Shiro

Takashi "Shiro" Shirogane is a former skilled pilot of legendary reputation from the Galaxy Garrison who was taken captive by the Galra Empire during a mission to Kerberos. He became a famed gladiator heralded as the champion in the Empire's arena, experimented on and given a prosthetic arm. Shiro's sudden return to Earth a year later with claims of aliens on the attack triggers the events leading to the return of Voltron.

He functions as a Paladin of Voltron who pilots the Black Lion, acting as the leader of the Paladins until the initial defeat of Zarkon, when he mysteriously disappears because his essence is absorbed into the Black Lion. Shiro does not truly return until the existence of his clone is revealed and Allura transfers his essence from the Black Lion into the clone's body, fusing them into one being.