For starter's, Voltron is sold under Toynami's Masterpiece Collection banner and is packaged almost identically to their previous high-end Robotech items. I said it back then with my Robotech reviews and I'll say it again, the presentation here is top notch. Both the front and back flaps open up this time around (held shut via magnets) revealing a brief history, Voltron in seperate Lion units, accessories and your Certificate of Authenticity (as if someone could fake making this). Voltron is limited to 15,000 pieces; approximately 4000 units being shipped to retailers each quarter throughout 2006. Pricing is around $150 and can be purchased at select specialty stores and many fine online retailers such as Toynk.com.

Voltron slides out of his book-like packaging on two plastic trays and can be resealed for more convenient storage. No twisty ties here gang. Inside you'll find the five individual Lions, mentioned instruction manual and his accessories: Blazing Sword and Shield. The latter are cast of a sturdy vac-metal plastic, though the Lions carry some serious heft; being partial plastic and a good chunk die-cast metal. What's cool about this newest version of Voltron is that he, and each Lion, can be posed very dynamically. Each Lion stars multiple points of articulation for numerous crouching/attack stances; including hinged (Yellow and Blue Lions) and swivel (all) necks, opening jaws, fully flexible legs and in the case of the Green and Red Lions- a hinged middle section. Impressive stuff.

Forming Voltron isn't as complex as some Transformers toys on the market, but it does take a little patience. Making his legs is relatively pain free; simply fold up the Yellow and Blue Lion's legs, tuck in their tails, swivel up that head to a 90 degree angle and slide in the Black Lion's extended back legs into the obvious slots... until you hear a click.

Torso is a bit of a challenge, requiring you to lift up a panel and curve his front paws inside. It's tricky, a tad delicate (due to the plastic used here) and takes some getting use too, but it can be done. From here it's a piece of cake: ball up the Green and Red Lion legs, tuck in tails, pull out the plastic shoulder connector and place 'em on. It's here where I have read a few complaints from fans asking why the use in plastic and not metal for the connector. I spoke to Toynami regarding this and there answer is that metal would break alot faster down the road than plastic due to stress. After 3 years building this piece, I don't see them trying to cut any corners. Bottom line, plastic it is, and it isn't going to snap anytime soon if handled properily.

In final preparations to getting Voltron ready to kick some Ro-Butt, fold out Black Lion's maw to reveal Voltron's beautiful mug, extend those two red wings and lock in his sword and shield. The latter connect solidly via a peg-and-hole system in the Red and Green Lion's mouth respectively. "Form Blazing Sword!"

In closing, this figure is a blast from the past to this here reporter and an exceptional collectible on todays market. With a tad more metal. especially in the Black Lion's folding foreleg system (I'll leave the shoulder connector issue to the experts), this would be a ten star rave review. Minor gripes aside, Toynami has easily released the most faithful version of Voltron in figure form to date. Highly recommended to fans of sci-fi, robots and the timeless 'toon. Nods to Toynami for the awesome nostaglia.