In response to the release of the live-action film "Voltes V Legacy" in the Philippines on October 18th, a number of creators, including Kia Asamiya, known for the manga "Silent Mobius," Hidetaka Tenjin, known for the anime "Macross" series, and Tsukasa Kotobuki, have sent supportive illustrations and comments, while Shoji Gatoh, known for the popular light novel "Full Metal Panic!", has sent a comment of support.
Asami said, "Ever since I was a child, Voltes has been the pinnacle of the idea of combining five robots to become a super robot and protect the Earth! It's Voltes now, as it always has been! That passionate spirit flows through the live-action version! It's inevitable that your eyes will be drawn to the two women (laughs). Voltes is the best!"
Tenjin said, "At the time, I could only get the head toy, so now I can see that combination scene on a big screen and I can't stop crying! I've watched the PV over and over again, but the impact on a big screen is in a class of its own. There have been many remakes, but I'd like to thank the production team for having the courage to not change the important parts. The Japanese dubbing is also amazing. This is the essence of robot anime, and the genes have been firmly passed down! Our generation has to support this!" Kotobuki said, "I was struck by how there was such an optimal solution for a live-action robot anime. The affinity that you wouldn't expect from a foreign work, the visual expression that feels somehow nostalgic, the stress-free, classic development, and that familiar opening song. This is undoubtedly a live-action version of 'Voltes V.'" Gato commented, "It was the first episode of a long tale that made me want to see more! Let me see it to the end! I really liked how the actors really worked hard! The five comrades and the enemy executives really have a great presence (and it's still early on!)! This is something to look forward to. Any fans of Toei films are familiar with the pattern of "a long series and the actors also grow," right? I'd love to see more! I want to see more of the relationship between the five! I also got the impression that Filipinos really value their families. So much so that they would even fly fighter jets!"
Ochi Kazuhiro, who was in charge of the jacket art for the Blu-ray box for "Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V," Tsuburaya Productions' chief designer Goto Masayuki, illustrator JNTHED, and Ishimori Productions' Hayase Masato also sent illustrations and comments in support. Graphic designers Itia Oshima, Shark Movie Rookie, Junichi Fujisaki, and Naochika Morishita also commented. An uncut video of the Voltes V fusion scene was released on YouTube.
"Voltes V Legacy" is a "Choudenji edited version" that adds scenes that were not included in the Philippine version of the film "Voltes V Legacy" and is a re-edited version. The live-action version was produced by GMA Network, a terrestrial television station in the Philippines. A film and a 90-episode TV series were produced. All episodes of the TV series were broadcast in the Philippines in 2023. The "Choudenji Respect TV Version", a re-edited version of the 90-episode TV series into 20 episodes, will be broadcast on TOKYO MX every Tuesday at 8pm from November 12th.
"Choudenji Machine Voltes V" is a legendary robot anime that aired in Japan from 1977 to 1978. The story depicts the five characters, the protagonist Kenichi, the brothers Gozo, Mine Ippei, and Oka Megumi, piloting the combined robot, the Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V, and fighting against the invading forces of the planet Boazan, led by Prince Heinel, who has flown to Earth. The story depicts the separation of parents and children, shocking developments surrounding the protagonist, confrontations with his half-brother, resistance to oppression and revolution, and has been highly praised overseas for its high level of drama. It also became a hot topic in the Philippines, where the song "Voltes V no Uta" sung by Horie Mitsuko was also popular.
