The appeal and evaluation of Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V: A classic robot anime that still stands out today

Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V - A monumental robot anime of passion and friendship

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

June 4, 1977 - March 25, 1978
June 4, 1977 - March 25, 1978 Every Saturday 6:00pm - 6:30pm

■Broadcasting station

TV Asahi

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 40

■Original Story

Yatsude Saburo

■ Director

Tadao Nagahama

■ Production

TV Asahi, Toei, Toei Agency

■Works

©Toei

■ Story

Planet Boazan is ruled by an aristocracy with horns on their heads. La Goale, the heir to the throne, was oppressed because he was born without horns, so he escaped to Earth, changed his name and lived as an Earthling. To eliminate the traitors, the emperor of planet Boazan sends La Goale's real son, Heinel, to Earth, where La Goale fights him off with the giant robot Voltes V that he developed.

■Explanation

This robot animation is the sequel to "Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V." It is a one-episode story about Voltes V, a giant robot born from the combination and transformation of five machines, who protects the Earth from alien invasion. It also incorporates a historical drama-like technique, depicting the father-son theme throughout the series. It was also well-received overseas, receiving enthusiastic support, with a peak audience rating of nearly 60% in the Philippines.

■Cast

・Kenichi Go/Yukina Shiraishi/Ippei Mine/Kazuyuki Sogabe/Daijiro Go/Tetsuaki Genda/Hiyoshi Go/Noriko Obara/Megumi Oka/Miyuki Ueda/Kentaro Go/Hideo Nihei
・Tsugimitsuyo/Takako Kondo・Dr. Hamaguchi/Seizo Kato・Defense Minister Oka/Hiroshi Masuoka・Kozo Sakonji/Tamio Oki・Prince Heinel/Osamu Ichikawa・Emperor Zanbazile/Mikio Terashima・Louis Jeangal/Shozo Iizuka・Lee Kazareen/Noriko Obara

■ Main staff

Planning: Usui Yuyake, Iijima Kei (Toei)
・Original story: Saburo Yatsude ・Serialization: Terebi-kun, Shogakukan Educational Magazine, TV Land ・Music: Hiroshi Tsutsui ・Planning cooperation: Y&K
・Character design / Yuki Hijiri ・Mechanic design / Design Office ・Mechaman (Kunio Okawara), Studio Nue ・Animation characters / Nobuyoshi Sasakado ・Akihiro Kanayama ・General director / Tadao Nagahama ・Art director / Takashi Miyano ・Opening animation / Yoshinori Kanada ・Video check / Kazuya Kaminashi ・Background / Shigemi Ikeda, Yumiko Hayashi, Takehiko Uchida, Noboru Ebisawa, Masaru Amami, Yoshiko Furuya ・Mechanic design / Studio Nue ・Color design / Hiroshi Wakao, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Hiroko Honda ・Finishing / Shaft, Di Director: Yoshiyuki Zenna, Hironori Nakagawa, Mamoru Tategami, Yutaka Kanda, Ken Aoki, Takayuki Yoshii, Production staff: Masami Iwasaki, Yoshihiro Nozaki, Production cooperation: Tohokushinsha, Nippon Sunrise, Production: TV Asahi, Toei, Toei Agency

・Theme song
OP
"Song of Voltes V"
Lyrics by Saburo Yatsude, Music by Asei Kobayashi, Arrangement by Hirotaka Takada, Song by Mitsuko Horie, Korogi '73, Columbia Yurikago-kai

ED
"Looking for my father"
Lyrics by Akira Aoi Music by Asei Kobayashi Arrangement by Hiroshi Tsutsui Vocals by Ichiro Mizuki and Korogi '73

■ Main Characters

The eldest of three brothers born to Gou Kenichi La Goulet and his Earthling wife. A passionate and excellent student, he serves as the main pilot of the Voltes V. He is sometimes troubled by the fact that he is half alien.

Ippei Mine is Kenichi's rival, a cocky and sharp-tongued character. He is one of the pilots of Voltes V, and although he clashes with Kenichi and his friends, they grow closer as they fight together.

Megumi Oka is the 18th generation Koga Ninja and one of the pilots of Voltes V. She is the daughter of a high-ranking official in the Earth Defense Force and is like an older sister to the team.

