TV-Series
Description
Joe Maya is a 16-year-old human male born on Earth in NCA 102, now residing on Mars. His father, Matthew Maya, moved them there for work, but their stay became permanent after Matthew's conviction for involuntary manslaughter, forcing them to live at the Martian Prison Colony. Joe chafes under military authority due to this forced relocation and yearns intensely to return to Earth, fueled by cherished childhood memories. He operates under the callsign "Black Lion," is affiliated with the Trailers faction, and assigned to the Rodarian spaceship Elshank.
Joe exhibits a rebellious, impulsive, and carefree personality, frequently disregarding orders and acting on emotion over logic. This impulsiveness lands him in trouble, such as dodging the Martian military police on his 16th birthday—the age for mandatory military testing. During this escape, he discovers the crashed Elshank, attacked by Zaboom forces. Fleeing an enemy robot, he accidentally activates the Black Lion mecha; the robot responds solely to him despite his lack of ninja heritage, making him its primary pilot. His combat style is daring, sometimes involving high-risk gambits like infiltrating enemy bases as a prisoner.
Beneath his brash exterior, Joe possesses strong loyalty and protectiveness. He risks his life for others, even enemies he bears no ill will towards, driven by a personal code of integrity that rejects treachery, even to achieve his dream of returning to Earth. His initial reason for aiding Princess Romina Rodario—seeking Earth's legendary ninjas to save her homeworld, Ladrio—expands to fighting oppression after alliances form between Martian Commander Hazard Pasha and Zaboom forces, reflecting a shift from self-interest to broader altruism.
Joe's relationships shape his journey. He shares a brotherly bond with Mike Coil, whom he protects and mentors, and a rocky friendship with childhood friend Jenny Ai. Jenny harbors romantic feelings for him, which he initially overlooks due to his flirtations with Princess Romina, creating a love triangle. His attraction to Romina causes tension with the Elshank's commander, Icelander, who views Joe as a rival. Joe eventually confesses his love for Jenny near the series' end. He clashes with authority figures like Icelander and Subcommander Gameron but earns respect through combat contributions.
As the series progresses, Joe's role deepens. The Black Lion fuses with the mysterious ninja robot Tobikage (Cybertron in some dubs), enhancing its power. Joe later permanently pilots Tobikage after mastering its summoning via a dagger, while Damian takes over the Black Lion. His motivations broaden to include rescuing abducted family members, thwarting Hazard's conspiracies, and freeing Ladrio. A visit to Earth's Iga Village—home of the legendary ninjas—reveals their skills are outdated, but Joe and his friends train there, refining their abilities. The series concludes with Joe and Icelander setting aside their rivalry to jointly power the Elshank, their ultimate fates unresolved.
Joe is skilled in marksmanship and operating wheeled, hover, and small flight craft, honed through Martian military preparations. He has short, curly brown hair and dark blue eyes. His standard outfit consists of a dark blue short-sleeved top over a red and black mesh shirt, dark blue pants, a black belt, brown knee-length boots, and brown fingerless gloves. His piloting suit is a black high-necked top with red outlines, gray interconnected belts, black boots featuring light blue pentagon designs, and black wristbands with red trim.
Joe exhibits a rebellious, impulsive, and carefree personality, frequently disregarding orders and acting on emotion over logic. This impulsiveness lands him in trouble, such as dodging the Martian military police on his 16th birthday—the age for mandatory military testing. During this escape, he discovers the crashed Elshank, attacked by Zaboom forces. Fleeing an enemy robot, he accidentally activates the Black Lion mecha; the robot responds solely to him despite his lack of ninja heritage, making him its primary pilot. His combat style is daring, sometimes involving high-risk gambits like infiltrating enemy bases as a prisoner.
Beneath his brash exterior, Joe possesses strong loyalty and protectiveness. He risks his life for others, even enemies he bears no ill will towards, driven by a personal code of integrity that rejects treachery, even to achieve his dream of returning to Earth. His initial reason for aiding Princess Romina Rodario—seeking Earth's legendary ninjas to save her homeworld, Ladrio—expands to fighting oppression after alliances form between Martian Commander Hazard Pasha and Zaboom forces, reflecting a shift from self-interest to broader altruism.
Joe's relationships shape his journey. He shares a brotherly bond with Mike Coil, whom he protects and mentors, and a rocky friendship with childhood friend Jenny Ai. Jenny harbors romantic feelings for him, which he initially overlooks due to his flirtations with Princess Romina, creating a love triangle. His attraction to Romina causes tension with the Elshank's commander, Icelander, who views Joe as a rival. Joe eventually confesses his love for Jenny near the series' end. He clashes with authority figures like Icelander and Subcommander Gameron but earns respect through combat contributions.
As the series progresses, Joe's role deepens. The Black Lion fuses with the mysterious ninja robot Tobikage (Cybertron in some dubs), enhancing its power. Joe later permanently pilots Tobikage after mastering its summoning via a dagger, while Damian takes over the Black Lion. His motivations broaden to include rescuing abducted family members, thwarting Hazard's conspiracies, and freeing Ladrio. A visit to Earth's Iga Village—home of the legendary ninjas—reveals their skills are outdated, but Joe and his friends train there, refining their abilities. The series concludes with Joe and Icelander setting aside their rivalry to jointly power the Elshank, their ultimate fates unresolved.
Joe is skilled in marksmanship and operating wheeled, hover, and small flight craft, honed through Martian military preparations. He has short, curly brown hair and dark blue eyes. His standard outfit consists of a dark blue short-sleeved top over a red and black mesh shirt, dark blue pants, a black belt, brown knee-length boots, and brown fingerless gloves. His piloting suit is a black high-necked top with red outlines, gray interconnected belts, black boots featuring light blue pentagon designs, and black wristbands with red trim.