Drift (Transformers)

Drift is the name of three different fictional characters in the Transformers franchise. For trademark reasons, toys related to the character are marketed under the name Autobot Drift.

Transformers: Armada

Drift is the name of the Mini-Con Dirt Boss in the Japanese version of Transformers: Armada.

Transformers: Generation 1

Deadlock/Drift

Cover of The Transformers: Spotlight - Drift by IDW Publishing
Decepticon, later Autobot
Information
Sub-group	Deluxe Vehicles, Speed Stars
Function	Samurai
Rank	2
Motto	"Find your inner compass. Loyalty is only but a flower in the winds of fear and temptation." "And why do we all fall?! Because it is just so that we all can learn to pick ourselves up." "At last, there is hope and light after all." "It is not who and what you are underneath, but what you do that defines you" "We're going about this the wrong way, all of us! After countless centuries of fighting ... the Autobots are a step away from what we were when all this started. And the Decepticons have become something worse than any of us could have imagined." "When there is the Cycle of Fear and Darkness, there is always The Circle of Hope and Light!"
Series	Transformers: Generation 1
Japanese voice actor	Tomoaki Maeno (Q Transformers: Mystery of Convoy)

According to his bio, Drift once served Megatron under the name Deadlock^[1] and was one of the most-feared warriors on Cybertron. Then one day, he looked back at the horrors he had inflicted upon his foes. Since then, he has dedicated his life to hunting down Decepticons all over the galaxy. His alternate Earth mode in the comics is a Nissan Silvia S15; the toy version appears to be a cross between a Silvia, a Honda S2000 and a Mitsubishi FTO.

IDW Publishing

Drift is one of the characters featured in IDW Publishing's comic book series The Transformers: Spotlight, first published in 2009. He also has a 4-part prequel mini-series titled Transformers: Drift, published in 2010. He was created by comic writer Shane McCarthy.

Transformers: Drift

The 4-part prequel mini-series Transformers: Drift begins with Drift as an unaligned robot living on Cybertron before Megatron's rise to power. Recruiting warriors to form his army, Megatron discovers Drift, who has skillfully killed several Autobots after they accidentally kill one of his friends. Megatron renames Drift "Deadlock", then sends him to lead a small band of his forces.

In issue #1, Drift meets a Cybertronian named Wing, who is a member of an "unaligned faction" that lives on a world thought uninhabited. Wing takes Drift to Dai Atlas, who is angered that a "Decepticon" is among them and threatens to never let Drift leave. Wing then steps forward, putting his own reputation on the line and stands up to Dai Atlas. Wing begins training Drift in an as-yet-unnamed Cybertronian martial arts style. The techniques appear very reminiscent of what the Autobots call "Diffusion", a style of combat designed to stop an opponent without causing serious irreparable damage (similar to Earth's T'ai chi ch'uan (which is designed to use an attacker's energy against them) mixed with Kendo). It is unknown how long Drift trains, but he apparently becomes very skilled in the use of his short swords and hand-to-hand combat. Previously, Drift had discovered he had an innate ability with firearms, but he is discouraged from their use by Wing.

The Cybertronians receive a signal that Drift recognizes as a Decepticon message and sneaks out to meet them, finding the Decepticon Lockdown waiting for him with a group of slavers looking for new acquisitions. They forge a plan for Drift to betray the unaligned Cybertronians. Drift did not betray the Cybertronians though, warning them upon his return, and devising a plan to counterattack with a small force of "Knights". Dai Atlas disagrees, but after coaxing by several of the Knights, Dai Atlas lets them have their way, telling them he wants no part of the "war".

In issue #4, Drift and the Knights face the slavers and Deadlock. Wing is mortally wounded by the slaver leader and dies. Drift grabs Wing's "Great Sword", which, according to Wing, "draws on the wielders spark" to enhance its abilities, and promptly kills the slaver leader. Dai Atlas then joins the battle with the rest of his Cybertronian forces. This turns the tide in battle and the Cybertronians take the victory. Dai Atlas finally sees the good side of Drift, awarding him Wing's Great Sword in memory of his sacrifice.

