Voltes V story narrates the heroic exploits of the young robot pilots known as The Voltes Team and their trials against alien invaders from planet Bozania. Armed with the Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V, the five pilots drive back the invaders one Beast Fighter at a time. The series is different from typical super robot anime of the time in that it illustrates human sentimentality and common values, with underlying themes such as the love of family, equality, selfless sacrifice, team work, and patriotism. Voltes V also revolutionized anime by introducing enemy characters with considerable depth. Voltes V's Prince Heinel (Prince Zardoz in the English dub, Sirius in the Italian one) for example, sets a standard for anime villains with a back story and personality in an era when most anime villains were thoughtless formulaic characters with little beyond their menacing appearance and sinister laughter (Though Heinel bears a striking resemblance to Garuda in Combattler V, as do the rest of the main characters).
Voltes V is a work that has a heavy revolutionary undertone. The series ends with Voltes V's spectacular counterattack on planet Boazan to liberate the slaves from the oppression of tyrannical ruler, Emperor Zu Zambajil. After Voltes V, Tadao Nagahama directed the TV anime version of Rose of Versailles , which leaves speculation that perhaps Voltes V was influenced by Nagahama's research on French Revolution for his future project.The theme of enslaved population rising up to overthrow an aristocracy lend support to theory.
Voltes V's arsenal consists of variety of missiles, a bazooka, beams, and weapons such as Super Electromagnetic Top (Similar to the Choudenji Yo-Yo of Combattler V) and Tenkūken ( Sky Sword, "Laser Sword" in English dub, "Excalibur" in the Italian one). With Tenkūken, Voltes V started the trend in super robots genre in using sword as the finishing a.k.a. "Hissatsu" weapon, marking the enemy's final moments with his signature "V" slash.
Voltes V deviates from the robotic design of the Combattler V. The plot of Voltes V has a more serious tone than Combattler V's comedic storyline. Voltes V's formula is also similar to that of the story of the later Daimos series.
The Voltes Team and Allies
After the disappearance of Prof. Gō, 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 Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V, against the invading Boazanians. (Note: Bold items in parentheses indicate character names in the Philippines' English, Filipino and Visayan-dubbed versions)
- Steve Armstrong is the Voltes V team leader. He is a marksmans, a Motocross champion, an ace pilot, and 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 the people who depended on him. His uniform was red. Voiced by Yukinaga Shiraishi in the original version of Voltes V.
- Robert "Big Bert" Armstrong is the defense tactician. He was once a playful child but Big bert 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 fighting styles and forms of meditation. Upon rejoining his brothers, Daijirō was already a master of different hand-to-hand fighting styles. The naginat (fighting staff) became his favorite weapon. Together with Ken'ichi and Hiyoshi, Daijirō started training as a member of the Voltes V Team. Unlike in the group portrait above his uniform was dark green, not brown. Voiced by Tesshou Genda in the original Voltes V. He pilots the Volt Panzer (Body Chest).
- "Little" John Armstrong) is a genius in inventing automations. He has been interested in learning, mechanics, robotics , and electromagnetism since a very young age. He was considered a genius by many university professors. He even created a funny little octopus-robot called Tako-chan ("Octo-One" in the dubbed version). But to his big brothers, Ken'ichi and Daijirō, Hiyoshi 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, Hiyoshi was asked to join the Voltes V Team as a technical handyman, specifically for repairs during field operations. His uniform was light green. Voiced by Noriko Ohara in the original Voltes V series. Volt Frigate (Legs) is Hiyoshi's vehicle.
- 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 Aiful ("Alpha"). The two, man and beast, became inseparable. He won two rodeo championship contests with Aiful as his horse. Then one day, The Earth International Defense Force asked Ippeo to join the team. When he refused, he was taken forcibly, so for the first time, Ippei and Aiful where separated. Dr. Hamaguchi has Aiful brought to Big Falcon early in the series. His uniform was blue. Voiced by Kazuyuki Sogabe in the original Voltes V series. He pilots the Volt Bomber (Arms).
