Okay I've not heard this memorable cartoon theme song for years, until I searched for it recently on YouTube.
One thing about this cartoon is that I remember finding the 'mummy' villain rather scary to look at. I had to sometimes look away for a second when he appeared on screen. He actually looked not as scary when he transformed to his 'more powerful' muscular mode.
When the DVD set was released in the stores here in Singapore a few years back, I baulked at the price. It was over SGD 100.00 for the box set! Luckily the other cartoon DVD sets that I collect are not that highly priced.
Song lyrics:
Lion-o: Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats, Ho!
Thundercats are on the move, Thundercats are loose! Feel the magic, hear the roar, Thundercats are loose!
I'm happy to find this video on Voltron's transformation sequence that takes place in every episode.
Voltron usually takes on the 'weekly' monsters as 5 separate robot lions first. If that 'fails' (which always happens, if not Voltron won't appear), then the 5 drivers form Voltron to resume the fight.
About the transformation 'speed': Some comments on YouTube mentioned that before the transformation sequence is over, the monster would have struck. I personally think that the transformation sequence is supposed to be very fast and bright but as viewers, we get to see it in detail.
My Voltron-inspired childhood dream: As a kid, I loved the idea of driving the lion robots that I imagined the closest I could ever do something similar is to drive a real car. Hence I eagerly looked foward to the day I came of age to drive.
When I finally picked up my driving license many years back, I still remembered my childhood dream of driving a Voltron lion! Even today while behind the driving wheel, I sometimes think about Voltron!
Anyway, here is the memorable transformation sequence once more, enjoy!
Transformation Script:
Keith: Ready to form Voltron! Activate interlock! Dynotherms connected! Infracells up! Mega thrusters are go!
All: GO VOLTRON FORCE!
Keith: Form feet and legs! Form arms and body! And I'll form the head!
There were 2 versions of Voltron cartoons that I came across in the 80's. One of it featured Voltron as a mighty robot formed by multiple smaller space vehicles. The other which is more famous, was where Voltron was formed by 5 different colored robot lions!
I definitely preferred the latter and I would turn off the TV if the former was being shown instead (I found the former rather boring, and maybe because I much preferred 'animals').
To think back, I find the plot for both Voltron cartoon series rather 'thin', as in not much depth. It was basically the 'ancestor' cartoon that inspired the rise of the "Power Rangers" TV series since the 90s (till now).
The drivers of the 5 robot lions, based on my memory are as follows:
Black Lion - Keith(leader, wears red uniform, I think he's the love interest of Princess Allura)
Red Lion - Lance (wears blue uniform, can't remember much about him)
Blue Lion - Princess Allura (wears pink uniform, she looks 'weak' and like a typical distressed damsel in her princess outfit, but quickly switches into 'warrior behaviour' when in Voltron uniform)
Yellow Lion - Hunk (wears dark yellow or light orange uniform, large bulky guy)
Green Lion - Pidge (wears green uniform, young little nerdy spectacled guy)
Simple Plot: Voltron defends the planet Arus, where Princess Allura's kingdom is located.
Every week, the villains: King Zarkon, his son Prince Lotor, and a witch named Haggar (who are all from another planet), would conjure up giant monsters to defeat Voltron and conquer Arus. Of course, every week they fail. Sometimes, Voltron needs '2 weeks' to defeat the more powerful monsters.
I distinctly remember Prince Lotor has a liking for Princess Allura, so half the reason for conquering her planet was to have her as his bride or something like that. Of course she detests him.
Many of the episodes involve Princess Allura getting captured or held hostage by Prince Lotor. Her teammates had to go and rescue her, partly because she's their friend and comrade, and partly because the team needed her to form Voltron.
Intro Script:
From days of long ago, From unchartered regions Of the universe, Comes a legend. The legend of Voltron: Defender of the Universe! A mighty robot, Loved by good, Feared by evil.
As Voltron's legend grew, Peace settled across the galaxy. On Planet Earth, A Galaxy Alliance was formed. Together with the good planets Of the solar system, They maintained peace Throughout the universe, Until a new horrible menace Threatened the galaxy.
Voltron was needed once more. This is the story Of a super force of space explorers. Specially trained, And sent by the Alliance, To bring back Voltron: Defender of the Universe!
While searching for the video of "The Last Unicorn" on YouTube last week, I came across this one and bookmarked it.
This custom made video of "The Last Unicorn" incorporates many of the most memorable and exciting scenes from the movie. Enjoy!
Song Lyrics:
When the last eagle flies Over the last crumbling mountain. And the last lion roars At the last dusty fountain. In the shadow of the forest, Though she may be old and worn, They will stare unbelieving, At the Last Unicorn.
When the first breath of winter Through the flowers is icing And you look to the north And the pale moon is rising And it seems like all is dying And would leave the world to mourn In the distance hear the laughter Of the Last Unicorn!
I’m alive, I’m alive!
When the last moon is cast Over the last star of morning. And the future has passed without even a last desperate warning Then look into the sky where through The clouds have had their sport Look and see her how she sparkles It’s the Last Unicorn!
This blog is still being updated weekly with additional backdated posts. There is currently a long backlogged list of draft posts pending approval before being posted weekly.
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