The Transformers: Spotlight - Drift

On an alien planet, Drift infiltrates a Decepticon ship carrying Autobot prisoners, only to confront the Autobots Kup, Perceptor and the Wreckers. Moments later, Turmoil, the ship's commander, appears. Drift fights alongside the Wreckers, but during the melee, Turmoil recognizes Drift as the former Decepticon Deadlock. He then sends Drift and Kup into a lower level by shooting a hole in the ship's wall.

Later, Kup questions Drift about his origin. Drift admits having been a Decepticon in the past, but tells Kup that a visit to a nameless third faction changed his ways and gave him his sword. The two robots then decide to blow up the ship.

As the duo plant an explosive, Kup is informed that the other Autobots have left the ship and will circle back for them. Suddenly, Turmoil confronts them again. After a lengthy duel, Drift pins Turmoil to the wall with his short swords. The Decepticon tells Drift to finish him off, but Drift instead takes a damaged Perceptor and jumps off the ship before it explodes.

Shortly after the ordeal, Kup offers Drift a place on a new Autobot team he is forming. Despite Springer's objection, Drift accepts the offer, with Kup telling Springer that "everyone deserves a second chance."^[2]

The Transformers: Infestation

Optimus Prime leads Bumblebee, Drift, Kup, Prowl, Ratchet and Wheeljack in Las Vegas when a Cybertronian ship crashes containing Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and an infestation of zombies from another universe. Galvatron attempts to take command of the Autobots, and after fighting them explains his mission to stop an undead infestation. Wheeljack sets up an energy shield around the city to keep the infestation contained, but it will only last for 24 hours. Kup recognizes a Decepticon named Bayonet in Galvatron's command as not being right, and she is revealed to be the extradimensional vampire Britt.^[3]

The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye

Drift is a major character in the ongoing series The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, in which he is the "nominal third in command" of the spaceship The Lost Light,^[4] until he is cast off the ship after Overlord's escape. Rodimus refers to Drift as his best friend.^[5] He bought Rodimus his spaceship for a billion shanix at the Festival of the Lost Light..^[6]

Drift and Pipes join Ratchet in investigating the medical facility at Delphi, where Drift contracts an unknown and fatal illness. Ratchet is able to cure him after the two of them defeat Pharma and secure the illness's vaccine.^[7] In the More Than Meets the Eye Annual, Drift is part of the expedition to Crystal City, where he hopes to meet Dai Atlas and the Circle of Light again. After he finds that Crystal City is deserted, his frustration causes him to inadvertently open a chasm that leads him and his crew members to a metrotitan hidden underground.^[8]

During the "Shadowplay" arc, Rewind recruits Drift to help him jog the newly repaired Rung's brain.^[9] Drift describes his past as a Syk addict, and relates an incident in which he is saved from a pair of violent bots by Orion Pax and repaired by Ratchet. He's drawn away from the storytelling by Rodimus in order to examine a body, which is identified as Red Alert's. An argument between Rodimus and Ultra Magnus about whether to let Red Alert stay dead or revive him leads to Rodimus asking for Drift's opinion. It is implied that Drift believes Red Alert should not be revived.

Drift is aware of the presence of Overlord on board The Lost Light, and on the orders of Prowl, urges Chromedome to perform mnemosurgery on Overlord.^[10] Though he worked in collaboration with Brainstorm, the duobots and Chromedome, Drift accepts sole responsibility for the incident after Overlord escapes from his prison.^[11] As punishment, Rodimus revokes Drift's Autobot status and exiles him from the ship. In the short prose story The Sound of Breaking Glass, it is revealed that Rodimus too was working with Prowl to keep Overlord on board The Lost Light. Drift admits that he had a vision that has convinced him of the importance of Rodimus remaining captain of The Lost Light and decides to take full blame in order to protect Rodimus's position as leader.^[12]

Drift returns to join the crew when they are stranded on the Necrobot's planet with the DJD.^[13] He is accompanied by the ship's medic, Ratchet, who left in search of him some time after his exile.^[14] Drift calls off the DJD's attack on The Lost Light crew member Ten by threatening the DJD's pet sparkeater.^[15] He finally reunites with the crew in time for their final battle with the DJD.

