Voltes V

Voltes V
Genre	Mecha, Drama, Super Robot
Anime
Directed by	Tadao Nagahama
Studio	Toei co-produced by Nihon Sunrise

Choudenji Machine Voltes V (Choudenji Mashin Borutesu Faibu, Super-Electromagnetic Machine Voltes Five) is a Japanese anime television series that was first aired on TV Asahi starting April 6, 1977. It was later dubbed into English and broadcast in the Philippines from June 4, 1977 to March 25, 1978. It is the second part of the three-part Robot Romance Trilogy created by Tadao Nagahama, and is considered a remake of the previous series, Choudenji Robo Combattler V. The name Voltes is based on the English word Voltage.

It was one of the most popular Japanese super robot series to be shown in the Philippines. However, its broadcasting history experienced political intrigue and controversy after being banned by the former Philippine president Marcos. See below for details.

Voltes V also reached the United States. Several episodes were released on videotape by 3B, the company that imported Tranzor Z, under the title Voltus 5. The names for the characters used in the Phillipines version were retained for the American release.

Creator and history

Tadao Nagahama is a creator of classic Japanese super robot television series. Apart from the epic Voltes V, Nagahama also created other manga robot heroes namely Combattler V and Daimos. Voltes V is the second series in what is called Nagahama's Romantic Trilogy, with Combattler V being the first, and Toushou Daimos being the third.

Being the second of the Robot Romance Trilogy, the Voltes V story narrates the heroic exploits of the young earth defense agents known as The Voltes Team. The Voltes Team's purpose is to protect the world against the invading force originating from the planet of Boazania. Armed with Voltes V, the ultra-electromagnetic robot, the cartoon series highlights many aspects of human sentimentality such as: the love for parents, the respect for elders, the troubles of teenagers, the importance of utmost dedication, team work and the notion that the defense for one’s home world is a noble act. The drama of the series revolves around three brothers, all members of the Voltes Team. They are Ken'ichi Gou (Steve Armstrong), Daijiro Gou (Big Bert Armstrong) and Hiyoshi Gou (Little John Armstrong). The cartoon also portrayed the lives of two other team members namely Ippei Mine (Mark Gordon) and Megumi Oka (Jamie Robinson), the latter being the only female member the Voltes Team.

Even Boazanians, the enemies of the Voltes Team, has a history of their own. Prince Hainel (Prince Zardoz), the commander of the Boazanian Imperial Forces, also has an interesting biography.

Voltes V is a drama series in cartoon form that shows human struggle. The entire forty episodes follow through the struggles of Voltes V, the robot, and the Voltes Team, the individuals, as they struggle to safeguard earth from the attacks of Prince Hainel, and eventually liberate the people of planet of Boazania from the hands of a tyrannical ruler, Emperor Zu Zambajil.

Voltes V was designed to be armed by a variety of missiles, beams and projectiles, the most potent of which is the Ten-Ku-Ken or the lightning sword.

The outward similarity between the robot Voltes V and its five-person crew to Combattler V has led many critics to call the former a rip-off of the latter. Voltes V, however, deviates from the robotic design of the Combattler V. The plot of Voltes V also has a more serious tone than Combattler V's comedic storyline. Voltes V's formula is also similar to that of the story of Nagahama's Daimos series.

The plot

Sometime in the future, an armada of horned humanoid aliens known as the Boazanians invades earth, primarily by attacking Japan. If not for the timely launching of the ultimate defense robot, Voltes-V, Japan could have been completely destroyed. According to the story, Voltes V was created by a team composed of Kentaro Gou, Gou's wife Mitsuyo and a two trusted colleagues, Dr. Hamaguchi and Dr. Sakunji. The Voltes V robot, as separate ships and as a whole robot, is piloted by Ken'ichi, Daijiro, Hiyoshi, Megumi Oka and Ippei Mei. Ken'ichi, Daijiro and Hiyoshi are the sons of Kentaro and Mitsuyo Gou. Megumi Oka is the daughter of Supreme UN Commander-General Oka while Ippei Mine is a talented cowboy drafted into service.

