John Dequadros, Rip Rocket Photography
September 10, 1984 Voltron: Guardian of the Universe Premiere—an achievement of World Events Productions (WEP) in partnership with Toei Animation. Conceived by television pioneer Ted Koplar and drawing inspiration from Japanese anime, the show follows a group of pilots who command a group of combined lions as they fight against the evil Drull Empire. When they unite, they form the mighty Voltron.
“We didn’t know that when the original series was released, but it turns out that animated shows like Beastmaster GoLion and Dairugger [the shows on which Voltron was based] “Large robot team shows have a long history and are enduring in their country of origin, Japan,” explained VoltCon organizer Patrick O’Connor. “It makes sense that they would have appeal abroad as well.”
With its striking visuals and immersive stereo effectiveness, audiences quickly embraced the series, making it the top syndicated children’s television program in the United States.spin-offs, including Voltron: The Third Dimension (1998) and voltron power (2011). In 2016, DreamWorks Animation cooperated with WEP Voltron: Legendary Defenderthe critically acclaimed reboot, which is now on Netflix for eight seasons.
I love giant robots. Finding a robot made of other robots really blew my mind!
–Daniel Pickett, “Inside Action Figures”
Central to the brand’s longevity is also its extensive toy range, starting with Matchbox’s line of buildable metal figures launched in 1984. The Popy division worked closely together to provide consumers with a range of tie-in products that appeared in the pages of the Toy Book and quickly disappeared from store shelves.
Panosh Place was licensed in 1985 and specializes in plastic toys in the 3.75-inch size. In addition to the redesigned Lion with an open cockpit, the company also released pilots, villains, vehicles, and a Lion Castle playset with a removable helmet. LJN took over in 1986 and introduced everything from a wind-up lion to a Voltron statue that turned into binoculars.
In recent years, manufacturers including the LEGO Group, Mattel, Playmates Toys, Funko and Super7 have created toys inspired by the legendary story. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the franchise, and anticipation is growing as fans and retailers alike eagerly await commemorative merchandise to commemorate the momentous occasion.
“We’re eager to leverage the power of this anniversary within the Voltron ecosystem and fan base,” said Jeff Trojan, vice president of boys brand marketing at Playmates Toys. “[We’re] The classic 84 lions are released in separate packs, but once you collect them all, they combine to form Voltron and include over 60 sounds and phrases.
Other licensing partners will launch toys and collectibles in the coming months, including a Fisher-Price minifigure collectible set from Mattel next month.
Powered by groundbreaking animation and innovative toy design, Voltron continues to inspire audiences with its themes of courage, friendship, and the triumph of good over evil. As a permanent fixture in the pop culture pantheon, Voltron’s legacy will surely continue to shine brightly for generations to come.
A version of this feature was originally published in The Toy Book’s 2024 Action & Adventure Special Issue. click on here Read the full article! Want to receive a printed copy of The Toy Book? click here Subscription options!
