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Transformers: EarthSpark Series Introduces Nonbinary Robot, Fans React
Watch the moment from the episode here!
Meet Nightshade, the first explicitly nonbinary character in the Transformers franchise!
In the new Paramount+ series Transformers: EarthSpark, we meet a new species of Transformers who "must find their place and purpose among Autobots, Decepticons, and the human family who adopts them," the official description reads. All ten episodes are now available to stream.
Towards the end of the series, we meet Nightshade who is introduced as they/them, specifically noting their pronouns. “He or she just doesn’t fit who I am,” they explain. Optimus Prime then apologizes for misgendering them, corrects the mistake, and swiftly moves on.
\u201cUhhh Earthspark spoilers I guess\n\nI am the Nightshade lover\n#1 Nightshade fan\nNightshade\u201d— Worm\ud83d\udc1b (@Worm\ud83d\udc1b) 1668534448
Fans immediately took to the internet to celebrate the news, even creating art and videos.
NON-BINARY TRANSFORMER!!www.youtube.com
\u201cAs a genderfluid Transformers fan, who is thankful to the franchise for getting me through low points in my life and helping me figure out who I am in terms of my bisexuality and gender identity\u2026.\n\nNightshade being nonbinary hits so hard. \n\n#transformers #TransformersEarthspark\u201d— \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 Val (She/They) \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f (@\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 Val (She/They) \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f) 1668281663
\u201cI know Nightshade only for a two days but i swear if something happened to them...\u201d— Pretentious_Fork (@Pretentious_Fork) 1668448923
\u201c"Nightshade's pronouns are them/them."\n\nheck yes. Optimus Prime quickly apologiezes and proceeds to use the correct pronouns without making a big deal about it. Optimus Prime confirmed not transphobic\u201d— Tri Brigade Ruby (@Tri Brigade Ruby) 1668402735
AsKotakureports, while Nighstahde is the first canonically nonbinary character, they are not the first transgender or even the first genderqueer one. Acid Storm has fluctuated between male and female presenting throughout their appearances over their years, which Cyberverse writer Mae Catt has said is "just something Acid Storm likes to do” and that their “pronouns are up to Acid Storm.” There's also a transgender couple in IDW comics, Anode and Lug, alongside another trans character named Arcee.
All ten episodes are streaming now on Paramount+.
Yes! They just introduced their first official nonbinary robot, Nightshade.
When a person doesn't 100% identify as male or female, they sometimes identify as nonbinary. It's an umbrella term that could describe someone who has no gender, multiple genders, is genderqueer, or just doesn't want to fully ascribe to either gender. Ultimately, it is a rejection of the gender binary. Many people who are nonbinary use they/them pronouns, but can use other pronouns or several pronouns at once if they choose.
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
