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Home ť 80s Cartoons

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Voltron: Defender of the Universe

	Airtime Dates:	March 4, 1981 - Nov. 15, 1985
	Director(s):	Hiroshi Sasagawa, Katsuhiko Taguchi, Kazushi Nomura, Kazuyuki Okaseko
	Producer(s):	Toei Animation, Buena Vista
	Distributor(s):	No information.
	Station(s):	ABC
	Episodes:	52

A team of five Galaxy Alliance pilots get caught up in an interplanetary attack on planet Arus, only to be imprisoned and transported to planet Doom. After their escape, they make their way back to Arus, discovering ancient remnants of the Castle of Lions. While meeting with the princess Allura [B.J. Ward], they set off to find the five "Lions of Voltron:" enabling them to command these robotic lion vehicles, that can ultimately link together to create super-robot "Voltron." They are: Commander Keith Kogane [Neil Ross] of the black lion/torso, 2nd in Command Lance Charles McClain [Michael Bell] of the red lion/right arm, Sven Holgersson [Michael Bell] of the blue lion/right leg, eyeglass-wearing Darrell "Pidge" Stoker [Neil Ross] of the green lion/left arm, and hefty Hunk Garett [Lennie Weinrib] of the yellow lion/left leg. Acting as protector of planet Arus, the Voltron team fended off attacks from purple-skinned alien King Zarkon [Jack Angel], son Prince Lotor [Lennie Weinrib], and Haggar [B.J. Ward] the witch, from droves of robot assailants known as Robeasts.

With the near-fatality of member Sven Holgersson from Haggar's attack, Allura takes command of the blue lion in his absence. The plot thickens as evil Prince Lotor develops feelings for Allura. However, her father King Alfor was killed by Lotor's father, Zarkon - strengthening her will to defeat him. In turn, her romantic interest is Keith.

Each episode dramatized the forming of Voltron, as each member announced their "turn," ending with "...and I'll form the head." Voltron's multi-pronged sword materialized in a flash of plasma as he held his hands together and spread them apart.

The second series to be aired in the US was "Vehicle Voltron," taking on a new plot where the planets within the Galaxy Alliance had desired to seek out new habitable planets for its population. A new villainous race, Commander Hazar and the Drule Empire, intercept their efforts...prompting the need for a new protector. With Lion Force Voltron being too far away to help, a new 15-unit team - divided into waves of 5 members each - were known as the Land, Sea and Air Teams. The Land Team consisted of Cliff, Marvin, Hutch, Cinda, and Modoch; the Sea Team consisted of Cric, Shannon, Lisa, Tangor and Zandee; and finally, the Air Team consisted of Jeff, Rocky, Chip, Wolo and Ginger.

Anime Works Studios began releasing full seasonal episodes of "Voltron" on DVD, in 2006.

Voltron show opening
The show opening of "Voltron."

Voltron's theme was half narrated, half instrumental.

The character was publically released in 1981 as a joint effort between Toei Animation and Buena Vista. Some argue that it is painfully similar to a couple series from the 1970s: namely "Getter Robo" and "Voltes V."

Voltron I, II and III sets were initially released by Matchbox in 1984 as high quality, die-cast metal figures that could be combined to form Voltron. The complete toy was impressive, and also reached up to a $70 price tag at the time. The rights were later picked up by Panosh Place and distributed as 3 3/4" vehicles and figures.

Three "generations" of Voltron existed: the Vehicle force, a humanoid force, and the popular Lion force. Lion Force was regarded as "Voltron III," since it was the final series to be released in Japan. The humanoid force, or "Voltron II," was never released in the United States.