The☆Ultraman

is the 8th entry in the Ultraman Series, aired four years after the end of Ultraman Leo. For the first time in the series, the show was presented as an anime instead of a tokusatsu show, with the production company Nippon Sunrise (also known as Sunrise, currently a part of Bandai Namco Filmworks), known for their now-iconic mecha series Mobile Suit Gundam, handling the animation.
The anime can be watched on Tubi and Shout TV.
==Production==
In March 1975, after the conclusion of Ultraman Leo, Tsuburaya Productions began exploring new production directions. In the following period, they produced various types of tokusatsu and animated series. However, Tsuburaya Productions always considered "Ultraman" to be their core tradition and, centered around producer Kazuho Mitsuta, continuously prepared new "Ultraman" projects. During this time, the Ultraman series was serialized in children's magazines, and various Ultraman-related books and merchandise aimed at children and teenagers began to gain popularity., pg 4
In 1977, the television anime Space Battleship Yamato, produced by Academy Productions, received high acclaim. Its popularity sparked a boom that led to the creation of many other anime works with space and science fiction themes. As middle school students and older became the main fan base, this also ignited a trend of discovering and researching past excellent anime works. This trend influenced the fans of live-action tokusatsu productions as well, prompting them to understand the creators' intentions and the background of these works, which were previously considered children's entertainment, from a more mature perspective. This movement led to a reevaluation of tokusatsu series such as the Ultraman series," the Kamen Rider series," and the Godzilla series." This wave of development rapidly rose between 1977 and 1978.
In April 1978, Ultraseven began rerunning on TBS every Saturday morning at 7 a.m., alongside a merchandise promotion featuring Popy Popynika series and UG mechas. During its broadcast, the merchandise sold well, and the show achieved an average rating of 12%. Seizing this opportunity, Mitsuta quickly submitted a new "Ultraman" project to TBS, titled ., pg 5
This new project was initially planned as a live-action tokusatsu series. The story began with the return of a spaceship that had disappeared 15 years earlier, carrying the astronaut Choichiro Hikari, who was still 22 years old, the same age as when he left. It was revealed that when the spaceship met with an accident, Hikari was saved by beings from the Nebula M78, who also baptized him, turning him into Ultraman III. Hikari then joined the defense organization known as "Ultra Ranger," and the series followed his adventures as the new Ultraman on Earth.
In terms of character settings, the most significant difference from the existing series was the inclusion of Emily Benson, a female team member from the United States. There were also plans for actor Sandayu Dokumamushi to return, playing a character named Aragaki, who was in charge of developing new machinery and weapons for the Ultra Ranger.
However, due to budget constraints, TBS could not provide the funds necessary to produce the live-action tokusatsu series at the quality Mitsuta desired. During discussions with TBS, Mitsuta half-jokingly suggested, "How about making it an anime?" TBS found this idea feasible, as the budget for an animated series was manageable and the new project had great potential. Given the booming popularity of anime at the time, the proposal was quickly accepted. Mitsuta and his team further developed the project, eventually transforming it into an animated series titled .
In the proposal submitted to TBS, the settings at this stage were almost identical to those of the actual broadcast series, and the defense team was named the "Science Guard Party." The title of this series did not refer to a specific Ultraman. Although the 1971 series Return of Ultraman was similar in this respect, its title implied "that Ultraman has returned," while this time, it simply emphasized the category of 'Ultraman.' Mitsuta noted that the title partly borrowed from TBS's high-rated music program The Best Ten and was chosen for its strong and appealing pronunciation.
Following this, the new series proceeded with this title. Later, around October 1978, a further refined proposal document titled was also produced. In the proposal submitted to TBS, Given that Tsuburaya Productions did not have the capability to produce animated works, the animation production was outsourced to Bandai Namco Filmworks, who had previously collaborated with them on projects like Dinosaur Expedition Born Free. The proposal emphasized the fresh concepts unbound by previous series and explained the rationale for choosing "animation" as the medium. It highlighted the advantages of the expressive freedom afforded by animation and declared that this time, Ultraman's human characteristics would not be depicted. Instead, his charm would be enhanced through a veil of "mystery," showcasing dramatic storylines with ups and downs, including the protagonist Hikari's inner struggles and the suspicions of those around him. This theme underwent several variations, ultimately elevating to the core theme of the entire work: "the significance of Ultraman's existence."https://animestyle.jp/2015/08/04/9221/
The main director for the first 13 episodes was Hisayuki Toriumi, and from episode 14 onwards, the role was taken over by Takeyuki Kanda. Due to the needs of actual performance and stage shows, two types of live-action suits were produced during the series' broadcast: one for filming and one for display. The series began airing on April 4, 1979. Influenced by the lyrical style of animation prevalent at the time, the series' episodes incorporated more elements inspired by both domestic and international science fiction films as it progressed. This influence was particularly evident in the latter half of the series, during the story arc involving Planet U40 and the Heller Empire.
