Alright Paladins, let’s talk Voltron. You came here because you’re knee-deep in fan theories or shipping wars. Maybe you wonder who ended up with whom in Voltron: Legendary Defender. Buckle up. We’re diving into romance in Voltron. Trust me, it’s tangled. Think Coran’s mustache after a space battle.
Klance: The Ship That Sailed in Our Hearts
Let’s address the elephant in the room, or rather, the Red Lion in the hangar: Klance. Yeah, Keith and Lance. It’s like Romeo and Juliet of space, minus the tragic balcony scene. Plus giant robot lions. Fans went wild for this pairing, and for good reason. Why, you ask?
- Opposites Attract, Space Edition: Think red and blue colors, fire and ice personalities. Loudmouth meets brooding loner. Classic ship tropes, right? They were plucked from a ‘How to Write a Popular Romance’ handbook.
- The Tension Was Palpable: Remember the bickering? That “love/hate antagonism”? For many, that’s just foreplay in space. Who knew arguing about piloting styles could be romantic?
- Fanfiction Fuel: Oh boy, the fanfic community ran with this. Oceans of fanfics, from stolen kisses to epic confessions. One snippet describing a moment has Lance saying, “Lance said, working up courage before pushing their lips together.” Spicy!
- Lance’s Little Secret: Rumor has it, Lance had a crush on Keith. In some scenarios, Keith gets visions from the Red Lion about Lance’s feelings. Talk about Lion-to-Paladin matchmaking.
But alas, despite all the fuel, the ship didn’t quite make it to canon shores. Season 8 rolled around, and we got a sweet scene of Keith and Lance watching a sunset on the Black Lion. That’s as romantic as it got. Some argue that Season 8 *did* canonize Klance. They see that moment as sealing the deal. But hold your horses, shippers.
Here’s the tea: Word is Klance *was* supposed to be canon, along with Adashi (Adam and Shiro). DreamWorks allegedly put the kibosh on it. Homophobia? Whispers in the fandom suggest so. Officially, we have a “what if?” and heartbroken Klance shippers.
And let’s keep it real. In the actual show, Keith was romance-averse. He was focused on saving the universe and figuring out his Galra heritage. Romance? Not on his to-do list. Lance had a clear romantic arc… and it wasn’t with Keith. Ouch.
Voltron’s Romantic Web: Beyond Klance
Klance might be a beautiful dream deferred. But Voltron wasn’t entirely devoid of romance or attempts. Let’s untangle this cosmic love web:
Keith’s Romantic Entanglements (or Lack Thereof)
- Allura: The OG Romance (Sort Of): In the original series, Keith and Allura were an item. But in Legendary Defender? Nope. They went the Lance/Allura route instead. Some OG fans scratched their heads, but hey, alternate universes.
- Acxa: Platonic Pal Goals: Keith and Acxa had a cool dynamic during his Blade of Marmora adventures. But romance? Nah, just solid platonic partnership. Space buddies for life!
- Pidge: Fanfiction Kiss Alert!: Yep, there’s fan content depicting Keith and Pidge locking lips. But in canon? Nope. Pidge was busy with tech and finding dad, not smooching Paladins.
Lance’s Love Life: A Rollercoaster
- Allura: The Canon Romance: Ah, Lance and Allura. The series went all in on this one, especially in later seasons. From Lance’s near-death experience saving Allura to their sunset smooch, they were *the* canon couple. Cute, dramatic, and… controversial among some fans.
- Pidge: The Unrequited (Maybe?) Crush: Some fans think Pidge might have had a crush on Lance. Hints here and there, maybe a blush, but nothing concrete. Ultimately, Pidge was aromantic in the series, focused on science and family.
Shiro: Finally Getting His Happy Ending
- Adam: The Lost Love: Poor Shiro and Adam. Their relationship hinted early on when Adam expressed concern for Shiro before Kerberos mission. Tragically, Adam was never seen again after Shiro’s return. Many fans felt like Shiro’s queerness sidelined.
