I was of a single-digit age when I first watched VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE in 1984. Over four decades later, I still recall having been confused by the ways in which the show’s opening narration refers to universes, galaxies, and solar systems. Here is the troubling part of the narration, with all the astronomical terms emphasized.
From days of long ago, from uncharted 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.
The opening narration seems to suggest that a universe, a galaxy, and a solar system are the same thing. Even at that young age, I already understood what a solar system was, what a galaxy was, and what the universe was. They weren’t the same thing.
A solar system is a group of planets that orbit one or more suns.
A galaxy is a group of solar systems.
The universe is the group of galaxies and…everything else.
Despite this understanding, I was also young enough to have thought that because VOLTRON was written by grown-ups, maybe they knew things about space that I didn’t. Maybe Optimus Prime’s voice actor was using those astronomical terms correctly in some way that I didn’t yet understand.
The Right Stuff
As an adult, I’ve assumed that the writer used the terms “universe” and “galaxy” and “solar system” interchangeably, as if they were synonyms, simply to prevent the use of the word “universe” from exceeding the use of the word “the.”
Does the narration misuse the terms? Let’s examine.
“The legend of Voltron, Defender of the Universe,” comes “from uncharted regions of the universe.” This is fine.
“Voltron’s legend grew,” and it is implied that the legend catalyzed the peace that “settled across the galaxy.” Based on the next statement, “the galaxy” is presumably the Milky Way, home to Earth. This is fine.
“On Planet Earth, a Galaxy Alliance was formed.” This is fine.
The next statement is not so fine.
Houston, We Have a Problem?
The next, last space statement is where things seem to fall apart.
“Together with the good planets of the solar system, they maintained peace throughout the universe…until a new horrible menace threatened the galaxy.”
“They” refers to the Galaxy Alliance. It seems that the Alliance’s initial members included Earth and other “good planets” in Earth’s solar system. In the real world, we know of no sentient life on any planet but Earth, so VOLTRON‘s non-Earth “good planets” are presumably colonies. The presence of colony planets might be a precursor to the overcrowded galaxy that is repeatedly mentioned in the Vehicle Team episodes of VOLTRON.
What is unclear is why or how the Galaxy Alliance, whose initial members hail from a single solar system, could maintain “peace throughout the universe,” or even Earth’s galaxy. Perhaps the Alliance began with an overly ambitious charter, or maybe the charter was humbler at the start and gradually expanded to “throughout the universe” as more planets joined the Alliance from beyond Earth’s solar system and even beyond Earth’s galaxy. Example Alliance member planets from non-Earth solar systems include Arus, Pollux, Krik and Cinda’s home world, and Wolo and Tangor’s home world. Regardless, the claim that the Alliance “maintained peace throughout the universe” seems to be hyperbole at best.
Whatever peace existed would not last, because of whatever “new, horrible menace threatened the galaxy” that caused Voltron to be “needed once more.” It’s unclear whether the “new, horrible menace” had threatened other galaxies before it threatened the Milky Way, or whether the Milky Way was the first or only galaxy to be threatened by the “menace.”
Rymill mentions that in “The Daleks’ Master Plan,” story writer Terry Nation “mistakenly believed that the term ‘galaxy’ and ‘solar system’ were interchangeable.” As another example of odd uses of astronomical terminology in the mid-20th century, Rymill describes a “highly influential” 1955 Disney documentary called MAN AND THE MOON, which “helped bring many science concepts to the mainstream.” Rymill’s video includes a clip from the documentary that demonstrates that it “was quite happy to use ‘universe’ to mean ‘solar system.'”
As more examples of seemingly incorrect references to astronomical terms, Rymill describes writings of science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke. “In his novel 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, published in 1968,”… [Clarke] refers to our galaxy, the Milky Way, as ‘our local universe.'” In Clarke’s 1953 novel CHILDHOOD’S END, “he [referred] to the island galaxy of which our sun was a member as ‘our own Universe,'” and he “describes the galaxy as ‘a spiral nebula.'”
To justify the Disney documentary, Clarke, and Terry Nation’s peculiar use of astronomical terms, Rymill explains that “prior to the 1920s, it was accepted by many that our galaxy, the Milky Way, constituted the entire universe, and everything that could be observed with the most powerful telescopes, was situated inside our galaxy. This included impressive spiral formations, such as…one…in the constellation of Andromeda. It was known at the time as the Andromeda Nebula.”
Rymill further explains that until astronomer Edwin Hubble’s 1924 observations proved the existence of other galaxies, our Milky Way galaxy was indeed thought to be the entire universe, and what we now know to be spiral galaxies such as Andromeda were thought to have been nebulae within our galaxy.