Kentaro Go's real name is La Gore. He started a rebellion on his home planet Boazan, but was defeated and escaped to Earth, where he built the Voltes V and prepared for an invasion. He then went into hiding on the Boazan colony planet and continued his liberation efforts.

・Voltes V
A giant robot developed by Kentaro Go and his Earthling wife Mitsuyo Go. It is 58 meters long and weighs 600 tons. It is powered by super electromagnetic energy. It has a deadly weapon called the Tenkuuken, which can cut enemies in half.

Prince Heinerla Gohl's son and commander of the Earth Conquest Army. In order to clear his name as the son of a traitor, he is eager to invade Earth, but after a counterattack from Voltes V, his position becomes tenuous.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Invaders from Space Episode 2: Advance to the Struggle Episode 3: The Strategy Taught by the Gravestone Episode 4: The Demonic Shadow's Deadly Sword Episode 5: The Battleship Mikasa Calls for Danger Episode 6: Roar! Beloved Horse Aiful Episode 7: New Recruit Takko-chan Episode 8: The Underground Castle's Conspiracy Episode 9: A Big Crisis Brought About by a Dream!
・Episode 10/Voltes cannot be combined!
・Episode 11: The Resurrection of Voltes V
Episode 12: Voltes's comeback Episode 13: The scheming father aims for the Earth Episode 14: The trap of father and son Episode 15: The Emperor's gift Episode 16: Falcon on the brink of destruction Episode 17: Throw away love and tears!
Episode 18: Father! The Earth is Near!!
Episode 19: Not in my father's arms!
・Episode 20 / The Mystery of the Numbers Written in Blood ・Episode 21 / The Secret Base of Schemes ・Episode 22 / The Traitor's Plan ・Episode 23 / Walk to Tomorrow, Puppy!
・Episode 24/Enemy: New General's Challenge ・Episode 25/Self-Destruct!! Super Electromagnetic Ball!
・Episode 26 / Combination with the mysterious flying mecha ・Episode 27 / The true identity of the mysterious hawk mecha ・Episode 28 / The secret of father Kentaro Go
・Episode 29: The Warriors of Planet Boazan ・Episode 30: A Duel for the fate of the Earth ・Episode 31: Defense Minister Oka Falls in the Sky!!
・Episode 32/Jungle Pursuit・Episode 33/The Demonic Bacteria Attack・Episode 34/The Flames of Hatred Bring About a Crisis・Episode 35/Requiem for the Star Warrior・Episode 36/The Attack on the Underground Castle Begins!
・Episode 37: Farewell! Enemy Commander Heinel ・Episode 38: Set out into space!!
・Episode 39: The Great Battle on Planet Boazan ・Episode 40: The Tower of Evil Collapses!!

■ Related works

"Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V"
"Battle Commander Daimos"
"Future Robo Daltanius"
"Brave Raideen"

Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V - A monumental robot anime of passion and friendship

"Voltes V: The Super Electromagnetic Machine," broadcast from 1977 to 1978, is a work that created an era in the history of robot anime, and its influence has not faded to this day. The work tells the story of young people fighting to prevent an alien invasion, and is particularly notable for its dramatic nature that delves deeply into the relationship between father and son. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and background of this work, as well as its subsequent influence.

Background and production of the work

"Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V" is a robot anime produced by Toei Animation and broadcast on TV Asahi. The original story was written by Saburo Yatsude and the director was Tadao Nagahama, bringing together a stellar team of staff, and the story and character settings were innovative for the time, which became a hot topic. This work is positioned as a sequel to "Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V," and while it also follows the concept of a combined robot, it has succeeded in depicting a deeper human drama.

In order to leave a strong impression on viewers, the production team appointed Yuki Hijiri for character design, Kunio Okawara and Studio Nue for mechanical design, and Hiroshi Tsutsui for music. The theme song "Voltes V no Uta" and the ending theme "Chichi wo Motomete" are still loved today as monumental anime songs of the time.

The appeal of the story

The story of Voltes V is about La Gore (Go Kentaro), who escaped from the planet Boazan to Earth, and who uses Voltes V, a giant robot he developed to protect the Earth, to fight against his own son, Heinel, who is also the commander of the Earth's invasion force. This conflict between father and son is a major theme throughout the film, and it deeply moved viewers.

Also not to be missed is the coming-of-age story of the protagonist Kenichi Go and other young people. Kenichi is troubled by the fact that he is half alien, but he finds himself by fighting alongside his friends. In particular, his friendship with rival Ippei Mine and his bond with Megumi Oka captured the hearts of viewers.

