Ultraman Decker is scheduled to air in 2022, but do you know which Ultraman series it is? Ultraman is a huge bestseller that has been on the air since 1966, and its long history has left its mark on television history. However, due to its depth, many readers may be left feeling like they're lost. This time, for those readers who are planning to watch Ultraman Decker but don't know much about Ultraman, we'd like to introduce all the Ultraman series titles!
Ultraman (1966-1967): The First Showa Ultraman Series
This is the memorable first installment in the Ultraman series. This work was preceded by the special effects series Ultra Q, which primarily featured monsters. This work continues that series' worldview. Rather than a story of good versus evil, this work conveys a powerful message for the future of humanity and the children who will carry it through the interactions between the sometimes-mistakeable human race and the alien Ultraman. It has grown into a nationally popular series. The first episode achieved a peak viewership rating of 42.8%, making it a truly Ultra content.
Ultra Seven (1967-1968): Showa Ultraman Series
This special effects work was produced as a sequel to the nationally popular Ultraman. This work features some unusual settings, such as the title "Ultra Seven" instead of "Ultraman Seven," and the fact that the main character, Dan Moroboshi, was originally Seven. As a result, Ultra Seven has a large fanbase, making it even more popular among fans of Ultra Seven than the original Ultraman.
Return of Ultraman (1971-1972): Showa Ultraman Series
The Ultraman series hadn't had a TV series for some time after the broadcast of Ultra Seven, but it made a spectacular comeback in the 1970s. The title, "Return of Ultraman," clearly declared the return of the Ultraman series. It wasn't confirmed until midway through the series that it would continue the world of Ultraman and Ultraman Seven, but with viewership ratings declining, it successfully revived the series by explaining the connections to the rest of the series and introducing recurring characters.
Ultraman Ace (1972-1973): Showa Ultraman Series
Continuing the momentum successfully regained by the revitalization strategy of Return of Ultraman, this work is specialized in developing the Ultraman Saga. With the reappearance of previously appearing Ultraman characters, it can be said to have perfected the style of deeply connecting previous Ultraman series with the latest installments.
Ultraman Taro (1973-1974): Showa Ultraman Series
This is the sequel to Ultraman Ace, which further solidified its popularity by borrowing the power of previous Ultramen. The protagonist is the son of Ultra Father, the father of the Ultra Brothers, and the story incorporates a clear blood relationship between the Ultramen. Many readers may have heard the theme song for Ultraman Taro.
Ultraman Leo (1974-1975): Showa Ultraman Series
This is the final Ultraman of the 1970s. Featuring Leo's younger brother, Astro, this work challenges conventional wisdom. With scenes depicting monsters devastating cities and causing numerous deaths, this is arguably the most shocking of the Showa Ultraman series.
Ultraman 80 (1980-1981): Showa Ultraman Series
This is the final Showa Ultraman series. At the time, passionate educational dramas like "Kinpachi Sensei" were popular, and following that trend, this series has a slightly unusual style, with the main character being a junior high school teacher. It skillfully combines the best of both worlds: interactions with students and the exploits of Ultraman.
Ultraman Tiga (1996-1997): Heisei Ultraman Trilogy
After Ultraman 80, the TV series was suspended, but Ultraman Tiga aired in 1996 as the first installment of the Heisei Ultraman series. It offered a new interpretation of Ultraman suited to the Heisei era, such as abandoning the previous setting of an alien from the M78 Nebula.
Ultraman Dyna (1997-1998): Heisei Ultraman Trilogy
This series was created as a sequel to the popular Ultraman Tiga. Unlike previous Ultraman series, it is known for its dynamic action set in the near future, including space battles. It is also the work that inspired the homage to Ultraman Decker, which will air this year.
Ultraman Gaia (1998-1999): Heisei Ultraman Trilogy
Ultraman Tiga through Gaia are chronologically connected, and these works are known as the Heisei Ultraman Trilogy. While Ultraman Gaia is the final installment of the trilogy, it successfully combines the best parts of the previous trilogy. The opening theme song is also incredibly popular.
Ultraman Cosmos (2001-2002): 2000 Ultraman
This is the first Ultraman of the 21st century. It's set on a different timeline on Earth from the Heisei Ultraman trilogy. It's a new Ultraman whose goal is not to fight to defeat monsters, but to help and protect them, and it's a work themed around coexistence with monsters. Fans who love this series' unique worldview will also enjoy it.