Rymill points out that because “Master Plan” writer Terry Nation was born in 1930, “any book he picked up in his youth would likely have been espousing redundant astronomical ideas. The term ‘galaxy’ had once referred to everything in existence, but was then recalibrated to mean just one unremrkable island in the universe, except that some people were using the word ‘universe’ to also mean ‘galaxy’ and ‘solar system.’ So we should cut Nation a little slack for this mistake.”
VOLTRON‘s opening narration was likely written by the program’s original head writer, Jameson Brewer. Brewer was born in 1916, nearly a decade before Hubble’s discovery of other galaxies, and before Arthur C. Clarke (1917) and Terry Nation (1930) were born. If Nation and Clarke can be excused for occasional gaffs in the use of astronomical terms, then Jameson Brewer can as well. In the case of VOLTRON‘s opening narration, I already provided speculative reasons for why its use of the astronomical terms might be correct in the context of VOLTRON lore.
Conclusion
VOLTRON‘s opening narration contains what to a television audience of the 1980s and beyond might seem to be incorrect use of the terms “universe,” “galaxy,” and “solar system.” By digging a bit deeper, these uses can be explained and perhaps excused. With a bit of imagination and creativity, the odd use of the terms can be considered correct. Either way, it’s all in good fun!
This article was written in 2026, the tenth-anniversary year of VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER. 2026 and ten are momentous numbers for this great show, and to celebrate, I thought I’d share some more numbers – production numbers from episodes of the show.
What Is a Production Number?
A production number is a unique and persistent identifier for a given episode. It allows the production team to refer to an episode in a consistent way.
Episode titles can change throughout preproduction, production, and even postproduction. For example, in the original STAR TREK, the episode “The Corbomite Maneuver” had the working title of “Danger Zone.”
The sequence of episodes can change as well. Returning to the original STAR TREK, the episode “The Man Trap” was the eighth episode to be produced, but it was the first episode to air.
The sequence of episodes’ production numbers doesn’t always correspond with the intended “narrative sequence” of the episodes. The Star Trek franchise provides an example of this phenomenon, too. Actor Leonard Nimoy guest-starred in a two consecutive episodes of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. Due to Nimoy’s busy schedule, those episodes — “Unification I” and “Unification II” — were filmed in reverse order. “Unification I” takes place before “Unification II,” but because of the swapped production schedule, the production number of “Unification I” (40275-208) is higher than that of “Unification II” (40275-207).
In general, production numbers aren’t shared outside production offices. They aren’t a secret; they just aren’t that interesting to most people. They are of interest to me, which is I decided to try to learn the production numbers of all episodes of VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER. This has not been an easy task, and unfortunately, as of this writing, it is also not a finished task.
Sources
My sources for VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER episodes’ production numbers are listed below.
Form Podcast
The first source of production number information that I found was Form Podcast, produced by Nerdist and hosted by Kyle Anderson. In 2018, Form Podcast reviewed episodes from the first through fourth seasons of VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER alongside guests who worked on the show. Podcast episodes that provided VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER production number information are listed below.
Episode 1 featured guests Joaquim Dos Santos and reviewed “The Rise of Voltron.” This podcast episode also revealed that “The Rise of Voltron” had been produced as three episodes: “The New Alliance,” “From Days of Long Ago,” and “Defenders of the Universe.” The production number of “The New Alliance” was revealed to be 101, and it was stated that the three episodes were produced together, suggesting that the production numbers of “From Days of Long Ago” and “Defenders of the Universe” are 102 and 103, respectively. This podcast episode also strongly implied, but did not state outright, that the production number of “Crystal Venom” is 111.
Episode 9 featured guests Eugene Lee, Lauren Montgomery, Christie Tseng, and Anthony Wu, and it reviewed “Crystal Venom.” This podcast episode also revealed the production number of “The Legend Begins” to be 207.
Episode 25 featured guests Joaquim Dos Santos and reviewed “Changing of the Guard.” This podcast episode strongly implied that the production number of “Changing of the Guard” is 201, and it strongly implied that the production number of “A Little Adventure” is 301. The episode also revealed that VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER was produced in three production seasons or blocks, each containing 26 episodes. In general, episodes of the first production season have production numbers 101 through 126, episodes of the second production season have production numbers 201 through 226, and episodes of the third production block have production numbers 301 through 326.
Episode 28 featured guests Joaquim Dos Santos and Chris Palmer, and it reviewed “Hole in the Sky.” This podcast episode once again revealed the production number of “The Legend Begins” to be 207.
Episode 30 featured guests Mitch Iverson and reviewed “Tailing a Comet.” This podcast episode also revealed that the production number of “Changing of the Guard” is 201.
Episode 31 featured guests Joaquim Dos Santos and Lauren Montgomery and reviewed “The Legend Begins.” This podcast episode also revealed that the production number of “The Depths” is 114.
Episode 33 featured guests Lauren Montgomery, Steve Ahn, and Mitch Iverson. This podcast episode also reviewed “Reunion” and revealed its production number to be 205.
