Cartoon
Voltron: The Third Dimension
The story
Voltron: The Third Dimension is an American animated television series produced by World Events Productions. It is a sequel to the 1980s animated series Lion Force Voltron and is set five years after the end of the series (ignoring episodes 53 to 72.). Neil Ross, Michael Bell, and B.J. Ward reprised their roles as Keith, Lance, and Princess Allura for the series. The show was animated by Netter Digital Entertainment, inc. and Mike Young Productions. It departed from the original Voltron's animated look, as well as some character changes, such as the physical appearance of Prince Lotor (now voiced by Tim Curry, taking over the role originally voiced by Lennie Weinrib).
Plot
The story takes place in the Denubian Galaxy. Shannon Muir mapped the galaxy in the 1980s as a fan and posted it online. In 1996, World Events Productions became aware of the work and made it the official starmap for the show.
From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend. The legend of Voltron! A mighty robot — loved by good, feared by evil. As Voltron’s legend grew, peace settled across the galaxy. But then, the evil Prince Lotor escaped from his prison in deep space. He formed a secret alliance with Haggar, Mistress of Dark Magic. And together, they summoned awesome forces of fear and destruction, threatening the universe with new, horrible menaces. Voltron was needed once again. Now comes the story of a super force of space explorers, specially trained and sent by the highest echelon of the Galaxy Alliance to bring back Voltron. This is Voltron: The Third Dimension!
With antagonist Prince Lotor's prison escape, the heroic Voltron Force re-assemble against him, but must contend simultaneously with the various monsters and warships sent by Lotor (at times, captained by him) and with opposition on their own side, represented by the artificial intelligence "Amalgamus", a sophisticated computer who objects periodically to the Voltron Force's methods.
Cast
Clancy Brown – Queeque and Igor
Michael Bell – Lance and Coran
Tim Curry – King Alfor and Prince Lotor
Tress MacNeille – Lafitte
Kevin Michael Richardson – Hunk, King Zarkon, and Narrator
Neil Ross – Keith and Amalgamus
B.J. Ward – Princess Allura and Haggar
Billy West – Pidge
Production
In June 1995, it was reported World Events Productions was looking to revive Voltron with the intention of premiering a new series for Fall of 1996. Netter Digital co-produced the series with Mike Young Productions and marked the first time a CGI television series had been fully produced in the United States. Alongside Crusade, Voltron: The Third Dimension was Netter's follow-up project following the conclusion of Babylon 5.
Awards
The show won a 1999 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Sound Editing – Special Class Rick Hinson (supervising sound editor), for Elizabeth Hinson.