- Curtis: Happily Ever After (Finally!): Fear not! Shiro gets his happy ending! In the final season, we see him married to Curtis. A sweet moment of LGBTQ+ representation, even if it felt like an apology for sidelining queer relationships.
Lotor and Allura: A Different Kind of Affection
Lotor’s relationship with Allura was complicated. Unlike his 1984 counterpart, who was obsessed with her, Legendary Defender Lotor had a nuanced affection for Allura. Writers confirmed it was genuine yet twisted by ambition and madness. Not your typical fairytale romance.
LGBTQ+ Representation: A Cosmic Mixed Bag
Voltron tried to dip its toes into LGBTQ+ representation. Shiro’s marriage to Curtis was a landmark moment for the series. We also had Zethrid and Ezor, hilarious lesbian Galra generals whose relationship was a fun subplot.
Representation had its criticisms too. Some felt Shiro’s initial storyline with Adam felt like fridging. Later representation felt rushed to appease fans after perceived missteps. Voltron’s efforts weren’t universally praised but many appreciated them.
Character Fates: The Aftermath of Saving the Universe
What happened to our Paladins after they saved the universe? Happy endings all around? Sort of. It’s a bittersweet symphony of space heroism.
- Lance: From Paladin to Farmer: Remember Lance? The flirtatious sharpshooting Paladin of the Red Lion? He ends up a farmer. Yep, back on his family farm living a “simple life.” Some fans found it anticlimactic or depressing. A meme for a reason.
- Shiro: Marriage and (Hopefully) Happiness: As we know, Shiro gets married to Curtis, finding personal happiness after years of trauma. A win for Shiro and representation.
- Overall Ending: Happy but Costly: Voltron ends on a hopeful note but not without sacrifice. Allura’s fate was particularly heartbreaking for many viewers. A “happy ending,” yes, but one that came at a great cost.
Behind the Helmets: Character Backgrounds
Ever wondered about the ages and backstories of our favorite Paladins and villains? Let’s delve into character trivia:
- Keith: The Brooding Galra Hybrid: Why did Keith join the Blade of Marmora? To explore his Galra heritage, figure out identity, and let Shiro take Black Lion leadership back. He wanted Galra battle tactics.
- Lance: The Full Package (Name-Wise): Did you know Lance’s full name is Charles Lance McClain? Or that in the original version, he’s Isamu Kurogane? Mind blown.
- Allura: Teenage Altean Mystery: Allura is described as around 19 years old according to staff. But Alteans live for centuries! So, is she really a teenager in human years?
- Pidge: Girl Genius in Disguise: Pidge pretended to be a boy to infiltrate Garrison and find her family. Being mistaken as a boy was convenient for her mission!
- Lotor: The 10,000-Year-Old Prince:Lotor is ancient. Like, 10,000 years old ancient due to Quintessence shenanigans.
- He was born before his mother, Honerva, entered the rift. This explains his long life and everything about him.
Bonus Voltron Trivia: Did You Know?
- Canon Pairings: Few Options: Despite all the shipping, Voltron: Legendary Defender has a few canon pairings: Shiro/Adam, Shiro/Curtis, and Lance/Allura. That is all. Compared to other fandoms, Voltron has a limited amount of official romance.
- Kissing Exists in Voltron! Yes, there is a kiss in Voltron! Shiro and Curtis kiss in the epilogue. This gives us some on-screen Paladin affection.
- Why the 12+ Rating?: Voltron is rated 12+. It has humor and is friendly for kids in seasons 1-2. Seasons 3 and 4 turn darker with intense violence. Season 4 is especially heavy. So, not for the very young.
- Netflix Cancellation? Not Really: Voltron was not “canceled” by Netflix. DreamWorks made it, and Netflix held the license. The license ran out, which is why it left Netflix. Who knew about space licensing?
There you have it, Paladins! A look into the romantic relationships, fates, and backstories of Voltron: Legendary Defender. Whether you mourn Klance, cheer for Shiro and Curtis, or question Lance the farmer, one thing is clear: Voltron gave us much to discuss, ship, and theorize. Now, I’ll rewatch the Keith and Lance sunset scene… for research, of course.