- Jamie Robinson is a kunoichi (female ninja) and the 18th heir of the Kōga-ryū ninja. Young, slim, and beautiful, Jaime received special training during her childhood. By the age of 13, she already possessed extraordinary skills and lightning reflexes. She also learned the gentle arts from her mother. Through her mother's guidance, Megumi became a person with a calm yet alert disposition. Joining the Voltes V Team, she was the voice of reason among the male members, especially whenever Ken'ichi and Ippei were about to clash during personal conflicts. Her cool demeanor and uncanny skills qualified Megumi as the fifth (and only female) member of the Voltes V team. Her uniform was yellow with pink accents. Voiced by Miyuki Ueda, who also played as the voice of Chizuru Nanbara in Combattler V, as Erika in the Daimos series, contributing directors.
- Dr. Ned Armstrong/Baron Hrothgar is the father of the three Armstrong brothers and also of the Boazanian attack force leader, Prince Heinel; making Prince Heinel a half-brother of the three Gō brothers. He is a royal-blooded Boazanian born without horns and was next in line to the throne of Boazan. 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 by his jealous and ambitious cousin, Zu Zambajil, 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, now Emperor, Zambajil. Voiced by Yuu Mizushima in the original Voltes V series.
- Dr. Mary Ann Armstrong is the human wife of Dr. Kentarō Gō and the mother of the three Gō children. She met Lagour when he escaped Boazan and crash-landed on Earth. She later married Lagour and, as a scientist herself, assisted him in creating Voltes V. She raised her children on her own when her husband left, and continued to care for them until her death. She sacrificed herself to help Voltes V when it was under the mercy of a beast fighter.
- Dr. Richard Smith is the commander of Camp Big Falcon fortress at the beginning of the Voltes V series. He helped design and build the Voltes V robot and is a good friend of Prof. Gō. He is somewhat a father figure to the Voltes team, especially to the Gō brothers due to his relationship with their father. He managed Big Falcon on Prof. Gō's behalf until he was killed saving Voltes V. Voiced in the original Voltes V by Seizo Katou.
- General Oka (Commander Robinson) is Jaime Robinson's father. He is the 17th heir of the Kōga-ryū ninja, a co-designer of Voltes V, and commander of the Earth International Defense Force. On the verge of retirement due to ill health; he dies late in the series saving his daughter from a Boazanian beast fighter that had the power to control people's minds. Voiced in the original by Hiroshi Masuoka.
- 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 V 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.
- General Dange (General Watson) is a Boazanian colleague. He was a member of Boazanian nobility, and military general until he deliberately broke his horns, because he "..believed in equality and decided to fight for it" and joined the rebellion against Emperor Zambajil. When Dr. Gō returned to Boazan, he broke him from capture and escaped with him to earth, along with a handful of rebels. He assisted Voltes V by piloting the "Mechanical Eagle" and installing new weapons upgrade components during Mid-battle. En route to Camp Big Falcon, he was attacked by a beast fighter and was severely injured. However, just before he died he managed to tell Ken'ichi, Daijirō, and Hiyoshi of their father and Boazanian origins.
- Commander Garth is another Boazanian colleague who escaped with him to earth. He is the leader of the Boazanian refugees/rebels on earth and helped Armstrong construct the Solar Bird, a giant spaceship that is designed to be the partner for space travel for Camp Big Falcon. After Armstrong was re-captured by General Gururu, he lead the Voltes team and Camp Big Falcon to Boazan to launch the final attack on Emperor Zambajil and his regime.
Ban in the Philippines
In 1979, shortly before the series was going to end in the Philippines, then president Ferdinand Marcos issued a directive banning of Voltes V "because of excessive violence". The president also states that due to cartoons such as this may affect children in their education. It was then re-aired seven years later, after the former president was exiled in Hawaii.
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