The Mighty Orbots

Orbots was definitely among the highest production value, best-paced and best-edited cartoons of its time. It just wasn't attached to a big-budget toy line like the Transformers/Gobots, which limited its value to TV networks. It was anime before anime got big in the states--the quality of the animation was more like recent series than Voltron.

You can currently find Orbots episodes on a YouTube competitor, which shall remain nameless, but whose name begins with a letter near the end of the alphabet. Unfortunately, they aren't high quality videos, so the slick feel of the real TV show isn't there.

I was just so excited that someone out there remembers this show besides me.

Basic plot: Geeky computer guy builds some kooky robots who have amazing skills. The robots can combing into one big robot (Voltron style) and kick some serious a**. Great 'Japanese Anime' animation, sounds, narration, etc. They have battles with their arch-enemy, Shadow, and so on and so forth.

I always wondered what became of the Mighty Orbots. When I found out the show was canceled due to a stupid lawsuit concerning the extremely cheap and bottom of the bargain basement bin GoBots, I was very disappointed. I have fond memories of getting up early on Saturday mornings so I could enjoy the adventures of these Mighty Orbots. It was very well animated, and the plots kept you guessing at what would happen next. I also admired the nature of each of the Orbots' personalities. They weren't over-the-top, so it was easy to develop a bond with all of them. It definitely introduced a better quality of anime in the American market and this was apparent in the success of Robotech, Transformers and Voltron. Ironically, the GoBots tanked horribly and was always seen as a "poor man's" version of the Transformers. Maybe one day somebody will decide to re-release the Orbots or pick up the series again. At the very least, I hope that a DVD is forthcoming.

When one thinks of "the Mighty Orbots" one thinks in my opinion, the greatest 80's animation of that time that lasted only one full season due to them being sued by the makers of the sorry ass "The Gobots". The Orbots paved a way in the formation of anime with a fast paced action with a really soothing jazz fill. I still remember the first episode entitled, "The Magnetic Menace" and I was blown away. My favorite episodes were "The Wish World" and "The Jewel of Targon" in which in both episodes that the five robots have to combined themselves to combat a much larger menace like the Shadow Agent Plamist and the Targonian Jewel Monster respectively. Most people will agree that there will never be a show like this ever again and that they should make this in DVD and I hope that they will do this one day. In fact this show was one of the many best things of the decade that I hated and that is the infamous 80's. Long live the Mighty Orbots, Champions of Justice!!!

Most excellent of shows of the giant robot genre. Insane plots and superb animation for its time made me want to watch this every Saturday morning. On par with or sometimes better than Transformers, Robotech, and Voltron. Even the theme song was cool and catchy. The music from the rock and roll episode really sticks with you. Too bad it was only one season. The characterization of the robots was also excellent. The only annoying thing i remember from the show was the announcer explaining everything too much even though it was Gary Owens who has a great voice. I'm lucky enough to have the garbage episode and the rock and roll episode on tape and both are excellent episodes. Highly recommended watching.