Voltron: Legendary Defender Season 2 Premieres in Early 2017

Earlier this year, Netflix debuted its newest animated series Voltron: Legendary Defender, based on the popular Japanese anime Beast King GoLion and its 1980s U.S. adaptation Voltron: Defender of the Universe. Showrunners Lauren Montgomery and Joaquim Dos Santos (best known for their work on The Legend of Korra) assembled an all-star cast for the project, including The Walking Dead‘s Steven Yeun, Jeremy Shada, Arrow‘s Bex Taylor-Klaus, Josh Keaton and Tyler Labine. Together they voice five of the world’s unlikeliest heroes, whose flying robot lions unite to form the powerful Voltron and defend the universe from evil.

Season 1, however, ended on a rather dire note, as heroes Keith, Lance, Pidge, Shiro and Hunk were scattered throughout the universe after a particularly tough battle with Zarkon, Haggar and the Galra Empire. Now, not only are each of the Paladins on their own, but they’re also separated from the Castle of Lions and their leaders Princess Allura and Coran. And to make matters worse, enemy Zarkon also revealed himself as the original Black Paladin of Voltron, master of the Black Lion.

In the upcoming season, the team will in turn face new challenges as they struggle to bring Voltron back together and plot to take down Zarkon once and for all. Fans at New York ComicCon today were treated to a sneak peek of season 2 with the special screening of episode 2 on the Main Stage at Javits Center. Voice actors Shada (Lance) and Taylor-Klaus (Pidge) were also joined onstage by producers Dos Santos, Montgomery and story editor Tim Hedrick to answer questions and tease what’s in store for Team Voltron.

Voltron Legendary Defender SDCC Poster Voltron: Legendary Defender Season 2 Premieres in Early 2017
Among the big reveals is the fact that Pidge might just be a hoarder. And Hunk and Lance it seems are doomed to crash land on an underwater planet in the screened episode, “The Depths.” Also, Weird Al Yankovic will interestingly enough be guest voice actor on an upcoming episode. Fans also learned more about the Voltron Playmates Toys that are coming to a store near you in January 2017. But perhaps the most important reveal from the panel is that season 2 will premiere on January 20, 2017.

This date is different than many fans expected, after being told season 2 would release in fall 2016. It seemed rather soon at the time, and only a few months after season 1, so it makes sense that Netflix is postponing more Voltron until the new year. That gives the producers time to finalize everything, as well as stir up buzz and release the new toys that will enthuse young and old alike. They’re playing the long game when it comes to this series, so hopefully it’ll be around for some time to come.

Voltron: Legendary Defender season 2 premieres worldwide on Netflix on January 20, 2017.