Ultraman Cosmos (series)

is a Japanese tokusatsu TV show being the 16th show in the Ultraman Series. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, Ultraman Cosmos aired from July 7, 2001 to September 28, 2002, with a total of 65 episodes, which currently makes it the longest running Ultra Show to date. Ultraman Cosmos was also produced coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the Ultraman Series.
The series can be watched on Roku and Vudu.
==Production==
After the TV series Ultraman Gaia concluded in 1999 and the film Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey was released in March 2000, Tsuburaya Productions focused on the production of the video series Ultraman Neos throughout 2000. Considering that the TV series had ended in August 1999, Tsuburaya Productions decided to begin airing a brand new Ultraman TV series in October 2001, following an approximately two-year hiatus., pg 4
The planning for this first Ultraman project of the 21st century began in April 2000.https://www.sanspo.com/article/20230426-D4SAN3PHB5IW7FOSSW3GCRMREU/ They aimed to maintain an annual schedule, with the next theatrical film tentatively scheduled for release in March 2001, followed by the new TV series in October. Since 2001 marked the 35th anniversary of Ultraman and the 100th anniversary of Eiji Tsuburaya's birth, the series for that year was designated as a commemorative work.
Although both the film and the TV series were commemorative works, it was not initially decided that they would be based on the same setting. The movie project continued to be produced by Kiyoshi Suzuki, while Hiroyasu Shibuya served as the producer of the TV series, overseeing the overall planning and production. When Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey was released, special attention was paid to the audience's reaction. It was confirmed that, aside from fans of the Ultraman Tiga series, the main audience for the theatrical film also included other groups—such as young children, elementary school students, and their parents.Ultraman Cosmos (TV Magazine Special Edition) pg 84
Recognizing the importance of considering the needs of younger viewers and families, Shibuya proposed this idea to Suzuki. Consequently, the planning of the movie and TV series became more closely synchronized. The new Ultraman protagonist would first appear in the movie and then be depicted growing up in the TV series.
In order to create a setting for the new Ultraman that aimed to make it easier for children to resonate with and feel a sense of unity with the protagonist, Shibuya proposed emphasizing positive emotions such as "kindness and compassion," which are inherently intertwined with life and very primal in nature. Shibuya believed that the societal atmosphere at the turn of the 21st century seemed somewhat harsh and unfeeling. Therefore, he hoped to convey the importance of kindness to children as a message by emphasizing it as a contrasting viewpoint.
The Ultraman image sculpted by Shibuya also conveyed a sense of significance and challenge to Suzuki. Consequently, when Suzuki was fleshing out the plans for the theatrical film, he not only adopted Shibuya's character image but also realized the need to reexamine the "origin" of Ultraman for the 21st century. With this awareness, Suzuki extended a directorial invitation to Toshihiro Iijima., pg 5
In May 2000, Shibuya's proposal for the "New Ultraman" was delivered to Iijima, who promptly accepted the invitation and agreed to direct the film. Additionally, Iijima committed to serving as the screenwriter under the pseudonym "Kitao Senzoku" (a pen name he used in the past when working on the Ultraman series) and decided to feature Alien Baltan as the antagonist in the film. With the production framework in place, Hiroshi Maruyama began designing Ultraman, and scriptwriting progressed almost simultaneously. Suzuki proposed an image of a transparent Ultraman, resembling crystal in its entirety and envisioned it being able to switch between two modes. However, due to the limitations of the special effects technology at the time, this concept was abandoned. Eventually, the design evolved into Ultraman having two forms: blue and red.
In Shibuya's proposal, initially, it was planned for Musashi to merge with Ultraman. However, during the scriptwriting phase, Iijima made modifications and insisted on portraying Musashi and Ultraman as separate entities in the "Encounter Chapter" of the film. This setup was subsequently scrapped and used in the television series instead. As a result, the outline of the project's story gradually took shape. The image of Ultraman Cosmos became clearer, with blue representing gentleness and red representing strength. As for the naming of the new Ultraman, Shibuya proposed the idea of Ultraman Cosmos, based on Ultraman representing principles of order and harmony. This naming choice was uncontested and officially confirmed before the summer. Subsequent preparations proceeded smoothly.
Filming for the film Ultraman Cosmos: The First Contact officially began in October 2000, with Shibuya stepping back from the film project to focus on the production of the TV series. While considering the movie's setup, he collaborated with Shinsuke Onishi to develop the plot outlines for episodes 1 and 2, and started coordinating to schedule the TV series premiere on July 7th, the birthday of Eiji Tsuburaya, to coincide with the "Eiji Tsuburaya 100th Anniversary".http://topics.cinematopics.com/archives/15469
In early March 2001, filming for the television series commenced, while the special effects part started half a month later. The final character designs for the main roles were determined during the filming of episodes 1 and 2 by Tsugumi Kitaura, the movie's assistant director who was also involved in the planning of the television series. The production structure was not significantly different from past productions. Despite a reduction in budget of approximately 30% compared to the previous three series, strict control over the budget and schedule adjustments were made. The filming equipment was also adjusted, with the special effects part still using 16mm film, while the television series part switched to video recording.
