If you were a kid back in 1984 and you saw the television program Voltron: Defender of the Universe, you probably thought it was the coolest thing ever. Each show began with the same introduction which sets up the story’s plot. Coincidently, the narrator’s powerful voice is what really tracks you into the story along with blasting guitars and a triumphant medley.
“From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, 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.”
Voltron Opening Clip
The space explorers, Keith, Sven, Lance, Hunk and Pidge uncover five lion robots that depend on five elements to survive scattered all over the planet Arus. When they unite, they form Voltron to fight against the evil King Zarkon and ruler of planet Doom.
With the addition of princes Allura to the team, Voltron didn’t just fight your average bad guy, he fought the meanest, village flattening, castle bombing, building crushing, planet shredding, most technologically advanced moffugliest robeasts (robots / beasts) in the galaxy.
What’s not to like about a show about five robot lions that unite to form a super gigantic robot defender that kick butt every single day on your TV screen after school. Nearly every show ended the same way and that was what we kids were waiting for.
The Voltron Force’s captain, Keith would bellow in the thicket of battle, “Activate interlocks, dynotherms connected, infracells up, megathrusters are go!” The whole team would join in shouting, “Let's go Voltron Force!”
Those were the key elements that we knew to remember and recited with the program as if we too were part of the team!
What we didn’t know was that this beloved show was missing quite a lot of valuable plot explainations. Sometimes it seemed as if there was no plot involved and to most adults who braved through an episode the show was corny.
My mom used to say, “Uh, I don’t get it.” It’s a kid’s show, adults aren’t suppose to get it. However, in recent years, dedicated Voltron fans now all understand that Voltron was not shown in its entirety and many of us now understand, accept and love the dynamics of the story.
Voltron: Defender of the Universe is actually an adapted version of anime series Beast King GoLion (sometimes referred to as The King of Beasts GoLion, Hundred Beast King Five Lions, and or simply just called GoLion.) and Armored Fleet Dairugger XV in Japan. World Events Productions bought, edited, and reproduced the show for the US kid friendly audience originally created and distributed in Japan by Toei Animation Ltd.
