Voltes V Legacy: Live action of the 1970s Mecha Anime
Voltes V is part of The Robot Romance Trilogy (長浜ロマンロボシリーズ), It was a popular Mecha Anime trilogy back in the 1970s. The titles from the trilogy are Chōdenji Robo Combattler V andTōshō Daimos. This trilogy is influential in Japanese pop culture. We won’t have power rangers, Gundam and even transformers without it. It is known for mixing Robot action with melodrama and romance.
In Japan, Voltes V was the least popular in the trilogy but it is highly important in the pop culture of the Phillippines. During the Martial Law in the Phillippines, Dictator Ferdinand Marcos banned this highly popular Anime from TV. He gave the excuse the show is too violent for children to watch. The real reason why it’s banned though it is seen as it promotes rebellion from the oppressors.
It was banned from Philippine TV when it was 5 episodes left to the finale. After the fall of the dictator, the show was syndicated back to television by TV Network IBC 13. That introduces the Anime to a new generation of audience. Here is the problem though, Whenever it is close to the Finale, The show goes back to episode 1. Why?
They want to milk the show because they know kids watch reruns. I started watching this anime at age 3 but I get to watch the finale in the early 2000s because GMA 7, Got the rights of airing the show and finally give people the finale. First, they theatrically released it theaters as a movie then eventually aired it on tv. From the 1970s to the early 90s, Anime is dubbed in English by Filipino actors. They change the setting from Japan to the USA. You will notice that the characters have western names because of it.
Voltes V: Legacy
This 44-year-old Anime is highly influential in Filipino culture so, for its 44th Anniversary, GMA Network created a live-action adaptation with Filipino actors. This could be the most expensive television show in the history of the Phillippines because it will be a weekly show. Most Filipino TV shows are aired 5 times a day during weekdays. The preview has English subtitles, so there is a chance that this will be aired on international streaming platforms.
Scoops_Ahoy
February 13, 2022 @ 2:15 am
I remember my dad having a dvd collection of this anime. For a Mecha Anime it is too melodramatic.