# Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016)

> Five unlikely teenage pilots bond with their flying robot lions to form Voltron and defend the universe from an empire of evil.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/58649

## Facts

- Seasons: 8
- Episodes: 76
- Episode runtime: 24 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, science fiction, action, family
- Network: Netflix
- Cast: Jeremy Shada, Tyler Labine, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Steven Yeun, Rhys Darby, Josh Keaton, Kimberly Brooks, Neil Kaplan
- TMDB rating: 8.0/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580664/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: mild
- Tone: earnest, playful, adventurous, heartfelt, uplifting

## What critics say

Audience reception is positive, with viewers praising the faithful revival of the original's spirit and the mecha action, while later seasons draw lower marks.

## Synopsis

Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016-2018) is an American animated mecha series created for Netflix, a Netflix animated reboot of the 1980s cartoon, adapted in the tradition of Japanese super robot anime. Five unlikely teenage pilots, including the hot-headed Lance (voiced by Jeremy Shada), the resourceful Hunk (Tyler Labine), and the brooding Keith (Steven Yeun), are chosen to pilot robotic lions that combine into the megapowerful Voltron. Their engine is a rebellion against Emperor Zarkon and his vast armies, with the crew learning to function as a team while confronting their own doubts. Each episode mixes battles against alien foes with sharp humor and character moments, and the eight seasons carry one continuing story across the cosmos. Set in a far-future galaxy, the series has a bright, earnest tone that blends heroism, camaraderie, and playful banter, with a sincere sense of wonder. Its warmth and colorful visuals bring to mind Avatar: The Last Airbender and Mobile Suit Gundam, and fans of mecha and kids space opera will find resonance here.

## Shows like Voltron: Legendary Defender

- [Robotech (1985)](https://ember.film/tv/2079)
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- [Transformers: Robots In Disguise (2015)](https://ember.film/tv/56042)
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- [Kid Cosmic (2021)](https://ember.film/tv/96821)
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