Armored Trooper Votoms video catalog
The Votoms TV series has been released many times in just about every video format (except Beta), and when you count in all the various compilations and OVA spinoffs, there’s a LOT to keep track of. It also ascended during the heyday of home video, which meant each release got unique artwork and occasional bonus items. In an effort to sort it all out, here’s everything I’ve collected or learned about or (in some cases) even helped to produce.
(Also, a tip of the beret to Battling.jp, which provided valuable data on the more obscure releases.)
Releases for Armor Hunter Merowlink can be found here.
TV Series & Compilations
Compilations of the 52 episodes were the first out the door, paving the way for OVAs. As time went on, the compilations expanded until someone realized they might as well put out the whole thing unedited.
OVAs
Original spinoff stories were the killer app for home video in the 80s, and Votoms was a perfect vehicle with multiple opportunities for prequels and sequels that stretched all the way into 2011.
Box sets
Big, expensive box sets with all the bells and whistles were king in the 90s, especially on laserdisc with their deluxe packaging. LD begat DVD which begat Blu-ray, and Votoms was there for all of them.
US Releases
Thanks in part to my own efforts to get the word out, Votoms arrived in the English-speaking world in the late 90s and as it evolved from VHS to DVD to Blu-ray in a little over 20 years, I was lucky enough to participate.