King Alfor is the deceased former king of the planet Arus and the father of Princess Allura in the original Voltron: Defender of the Universe animated series. Though he has died before the main events of the story begin, his presence is felt throughout the series, primarily through his ghostly appearances. While much of his life before his death remains unrevealed, it is known that he was a forward-thinking monarch who commissioned the construction of the tunnels that connect the Castle of Lions to the lairs of the Voltron lions, demonstrating his strategic planning for the planet's defense.

Alfor's death is a direct result of the initial conflict with the evil forces of Planet Doom. After the witch Haggar succeeded in breaking Voltron apart, Emperor Zarkon launched an invasion of Arus. In a final act of defense, King Alfor engaged Zarkon in single combat at the Valley of Zohar, a canyon located a short distance from the Castle of Lions. It was in this duel that Alfor was killed, and his body was subsequently laid to rest in the royal tomb beneath the castle.

Despite his physical death, King Alfor's spirit endures, serving as a guide and protector to his daughter and the future Voltron Force. His ghost first appears to Princess Allura, her advisor Coran, and the five original pilots of the Voltron lions when they seek the keys needed to activate the giant robot. Throughout the ongoing struggle against Planet Doom, Alfor's spirit returns on several occasions, appearing within the royal tomb or even inside the lions themselves to offer crucial advice, wisdom, and encouragement to the team.

Through these spectral visitations, Alfor's personality is revealed to be noble, wise, and deeply caring, especially towards his daughter. His primary motivation is the protection of Arus and the success of Voltron in vanquishing Zarkon's evil empire. His key relationships are with his daughter, Princess Allura, whom he guides from beyond the grave, and with Emperor Zarkon, his former adversary who dealt him a fatal blow. His development is largely understood through his legacy; he is a tragic figure who fell in battle but whose foresight in creating the tunnels and whose continued spiritual guidance are essential to the formation and success of the Voltron Force. His most notable abilities are not martial or scientific in the traditional sense, but spiritual, as he can manifest as a ghost to communicate with and counsel the living from the afterlife.