I disagree that the 86 movie isn't good to fresh eyes. Speaking from personal experience.

The fact is, thanks to the Michael Bay films, the general public knows Autobots = Good, Decepticons = Bad. They know Optimus, Megatron, Bumblebee, and perhaps Starscream.

I've showed the 86 film to several friends and/or dates in my age range (18 to 25, I'm 21 atm) and so long as they're culturally aware that Transformers exists they've all found it to be enjoyable. Sure its campy and weird but when a college student rips a bong and watches an '80s robot movie' that's exactly what they're signing up for.

They've already got low expectations, unfortunately, but the movie tends to exceed them.

After the first act, all of its characters are newly introduced for the movie and the story is self contained. Kup, Hot Rod, Galvatron, Magnus, and Unicron are all very engaging. The Dinobots and their goofy presence always gets laughs too. My girlfriend (22 seen the Bay movies on TV) was so enamored by Grimlock she went out and bought herself a CYB Ultimate Grimlock. She collects a few tumblry things anyway but I digress.

The music is great, voice acting okay to great, the BluRay-version animation is breathtaking. And it's a great springboard.

Now that she's seen the movie we're barreling through Cyberverse and then doing the Beast Era. I've showed her and will continue to show her a greatest hits list from Sunbow (MTMTE, anything Dinobots, FFOD, Webworld, the like) and by the time she sees Possession or The Agenda she'll have the lore knowledge for it to be a proper OH SHIT.

 

Honestly probably Prime. Season 1 is so good that I have no doubt a casual would get into it and explore other parts of the franchise.

 

While I agree they are dated, my son likes the G1 cartoon more than other versions (Cyberverse and Rescue Bot specifically). Also I’m not sure I agree that the toys aren’t on the shelves anymore because my son clearly identifies the siege toys as the characters from the old cartoon.

I also agree that the 86 movie is not a great place to start. It’s better when the viewer has built a connection to the characters or if the [adult] viewer can appreciate the greater context of the film.

As many have said, the first three episode series is a great place to start but I’m a little surprised no one mentioned starting with S.O.S. Dinobots. This will turn most kids (of a certain age) instantly into fans.  

 

That's really vague. What demographic are you asking about? All these answers seem to come from people recommending things to themselves without considering what someone off this forum might think.

A few years ago, the answer would've been Prime. It hits the same beats like any other show--though not exceptionally well--but it feels like the Bay films. It's the most easily palpable and marketable to general audiences. Every TF show has some flimsier storylines than others, but the concepts and mythologies are explained quite clearly so that even a child could understand the lore.

 

At this point in time, I kinda view the '86 Movie like one of those 80s rock anthologies, that just happens to star Transformers characters.

 

I completely agree! It is largely just a series of killer 80’s music videos

 

Depend on their age really, if is a kid I'd go with whatever's current. Then if they are interested lead them back to the older stuff. An adult you can select a more bespoke viewing list, in which case I'd probably start with MTMTE parts 1-3, them maybe then 89' movie, a few choice Beast Wars and Animated episodes and let them from from there.

I'd also show them some toys and comics as Transformers is a multimedia experience.

 

Personally, despite the fact that it isn't an incredibly outstanding show, I'd say Cyberverse. It's not the greatest TF show, but it's fun and it basically is good at showing bits of TF history, so I guess the new guys can go in and basically learn about the mythos and some of the characters.

Not one of my favorite shows, but a harmless little show that can serve as a good introduction to Transformers.

 

For the Aligned Continuity, these are the only cohesive installments:
- Transformers: Exodus
- Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
- Transformers: Exiles
- Transformers: Retribution
- Transformers Prime
- TFP: Rage of the Dinobots comics
- TFP: Beast Hunters

That's about it. All other Aligned works don't work as well.

 

Armada... what it worked for me.  

