Written By Mikey Sutton • Editor-in-Chief • Owner
Voltes V: Legacy will boldly go where no Philippine TV show has gone before with a panel at San Diego Comic-Con this month. Voltes V: Legacy is the GMA Network in the Philippines big-budget live-action adaptation of the classic Japanese anime.
Although it only existed for a year, the original Voltes V cartoon became a indelible childhood icon and political symbol in the Philippines.
Airing in Japan from June 4, 1977 to March 25, 1978, Voltes V landed with a bang in the Philippines in the late ’70s.
By 1979, though, President Ferdinand Marcos ripped the show from the local airwaves, claiming it was excessively violent.
Voltes V: Legacy Plants Filipino Flag For First Time At SDCC 2023
Image: Facebook
Licensed from Toei Company, Voltes V: Legacy is ambitious in its scope, targeting the international market with dazzling CGI from the Philippines’ own Riot Inc. Post Production.
Director Mark A. Reyes V deftly balances high-tech science-fiction with affairs of the heart.
As such, the daily TV show easily outdoes Michael Bay’s critically slammed Transformers movies because it truly cares about the characters.
Voltes V: Legacy works better because, unlike Bay, the creators have an affection for its roots. Everything from lead visual designer Noel Layon Flores‘ conceptual art to Riot Inc.’s special effects echo its vintage anime origins.
Per the GMA Network:
GMA will formally make its Comic-Con debut on July 22 from 10 am to 11 am at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. Afterward, the cast will be signing a limited edition poster on the convention floor. Attendees are encouraged to stop by Dogu Publishing’s Booth (#4807) at the SDCC for details on how to participate in the signing. Since the opportunity is extremely limited, fans are advised to secure their place early so they don’t miss out.
Voltes V: Legacy Plants Filipino Flag For First Time At SDCC 2023
Image: Facebook
Among Voltes V: Legacy cast members who will attend are Miguel Tanfelix (Steve Armstrong), Ysabel Ortega (Jamie Robinson), and Gabby Eigenmann (Commander Robinson).
Reyes will appear as well.
This is a historic moment for the Philippines as one of its homegrown programs will hit the biggest stage for geek fandom for the first time.
Let’s volt-in.
Mikey Sutton made his professional writing debut in Movie Flash magazine in the Philippines in 1987 at the age of 18. He wrote for Amazing Heroes, Cinefantastique, and Fantazia in the ’90s. He was a staff writer for The All-Music Guide in the ’00s. He’s a three-time first-place winner at the Washington Press Association Awards. His comic book, Dreamwalker, will be an upcoming TV series directed by Mikhail Red and starring Kate Valdez. He is a proud Filipino-American.