Transformers Rescue Bots is a new series in the Transformers franchise, targeted towards preschool children. Two episodes first aired as a sneak preview in December of 2011, with the series premiering properly in 2012. This being a Transformers series, Rescue Bots, has an accompanying toy-line (which predates the show). Just as the animated series is targeted towards (slightly) younger viewers than previous Transformers series, so too are the toys, featuring simplistic transformations and playsets as well as tie in stories packaged in with the toys themselves.