Voltron: Legendary Defender (Playmates)

"FORM VOLTRON!" Here's the bit you've all been waiting for: the Legendary class lions combined as the Defender of the Universe, Voltron. This guy is massive. It's so tall it didn't really fit in the photo box so I made due but apologize in advance for the lower quality of photos. Voltron's knees bend well but it's hard to make good use of that articulation. The elbows are pretty limited but since the lion heads swivel it's not dire. I'm very pleased to finally own a Voltron and this one is pretty darn good. Hopefully I'll stay satisfied with the Legendary Defender and not open the floodgates to find a classic version (like the exceptionally engineered and atrociously expensive Soul of Chogokin version).

Voltron Legendary Black Lion

The Black Lion forms the head and body of Voltron. Paladin Shiro escapes from the Galra after being forced to fight as a gladiator. He is the leader of the Paladins which allows him to pilot the Guardian Spirit of Sky. In the show the Black Lion has the same mouth cannon and tail blaster as the other lions but because this version transforms those details are slightly different. Shiro is also able to manifest a blade the Black Lion holds in its mouth similar to ones that came with the original Voltron toys. As this lion is bigger than the others and has electronics the only accessory it comes with is a pilot Shiro. The lights and sounds are more for Voltron than the Black Lion so we'll save those for next time. Ditto the torso mode.

Voltron Legendary Red Lion

Keith finds the Red Lion on a Galra ship during the attack on Planet Arus. As the Guardian Spirit of Fire the Red Lion is the most volatile of the lions matching its paladin's personality perfectly. Keith was expelled from the Galaxy Garrison for disciplinary issues stemming from his rebellious spirit. The Red Lion comes with pilot Keith, a magma beam, and the second half of Voltron's sword.

Voltron Legendary Green Lion

Third to be rediscovered was the Green Lion, the Guardian Spirit of the Forest. The Green Lion is piloted by my favourite character Pidge Gunderson. Pidge is the smart one but has a tragic backstory and is hiding a secret for the first few episodes. Pidge is great. The Green Lion comes with a vine beam, Voltron's shield, half of Voltron's sword (which we'll see another day).

Voltron Legendary Yellow Lion

The Guardian Spirit of Land is the Yellow Lion, the second of the lions to be discovered by the new paladins. It's pilot is Hunk, the big guy who likes to eat, a character trait that has a long history of being associated with the colour yellow dating back to the first Super Sentai series Goranger. Hunk is also strong and true, and often the voice of reason and caution. He also tends to vomit a lot.

Voltron Legendary Blue Lion

The first of the Voltron lions to be rediscovered in the fantastic Netflix series Voltron: Legendary Defender was the Blue Lion by its pilot Lance who fulfils the role of goofball/wannabe Casanova in the modern group of paladins. The Blue Lion is the "Guardian Spirit of Water" and comes with an ice ray and and a pilot Lance "figure" that docks in the lion's chest. As a legendary class figure the Blue Lion can transform into a leg and combine with the other figures to form Voltron! And really when it comes to Voltron why would want toys that didn't combine. My older cousin had an original Voltron when we were kids and I thought it was the coolest thing ever despite having never really seen the show. Bandai Tamashii Nations is giving Voltron (or GoLion) the Soul of Chogokin treatment which looks amazing but is WAAAAAYYY out of my price range. Plus the new show is what I've connected with so here we are. And yes the rest of the Voltron Force is not far behind though I've decided slow down the frequency of my posts a bit.