6 Anime To Watch If You Love ‘Voltron: Legendary Defender’

Harrison Charles
TV Animation
TV Animation Anime

Voltron: Legendary Defender tells the story of a group of young Paladins who come together to fight for the greater good. It’s not just the characters and storylines that have garnered its increasing fan base, the show’s close ties to Japanese anime has also opened its viewers up to the world of this medium. So if Voltron: Legendary Defender has piqued your interest in anime, here are six shows you should watch.

Space Dandy

  • Best for: Fans of Voltron‘s sarcastic slapstick humor, space travel, and Lance
  • Where to watch: Hulu, Netflix (UK)

Space Dandy is one of those shows where you will either find it completely insane and love it, or it makes perfect sense and you will still love it. The show follows the adventures of Dandy, a handsome space explorer who travels across the universe to find new alien life forms. Like Voltron, it is set in the vast expanse of space, and even though both shows aren’t similar in terms of story, it has the same sarcastic slapstick humor as Voltron. Even Dandy himself is a lover-boy character (think Lance but with a unique haircut).

The show has a vibrant and wild animation, leaving you in your seat wondering where the insanity will take you. One moment you might be looking at a bizarre alien and the next you might be thrown into some rainbow light show.

Gurren Lagann

  • Best for: Those who love Voltron’s fight scenes and stories about war
  • Where to watch: Hulu, Netflix

Does using a robot to fight an army sound familiar? Well, that’s just what Gurren Lagann is about. Like Voltron, it takes a similar approach of a story revolving around a rebellion, using giant Gunman as weapons in the fight. The anime follows the struggle of Simon and Kamina as they fight against the Spiral King in hopes to reclaim their home on the surface.

What makes this show particularly fun to watch is the relationship between characters as you watch the trials they face and overcome, much like the Voltron Paladins. The show also makes you emotional when the characters fight against their enemy, making you want to cheer on them like when Voltron fights the Galra Forces.

My Hero Academia

  • Best for: Fans of superheroes and Voltron‘s comedy
  • Where to watch: Funimation, Hulu, Crunchyroll

In the same way that the Voltron Paladins rose to their roles, My Hero Academia also tells a similar heroic story. The anime series follows the story of Izuku Midoriya, a powerless underdog who is given the abilities of one of his heroes. Throughout the anime, which is now in its third season, Midoriya discovers the struggles of being a hero.

As you watch the anime deal with themes of heroism and finding inner strength, you’ll find yourself laughing to the point of tears with its wacky and random comedy. What makes My Hero Academia particularly special, however, is how it’s all animated with a blend of a typical yet quirky anime and manga style. If heroics is what sold you on Voltron, then this show is for you.

Kill la Kill

  • Best for: Fans of Voltron’s fun attitude and interactions between characters
  • Where to watch: Hulu, Netflix

Aside from the serious topics that Voltron deals with, it still doesn’t always take itself too seriously, especially in the interactions between characters. Kill la Kill is the same but heightened to an extreme level. The anime follows Ryūko Matoi, a student with half a scissor-shaped sword, and her quest to locate the other half to solve her father’s death.

While depicting deep issues, Kill la Kill can go from super serious to completely weird in seconds. But the anime’s main selling point is its explosive animation and its fast-paced fight sequences that only adds to its unique style.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

  • Best for: Fans of Voltron‘s mature themes, Keith, and intense fight scenes
  • Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Avatar: The Last Airbender isn’t Japanese but can arguably be called anime. The Nickelodeon series explores similar issues that Voltron deals with, including war and oppression. What puts this show in a league of its own is how it takes everything a step further and explores more mature themes of genocide and personal loss.

The story revolves around a young boy named Aang, an Airbender who must fulfill his destiny as the ‘Avatar’ to bring peace to a war-torn world. You’ll go through the ups and downs of all the diverse characters and fall in love with their personalities (if you’re a fan of Voltron’s Keith, then you’ll love Avatar’s Zuko).

It’s not just the characters that make this a good show; it’s also the show’s fight sequences. Each fast-paced and intense fight scene keeps you on the edge of your seat, so if you like an emotional but heartfelt story mixed with funny moments, this is a must-watch show.

RWBY

  • Best for: Fans of Voltron‘s characters, slapstick comedy, and justice stories
  • Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Youtube

RWBY is another show that has its origins in the US, but we’ll still count it as anime. Similar to Voltron, the series deals with conflict between groups that leads to an all-out war. The story follows a group of girls attending a school that teaches them how to fight monsters called Grimm, to protect their home.

Like Voltron, each of the characters are individuals who provide the same kind of zany, slapstick comedy. Each character is wild and wonderful and they all have deep backstories which makes them well-rounded and fascinating to watch.

What gives RWBY its edge, however, is its animation. It’s so artistic that it’s in a league of its own. This artistic style isn’t just apparent with its characters, but also within its intense fight sequences. The show is colorful, bold, and it keeps getting better as the show progresses. If Voltron’s ‘fighting for the greater good’ is your obsession, you’ll certainly like RWBY.

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Harrison Charles