Voltron: Defender of the Universe
Voltron is a popular animated television series character from the 1980s, produced in Toei Animation Studios. It was an animated saga about a crew of five pilots, whose separately-colored lion vehicles could ultimately change shape to transform into the super robot, Voltron: Defender of the Universe. The series was composed of 52 episodes and ran from March 4, 1981 to November 15, 1985.
Voltron Synopsis
Set on a distant planet called Arus, Voltron was a called upon for defense against evil King Zarkon and Prince Lotor, as well as the witch Haggar, from their Robeast creations that terrorized the planet.The Voltron Lion Force pilots consisted of Commander Keith Kogane, Lance Charles McClain, Darrell "Pidge" Stoker, Sven Holgersson, and Tsuyoshi "Hunk" Garett. Sven was later removed from the team due to a mortal wound, and replaced by Princess Allura. When called upon, the Lion Force team would assemble into Voltron in a dramatic scene within each episode. By clasping his hands together and pulling outward, Voltron would materialize his massive sword and prepare for battle.
A separate series, apart from Lion Force Voltron and much lesser known in terms of popularity, included Vehicle Force Voltron. The team members were divided into squadrons known as the Land, Sea and Air teams, as they seek out new habitable planets across the galaxy. In an episode termed "Two-Part Team Up," Lion Force Voltron and Vehicle Force Voltron were featured together, as it became the debut of the Vehicle Force.
Matchbox produced the Voltron robot action figure toy line in 1984, which was made of high quality ie-cast metal. The complete Voltron figure, at that time, had a price tag of about $70.
:: Watch the original Voltron cartoon introduction
Voltron Character Listing
- Coran: Voiced by Peter Cullen
- Darrell "Pidge" Stoker (Green lion): Voiced by Neil Ross
- Haggar: Voiced by B.J. Ward
- Keith Akira Kogane (Black lion): Voiced by Neil Ross
- King Alfor: Voiced by Peter Cullen
- King Zarkon: Voiced by Jack Angel
- Lafitte: Voiced by Tress MacNeille
- Lance Charles McClain (Red lion): Voiced by Michael Bell
- Nanny: Voiced by B.J. Ward
- Prince Lotor: Voiced by Lennie Weinrib
- Princess Allura (Blue lion): Voiced by B.J. Ward
- Queen Merla: Voiced by Tress MacNeille
- Sven Holgersson (Blue lion): Voiced by Michael Bell
- Tsuyoshi "Hunk" Garett (Yellow lion): Voiced by Lennie Weinrib
Form Voltron!
Watch an original clip from the 1984 Voltron series
Voltron on DVD
Now available:
Finally, volume 4 (Red Lion) has been released!
Voltron - Defender of the Universe - Collection One: Blue Lion
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Amazon Price: $20.99 (as of 12/16/2009) 
List Price: $39.95
Voltron - Defender of the Universe - Collection Two
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Amazon Price: $32.49 (as of 12/16/2009)
List Price: $39.95
Voltron - Defender of the Universe - Collection Three
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Amazon Price: $27.49 (as of 12/16/2009)
List Price: $39.95
Voltron: Defender of the Universe, Vol. 4 (Tin Case)
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Amazon Price: $20.99 (as of 12/16/2009)
List Price: $39.95
Voltron Lion Die-Cast Masterpiece figure
More impressive and durable than the original 1984 action figure: this super high-quality, die-cast metal Voltron figure is composed of detachable and re-attachable lion vehicles and its own storing case!The book-sized storage case has a slide out drawer in which you can fit the individual Lion figures into, ensuring that they can be stored safely.
When assembled into Voltron, the figure is 12" tall.
Get the Voltron Lion Die-Cast Masterpiece figure
Voltron Lion Die-Cast Masterpiece Action Figure
[+] 11.5-inches tall, 12.25-inches "wing" to toe
[+] Features all five lions that combine/uncombine
[+] Die-cast metal
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Amazon Price: $179.95 (as of 12/17/2009)
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Voltron: The New Graphic Novel Series
Finally - the saga gets modern-day recognition with this incredibly well drawn graphic novel series, currently composed of two issues!Official Description:
"In the far future, an interstellar cold war rages as the Earth-based Galactic Union faces off against the vast Drule Supremacy - two star-faring superpowers, each looking for the other's weakness. So when an Earth officer named Hawkins discovers that a mythical, unstoppable war machine might actually be real, he doesn't hesitate to send five maverick pilots on an ultra-secret mission to bring back the legend of Voltron. The journey begins here, as Keith Kogane, Sven Holgersson, Pidge Stoker, Lance McClain and Hunk Garrett arrive on distant Arus, where they meet Allura, princess of the ravaged planet... and unearth the five giant, robotic lions that join together to re-create the metal warrior known as Voltron: Defender of the Universe."
Get the Novels
Voltron Volume 1: Revelations (Voltron: Defender of the Universe)
Paperback, 144 pages
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Voltron Volume 2: Paradise Lost (Voltron: Defender of the Universe)
Paperback, 128 pages
Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009)
Voltron: The Third Dimension clip
Voltron T-shirts
Voltron T-Shirt, Lion Voltron
A very cool concept - this white tee features Voltron and the five lions on the lower left of the shirt, spilling to the back.
Voltron T-Shirt, Defender Of Universe
The original Voltron logo printed on the front of this charcoal shirt, 5.6 oz with shoulder-to-shoulder tape with a seamless collar, and double needle construction throughout.
Original Voltron Action Figures
Originally distributed by Matchbox (and later by Panosh Place), the popular (but expensive) Voltron robot could be assembled by forming each of the Lions correctly. Beyond the vehicles were action figures for every conceivable character as seen in the cartoon series, from the Lion pilots to the villains. Voltron was produced in three distinct toy series: I, II and III.Trendmasters later re-released Voltron action figures in 1997; and once more in 1999 with the premiere of Voltron: The Third Dimension.
:: Watch the Voltron Motorized Lion Force commercial from 1984
:: Watch the original Voltron Lion Force commercial from 1985
Original Voltron Toys on eBay
Didn't get a complete Voltron back then? Treat yourself to one now...or maybe a Lotor action figure, too. They're going for a lot less than you'd think!
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