The legend returns: ‘Voltes V’ will air anew on GMA starting tomorrow, featuring a new Filipino dub. (Screenshot courtesy of Toei, Nippon Sunrise, Telesuccess Productions and GMA Network)
‘Voltes V’ is back.
As part of the anime’s 40th anniversary, GMA announced that a redubbed version of ‘Voltes V’ will be aired starting tomorrow morning on the network’s Astig Authority block. The fresh new Filipino dub of ‘Voltes V’ will feature the following Kapuso stars:
- Derrick Monasterio (as Steve Armstrong)
- Jak Roberto (as Mark Gordon)
- Hiro Peralta (as Big Bert Armstrong)
- Bea Binene (as Jamie Robinson)
- Ken Chan (as Prince Zardos)
The voices of Little John Armstrong, Dr. Ned Armstrong, Mary Armstrong, Dr. Smith, Commander Robinson, Dr. Hook, Draco, Zandra, Zuhl and other characters will also be dubbed by various voice actors. However, it is unknown if GMA will give credit to these voice actors for their roles in the redubbed ‘Voltes V’.
‘Voltes V’, a brainchild of Tadao Nagahama (also the man behind ‘Daimos’), was first aired on GMA in 1978. However, it was soon banned by then-President Ferdinand Marcos (along with the aforementioned ‘Daimos’ and other robot anime) for being ‘too violent’.
It was only after the People Power Revolution that ‘Voltes V’ triumphantly returned on air through various TV channels (most notably ABS-CBN and IBC-13). In 1999, ‘Voltes V’ was brought back by GMA in both English and Filipino dubs (along with the four unaired episodes known as ‘Voltes V: The Liberation’), and instantly became popular with a new generation of viewers.
The renewed popularity of ‘Voltes V’ also inspired the ‘Bubble Gang’ segment ‘Ang Dating Doon’ (a parody of the religious program ‘Ang Dating Daan’) to adopt the anime’s opening song as its theme. The skit even brought a toy version of the robot on numerous occasions.
In 2005, ABS-CBN’s Hero channel aired a new Filipino dub of ‘Voltes V’ (known as ‘Voltes V Evolution’), starring the likes of Jett Pangan and Sandara Park. However, the new dub was poorly received.
The 2017 dub of ‘Voltes V’ may be a celebration for the anime’s 40th anniversary, but it remains to be seen if the redub will be worth watching. Considering that ‘Magandang Buhay’ has had some winning moments in recent episodes, this will be a tough task for the returning series to overcome.
Still, for those too young to remember the battle between the Boazanians and the Earth’s special forces, ‘Voltes V’ will be a new experience for all of them. Win or lose, this new dub should give them a fresh perspective on how good overcomes evil, and how bloodlines were revealed.
From the Tube 
Let’s hope the posterity will learn how they experience the childhood of parents but then, I shall not be surprised with the current editing scheme that destroys the integrity of the anime for advertising money come tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow on GMA, we will witness a sneak preview and reveal any details of the remake of 2003-4 fantaserye, Mulawin, on 24 Oras. It will be an insightful worth to write for this week.
GMA’s Astig Authority is just too short and too cramped. That’s why there are fears that Voltes V will be heavily edited for ad purposes, something that might alienate the older folks who watched the show from episode 1. Don’t be surprised if this redub fails to impress.
As for Mulawin, let’s just wait till the week before its premiere in order to give them a proper preview. Right now they may not announce its premiere date just yet so keep those fingers crossed.
Pingback: Redubbed Daimos to Air on GMA Astig Authority Starting Today | From the Tube