Ultra Heroes EXPO 2023 Summer Festival Stage 1

is the first stage show held at Ultra Heroes EXPO 2023 Summer Festival. An archive of one of its August 1 performances was released online through SPWN on August 7 and at TSUBURAYA IMAGINATION from November 1.https://m-78.jp/news/post-6901
==Synopsis==
The first part is called and features some of the New Generation Heroes battling a invasion organized by Alien Metron.
The second part, called , has SKaRD member Ryuma Hashido face monsters in the Earth Garon, with the aid of the audience and Ultraman Blazar.
The show concludes with a finale segment with many Ultras fighting monsters.
==Plot==
===Stars Chapter: "New Generation Warriors"===
The show opens with narration by Ultraman Z describing the New Generation Heroes. Afterwards, Ultraman Ginga, Ultraman Victory, Ultraman X and Z appear, and are introduced individually by the show's MC as they battle various monsters. After the group wins the fight, Alien Metron appears, stating that no matter how much time passes, the Ultras always get in the way of their plans to invade Earth. He questions why the Ultras defend Earth when humans destroy nature and never stop fighting with each other, proclaiming that they will one day destroy themselves. Alien Metron's claims annoy Z, but when he tries to argue back, Alien Metron seizes the opportunity to fire a beam that turns Ginga, Victory and X into statues. The alien then summons another group of monsters, whom Z struggles to fight against alone.
The MC takes the stage to teach the audience how to support the Ultras, explaining that they should both cheer and clap for them. When Z returns, still being beaten by the monsters, the audience's support convinces him to keep fighting. Ultraman Zero hears the audience's voices and comes to aid Z, calling him his greatest student. Zero calls upon the audience to cheer to break through the darkness entrapping Ginga, Victory and X, allowing them to rejoin the fight. The five Ultras then successfully defeat the invaders.
Seeing no other choice, Alien Metron unleashes his last resort, two "ultimate lifeforms" called Metroshiroid and Metrokuroid. He compares them to the Void Kaiju Greeza, as they have no will of their own and will stop at nothing to destroy everything in sight, with even him having no control over them. The two beings attack using chaotic and unpredictable movements that the Ultras are unable to fend off.
However, the MC requests the audience to cheer once again, bringing Ultraseven, Zero's father, to the battle. Asserting that humanity's voices are the reason they have continued to fight, he tells the New Generation warriors to turn those voices into power, and for Zero to call upon his latent strength. After Zero transforms into Wild Burst form, he singlehandedly defeats Metroshiorid and Metrokuroid. Alien Metron is enraged, believing that humans are weak, fragile and inferior beings. However, Zero argues that humans live out their short lives to the fullest, and always prepare the next generation of humans to protect Earth, making them truly strong. Declaring that Alien Metron is 20,000 years too early to understand humanity, Zero fires a beam at the trio, although Alien Metron uses Metroshiroid and Metrokuroid as shields to escape.
With the battle won, Zero tells Z he has gotten stronger, even if he still has a long way to go. Z is happy to now understand the power of humanity's light. Zero thanks the audience for their help, and Ginga asserts that they will continue to protect everyone's memories. Z also asks Zero to confirm that he called him his greatest student. Embarrassed, Zero denies it, although Z is certain of what he heard, requesting the audience to clap to show their agreement. Zero decides to leave, with Z chasing after him. As the other Ultras exit the stage, Z narrates that the new Ultra Warriors will continue to protect Earth together.
===Ultraman Blazar Chapter: "A New Light"===
In 2023, the SKaRD is dispatched to combat Gudon, who has appeared in Ikebukuro. But before they can arrive, Ultraman Blazar arrives and defeats it himself.
The next day, Ryuma Hashido, a member of the SKaRD, arrives at Ikebukuro to check the damages caused by Gudon. Together with the show's MC, they decide to teach a lesson about monsters to the audience. Ryuma passes a tablet with access to a kaiju data bank to the MC, but is called elsewhere by a superior. The MC then explains some of Zetton's abilities and Gomora's abilities to the audience, noting that Zetton's weakness is its chest and Gomora's weakness is its tail.