Voltes V's home base is known as Camp Big Falcon, a fortress situated on a bird-shaped island along the coast of Japan. Voltes V's enemy are the Boazanians namely Prince Commander Hainell, his advisors Rui Kazarin, Jangar and Do Zuul. The cartoon series focused on the Gou brothers' quest to find their long-lost father, Kentaro Gou. As the series progress, two major characters, Do Zuul and Dr. Hamaguchi, were killed. They were replaced later on by two new characters namely Belgan and Dr. Sakunji. Nearing conclusion, the brothers learn of their unique heritage, being crossbreeds of both the human and Boazanian races. They felt that they must deal with how this fact will affect their lives among close human friends and allies.

Characters

The Voltes Team

After the disappearance of Dr. Gou, the Earth International Defense force trained five young people to be highly skilled Earth Defense Agents. Resolute and dedicated fighters, these agents act as both special commando units and pilots of the Ultra Electro Magnetic Machine Voltes V, against the invading Boazanians.

• Kenichi Gou (Steve Armstrong) is the Voltes V team Leader. He is a marksman, a Motocross champion, an ace pilot and is the eldest of the three Armstrong brothers. He was a very adventurous child, but the disappearance of his father changed him. He became more responsible, caring for his younger brothers as well as for people who depended on him. Voiced by Yukinaga Shiraishi in the original version of Voltes V.

• Ippei Mine (Mark Gordon) is a rodeo champion. He was orphaned while still a young boy. His mother died trying to save him from a pack of wolves. After his mother's death, he grew bitter, aloof, but cool under crisis. He learned how to live in the streets and perform odd jobs. This kind of life strengthened his personality. Upon joining the rodeo, he learned to ride horses and how to use a whip. He found his greatest friend in a white stallion known as Alpha. The two, man and beast, became inseparable. He won two rodeo championship contests with Alpha as his horse. Then one day, The Earth International Defense Force asked Mark to join the team. When he refused, he was taken forcibly, so for the first time, Mark and Alpha where separated. Dr. Hamaguchi has Alpha brought to Big Falcon early in the series. Voiced by Kazuyuki Sogabe in the original Voltes V series.

• Daijiro Gou (Big Bert Armstrong) is the defense tactician. He was once a playful child but Big Bert’s outlook in life suddenly changed when his father disappeared. Alarmed by this change in his personality, Mrs. Armstrong sent him to live in the country where a martial arts master taught him different martial arts methods and forms of meditation. Upon rejoining his brothers, Big Bert was already a master of different hand-to-hand fighting styles. The naginata (fighting staff) became his favorite weapon. Together with Steve and Little John, Big Bert started training as a member of the Voltes Team. Voiced by Tesshou Genda in the original Voltes V.

• Hiyoshi Gou (Little Jon Armstrong) is a genius in inventing automatons. He has been interested in learning mechanics, robotics and electro-magnetism since a very young age. He was considered a genius by many university professors. He even created a funny little octopod robot called Tako Chan (Octo One). But to his big brothers Steve and Big Bert, Little John will always be a little brother, a child who never felt the warmth and love of a real father. He also excels in swimming and diving. Because of his exceptional talents, Little John was asked to join the Voltes Team as a technical handyman, specifically for repairs during field operations. Voiced by Noriko Ohara in the original Voltes V series.

