Beast King GoLion

Did You Know?

• GoLion footage was heavily edited and re-assembled by World Events Productions in the U.S. to create Voltron.
• Toei Animation Ltd. created and animated a brand new plot arc specifically for the U.S. Voltron series.
• GoLion has yet to receive a DVD release in Japan.

Story

The story is set in 1999, when the planet Altea is subdued and enslaved by the Galra Empire. Five space pilots—Akira Kogane, Takashi Shirogane, Isamu Kurogane, Tsuyoshi Seidou, and Hiroshi Suzuichi—return to Earth from space exploration only to find the planet annihilated by World War III. They are ambushed, captured, and enslaved by a Galra Ship, then forced to fight in Emperor Daibazaal's arena. After escaping, they land on Altea and discover the sentient robot GoLion, the only weapon powerful enough to defeat the Empire. Thousands of years earlier, GoLion was an arrogant robot who challenged the goddess of the universe and was separated into five lion robots. Princess Farla recruits the pilots to reawaken GoLion and fight back.

Characters

Akira Kogane, nicknamed Chief, pilots the Black Lion and wears a red uniform. He is an even-tempered natural leader and strategic thinker who cares deeply for his comrades. Takashi Shirogane, nicknamed Quiet, was the original second-in-command, piloting the Blue Lion in a black uniform until he died from injuries in episode 6; Princess Farla later replaced him. Isamu Kurogane, nicknamed Moody, pilots the Red Lion in a blue uniform and is the second-in-command. He is tall, wiry, and wily, always joking and teasing, and the only one who contests Akira's commands. Tsuyoshi Seidou, nicknamed Hothead, pilots the Yellow Lion in an orange uniform. He is quick-tempered and muscular but has a soft heart, especially for children. Hiroshi Suzuishi, nicknamed Shorty, is the youngest at about 12 years old, pilots the Green Lion in a green uniform, and specializes in science. He is well-trained in martial arts due to his ninja lineage and speaks his mind freely.

Beastmen

Galran Deathblack Beastmen were originally Beast Fighters, the apex of Galran technology and dark magic, sent by Honerva against Golion. Captured slaves are forced to fight Deathblack Beastmen in the arena on Planet Galra; those killed are made into slave stew, a dish eaten by Beastmen and fed to surviving slaves to induce cannibalism. Survivors are transformed into Beastmen by Honerva's dark magic. Galran Mechablack Beastmen, successors to the Deathblack Beastmen, first appear in episode 31. They are constructed at planet Galra's occult science plant using beastmen as brain components. Emperor Daibazaal unwillingly becomes part of a mechablack beastman in the final episodes.