Beast King GoLion (1981–1982) User Reviews

Where Voltron came from.

[Java_Joe · 7/10 · 5 March 2019]

Like a lot of Japanese imports from the 70's and 80's, this show was brought over because we were a ripe untapped market for it. The difference between the American and Japanese version however is quite big.

First of all, there was only one season of this. It was a middling to fair program in Japan and didn't have the support that they would have wanted so they never made a second season. Whereas in North America it was a huge success and they actually not only got the rights to the program but were able to get them to make a second season. Quite impressive if you ask me. But this about the original, not Voltron.

The story itself is similar to Voltron but is much darker, has a deeper story and people actually die. There are consequences for actions in this. We also get a story into the Beast King robot himself. After defeating a bunch of monsters he got so full of himself that he challenged the goddess of the Universe for supremacy. For this she humbled him, broke him into the five lions we know and love and had him wait until there were five brave pilots that could once again make him whole and fight evil.

We're introduced to those five pilots who are prisoners of the evil Galra Empire. But they manage to escape the arena, make it to Planet Altea and find the five lions in question that are the only weapons that can stand against the evil empire. One of them dies and they get a replacement in the form of the planet's Princess and go on to fight the Galra Empire and their Beastmen. And yes, these aren't just robots these are actually giant mutated beasts they fight. That's another difference.

All in all it's pretty hard to find nowadays but if you're a fan of Voltron and want to compare the two I highly recommend tracking it down.

A sentai anime story of a revived five-lion robot, who with his pure-hearted pilots fight against the evil Galra Empire.

[Satoshi-5 · 23 July 1999]

The original series of Lion Force Voltron is much better, because Lion Force Voltron is hacked to pieces, scenes censored, violence toned-down, altered dialogue, and worst of all bad voice acting! Beast King Go-lion is way better than its dub for the following reasons: people get killed; people die, and best of all Go-lion is dark and more realistic than that silly dub Voltron.

Forget about Voltron, and be a REAL anime fan. Watch the "real thing" instead. Watch Beast King Go-lion!

the original version of Lion Voltron

[SG-B · 24 November 2001]

Hyakuju O Go-Lion is the original anime series that Lion Voltron was dubbed from. In Voltron, there were quite a few changes from Golion though, such as violent scenes removed, character names changed, different voice actors, etc.

Golion is certainly quite violent at times, but it's an enjoyable series, even if I couldn't understand what was being said, lol.

Finding Golion episodes are hard to find, so if you do come across some, don't hesitate to pick it up.

A Darker Voltron

[Arus-2 · 26 September 1999]

For any viewer who is lucky to see an episode from Hyaku Ju Oh Golion will know that when Golion was picked up to be dubbed as Voltron The Tv Series, it was up against a tough time where violence on Tv was at the forefront of concern for what was shown to children.

Golion is the story of 5 teenagers who return to Earth after World War III has destroyed much of it. Distraught at seeing everything in ruins, the teenagers are captured by the Galra Empire and soon taken to Planet Galra to be used as slaves and to entertain the citizens in twisted tournaments. The teenagers manage to escape and make it to Planet Altea where the Princess Fahra (or Farla) gives them the secret to forming the greatest protector of the far universe, Golion.

Since most fans are familiar with Voltron, Golion is somewhat a darker and more violent version of the edited form Americans have seen. But most of the scenes edited out, did not detract from what the series taught - that teamwork and perseverance will succeed in the end.