Beast King GoLion
"Let's Go Lion!"
A TV Tokyo Original
Beast King GoLion unfolds in a distant future where a sentient war machine named GoLion uses its power to attack and dominate, leaving a trail of fear. The Goddess of the Universe intervenes by splitting GoLion into five separate lion robots. In 1999 a group of five young men return from a space... Read more
Where to Watch "Beast King GoLion"
Not Currently Streaming
This title isn't available for streaming in the US right now.
Not Currently Available On (9 platforms)
Streaming availability last verified: February 20, 2026
About Beast King GoLion
Beast King GoLion unfolds in a distant future where a sentient war machine named GoLion uses its power to attack and dominate, leaving a trail of fear. The Goddess of the Universe intervenes by splitting GoLion into five separate lion robots. In 1999 a group of five young men return from a space voyage to a Earth devastated by nuclear war. They encounter the Galra and learn that the five lions lie hidden on different corners of the world of Altea. Reassembling them is the only chance to bring GoLion back and defend humanity. Without spoiling twists, the team must bond with the lions, coordinate their strengths, and face a threat that looms larger than any single pilot.
Directed by Katsuhiko Taguchi, this 1981 series was developed from the GoLion concept by Saburo Yatsude and Susumu Takaku, and later adapted into the Voltron phenomenon. It helped popularize giant team mecha across television worldwide, blending action with character teamwork.
As for honors, Beast King GoLion does not have major awards on record. Yet it earned lasting recognition from fans and nerd culture retrospectives for shaping the Voltron franchise and inspiring later mecha anime. Its influence is measured in legacy value rather than trophy case credentials.
GoLion's five lions combining into a single giant robot set a template later echoed by Voltron and many other team based mecha series. The image of diverse pilots joining forces to save the world became a touchstone of 1980s pop culture, especially in Western markets, and it spawned lasting merchandise.
Critics and viewers often note the show's emphasis on teamwork and leadership under pressure. It blends space adventure with ethical questions about power and responsibility, inviting audiences to consider how individuals grow through collaboration even when faced with overwhelming odds. Viewers have long cited its optimistic tone and resilience.
What Viewers Are Saying
GoLion, the subbed version that later became Voltron, pops with a gothic sci fi vibe — witches, black magic, skull ships, flying coffins and organic architecture — along with brisk mech battles from lion robots to giant foes. A chunk of fans call it derivative and say the pacing is uneven, mostly episodic with a straightforward overthrow-the-tyrant arc rather than a tight serialized narrative. Other fans notice the action variety and surprisingly fleshed out character moments, plus weapons that evolve over time and finishing blows that look uniquely animated.
Details
- Release Date
- March 04, 1981
- Episode Length
- 22m
- Rating
- TV-14
- User Ratings
- 15 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Episodes
- 52
- Network
- TV Tokyo, Tokyo Channel 12
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Country
- Japan
- Animation Studio
- Toei Animation
- Based On
- Original
- Format
- TV
Official Trailer
Voice Cast
Kazuhiko Inoue
Yu Mizushima
Masako Nozawa
Ryusei Nakao
Rumiko Ukai
Tessyo Genda
Yuji Fujishiro
Kazuyo Aoki
Kosei Tomita
Akira Kamiya
Director: Hiroshi Sasagawa
Frequently Asked Questions
Toei Animation Toei Animation is one of the oldest and largest anime studios in Japan. They're responsible for iconic long-running series including Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon, and Pretty Cure. The studio... View all Toei Animation anime