Voltron: The original version from Japan


This is the title of the Japanese Voltron. In Japan, Voltron is known as Golion

As a Birthday Present, I received a wonderful gift. I got a tape with the original Voltron episodes. They're in Japanese, but the characters are the ones we know. This page is designed to tell You about My views on the original episodes and some of the differences. I can tell You the characters and plots are the same, but the music, and of course, the voices are not.

As briefly described above, Voltron in Japan is known as GoLion. I will use Voltron in both cases to avoid any confusion. Originally, the Japanese show was more violent and since the translators aimed the our version to a younger audiance, the violent scenes were removed. Examples were people being killed or whipped. Other scenes that mention people dying were removed as well. Would You belive that Sven dies is Episode 6? The show was originally intended to be only one season, but edited so it can continue to more seasons. King Zarkon originally dies is His robeast in the last few episodes. Fans from Japan of the orginal show probably probably never got to see the Second Season and now Voltron 3D and even if they did, they probably don't have them in Japanese. The following page will tell You some general differences between the Japanese and US versions as well as in the episodes I have. Their is another webpage that has this type of information: The Voltron/GoLion Page by Thomas Nongyow

Here are some differences:

  • The theme and background music is different. In fact, the music shown when forming Voltron, and end credits have lyrics.
  • Their are violent scenes. Such as robeasts killing people in the arena on Planet Doom. Some of the scenes of Voltron killing a robeast were too violent and theirfore they were removed.
  • A few characters over the course of the episodes. Examples of this include Sven who was killed by Haggar. In our version, He survives and is taken to another planet. Nanny is also killed by the robotic clone in the episode He attempts to take over the Castle of Lions.
  • In the last set of episodes, we see Princess Romelle discover Sven. In the original version, this is Sven's Brother. He dies with Prince Lotor in the 52nd which is the final episode of the original version.
  • You can hear the robotic Doom Soldiers talk in a clear fluient voice
  • When Voltron is formed, You don't hear Him say "Activate Interlock...." these commands were added when it was translated.

    The format of each episode is different as told below:

    The Beginning
    Instead of the familiar "From days of long ago..." introduction we see Voltron fighting and eventually defeating a robeast. The narrator relates to us how He was split up into five lions by a Goddess. Five beams of light shoot toward the screen and the title, as shown above, is seen. As a song with lyrics plays, each Voltron Force member is shown up close. These are the same pictures we would see in the end credits of the American Version, but originally they're at the beginning. Each of the lions are individually shown in action as they emerge from there resting places. The famous scene of Voltron forming is then shown. Once the mighty robot is formed. The camera zooms into the Black Lion's eyes of Voltron's Head and shows Keith piloting. Then we see Voltron holding the Blazing Sword. The song ends. Then the narrator will recap everything that happened in the previous episode before the show actually begins. In fact, each episode is a continuation, like a season long miniseries. A few minutes into the show. The episode's title appears on the screen on a black background read by the narrator.

    The End Credits
    The words "to be continued" appear in Japanese at the end of each episode because as told above, the episodes are linked to eachother. Though the theme song is different, the end credits are visually much like our ending, with a couple of exceptions. Here are the differences: In the early episodes, the sun shimmers. The Voltron Force is briefly shown up close together. We don't see each member up close because this is shown in the beginning. The scene of the Five Lions lasts a bit longer and they're seen running from behind. The picture of Voltron, the Castle Of Lions, and the Voltron Force in triumph is always seen, unlike in our version which is seen only in the early episodes. As the camera zooms in on Keith, a roar can be heard. The scene of the Black Lion roaring is not shown. Once the song is over, the narrator gives a preview of the next episode.

    Here are the differences in the episodes I have:

    Episode 1: Space Explorers Captured
    What Happens:
    A group of five young explorers, Keith, Lance, Hunk, Pidge, and Sven are captured by the forces of Planet Doom and are taken to be slaves. Planet Arus is under attack by the forces of Doom. Without Voltron, their is no hope.
    What we don't see:
    1. The narrator relates on Voltron defeating several monsters in space. If saw the episode and looked carefully, these monsters would appear in the "From days of long ago..." intro of our version. The narrator also relates on how Voltron is split up into Five Lions by a Goddess.
    2. The part where Planet Arus is under attack by the Doom Forces is in more detail. People can be seen suffering. In our version, we would see this from overhead up in space.
    3. Several slaves are being whipped by servants of Commander Yurak.
    4. Several slaves being literally torn apart by robeasts in the arena.
    5. Koran and Princess Allura overlooking the crashing ship with the Force.
    What is not shown in the original version:
    1. Their were no Galaxy Garrison scenes in the original version in any episode. The Galaxy Garrison was added when Voltron was translated.
    2. Keith doesn't relate on how Voltron is formed.

    Their is still more to come.
    This page is under construction. Differences for the following episodes will be added.

    Episode 2: Escape to another planet
    Episode 17: My brother is a Robeast
    Episode 21: It'll be a Cold Day
    Episode 27: The Green Medusa