Earlier today, I was attending a youth activity, and a boy who is a friend of mine (but not part of this fandom) made a comment about how he thought it was weird that I liked Optimus Prime as a favorite character. He seemed to think that I liked my Prime just because of his voice actor.
I never got to tell him why I liked my Prime, as conversation soon jumped rails into a different subject entirely on the drive home.
But it wouldn't leave my mind. My friend is part of a fandom that bonks heads with us, and both sides have animosity towards the other (I'll leave the fandom up to you to figure out as I rather that there be no flaming wars on this.) but honestly, both fandoms have a show(s) that teaches you good morals, and it leaves me so confused on why both sides toss derrogatory things at eachother.
Some would claim that it's because of the "internet" and "if you don't want flames then don't go on the internet" but I call BS. That's just an excuse for people to be jerks and run their mouths without fear of "repercusions" like you would in real life.
"Freedom is every sentient's right." and we all can choose what we do and don't like.
Take me, I wasn't really offended by my friend's comment, merely confused on why he would say that.
Because, to me, my Prime is a Moses-like figure to the Autobots. A spiritual leader, as well as their physical one. That resonated with me much more than just the "Old Wise Leader That Everyone Looks Up To" stchick, even though that was part of it. It made his character much more dear to me in the fact hat I could relate to him, could pull something so important from my life and see the similarities in my beliefs.
Optimus Prime has a special place in my heart, not because he's wise and a well liked mech, but because I can see the journey he had taken to get to that point, despite it not really being covered in what I've seen in universe so far.
My Prime is dear to me, because I can see Prime qualities to my boyfriend's character, because he grew up with my Prime as a role model and helped form who he is today.
So, despite my thoughts being sparked by another fandom's more than mocking phrasing, I want to thank say, thank you. To the Fandom, to Peter Cullen, to my Prime - to Optimus Prime - thank you so much, for helping shape my world.
- yours truly,
Sora Matasuki