Everyone has seen the "Ultraman" special effects TV series, featuring giant transforming heroes.
Their power and coolness continue to be a source of admiration for children and special effects fans today.
This time, we'll introduce the completely original anime "ULTRAMAN," released in 2019, focusing on the differences between it and the original Ultraman.
What is "ULTRAMAN"? Isn't it just "Ultraman"?
The anime "ULTRAMAN," which aired on Netflix in 2019, is an original work based on the manga.
The main features of this work are that it is an alternate story connected to the world of the original Ultraman.
And that it features a life-size powered suit that fights without being giant-sized.
This exciting alternate story, set 40 years after the original, is exciting.
"ULTRAMAN" is set in a world connected to the original Ultraman, which aired on television in 1966.
It's 40 years since Ultraman returned to his home planet after completing his role in protecting Earth.
The protagonist of this work is Hayata Shinjiro, the son of Hayata Shin, who once assimilated with the original Ultraman and fought aliens.
Shinjiro inherited a mysterious power from his father known as the "Ultraman Factor," and was born with superhuman physical abilities.
One day, a mysterious man resembling Ultraman appears before Shinjiro.
The man attacks Shinjiro, saying, "That power has no place on Earth," and the story begins.
An Ultraman who doesn't grow giant!? ULTRAMAN Fights in a Powered Suit
As mentioned at the beginning, the Ultraman in this film is not a hero who fights in a giant capsule.
In this film, the protagonist Shinjiro fights in the "ULTRAMAN SUITS," a powered suit developed by Officer Ide (Mitsuhiro Ide), who also played an active role in the original Ultraman.
The design has been significantly modernized, with a mechanical and stylish appearance.
His main weapon, the Specium Ray, is usually attached to his elbow as a "Specium Blade," which can be used to slash or glide through the air.
Though they don't grow to giant sizes, the scenes featuring high-speed, three-dimensional combat and the use of powerful weaponry are powerful and exciting.
Characters from the original Ultraman also make an appearance!
Many characters from the original Ultraman also make an appearance in this film.
Among them, Shin Hayata, the very image of the original Ultraman, fights in a powered suit despite his age and gray hair.
Earlier in the story, Shin dons the suit to protect his son, Shinjiro, and his performance is truly impressive.
Additionally, Officer Dan (Dan Moroboshi), who fought as Ultra Seven in previous series, will also don a suit and fight alongside Shinjiro.
Dan, who fights using multiple types of swords, has a coolness that's different from Shinjiro's, and looks like a cross between a ninja and a samurai.
What aliens and monsters appear in "ULTRAMAN"?
While "ULTRAMAN" features aliens and monsters, it also includes characters from the original Ultraman.
The opening episode features a series of characters with a history, including Ed, a character believed to be the Zetton alien who defeated Ultraman in the final episode of the original Ultraman, and the mysterious Bemular.
Also, Alien Baltan, who even those unfamiliar with the Ultraman series will likely recognize, makes another appearance as a villain.
If you're familiar with the original Ultraman, you'll enjoy the anime "ULTRAMAN" twice as much.
This film depicts a future after the departure of the original Ultraman, and everyone in the town knows the "old, gigantic Ultraman."
Amidst all this, a new Ultraman, Shinjiro, appears.
He learns the harshness and difficulty of fighting as Earth's hero, and little by little he grows into a true Ultraman.
For fans of the original Ultraman, this will make you rethink what heroes mean.
Please be sure to check it out.
