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Voltes V

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Chōdenji Machine Voltes V
File:Voltes V Title.jpg
GenreMecha, Drama, Super Robot
Anime
Directed byTadao Nagahama
StudioToei co-produced by Nihon Sunrise
Released 6 April 1977 – 25 March 1978

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, 1976. It was created by Saburo "Hatte" (or "Yatsude"; later known as the creator of Golion/Voltron) and directed by Tadao Nagahama as the second part of the Robot Romance Trilogy of the Super Robot genre.

Conceived as a second part/remake of its predecessor Combattler V, it was released in ON DVD From MGM Home Entertainment dubbed in their respective languages except in the Philippines initially, where the first airing, in 1978, was dubbed in English. In 1999, it was dubbed in Tagalog, Cebuano and Hiligaynon.

As with the previous series as well as the next series. Nagahama only directed this series. The actual creator was Saburo Hatte, which is actually a pseudonym that refers to the staff of Toei (the main division, not the animation studio) as a collective whole.

Like Combattler V, the series was animated by Sunrise with Toei producing.

Creator and history

Tadao Nagahama is the director of classic Japanese super robot television series. Apart from Voltes V, Nagahama also directed other classic Super Robot anime such as Combattler V and Daimos. Voltes V is the second series in what is called the "Romantic Trilogy", with Combattler V being the first, and Tōshō Daimos being the third. As mentioned previously, "Saburo Hatte" was the actual "creator" of these shows.

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 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 Hainel (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).

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). With Tenkūken, Voltes V started the trend in super robots genre in using sword as the finishing a.k.a. "Hissatsu" weapon.

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.

Former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos banned Voltes V and other anime shows from being aired because it "dumbed down children and took them away from their school work."[citation needed]

Plot

An armada of horned humanoid aliens known as Boazanians 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 Gō (Dr. Ned Armstrong), his wife Prof. Mitsuyo Gō (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, Daijiro, and Hiyoshi: the three sons of Kentaro and Mitsuyo Gō, along with the only daughter of General Oka; Megumi, and Ippei Mine, 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 Boazan invaders, and vthe Gō brothers' search for their long-lost father, Kentarō Gō. As the series progresses, four major characters--Prof. Mitsuyo Gō, 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 Boazanian. The characters deal with their identity's impact on their own lives and that on both their close friends and bitter enemies.

Characters

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)

  • Ken'ichi Gō (Steve Armstrong) is the Voltes V team leader. He is a marksman, a Motocross champion, an ace pilot, and the eldest of the three Gō 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. Voiced by Yukinaga Shiraishi in the original version of Voltes V. He pilots the Volt Cruiser (Head).
  • Daijirō Gō ("Big Bert" Armstrong) is the defense tactician. He was once a playful child but Daijirō's outlook in life suddenly changed when his father disappeared. Alarmed by this change in his personality, Mrs. Gō 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, Daijirō 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, Daijirō 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 Gō ("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 Daijirō, 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. Voiced by Noriko Ohara in the original Voltes V series. Volt Frigate (Legs) is Hiyoshi's vehicle.
  • Ippei Mine (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 Ippeo 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. Voiced by Kazuyuki Sogabe in the original Voltes V series. He pilots the Volt Bomber (Arms).
  • Megumi Oka (Jamie Robinson) is a kunoichi (female ninja) and the 18th Heir of the Kōga-ryū 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. 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. Kentarō Gō/Prince Lagour (Dr. Ned Armstrong/Baron Hrothgar) is the father of the three Gō brothers and also of the Boazanian attack force leader, Prince Heinel; making Prince Heinel a half-brother of the three Gō brothers. He is a royal-blooded Boazanian born without horns and was next in line to the throne of Boazan. Due to this abnormality, based on Boazanian 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 Gō (Dr. Mary Ann Armstrong) is the human wife of Dr. Kentarō Gō and the mother of the three Gō children. She met Lagour when he escaped Boazan 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. Gō. He is somewhat a father figure to the Voltes team, especially to the Gō brothers due to his relationship with their father. He managed Big Falcon on Prof. Gō'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 Kōga-ryū ninja, a co-designer of Voltes V, and commander of the Earth International Defense Force. He dies late in the series saving his daughter from a Boazanian beast fighter that was controlling her mind. 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 Boazanian colleague and ally of Dr. Kentarō Gō. He was a member of Boazanian 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. Gō returned to Boazan, 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, Daijirō, and Hiyoshi of their father and Boazanian origins.
  • General Doir (Commander Garth) is another Boazanian colleague and ally of Dr. Kentarō Gō who escaped with him to earth. He is the leader of the Boazanian refugees/rebels on earth and helped Gō construct the Solar Bird, a giant spaceship that is designed to be the partner for space travel for Camp Big Falcon. After Gō was re-captured by General Gururu, he lead the Voltes team and Camp Big Falcon to Boazan to launch the final attack on Emperor Zambajil and his regime.

