From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
Chōdenji Machine Voltes V |
 |
超電磁マシーン ボルテスＶ
(Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes
V) |
| Genre |
Mecha, Drama, Super Robot |
| TV
anime |
| Director |
Tadao Nagahama |
| Studio |
Toei co-produced by Nihon Sunrise |
| Network |
 TV Asahi
 Local
networks
 KBS-9 (English Dubbed,
1978)
GMA-7 (English Dubbed,
1979)
MBS-4 (English Dubbed,
1986)
ABS-CBN
(English Dubbed, 1987)
IBC-13
(English, then Tagalog Dubbed, 1990)
GMA-7 (English, then
Tagalog, Cebuano and Hiligaynon dubbed, 1999)
Hero TV
(Tagalog Dubbed, 2006)
GMA-7 (Tagalog,
Cebuano and Hiligaynon Dubbed, 2008)
 Rede Manchete
(Brazilian Portuguese Dubbed)
 Spanish
dubbed, airing since 1980s. |
| Original run |
4 June
1977 – 25 March
1978 |
| Episodes |
40 |
| Anime
and Manga Portal |
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 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 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 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 the French Revolution for his future
project. 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.
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(Steve),
Daijiro(Big Bert), and Hiyoshi(Little John): the three sons of
Kentaro and Mitsuyo Gō, 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 Boazan
invaders, and the 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 (剛健一, Gō 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 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. His
uniform was red. Voiced by Yukinaga Shiraishi in the original
version of Voltes V. He pilots the Volt
Crewzer (Head).
- Daijirō Gō (剛大次郎, Gō Daijirō
?, Robert "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 (剛光代, Gō 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 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. His uniform was light green.
Voiced by Noriko
Ohara in the original Voltes V series.
Volt Frigate (Legs) is Hiyoshi's
vehicle.
- Ippei Mine (峰一平, 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 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. 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 (岡めぐみ, Ōka Megumi
?, 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. 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. 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. 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 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
- 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
Lozaria, 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.
Voltes V
*Height: 58 meters
*Weight: 600 tons
*Flight Speed: Mach 20
*Components: Volt Cruiser (head), Volt Bomber
(arms), Volt Panzer (torso), Volt Frigate (legs), Volt Lander
(feet)
*Weapons:
-
- Chain Kuckle: A chain attached mace from within each arm.
- Gatling Missiles: Missiles from the fingers.
- Grand Fire: Flamethrower from the belt buckle.
- Voltes Bazooka: A bazooka in each wrist, right one is used much
more often.
- Voltes Beam: A purple beam from the chest. Can also fire a
smaller green version.
- Super Electromagnetic String: Both metal belts, used to launch
super electromagnetic tops although they can be used as whips.
- Super Electromagnetic Tops: A pair of bladed tops stored in the
chest that can home in on targets.
- Sword of Heaven: Sword stored on the chest, summons lightning
to make itself more powerful. Starting in episode 25 it can also
throw super electromagnetic balls to hold targets in place.
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.
Ban in
the Philippines
In 1979, shortly before the series was going to end in the
Philippines, then president Ferdinand Marcos issued a directive
banning of Voltes V "because of excessive violence" and it includes
the encouragement of people to rebel due to its subversive message.
The president also states that due to cartoons such as this may
affect children in their education. It was then re-aired seven
years later, after the former president was exiled in Hawaii. in
1986 Voltes V was aired in rpn 9 then on IBC 13 in 1989-1990
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.
- CDO Karne Norte, a brand of corned beef in the Philippines,
made a commercial with a Voltes 5 theme.
- The famous trio of Tito, Vic & Joey of the Philippines` Top
Noon Time show Eat Bulaga on GMA 7 also released their own
version of Voltes` opening theme: Voltes V no Uta.[2]
References
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links
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