Beast King GoLion (1981)
The legendary Japanese mecha anime that inspired a global franchise — five pilots, five lions, one unstoppable giant robot.
Beast King GoLion - Series Information
- Original Title: 百獣王ゴライオン
- First Air Year: 1981
- Last Air Year: 1982
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 22 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 52
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: March 4, 1981 (United States - TV-14), March 4, 1981 (South Korea - 7)
- Networks: TV Tokyo, Tokyo Channel 12
- Alternative Titles: Lion Voltron (US), 백수왕 고라이온 (KR), 战神金刚 (CN), Hyakujuu Ou Golion (JP)
- Production Companies: Toei Animation, Tokyo TV Dôga
- Production Countries: Japan
Beast King GoLion - Plot
Long ago, a powerful sentient robot known as GoLion, abused his great powers by attacking and killing creatures known as Deathblack Beastmen, boasting that no one could defeat him. For his arrogance, The Goddess of the Universe punished GoLion by separating him into 5 different lion robots. In the year 1999, a group of 5 young men returned to Earth after a space voyage, only to find it ravaged by nuclear war. After encountering the alien race known as the Galra, the 5 youths end up on the planet Altea and learn that the 5 lion robots that GoLion was split into are in hibernation in various parts of Altea. Somehow, they must reunite the lions and form GoLion, the only hope for the human race.
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Beast King GoLion - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kazuhiko Inoue
- Yu Mizushima
- Masako Nozawa
- Ryusei Nakao
- Rumiko Ukai
- Tessyo Genda
- Yuji Fujishiro
- Kazuyo Aoki
- Kosei Tomita
- Akira Kamiya
Beast King GoLion - FAQs
Is Beast King GoLion the same as Voltron?
Beast King GoLion is the original Japanese anime that was adapted and re-edited for Western audiences under the title Voltron: Defender of the Universe. The American version altered character names, removed violent content, and changed plot details, making it a significantly different experience from the original Japanese series.
What is Beast King GoLion about?
Set in 1999, five young men return from a space voyage to find Earth devastated by nuclear war. Captured by the alien Galra Empire and transported to the planet Altea, they discover five dormant lion robots — pieces of a once-arrogant deity robot named GoLion — and must unite them to protect what remains of humanity.
Where can you stream Beast King GoLion?
Streaming availability for Beast King GoLion varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your area, including any subscription streaming, rental, or purchase platforms currently carrying the series.
How dark is Beast King GoLion compared to Voltron?
Considerably darker. The original Japanese series features character deaths, graphic violence, and morally complex storytelling that was largely edited out of the American Voltron adaptation. GoLion tackles themes of war, loss, and sacrifice with a seriousness that makes it a more intense watch than its Western counterpart.
Who are the main voice actors in Beast King GoLion?
The series features a stellar cast of Japanese voice talent, including Kazuhiko Inoue as lead pilot Akira Kogane, Masako Nozawa in a dual role as Hiroshi Suzuishi and the witch Honerva, Ryusei Nakao as Takashi Shirogane, Rumiko Ukai as Princess Fala, and Akira Kamiya as the villain Sincline.
Did Beast King GoLion win any awards?
Beast King GoLion did not accumulate major formal awards, but its cultural impact has been enormous. The series became the foundation for the internationally beloved Voltron franchise and is widely recognized as one of the defining super robot anime of the early 1980s, influencing countless mecha series that followed.
How many episodes does Beast King GoLion have?
Beast King GoLion ran for a single season of 52 episodes, airing on TV Tokyo from 1981 to 1982. Each episode runs approximately 22 minutes, making the complete series a satisfying but manageable watch for fans of classic mecha anime.
What are similar anime series to Beast King GoLion?
Fans of Beast King GoLion will likely enjoy other classic super robot anime such as Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, and Gurren Lagann, all of which share the piloted giant robot formula. For more modern takes on mecha action, Aldnoah.Zero and Knights of Sidonia offer compelling sci-fi combat with similar themes.
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