The Boazanian Nobility

This is the dictatorial regime under Emperor Zu Zambajil, the most despotic emperor in history. During the reign of Emperor Zambajil, the main headquarters was called the Celestial Tower, the symbol of Zambajil's might.

Emperor Zu Zambajil (Zanbazir in Philippine dubbed version)

  • Emperor of Boazan. He was extremely racist, cruel, and selfish, but ultimately a coward, typical characteristics of super robot villains of the time. The bastard son of the previous emperor and his mistress, he overtook the throne when he revealed the hornlessness of his cousin, Lagour. Driven by greed and the desire for conquests, he ordered his people to create beast fighters as a tool to expand his empire further. His ambition knew no bounds: Under his rule, horned and hornless alike who dared oppose him were imprisoned, enslaved, and executed. He sent Prince Heinel, the son of Lagour, to Earth, as a means of removing a perceived threat to his rule. As time wore on, he sent others to pretend to aid Hainel while spying on him. When Voltes V and the Big Falcon reached Boazan, the people rebelled against him and the few still loyal to him turned against him and fled. He met his end when, while trying to escape with a wagonload of riches, he was found by Prince Heinel, who killed him in repayment for betraying his planet and people.

Prince Heinel (Prince Zardos in Philippine dubbed version)

  • Half-brother to the Gō brothers at their father side. He was born the son of a traitor, bitter and more of the noble villain. As a child, he had a rough time being called a traitor's son, with no memory of his parents and only loved by his grandparents. He wanted to clean the stain, but being a possible heir makes his second-degree uncle Zambajil hate him secretly and was hesitant to appoint him. Though first shown as a villain and using dirty tactics, he is later seen to be having noble qualities like playing fair at times in contrast to most of his comrades who prefer to use cheating methods like most super robot princes that would eventually succeed him. Graduating as best student at the Institute of Military Science and Warfare, He has a high sense of honor, like most warriors and regards himself more of a soldier than a prince. Due to his repeated failure, his second degree uncle Zambajil removed him from duty. Prince Heinel sought to restore Boazania to glory; after all, he was only a scapegoat. He would rather die in battle than die a loser. He later realized that he was fighting against his own father and his own half-siblings. His mother was Rozalia, the boazanian wife of Lagour/Kentaro Gō who died after giving birth to him. When he saw Zambajil try to escape, he threw a dagger (which came from his mother) to kill the despotic Emperor to redeem himself. In the end, he died a redeemed man, peaceful, enjoying a few moments of peace having saved his younger half-brother Kenichi's life.

Katherine Rii (Zandra in Philippine dubbed version)

  • Prince Heinel's aide and would-be lover. Motivated by love, she remained loyal to her prince until the end, when she took a sniper's bullet, saving his life. As she died, she confessed her love to him, and he realized that he loved her, too.

Jangal Rui (Draco in Philippine dubbed version)

  • Three-horned General sent to Earth with Prince Heinel and Katharine. Fiercely loyal to Heinel while also a wise strategist, he is the one who convinced Heinel, and himself, that the Gō Brothers are actually part Boazanian. He later chose death over surrender to the Voltes team.

Zuhl

  • One-horned, aged, hunchback, toothless scientist, one of Prince Heinel's original aides. His invention of the Anti-Super Electromagnetic Device nearly destroyed Voltes V. Cunning and contemptuous, he discreetly captured Prof Go just before he returned to Earth and attempt to use him for his plans to kill Heinel and Voltes V. Eventually, his attempt to betray Heinel failed and he was executed.

Bergan (General Oslack in Philippine dubbed version)

  • The second general sent by the Emperor, sent by Emperor Zambajil to keep an eye on Prince Heinel and kill him if necessary. He kept his identity concealed most of the time with a blank mask. Upon arrival, he created a combat beast with a special alloy called Maxingal, the same alloy used for his armor, which was supposedly impervious to Voltes V's weapons and sword. Using this alloy, he intended to defeat Voltes V and take over Heinel's position, but lost and became Zuhl's replacement under Heinel. Since his arrival, all beast fighters constructed has Maxingal as standard armor but they're still no match when Voltes V upgraded it's sword with the Chōdenji/Superelectromagnetic Ball. Along with Gururu, he betrayed Heinel and attempted to blew up Earth with a Magmite Bomb. During the battle to liberate Boazan, he died when the starship he and Gururu were on was destroyed by Voltes V.