Manga

Drift appears in the Generations 2011 issue #2 "The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos" where he is part of a team led by Stepper to obtain a cure for a nano-virus which is effecting some Autobots. When the Autobots arrive on Nebulos they are attacked by a group of Decepticons led by Straxus. The Autobot are able to obtain the cure and bring it back to Earth, where Ricochet's team is commended by Optimus Prime.^[16]

Toys

• Generations Deluxe Autobot Drift (2010)

An all-new mold of Drift that transforms into a sports car. Weapons consist of one long sword (made of rubbery plastic) and two short swords that store inside the side skirt armor/door panels.^[17] In keeping with the Samurai theme of the character, kanji is used to decorate the figure. The kanji on the door panels is "Samurai" (侍), while his long sword reads "Peerless Under Heaven" (天下無双, Tenka Musō).^[18]

The figure is also remolded in blue as Blurr, with a different head sculpt and guns replacing the swords.^[19][20]

• United UN08 Deluxe Autobot Drift (2010)

The Japanese version of the Generations figure by Takara Tomy is virtually identical to the Hasbro version.^[21]

• Transformers Speed Stars Cyber Hunt Autobot Drift (unreleased)

A diecast car of Drift in car mode, in the same size as Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars. An illustration of his robot mode is molded on his undercarriage.^[22]

• Transformers Speed Stars Double Siders Autobot Drift (unreleased)

This variation of the diecast car has oversized wheels so it can roll right-side-up or upside down with the robot illustration facing up.^[23]

Transformers: Timelines (Shattered Glass)

Drift

Autobot
Information
Sub-group	Club exclusives, Deluxe Vehicles
Function	Dimensional Fragment Eliminator[24]
Motto	"Blast 'em to make sure they stay offline!"
Alternate modes	Sports car
Series	Transformers: Timelines

An exclusive for 2012 from Fun Publications, this Drift is from the Shattered Glass universe, and his personality is based on the Marvel Comics character Deadpool. According to his bio, Drift is described as the most brutal among the hordes of evil Autobots. He has no regard for laws or morals; only money, profit and thrills. Drift's methods of destruction are only limited by his imagination. Yet despite his insatiable aggression, he has an irrational fear of petro-rabbits.

Fun Publications

Drift appears in the 2012 BotCon Invasion lithograph by Casey Coller and Josh Perez.^[25]

Toys

• Timelines Deluxe Autobot Drift (2012)

A Transformers Collectors Club exclusive reverse red/white redeco of the Generations Drift figure. In addition to the swords, he comes with the two pistols that were originally offered with the Generations Blurr figure.^[24]

Transformers Cinematic Universe

Drift

Decepticon, later Autobot
Information
Sub-group	Triple Changers, Cyber Slammers, Fast Action Battlers, Deluxe Vehicles, Voyagers, Speed Stars, Power Battlers, Legends Legion Class
Function	Warrior (Autobots), Communication Officer (Decepticons)
Rank	8
Partner	Slug, Crosshairs, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Hound
Motto	"Find your inner compass. Loyalty is only but a flower in the winds of fear and temptation." "And why do we all fall?! Because it is just so that we all can learn to pick ourselves up." "At last, there is hope and light after all." "It is not who and what you are underneath, but what you do that defines you" "We're going about this the wrong way, all of us! After countless centuries of fighting ... the Autobots are a step away from what we were when all this started. And the Decepticons have become something worse than any of us could have imagined." "When there is the Cycle of Fear and Darkness, there is always The Circle of Hope and Light!"
Alternate modes	Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, Sikorsky S-97 Raider, Mercedes-AMG GT R
Series	Transformers Cinematic Universe
English voice actor	Ken Watanabe Chris Jai Alex (Rise of the Dark Spark)
Japanese voice actor	Kiyomitsu Mizūchi

