SPOILER ALERT: Warning, this article contains major spoilers from the Season 7 premiere of Voltron Legendary Defender titled “A Little Adventure.” Proceed at your own risk.
By the end of Season 6 of Voltron: Legendary Defender, the Castle of Lions was destroyed, the lions depleted of energy, and Shiro comatose. Fans learned his fate — as well as something hinted — during a special screening of the Season 7 premiere at San Diego Comic-Con.
Revelations About Shiro’s Love Life
Much of the episode was a flashback, with a young Shiro visiting schools in the area to find the next generation of explorers. He meets Keith, who teachers have dubbed “a bit of a discipline case.” Despite this, Keith aces the pilot exam and is recruited into the Garrison.
Shiro serves as Keith’s mentor, and the two develop a close bond. Shiro eventually reveals that he has a disease and will only be at peak performance. That disease also grounds him from missions, but Shiro still wants to fly — much to the chagrin of his partner, Adam.
That’s right, Shiro is confirmed to be gay and in a relationship with his Garrison flight partner Adam. “They weren’t married yet but that’s the road they were going down before Shiro made the decision [to focus on his job],” showrunner Lauren Montgomery revealed.
In their quarters, Adam tells his boyfriend, “Don’t expect me to be here when you get back,” as he takes his bag and leaves.
In the present, Keith hovers over Shiro’s healing pod. Shiro slowly regains consciousness and opens his eyes. His first words? “Keith, you saved me,” followed by, “It’s good to be back.”
But What About Allura and Haggar?
In addition to Keith and Shiro’s relationship, the thirteen-episode Season 7 will explore the other repercussions of the battle with Lotor.
According to the showrunners, Allura is “doing well” but still reeling from Lotor’s betrayal. Enter Lance. Jeremy Shada, who voices the Blue Lion pilot, teased, “We’ll see what happens [with Allura]. Maybe the closeness will help her. She can’t really go anywhere [laughs].
Speaking of Lotor, his mother Haggar is still out there.
“She wasn’t just spying on the team to spy on the team. Her one motivation was her son. She used Shiro to keep an eye on Lotor. She’s all about family. It was all about her son. Now that she’s gone she might be kinda mad,” story editor Josh Hamilton explained.
But don’t expect her to be the arch-villain of Season 7.
All Good Things Must Come to an End
“More than any bad guy it’s about the journey home,” showrunner Joaquim Dos Santos said. “We obviously got Haggar. But without the Castle Ship, they’re like floating Winnebagos in space.”
The showrunners also promised fans will see the pilots go back to Earth, and how the five came together (likely via flashback).
The journey home driving plot comes as the series wraps. It was announced that after the 13-episode Season 7, a final 13-episode season will premiere sometime before the end of 2019.
#Voltron showrunners announce Season 7 (premiering August 10) will be 13 episodes. Then by the end of next year, the FINAL 13 episodes will air. Voltron is ending — only 26 episodes left. #FANDOMlive #SDCC pic.twitter.com/sbJ0A2HozH
— Lawrence Yee (@lawryee) July 20, 2018
“We wanted to end this on the highest note we could,” explained Montgomery. “We don’t want to be cruel, we just wanted to make the best show.”
Season 7 of Voltron: Legendary Defender will premiere August 7 on Netflix.