I was a big fan of Ultraman when I was a kid. In the early ‘90s I discovered there was a new “Ultraman” show, but unfortunately I was more interested in acquiring episodes of the old show on VHS than I was episodes of the new one. Somewhat later I discovered that there have been many, many “Ultraman” series over the years, rivaling Doctor Who in its longevity. A brief search of the internet yields the following results (but I’ve probably missed a few).
Ultra Q
Ultraman 1966-67
UltraSeven 1967-68
Return of…(Jack) 1971-72
Ultraman Ace 1972-73
Ultraman Taro 1973-74
Ultraman Leo 1974-75
Ultraman 80 1980-81
Ultraman USA (The Adventure Begins) 1987
Ultraman Great (Towards the Future) 1990-91
Ultraman Powered (The Ultimate Hero) 1993
Ultraman Hero 1995
Ultraman Zearth (parody) 1996-97
Ultraman Tiga 1996-97
Ultraman Dyna 1997-98
Ultraman Gaia 1998-99
Ultraman Nice 1999-00
Ultraman Neos 2000-2001
Ultraman Cosmos 2001-02
Ultra Q: Dark Fantasy 2004
Ultraman: Next 2004 - p.82
Ultraman Nexus 2004-05 - p.82
Ultraman Max 2005-06 - p.86
Ultraman Mebius 2006-07 - p.91
Ultraman UltraSeven X 2007 - p.99
UltraGalaxy: Mega Monster Battle 2007-2009 - p.100
Ultraman Retsuden 2011-13
Neo Ultra Q 2013
Ultraman Ginga 2013
Ultraman Ginga S 2014
Ultraman X 2015-16
Ultraman Orb 2016
Ultraman Geed 2017
Ultraman R/B 2018
Ultraman Taiga 2019
Ultraman Z 2020
Ultraman Trigger 2021
We’ve been discussing other tokusatsu series in this forum lately, and because those series were produced later than Ultraman, I expected them to be technically better, but I ended up being somewhat disappointed in Super Robot Red Baron and Iron King. I enjoyed them, but I didn’t like them as much as I hoped to. Now I’ve started watching Ultraseven, and it’s everything I hoped it would be.
As the liner noteson the DVD set point out, “the difference in the overall quality in production between Ultraman and Ultraseven was marked, and made the show memorable 45 years later. According to Wikipedia, “Such is his popularity that Ultra Seven (or simply 'Seven') has appeared or at least made cameos in nearly every Ultra Series following his own and has had far more exposure than even the original Ultraman (though the original Ultraman is without a doubt the face of the Ultras).”
My wife and I disagree about the relative merits of Ultraseven in comparison to SRRB/IK. I would like to start the discussion with a look at the opening title sequence and music, then open the floor for rebutal.
The title sequence of Ultraman, as you will recall, looks as if it had been spelled out in a can of paint, slowly stirred, then run backwards. Ultraseven looks more like it had been spelled out in brightly colored confetti, placed atop one of those old electric football games, shaken apart, then run backwards. Whereas the soundtrack of Ultraman is jazzy, that of Ultraseven shows more of a classical influence.
Here is the English translation of the lyrics…
Seven… Seven… Seven… Seven…
Seven! Seven! Seven!
Seven! Seven! Seven!
A distant star was once his home
Ultra Seven! Fighter Seven!
Ultra Seven! Seven! Seven!
Onward to the edge of the galaxy
Use your Ultra-Eye and… STRIKE!
Seven! Seven! Seven!
Seven! Seven! Seven!
Dan Moroboshi is his borrowed name
Ultra Seven! Hero Seven!
Ultra Seven! Seven! Seven!
Defeat the great fire-breathing monster
Use yout Ultra-Beam and STRIKE!
Replies
"Kelbim" is derived from the word "Cherubim".
INDIVIDUAL TOMORROWS: "As Haruki and Yoko are strolling through town, they once again run into the Space Pirate Alien Barosa. The alien boasts that he will get his revenge for the defeat of his brothers. In the face of this powerful enemy's attack, SC-1 Sevenger, which was headed for a museum, reactivates for the first time since being decomissioned. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Juggler, seems to have something else in mind."
Alien: Barosa, the Space Pilot
This episode begins three days after STORAGE has been disbanded and we get a look into the private lives of the main cast. Most interesting of all is that Yoko has asked Haruki out on a date (althgouh she denies that's what it is). She won two free concert tickets in a contest, and she offers one to Haruki if he can beat her at arm wrestling. (She is frequently shown engaging in contests of strength with Haruki and other men, but she has never lost yet.) She usually wears her hair pulled back in a rather severe ponytail, but with her hair down and wearing civilian clothes she is really quite attractive. Haruki loses and she lets him buy the extra ticket at half face value.
The group replacing STORAGE is 1st SAAG (I don't know what that means, but I never knew what "STORAGE" meant, either), and they have a new giant robot. At the end of the episode, they all go their separate ways: Haruki is going to Security; Yuka to the Monster Research Center; and Yoko is a candidate to pilot the new robot. Captain Hebikura (Juggler) does not say what's next for him, only that he is "not a captain anymore."
STORAGE
"'SAAG', the 1st Special Airborne and Armored Group."
Ah, thanks. (Now why couldn't I have done that?)
I forgot to mention last night that, after Yoko defeats Haruki arm wrestling, he point-blank asks her why she always feels the need to best others in physical achievement, and she avoids the question in such a way as to indicate that there's some sort of story behind it rather than just being a character quirk, as I had assumed.