When more monsters appear, Gento Hiruma calls Ryuma to defend Ikebukuro in the Earth Garon as his first mission. Ryuma's superior informs him that Gomora's weakness is his horns, but when he tries attacking them, Gomora becomes enraged and grows more aggressive. Gento requests the audience to remember their lesson and tell Ryuma of Gomora's actual weakness. After doing so, Ryuma attacks Gomora's tail, incapacitating it and allowing him to use the Earth Fire and finish it off. Gento suspects there was another mix-up with the higher-ups and plans to file a claim. He thanks Ryuma and leaves him to protect Ikebukuro.
However, Alien Metron then appears. While impressed that humanity's science has developed enough for humans to have built the Earth Garon, he declares that he will take over Earth and eradicate humanity regardless. He summons a large Bazanga who defeats Earth Garon, though Gento soon transforms into Ultraman Blazar and battles it. After the Ultra defeats Bazanga and leaves, Ryuma wonders who Blazar really is. The MC believes he is an ally of humanity, but when Ryuma questions why she is so sure, she is unable to answer. Ryuma is then called by a superior and has to leave, but not before having the audience shout "UlSummer!". The MC thanks the audience before passing the stage to Ultraman Z.
===Finale===
Ultraman Z thanks the audience for coming again, asserting that the Ultras' wish to protect everyone will never change even as generations go by. After announcing that the show isn't over, every Ultra so far returns, as well as Ultraman Gaia and Ultraman Agul. They walk around the audience before combatting some monsters. Ryuma also joins the fight. While fending off Satan Bizor, Fujimiya tells Gaia to reach for the light once again, sending him Agul's light and causing the two Ultras to fuse together and form Ultraman Gaia Super Supreme Version. After Satan Bizor is defeated, the Ultras assemble onstage one last time to wave goodbye.
==Appearances==
==Cast==
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
===Stage Screen===
*: 
===Voice Actors===
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: https://twitter.com/takeshiyoshioka/status/1687457530614800384
*: 
===Special Guests===
Characters from Ultraman Blazar only appeared onstage on certain days the show was performed, though Gento Hiruma appeared via the stage screen in every performance.
Date 	Guests
July 22 	Gento Hiruma
July 23 	Emi Aobe
July 29 	Anri Minami
July 30 	Yasunobu Bando
August 5	Teruaki Nagura
August 6	Emi Aobe
==Home Media==
A set containing both a Blu-ray and DVD of this stage show and Stage 2 was released on February 9, 2024, after being available early at Ultra Heroes EXPO 2024 New Year Festival and Tsuburaya Store ONLINE from December 29, 2023. These are the first Ultraman Series stage shows to be released on Blu-ray.
UlSummer 2023 Blu-ray DVD.jpg
==Gallery==
===Images===
UlSummer Stage 1 Image 1.jpg|https://twitter.com/m78expo/status/1682678231655403520
UlSummer Stage 1 Image 2.jpg|https://twitter.com/m78expo/status/1683027355403685888
UlSummer Stage 1 Image 3.jpg|https://twitter.com/m78expo/status/1687749833782956033
UlSummer Stage 1 Image 4.jpg|
UlSummer Stage 1 Image 5.jpg|
UlSummer Stage 1 Image 6.jpg|
===Videos===
【ウルサマ 2023】ウルトラマンブレーザー、バザンガと対決！ガイア＆アグルも登場!?THE LIVE STAGE公開ゲネプロ
「ウルトラヒーローズEXPO2023 サマーフェスティバル」ステージがBlu-ray+DVDセットにて2024年2月9日発売！先行販売も実施！
==Trivia==
*This stage show features the debut of Ultraman Gaia's Super Supreme Version. The form was designed by veteran Ultraman Series designer Hiroshi Maruyama.
*This stage show introduces two new kaiju, Metroshiroid and Metrokuroid.
*This stage show introduces two new insert themes, "Blue laser", which was written for the event, and "IGNITION", which was first released on the single for "Bokura no Spectra".
*The video played at the beginning are clips from a promo video released in China celebrating Tsuburaya Productions' 60th anniversary.
*Takeshi Yoshioka confirmed on Twitter that he recorded new voice lines for Gaia for this stage show.
*Koji Nakamura, one of Gaia's original suit actors, was a posing supervisor for Gaia Super Supreme Version.https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/film-tv/20230812-128951/
==External Links==
*Official website
*Ultraman SPWN page
==References==
Category:Stage Shows
Category:Summer Festival Battle Stages
Category:THE LIVE Series
Category:Ultraman THE LIVE