Shamus Kelley
The second source of VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER production numbers was not a podcast, but rather a person: writer Shamus Kelley. Shamus is perhaps best known for his writing for Den of Geek. He also hosts RoboSkullCast: A Robotech Podcast with his friend Nick. I met Shamus in person at WonderCon 2017, and Shamus has been a guest in mulitple episodes of Let’s Voltron: The Official Voltron Podcast. Shamus is kind, insightful, and witty, and under circumstances that have to be read to be believed, Shamus acquired a collection of VOLTRON production art and related materials from some episodes of the show’s first two seasons. Shamus generously mailed some of the production art to me, and more recently he has begun to list pieces from his own collection for sale on Ebay. Shamus shared photos of some of his VOLTRON production art and materials, and analysis of those photos has revealed the production numbers of several episodes. Over time I’ll analyze more photos from his collection, as well as art from my own collection, in hopes of learning even more episodes’ production numbers.
Thanks to Shamus’ photos of his art collection, production numbers of the following episodes were revealed or confirmed:
“The New Alliance” (Production #101)
“From Days of Long Ago” (Production #102)
“Defenders of the Universe” (Production #103)
“Some Assembly Required” (Production #104)
“Return of the Gladiator” (Production #105)
“The Fall of the Castle of Lions” (Production #106)
“Return to the Balmera” (Production #109)
“Crystal Venom” (Production #111)
“Space Mall” (Production #120)
“The Blade of Marmora” (Production #121)
Benjamin Kaltenecker
The third source of VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER production numbers was line producer Benjamin Kaltenecker. In 2017, Marc Morrell and I interviewed Benjamin on Let’s Voltron: The Official Podcast in Episode #97. At VoltCon 2021, Marc and I met Benjamin in person, and interviewed him once more. Benjamin is incredibly kind and generous, and in 2026, he was kind enough to send me screen shots of spreadsheets that contained the production numbers (201-226 and 301-326) of every episode from VOLTRON’s third through eighth seasons. Thank you, Benjamin!
Emily Eiden
Emily Eiden, who lent her vocal talents and acting artistry to VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER as Shay, kindly shared the production numbers of the four episodes in which she played the character:
“Tears of the Balmera” – Production #107
“Return to the Balmera” – Production #109
“Rebirth” – Production #110
“Stayin’ Alive” – Production #124
Thank you, Emily!
The Numbers
This table contains VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER episodes and their production numbers, if known. I will update this article with new information if it becomes available.
As of this writing, I do not yet know the production numbers of 12 episodes from VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER‘s first two seasons. If you have evidence of these episodes’ production numbers, then please contact me (Greg Tyler) by way of Let’s Voltron: The Official Voltron Podcast. Thank you!
The abbreviated column headers are as follows:
Prod #: Production number
Prod Seas: “Production season” number
Ep #: Episode number according to non-Netflix sources such as Amazon and DVDs, which treat “The Rise of Voltron” as three episodes instead of one
Nf Ep #: Episode number according to Netflix (which treats “The Rise of Voltron” as one episode instead of three)
Seas #: Season number
Ep # in Seas: Episode number within a season, according to non-Netflix sources
Nf Ep # in Seas: Episode number within a season, according to Netflix
Title: Episode title
OAD: Original air date
Prod #
Prod Seas
Ep #
Nf Ep #
Seas #
Ep # in Seas
Nf Ep # in Seas
Title
OAD
101-103
1
N/A
1
1
N/A
1
The Rise of Voltron
2016-06-10
101
1
1
N/A
1
1
N/A
The New Alliance
2016-06-10 (as part of “Rise”)
102
1
2
N/A
1
2
N/A
From Days of Long Ago
2016-06-10 (as part of “Rise”)
103
1
3
N/A
1
3
N/A
Defenders of the Universe
2016-06-10 (as part of “Rise”)
104
1
4
2
1
4
2
Some Assembly Required
2016-06-10
105
1
5
3
1
5
3
Return of the Gladiator
2016-06-10
106
1
6
4
1
6
4
The Fall of the Castle of Lions
2016-06-10
107
1
7
5
1
7
5
Tears of the Balmera
2016-06-10
?
1
8
6
1
8
6
Taking Flight
2016-06-10
109
1
9
7
1
9
7
Return to the Balmera
2016-06-10
110
1
10
8
1
10
8
Rebirth
2016-06-10
111
1
11
9
1
11
9
Crystal Venom
2016-06-10
?
1
12
10
1
12
10
Collection and Extraction
2016-06-10
?
1
13
11
1
13
11
The Black Paladin
2016-06-10
?
1
14
12
2
1
1
Across the Universe
2017-01-20
114
1
15
13
2
2
2
The Depths
2017-01-20
?
1
16
14
2
3
3
Shiro’s Escape
2017-01-20
?
1
17
15
2
4
4
Greening the Cube
2017-01-20
?
