The hit anime series “Voltes V” wowed international audiences during the time it was aired in the 1970s, and in the years and decades after that, as it was marketed to different parts of the globe.
You may well also know the success of live-action adaptations of your favorite Disney movies, such as “Cinderella,” “The Lion King,” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
Live-actions are adaptations of pieces such as animated series and films involving real people and animals. Technology is heavily used in production, such as the rendering of animals, whether real or not.
This time, the anime world is getting a taste of this feat.
‘Voltes V’ live-action
Popular anime “Voltes V” is getting a live-action series adaptation in one of its biggest and most successful markets worldwide, the Philippines. That means, yes, you will see your favorite “Voltes V” characters portrayed by real people, actors.
“Voltes V,” also called “Chou Denji Machine Voltes V,” is a Japanese anime TV series produced by Toei Dōga and animated by Nippon Sunrise. It tells the story of a group of five heroes operating a superstrong battle machine called Voltes V to save the day from a ruthless enemy from a faraway planet trying to conquer Earth.
The live-action adaptation is titled “Voltes V: Legacy,” and will feature some of the most talented actors and actresses in the Philippines, such as Matt Lozano, Ysabel Ortega, Liezel Lopez, Miguel Tanfelix, Radson Flores, and Martin del Rosario. They will be portraying the original “Voltes V” characters, including Kenichi Goh, Ippei Mine, Daijiro Goh, Hiyoshi Goh, Megumi Oka, and the villain, Prince Heinel.
It is directed by Filipino director Mark Reyes and written by Filipino writer Suzette Doctolero.
It has been said that hundreds of animators collaborated to make this live-action series a possibility.
Recognized by Japan’s Toie Company
Furthermore, “Voltes V: Legacy” was also recognized by the producer of the original anime, Japan’s Toie Company. This was posted on its official website, recognizing the significant popularity of “Voltes V” in the Philippines when the anime aired there in the late 1970s. Reyes, the director, shared screenshots of the feature on his Instagram account.
The statement from Toei Company read, “…Its (Voltes V’s) popularity was not limited to Japan, but also across the sea, and it was extremely popular in the Philippines at the time, and the entire Filipino people, including children, were enthusiastic about ‘Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V.’ In the Philippines, there are still many people who can sing Mitsuko Horie’s anime opening theme song “Voltes V no Uta” in Japanese, showing how popular it is in the Philippines.”
Toei Company also recognized the efforts of GMA Network, the network in charge of airing the live-action adaptation, in producing a high-budget project and praised Reyes for his expertise and experience in producing live-action movies in the Philippines.
There is no news yet regarding the exact release date of “Voltes V: Legacy,” except that it will start airing this 2023.
