When you think of legendary robots in anime pop culture, chances are you think of Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V; more simply and popularly known as Voltes V. Even just the first few chords of the easily recognizable theme song are enough to elicit a strong emotional response — ask any fan who grew up with the beloved series. Produced by Toei Company and animated by Nippon Sunrise, which now goes by the name Bandai Namco Filmworks, Voltes V debuted in Japan on TV Asahi on June 4, 1977. In the Philippines, an English-dubbed version first aired on television network GMA-7 on May 5, 1978, where it was received with even greater enthusiasm than its home country debut.
Indeed, the famed Voltes V anime series has long been a cultural bridge between Japan and the Philippines, likewise testifying to the enduring influence of Japanese pop culture across the globe. Over four decades after its initial release, this classic anime series is making waves, once again; this time, through Voltes V: Legacy, a groundbreaking live-action adaptation directed by Mark A. Reyes. Armed with a deep understanding of both the anime’s cultural weight and the ferocity of its fandom, Reyes approached the live-action adaptation with a desire not only to translate a cherished anime into a new medium but also to render a retelling that would resonate with a new generation of fans, as well as with the original superfans.
“A live action Voltes V was always an apex project of mine. And Voltes V has always been part of ‘Pinoy’ pop culture; from the anime, the toys, merch, and iconography, to the theme song that has been reinterpreted into commercial ads, political jingles and has been part of the Karaoke song list. I felt that an updated version would have that nostalgic appeal to Generation X and introduce it as well to Millennials and Gen Z in a more palatable version,” Reyes points out.
A live action Voltes V was always an apex project of mine. And Voltes V has always been part of ‘Pinoy’ pop culture; from the anime, the toys, merch, and iconography, to the theme song that has been reinterpreted into commercial ads, political jingles and has been part of the Karaoke song list.
Mark A. Reyes
The Voltes V: Legacy series premiered on May 8, 2023 on GMA Network, and has since been re-edited for a cinematic release in Japan, slated for October 18, 2024. Of course, the live adaption pivots on the pedestal of the original anime — and Reyes would not have done it any other way.
A thrilling tale of mecha magic with a heroic heartbeat
With its noteworthy narrative and ardent animation, the original Voltes V anime quickly captivated audiences in both Japan and the Philippines. In fact, Reyes recounts that the anime made an even bigger impact in the Philippines than in Japan. “Voltes V was not as popular in Japan as Mazinger Z or Voltron. But in the Philippines, Cuba, Italy, and other countries, Voltes V had a really big following.”
The original series (which can still be streamed on some platforms, today) scintillated the sensibilities of audiences by presenting a powerful story of a family of heroes overcoming adversity through their unbreakable bond and unwavering determination — and of course, through radical robotics. The narrative revolves around this intrepid team of five fearless champions (three siblings and two other chosen members) piloting a giant robot made of interlocking crafts — Volt Cruiser (head), Volt Bomber (arms), Volt Panzer (torso), Volt Frigate (legs), Volt Lander (feet). “Volting in” at precisely the right moment, the crafts form the Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V to battle the army of Boazanian alien invaders. That’s the ultra-simplistic gist of a finely woven, intricate plot that struck a deep chord with anime and non-anime aficionados, alike, for its compelling chronicles of courage, unity, and resilience against seemingly insurmountable odds. And it doesn’t hurt that all of that takes place to the glint of steel and the grind of mecha magnificence.
The Voltes V tale — equal parts techy and traditional — is one of valor and sacrifice, nurturing nostalgia for its thrilling mecha battles and heartwarming moments, with a timeless theme that motivates viewers to believe in their own strength and in the power of standing together against challenges. In the Philippines, the series achieved near-mythic status, seamlessly integrating with local culture and even entering into the realm of political controversy in the 70’s, for its super patriotic story arc that fearlessly fueled fortitude in the fight against the evil Boazanian Empire. “Maybe its cancellation back in the day added to its ‘popular infamy’ or mystique. And for the record, the original anime bounced from GMA to other networks throughout the 90’s and 2000’s, with different Philippine actors re-voicing the series. That’s probably why Voltes V became multi generational,” Reyes explains.
Intuiting the interplay of iconic and innovative
Currently, Voltes V: Legacy has reignited the passion of original superfans while also sparking inspiration in a new generation of viewers. Reyes’s project navigates the delicate balance between benediction and breakthrough, and what this reinvention signifies for both Filipino and Japanese pop culture.
“It was clear from that the start that we wanted to pay homage to the original Japanese anime. We wanted to translate the classic 2D animation into a live action format and just update and upgrade it for a modern audience. We did not set out to do a ‘Pinoy’ version of Voltes V. However, in all the mecha animation of that era, Voltes V had inherent Filipino values that dealt with familial, matriarchal and patriotic storylines,” shares Reyes.
Reyes’s creative vision for the film involved a careful balance of respecting the original series and revolutionizing it to engage a modern audience, preserving the essence of the well-loved anime while adapting it for a contemporary setting. The process of translating an anime into live-action involved several creative, often challenging, decisions. For Reyes, this meant revamping elements of the original series to fit a new format while retaining the core themes that have endeared Voltes V to its fans; striking an equilibrium between the iconic and the innovative, so to speak. The visual effects, costume designs, and action sequences all had to be meticulously crafted to reflect the grandeur of the original anime while making practical sense in a live-action context. The task was particularly complex, given the deep emotional connection fans have with the original series.
Fleshed out by Filipinos, on good Japanese bones
In deciding which of the original elements to keep, Reyes stayed true to the heart of what made Voltes V so special, in the first place, and leaned on guidelines drawn out by Toei Animation. He expounds: “There was a mandate from Toei that we could not veer away too much from the DNA of the mother material. Some movie iterations make the mistake of losing the ‘good bones’ of the original. Toei was actually mind-blown with how we did our world building; from the costumes and character design to the modern look of Voltes V and the beast fighters. They actually had very few criticisms to what we submitted.”
Reyes, who has been a fan of anime for years, brings a personal touch to the project, infusing it with his passion and understanding of both cultures, as well as with his own life events and experiences. He shares: “Oh, I totally related to Voltes V, having lost my father early on in my life. And I remember bonding with him when he bought me my first Voltes V toy that was able to ‘volt in’ — he was very fascinated with its engineering, being a mech-head, himself.”
All these influences culminated in Voltes V: Legacy, bridging two cultures in a way that is as authentic as it is adaptive. This fusion of Japanese pop culture with Filipino sensibilities and talent presented unique opportunities — but these were not without their challenges. “The biggest challenge we faced was to have Hollywood-level Computer Generated Images (CGI) in creating the series. And I believe that RIOT INC and the GMA VGFX team delivered world class CGI animation; I’m incredibly proud to say the whole series is 100% Filipino made!,” Reyes emphasizes.
Crafting a legacy in global, cross-cultural storytelling
Reyes’s dedication to this project mirrors the legacy of Voltes V in his own life. His passion as a fan, propelled by his experience as a director, has empowered his to approach the adaptation — particularly given the anime’s profound personal significance to him. This powerful perspective, along with his understanding of the anime’s cultural significance, has enabled Reyes to capture the spirit of the original while also presenting it in a fresh and exciting way.
Looking beyond Voltes V: Legacy, Reyes’s work represents a broader trend in the entertainment industry; one in which cross-cultural adaptations are becoming more prevalent and cultural boundaries, increasingly blurred. This project is not just a nostalgic revisit but a sure-footed step toward a more globalized approach to storytelling.
