Voltes V
Voltes V is a Japanese anime television series that was first aired on TV Asahi starting June 4, 1977. It was created by Saburo Yatsude (a pseudonym referring to a committee within Toei) and directed by Tadao Nagahama. Voltes V is the second part of the Robot Romance Trilogy of the Super Robot genre which includes Combattler V and Daimos. Like Combattler V, the series was animated by Sunrise and produced by Toei Company. This super robot along with the other two aforementioned super robots first appeared the USA as a part of Mattel's Shogun Warriors line of import toys, released in the late 1970s.
Description
Voltes V story narrates the heroic exploits of the young robot pilots known as The Voltes Team and their trials against alien invaders from the planet Boazan. Armed with the Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V, the five pilots drive back the invaders one Beast Fighter at a time. The series is different from typical super robot anime of the time in that it illustrates human sentimentality and common values, with underlying themes such as the love of family, equality, selfless sacrifice, team work, and patriotism. Voltes V also revolutionized anime[citation needed] by introducing enemy characters with considerable depth. Voltes V's Prince Heinel (Prince Zardos in the English dub, Sirius in the Italian one) for example, sets a standard[citation needed] for anime villains with a back story and personality in an era when most anime villains were thoughtless formulaic characters with little beyond their menacing appearance and sinister laughter (Though Heinel bears a striking resemblance to Garuda in Combattler V, as do the rest of the main characters).Voltes V is a work that has a heavy revolutionary undertone. The series ends with Voltes V's spectacular counterattack on planet Boazan to liberate the slaves from the oppression of tyrannical ruler, Emperor Zu Zambojil. After Voltes V, Tadao Nagahama directed the TV anime version of Rose of Versailles, which leaves speculation that perhaps Voltes V was influenced by Nagahama's research on the French Revolution for his future project.[original research?] The theme of enslaved population rising up to overthrow an aristocracy lend support to theory.
Voltes V's arsenal consists of variety of missiles, a bazooka, beams, and weapons such as Ultramagnetic Top (Similar to the Choudenji Yo-Yo of Combattler V) and Tenkuken (??? Sky Sword, "Laser Sword" in English dub, "Excalibur" in the Italian one). With Tenkuken, Voltes V started the trend in super robots genre in using sword as the finishing a.k.a. "Hissatsu" weapon, marking the enemy's final moments with his signature "V" slash.
Voltes V deviates from the robotic design of the Combattler V. The plot of Voltes V has a more serious tone than Combattler V's comedic storyline. Voltes V's formula is also similar to that of the story of the later Daimos series.
Plot
An armada of horned humanoid aliens known as Bozanians invade earth and launch their "beast fighters" all over the world, defeating most of the world's armed forces including the US military. Their first humiliating defeat by Super Electromagnetic Machine, Voltes V brings the invaders to focus their attacks on Japan. Voltes V was designed by Prof. Kentaro Go (Dr. Ned Armstrong), his wife Prof. Mitsuyo Go (Dr. Mary Ann Armstrong) and their trusted colleague, Prof. Hamaguchi (Dr. Richard Smith) and built by large scale construction effort backed by United Nations Earth Defense Force and General Oka (Commander Robinson). Voltes V is piloted by five "Volt Machines" that comprise the robot, and are themselves piloted by Ken'ichi(Steve), Daijiro(Big Bert), and Hiyoshi(Little John): the three sons of Kentaro and Mitsuyo Go, along with the only daughter of General Oka; Megumi(Jaime Robinson), and Ippei Mine(Mark Gordon), an orphan cowboy.Voltes V's home base is Camp Big Falcon, a fortress situated on a bird-shaped island along the coast of Japan. Voltes V's enemies are the Boazanians; namely Prince Heinell, Katharine, Jangal, and Zuhl. The series focuses on the struggle against the Bozanian invaders, and the Go brothers' search for their long-lost father, Kentaro Go. As the series progresses, four major characters—Prof. Mitsuyo Go, Zuhl, General Oka and Prof. Hamaguchi—die. Zuhl and Hamaguchi are replaced by Belgan and Prof. Sakunji (Dr. Hook), respectively. Later in the series, the brothers learn of their unique heritage of being half Bozanian. The characters deal with their identity's impact on their own lives and that on both their close friends and bitter enemies.