Drift is one of the new Autobots in Transformers: Age of Extinction.^[26] His alternate modes are a black and blue (dark blue and light blue in the toyline) 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse and an attack helicopter.^[27] In the film, he is voiced by Japanese actor Ken Watanabe.^[28] Whilst this incarnation of Drift differs the designs of the G1 IDW comics incarnation, he has some similarities such as being a samurai and a former Decepticon, however the part where he was a former Decepticon is not mentioned in the movie but it is brought up in Rise of the Dark Spark and the AOE toy line.

Film

Drift is one of five remaining Autobots hiding on the earth after CIA unit Cemetery Wind hunted most of them with the help from Lockdown. He transforms into a blue and black Bugatti Veyron and his robot mode resembles that of a samurai warrior. He often says haikus in his dialogue and is at odds with Bumblebee, who was acting leader in Optimus Prime's absence, because he believes that Bumblebee is not a worthy leader, although they work very well in battle and Drift uses his chopper mode to lift Bumblebee to save Cade Yeager during Autobots' raid in KSI with Attinger. During the battle in Hong Kong, Drift rides the Dinobot Slug into the fight after helping Optimus free the Dinobots. Afterwards, Optimus Prime orders him along with the other Autobots to protect the Yeager family before he departs for space. Despite being a main character, Drift is not be called by name in the film itself, though briefly during the scene where Galvatron chases the Autobots, he is identified on KSI's satellite feed.

Drift will return in Transformers: The Last Knight,^[29] now posing as a black and red Mercedes-AMG GTR.

Toys

• Age of Extinction 1-Step Autobot Drift (2014)

A transformable figure aimed at younger children, featuring instant transformation by opening the two car halves from the rear end.^[30]

• Age of Extinction Power Attackers Autobot Drift (2014)

A transformable figure aimed at younger children, featuring spinning sword slash attack.^[31]

• Age of Extinction Deluxe Class Autobot Drift (2014)

A new Deluxe mold of Drift. Comes with two Samurai swords and two short swords, which he can store in both robot and vehicle mode.^[32][33]

• Age of Extinction Voyager Class Autobot Drift (2014)

A blue redeco of Dark of the Moon Voyager Skyhammer with a new head sculpt. Comes with two Samurai swords that combine into a larger sword.^[32][34]

• Age of Extinction 12" Titan Autobot Drift (2014)

A non-transforming 12" figure of Drift with limited poseability.^[35]

• Age of Extinction Dinobot Sparker Autobot Drift and Dinobot Slug (2014)

A non-transforming toy of Drift riding on Slug. Drift is a non-poseable figure with a long sword while Slug features pull-back action that activates sparks in its body.^[36]

• Age of Extinction Constructbots Autobot Drift (2014)

A small transforming figure that can mix and match parts with other Constructbots figures.

Transformers: Animated

Drift

Autobot
Information
Sub-group	Cyber-Ninja Corps
Function	Samurai
Series	Transformers: Animated

In Transformers: Animated, Drift is a young bot who joined the Cyber-Ninja Corps and is in stern need of discipline. Thankfully, Dai Atlas is just the mentor to give it to him. Beachcomber and Drift are characters that series' creator Derrick J. Wyatt is not fond of and thus, weren't included in the series.^[37]

