From Days of Long Ago...

zarq — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:22:13 -0800

"From days of long ago... from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend: the legend of Voltron, Defender of the Universe!" WEP, who originally created the show way back in the early 80’s, has released the full first season of the series (Lion Voltron) to Hulu and on their YouTube channel (official playlist / videos are unrestricted). Only the first two-part episode of Voltron Series Two (Vehicle Force) is currently available to view for free online: 1, 2. However, many of the episodes are available for purchase at Amazon Prime and iTunes. A Voltron: Fleet of Doom movie aired after the first series ran in the US (Parts: 1, 2, 3), to introduce viewers to changes to the show that would take place in series 2. Background i09: Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About the Big Cat Robot Voltron Includes a link to this fun fan vid on YouTube: Best Voltron Moments In 1983, Ted Koplar and Peter Keefe (RIP - he passed away in 2010,) took footage he had licensed from from two different Japanese cartoons: Beast King GoLion (which can be seen in its entirety at Crunchyroll,) and Armored Fleet Dairugger XV (video clips), to create an entirely new show. The producers couldn’t translate the original Japanese shows into English, so they guessed at the plots, created completely new dialogue and storylines, and bowdlerized the more violent scenes (including all the character deaths) into a show they could release into syndication with minimal controversy. Wikipedia: Changes from the Japanese Version lists the differences in detail. Caution: the GoLion show is not safe for young children. Rebooting Japanese animation into American shows had been done before -- with Gatchaman / Battle of the Planets and others. But by carving an entirely new show from existing footage, Voltron paved the way for shows like Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. Per Mr. Keefe's NYTimes obit, the show became one of the top children's programs in syndication in the mid-1980s. Initially, there were supposed to be three "Voltrons": Voltron I of the Near Universe was the "Vehicle Force", which appeared in Series II. Voltron III was the "Lion Force" of the Far Universe. Voltron II, from the Middle Universe, was to be based on a Japanese show, Lightspeed Electroid Albegas (Footage: 1, 2), and would have featured three humanoid robots that combined into one multi-armed fighter; this version was never shown in the US (though toys based on this show were released). Spinoffs In 1998, Voltron, The Third Dimension was released. (Wikipedia) The 3D, all-CGI show lasted only a single season -- 26 episodes, but starred Tim Curry as Lotor. Nearly all of it can be seen for free on YouTube: 1: "Escape from Bastille" 1, 2, 3 2: "Red Lion Breaks Loose" 1, 2, 3 3: "Building the Forces of Doom" 1, 2, 3 4: "Lost Souls" 1, 2, 3 5: "A Rift in the Force" 1, 2, 3 6: “Shades of Gray” 1, 2, 3 7: "Bride of the Monster" 1, 2, 3 8: "Dominus" 1, 2, 3 9: "Voltron versus Dracotron" 1, 2, 3 10: "Descent into Madness" 1, 2, 3 11: "Pidge Gets Iced" 1, 2, 3 12: "Dark Heart" 1, 2, 3 13: "The Big Lie" 1, 2, 3 14: "The Trial of Voltron" 1, 2, 3 15: "The Troika Moons" 1, 2, 3 16: "Biography: The Voltron Force" 1, 2, 3 17: Missing 18: “The Voltron Force Strikes Back” 1, 2, 3 19: "Stealth Voltron" 1, 2, 3 20: "Gladiators" 1, 2, 3 (Not Online) 21: Not Online 22: Not Online 23: "Consider the Alternatives" 1, 2, 3 A live-action feature-length film has been in the planning stages since 2005: Voltron: Defender of the Universe. Concept Art. Recent announcement from Relativity Media In June 2011, for the 25th anniversary of the original series, WEP announced a new show: Voltron Force. Trailer. The last six episodes to air are available at Nicktoons. Video from before the show aired last year. Miscellany * The fan site Voltron Universe has some old Voltron games available to download. (Haven't downloaded any of these, so your risk and mileage may vary.) There is a Voltron: Defender of the Universe game for XBox and PS3. Review. * Earlier this year, MetLife included the big 'bot in a commercial that aired during the SuperBowl. They also released a fun "behind the scenes" video of him doing "the robot." * Fan Film (Live Action): Voltron: The End (Previously on MeFi)

Violence, the RPG

empath — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:39:35 -0800

Violence, the RPG. In 1999, Greg Costikyan, designer of Toon, Paranoia, and the Star Wars RPG, released this satirical and profane take on violence in games anonymously. It's now available as a free download.

Here’s what I want to do. I want to go into a Quake® deathmatch. And I want to strip down to a loincloth, sit down on the floor with a begging bowl, and call after the lunatics with the plasma guns as they flee past me, saying, “It is all samsara, it is all illusion, my friend” — for truly it is, pixels on a screen. “Reject the fleeting temptations here, what profiteth you another kill? There is another path.” And I want him to turn, think twice—and then I will smile benevolently as he tosses a rocket my way, blows me to my reincarnation as my peaceful self—and he runs on, and kills and kills again, quad damage, armor, another clip, heal and heal and blammo to the floor—until finally he turns, lays down his gun, and sits by me, asking me to teach. And then one by one, the players shall gather by me, sitting, assuming the lotus position, touching the ground in the earth-witness gesture, letting their thoughts still, contemplating that strange Quake sky as it streams overhead, peaceful, in unity, transforming this one, small, cyberrealm of unending war and mayhem into harmony."

Animated Children's Philosophers

graventy — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:48:03 -0800

The Animated Calvin & Hobbes. A fantastic student project. via

If he buys a car, he's doomed to be victim of chaos, traffic and mechanics stinginess.

painquale — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 23:52:57 -0800

Neuro is a new Flash cartoon by Bruno Bozzetto, an Italian animator most well-known for creating the character Mr. Rossi. In 1965, Bozzetto was the only Italian to create and produce an animated feature film in over 20 years. Check out the rest of his excellent site, which includes a bio, clips from his older work, and some more recent Flash cartoons. I recommend the short Europe and Italy.

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From Days of Long Ago...

Violence, the RPG

Animated Children's Philosophers

If he buys a car, he's doomed to be victim of chaos, traffic and mechanics stinginess.