Character Appeal

Each character in Voltes V is unique and charming. The main character, Gou Kenichi, is a passionate man, but also has a sensitive side that worries him about being half alien. His growth and struggles resonated with viewers. In addition, Mine Ippei's conceited and sharp-tongued personality and Oka Megumi's strength and kindness as a ninja maintained the balance within the team and added excitement to the story.

The characters on the enemy side were also fascinating, especially Prince Heinel, whose complicated feelings are depicted as he is torn between his resentment towards his father and his mission to invade Earth. His conflict and growth left a deep impression on viewers.

The charm of mechanics

The mechanical design of Voltes V was very innovative for its time, and made a great visual impact. The concept of five machines combining to form a giant robot excited the viewers. In addition, the special move, the Tenkuuken, was visually beautiful as well as powerful enough to cut the enemy in half with a single stroke.

Kunio Okawara and Studio Nue, who were in charge of the mechanical design, were particular about the design of Voltes V, and by drawing every detail realistically, they made the viewers feel a sense of reality. This design also had a major influence on later robot anime.

The appeal of music

The music for Voltes V was composed by Hiroshi Tsutsui, and the theme song "Voltes V no Uta" and the ending theme "Father in Search of You" left a deep impression on viewers. In particular, the heroic melody and lyrics of "Voltes V no Uta" conveyed the heat of battle to viewers. Furthermore, the lyrics and melody of "Father in Search of You" symbolize the relationship between father and son, bringing tears to viewers' eyes.

Impact overseas

Voltes V gained huge popularity not only in Japan but also overseas. In particular, in the Philippines, it recorded a peak audience rating of nearly 60% and received enthusiastic support. This success had a major impact on the subsequent overseas expansion of robot anime. In addition, movies and dramas based on Voltes V were produced in the Philippines, and its influence is immeasurable.

Related Works and Their Influence

Voltes V shares a common worldview with many related works, such as "Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V," "Daimos," "Future Robo Daltanius," and "Brave Raideen." While these works share the concept of combined robots, each of them has their own unique story and characters.

In particular, "Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V" is considered the predecessor to Voltes V, and its success led to the production of Voltes V. Also, "Tōshō Daimos" and "Future Robo D'artanias" were influenced by Voltes V, but evolved in their own way. These works had a huge impact on the development of later robot anime.

Evaluation of the work and its subsequent impact

Voltes V was highly praised when it was first broadcast, and garnered enthusiastic support from viewers. It had a major impact on subsequent robot anime, and the concept of a combined robot was adopted by many works. In addition, the technique of depicting the relationship between father and son also influenced subsequent anime works.

Furthermore, Voltes V has contributed to the popularity of anime overseas, starting with its success in the Philippines. This success had a major impact on the subsequent overseas expansion of anime, and led to many works being broadcast overseas.

Reevaluation of the work and contemporary influences

In recent years, Voltes V has been reevaluated and is loved by many fans. In particular, the work has been attracting attention again in various forms, such as the release of DVDs and Blu-rays, and even the sale of figures and merchandise. In addition, with the spread of the Internet, fans overseas can easily access the work, and Voltes V's influence is spreading even further.

The influence of Voltes V remains strong even in modern robot anime. In particular, the concept of combined robots has been adopted in many works and has had a strong impact on viewers. Also, the technique of depicting the relationship between father and son is still treated as an important theme in modern anime.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Voltes V" is a masterpiece of robot anime and is loved by many fans. In particular, the deep drama of the relationship between father and son and the powerful battle scenes of the combined robots leave a strong impression on viewers. If you haven't seen this work yet, please give it a watch.

We recommend purchasing the DVD or Blu-ray, or watching it on a streaming service. Collecting figures and merchandise is also a fun way to watch it. In addition, there are many fan reviews and opinions on the Internet, so please refer to them to deepen your understanding of the work.

Conclusion

"Voltes V" is a work that defined an era in the history of robot anime, and its influence has not faded to this day. The deep drama of the relationship between father and son and the powerful battle scenes of the combined robots deeply moved viewers. Furthermore, its success overseas had a major impact on the subsequent overseas expansion of anime. This work continues to be loved by many fans, and its influence continues to be felt in modern robot anime. Please give it a watch and experience its charm for yourself.