==Synopsis==
All over the earth strange glowing objects in the form of letters in an unknown language appear in the skies. In order to investigate these strange phenomena, the Earth Defense Forces form the Science Guard Party led by Captain Akiyama. Akiyama immediately forms a top rated team of scientific experts.
Choichiro Hikari from the Earth Defense Forces space station is chosen to join the Science Guard Party and begins making his way back to Earth. But as he is traveling through space, Hikari meets Ultraman Joneus. Ultraman Joneus tells Hikari that the Earth is in great danger. In order to defend the Earth, Ultraman Joneus says he must become one with an Earth man.
Hikari agrees and he and Ultraman Joneus join forces. Normally, Hikari will be an ordinary human being. But when danger strikes he will be able to transform into the gigantic 40 meter tall superhero Ultraman Joneus.https://tsuburaya-prod.com/business/titlelist/3341
==Characters==
===Science Guard Party===
*Choichiro Hikari
*Tetsuo Akiyama
*Daisuke Gondo
*Kei Marume
*Hiroaki Tobe
*Mutsumi Hoshikawa
*Pigu
*Monkey
*Ulook
===Others===
*Sakurada
*Miyai
*Henry Nishiki
*Yuriko Nojima
===Ultras===
*Ultraman Joneus
*Elek
*Loto
*Amia
*Ultra People
===Kaiju===
*Seagra
*Spiral
*Wanigodon
*Red Smogy
*Tough Gillan
*Tough Gillas
*Tough Gillaco and Tough Gillao
*Fire Badon
*Combugon
*Robot No.101
*Alien Baltan
*Mikonos
*Dolfiego
*Xalome
*Hectore
*Liquid Monster
*Opt
*Garadoras
*Xyclon
*Gellon
*Gadon
*Goglan
*King Moa
*Giant shark
*Badan
*Islanda
*Spirit Parasite
*Gerada
*Janyur
*Bedran
*Bader Group
*Prehistoric beast
*Bagon
*Janyur III
*Zaanmoth
*Zanba
*Dragodos
*Death Balan
*Gibaaroga
*Red King
*Aboras
*Banila
*Arstron
*Ghostron
*Gokinezura
*Alien Baladon
*Dabaran
*Alien Jadan
*Jagon
*Skeldon
*Garbados
*Megasaura
*Alien Babilar
*Gamiba
*Imedo Being
*Goadarion
*Jinario
*Groteng
*Plazoon
*Agujon
*Deathpower
*Zuma
*Gurol
*Putgolia
*Iddunus
*Darantulas
*Noa
*Heller
*Roygar
*Heller's Soldiers
*Gumons
*Hell Cat
*Orolan
*Alien Opernicus Fedelico
*Gilos
*Alien Gilo
*Imit-Ultraman Joneus
*Hatari
*Unnamed trophy monster
*Dostony
*Spader
*Caperadon
*Alien Scien
*Golding
*Gedon
*Hella Umaya
*Panther
*Makdatar
==Cast==
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===English Dub===
:;The Adventures of Ultraman
*Gary Morgan as Scotty Harrison and Ultraman
*Gladys Enright as Anya
*Susan Harry Sprang as Lieutenant Nan Johnson
*Sean Reily as General Steel
*Michael Dobson as Kei Marume (pilot)
:;Ultraman II
*Steve Kramer as Chief Harris
*Tom Wyner as Ultraman, Captain Adams, and Narrator
*Barbara Goodson as Lieutenant Nan Johnson and PDQ
*Joe Perry as Lieutenant Glenn and Lieutenant Marconi
==Music==
:;Opening Theme
*The☆Ultraman
**Lyricist: Yuu Aku
**Composition and Arrangement: Kunio Miyauchi
**Vocals: Isao Sasaki and Columbia Yurikago-kai
**Accompaniment: Los Angeles Studio Orchestra
:;Ending Theme
*Heroes of Love
**Lyrics: Yuu Aku
**Composition and Arrangement: Kunio Miyauchi
**Vocals: Isao Sasaki
**Accompaniment: Los Angeles Studio Orchestra
:;Insert Themes
*Ultraman Hymn
**Lyrics: Kazuho Mitsuta
**Compositiona and Arrangement: Toru Fuyuki
**Vocals: Isao Sasaki, Kunitachi Kammerchor
**Sasaki, who was in charge of the song, made it the most difficult song he had ever sung.
*Star of Ultra
**Lyrics: Noboru Tani
**Composition and Arrangement: Toru Fuyuki
**Song: Columbia Yurikago-kai
*Song of Mutsumi
**Lyrics: Kazuho Mitsuta
**Composition: Noboru Tani
**Arrangement: Hiroshi Takada
**Vocals: Mitsuko Horie
*Super Murdoch
**Lyrics and Composition: Tani Noboru
**Arrangement: Hirotaka Takada
**Song: Isao Sasaki
*Our Science Guard Party
**Lyrics: Kazuho Mitsuda
**Composition: Tani Noboru
**Arrangement: Hirotaka Takada
**Songs: Isao Sasaki
*Robot Pigu's Song
**Lyrics: Tani Noboru
**Composition: Fuoki Toru
**Arrangement: Maruyama Masahito
**Song: Takiguchi Junpei
*Tomorrow...