Ultraman Nexus (2004-2005): Ultraman of the Year 2000
This series aired one year after Ultraman Cosmos. This series features Ultraman battling eerie enemies, more alien-like than monsters. Many viewers were likely frightened by the depiction of the enemies, who were portrayed as even more terrifying than monsters. The Ultraman designs were also quite different from previous Ultraman series, making this a rather challenging series.
Ultraman Max (2005-2006): 2000 Ultraman
This Ultraman series aims to "return to its roots," taking a step back from the more challenging Ultraman series to date. Not only does it feature revivals of previous monsters, but it also actively casts actors who appeared in the original Ultraman series as key characters, making it an Ultraman that even the father generation can enjoy. Another highlight is that it's the only left-handed Ultraman.
Ultraman Mebius (2006-2007): 2000 Ultraman (Showa Ultraman Continued)
This work depicts Ultraman Mebius, a new hero in the Showa Ultraman timeline. While the previous Heisei Ultraman series had no chronological connection to Showa Ultraman, Ultraman Mebius is clearly set in the Showa Ultraman timeline. Previous Showa Ultraman characters appear and play an active role, making this work feel strongly like a sequel to the Showa Ultraman series.
Ultraman Ginga (2013): Heisei New Generation (New Ultraman Retsuden)
Since Mebius, the Ultraman series has been developed not as a TV series but as a feature film series featuring Ultraman Zero. In 2013, Ultraman Ginga returned to the TV series. The outrageous storyline, in which Ginga can transform into not only Ultraman Ginga but also all the previous Ultramen, became a hot topic.
Ultraman X (2015-2016): Heisei New Generation (New Ultraman Retsuden)
This Ultraman series was produced as a sequel to Ultraman Ginga. In stark contrast to the atmosphere of Ultraman Ginga, it incorporates authentic sci-fi depictions, making it a high-quality series that even adults can't help but be captivated by. Following on from Ginga, this is a packed series that continues to feature all the Ultraman characters from the past.
Ultraman Orb (2016): Heisei New Generation
A stark departure from previous Ultraman series, this Ultraman's selling point is its Fusion Up ability, which allows it to transform into a new form by combining previously appearing Ultramen. Unlike previous Ultraman series, this is a very innovative attempt in which previous Ultramen are not simply reintroduced, but are instead combined to form a new Ultraman.
Ultraman Geed (2017-2018): Heisei New Generation (Showa Ultraman Continued)
This work features Ultraman Geed, the son of Ultraman Belial, the nemesis of Ultraman Zero. It can be considered the final installment of the Showa Ultraman series, featuring the exploits of the Ultramen on Planet Ultra and the events that occur there. It's easy to see how this work is clearly connected chronologically to Showa Ultraman Ti.
Ultraman R/B (2018): Heisei New Generation
This series features two brothers, the protagonists, who each transform into a different Ultraman. To unleash their true power as Ultraman R/B, the two must combine. This work can be considered the final installment of the Heisei New Generation Ultraman series, and many Heisei New Generation Ultramen also appear.
Ultraman Taiga (2019-2020): Reiwa Ultraman Series (Showa Ultraman Continued)
This is the first Ultraman series of the Reiwa era. The protagonist, Ultraman Taiga, is the son of Ultraman Taro, the son of Ultra Father, who first aired in 1973. He is the grandson of Ultra Father. As a young Ultraman, he is often portrayed as immature, and the story unfolds as a witness to Taiga's growth as an Ultra Warrior.
Ultraman Trigger (2021-2022): Reiwa Ultraman Series (Heisei Trilogy Reprint)
This is the second Reiwa Ultraman series. Based on the immensely popular Ultraman Tiga, the first Heisei Ultraman series, it has been reimagined with a modern feel, incorporating Reiwa values. Rather than creating a chronological sequel like previous works, we took on the new challenge of paying homage to the original.
Ultraman Decker (2022~): Reiwa Ultraman Series (Heisei Trilogy Reprint)
Following Ultraman Trigger, which paid homage to Ultraman Tiga, this is a work that reimagines Ultraman Dyna for the Reiwa era. It's already exciting to see how the hugely popular Ultraman Dyna will be adapted for modern times in the Ultraman series that will air this year in 2022.
Summary
What did you think? This time, we've summarized the history of the Ultraman series. Isn't the Ultraman series the only work in Japanese subculture that has had such a long and varied franchise? The original Ultraman is content from your grandpa's generation, so it's surprising how long its history has been. To fully enjoy Ultraman Decker, the latest installment in the Ultraman series, be sure to understand where it fits in the history of the Ultraman series! Knowing its history will help you enjoy Ultraman even more!