 

Shows:
For starters I’ll go with prime/ predacons rising g1/TFTM1986 cyberverse and armada to get the main idea first because these are imo the proper transformers shows ( what I mean by proper is that they focus on the Great War)

Then I’ll introduce animated ( even though I love this show I don’t feel that it’s a transformers show it’s more like a superhero show than anything) beast wars,beast machines, rid 2001,and rid 2015 and ignore the other shows

Movies: only bumblebee the others aren’t worth showing or maybe the first 3 movies

Comics: for a standalone read last stand of the wreckers or if you want to read everything just read from infiltration to the end of lost light skip revolution and Optimus prime and read all the movie and tv show tie ins

Video games: based on what I’ve heard just play FoC ,WfC,and devastation

 

G1 for the basics.
If u are an adult, u might fancy Prime as it's a little less childish.
You can try Animated, but it's quite different from other incarnations.
Or you can watch Armada. But most likely you won't like it

 

Essential viewing: The whole of G1 (plus, and especially the movie), Beast Wars and Beast Machines
Also cool stuff: Animated, TF: Prime, the Bumblebee movie
Just for historical context or curiosity: The first live action movie
Skip: Anything else

Bonus 1: If they want to try comics, I'd recommend All Hail Megatron as a start and then good luck. The amount of great comics is infinite. Maybe, after they familiarize themselves a bit with the world of Transformers, I would recommend Last Stand of the Wreckers? Or some Dreamwave comics?

Bonus 2: If they want to try video games, then The Transformers Armada game for PS2 and also WFC/FOC and Devastation are a must for me.

 

Why in your opinion it's not likely to like Armada series? Me curious 

I think Armada is brilliant. I just loove Armada with it's creative style and the story, and especially how truly sensitive and touching the series are!

 

Well I'm not speaking for everyone but Armada is quite kiddish at the start.

Don't get me wrong, I actually like Armada quite a bit. The whole Starscream thing was awesome and I would still gladly rewatch some scenes. I practically grew up with Armada.

However, I think that the beginning season was quite slow and can get pretty dull at times. The editing of the script is also really awful.

I would suggest Prime heavily for beginners, as it's most likely the most appealing for all ages. Animated is wonderful, but it's a different approach to the franchise hence it might not be a good start. Armada is decent, however you might be disappointed if your expectations are too high.

And do not watch all of G1 if you are a beginner. Some episodes are really ridiculous, and you might only appreciate the weird episodes better if you are a fan. Watch the first season at most, before things get stupider.

 

I think I see what you mean about Armada. It does feel like more for the kids generally speaking. It’s a good point! I am glad to hear diverse opinions, it shows the reality. Thank you! 

So as for the G1, I’d still think for some people including me weirder things there would be fine too as those kids stuff in Armada. For someone like me, don’t much bother about the stuff like being more serious or physics etc in the cartoons, me just go with the fantasy and imagination that everything is possible so as just to enjoy it. However, I can clearly see why this could be something not everybody enjoys. That’s why I love these open question discussions!  

 

G1 Episodes 1-3. The '86 movie and then watch Beast Wars (and Beast Machines). Then Prime.

If you didn't grow up with G1, it's very hard to watch. Season 3 has some okay stuff, but the majority of the show is pretty bad.

 

Great post, agree on a lot of points here.

MTMTE 1-3 is a great starter option. I would also add "Transport to Oblivion" to that "essential" pile as well as it finishes off the hanging thread at the end of MTMTE Pt. 3 about the Decepticons' return. It isn't until "Roll For It" that we have an established "status quo" episode that can be interchanged with others. Maybe throw in some other character-oriented episodes like the dual Dinobot episodes and "Heavy Metal War" that establishes Devastator. Most of Season 2 has some great character-focused episodes as well but at that point it becomes less "a starter plate" and more "watching the entire series".

I disagree on Animated being a good starter not because it's bad (far from it), but because I think the arc of Optimus Prime has way more impact if you know him more as the big charismatic leader of the Autobots in other shows.

Beast Wars is another series that works way better if you have more knowledge of the basics of the franchise. The reveal of the Ark and the original Transformers wouldn't really be as important if you didn't know those characters before.

 

BEEEEAST WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRS

 

I disagree. Beast Wars ends up requiring familiarity with the original cartoon to understand what's going on.