I thought perhaps that you avoided the Ultraman wiki for fear of spoilers.
PRELUDE TO A NIGHTMARE: "1st SAAG has developed the 4th Special Airborne Armor, Ultroid Zero, based on analysis of Ultraman. Yoko is chosen as its pilot, but on the day of its launch test, monsters begin to rampage all over the place. In the face of a monster attack of unprecedented scale, 1st SAAG unveils thier most powerful robot to show its true strength."
SC-4 Ultroid Zero: A powerful robotic weapon with power that rivals Ultraman. It was developed based on a thorough analysis of data collected from the fights of the Ultras who have appeared on Earth, starting with Ultraman Z. It is operated by the newly-formed 1st Special airborne Armored Group (SAAG) after STORAGE disbanded.
Weapons: D4 ray, Magelium Gatling
Kaiju: Takkong, King Guesra, Demaaga, Gomess, Pagos
We learn in this episode that the Director has been taken over and is being controlled by Celebro. He holds a press conference with his press secretary, Yuki, who has been in the past several episodes as well. Yoko invites Haruki to have an outdoot lunch. They arm wrestle (again), Haruki loses (again), and he asks her why she always arm wrestles (again). This time she answers. It actually all goes back to her father, who told her never to fall in love with a man who was weaker than she is. Haruki asks if that means she will marry him if he beats her arm wrestling. She says, "you have to beat me first." Only once before has the romantic life of one of the Ultra-hosts been a plot-point, and I don't even remember which one it was. I really wish there was an all-inclusive guide to "Ultraman"... in English, I mean; I'm sure there are plenty in Japanese.
Yuka's research reveals that the testing of Ultroid Zero's systems is havuing an effect on hibernating kaiju, stirring them to consciousness. She recommends that they postpone the unveiling, but the Director (Celebro) ignores her. On the day Ultroid Zero is revealed to the world, first one, then another, then another kaiju awakens. Piloting Ultroid Zero, Yoko fights them off, but is reluctant to use the D4 weapon. Ultraman joins her. The Director insists that she fire the D4, and she does. It obliterates the kaiju, but decimates the surrounding countryside. Ultroid Zero is knocked out of commission and Yoko is unconscious. Ex-captain Hebikura arrives and reveals himself (to Ultraman/Haruki) to be Juggler.
THE GAME TO EXTINCTION: "Juggler has finally revealed his true form to Haruki. Meanwhile, Celebro puts the final plan into motion. With their respective objectives out in the open, the situation takes a turn for the worse. As the shadow of despair creeps closer, their final enemy appears as a nightmare given shape."
Kaiju: Zeppandon, the Combined Lord Monster; Destrudos, the Annihilation Armor Monster
The Earth itself is rebelling against the creation of Ultroid Zero (which is why the monsters are coming out of hibernation). It is a three-way battle between Ultraman Z and Zeppandon (Juggler's kaiju) on one side, and Ultroid Zero on the other. Celebro reveals to Yoko that he has taken over the director, just before he transfers his consciousness to her and takes Ultroid Zero out on a joyride, stealing energy from all of the hibernating monsters and creating Destrudos. There's a big knock-down drag-out battle and Haruki is injured to the extent that he is unable to change to Ultraman Z again without risking his life. When he regains consciousness, he is met by all of the former members of STORAGE who plan to rescue Yoko and win their facility back.
Ultraman is Late for a Date!
Ooookay.
WARRIORS SHINING BEYOND: "Haruki and Ultraman Z suffer severe damage under the relentless assault of the formidable Destrudos. Meanwhile, STORAGE launches an all-out, do-or-die mission to save Yoko from the enemy's clutches. The climactic showdown of Z, Haruki, and STORAGE's battle is here at last. Don't miss the emotional finale!"
Kaiju: Destrudos, the Annihilation Armor Monster
LAST EPISODE!
Not only is Haruki unable to transform, CaptainHebikura's "riser" has been smashed and he is unable to control ,onsters or grow to giant size, either. Having Jugglas Juggler as part of STORAGE was a bit like when Black Adam was on the JSA: he was ostensibly an ally, but ya just didn't know if you could fully trust him. With Haruki operating King Joe and Hebikura/Juggler operating Windom, they set off against Destrudos. Soon they are joined by Sevenger, brought out of mothballs and operated by Chief Inaba. At one point, Haruki/King Joe slams into Destrudos, driving it far up into the stratosphere. There, he and Yoko communicate on the mental plane. She doesn't know him at first, but he challenges her to an armwrestling match and wins, which restores her memory and gives her the strength to shake off Celebro's mental control. (He appears as himself for the first time, a crab-like alien thing.) She gains an Ultra medal in the process. Yoko's human self is expelled from Destrudos, and she falls toward the ground. Haruki ejects from King Joe and falls after her. He catches up to her and decides to risk transforming into Ultraman one final time... with the addition of the power from Yoko's medal. He transforms, returns her safely to the ground, and defeats Destrudos with all of STORAGE chanting his name. (It is never revealed what happened to ing Joe. As far as I know, he's still hovering in the sky.) Later, Haruki takes his leave of STORAGE and flies off into space with Z, and he and Yoko never do hook up.
That's the end of this series, and there is no follow-up movie (although there are three "recap" episodes). I purposefully have not yet checked to see if there is another series at this point. I thought I might take a little break. I started this thread in 2013, and whereas I know I must have taken a break or two in the intervening years, it certainly feels as if I have been doing this for 12 years.
-
121
-
122
-
123
-
124
-
125
of 125 Next