fishing boat, while Jazz is a lieutenant in the Navy. If an admiral (Magnus, in this case) left the two behind, he'd put the military lieutenant in charge, even though the civilian has a rank of captain.
That doesn't mean he outranks Prime. Optimus left with Sentinel and Magnus, while Jazz was left on the ship to GUARD the crew, not command them. He is not higher in rank to Optimus, in fact, Optimus gives him orders just like any other soldier. Just because one is in the Elite Guard does not mean they outrank everyone else, it just means they are elite. (for instance, Sentinel doesn't outrank optimus despite being in the Elite Guard. Prime is Prime no matter what)
Yeah, I see the Elite Guard as the same as the Honor Guard of the Green Lantern Corps. They're the best of the best, but that doesn't necessarily mean they outrank others not in the guard.
It's still in Transformers General Discussion. and you also lack the position to move a thread, P.s. Mods, if it wasn't my place to remind him, I am sorry.