**Lyrics and Composition: Tani Noboru
**Arrangement: Takada Hiroshi
**Song: Toyama Takashi
**It was used in episode 18, and in episode 23, the instrumental version was used.
*Monster Requiem
**Lyrics: Kazuho Mitsuda
**Composition and Arrangement: Toru Fuyuki
**Songs: Isao Sasaki
**In the 15th episode of the next series "Ultraman 80", Emi Jono was used in the scene of singing lullaby to the monster Mue and in 44 the instrumental version was used in the scene where 80 and the Delusion Ultraseven fight. In addition, the "popular monster large parade" of "5 Nights Series Super TV" (March 26-30, 1984, Ultraman Taro, Mirrorman, Fireman, Jumborg Ace digest version. It is also used as an ending.
==English Dub==
===Japan Tonight!===
In the United States, on April 5, 1980, episode #14 of The☆Ultraman aired on U.S. national television when New York superstation WOR-TV Channel 9 (now WWOR) aired it as the first part of "Japan Tonight!", a special seven hour block of programming from TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System), hosted by actor Telly Savalas. Japanese actress/author/talk show host Tetsuko Kuroyanagi introduced the episode surrounded by assorted Ultraman toys and merchandise while explaining to the American audience just who Ultraman is ("It's very, very popular in Japan - He's like your Superman."). The episode was dubbed into English by William Ross (Frontier Enterprises) in Japan and was sponsored by Bandai America.
The opening narration: "In a galaxy, which is millions of light-years away from us, the rulers of the star Ultra decided to send one of their men to Earth so that he could protect the people from the many space monsters that had suddenly started to appear at frequent intervals. But they could not very well send in Ultraman, as everyone would notice him because of his strange appearance. They therefore decided to use the vast resources of the star Ultra to implant the spirit of an Ultraman in the body of a young Space Force Trooper named Matt Gordon. In times of danger, Trooper Gordon can call upon these amazing Ultra powers and transform himself into Ultraman and still be able to keep his identity a secret from everyone else on Earth."
There has also been two feature-length movie compilations released for home video:
*The Adventures of Ultraman (1981), a featured-length movie produced by Tsuburaya Productions specifically for the English-language market. The movie is composed of edited footage from several episodes at the end of of the series. The storyline was rewritten for this adaptation with a new script by Jeff Segal and music composed by Mark McKinniss.
*Ultraman II: The Further Adventures of Ultraman (1983), a dub of the first four episodes co-produced by Tsuburaya Productions and Associates Entertainment International. Despite the title, it has no continuity with the previous English dub of the series. Although the translation is closer to the original Japanese scripts than the first movie, the characters' names were still changed (the names given to the characters are not the same ones used in the previous dub, though several are very similar). The order of the third and fourth episodes were also switched. Also, the opening title and end credits sequences for this release were textless (new U.S. credits were used) as well as being transposed and did not use the vocal tracks.
==Home Media==
The☆Ultraman was initially released by Nippon Columbia as a two-disc LaserDisc box set from December 21, 1996, to February 21, 1997. On May 23, 2008, Bandai Visual released a DVD box set.
In 2024, to commemorate the series' 45th anniversary, Tsuburaya Productions decided to release the first Blu-ray box set. As a special feature, the final four-part episode "To the Star of Ultra!!," which was originally broadcast over a month, has been remastered in HD and combined into a new 90-minute long feature film titled The☆Ultraman: Long Feature Film To the Star of Ultra!! with additional special features included. It will be released on November 22, 2024.https://m-78.jp/news/post-7146
pa.122529.2.jpg|The☆Ultraman DVD Box Set
AdvUM.jpg|"The Adventures of Ultraman" (1981)
UltramanII.jpg|"Ultraman II: The Further Adventures of Ultraman" (1983)
The Ultraman 2024 2.png|Blu-ray BOX
The Ultraman 2024.jpg|Blu-ray BOX
==Gallery==
ULTRAMAN 1979 poster.webp
The Ultraman 1979 40.png
ULTRAMAN 1979 poster 2.jpeg
ULTRAMAN 1979 poster 3.jpeg
ULTRAMAN 1979 2019.jpeg|Promotional poster drawn by Kazuhiro Ochi in 2019https://m-78.jp/news/post-5279
The ultraman logo.png
The Ultraman English Logo.png
==Trivia==
*This is the first Ultraman Series entry that introduces the title card after the opening theme.
*This is the first Ultraman Series entry to have an ending theme.
*The☆Ultraman features the most traditional multi-part episodes in the entire Ultraman Series.
==External Links==
*The☆Ultraman at Tsuburaya Productions' official website
==References==
ja:ザ☆ウルトラマン
id:The☆Ultraman
Category:Series
Category:Anime
Category:Productions
Category:Shows Dubbed in English
Category:Showa Series
Category:The☆Ultraman