Voltron: Legendary Defender has seen its fair share of praise, and rightfully so. Its anime-influenced style, explosive action, and comical approach make it an instant standout, even in a world where damn near everything is retro.
If you’re unfamiliar with the property, this is a remake of a classic, beloved eighties cartoon, originally based on the Japanese anime, Beast King Go Lion. Voltron is a giant robot formed from several smaller, lion-shaped robots, each piloted by a separate human paladin. Voltron is the most powerful force in the universe. Ask any baby boomer with an attic full of robot toys.
Less than a decade ago, streaming Voltron on Netflix meant watching the original series, fresh off its expensive DVD run. The original is a classic, but its technical limitations were apparent even in the eighties. The same is true of many weekday afternoon shows. They were made cheaply and quickly, with thin plots and characterizations, just gnarly enough to get kids to love them.
Whether or not kids will love the new Voltron is up for grabs. It’s squeaky-clean save for a few fart jokes, and is every bit as lighthearted as a kids show ought to be. Full of retro neon colors and anime double-takes, it could be huge, or it could get lost in the shuffle of a dozen other shows.
Voltron‘s appeal to its actual target market, that of adult eighties children, is without question. If you drew robots on your book covers in fifth grade, chances are you’ll dig the hell out of this. The new Voltron feels less like a reboot, and more like an upgrade. It has many of the same qualities as the original, now with unbelievably fluid animation and genuinely funny writing. Think Guardians of the Galaxy or The Force Awakens. Just don’t go in expecting Douglas Adams.
The characters are a little different this time around. The original series’ adults are now in their teens, a choice that may irk some, but will make little difference to most. They’ve also been given characteristics to help them stand out a bit more, such as Hunk being a futuristic Lou Costello, or Lance’s resemblance to Eric from the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon. One character has undergone a massive change that could make or break the series. Expect the usual internet chest puffery, followed by the ever-reliable crickets as everyone else readily admits how good this show is.
Voltron: Legendary Defender is about as perfect as it gets for sci-fi adventure fans. It looks beautiful, shines with themes of teamwork and identity, and makes with the laughs frequently. It’s almost good enough to warrant a theatrical release. Considering we’re lucky to have had any Voltron remake, let alone one this good, a second season will suit us just fine.
Photo Credit: Dreamworks/Netflix
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