DBZ Voltron!
So, I’ve been vaguely wandering in and out of the Voltron fandom since July 2016, and it’s honestly about time I did this - the only reason I didn’t sooner is that I couldn’t think of a good one. Fortunately @fullbattleregalia and I were chatting the other day, and that problem is a thing of the past! So here’s who would be cast as what in this AU:
For the Blue Paladin, I choose Yamcha, since he’s friendly, flexible, a supportive ally, and a decent shot with a gun. Plus, there’s the fun irony that our desert bandit is now the Guardian of Water.
In regards to the Yellow Paladin... it’s Krillin. Regalia and I are in full agreement here, Krillin is a staunch, powerful friend who would totally yell “I’m a leg” in excitement the first time they formed Voltron. You know he would.
Green Paladin is an exciting chance to get Bulma in on the action for once - she’s creative, scientific, curious, and completely willing to use force if necessary. Plus I’m pretty sure she and Pidge would either adopt each other or declare war on one another.
For the Red Paladin, it’s gotta be Tien - fast, aggressive in battle, and a brilliant warrior. Plus, he’s got the social ineptitude level to yell “IT’S ME, TIEN, YOUR PALADIN!” at the Red Lion in an attempt to bond. My first instinct was actually to put Yamcha as the red paladin, since Yamcha tends to be the impulsive one and I characterize him as a speedster, but Tien just feels like a better fit.
Which leaves the Black Paladin to be played by, you guessed it - Chichi! ...yes, I am completely serious about this, give her some time to bond with the team and work a few issues out, and I think she could be a strong leader. If Keith can do it, so can she.
So, where does Goku fit into all of this? Well, as it happens, I’d put him in Allura’s role - the parallel is pretty inexact beyond “both one of the last of their kind and keep revealing new abilities and powers,” but I think it could be fun, especially if I characterize him a bit more like Kakarrot from my Geta!verse series than like canon Goku. At the very least I’d write him pre-DBZ, post-23rd Budokai levels of smart, because he lost some IQ points somewhere along the line in Z.
And it also leaves me open to put Raditz in Coran’s role. Which... would definitely be fun. It would be the most fun. I love tech-savvy!Raditz, and I love the idea of him running about telling random stories and knowing stuff and getting sparkle effects whenever he flicks his hair.
Can’t have heroes without a villain, though, which is why I’d cast Vegeta in the role Lotor currently plays. As you all know I’m quite fond of Vegeta, and I enjoy that he gets redeemed, but damn he’s also a great villain! Especially since he’s canonically quite smart - you know, when his ego and temper aren’t getting in the way. ;D