The 70’s Japanese Mecha Anime that Shaped a Generation Gets Revitalized!
Let’s Volt In! Any Filipino hearing these three words would probably go into a nostalgia trip that reminds them of their childhood. The Voltes V anime is one of the more culturally significant TV shows that many people in the Philippines recognize. Originally broadcasted in Japan during the late 1970s, it became a hit among the youth and was eventually syndicated to air in the other Asian countries. In the Philippines, Voltes V not only shaped a generation among Filipino’s youth but also became a focal point in the country’s history. The series was later re-aired during the late 1990s and its phenomenal success among the millennial children ensured that the mecha anime would be a part of the country’s culture for more generations to come.
Fast-forward to the 2020s and the new adaptation of the super-robot series dubbed Voltes V: Legacy cements another milestone to the original anime, with live actors, CGI, and ultra-realistic robots and monsters breathing a new life toward the series that kids will surely enjoy and love. From its original run, to its 1990s and 2000s broadcast, to its modern retelling, Filipinos can be assured that the robot anime will continue to be a cultural landmark to Filipinos for many more generations to come!
What Made Voltes V a Phenomenon in the Philippines?
Fun Fact – did you know that Voltes V is actually a part of a trilogy? Orignally titled Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V in Japan, the series is actually the second installment of the Super Robot Romance Trilogy, which was initially kicked off by Combattler V and succeeded by Daimos. In this trilogy, the creators wanted to add the “human element” in the ever-growing mecha anime genre, focusing not only in the giant robots fighting villains but also with the more mature elements like family, camaraderie, and love. With the second series specifically, its timeless themes of familial bonds, teamwork, humanity, and rebellion resonated much with the Filipino youth, which is one of the main reasons why avid fans remember its story very well, while casual viewers couldn’t just dismiss the series as being just cartoons for kids. The melodrama aspect of the Super Robot Romance trilogy became one of the stepping stones for more mature anime themes to be written and included in many more series in the future. The other two series would also be aired in the Philippines and get received positively by children, though wouldn’t hit the same cultural significance of Voltes V has.
Get into the Cultural Phenomenon with the Best Voltes V Merchandise Online!
Voltes V wouldn’t be such a phenomenon without the proper merch that are sold for avid fans and collectors. For those who want to watch the original series, the Voltes V DVDs and complete box sets are still on sale online. You can binge-watch the classic anime series and rekindle the story of Steve Armstrong and his team, versus their rivalry with Prince Zardos and the Bozanian Empire.
For the more avid fans of the series, there’s always the loved Voltes V action figures, coming in different forms and modes. There are the ever-popular combining action figure sets featuring the iconic Volt Machines that can “volt-in” to the iconic robot. There’s also the scaled variant version of the mecha that doesn’t have its volt-in mechanic but comes with adjustable limbs that lets you pose the figurine the same way the robot looks like the anime.
Aside from the robot mecha, there are also other collectible toys like the familiar Bozanian Skull Ship, to the Mechanical Eagle jet, to the scaled version of the Camp Big Falcon base.
In terms of clothing merch, the popular Voltes V shirts featuring the signature giant robot are all available online. There are also the character shirts that feature the main five pilots, as well as a Bozanian-inspired shirt that features the villains.
Clothing can also come in the cosplay variants with shirts that resemble the Volt team’s uniforms, among other accessories and other legacy merchandise that you can buy online.
Looking back at the wide success and relevance of the Voltes V anime in the Philippines, its mark on culture and history in the country, you can expect more coming from this series in the future. And with the live-action series now airing in the Philippines, you can expect more products and official merchandise coming in the country. And you can be assured that the top online shopping platform in the Philippines will have these ready just for you!
