Chōdenji Machine Voltes V

Chōdenji Machine Voltes V (超電磁マシーン ボルテスＶ, Chōdenji Mashīn Borutesu Faibu?, lit. "Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes Five") is a Japanese anime television series that was first aired on TV Asahi starting April 13, 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 1970's..

Story

Voltes V story narrates the heroic exploits of the young robot pilots known as The Voltes Team and their trials against alien invaders from planet Bozania. 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 Zardoz 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 Zambajil. 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 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 Super Electromagnetic Top (Similar to the Choudenji Yo-Yo of Combattler V) and Tenkūken (天空剣 Sky Sword, "Laser Sword" in English dub, "Excalibur" in the Italian one). With Tenkūken, 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.

 

The Voltes Team and Allies

After the disappearance of Prof. Gō, 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)