In the original Japanese version of the source material for Voltron: Defender of the Universe, the character known in English as Princess Allura is named Princess Faarla, sometimes spelled Farla. As the ruler of the planet Altea, Faarla finds herself at the center of a struggle to liberate her world from the grip of the evil empire. She is the last surviving member of the Altean royal family following the execution of her parents by the emperor, an event that occurred when she was only a year old. In the wake of this tragedy, she was raised by her loyal advisor, Raible, and has grown up with a deep, personal desire for revenge against the forces that destroyed her family and ravaged her home planet.

Faarla is a young woman of sixteen years, possessing a strong-willed and determined personality. Despite her royal upbringing, she often resists the formal and restrained behavior expected of a princess, preferring a more direct and spirited approach. Her advisors frequently encourage her to act with more royal decorum, but her natural inclination is toward action and defiance against the enemies of Altea. This headstrong nature is balanced by a certain naivety, a product of her relatively sheltered life within the castle walls. She is deeply compassionate towards her people and carries a heavy burden of responsibility for their suffering.

Faarla's primary driving force is her sworn revenge against Emperor Daibazaal, the ruler of the Galra Empire, who is responsible for her parents deaths and the subjugation of Altea. She is determined to fight back and reclaim her kingdom, refusing to remain a passive princess in hiding. Her motivations are not merely political but deeply personal, fueled by a sense of justice and a longing to restore her world to its former peace. She is also motivated to prove her own capabilities, rejecting the notion that she must be constantly protected and instead choosing to take an active role in the frontline battle.

In the story, Faarla assumes a critical role when she becomes the pilot of the Blue Lion, the robotic lion that forms the left leg of the super robot Voltron. She steps into this position after the original Blue Lion pilot is incapacitated, a move that surprises her male comrades who initially doubt her abilities. As the Blue Lion's pilot, she wears a distinctive pink uniform and joins the team in forming Voltron to battle the empire's fearsome Beastmen. Her arrival as a pilot completes the Voltron team and is essential for their success.

One of her most significant relationships is with her imperial stalker, Prince Sincline, the son of Emperor Daibazaal. Sincline is obsessively infatuated with Faarla, relentlessly pursuing her affection and attempting to capture her. His desire is primarily because she bears a striking resemblance to his late mother, who was a concubine of the emperor. Faarla, in turn, utterly despises Sincline and rejects his advances with contempt. She shares a close bond with her chief advisor, Raible, who serves as a father figure and protector. She also maintains a close friendship with a family of intelligent mice, including a pair named Platt and Chuchule, who have been her companions since her early childhood and are often found near her in the castle. A key familial relationship is with her aunt, Queen Elena, who is her sole living relative.

Over the course of the series, Faarla develops from a somewhat sheltered and revenge-driven princess into a capable and courageous warrior. Initially inexperienced as a pilot, her actions occasionally put herself and the formation of Voltron at risk. However, through her determination and natural aptitude, she steadily grows in skill and confidence, proving herself as a vital and respected member of the team. The spirit of her deceased father sometimes appears to her, providing guidance and encouragement, which helps her mature into a true leader and defender of her people.

As a notable ability, Faarla is capable of piloting the Blue Lion, a complex and powerful mechanical beast. Her royal Altean bloodline is often a key factor in the ability to form Voltron, particularly in various continuities of the story. In combat as Blue Lion, her personal weapon of choice for Voltron is a bow and arrow, though she is also proficient with a whip. Beyond her piloting skills, she possesses royal authority and a deep connection to the history and legacy of Altea, which serves as a source of strength and legitimacy in the fight against the empire.