# Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984)

> Five robot lion pilots merge their machines into a giant defender to stop tyrant King Zarkon from conquering the planet Arus and the galaxy.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/950

## Facts

- Seasons: 2
- Episodes: 72
- Episode runtime: 22 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, science fiction, family
- Network: Syndication
- Cast: Neil Ross, B.J. Ward, Lennie Weinrib, Michael Bell, Jack Angel, Peter Cullen, Tress MacNeille
- TMDB rating: 7.9/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086824/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: mild
- Tone: hopeful, joyful, adventurous, earnest, brisk

## What critics say

Retrospective reception is warm and nostalgic, with viewers valuing the giant robot battles and team adventure while noting the formulaic episode structure and reused animation.

## Synopsis

Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984-1985) is a US-Japanese animated science fiction series created for syndication, a two-season run of 72 episodes adapted from a Japanese anime. Five pilots, including Keith and Pidge voiced by Neil Ross, Princess Allura voiced by B.J. Ward, and Coran voiced by Peter Cullen, steer separate robot lions that join into one giant defender. Their engine is simple and relentless: the lions must stop the tyrant King Zarkon, voiced by Jack Angel, from conquering the planet Arus and the wider galaxy. Each episode is built from a fresh invasion or monster threat, a brisk battle, and a rousing assembly of the mighty robot. Set in an invented cosmos of spaceships and alien worlds, the show carries a hopeful, joyful, adventurous tone, the toy-driven space opera spirit that fans of Transformers, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe will find familiar. It is a comfortable, family-friendly watch for children and nostalgic adults alike, celebrating friendship, courage and a team that comes together to win.

## Shows like Voltron: Defender of the Universe

- [ThunderCats (1985)](https://ember.film/tv/1880)
- [He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983)](https://ember.film/tv/878)
- [Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016)](https://ember.film/tv/58649)
- [Mech Cadets (2023)](https://ember.film/tv/127926)
- [Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light (1987)](https://ember.film/tv/32698)
- [ThunderCats (2011)](https://ember.film/tv/35078)
- [Choushinsei Flashman (1986)](https://ember.film/tv/61891)
- [Shadow Raiders (1998)](https://ember.film/tv/435)
- [Queen Millennia (1981)](https://ember.film/tv/32067)
- [She-Ra: Princess of Power (1985)](https://ember.film/tv/13752)

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