Armored Fleet Dairugger XV

Did You Know?

• The entire series was released on DVD in region 1 in three volumes (February 23, 2010; May 25, 2010; January 4, 2011), all now out-of-print.
• The show was spoofed on an episode of Robot Chicken, where Vehicle Voltron takes too long to combine and arrives after most of the crew is dead.

Story

The Rugger Team, an exploration, planetary survey, and defensive force, operates from the starship Rugger Guard during an era of Earth prosperity. The Galaxy Garrison launches a mission to explore and colonize the galaxy, but the team is attacked by the xenophobic Galveston Empire, whose homeworld is dying. Dairugger, the super robot, defends the fleet as the mission shifts to finding the Galveston homeworld, liberating its people from their despotic Emperor, and helping them find a new planet before their world collapses.

Characters

The Rugger Team consists of three teams of five members each: Aki Team (Air), Keats Team (Sea), and Walter Team (Land), named after their leaders. Each of the 15 parts is called a Rugger, and they combine into larger machines: Kurugger (Air), Kairugger (Sea), and Rickrugger (Land), as well as the super-robot Dairugger. The 15 units and the name derive from rugby, which requires 15 players. Aki Team includes leader Manabu Aki (pilot of Rugger #1, forming Dairugger's head), Shinobu Kai (Rugger #2, upper torso), Shota Kreutz (Rugger #3, right shoulder and bicep, from planet Sala), Yasuo Mutsu (Rugger #4, left shoulder and bicep, the youngest member), and Patty Ellington (Rugger #5, chest). Keats Team includes leader Miranda Keats (Rugger #6, mid-torso, from planet Mira, with precognitive abilities), Haruka Kaga (Rugger #7, right thigh), Saluta Katz (Rugger #8, left thigh, from Sala), Tatsuo Izumo (Rugger #9, right shin), and Barros Kalateja (Rugger #10, left shin). Walter Team includes leader Walter Jack (Rugger #11, waist), Moya Kirigas (Rugger #12, right forearm, from Mira), Mack Chucker (Rugger #13, left forearm), Tasuku Izu (Rugger #14, right foot), and Kazuto Nagato (Rugger #15, left foot). The Galaxy Garrison is a planetary union of Earth, Sala, and Mira. Shinji Ise is also part of the organization.

Merchandise

In 1982, Popy Pleasure released the original DX Dairugger XV toys under the Chogokin label (GB-72), made of high-quality die-cast materials with transforming gimmicks that separated only into the three larger combined vehicles. A cheaper ST version (GB-73) followed, where only Rugger #5 could separate. A larger version without die-cast materials was also released due to weight issues with friction motors. The smallest non-transforming ST Dairugger and the fully transforming plastic version were resold in the U.S. by Matchbox in 1984 under the Voltron name, omitting the Dairugger Sword, chrome antenna parts for Rugger units #6, #9, and #10, and the sticker sheets. Popy also released a smaller rubber-based combining Dairugger toy molded in light blue; LJN released it in the Voltron series in 1985 with parts remolded in proper colors and a yellow sword. Many imitations and bootlegs appeared, some with cheap plastics and neon colors. Toynami released a 24-inch soft vinyl Dairugger under their Shogun Warriors line in 2011. In 2013, Miracle Productions released MA-01 Voltron Vehicle Force, limited to a few hundred units, with quality control issues; a second version improved design and build quality but is considered unofficial due to lost licensing. Bandai Spirits released Soul of Chogokin No. GX-88 on October 26, 2019, including a weapons rack with optional Dairugger XV or Voltron nameplates.

Changes for Voltron version

Dairugger XV and GoLion are unrelated, though coincidental design similarities (especially the face) stem from the same mechanical designer and shared animation staff. Scenes of Earth and Galaxy Garrison from Dairugger were edited into Lion Voltron episodes, as GoLion's Earth was destroyed. Many deaths of soldiers and officers in Dairugger were omitted in Voltron, which removed blood and death. The finale differed: Voltron cut Emperor Corsair's death by assassination (by Teles and the resistance), leaving his fate unclear, though one shot of him dead on the throne remained. In Voltron, Vehicle Voltron has only five minutes of stored energy, causing plot holes when it appears in longer battles. Teles dies a martyr in Dairugger, his body left on Galveston; in Voltron, he becomes the new leader. Sirk is Teles's adjutant, not his sister. Aki and Haruka have a closer relationship in Dairugger, with a lucky charm left with Teles after his death. Dick Asimov was Shinji Ise's superior in the original, but Voltron rewrote dialogue to suggest the opposite, with inconsistencies revealing original ranks.