Transformers

Transformers is a line of robot action figures that transform from humanoid shapes to any number of not-so-humanoid shapes, from semitrailers to jets to cassette tapes to dinosaurs. Owned by Hasbro, Inc, the toyline was first introduced in 1984. Since then, it has gone on to spawn a number of different cartoons, comics, and movies. Originally aimed at young boys, the toyline is now also enjoyed by grown men (usually the grown-up young boys it was originally aimed at), grown women, and adolescent females, the latter most likely thanks to the 2007 movie.

In Canon
Because of the many different Transformers continua, Transformers canon is hard to pin down. Characters, settings, and events are often subject to change. However, the basic premise of Transformers canon remains the same.

The Basic Premise
The evil Decepticons and the heroic Autobots are pitched against each other in an all-out war between good and evil. Said war usually begins on their homeplanet of Cybertron, and more often than not makes its way to a certain blue and green globe known as Earth by the natives. There, humans help the giant robots wage their battles, usually siding with the Autobots, as the Decepticons tend to squish them without second thoughts.

Notable Continua
Some Transformers continua are more popular than others, and thus are more used in fanfiction.

Generation 1
The very first Transformers continuum ever. Made up of the toyline (duh), comic books, and, most notably, a cartoon series that lasted from 1984 to 1987.

2007 Movie
Set in modern times, this live-action movie is probably responsible for most of the teenage girl Transformers fans. A sequel is due to come out summer 2009.

Transformers Animated
The latest cartoon incarnation of Transformers, viewable on Cartoon Network. Unlike previous cartoons, it's actually enjoyable for adults to watch, as well as young children.

Characters
Because the purpose of the Transformers toyline is, well, to sell toys, there are many, many, many, many more characters than those listed here. These are the ones most used in fanfiction.

Also, because Hasbro's aim, like most corporations, is to make as much money with as little effort possible, many characters have several different versions of themselves--colors, personalities, alternate forms, and abilities vary from continuum to continuum.

Autobots

 * Optimus Prime
 * Bumblebee
 * Prowl
 * Jazz
 * Ironhide
 * Ratchet
 * Sideswipe
 * Sunstreaker
 * Bulkhead
 * Mirage
 * Hound
 * Bluestreak
 * Elita One
 * Chromia
 * Arcee

Decepticons

 * Megatron
 * Starscream
 * Soundwave
 * Skywarp
 * Brawl
 * Bonecrusher
 * Barricade
 * Frenzy
 * Blackarachnia
 * Lugnut
 * Thundercracker

Humans

 * Sparkplug Witwicky
 * Spike Witwicky
 * Sari Sumdac
 * Isaac Sumdac
 * Sam Witwicky
 * Mikaela Banes
 * Reginald Simmons
 * Tom Banachek
 * William Lennox
 * Sarah Lennox
 * Annabelle Lennox
 * Robert Epps
 * Maggie Madsen
 * Glenn Whitman
 * John Keller

In Fanfiction
Again due to the number of different continuities, Transformers fanfiction is quite varied. Oftentimes, writers will introduce characters who were prevalent in one continuum into another where they are never or rarely seen. Writers may also choose to further blend two or more continua together. It can get very confusing for those not familiar with the toyline.

Notable problems in Transformers fanfiction include bad slash (They're giant robots. They don't interact the way we do.), interspecies romance (Repeat: giant robots. Falling in love with a human is unlikely. It must be pointed out, in the interests of fairness, that this did actually happen a couple of times in the TV series, but even so....), and the occasional Mary Sue (available in both human and robot forms).