• Megumi Oka (Jamie Robinson) is a female Ninjitsu expert. Her ancestors were powerful ninjas. Young, slim and beautiful, Jamie received special training during her childhood. By 13, she already possessed extraordinary skills and lightning reflexes. She was to become the top Kunnoichi (Ninja girl). She also learned the gentle arts from her oriental mother. Through her mother's guidance, Jamie became a person with a calm yet alert disposition. Joining the Voltes Team, she was the voice-of-reason among the male Voltes Team members, especially whenever Steve and Mark were about to clash during personal conflicts. Her cool demeanor and uncanny skills qualified Jamie as the fifth and only female member of the Voltes team. Voiced by Miyuki Ueda, who also played as the voice of Chizuru Nanbara in Combattler V, as Erika in the Daimos series, and as Marie Antoinette in Rose of Versailles. The latter was another series which Nagahama, the creator of Voltes V, was one of the contributing directors.

• Dr. Kentarou Gou or Prince Ragoul (Dr. Ned Armstrong/Baron Hrothgar) is the father of the three Gou brothers and also of the Boazanian attack force leader, Prince Hainel making Prince Hainel half-brothers with the three Gou brothers. He is a royal-blooded Boazanian born without horns. Due to this abnormality, based on Boazanian physical characteristics, he had to wear fake horns in order to avoid stigma and scandal. When his secret was revealed, he was branded a traitor, stripped of his title and imprisoned, until he was able to escape, leading him to earth. After the birth of his youngest son, Hiyoshi, he left earth with the intention of returning to Boazania and putting an end to the tyrannical rule of Emperor Zu Zambajil. Voiced by Yuu Mizushima in the original Voltes V.

• Dr. Mitsuyo Gou (Dr. Marianne Collins-Armstrong) is the wife of Kentarou Gou and the mother of the three Gou children. She raised her children on her own when her husband left, and continued to care for them until her death. She sacrificed herself to prevent one of the Boazanian beast warriors from destroying the fortress known as Big Falcon.

• Dr. Hamaguchi (Dr. Richard Smith) is the commander of Big Falcon fortress at the beginning of the Voltes V series. He helped to design and build the Voltes V robot. He managed Big Falcon on Dr. Gou's behalf until his death. Voiced in the original Voltes V by Seizo Katou.

• General Oka (Commander Robinson) is Megumi Oka's father. He is a Ninja master, a co-designer of Voltes V and commander of the Earth International Defense force. He dies late in the series saving his daughter from a Boazanian monster that was controlling her mind. Voiced in the original by Hiroshi Masuoka.

• Dr. Sakunji (Dr. Hook) is another commander of Big Falcon. After Hamaguchi's death, Sakunji, a former student of Hamaguchi, is called upon to take over command of Big Falcon. He is a hard-nosed commander who continually pushes the Voltes Team to their limits during training, sometimes to the point of risking their lives. Voiced in the original by Tamio Ouki, who also played General Miwa in Daimos and Captain Tashiro in Gunbuster. Although he first appeared cruel, he has also shown his soft side as the series went through, especially that he was concerned about the people of the Earth more than anything else.

The invaders

They came from the world called Boazania.

Boazania is the eighth planet of a star cluster which is said to be the seat of the Boazanian Star Empire (Empire of the Horn). In this planet lies the great imperial court that houses all the executive functions of the Empire. Due to the liberal reign of Makron XII, a deceased Baozanian emperor, the planet was able to avoid becoming a mechanized city. During Makron XII's time, Boazania remained a natural world and retained much of its natural life support systems. The planet was divided into feudal zones and sectors. Each member of the nobility had his own administrative function. They also appear in the imperial court from time to time. Boazania has an estimated population of fifteen trillion. The populace is divided into two classes namely the horned and the non-horned.

The characteristic of having horns signifies a higher-class status. Such a horned individual enjoys the rights and privileges enjoyed by the nobility. While the non-horned are treated as slaves and should be subservient. The individuals without horns are not free. They are not allowed to have property or other possessions. They cannot marry unless their masters give them permission. These slaves perform 97.3 percent of all manual labor. Most work comprise of agricultural duties but others also work as servants, messengers, and clerks. Boazania is self sufficient but very few industries related to machineries and technology are developed. Thus, Boazania had to rely on imports. However, Boazanina primarily offers many resorts and other entertainment facilities. Its a vacation spot with a rating of 83%, an ideal tourist planet.

