'Voltes V: Legacy: The Cinematic Experience' brings '70s robot anime nostalgia to Japanese fans

"Voltes V: Legacy: The Cinematic Experience" is now showing in Japanese theaters, and reviews have started to come in from fans who have already watched the film.

On X (formerly Twitter), viewers were impressed by the passion for the original "Voltes V" anime oozing from each scene.

Some admitted that they teared up on the cinema and others were already asking about a possible sequel.

"It's all about love. The love was so overwhelming that I was moved to tears. This may be the first time I've felt such love for the original work in a live-action film. Of course, it doesn't hold a candle to Hollywood's visual beauty, but it's more than surpassed by the love that resonates in the heart, transcending race and language. It's the best," a fan said in Japanese, as translated into English.

"I went there! I have embraced the Philippine love for Voltes. The fusion scene gave me goosebumps! This kind of live-action adaptation is very welcome! It was amazing. My husband was crying next to me," another fan said.

The film is popular with the generation that got to watch "Voltes V" when it first aired in the 1970s. One viewer shared that everyone in the audience who watched the screening he attended, including himself, was over 50 years old.

"I went to see the movie. That kind of thing couldn't be made in Japan today. The respect and love for the original was incredible. Even the small music in the film was a proper arrangement of the one used in the anime. Everyone watching was an older man from the generation that watched Voltes V," a fan said.

According to several fans, the film merchandise have been sold out in various theaters as many viewers have "volted in" on the screenings.

"The flavor is different, but there are no strange changes. It was definitely Voltes V! It seems to be very popular, with pamphlets selling out at movie theaters across Nagano Prefecture," one said.

Viewers were amazed with how the film remained true to the original, even with the few changes and additional details.

"The whole of Voltes V that I watched as a child (in kindergarten at the time) is faithfully reproduced. There are some chances to the setting, but it doesn't feel strange at all. I could really feel the love that the people of the Philippines have for Voltes V," one said.

Others were also impressed with Julie Anne San Jose's version of the "Voltes V" theme song, originally performed by Mitsuko Horie.

"It was a passionate movie filled with love for Voltes. The theme song, sung in Japanese by a Filipino singer, played during the fusion scene brought tears to my eyes... Thank you to the people of the Philippines!"

Aside from the iconic "volt in" scene and the exciting robot fights, the message of the film resonated with the fans – that love for family.

"The power of the fusion and battles scenes [were] amazing! My hands were tense the whole time, and before I knew it, it was over! The great love to protect what is important. The strength to endure and overcome anything. I'm grateful to have come across such a worthwhile movie," a fan said.

"Voltes V: Legacy: The Cinematic Experience" is a film cut of "Voltes V: Legacy." Directed by Mark Reyes, it stars Miguel Tanfelix as Steve Armstrong, Ysabel Ortega as Jamie Robinson, Radson Flores as Mark Gordon, Matt Lozano as Big Bert Armstrong, and Raphael Landicho as Little Jon Armstrong.

The film first premiered in Philippine cinemas last year. For the Japanese release, it was re-edited, additional scenes were included, and the CGI was further improved.

Some of the cast attended the Japanese premiere, where they met their voice actor counterparts for the dubbed version of the film.

A 20-episode cut of the live action series will also air in Japan.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News