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| Parental
Warning: Combat violence with
robots and monsters. Should be fine for most kids. |
| Review
by: Julie |
Rating: Super |
Date:
01/28/07 |
I grew up with Voltron. I am 32 now and still love
the cartoon! It was the best 80's cartoon ever!!
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| Review
by: Mark
Capitelli |
Rating: Super |
Date:
11/11/03 |
| "From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe comes a legend: the legend of Voltron. 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." |
| Also
known as King of Hundred Beasts Golion and Lion
Force Voltron, Voltron: Defender of the Universe was
a massive hit in 1980's America. The show, like so
many anime, dealt with the struggle to preserve one's
way of life in the face of all-conquering evil.
What made the show so unique at it's time was it's
blending of ultra modern technology with magic and a
post renaissance feel. There are princesses,
witches, and monsters; along with spaceships and
robots. The best illustration of this blending is
the bio-genetically engineered "Ro-Beasts"
that the witch Hagar sent to Arus to defeat the Voltron
robot. The show was always satisfying and ended
with a climactic giant robot battle. |
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| Voltron
consisted of five lions each representing an element
(the fifth being a blend of magic and technology).
Each lion had it's own pilot. When times got too
tough for the individual lions to prevail, they would
unite to form the body of a giant humanoid robot.
It was sort of a precursor to The Power Rangers,
only much better. In order to defeat Voltron, King
Zarkon, the enemy, would employ his armies, his general
Yurak, his son Lotor, and his witch Hagar. The
villains were treacherous (even to each other) and true archetypes
of evil. Just to make things interesting, Lotor
also had the ulterior motive of capturing the beautiful
Princess Allura of Arus and making her his bride.
Allura is the crowned ruler of Arus, the planet that the
Voltron force is sent to defend. The five young
men that are sent to defend her planet are the
courageous Keith, the sarcastic and solitary Lance, the
kind and enthusiastic Pidge, the primal and passionate
Hunk, and the stoic and gentle Sven. Not all of
these characters would make it to the end of the series. |
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One
of the things that truly sets this series apart is it's daring; particularly
when it comes to it's characters. Sven, pilot of
the Blue Lion, was almost mortally injured in a battle
against the forces of Zarkon. He was replaced by
Princess Allura who would pilot the Blue Lion for the
rest of the series.
Another is when Zarkon finally get tired of General
Yurak's failure to conquer Voltron and replaces him with
Prince Lotor. Yurak, in an attempt to preserve his
life and regain his place at Zarkon's side, has Hagar
turn him into a giant Ro-Beast. In a hand to hand
fight with Voltron, Yurak is cleaved in two. You
have to respect a show that gets rid of two major
characters in the first season. |
| Overall,
Voltron is just a great classic anime. Although
dated, the series' quality endures. It helped lay
the ground work in this country for the success of many
different anime. I highly recommend it. |
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VIDEO TAPES (VHS)
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Vol. 1
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Vol. 2
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Vol. 3
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Vol. 4
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