The Voltes Team and Allies
After the disappearance of Prof. Go, the Earth International Defense Force trained five young people to be highly skilled Earth Defense Agents. Resolute and dedicated fighters, these agents act as both special commando units and pilots of the Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V, against the invading Boazanians. (Note: Bold items in parentheses indicate character names in the Philippines' English, Filipino and Visayan-dubbed versions)• Ken'ichi Go (??? Go Ken'ichi?, Steve Armstrong) is the Voltes V team leader. He is a marksman, a Motocross champion, an ace pilot, and the eldest of the three Go brothers. He was a very adventurous child, but the disappearance of his father changed him. He became more responsible, caring for his younger brothers as well as for the people who depended on him. His uniform was red. Voiced by Yukinaga Shiraishi in the original version of Voltes V. He pilots the Volt Cruiser (Head).
• Daijiro Go (???? Go Daijiro?, Robert "Big Bert" Armstrong) is the defense tactician. He was once a playful child but Daijiro's outlook in life suddenly changed when his father disappeared. Alarmed by this change in his personality, Mrs. Go sent him to live in the country where a martial arts master taught him different fighting styles and forms of meditation. Upon rejoining his brothers, Daijiro was already a master of different hand-to-hand fighting styles. The naginata (fighting staff) became his favorite weapon. Together with Ken'ichi and Hiyoshi, Daijiro started training as a member of the Voltes V Team. Unlike in the group portrait above his uniform was dark green, not brown. Voiced by Tesshou Genda in the original Voltes V. He pilots the Volt Panzer (Body Chest).
• Hiyoshi Go (??? Go Hiyoshi?, "Little" John Armstrong) is a genius in inventing automatons. He has been interested in learning mechanics, robotics, and electromagnetism since a very young age. He was considered a genius by many university professors. He even created a funny little octopus-robot called Tako-chan ("Octo-One" in the dubbed version). But to his big brothers, Ken'ichi and Daijiro, Hiyoshi will always be a little brother, a child who never felt the warmth and love of a real father. He also excels in swimming and diving. Because of his exceptional talents, Hiyoshi was asked to join the Voltes V Team as a technical handyman, specifically for repairs during field operations. His uniform was light green. Voiced by Noriko Ohara in the original Voltes V series. Volt Frigate (Legs) is Hiyoshi's vehicle.
• Ippei Mine (??? Mine Ippei?, Mark Gordon) is a rodeo champion. He was orphaned while still a young boy. His mother died trying to save him from a pack of wolves. After his mother's death, he grew bitter, aloof, but cool under crisis. He learned how to live in the streets and perform odd jobs. This kind of life strengthened his personality. Upon joining the rodeo, he learned to ride horses and how to use a whip. He found his greatest friend in a white stallion known as Aiful ("Alpha"). The two, man and beast, became inseparable. He won two rodeo championship contests with Aiful as his horse. Then one day, The Earth International Defense Force asked Ippei to join the team. When he refused, he was taken forcibly, so for the first time, Ippei and Aiful where separated. Dr. Hamaguchi has Aiful brought to Big Falcon early in the series. His uniform was blue. Voiced by Kazuyuki Sogabe in the original Voltes V series. He pilots the Volt Bomber (Arms) and has a Maverick and Iceman-like rivalry with Ken'ichi.
• Megumi Oka (???? Oka Megumi?, Jamie Robinson) is a kunoichi (female ninja) and the 18th heir of the Koga-ryu ninja. Young, slim, and beautiful, Megumi received special training during her childhood. By the age of 13, she already possessed extraordinary skills and lightning reflexes. She also learned the gentle arts from her mother. Through her mother's guidance, Megumi became a person with a calm yet alert disposition. Joining the Voltes V Team, she was the voice of reason among the male members, especially whenever Ken'ichi and Ippei were about to clash during personal conflicts. Her cool demeanor and uncanny skills qualified Megumi as the fifth (and only female) member of the Voltes V team. Her uniform was yellow with pink accents. Voiced by Miyuki Ueda, who also played as the voice of Chizuru Nanbara in Combattler V, as Erika in the Daimos series, and as Marie Antoinette in Rose of Versailles; the latter was another series which Nagahama, the creator of Voltes V, was one of the contributing directors. She pilots the Volt Lander (Feet).