1
18
16
2
5
5
Eye of the Storm
2017-01-20
?
1
19
17
2
6
6
The Ark of Taujeer
2017-01-20
120
1
20
18
2
7
7
Space Mall
2017-01-20
121
1
21
19
2
8
8
The Blade of Marmora
2017-01-20
?
1
22
20
2
9
9
The Belly of the Weblum
2017-01-20
?
1
23
21
2
10
10
Escape from Beta Traz
2017-01-20
124
1
24
22
2
11
11
Stayin’ Alive
2017-01-20
?
1
25
23
2
12
12
Best Laid Plans
2017-01-20
?
1
26
24
2
13
13
Blackout
2017-01-20
201
2
27
25
3
1
1
Changing of the Guard
2017-08-04
202
2
28
26
3
2
2
Red Paladin
2017-08-04
203
2
29
27
3
3
3
The Hunted
2017-08-04
204
2
30
28
3
4
4
Hole in the Sky
2017-08-04
206
2
31
29
3
5
5
The Journey
2017-08-04
208
2
32
30
3
6
6
Tailing a Comet
2017-08-04
207
2
33
31
3
7
7
The Legend Begins
2017-08-04
209
2
34
32
4
1
2
Code of Honor
2017-10-13
205
2
35
33
4
2
2
Reunion
2017-10-13
210
2
36
34
4
3
3
Black Site
2017-10-13
211
2
37
35
4
4
4
The Voltron Show!
2017-10-13
212
2
38
36
4
5
5
Begin the Blitz
2017-10-13
213
2
39
37
4
6
6
A New Defender
2017-10-13
214
2
40
38
5
1
1
The Prisoner
2018-03-02
215
2
41
39
5
2
2
Blood Duel
2018-03-02
216
2
42
40
5
3
3
Postmortem
2018-03-02
217
2
43
41
5
4
4
Kral Zera
2018-03-02
218
2
44
42
5
5
5
Bloodlines
2018-03-02
219
2
45
43
5
6
6
White Lion
2018-03-02
220
2
46
44
6
1
1
Omega Shield
2018-06-15
221
2
47
45
6
2
2
Razor’s Edge
2018-06-15
222
2
48
46
6
3
3
Monsters & Mana
2018-06-15
223
2
49
47
6
4
4
The Colony
2018-06-15
224
2
50
48
6
5
5
The Black Paladins
2018-06-15
225
2
51
49
6
6
6
All Good Things
2018-06-15
226
2
52
50
6
7
7
Defender of All Universes
2018-06-15
301
3
53
51
7
1
1
A Little Adventure
2018-08-10
302
3
54
52
7
2
2
The Road Home
2018-08-10
303
3
55
53
7
3
3
The Way Forward
2018-08-10
307
3
56
54
7
4
4
The Feud!
2018-08-10
305
3
57
55
7
5
5
The Ruins
2018-08-10
304
3
58
56
7
6
6
The Journey Within
2018-08-10
306
3
59
57
7
7
7
The Last Stand, Part 1
2018-08-10
308
3
60
58
7
8
8
The Last Stand, Part 2
2018-08-10
309
3
61
59
7
9
9
Know Your Enemy
2018-08-10
310
3
62
60
7
10
10
Heart of the Lion
2018-08-10
311
3
63
61
7
11
11
Trial by Fire
2018-08-10
312
3
64
62
7
12
12
Lions’ Pride, Part 1
2018-08-10
313
3
65
63
7
13
13
Lions’ Pride, Part 2
2018-08-10
314
3
66
64
8
1
1
Launch Date
2018-12-14
315
3
67
65
8
2
2
Shadows
2018-12-14
316
3
68
66
8
3
3
The Prisoner’s Dilemma
2018-12-14
317
3
69
67
8
4
4
Battle Scars
2018-12-14
318
3
70
68
8
5
5
The Grudge
2018-12-14
319
3
71
69
8
6
6
Genesis
2018-12-14
320
3
72
70
8
7
7
Day Forty-Seven
2018-12-14
321
3
73
71
8
8
8
Clear Day
2018-12-14
322
3
74
72
8
9
9
Knights of Light, Part 1
2018-12-14
323
3
75
73
8
10
10
Knights of Light, Part 2
2018-12-14
324
3
76
74
8
11
11
Uncharted Regions
2018-12-14
325
3
77
75
8
12
12
The Zenith
2018-12-14
326
3
78
76
8
13
13
The End is the Beginning
2018-12-14
Conclusion
VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER is a great show. I loved it as it was being released on Netflix between 2016 and 2018, and I love it now. Production numbers are a geeky peek behind the scenes into an aspect of how the show was made.
This article was updated June 9, 2026, with information provided by Emily Eiden.
This article is part of a series of articles that examines some of the artwork from VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE and the anime programs from which it was adapted.
