This paper investigates the distributed optimization problem (DOP) for fractional high-order nonstrict-feedback multiagent systems (MASs) where each agent is multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) dynamic and contains uncertain dynamics. Based on the penalty-function method, the consensus constraint is eliminated and the global objective function is reconstructed. Different from the existing literatures, where the DOPs are addressed for linear MASs, this paper deals with the DOP through using radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs) to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions for high-order MASs. To reduce transmitting and computational costs, event-triggered scheme and quantized control technology are combined to propose an adaptive backstepping neural network (NN) control protocol. By applying the Lyapunov stability theory, the optimal consensus error is proved to be bounded and all signals remain semi-global uniformly ultimately bounded. Simulation shows that all agents reach consensus and errors between agents’ outputs and the optimal solution is close to zero with low computational costs.