Before deleting the newly obtained screenshots of Megatronus from Transformers Prime I wanna do a small design analysis and character blab as... I finally get to see the sark contrast between Megatron's design and Megatronus's so onward with the yap!
Now I first want to bring up Megatron's design, in Transformers Prime Megatron has a spiky/sharp design, most the edges or corners are pointed. In contrast Megatronus mostly has rounded or oval edges/corners, for example their eyebrows:
As you can see their eyebrows are extremely different, Megatron's eyebrow's are more jagged and as established has sharper edges. Megatronus's eyebrows on the other hand are more on the soft side, being slightly oval shaped and missing the sharp pointed edges Megatron's eyebrows have.
Another example of their design differences would be their shoulders. Much like their eyebrows Megatron and Megatronus have different angles/shapes in them. Megatron similar to his eyebrows has more sharpened shoulder kibble, being more spiky, with Megatronus once more having the softer edges for his shoulder kibble.
The similarities for both shoulders is present, you can see the basic shape of Megatron's shoulders in Megatronus's. If you look at them side by side Megatron's shoulder kibble looks as if its the more stretched out version of Megatronus's. I say that as the shoulders (as established) do have the same basic shape as Megatronus's, the only big change to them is they're longer and pointier.
Now another comparison would be their hands (or rather servos). Originally before Megatron became Megatron, when he was still Megatronus his hands weren't clawed, instead they were blunt, similar to Ratchet's hands.
Ratchet's hand compared to Megatonus's (side by side):
Now they aren't 100% the same, but they are similar. This is contrasted by Megatron's servos during the main timeline of the show.
Megatron and Megatronus's hands (side by side):
As you you can see their hands are extremely different, yes they have the same size and etc. However! Megatron's are more slim and sharp compared to Megatronus's.
Before theorizing why Megatron's frame changed as much as it did I want to go over three final things. Number one being: optics, number two being: face shape, and number three being colors. With that out of the way allow me to start on optics.
Now while watching Transformers Prime I and many of you grew used to Megatron's red optics and how they looked. His and other Decepticon's optics for the most part are/were less detailed then the Autobots
Megatron's optic compared to both Optimus and Ratchet's optics (side by side):
As seen Megatron's optic doesn't have the details that both Optimus and Ratchet have for their optics. This isn't a bad thing, it's simply interesting especially when comparing his optic design during the war to his optic design pre-war.
Megatron and Megatron's optics (side by side):
The difference between both optics is vast, Megatronus has far more details in his optics with Megatron not having those details at all. Another thing to note about both optic designs is Megatron doesn't have this:
(This being the part circled in yellow)
That part of his design is gone, much like the design inside his optics. Instead it seems to be replaced with the marks that run down his face. Which means I can move on to number two: Megatron's face compared to Megatronus's.
Now here is a side by side comparison of both their faces:
Do you see the difference in their face shape and it's details? Megatronus doesn't have the hollow(?) looking cheeks Megatron has, nor the markings/scars, and he doesn't have the face shape Megatron has in general. Instead his face is more square looking and has about six markings on the upper half (between where the eyebrows meet), mid bottom (under the mouth), and while it can't be seen he has two more on his chin (the middle bottom). As seen their faces are extremely different, especially when you can see and compare them side by side.
Now onto the third and final of the three: colors.
Now the obvious and most known/pointed out difference between Megatron and Megatronus would be the red and purple accents to their frame.
Red and Purple accents (side by side):
This is obviously the most well known color change I believe, it is the most obvious. However a color change I don't think get's talked about enough is the literal color change Megatron's frame gets during the war.
Now I can of course be looking far to into this soo this part can be discard however! In the flashbacks it look as if Megatronus has a lighter frame color to Megatron.
Now this of course can be simply the lighting and whatever but I don't think so. Look at their colors side by side, Megatronus's seem lighter or at the very least less scared then Megatron's.
Now finally I may explain my theory to why the changes to Megatron happened in universe of TFP. My theory is the changes Megatronus's frame underwent when he slowly became Megatron may or may not represent his mindset and feelings toward Orion/Optimus post trial.
Megatron's anger towards Orion/Optimus, the council, everything wrong with Cybertron really twisted him and the changes his frame developed are representations of his anger and what his mindset had become. Megatron/Megatronus wanted all Cybertronians to be treated as equals when he first started off, however that goal for equality soon got lost and twisted into Megatron's thirst for power. His frame losing its softer edges and red accents could represent that very mindset, but it is just a theory and I plan to do an in-depth explanation of it at some point.
Until then... this be the post, these are simply my opinions and views on it so others are of course free and welcome to have different interpretations. If you do have your own theories or thoughts do share, I would love to hear them. TFP Megatron and how his design changed is a fascinating topic soo do feel free to yap 🫶. Anyways that's all! Time for the Megatronus screenshots to be deleted and taken again when I reach the episode.
