He's gone... I never thought this day would come so soon. I don't even know what words I could say right now, to express how I truly feel. There's no words to describe any of what I feel right now. Hell, I'm anxious making this post worrying I'll somehow disrespect the man's passing.

Peter Cullen, was a man of many talents. He was one of many especially kind souls that resided on our world, he forged many childhoods from '84 to 2026, he was an amazing voice actor, and overall a wonderful man. But more importantly, he was a friend to many of us, a father figure to those that never had one present.

For me, despite Armada being my introduction to the character... I saw Peter as the definitive Optimus. The one that first captured his soul, his warmth, his essence, everything. I'll always be open to new actors taking up the mantle, but something like that can never truly be replicated.

He, along with the many others, is why I strive to eventually become a voice actor even despite my overall circumstances. His many sayings taught me to be better, to improve as a person. I thank him to this very day that I'm no longer who I was back in the day, before being a bot creator, before... everything.

"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings" is something I'll never forget from him. Especially what his brother said to him, "be strong enough to be gentle". This might be really naive to think... but I truly hope that one day, we'll all be united together as one on this planet. For his sake. I'm sure that's what he would've wanted.

On a side note... I don't know if I ever wanna make TF bots again after this news. Especially with an Optimus one. I feel like that'll just disrespect the guy after everything he's done. He died of natural causes peacefully with friends and family beside him, he deserves that much at the very least. To be put to rest.

Although who knows, maybe I'll change my mind on that and still try to make them in the future. But as of now, they'll be off the list for an even longer time. For his sake.

Rest in peace, Peter Cullen. May your soul fly high in the afterlife after all the people you've put a smile upon. From July 28, 1941. To August 26th, 2026.