This article examines the military installations, or bases, of the “Near Universe” Drule Empire from the Vehicle Team episodes of VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE. These episodes were adapted from the anime program ARMORED FLEET DAIRUGGER XV (DXV), and VOLTRON‘s “Near Universe” Drule Empire was adapted from DAIRUGGER‘s Galveston Empire.
This article does not examine the home planet of the “Near Universe” Drule Empire, the planet Drule.
While researching for this article, I examined all 52 Vehicle Team episodes of VOLTRON, and I discovered 10 base types that are clearly associated with the Drule Empire of the Near Universe.
Base Type Identifiers
Neither VOLTRON nor DAIRUGGER established formal names for Drule or Galveston base types, respectively. To facilitate examination of these base types, I defined a unique identifier for each type. The identifiers follow the format:
{Authority Code}-{Category Code}-{Number}
where:
{Authority Code} identifies the operating authority for bases of that type. For each type that is associated with VOLTRON’s Drule Empire of the Near Universe, the Authority Code is “DEN” (for Drule Empire – Near Universe).
{Category Code} is “I” for installation – that is, a base.
{Number} is a natural number.
Base Types – Summary Information
The table below provides summary information for each base type. Click the type’s ID to view detail information about, and additional images of, the base type.
DEN-MI-1 military installations are large space stations that are not built on the surface of any planet. A prominent feature of these bases is a long, forward-protruding command tower at the top, flanked by twin hangar bay hatches.
DEN-MI-1 bases can contain multiple MSX-1 and smaller ships, and they can launch long-range missiles.
Commander Hazar commands multiple fleets from a DEN-MI-1 base. Long after Hazar is reassigned elsewhere, Vehicle Team Voltron leads a successful attack that destroys Hazar’s old base.
DEN-MI-2 bases are large structures that are built on the surface of a moon or planet, incorporated into geological structures such as a mountain. Like DEN-MI-1 bases, DEN-MI-2 bases have a long, forward-protruding command tower at the top, flanked by twin hangar bay hatches.
A DEN-MI-2 base is located on a battered moon that is constantly pelted by meteorites.
Another DEN-MI-2 base is located on a planet that resembles the moon of the other DEN-MI-2 base. The Stellar Ship Explorer and Voltron Force journey to the planet to meet the newly defeated ex-leaders of the Drule Empire.
(In ARMORED FLEET DAIRUGGER XV, only one DEN-MI-2 base is shown. For one DAIRUGGER-turned-VOLTRON episode that features the base [DAIRUGGER #46 “The Fall of the Survey Base”, adapted as VOLTRON #146 “It Could Be a Long War”], the VOLTRON writers treat the base as if were a second base of the same type, located on a similar-looking world.)
DEN-MI-3 bases are built on the surface of a moon or planet. They consist of an arrangement of buildings interconnected by a network of streets. Many of the buildings have weapons that can fire at overhead aircraft or spacecraft.
DEN-MI-2 bases can contain multiple MSX-2 and smaller ships, and they can launch long-range missiles.
The Voltron Vehicle Team encounters a DEN-MI-3 base on a Drule outpost planet.
DEN-MI-5 bases are constructed beneath the surface of a planet or moon. Such bases have subsurface-to-air/space missiles that can be launched from underground silos that have ports scattered about the surface of the planet or moon.
Commander Flazon commands a DEN-MI-5 base on the planet Veema.
DEN-MI-6 bases can serve as supply bases for the Drule Empire. DEN-MI-6 bases include a large building that, when viewed from above, resembles an uppercase T, and has a dome-like tower at the intersection of the T.
After a DEN-MI-6 base is destroyed on the planet Erbee, the Voltron Vehicle Team befriends an abandoned group of Drule soldiers such as Lieutenant Antor.
DEN-MI-7 bases are temporary installations that can be set up on the surface of a planet or moon.
Captain Garo’s expeditionary force sets up a temporary DEN-MI-7 base. When the Stellar Ship Explorer reaches the planet, the ill-equipped Drule force abandons the base.
DEN-MI-8 fortresses are built on the surface of a planet or moon. The DEN-MI-8 base is an enormous, elaborate, castle-like structure with multiple towers. DEN-MI-8 bases can be equipped with DEN-MSB-8 ship launchers. The base can be surrounded by manned missile launchers that can emerge from concealed locations below ground or in the sides of hills.
The Voltron Vehicle Team discovers a seemingly abandoned DEN-MI-8 base on the arctic frost planet Altéus. The base is secretly manned, and leveraging the size of the base and the planet’s icy conditions, the Drules conceal a Robeast behind that stands with its back against one side of the base.
DEN-MI-9 bases are angular structures that are built on the surface of a planet or moon. DEN-MI-9 bases can launch magnetic mines into space. The bases are protected by snake-like laser blasters that emerge from the below ground from areas surrounding the base.
Captain Laro commands a DEN-MI-9 base on an arctic planet as the Voltron Vehicle Team approaches.