The emergence of Boazania as a stellar invader came during the reign of Hakkor IV. The development of rocket propulsions enabled the Boazanians to reach many other worlds. But plans for the explorations of space were shelved due to impracticality.

The so-called intra-stellar drive was perfected during the later years of Hakkornian rule. Although still slow and crude, the utilization of Generation ships were affected due to the growing Boazanian population. And it would take decades to reach the next stellar systems. Old Boazanians would have to die while others will give birth to new Boazanians during the journey. But upon the invention of the interstellar drive, a drive powered by light converted into electromagnetic propulsion, everything in Boazania changed.

However, there was a setback. The chrono-spatio development was not applicable to arms and weaponry. So, the Boazanians developed more conventional weapons, progressing along the lines of atomics and nucleic weaponry. Eons ahead of Earth in terms of technology, Boazanian’s military forces were more sophisticated and prevailing.

The Beast Fighters was the apex of the Boazanians' war efforts. These massive machines are cybernaut warriors that could come to life upon the transplantation of Boazanian minds into the robotic computers. The Beast Fighters made Boazania a great threat to any civilization in the galaxy. A destructive military force in Boazania supported the imperial explorations.

The Galactic Center was finally brought under Boazania’s imperial rule. And in the year 2094, Boazania reached the periphery of the Galactic Center where Earth was the first of the outer worlds assaulted. The Imperial war officials supposed planet earth as the easiest to subjugate. However, this was not the case. Earth has Voltes V.

The machines

Trademark tag-lines of the Voltes Team: Let's Volt-in! and V Together!

Cruiser 1

Code: Ph-Red balance A
Model No. Ci – J
Category: Attack Fighter Interceptor
Operants: AW/2M
Primary: Atmos
Landing: S.T.O.L
Height: 6.82 meters
Weight: 95 tons
Length: 17.73 meters
Width: 17.73 meters
Armaments: Cruiser Missiles, Cruiser rockets, Cruiser cannon, Claw boomerang, Cruiser Claw Cutter
Target Definition: Radar-Sonar-Thermal guidance
Armor: Titanium- Platinum Alloy with Diamond reinforcement
Thermal Capacity: 1.43 millisol
Shock Capacity: 15 megatons
Control: Guardian Computer assisted with manual override.
Volting-In: Forms the Head of Voltes V

Bomber 2

Code: Ph-Red balance B
Model No. Bx-4G
Category: Attack Bomber Interceptor
Operants: AW/2M
Primary: Atmos
Landing: S.T.O.L
Height: 3.48 meters
Weight: 100 tons
Length: 18.93 meters
Width: 18.18 meters
Armaments: Bomber Missiles, Bomber Concealed Bazookas, Bomber cannon, Bomber Hook, Bomber Rings, Bomber Chain Knuckles
Target Definition: Radar-Sonar-Thermal guidance
Armor: Titanium- Platinum Alloy with Diamond reinforcement
Thermal Capacity: 1.50 millisol
Shock Capacity: 15 megatons
Control: Guardian Computer assisted with manual override.
Volting-In: Forms the shoulders and arms of Voltes V.

Panzer 3

Code: Ph-Red balance C
Model No. PZ-4D
Category: Defense Tank fighter
Operants: AW/Delta M
Primary: land
Landing: V.T.O.L
Height: 18.18 meters
Weight: 220 tons
Length: 13.94 meters
Width: 16.21 meters
Armaments: Panzer Missiles, Panzer Arms, Panzer cannon, Panzer Knuckles, Panzer Knife launchers
Target Definition: Radar-Sonar-Thermal guidance
Armor: Titanium- Platinum Alloy with Diamond reinforcement
Thermal Capacity: 1.47 millisol
Shock Capacity: 15 megatons
Control: Guardian Computer assisted with manual override.
Volting-In: Forms the Upper Torso of Voltes V.

