The late nineties were a chaotic fever dream for animation. If you were around back then, you probably remember the jarring transition from hand-drawn cells to the blocky, jagged edges of early computer-generated imagery. It was the era of ReBoot and Beast Wars. And right in the middle of that experimental gold rush, we got Voltron: The Third Dimension.
It wasn't just a sequel. It was a massive gamble.
Released in 1998, this show attempted to bridge the gap between the nostalgic "Lion Force" era of the 1980s and a future that the technology of the time wasn't quite ready for. Honestly, looking back at it now, the visuals feel like a time capsule of 1998’s technical limitations. But there’s a lot more to this show than just dated CGI. It brought back the original voice cast, tried to build a complex political narrative, and gave us a version of Lotor that was—frankly—genuinely unsettling.
Why Voltron: The Third Dimension Happened
By the mid-90s, the original Voltron: Defender of the Universe was a legendary relic. World Events Productions (WEP) knew they had a goldmine, but they couldn't just keep re-airing the same 80s episodes forever. They needed something fresh. Mike Young Productions was brought in to handle the heavy lifting of the CGI, which, at the time, was considered "cutting edge."
People forget how expensive this was. Each episode cost roughly $400,000 to $500,000 to produce. That’s a staggering amount of money for 1998, especially for a syndicated cartoon.
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The story picks up three years after the original series ended. Peace has supposedly been won. But, as is usually the case in space operas, peace is incredibly fragile. Prince Lotor is back, but he’s not the same guy. He’s been physically mangled and turned into a cyborg, which was a pretty dark turn for a show aimed at kids who were still buying Fruit Roll-Ups and playing with Pogs.
The Cast That Saved the Show
The biggest win for Voltron: The Third Dimension was the return of the original voice talent. This wasn't some cheap knock-off with sound-alikes. You had Neil Ross back as Keith, Michael Bell as Lance, and B.J. Ward as Allura. Having those familiar voices come out of these new, shiny 3D models helped ground the show for older fans who might have been skeptical about the change in art style.
Tim Curry joined the fray too. Yes, that Tim Curry. He voiced King Alfor and Lotor’s father, King Zarkon (taking over for Jack Angel in certain capacities). Curry brought a level of Shakespearean menace to the role that most Saturday morning cartoons lacked. When he spoke, you listened.
The Visual Struggle
Let’s be real. The CGI is a lot to take in today.
At the time, the creators were using early versions of Softimage 3D. The characters often had "floaty" feet that didn't quite touch the ground, and their facial expressions were... limited. Keith often looked like he was permanently surprised, and Hunk’s proportions were a bit like a collection of textured spheres.
However, the mecha combat was a different story.
Seeing the Lions transform in 3D was a revelation for kids in 1998. The way the pieces clicked together felt tactile. It felt heavy. When Voltron formed, the scale felt more "real" than the flat 2D animation of the 80s ever did. The producers actually used the original 2D transformation sequence as a literal blueprint, trying to match the timing frame-for-frame.
That Bizarre Narrative Pivot
One thing that separates Voltron: The Third Dimension from other iterations is the focus on the "Voltron Force" as a celebrity unit. They weren't just soldiers; they were icons. This added a layer of meta-commentary that was actually ahead of its time. They had to deal with public relations, political fallout, and the burden of being "the big blue-and-red-and-yellow-and-green savior."
The show also introduced Stealth Voltron.
Basically, they realized that the classic bright colors didn't always make sense for every mission. So, they gave Voltron a black-and-grey "stealth" mode. It was a blatant move to sell more toys—specifically the Trendmasters line—but it actually looked pretty cool. The Trendmasters toys were actually quite high quality for the era, featuring chrome parts and die-cast metal that felt like the original Matchbox toys.
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The Lotor Problem
Lotor in this series is nightmare fuel. In the original 80s show, he was a flamboyant villain with a weird obsession with Allura. In the Third Dimension, he’s a broken, cybernetic mess held together by spite. His obsession becomes much darker, fueled by his physical degradation. He’s essentially a stalker with a fleet of robots.
The show didn't shy away from his instability. There’s a psychological edge to the writing that occasionally makes you forget you're watching a "toy commercial."
Why It Ended and What’s Left
The show lasted for two seasons and 26 episodes. It didn't "fail" in the traditional sense, but the landscape of television was changing rapidly. Pokémon had arrived. The demand for Western-produced CGI mecha shows was being eclipsed by the anime explosion of the early 2000s.
Even so, Voltron: The Third Dimension won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program. It’s a footnote in history now, often overshadowed by the 2011 Nicktoons series or the massive success of Netflix’s Legendary Defender.
If you try to find it today, it's a bit of a hunt. It hasn't seen a massive 4K remaster because, honestly, the original render files probably wouldn't hold up to that kind of scrutiny. You’re mostly stuck with old DVDs or "archival" uploads on YouTube.
How to Revisit the Series Today
If you’re feeling nostalgic or just curious about this weird corner of the Voltron mythos, here is how you should approach it:
- Watch for the Voice Acting: Don't focus on the "uncanny valley" faces. Listen to the performances. Neil Ross and Michael Bell have a chemistry that defines those characters.
- Notice the Lore: Pay attention to how they try to connect the dots to the 80s show. It’s surprisingly respectful of the source material's history.
- The Toys: If you’re a collector, the Trendmasters "Third Dimension" line is actually worth looking into. They have a distinct 90s aesthetic that has aged better than the show itself.
- Keep Expectations in Check: It’s 1998 CGI. Think ReBoot or Shadow Raiders. If you can handle that, you’ll find a solid space adventure underneath.
Voltron: The Third Dimension remains a fascinating bridge between two eras of animation. It was a moment where creators were pushing against the ceiling of what computers could do, all while trying to keep the soul of a Japanese-inspired classic alive for a new generation. It’s clunky, it’s shiny, and it’s undeniably Voltron.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check Secondary Markets: If you want the physical media, look for the "Voltron: The Third Dimension" DVD releases from the early 2000s. They are often found in "bargain bins" on eBay for under $20.
- Compare the Reboots: Watch the first episode of the 80s series, then the first of Third Dimension, then the first of Legendary Defender. It's a masterclass in how animation technology and storytelling tropes evolved over 30 years.
- Track Down the Comic: There was a brief comic tie-in from Devil’s Due Publishing that explored some of these themes with much better "visuals" than the 1998 renders could provide.