Voltron: Beast King Go Lion Volume 1From days of long ago… from uncharted regions of the universe… comes a legend… The legend of Golion, the original Japanese show that started it all in the world of Voltron. The five pilots may look the same, but their names and the events that occur are galaxies apart from the series you think you know. Were people evacuated safely? Do robots die? And what really happened to a certain main character? Revisit the Voltron series as you’ve never experienced it before, and see what really happened in this newly restored and uncut version.
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(out of 10 reviews)
Review by M.K. for Voltron: Beast King Go Lion Volume 1
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From days of long ago. From uncharted regions of the universe….you know the rest. Or do you?….
In this day and age, it’s nice to go down memory lane. DVDs has paved the way to relive moments through lots of restoration and remastering. We’re also in an age where certain shows and movies are being released unrated, uncut and uncensored. Beast King Golion is one of those examples.
Golion, originally released in the early 1980′s, wasn’t one of Japan’s most popular shows, but it proved to be a smash hit in the United States and internationally when it was redubbed and edited to create the universe of Voltron-Defender of the Universe. Created by the legendary and world-famous Toei Animation Co., the entire mythos of Golion’s rise and fall of power is explained a whole lot better in Golion than Voltron.
Some questions are definitely answered with this release:
(1) Do people evacuate safely? Sometimes yes, but mostly no.
(2) Did a certain character heal from his or her wounds? No.
As with some or most anime, graphic violence, senseless murders (to include decapitations), suicides, cannibalism, human treatment (whipping of slaves), religious references and moderate to strong profanity are commonplace. It has its funny moments, especially when the main cast started to argue, laugh and scream in Japanese. The opening and ending theme cues are somewhat catchy. Unlike some animation here in the U.S., a Japanese voice-over narration helps to round it out. When it comes to the forthcoming episode, the narrator sometimes gives the plot away and kills the anticipation and excitement.
Like the previous reviewer said, the only special feature are preview trailers of other forthcoming anime DVDs. If you’re looking for special features, they’re better with the Voltron box sets.
Hats off to World Events Productions, Toei Animation Co., Anime Works and Media Blasters for finally releasing one of Japan’s most underrated anime gems out of the halls of mystery and into the DVD spotlight. If you’re a Voltron fan, and if you remember some or all of the episodes, it’ll make you look at Voltron in a different light after watching this. Nothing against World Events, and kudos for editing and fitting it for the American and international markets, but the real story is more interesting and detailed in Golion.
In conclusion, if you’re a true Voltron fan, don’t put off Voltron because of its true origins within Golion. Many people criticize this because like many anime that were localized and played here in the U.S., companies had to follow stricter standards and guidelines from government corporations like the FCC for viewing on American television, especially to a kids audience, which is why the story was the way it was here in America. Having said that, Voltron’s (and even Beast King Golion’s) fate is forever sealed as one of the many pop culture cornerstones of the 20th century.
Review by J. Price for Voltron: Beast King Go Lion Volume 1
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King Beast Go Lion 1 is a collection of 18 episodes in their original japanese, uncut for the older anime fan. Though this show was translated into Voltron, defender of the middle galaxy, you get a tiny bit more of the story here with Golion. Without going through a boat load of spoilers and storyline differences, the feel of the two shows are the same and different at the same time.
With GoLion, it was obvious that toy makers wanted to market giant combination robots toys that had swords and interchangable pieces. Some of the screen shots showing the recycled footage of the robot combining can be so campy, you can almost physically see yourself snapping together and holding golion while you blast the deathblack beastman to smitereens.
Aside from the standard recycled footage, the decapitations, cannibalism, and ultra violence that anime is known for, there is something else. It was refreshing to see a super sentai series that actually allow the characters to morn and pray. Most other super sentai series (like power rangers) just fight one bad guy after another, while innocent people get hurt and feel no remorse for the damage was done. The praying, and the grave visits was left out of the US cut Voltron…and I do not know why. (At least robotech showed mourning and death..)
This show is also entertaining that the show makes fun of itself at time (none of the characters are called by their actual names, just chief-red, quiet (the black one), moody – blue, hot head- yellow and chibi (tiny) – green….and there was the princess (the girl). A lot of disney references (long lost aunts, a witch, talking mice…etc) was thrown in the mix, Go Lion is a nice ride back in time.
Shouts out to Mediablaster for going back in time and getting us those great old 80′s animes…if only someone can bring out the japanese season of Transformers!!!
I am looking forward to the rest of the series:>
Review by 80′s Kid for Voltron: Beast King Go Lion Volume 1
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The cartoon I grew up on improved with all of the cutting room floor goodies added back in.
The names are all different, it’s more graphic, and now you have to read subtitles, but it’s so much fun..the camp value here is off the charts.
Throw in some Japanese cheese, mixed with some 70′s disco funk and some 80′s synth and you’ve got yourself a classic anime, with a FUN soundtrack/score.
Basically an unedited flashback from a Japanese perspective.
SUGOI!!
Review by Dexter for Voltron: Beast King Go Lion Volume 1
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Great box set, most anticipated! Like most people on this side of the world I only knew and grew up with Voltron and not Golion. As a young kid it didn’t make a difference, it was all new to me. Same with Robotech. Now is a different story…
Anyway, whoever buys this set thinking this is just Voltron in Japanese should be slapped on the face. If you don’t know anything about old Japanese animation and just want to relive childhood memories, do yourself a favor and buy the Voltron box sets. Please don’t spoil the rating of a good product because of your ignorant expectations.
This is for the fan of Japanese animation, specifically old/classic anime which is the best as far as I’m concerned.
Golion just like many other anime series of its kind contains violence, LOTS of it, the main storyline usually carries on from episode 1 to the end. The overall approach is more realistic/dramatic inside its own fantastic universe of course. The characters are vulnerable, they have emotions, they can die and they know it so they act accordingly. That’s partly what makes these shows so good and enjoyable. The other part is the action and designs along with old school hand drawn animation.
The picture and audio quality are very nice and crisp, they did a fine job. This IS an old show after all so don’t go confusing good quality of old animation filmed with OLD equipment with THX top of the line digital technology of today! It’s very clean and is as good as it’s going to get unless George Lucas picks it up! (
Review by J. M. Olguin for Voltron: Beast King Go Lion Volume 1
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Beast King Golion is a great DVD set to own, especially for people who grew up in the 80′s watching Voltron. It is so different from what was shown in the U.S., it’s the same and familar but totally different and unique. Watch it and that will make sense. The only problem I had was that I wish it included an english audio track and not just subtitles. Also, this is not for kids. There is a LOT of swearing and a LOT of graphic violence,so viewer discretion is really advised. It’s an another side of a childhood hero that I enjoyed and look forward to picking up Vol. 2 and 3.