The film "Voltes V Legacy", a live-action version of the robot anime "Voltes V", which was popular mainly in the 1970s, will be released in the Philippines on October 18th. "Voltes V" is a legendary robot anime that was broadcast in Japan from 1977 to 1978. It is said to have received even more enthusiastic support in the Philippines than in Japan, so a live-action version was made. What is happening across the ocean? We spoke to director Mark A. Reyes V, who worked on the live-action version.
◇"Voltes V" is a symbol of democracy
"Voltes V" depicts the five characters, including the protagonist Kenichi, the brothers Gozo, Ippei Mine, and Megumi Oka, who pilot the combined robot Voltes V and fight against the invading army of the planet Boazan, led by Prince Heinel, who has come to Earth. The film depicts the separation of parents and children, shocking developments surrounding the protagonist, confrontations with half-brothers, resistance to oppression and revolution, and has been highly praised overseas for its high level of drama.
The live-action version was produced by Telesuccess Productions in the Philippines and aired on the terrestrial television station GMA Network. A film and a 90-episode TV series were produced. All episodes of the TV series were aired in the Philippines in 2023. "Voltes V: Legacy," which will be released on October 18, is a "Super Electromagnetic Edited Version" that has been re-edited with additional scenes that were not included in the Philippine version of the film, "Voltes V: Legacy Cinematic Experience." The Philippine production team re-edited the film for release in Japan, remastering the entire film and improving the quality of the CG. Subtitled and dubbed versions will be released.
When it comes to robot anime in Japan, "Mazinger Z" and the "Gundam" series may be more popular. However, in the Philippines, "Voltes V" is said to be overwhelmingly popular.
"It started broadcasting in the Philippines in 1978, and I've been watching it since then. It's the most popular anime in the Philippines. In the Philippines, some anime is broadcast on weekday afternoons, but it was by far the most popular. The story is different from other anime. Voltes V is a story of family. The Philippines is a country that values family, so it had a high affinity with the values of society. It has been rebroadcast many times in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. It was also canceled during martial law. It was later broadcast again, and it became a symbol of democracy."
Director Reyes, one of the leading "Voltes V otaku" in the Philippines, said, "I've been a director for many years, but in the 2000s, when my career was mature, I came up with a "dream project." That was to make a live-action version of Voltes V." It was such a long-cherished wish to make a live-action version of Voltes V.
◇Because it's a beloved work, I won't rearrange it
Voltes V seems to be a popular work that everyone knows in the Philippines, but I tried to update it to make it a work for the 2020s.
"It's a classic work, so we have to make a work that appeals to today's audiences who watch Hollywood sci-fi and action blockbusters. We have to make it a work that Filipinos can be proud of, but also something that we won't be ashamed of showing to the Japanese people. We paid particular attention to the CG and costume design. We expanded the story, but we were particularly particular about the story of the Boazan people. We expanded on what kind of culture this planet has."
We tried to update the design of Voltes V, the battle scenes, and the transformation scenes.
"All the staff are fans. Since it's a group of fans who come together to make it, we paid a lot of attention to it. It's difficult because we have to turn 2D into 3D. Even moving one arm can't be done freely like in the anime. We made the CG with precision. I was moved when I saw the combination sequence. It's a precise design, so I think it was difficult to make a toy out of it."
It's also impressive to hear a cover of the opening theme song "Voltes V no Uta" sung by Mitsuko Horie. A Filipino singer covered it in Japanese.
"At first we did it in Tagalog and English, but the original Japanese version is loved in the Philippines. It's so popular that it's in the top 10 of karaoke. So we thought there was no need to change it. Many people know it in Japanese, and they kind of understand the meaning of the lyrics. That's why we did it in Japanese."
Although it has been updated as a work for the 2020s, there are many parts that remain unchanged.
"We communicated with Toei, but they never said, 'Please change this.' We respect 'Voltes V.' We didn't try to make any major changes to the work we love. They understood that, so we maintained a good relationship and produced the film."
Director Reyes and the staff made the live-action version with respect for the anime. We hope you can feel their passion and love.