Frigate 4

Code: Ph-Red balance D
Model No. F1-C
Category: Attack Fighter Submersible
Operants: AW/2M
Primary: Atmos/Nautical
Landing: S.V.T.O.L
Height: 13.77 meters
Weight: 105 tons
Length: 24.85 meters
Width: 26.67 meters
Armaments: Frigate Missiles, Frigate lasers, Frigate freezer and heat rays.
Target Definition: Radar-Sonar-Thermal guidance
Armor: Titanium- Platinum Alloy with Diamond reinforcement
Thermal Capacity: 1.41 millisol
Shock Capacity: 15 megatons
Control: Guardian Computer assisted with manual override.
Volting-In: Forms the lower torso and legs of Voltes V

Lander 5

Code: Ph-Red balance E
Model No. LDR – 5F
Category: Multi – Terrain Defense Interceptor
Operants: AW/Delta M
Primary: Land/ Multi-terrain, Subterranean
Landing: .V.T.O.L
Height: 11.82 meters
Weight: 80 tons
Length: 14.69 meters
Width: 16.66 meters
Armaments: Lander Missiles, Lander drills, Lander Cement (Chemical thrower), Lander Blaster, Lander Underground Camera, Lander Star blades
Target Definition: Radar-Sonar-Thermal guidance
Armor: Titanium- Platinum Alloy with Diamond reinforcement
Thermal Capacity: 1.49 millisol
Shock Capacity: 15 megatons
Control: Guardian Computer assisted with manual override.
Volting-In: Forms the feet of Voltes V.

Technical information

Technical data of the Voltes V Super Robot Defense System

Height: 58 meters

Weight: 600 tons

Classification: Super Robot defense system with multi functioning units.

Type: Gattai (Combining Cybernaut)

Maximum Speed:' mach 20

Pressure Power: 2000 tons

Energy: Ultra Electro Magnetic Energy

Assembly time: 8.0 seconds

The development of the ultra electro-magnetic machine or Voltes V

Voltes V was conceived and created primarily by Earth International Defense scientists, Dr. Kentaro Gou (Dr. Ned Armstrong) and Dr. Hamaguchi (Dr. Richard Smith). They gained support from General Oka (Commander Robinson'), a member of the Earth International Defense Force.

Very much aware of the invasion threat from the Boazanians, the Earth International Defense constructed a powerful 58 meter high super robot that is powered by intense, ultra electro-magnetic energy. And instead of creating only a single defense system, Dr. Gou suggested the creation of five, multi-functioning Earth Defense machine components. These massive machine components came to be known as Volt Machine V. These components have the capability to integrate, forming a colossal powerhouse defense system, the giant robot known as Voltes V. In the process of Voltes V’s creation, several technological breakthroughs were made, such as the following:

• The creation of a titanium-platinum alloy reinforced with diamond crystals for extreme heat resistance.

• The development of an instantaneous response system through the use of massive computerized hydraulic devices.

• The creation of thrust velocities that could attain the speed of mach 20 through the use of fusion-type drive engine nuclear reactors.

• The ability of component machines to integrate through the release of tremendous electro-magnetic energy that polarizes the locking mechanisms of each machine.

Note: In times of crisis, according to the story, Voltes V's energy absorbing mechanism is improved by the strange aircraft (a flying mechanical eagle) boarded by a mysterious and unknown pilot. After such improvement obtained from the mechanical eagle, the robot would be able to absorb tremendous amounts of electrical energy from lightning, and at the same time, release that energy, thus becoming an effective defensive weapon against the enemy. Yet such release of energy doesn't Voltes V's reserved energy. From this absorption-and-release energy scheme, Voltes V was able to create a weapon called the Chodenji or Ultra Electro-magnetic Ball.

Once finally completed, Voltes V became a scientific breakthrough, a technological achievement that surpassed all other current technological inventions. With Voltes V, the earth now possessed with a defensive weapon that surpasses the military force of the Boazanian Empire.

