Voltes V is one of the early
Japanese robot cartoons. It is made in the tradition of
Mazinger Z and
Daimos. I grew up watching this cartoon, dubbed in English.
Voltes V is composed of 5 separate vehicles that would "Volt in!" into a large robot. Sort of a precursor to Voltron. Each vehicle was piloted by a member of the Voltes team namely: Steve Armstrong, Mark Gordon, Big Bert Armstrong, Little John Armstrong, and Jamie Robinson.
The cartoon chronicles the activities of the five, in their fight against the alien Boazanians, who want to take over the Earth, and in their quest to free Dr. Armstrong, father of 3 memebers of the team, and creator of the robot from the Boazanians.
It was a great cartoon for its time. Unlike others cartoons, it deviated from the slapstick comedy of American cartoons, it had a decent plot, and was not afraid to tackle more "mature" topics. In one of the earlier episodes, the mother of the Armstrong brothers died.
While this was not a very popular cartoon in Japan itself, it was a huge hit in the Philippines, and in a sense, the cartoon contributed to the overthrow of the Marcos government.(Marcos had banned Voltes V just a few episodes before the end of the series). Ask any Filipino who was a kid in the late 70's and early 80's, they will be familiar with Voltes V. Last year, it was reissued in the Philippines with some portions dubbed in Filipino, and a whole new generation of Filipino kids have seen the cartoon. Those of us who were old enough to remember the original release were thrilled to finally be able to watch the last episodes of the series.
In terms of the quality of production, Voltes V has been overshadowed by today's crop of Anime, the art is simple, the colors garish, the dubbing horrible. But Voltes V will always be a great cartoon in my mind.
One memorable thing about Voltes V is its distinctive opening theme. English and Japanes lyrics are noded below:
The Japanese version:
Tatoe arashi ga hukou tomo
Tatoe oonami areru tomo
Kogidasou tatakai no umi he
Tobikomou tatakai no uzu he
Mitsumeau hitomi to hitomi
Nukumori wo shinjiau
Go nin no nakama
BORUTESU FAIBU ni
subete wo kakete
Yaruzo chikara no tsukiru made
Chikyuu no yoake ha
mou chikai
Tatoe ikazuchi hurou tomo
Tatoe daichi ga yureru tomo
Tobidasou tatakai no sora he
Mamorou yo tatakai no niwa wo
Nigiri au tagai no te to te
Magokoro wo shinjiau
Go nin no nakama
BORUTESU FAIBU ni
inochi wo kakete
Yuku zo shouri wo tsukamu made
Uchuu no yoake ha
mou chikai
Tatoe kemono ga hoeru tomo
Tatoe yukute wo husagu tomo
Utaou yo tatakai no uta wo
Katarou yo tatakai no michi wo
Ashinami wo soroete yukou
Otagai wo shinjiau
Go nin no nakama
BORUTESU FAIBU ni
Azuketa inochi
Tobu ze uchuu no hate made mo
Minna no egao mo
mou chikai
Here's the English version (as heard in Philippine TV):
Someday the sons of light shall
fill all the earth
The morning of justice shall have
come to its birth
So we'll all wave our banners
high and free through the air
For the love and glory
we then all shall share
Soldiers boldly unite to fight
and fight for peace
Hand in hand like eagles
through the breeze
Over lands and over seas
Voltes V we come to you
Flashing through with wings of steel
Fates of foes are what we seal
With swords of laser light
And over lands and over seas
Onwards victory / Voltes V!