• Prof. Kentaro Go/Prince Lagour (Dr. Ned Armstrong/Baron Hrothgar) is the father of the three Go brothers and also of the Boazanian attack force leader, Prince Heinel; making Prince Heinel a half-brother of the three Go brothers. He is a royal-blooded Boazanian born without horns and was next in line to the throne of Bozania. Due to this abnormality, based on Bozanian physical characteristics, he had to wear fake horns in order to avoid stigma and scandal. When his secret was revealed by his jealous and ambitious cousin, Zu Zambajil, he was branded a traitor, stripped of his title and imprisoned, until he was able to escape, leading him to earth. After the birth of his youngest son, Hiyoshi, he left earth with the intention of returning to Boazania and putting an end to the tyrannical rule of, now Emperor, Zambajil. Voiced by Yuu Mizushima in the original Voltes V series.
• Prof. Mitsuyo Go (Dr. Mary Ann Armstrong) is the human wife of Dr. Kentaro Go and the mother of the three Go children. She met Lagour when he escaped Bozania and crash-landed on Earth. She later married Lagour and, as a scientist herself, assisted him in creating Voltes V. She raised her children on her own when her husband left, and continued to care for them until her death. She sacrificed herself to help Voltes V when it was under the mercy of a beast fighter.
• Prof. Hamaguchi (Dr. Richard Smith) is the commander of Camp Big Falcon fortress at the beginning of the Voltes V series. He helped design and build the Voltes V robot and is a good friend of Prof. Go. He is somewhat a father figure to the Voltes team, especially to the Go brothers due to his relationship with their father. He managed Big Falcon on Prof. Go's behalf until he was killed saving Voltes V. Voiced in the original Voltes V by Seizo Katou.
• General Oka (Commander Robinson) is Megumi Oka's father. He is the 17th heir of the Koga-ryu ninja, a co-designer of Voltes V, and commander of the Earth International Defense Force. On the verge of retirement due to ill health; he dies late in the series saving his daughter from a Boazanian beast fighter that had the power to control people's minds. Voiced in the original by Hiroshi Masuoka.
• Prof. Sakunji (Dr. Hook) is another commander of Big Falcon. After Hamaguchi's death, Sakunji, a former student of Hamaguchi, is called upon to take over command of Big Falcon. He is a hard-nosed commander who continually pushes the Voltes V Team to their limits during training, sometimes to the point of risking their lives. Voiced in the original by Tamio Ouki, who also played General Miwa in Daimos and Captain Tashiro in Gunbuster. Although he first appeared cruel, he has also shown his soft side as the series went through, especially that he was concerned about the people of the Earth more than anything else.
• General Dange (General Watson) is a Bozanian colleague and ally of Dr. Kentaro Go. He was a member of Bozanian nobility, and military general until he deliberately broke his horns, because he "..believed in equality and decided to fight for it" and joined the rebellion against Emperor Zambajil. When Dr. Go returned to Bozania, he broke him from capture and escaped with him to earth, along with a handful of rebels. He assisted Voltes V by piloting the "Mechanical Eagle" and installing new weapons upgrade components during Mid-battle. En route to Camp Big Falcon, he was attacked by a beast fighter and was severely injured. However, just before he died he managed to tell Ken'ichi, Daijiro, and Hiyoshi of their father and their Bozanian origins.
• General Doir (Commander Garth) is another Bozanian colleague and ally of Dr. Kentaro Go who escaped with him to earth. He is the leader of the Bozanian refugees/rebels on earth and helped Go construct the Solar Bird, a giant spaceship that is designed to be the partner for space travel for Camp Big Falcon. After Go was re-captured by General Gururu, he lead the Voltes team and Camp Big Falcon to Bozania to launch the final attack on Emperor Zambojil and his regime.
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