Voltron, even though it is not the most well-known 80s animated series in Spain, has been a true cultural phenomenon in the United States and Japan for decades. More than 40 years have passed since five robotic space lions came together to form a giant robot and became a part of many children’s lives. Its legacy has continued to grow through animated series, comics, video games, and, of course, toys. Now, Voltron faces its biggest challenge: conquering the global audience with its cinematic adaptation, starring none other than Henry Cavill. However, what many are unaware of is that this cultural phenomenon has its origin in a simple postal error.
From Japan to the West by accident
The origin of Voltron is linked to a curious mistake that changed the course of children’s television in the United States. In the early 80s, the American studio World Events Productions sought to bring a series of Japanese robots to the West to captivate the children’s audience, directly competing with the legendary Transformers. They commissioned the company Toei Animation to send the rights of the series Mirai Robo Daltanias, but a misunderstanding led to them receiving the tapes of another series, Beast King GoLion. Instead of correcting the error, the producers in America decided they liked what they had received better. Thus, Voltron: Defender of the Universe was born, adapting, editing, and censoring some of the original content to fit Western standards, something very common in that era.
The original series from the 80s of Voltron
A universe that permeates pop culture
The storyline of Voltron follows a team of five pilots: Keith, Lance, Pidge, Hunk, and Sven (later replaced by the Princess Allura), who control five mechanical lions that, when combined, form the giant robot Voltron. Together, they defend the planet Arus from the evil Galra Empire, led by the cruel King Zarkon, who seeks to conquer the universe. Throughout the series, the Voltron pilots face monstrous Robeasts, creatures created by the magic of the Witch Haggar, and fight to protect galactic peace. It’s impossible not to be captivated by such a premise when you’re 8 years old.
Voltron was not just a series of giant robots fighting space villains. Which is always great anyway. Despite being aimed at a children’s audience, the series hid a complicated mythology full of interesting themes. The original story of GoLion, the original Japanese version of Voltron, spoke of a universe where the conflict between good and evil unfolded over thousands of years and on multiple planets. Although many of these complexities were diluted when adapting it to the West, attentive fans noticed the depth hidden behind the explosive battles. Sure, it had a lot of Star Wars influence, in full swing in those years, but also those deep stories that are so popular in Japan. But undoubtedly, the series was appealing for its aesthetics, especially for kids. In fact, it is common to hear that the original Voltron influenced the creation of later science fiction stories like Pacific Rim, which shares with Voltron the idea of gigantic machines with swords facing monsters in epic battles. And of course, what about Bioman, Power Rangers, and other Super Sentai?
Voltron: Legendary Defender
One of the key factors in Voltron’s success in the 80s was the spectacular line of toys that accompanied the series. Not only were they popular among children, but they also became cult objects among collectors. The iconic mechanical lions that combined to form the giant Voltron sold like hotcakes. This commercial success was not an isolated case. Voltron not only competed with Transformers on television for the attention of the younger audience, but also on toy store shelves. Voltron’s merchandising became an essential part of its success in the United States. The series remained at the top of the ratings charts for two consecutive years, becoming the most popular children’s series in the United States, even surpassing heavyweights like He-Man and G.I. Joe.
Threezero – Voltron: Defensor del Universo – Robo-Duo Voltron Figura Coleccionable (Red)
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Although it is often compared to Transformers for its similarities, Voltron has its own identity within pop culture. From Spain, it is difficult for us to understand the scale of the phenomenon and the presence that Voltron had in the daily lives of North American children in the 80s. Peter Cullen, who voiced Optimus Prime in Transformers, also narrated the introduction of Voltron, creating an interesting connection between both rival franchises. Despite these connections, Voltron had something that set it apart: the way each battle culminated with the use of the Blazing Sword, a weapon so powerful that it practically resolved most fights. I will never understand why they didn’t use it from the beginning of the battle. This narrative device would later be emulated in productions like Pacific Rim, where the moment when Gipsy Danger uses a boat to attack one of the kaiju became famous. The nods to Voltron have been a constant, and it is not uncommon to see toys, t-shirts, or all kinds of merch in series and movies of the time, or in Big Bang Theory.
Voltron 2
The evolution of Voltron
Not everything in Voltron was giant robots fighting to save the galaxy. The series also had its strange moments, like the inclusion of a group of space mice that helped the protagonists and, in one particular episode, these same mice built their own “mini-Voltron.” Why not? Although this miniature version had little relevance to the plot, it is an example of how the series knew how to combine space epicness with typically absurd Japanese humor, a mix that didn’t always work but gave it a unique and exotic touch in the West.
Although other franchises had a greater global impact, thanks especially to better distribution in Europe, Voltron has achieved something that few franchises of its time can boast: remaining relevant for more than four decades. This has been possible through several reinventions over the years, updating this mythology to appeal to both old fans and a new generation of viewers.
Voltron: Legendary Defender
Henry Cavill: the flesh and bone Voltron
Now, Voltron is ready to make the leap to the big screen with a cinematic adaptation in which Henry Cavill, known for portraying Superman and Geralt of Rivia, will take on the leading role. While awaiting progress on his Warhammer 40.000 project, the pre-production of the Voltron movie seems to be well advanced, with filming set to begin this fall with Rawson Marshall Thurber as director. It is not far-fetched to think that this film could place Voltron at the same level of global popularity that Transformers has achieved with its recent adaptations.
That a simple postal error has given rise to one of the most beloved series by science fiction and giant robot fans is a story as curious as the series itself. Since its inception, Voltron has known how to find its place in an oversaturated market. For those who want to relive or discover the emotions of this curious universe, all seasons of Voltron: Legendary Defender are available on Netflix.
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