The first episode of "SSSS.GRIDMAN" depicts the exploits of the main character Yuta, who is suddenly faced with a mission to fight a giant monster. The absolute threat of the monster and the flow of how he acquires the ability to become a giant in order to confront it are reminiscent of the "Ultraman" series, and are an exciting development for fans of special effects.
Samurai Calibur Profile
Source: SSSS.GRIDMAN ⒸTsuburaya Productions/TRIGGER, Amemiya Satoshi/"GRIDMAN" Production Committee
A hunched man dressed in all black with a deep, sharp gaze like a bear. As his name "Samurai" suggests, he carries four long swords on his waist... but he sometimes seems to forget them, as when he first appears, he trips over an entrance to a building and falls over. Twice. He looks to be in his late 20s, but according to the voice drama, his real age is 33. He's surprisingly old.
Terrifying physical abilities
Source: SSSS.GRIDMAN ⒸTsuburaya Productions/TRIGGER, Amemiya Satoshi/"GRIDMAN" Production Committee
His physical abilities are superhuman, and he can move along roofs, He can jump from the schoolyard to the classroom on the top floor where Hibiki Yuta is, and then jump down to the schoolyard carrying Yuta and Utsumi Masaru. His superhuman strength and sword skills have saved Yuta and his friends from difficult situations on many occasions, and he has even managed to buy time for Gridman to arrive when fighting a monster.
Character Profile
Source: SSSS.GRIDMAN ⒸTsuburaya Productions/TRIGGER, Amemiya Satoshi/"GRIDMAN" Production Committee
He has a very natural personality, but when it's time to make a decision, he's an adult who makes the decision. He's not good at talking to people, and usually speaks in a staccato or lisping manner. He can't read the mood well, and is bold; when he first met Rikka's mother, she asked him if he wanted to eat dinner with her, and while Yuta and Utsumi were hesitant, Calibur was the only one who sat down at the Takarada family dinner table. On the other hand, he is a considerate person, and in the story he listens to the troubles of the Gridman Alliance, especially Takarada Rikka, and supports them.
True Identity
Source: SSSS.GRIDMAN ⒸTsuburaya Productions/TRIGGER, Amemiya Satoshi/"GRIDMAN" Production Committee
Calibur, Max, Borah, and Vitt together are known as the "New Century Junior High School Students." Calibur is a 33-year-old man, but that is one of the mysteries of this work. Their true identity is a human with the ability to transform into an assist weapon that supports Gridman. In addition, Calibur's appearance is basically invisible to ordinary people.
Dengeki Daislashken Gridman Calibur
Samurai Calibur's original form, which he takes by entering the junkyard after saying the access code. One of Gridman's assist weapons, a large sword with a gold and black coloring. It corresponds to the "Gridman Sword" in the original work, and its overall shape is very similar, but it is much larger.
Function
Even in this state, it is capable of some degree of autonomous action, and in episode 2, it became a shield to protect Gridman from Devadadan's laser beam. It is also able to contact Gridman, and when talking, a green light-like object on its handle flashes. Its special move is the "Grid Calibur End," which charges at super high speed and slices through the enemy.
Side note
The other New Century Junior High School students can fight on their own to a certain extent, but Calibur can only move around to a certain extent on his own and cannot fight. Also, perhaps due to Calibur's personality, while everyone else seems to be able to rush over to support Gridman on their own, for some reason Calibur doesn't go until someone tells him to. In this form, when he shouts "Gridman, use me!", his voice is incredibly strong compared to his usual mumbled voice.
Other abilities
In episode 2, he modifies Junk to optimize Gridman, and in the following episode 3, he is able to "restore" Gridman hiding from Anti's attack and put him "on standby", showing that he has the technology to directly interfere with Gridman. It is unknown whether the other members have similar abilities.
Trivia
The name is thought to come from the name of the plasma blade in the American localized version of Gridman, "Superhuman Samurai Cyber Squad," called Samurai Sword. The original Gridman Sword has a Western double-edged sword-shaped blade and is mainly colored in silver and blue, while Caliber's blade is Japanese sword-shaped and is mainly colored in gold and black.
Takkun's Resurrection
Source: SSSS.GRIDMAN ⒸTsuburaya Productions/TRIGGER, Amemiya Satoshi/"GRIDMAN" Production Committee
Ryosuke Takahashi, who voices the character, played the main character Ando Takuto in "Super Star Fleet Sazer X." Lioseiser, the character Takuto transforms into, is also a hero who fights with a sword. Takuto is nicknamed "Takkun" in the show, and in "Kamen Rider Zi-O," which aired around the same time, Takumi Inui, who is also nicknamed Takkun, appeared. For this reason, some fans say that Toei's Takkun and Toho's Takkun have been revived.
Reviews at the time of unveiling
When he was first unveiled along with Max, Vitt, and Borah at the special event "Gridman Night" held at the Ultraman Festival 2018, he had a sword and a somewhat eerie appearance, and the performers on stage said, "It definitely looks like he's slashed a lot of people to death," but in reality, as mentioned above, he was a character on the friendly side.
Summary
Comments from each cast member on "SSSS.GRIDMAN" include "I hope this will be an opportunity for fans of the special effects Gridman and fans of the anime studio TRIGGER to get to know each other," said Inada, and "The staff's enthusiasm is incredible, and even a girl like me can really enjoy this work!" said Miyamoto, so the expectations are high. Even if you're not a special effects fan, you can enjoy it, so be sure to check out "SSSS.GRIDMAN" in anime form.