Voltes V is always at hand to defend planet earth.

Weapons of the ultra electro-magnetic machine or Voltes V

The development of the Ultra Electro Magnetic Machine provided planet earth a defense system loaded with varied arsenals of lasers, rays, beams, missiles and other deadly projectiles.

These are as follows:

• Gatling missiles (finger missiles): These are powerful barrage missiles launched from the hands of Voltes V. These could blast a beast fighter robot.

• Choudenji beam (ultra electro-magnetic beam): A microwave beam that shoots out from the yellow beam button of Voltes V’s chest. This could burn a beast fighter’s electronic innards.

• Chain knuckles (chain knuckles): These are giant, ninjitsu-like projectiles that consists of massive chains, fitted with rocket-like drills at each end. These are launched from Voltes V’s hands and can bore holes into a beast fighter’s body. Voltes V can drag away the enemy with this weapon.

• Grand fire (ground fire): A powerful beam of pyro-energy that spews out of Voltes V’s belt buckle. It could burn a beast fighter.

• Voltes bazooka' (concealed bazookas): This is Voltes V’s revolver. Voltes V's right hand could be bent and transformed into a gigantic revolver-like cannon. Voltes V uses this to shoot down a beast fighter robot.

• Choudenji goma (ultra electro-magnetic tops): These are giant steel tops that could be fitted with highly sharp steel blades. They are launched from Voltes V’s torso. The tops can even carry explosives that could blow up a beast fighter warrior robot.

• Choudenji strings (ultra electro-magnetic whips): These are extremely sharp, high-tension steel blades that could cut through a beast fighter robot like samurai swords. These weapons are composed of Voltes V’s belt, and could be used in conjunction with the ultra electro-magnetic tops.

• Grand missile (Voltes missile): A powerful nuclear missile launched from Voltes V’s belt buckle. This could blast a beast fighter.

• Choudenji Ball (Ultra electro magnetic ball): A powerful ball of electro-magnetic energy. It could be created after Voltes V has harnessed energy from lightning. It is launched from his sword. This lethat energy ball could imprison a beast fighter, weakening their armors. For a few episodes it drained all of Voltes V's power when used.

• Tenkuu ken (the lightning sword, Also known as Lazer Sword): It is deployed from the large, V-shaped breast plate of Voltes V. This extremely sharp and tensile alloy sword is re-charged by lightning before Voltes V can use it to cut a beast fighter in a V-shape manner.

The home base

Ootori Jima (Camp Big Falcon): Voltes V's defense fortress.

Big Falcon is located on a bird-shaped island called Falcon Island. It is also often referred to as 'Camp Big Falcon. It is the headquarters of the Ultra Electro-Magnetic Machine known as Voltes V.

Camp Big Falcon is a self-sustaining facility. It has its own housing, research, factory, medical and defense stations. The front facade is stencilled with large numbers ranging from 1 to 5. It acts as the Volt Machine's launching bay.

The base also has a built-in training facility, both in-door and out-door, for specific use by the Voltes Team and the Volt machines. It is protected by a multitude of laser and missile launchers which are strategically located in many parts of the island. It is also equipped with a powerful force field barrier to repel enemy attacks.

In the last episodes of the Voltes V story, Camp Big Falcon was what we can call as more than meets the eye. The Ootori Jima Island was really a large fortress that is usually docked with an ally known as the Solar Bird. Combined with Solar Bird, Camp Big Falcon would transform into a powerful bird-like space station that could journey throughout the galaxy to planet Boazania.

The Ferdinand Marcos issue

Around 1980, Voltes V and other similar super-robot-anime shows were altogether cancelled and banned by President Ferdinand Marcos from Philippine TV airwaves citing it's negative effects on children due to the violence it showed. This was a significant event for a generation of youngsters, now in their thirties or forties, and eventually became a subject of historical speculation & discussion. Here are some theories as to the reasons why the super-robot-anime shows, with Voltes V as the leading representative, were banned:

One theory suggests that the cancellation of the Voltes V show was not because Ferdinand Marcos, then President (turned Dictator) of the Philippines, thought the tv animated show/s & its like had messages of rebellion. It was cancelled because the television station that aired Voltes V then was the number one station in the country, surpassing other two government-owned TV stations.