Gururu (Baron Zander in Philippine dubbed version)

  • Head of the Boazanian Military and the last commander sent to Earth. He re-captured Lagour/Prof Gō and betrayed Heinel with Bergan. Overconfident, he was killed during the liberation of Boazan.

Duke Zaki

  • Emperor Zambajil's Chief Inspector, and one of few who knew about Zamabajil's betrayal to Lagour and the Boazanian throne. He is well known to deliver bad news to the emperor from his scouting, thus many executions ordered by the Emperor was a result of his reports. Zambajil sent him to Earth to report on Heinel's progress, but discreetly wanted him to ensure Heinel's death at the hands of Voltes V. He plotted with Zuhl to have Heinel pilot a beast fighter, while at the same time leaked information to Big Falcon about the beast fighter's weak points. His plan backfired when Katharine overheard the plot. Heinel ordered Zuhl to reinforce the weak points, and in mid battle the beast fighter destroyed Zaki's nearby ship with him inside.

Boazan

Boazan is the eighth planet of a star cluster which is said to be the seat of the Boazanian Star Empire (Empire of the Horn). In this planet lies the great imperial court that houses all the executive functions of the Empire. Due to the liberal reign of Makron XII, a deceased Baozanian emperor, the planet was able to avoid becoming a mechanized city. During Makron XII's time, Boazan remained a natural world and retained much of its natural life support systems. The planet was divided into feudal zones and sectors. Each member of the nobility had his own administrative function. They also appear in the imperial court from time to time. Boazan has an estimated population of fifteen trillion. The populace is divided into two classes namely the horned and the non-horned.

The characteristic of having horns signifies a higher-class status. Such a horned individual enjoys the rights and privileges enjoyed by the nobility. While the non-horned are treated as slaves and should be subservient. The individuals without horns are not free. They are not allowed to have property or other possessions. They cannot marry unless their masters give them permission. These slaves perform 97.3 percent of all manual labor. Most work comprise of agricultural duties but others also work as servants, messengers, and clerks. Boazan is self sufficient but very few industries related to machineries and technology are developed. Thus, Boazania had to rely on imports. However, Boazanina primarily offers many resorts and other entertainment facilities. Its a vacation spot with a rating of 83%, an ideal tourist planet.

The emergence of Boazan as a stellar invader came during the reign of Hakkor IV. The development of rocket propulsions enabled the Boazanians to reach many other worlds. But plans for the explorations of space were shelved due to impracticality.

The so-called intra-stellar drive was perfected during the later years of Hakkornian rule. Although still slow and crude, the utilization of Generation ships were affected due to the growing Boazanian population. And it would take decades to reach the next stellar systems. Old Boazanians would have to die while others will give birth to new Boazanians during the journey. But upon the invention of the interstellar drive, a drive powered by light converted into electromagnetic propulsion, everything in Boazan changed.

However, there was a setback. The chrono-spatio development was not applicable to arms and weaponry. So, the Boazanians developed more conventional weapons, progressing along the lines of atomics and nucleic weaponry. Eons ahead of Earth in terms of technology, Boazan's military forces were more sophisticated and prevailing.

The Beast Fighters was the apex of the Boazanians' war efforts. These massive machines are cybernaut warriors that could come to life upon the transplantation of Boazanian minds into the robotic computers. The Beast Fighters made Boazan a great threat to any civilization in the galaxy. A destructive military force in Boazan supported the imperial explorations.

The Galactic Center was finally brought under Boazan's imperial rule. Boazan reached the periphery of the Galactic Center where Earth was the first of the outer worlds assaulted. The Imperial war officials assumed that the planet Earth would be easy to subjugate. Their efforts, however, were met with opposition, in the form of Earth's Voltes V.

Cast

Original Japanese Cast

Philippine Cast (1970s; In English, then in 1999; In Tagalog, Cebuano & Hiligaynon)

  • Tony Nierras as Steve Armstrong, Dr. Ned Armstrong (Baron Hrothgar)
  • Cris Vertido as Mark Gordon and Zuhl
  • Noel Mallonga as Big Bert Armstrong and the narrator of the series. He's the voice director of the group.
  • Celina Cristobal as Little John Armstrong (1st voice), Zandra (1st voice), Jamie Robinson, Mrs. Marianne Armstrong and Octo-1
  • Chito Vicente as Draco and Commander Robinson
  • Dodo Crisol as Prince Zardoz
  • Joonee Gamboa as Dr. Smith and Dr. Hook.

Media appearances

  • In the Philippines, a Voltes V comic sequel was created under the title "Camp Big V" in which Big Falcon was converted into a school for both humans and Boazanians.

References

  1. ^ [1]

See also

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