Okay. Let's break this down. First, we need to figure out our Generation 1 Japanese Transformers series.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers#Generation_One_.281984.E2.80.931992.29They are: Headmasters, Masterforce, Victory, and Zone.
Now, let's find which series contained our Famous Autobot Leader. Headmasters did have Optimus and decepticon did post a vid where he was killed. Rodimus was in fact the successor but in that series, Optimus was never brought back and thus, did not merge with Rodimus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers:_The_Headmasters#StoryIn Masterforce, the story really doesn't follow where Headmasters left off. While the series was going on in Japan, the US saw the toy releases. The toy we know as Powermaster Optimus Prime was the star of the Masterforce series along with the Pretender's line of TF toys. But Optimus (who is actually a 19 yr old truck driver... !) doesn't die. In fact, the last episode of the series is rather badass!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers:_Super-God_MasterforceOn to Victory.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers:_Victory#StoryYou`ll see in the Story section it states right away: "Victory is the story of the new Cybertron Supreme Commander, Star Saber". Whaaat? `Cybertron` in the Japanese series is the translation of Autobot. So where is the familiar leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime? Checking out the page for this Star Saber character:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Saber"In the year 2025, a skilled swordsman named Star Saber is chosen by God Ginrai as leader of the Autobots." God Ginrai?! Click on his page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GinraiOptimus Prime from Masterforce! And his page states that he was rebuilt as Victory Leo after being killed by "the new Decepticon emperor, Deszaras" (Megatron basically.. just really bad ass looking.) Victory Leo, and the new Autobot (Cybertron) leader Star Saber could merge to form Victory Saber.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginrai#Victory_LeoAnd now for the merge sequence.
Battle Up!!