Written by: Kevin Berge
In Studio Mir's continued insistence on making almost anime series, they made a mecha show that isn't anime. Really, it isn't anime... only because it wasn't made in Japan. (Image Courtesy of: whats-on-netflix.com)
Quick Take: Voltron: Legendary Defender Season 1 is a good show with great potential. It fills its story with interesting characters and fascinating conflicts but does not quite go all the way in delivering. It feels like it is setting up a stronger story to come.
***This will be more of an introduction to Voltron: Legendary Defender rather than a straight season 1 review. It will not contain spoilers beyond the basic set up of the plot and is open for anyone to enjoy.***
I have always loved a good animated series, and a combination of Studio Mir and Dreamworks was always going to deliver some great animated storytelling.
I cannot say that I have ever watched or been invested in the Voltron franchise. I have never watched an episode of Beast King GoLion or its inspired American series. I have little inclination to dive into Voltron: Legendary Defender until I realized who was behind it.
I am glad that I gave it a chance because the series is first and foremost built on strong characters. In this rebooted world, the Galra Empire rules the universe with an iron fist, and only a set of heroes brought together to form Voltron can stop them.
It is a fairly simplistic premise. It is the type of story that comes up so many times especially in animated series, but this one is helped by building the tale around a group of charismatic and energetic personalities that have a lot of story behind them.
Lance, Pidge, and Hunk are students at Galaxy Garrison Academy that are thrust into a flurry that leads them to Shiro and Keith. All five are destined to be the pilots of the five lions that form Voltron, the Defender of the Universe and the only one that can stop Galra.
Much of the first season is built on the team learning to work together. The universe needs them as Princess Allura and her royal advisor Coran tell them repeatedly. They are all strong personalities though that also need to come to terms with their place in the world.
I have always loved a good animated series, and a combination of Studio Mir and Dreamworks was always going to deliver some great animated storytelling.
I cannot say that I have ever watched or been invested in the Voltron franchise. I have never watched an episode of Beast King GoLion or its inspired American series. I have little inclination to dive into Voltron: Legendary Defender until I realized who was behind it.
I am glad that I gave it a chance because the series is first and foremost built on strong characters. In this rebooted world, the Galra Empire rules the universe with an iron fist, and only a set of heroes brought together to form Voltron can stop them.
It is a fairly simplistic premise. It is the type of story that comes up so many times especially in animated series, but this one is helped by building the tale around a group of charismatic and energetic personalities that have a lot of story behind them.
Lance, Pidge, and Hunk are students at Galaxy Garrison Academy that are thrust into a flurry that leads them to Shiro and Keith. All five are destined to be the pilots of the five lions that form Voltron, the Defender of the Universe and the only one that can stop Galra.
Much of the first season is built on the team learning to work together. The universe needs them as Princess Allura and her royal advisor Coran tell them repeatedly. They are all strong personalities though that also need to come to terms with their place in the world.
Don't expect to see much of these guys actually fighting with those weapons. They are around purely to be Voltron. (Image Courtesy of: vox.com)
The show is delightfully simple. Each episode in the first season builds off the last, but there are plenty of self-contained episodes. It is an easy binge watch, exactly what Netflix is always looking for.
Luckily, it is more than an easy watch. It builds upon itself. It creates mysteries with only some fully explored. Much is left for the future. It will be exciting to see how the show constantly evolves and pushes the characters together.
Right away, it is obvious how much time and effort is being put into the series. The animation is great even if the series relies on a few familiar animations. The art of the show is colorful and engaging.
More than just that, it is built on storytelling for the long haul. This isn't a tale that was ever going to be completed in just a few short seasons. It has potential to go a while. In total, the series spanned eight seasons, and it certainly feels ready for that challenge.
To me, the heart of any good series is knowing the audience and giving them something to remember. This show is overflowing with memorable moments for the largest audience. It is a kid's show but also one with spark and life that can be enjoyed by older audience members.
Voltron: Legendary Defender has plenty of room still to grow. There is depth left to be explored with all the characters. Some still come off a bit too limited, but the stories that they can tell with time are completely enthralling to think about.
The best compliment I can give to any series no matter how mixed my overall thoughts on them is that I cannot wait to watch more. I will absolutely be investing plenty of time soon into Voltron's story and world.
Luckily, it is more than an easy watch. It builds upon itself. It creates mysteries with only some fully explored. Much is left for the future. It will be exciting to see how the show constantly evolves and pushes the characters together.
Right away, it is obvious how much time and effort is being put into the series. The animation is great even if the series relies on a few familiar animations. The art of the show is colorful and engaging.
More than just that, it is built on storytelling for the long haul. This isn't a tale that was ever going to be completed in just a few short seasons. It has potential to go a while. In total, the series spanned eight seasons, and it certainly feels ready for that challenge.
To me, the heart of any good series is knowing the audience and giving them something to remember. This show is overflowing with memorable moments for the largest audience. It is a kid's show but also one with spark and life that can be enjoyed by older audience members.
Voltron: Legendary Defender has plenty of room still to grow. There is depth left to be explored with all the characters. Some still come off a bit too limited, but the stories that they can tell with time are completely enthralling to think about.
The best compliment I can give to any series no matter how mixed my overall thoughts on them is that I cannot wait to watch more. I will absolutely be investing plenty of time soon into Voltron's story and world.
