So in recent years, many western companies have been making cartoons with an anime feel to them. I know in the past I have seen shows like
Teen Titans and
Avatar: The Last Airbender as anime, but that just shows that western companies can do it. And why not because it gives shows that style of animation to do well. Now we come to Voltron which is a franchise that started out as a Japanese anime and then DreamWorks bought the rights and made a reboot in the form of a Netflix exclusive series that has fantastic animation and CGI sequences, but seems to lack good representation of LGBTQ+. But anyway, let's have a look at this great series:
One
This series begins with a three part story that sees a group of paladins comprised of Galaxy Garrison cadets Lance (voiced by Jeremy Shada), Pidge (voiced by Bex Taylor-Klaus) and Hunk (voiced by Tyler Labine) along with dropout Keith (voiced by
The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun) and the leader of the Defenders of the Universe and former prisoner of the Galra Empire Shiro (voiced by Josh Keaton) as they escape capture by travelling inside a blue lion that is later revealed to be part of Voltron. Upon arriving at a place called the Castle of Lions, they meet Princess Allura (voiced by Kimberly Brooks) and her royal advisor Coran (voiced by Rhys Darby) who were both previously frozen and awakened realizing that 10,000 years have passed. She recognizes the team as Voltron Paladins and has them go to find the other lions to form Voltron. Together they go on various missions to be rid of the Galra Empire and their minions/allies. The first series while complicated at first, helps establish the tone and style of the series. Not many stand out moments (those will come later), but overall a good start with likeable characters, great animation and some good acting too. 9/10
Two
So the first season ends with the team separated due to a wormhole and the first set of episodes shows where each member ends up and how they try to reunite with the others. When they reform, the team learn that not all the Galra are bad as proven by the fact that the last team of paladins to man Voltron consisted of one. Other highlights see the gang having some downtime (which includes some fan service) while escaping enemies and a bunch of saving and fighting too. This second series is just as good as the first and brings with it some fan service and some emotional depth. A great second series overall. 9/10
Three
This series sees the team start the foundation of a coalition against the Galra Empire consisting of various rebels that support their cause. They also meet Lotor (voiced by A.J. LoCascio), an emperor and former prince of the Galra Empire who has a lot of questionable motives, but wants a truce in their battles. Also, Allura becomes the new pilot of the blue lion. A shorter season this time which has some action packed moments, but is more of a downtime season with more focus on character development. But as I said, it does still have some action in there. Just not as much as other seasons. 8/10
Four
But there is a reason for that. Netflix knew how popular the show was and wanted to release content more often which meant that the third season had to be split into two and thus what was the latter half of season three became season four instead. So at six episodes in length, this series is pretty random in terms of what is going on. The series starts with the team in a fallout during a time when unity is crucial. Other highlights see Pidge go on a solo mission, Coran getting carried away with making stars. With it all ending with a space battle above the planet known as Naxzela. Despite its randomness and how short it is, its another good season with comic relief, character development and some important things happening. 8/10
Five
So like with the last couple of seasons, what was meant to be season four was also split up into two parts for the same reasons as before. Having received unexpected help from Lotor of all people, the team struggle to figure out if he can be trusted or not even while he helps them recover rebels. Meanwhile his father Zarkon (voiced by Neil Kaplan) launches an attack on the heroes as he reclaims what is rightfully his from Lotor and Shiro begins a phase of going corrupt. It feels like there is more happening this time and with a summary like that, you know that s**t is about to go down and indeed it does. So yeah another great season and its only going to get better from here. 8/10
Six
I got to say, this season is the point of the show where every season ends with one epic battle that just shows how good CGI sequences and animation can work when given the right people for the job. The galaxy become suspicious of Lotor's alliance with Team Voltron. The team however spend much of this season liberating planets from Galra forces while coming to terms with Lotor not being what he may claim to be which leads into an epic battle that could very well destroy the galaxy as we know it. This season really takes the cake in terms of how well it does in animation and CGI. Its so groundbreaking that when it's used, it feels intense. Love it. 9/10
Seven
In the penultimate season, we are back to having a longer set of episodes and much of the season is spent on the paladins going on a journey back home to Earth though unaware that Galra forces are preparing for a devastating attack on the planet. Plus we also meet some relatives of the team as well as watching a completely different team of young heroes in their training to pilot a ship known as the Atlas. As the penultimate season, it spends much of the season with character development and establishing the standings of the team's respective families. But in the end, we get yet another epic and intense fight that once again shows how grand these fights can be in a show like this. 9/10
Eight
With the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance yet again, the Voltron Coalition must assemble its forces as they combat an enemy with plans that may overpower Voltron as well as the galaxy. But they must try. This final season ties up all loose ends while giving each of our heroes an appropriate ending that brings about hope, positivity and some tears. But as a final season, it's been a great ride and I look forward to seeing what the people behind the show will do next. 9/10
And there you have it. A series that has great CGI sequences, great animation and is a blast to watch even if the LGBTQ+ representation isn't quite perfect. Yeah, worth watching. 9/10
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