To negatively affect the ratings of the station/s that aired Voltes V, and other super-robot shows for that matter, Marcos banned not only the airing of all of them, but well as the other top rating television shows including Charlie's Angels. Marcos stated that the violent contents had a negative effect on children. However, the aforementioned Charlie's Angels and its like resumed airing during the martial law era which brings up the question as to why Voltes V & the other super-robot-shows remained banned.

Speculations also abound that the show could be used by activists who might use it as a tool to create a revolution similar to the Ilokula, or use it as part of a class struggle leading to socialism or communism, or the freeing the "slave" class in the Philippines (or in coup d' etat. Voltes V might serve as a code name by the Mutineers and its song as a password like the phenomena of Grândola Vila Morena in Portugal's Carnation Revolution in 1974).

Another issue claimed by some was that the Emperor Zambajil's name (sometimes spelled Zambojil or Zambujil) was changed into Ferdinand, General Bergan's name was changed to Fabian (for Fabian Ver - Marcos's Chief-of-Staff of the Philippine Military at that time), etc. which intended to mock the administration. Also, Voltes V was planning a people's revolution throughout the series and Marcos feared he would end up like Zambajil, overthrown by his own people including the "nobility".

This is also similar to a comparisson, which was later formed into a conspiracy theory, that the Emperor Zambajil, was a representation of Marcos and that Dr. Ned Armstrong (creator of Voltes V) represented his political rival Benigno Aquino.

The previous paragraphs, of course, would look good as the premise of a scholastic thesis, but it bears little merit due to the overwhelming preoccupation of the youngsters who enjoyed the adventures & the action-packed anime stories Voltes V and its like brought. They are highly unlikely to see any "deep political" messages in Voltes V - if there was ever.

Voltes V's creator, Tadao Nagahama, made Voltes V as part of his "Romance Super Robot Trilogy" and is characterized, not only as a narrative fiction on love (as was shown in Daimos), but as a fantastic general fiction of heroism, adventure & elegaic elements for youngsters. It was made for pure entertainment & enjoyment (initially for Japanese children), and it is highly unlikely that Tadao Nagahama was in tune with the political atmosphere of the Philippines during the 1970's and thus could not have patterned his characters & his story as allusions to the mentioned Philippine leaders or to the troubled political situation of the country at the time.

These presumptious & pretentious theories sprang from the drastic changes which influenced the mindset of the generation who tried to formulate a good reason why the shows were banned. For that generation, it was the "longest story ever told" for they waited the ending of the tale of Voltes V, which eventually came close to 20 years later.

There is another conspiracy theory which states that the enormous profits the Super Robot anime shows were generating at that time (in terms of merchandising, tv exposure, advertisement revenue, licensing deals & etc.) were so great that Marcos wanted a share of it. But this didn't push thru smoothly and as an act of retaliation, and a chance to flex political muscle to impress the conservatives, Ferdinand Marcos banned the shows altogether.

With this in mind, the cancellation of the Super Robot shows, with Voltes V as the vanguard, could be concluded as a combination of a display & execution of political showboating, media manipulation & censorship characteristic of a repressive dictatorial singularity, failed under-the-counter-dealing and post-war values.

As for "post-war values", Marcos, in some ways, represented a generation that underwent the horrors of the Japanese occupation. Voltes V was a product of Japan - the former aggressor. Marcos' generation was in power during the 70's and their outlook was shaped by these tumultuous events several decades earlier. It is characterized by a stern, singular & disciplined principle which eventually reconstructed a war-torn nation. This is reflective of Marcos' policies during the early years of the Martial Law/Bagong Lipunan or New Society era. Compounded by these, it is likely that animosity towards anything Japanese and a strong desire to pass on the values of "discipline" to the younger generation that prompted whatever moral motivation Marcos might have had.