DEN-MI-10 bases can be built into a network of interconnected asteroids. They contain hangars from which a stinger attack force of DEN-MF-2 fighters can be launched. The base can fire lasers and a solar fire ray, as well as missiles from launchers that emerge from within the asteroid.
In an asteroid field near planet Drule, the Voltron Vehicle Team encounters and destroys a DEN-MI-10 base commanded by Captain Holtes.
The 52 Vehicle Team episodes of VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE feature ten notably different types of “Near Universe” Drule bases. These designs demonstrate the imagination and creativity of the artists of ARMORED FLEET DAIRUGGER XV.
Future LionsAndPilotsAndBots… Dot Com articles will examine even more designs from VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE.
This article is the first in what will be a series of articles that examines some of the artwork from VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE and the anime programs from which it was adapted.
Like ROBOTECH, VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE (VDU) was adapted from episodes of multiple anime programs. To date, unlike ROBOTECH, VOLTRON never had tie-in art books that featured art from the TV show or the anime programs from which it was adapted.
To appreciate the visual designs of VOLTRON, fans must take a closer look at the show itself. This article begins to do so by examining the vehicles of the “Near Universe” Drule Empire from the Vehicle Team episodes of VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE. These episodes were adapted from the anime program ARMORED FLEET DAIRUGGER XV (DXV), and VOLTRON‘s “Near Universe” Drule Empire was adapted from DAIRUGGER‘s Galveston Empire.
It is somewhat challenging to identify distinct designs from VOLTRON episodes, because:
The line art is hand-drawn and inked, so shapes, proportions, and details can vary from episode to episode, shot to shot, and even frame to frame.
The art is hand-painted, so there can be a lot of color variation from episode to episode, shot to shot, and even frame to frame.
The episodes are available only in standard definition.
Some vehicles are shown in a small number of shots, and many don’t have great “beauty shots.”
While researching for this article, I examined all 52 Vehicle Team episodes of VOLTRON, and I discovered 35 vehicle types that are clearly associated with the Drule Empire of the Near Universe.
Vehicle Type Identifiers
Neither VOLTRON nor DAIRUGGER established formal names for Drule or Galveston vehicle types, respectively. To facilitate examination of these vehicle types, I defined a unique identifier for each type. The identifiers follow the format:
{Authority Code}-{Category Code}-{Number}
where:
{Authority Code} identifies the operating authority for vehicles of that type. For each type that is associated with VOLTRON’s Drule Empire of the Near Universe, the Authority Code is “DEN” (for Drule Empire – Near Universe).
{Category Code} identifies the category of the vehicle type. Category codes are defined in the table below.
{Number} is a natural number.
Category Code
Category
Description
MSX
Military Spacecraft – Carrier/Command
Military spacecraft of this category are large enough to accommodate at least one standing Robeast within the forward hull. The Robeast can exit the craft through a large hatch at the bow.
MSA
Military Spacecraft – Battleship
Military spacecraft of this category are presumably smaller than MSX ships, and they seemingly cannot transport or launch Robeasts.
MSB
Military Spacecraft – Small
Military spacecraft of this category are presumably smaller than MSX and MSA ships. They seem to operate mainly as personnel transports or ground vehicle carriers.
MF
Military Fighter
Military vehicles of this category are small, flying fighter craft.
MG
Military Ground Vehicle
Military ground vehicles, such as tanks.
N
Non-Military Vehicle
Any type of seemingly non-military craft, such as cars.
Category Codes for Vehicles of the Drule Empire (Near Universe)
Vehicle Types – Summary Information
The table below provides summary information for each vehicle type. Click the type’s ID to view detail information about, and additional images of, the vehicle type.
DEN-MSX-2 Robeast-launching carriers generally serve as command ships for officers such as Borgum and Twyla.
DEN-MSX-2 ships first appear in #124 “Hazar is Demoted,” as Hazar and Dorma depart Planet Drule in an DEN-MSX-2 ship. The ship appears again in recap footage in #125 “Just Like Earth.” After that, DEN-MSX-2 ships are not seen until #134 “Hazar Bucks the Empire,” and from this point onward, DEN-MSX-2 ships seem to have replaced DEN-MSX-1 ships entirely.
DEN-MSX-2 ships look like scarier versions of DEN-MSX-1 ships. Compared to DEN-MSX-1 ships, DEN-MSX-2 ships have additional spires and “hooks” that extend from various points along the fuselage.
DEN-MSX-2 ships can “land” on a planetary surface. When landed, a hatch on either side of the fuselage can be lowered to the ground, enabling DEN-MG-2 tanks to enter or exit storage bays within the ship.
DEN-MSA-1 ships are presumably smaller than the DEN-MSX-1 ships that they typically accompany. These ships’ first and last appearances are the same episodes as those of DEN-MSX-1 ships.