Transformers: Robots in Disguise

Drift

Autobot
Information
Function	Samurai, Bounty Hunter
Partner	Slipstream, Jetstorm, Bumblebee
Motto	"Find your inner compass. Loyalty is only but a flower in the winds of fear and temptation." "And why do we all fall?! Because it is just so that we all can learn to pick ourselves up." "At last, there is hope and light after all." "It is not who and what you are underneath, but what you do that defines you" "We're going about this the wrong way, all of us! After countless centuries of fighting ... the Autobots are a step away from what we were when all this started. And the Decepticons have become something worse than any of us could have imagined." "When there is the Cycle of Fear and Darkness, there is always The Circle of Hope and Light!"
Series	Transformers: Robots in Disguise
English voice actor	Eric Bauza
Japanese voice actor	Tomokazu Sugita[38]

Drift appears in Transformers: Robots in Disguise as a Bounty Hunter who is a Samurai-themed Transformer and is rivals with his Decepticon counterpart, Fracture. He is equipped with two gauntlets that turn into the Mini-Cons Slipstream and Jetstorm. Drift turns into an orange sports car, and, in battle, wields a pair of katana.

Books

Drift appears in Bumblebee Versus Scuzzard. He was out searching for Energon when the rest of Bumblebee's team hunted down Scuzzard and Filch, but arrived back in time to help prevent Filch from escaping captivity a second time.

Games

Drift appears as an unlockable character in the mobile game version of Transformers: Robots in Disguise. He also appears in Transformers: Rise of The Dark Spark.

Animated series

Drift is an Autobot bounty hunter with a Bushido-like sense of honor. He pursues criminals for the intent of bringing them to justice so that they can hopefully be reformed and find a better path, which sets him apart from his Decepticon counterpart and rival Fracture. He and his Mini-Con students came to Earth to find Bumblebee due to a bounty placed on him by the Autobot High Council, only for Bumblebee to save Drift's life. Owing Bumblebee a life debt, he aided the Autobots during their first encounter with Fracture, though he initially thought little of Bumblebee's teammates. Following the battle, he departed having repaid his debt, and determined that Bumblebee was on an honorable quest that he saw no need to interfere with.

He would subsequently return to Earth in "One of Our Mini-Cons Is Missing", when Jetstorm fled there after believing he had disappointed his master, wanting to become Russell Clay's student instead. After finding Jetstorm, he joins Bumblebee's team as they face Springload and Quillfire, who had escaped from their stasis cells. After finding out why Jetstorm left, he believed his teaching skills needed work, and decided to remain on Earth with Bumblebee's Team. His two Mini-Con partners, Jetstorm and Slipstream, transform into decorations for Drift's forearms. Of the two, Jetstorm is the most hyperactive. He considers Drift to be his sensei, worthy of honor and respect, but often feels that he is a disappointment to his master. Jetstorm wields a pair of Nunchuks, while Slipstream wields a sword. Slipstream and Jetstorm pledged their loyalty to Drift after he found them living as thieves, becoming his students. In the first season finale, Drift and his Mini-Cons participate in the final battle with Megatronus.

Toys

• Robots in Disguise Warrior Class Autobot Drift (2015)

Part of the second wave of Robots in Disguise Warrior-class figures, Drift transforms from a samurai robot into a futuristic orange car that appears to be a cross between AOE Drift's Bugatti Veyron alt-mode and a Gumpert Apollo. In robot mode, his two swords can be stored on his left hip. In car mode, they store on his underside by using the tabs on his legs with the slots in the sword handles.

• Robots in Disguise One-Step Changer Autobot Drift (2015)

Part of the third wave of Robots in Disguise One-Step figures, Drift transforms from a stumpy samurai robot into a futuristic orange car in a single step.

• Robots in Disguise Mini-Con Deployer Autobot Drift & Jetstorm (2015)

Packaged with Jetstorm, this new Warrior-sized mold of Drift transforms from a Cybertronian Car to a robot with very limited articulation. He also features a deployer gimmick, which works with Jetstorm (or Slipstream, which it was sold separately).

All Robots in Disguise figures have scannable insignias which can be easily scanned in-package. Scanning this with the Robots in Disguise mobile game temporarily unlocks Drift as a playable character, if the player has not already permanently unlocked him.

References