This disciplinarian act was short-lived and it sowed the seeds of anger in the young who loved the shows. Several years later, Marcos would repeat his political "kill-joy" tactics when he banned coin-operated video games - mostly made in Japan & were causing a stir in the youth who he wanted disciplined (just like Voltes V and the other robot shows before). These were but the seeds which will eventually blossom into one of the flowers of the 1986 EDSA Revolt.

The Triumphant Philippine Return

The Voltes V cartoon series resumed its TV run shortly after the People Power Revolution that toppled Marcos in 1986. Ironically, it was the government-run People's Television Channel 4 (PTV-4, now National Broadcasting Network or NBN-4) that aired the program. The show was later aired on ABS-CBN Channel 2, which had just been returned to the Lopez family; then on sequestered TV stations RPN-9 and IBC-13. However, the comeback was lackluster and Voltes V found itself "unfinished" in its story-telling-run while it was shuffled from one TV station to another as a cartoon filler. The late 1980's had its share of anime shows & Japanese live-action programs like Bioman, Shaider, Voltron & etc. But fifteen years later, around the late 1990's, a new wave of anime appreciation came to the Philippines (and all over the world for that matter) represented by shows like Yu-Yu Hakusho, Rurouni Kenshin (a.k.a. Samurai X), Fushigi Yugi, Flame of Recca & etc.

But the spark which truly brought Voltes V back into the limelight in the late 1990's came from a skit of a TV comedy show called Bubble Gang. The skit-in-concern was a parody of a controversial religious television show called Ang Dating Daan (The old path), which in turn was comically entitled Ang Dating Doon (The old there). In the skit, the Voltes V opening theme song was sung as both its opening and closing theme. The song was sometimes sung without instrumental augmentation, relying on the guests' voice to give the song a funny yet anthemic sound. It was the "spark that ignited the fuse".

The Rising popularity of the Filipino Band the "Eraserheads" in the early 90's also popularized its nostalgia with the release of the major record label album " Ultra Electro Magnetic Pop".

In January 1999, despite protests from some minor conservative groups, the show returned to its original primetime slot in GMA-7, the station where it was aired during the Marcos years. But fan enthusiasm for the show waned somewhat later that year when a movie containing the last five episodes was shown in theaters as "Voltes V: The Liberation." The decision by GMA-7 executives to show the movie was reportedly to give the Friday primetime slot to Pokemon. But with the movie having been shown in June 1999, many fans of the series had their "closure" and lost interest in the TV run.

Currently, a new Filipino language dubbed version of VOLTES V (an earlier Filipino dubbed version was shown briefly & unsuccessfully around 2002) is being shown in Hero TV a cable channel.

Despite being a product of Japan, VOLTES V is a significant cultural & historical focal point in Philippine society. For a generation of youngsters dubbed as the Martial Law Babies (born within the period of the late 1960's - early 1970's), Voltes V was not only a enjoyable part of their youth, but a subconscious rallying cry for revolution. It's revival also makes it a multi-generational phenomena wherein the children of Martial Law Babies appreciate it as much as their parents did. VOLTES V is as Filipino as the kalesa or the jeepney and unique as a force in shaping the destiny of a country.

External links

• Ivan CHEN's Choudenji Machine Voltes V Shrine
• Anime News Network
• Voltes V Homepage
• KICA Prize Winning Essay about Voltes V, Mazinger Z, Daimos and Star Rangers by Terence P. Talorete
• Voltes V At Geocities, the original webpage that sparked the clamor for the return to Philippine TV
• Template:Tl icon ANIME KABAYAN: The Way "Eye" See It article on Voltes V Evolution (Hero TV's Tagalog-dubbed version)