DEN-MSA-1 ships have blunt noses, twin large, ventral pods, and a single, hook-like bridge stalk that extends dorsally from the dorsal rear hull.
DEN-MSA-1 ships seem to be used primarily on the front lines.
DEN-MSA-2 ships are presumably smaller than the DEN-MSX-1 ships that they typically accompany. These ships’ last appearance is the same episode as those of DEN-MSX-1 and DEN-MSA-1 ships.
DEN-MSA-2 ships have twin spikes that protrude forward from the bow. They also have a large wedge that protrudes ventrally from the fuselage.
DEN-MSA-2 ships seem to be used primarily on the front lines.
DEN-MSA-3 ships are presumably smaller than the DEN-MSX-2 ships that they typically accompany. Whether by deliberate intent or coincidence, DEN-MSA-3 ships look like scarier versions of DEN-MSA-1 ships.
DEN-MSA-3 ships have a vertical spire that protrudes to dorsal from the bow, and a barbed spire that protrudes to ventral from the bow.
When viewed from the side, DEN-MSB-1 ships are relatively sleek “space planes.” They seem to be similar in size to a 20th-century passenger airliner of Earth. They have a port-side hatch through which passengers can enter and exit the ship.
Much like the vehicles of the Voltron Sea Team, and the Aqua Fighter, DEN-MSB-2 ships can operate underwater, and they can rise to the surface of a body of water. DEN-MSB-2 ships are smaller than the Aqua Fighter.
DEN-MSB-3 ships are small, sleek spacecraft. They have a set of laterally arranged front windows, and a single spire that protrudes dorsally from the aft dorsal hull. DEN-MSB-3 ships can land on a planet’s surface. The ships can be launched from the Robeast-launching bow hatch of DEN-MSX-2 ships.
DEN-MSB-4 ships consist of a forward fuselage connected by spindly struts to large twin pods. The ships can land on a ski beneath each of the twin pods. DEN-MSB-4 ships can carry multiple DEN-MG-2 tanks in the fuselage.
DEN-MSB-7 ships are small personnel transport craft. They have chunky proportions, twin side pods, and an access hatch and circular portholes on either side of the fuselage.
DEN-MSB-8 ships are secret attack ships that can be rendered invisible.
The nose of an DEN-MSB-8 ship resembles the tip of a harpoon, with a pointy tip and vanes that protrude to dorsal and to ventral. The stern has spires that also protrude to dorsal and to ventral.
DEN-MF-1 fighters are chariot-like vehicles with an exposed platform for a standing pilot, who operates the fighter by gripping twin control spires. DEN-MF-1 fighters can fly in space or in planetary atmospheres.
DEN-MF-2 fighters vaguely resemble a bee stinger. They have a pilot compartment with a single seat. The compartment has an open top, offering no protection from outside elements. DEN-MF-1 fighters can fly in space or in planetary atmospheres.
The DEN-MF-2 fighter is most prominently featured in “A Temporary Truce,” when it is flown and crashed by Sandu, repaired by the Voltron Vehicle Team and technicians from the Stellar Ship Explorer, and then shot down by Drule captain Zabor.
DEN-MG-1 tanks can be dropped from ventral launch bays of planet-orbiting DEN-MSX-1 and DEN-MSA-1 ships. The tanks can descend from orbit in single file. DEN-MG-1 tanks have dual, downward pointing thrusters on either side of the body. The most prominent feature of the tank is a dome-like turret with a long twin barrels.
DEN-MG-2 tanks can be dropped from ventral launch bays of larger, planet-orbiting ships. The tanks can descend from orbit in single file. DEN-MSB-4 and DEN-MSX-2 ships can carry multiple DEN-MG-2 tanks in the fuselage.
DEN-MG-2 tanks can hover over a planetary surface for extended periods, whether fully upright or pitched downward slightly. DEN-MG-2 tanks have an upper body, which is armed with multiple cannons and is connected by an underside strut to the lower body, which drives the tank treads. Tank operators occupy a compartment in the upper body, which is accessible through a topside hatch.
DEN-MG-4 armed transports are open-top hovering craft with a forward-pointing cannon and front and rear bench seats that, in total, can comfortably accommodate at least four occupants. The cannon can be aimed and fired manually.
DEN-N-1 hover cars are sleek vehicles that transport up to two occupants. DEN-N-1 hover cars resemble a catamaran, with two large side assemblies, one on either side of the passenger compartment. DEN-N-1 hover cars have small wings near the rear. DEN-N-1 cars have retractable, transparent tops. On Planet Drule, Dorma frequently drives a DEN-N-1 hover car.
DEN-N-2 hover cabs are used on Planet Drule to transport a small number of passengers. The single-occupant seats of the DEN-N-2 are arranged front-to-back, facing forward. DEN-N-2 hover cabs have a pointy nose, a streamlined fuselage, twin engine nacelles at the top of the fuselage, and an engine nacelle on either side of the fuselage.
