I cannot recommend the original Go Lion (audio Japanese with English subtitles) series to Lion Voltron fans enough! Even adults who have never seen Voltron, but enjoy dark sci-fi cartoons might enjoy the original Japanese series.

So much has been deleted from the American Voltron cartoons that to only see the American version is like eating an ice cream sandwich without the ice cream. The American Voltron is like reading a version of Nabokov's novel Lolita that lacks any sexual references.

My only negative criticism of Go Lion is:

1) There is still at least one animation mess that is also in the American version (Pidge is running in Voltron uniform, but is suddenly wearing his street clothes for the 2 seconds he falls to the ground).

2) The soundtrack is PAINFULLY typical of Japanese media of the early 1980s. However, this could be a HUGE perk if you enjoy unintentional humor.

3) After watching Go Lion, you might not want to see the American version ever again.

4) You might feel conflicted about the American production company that gave us Voltron. While I am grateful that the company introduced Americans to a compelling sci-fi fantasy story, I also feel like I got tricked into accepting a mutated Disney version. Even as a kid I could handle the REAL Little Mermaid story where the mermaid dies at the end ).

What's great about Go Lion:

1) Go Lion presents the story in its pure form and (unlike the American Voltron) does not mutate the plot.

2) The characters are more realistic in the context of the true plot and dialogue.

3) The story is more interesting and intelligible.

4) The dialogue is more credible (in the American version, frequently the characters' passionate words fall like cheeze whiz; in Go Lion, the character's passionate words tell it like it is and have a much stronger impact).

5) The Go Lion episodes seem longer than the short episodes that aired in the United States. Frankly, I feel that much of what we saw in the United States in 1984-86 were toy COMMERCIALS.

NOTES:

It is important to note that while some online Go Lion DVD vendors do not indicate that the DVDs have English subtitles, English subtitles are widely available. If you are worried about getting a Japanese language only product, contact the vendor in advance of purchasing.

Also, while I was planning on watching Go Lion for free on the Internet, now I am psyched I owned the DVDs and can watch the unedited series in order any time I please.

CONCLUSION:

Go Lion is a MUST SEE! Buy the DVDs while they are still available.

Of course the DVDs have subtitles, as Media Blasters would never released a series in Japanese without subs.

However, yes, Golion is amazing.