Voltron

The Phantom Zone Anime Review Site.

Voltron

Distributor: Anime Works
Original Story: World Events Production
Volumes: 5
Rating: 16+
Anime Code: A

From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the galaxy, comes a legend: the legend of Voltron, Defender of the Universe! A mighty robot, loved by good, feared by evil. As Voltron's legend grew, peace settled across the galaxy. On planet Earth, a galaxy alliance was formed, together with the good planets of the Solar System, they maintained peace throughout the universe. Until a new, horrible menace threatened the galaxy. Voltron was needed once more. This is the story of the super force of space explorers. Specially trained, and sent by the alliance to bring back Voltron, Defender of the Universe.

Review: Okay, so the synopsis was just ripped from the opening, why mess with a good thing. For all its errors, for all its inconsistencies, Voltron will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the first anime I ever watched. I remember going with my Mom to Screen Jems which back then was a store that sold something called video tapes. I would pick up a VHS cassett tape which contained 3 episodes of the series, bring it home, watch it twice, then returned it. Ah, those were the good old days. As I was saying, Voltron was the first anime I ever watched and back then, I didn't even know it was anime. And now, almost two decades after I first watched it on home video, it's finally out on DVD. And according to the booklet which contained a short report on the restoring of the legendary series, it was hard work to restore it to its original content let alone convert it to DVD format. And those who remember the series won't be disappointed. The series is back to its original glory. The coloring has been touched up, the audio remixed. This is a must-have for any and all old-school anime fans. There are tons of special features, a booklet which contained episode synopsis and the before-mentioned report. Even though it looks like a hodge podge of scenes from two different anime shows, you won't be disappointed on how great it looks.

Action Level: 4/5
The fusion of sci-fi and fantasy elements has morphed the series into something independent of both sci-fi and fantasy. Fist fights and laser battles reflective of all the great sci-fi movies.

Romance Level: 2/5
Considering it was made in the 80's for children, the chances for romantic interludes are far and few. I think it starts to show late in the series (I mean really late). But most 80 cartoon shows are like that.

Comedy Level: 3/5
With all the inconsistencies and animation errors shown in the series, you'd think that alone would be enough. But the characters' personalities, especially those of the villains, are a real laugh riot.

Adult Level: 2/5
In episode 5 or 6 (I forget which one) they show a guy bleeding from the head after having a sword slahsed at him.

Drama Level: 3/5
Here's something you may not know: in the original series, Sven, the original pilot of the Blue Lion ship, actually dies early on in the series. Then a guy shows up later on who is actually Sven's older brother, but WEP, the people who dubbed the American Voltron series, fixed it so that the guy who shows up later on is Sven. That's probably the only time the dubbers were good in their decision to change even though it takes away some of the dramatics. But there are still stuff to make up for it.

Overall Level: 4/5
Okay, I want to clear up any misgivings about the series. Voltron is not a rip-off of Power Rangers. At any rate, Power Rangers is a rip off of Voltron. Voltron is in a class all its own and it will always stand out, for better, or for worse, as one of the most groundbreaking anime series of all time.