Seen in just one shot of one episode, the DEN-N-3 hover cab is presumably similiar in function to the DEN-N-2 hover cab. The DEN-N-3 has two engine nacelles at the top.
DEN-N-4 hover trains are street vehicles on Planet Drule. They consist of a small cab with a pointed nose, windows on the front and sides, three cylindrical nacelles on top, and a door on either side. The cab can pull at least two boxy cars.
Drule rebel Bakki uses a DEN-N-4 hover train to capture Dorma and convince her to join the Underground Resistance Force.
DEN-N-5 hover cabs are used on Planet Drule to transport a single passenger. Superficially similar to DEN-N-1 hover cars, the DEN-N-5 hover cab’s passenger compartment contains two single-occupant seats arranged front-to-back, facing forward. The passenger comparment is accessible by a large, transparent roof hatch that opens upward about a hinge at the rear. The DEN-N-5 resembles a catamaran, with two large side assemblies, one on either side of the passenger compartment. DEN-N-5 hover cabs have small wings near the rear.
In the DEN-N-5’s single appearance, a Drule robot drives a hover cab to transport Mozak to his home.
DEN-N-6 hover sedans are used on Planet Drule. The hover sedan has a boxy body with a pointed nose, large windows on the front, back, and sides, small wings on the sides, and a left-side hatch that hinges upward.
On Planet Drule, an DEN-N-6 hover sedan is seen parked among other hover cars. Dorma and Hazar use the sedan to flee from pursuing Drule robots.
DEN-N-7 hover cars are used on Planet Drule. They have wide but sleekbodies, a topside fin at the rear, and single front driver seat, and a single rear seat. Each seat has an open top. Dorma and Hazar use an DEN-N-7 hover car on Drule.
DEN-N-8 hover cars have a large fin on the back of the body, and they have at least two spikes that protrude forward from the front of the vehicle. On Planet Drule, multiple, identical DEN-N-8 hover cars are seen traveling on a busy street.
DEN-N-10 hover cars appear to have a cylindrical structure that protrudes from the top of the vehicle body, behind the passenger compartment. On Planet Drule, multiple, identical DEN-N-10 hover cars are seen traveling on a busy street.
With stubby, chunky proportions, an DEN-N-11 hover car resembles a toy jet. On Planet Drule, an DEN-N-11 hover car is seen parked among other hover cars.
In the DEN-N-12’s only appearance, only the front of the vehicle is seen. Its passenger compartment has highly stylized windows. On Planet Drule, an DEN-N-12 hover car is seen parked among other hover cars.
DEN-N-13 hover cars have side pods with pointed front ends and, at the rear, topside and outboard fins. On Planet Drule, an DEN-N-13 hover car is seen parked among other hover cars.
In the DEN-N-15’s only appearance, only the front of the vehicle is seen. The vehicle’s passenger compartment has a bulbous overhead window, and the vehicle body has an underlung pod. On Planet Drule, an DEN-N-15 hover car is seen parked among other hover cars.
It is somewhat surprising that, in an anime program that was produced to air one episode per week for 52 consecutive weeks, ARMORED FLEET DAIRUGGER XV contained so many vehicle designs – 35 for the Galveston Empire alone. VOLTRON benefited from this variety of impressive artwork, and fans of both programs have as well.
Future LionsAndPilotsAndBots… Dot Com articles will examine even more designs from VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE.
VOLTRON FORCE (2011-2012) was a fun show. Unfortunately, the show had little tie-in merchandise. One of the show’s licensed merchandisers was costume-making company Rubie’s. The company produced a child-size costume of the Voltron robot, and a separately sold Blazing Sword costume accessory.
For several years I have had the costume and sword accessory. Recently I decided to open the package and photograph it. Here are the photos. Enjoy!
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Front of Sealed Package
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Back of Sealed Package
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Costume Size Decal (Large)
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Costume Contents
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Back of Package – Note the snaps
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Package outer bag opened, cardboard insert unfolded
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Contents removed from package outer bag
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Contents removed from package outer bag
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit and hand and shoe covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit and hand and shoe covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Hand and shoe covers (in bag)
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Hand and shoe covers (in bag)
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Hand and shoe covers (in untaped bag)
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Hand and shoe covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Hand and shoe covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Hand and shoe covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Hand covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Hand covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Hand covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Shoe covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Mask
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Mask
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Mask
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Shoe covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Shoe covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Shoe covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Shoe covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Shoe covers, hand covers, mask, jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Mask
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Mask
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Mask
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Mask
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Blue Lion shoe cover
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Yellow Lion shoe cover
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Mask
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Hand covers
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Package cardboard insert
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit – note hooked loop fastener for Red Lion hand cover
VOLTRON FORCE Costume – Jumpsuit – note hooked loop fastener for Green Lion hand cover