Ultimately, the television series premiered on July 7th, while the theatrical release of the film, originally scheduled for March, was delayed to July 20th due to arrangements by Shochiku. Tsuburaya Productions intentionally aimed to connect Ultraman Cosmos with subsequent television projects, leading to location scouting on Saipan Island in the summer of 2001. This was done in preparation for the production of the film Ultraman Cosmos 2: The Blue Planet, planned for release in August 2002. Following this, projects related to Cosmos continued until 2003.
After the series aired, it was initially planned to produce four quarters as usual. However, due to delays in the production of the succeeding program, extended toy sales cycles, and the program's good performance, it was decided to urgently increase the budget and extend the production time. This resulted in Ultraman Cosmos airing until September 28, 2002, making it the longest-running and most aired Ultraman series to date.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkNKz0bDhmc
==Synopsis==
A mysterious light appears in the sky, leading to an incident where an entire city is destructively wiped out. An investigation by the special investigation team, EYES, reveals that the source of the light is a life form named Chaos Header. 
Meanwhile, Musashi Haruno, a space astronaut candidate at the SRC Space Development Center, enjoys a paired flight with his friend, the Kaiju Lidorias.
However, Chaos Header possesses Lidorias, turning it violent. Musashi, attempting to stop Lidorias on his own, is visited by Ultraman Cosmos, the giant of light and compassion whom he encountered in his childhood.
==Characters==
===Protagonist===
*Musashi Haruno
===SRC===
*Kensaku Kimoto
*Ikeyama
*Noboru Kawaya
*Yasue Sawaguchi
*Mitsuya
*Hazumi
====EYES====
*Harumitsu Hiura
*Shinobu Mizuki
*Keisuke Fubuki
*Ayano Morimoto
*Koji Doigaki
===JADF===
*Sahara
*Saijo
*Junya Nagare
*Oka
*Ishii
===Others===
*Yukari Yoshii
*Reni Kurosaki
*Kasumi Sanjodera
===Ultras===
*Ultraman Cosmos
*Chaos Ultraman
===Kaiju===
*Chaos Header
*Lidorias
*Chaos Lidorias
*Golmede
*Chaos Golmede
*Spittle
*Igomas
*Chaos Bug
*Mogrudon
*Mienin
*Gamoran
*Small Inculas
*Inculas
*Yamawarawa
*Geshot
*Mudon
*Ephemera
*Waroga
*Galbas
*Jelga
*Jirak
*Chaos Jirak
*Ghighi
*Renki
*Alien Migelon
*Angrilla
*Bolgils
*Parastan
*Chaos Parastan
*Chaos Parastan S
*Gelworm M
*Gelworm P
*Imit-Ultraman Cosmos
*Gragas
*Alien Srayu
*Guinje
*Chaos Header Iblis
*Zaranga
*Baby Zaranga
*Eligal
*Chaos Eligal
*Chaos Header Mebut
*Clevergon
*Chaos Clevergon
*Golmede Beta
*Neldorand
*Chaos Neldorand
*Reycura
*Ragstone
*Mahagenom
*Taildas
*Chaos Taildas
*Alien Beryl
*Helzzking
*Neldorand II
*Chaos Neldorand II
*Unnamed silhouetted monster
*Puratea
*Exter Raider
*Sydevakter
*Delgoran
*Chaos Delgoran
*Sol
*Taildas Mechalator
*Alien Nowar
*Neldorand Mechalator
*Ghighi Dr. XX01
*Mugera
*Alien Kyulia
*GiriBanes
*Waroga II
*Alukela
*Snow Stars
*Vadata
*Mazalgas
*Chaos Mazalgas
*Sangelu
*Alien Carpcis
*Arados
*Ragstone Mechalator
*Tablis
*Mitoru
*Gamoran II
*Kawanoji
*Gruanfan
*Giragas
*Alt-Helzzking
*Dolba
*Chaos Dolba
*Eligal II
*Chaos Eligal II
*Chaos Darkness
==Cast==
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===Guest Cast===
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===Voice Actors===
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===Suit Actors===
*Ultraman Cosmos:
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*Ultraman Cosmos, Chaos Ultraman, Chaos Ultraman Calamity: 
*Ultraman Cosmos, Kaiju: 
*Chaos Header, Kaiju: 
*Kaiju:
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==Music==
:;Opening Theme
*Spirit
**Lyrics: Goro Matsui
**Composition: KATSUMI
**Arrangement: Takao Konishi
**Artist: Project DMM
:;Ending Themes
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**Lyrics: Goro Matsui
**Composition: Kisaburo Suzuki
**Arrangement: Seiichi Kyoda
**Artist: Project DMM
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**Lyrics/Composition: KATSUMI
**Arrangement: Kazuya Daimon
**Artist: Project DMM
:;Insert Themes
*Touch the Fire
**Lyrics: KATSUMI
**Composition/Arrangement: Kazuya Daimon
**Artist: Project DMM
*Bokura no Energy
**Artist: Project DMM
==Home Media==
The DVD version of the series was released from February 5, 2002, to March 28, 2003. It includes all 60 episodes from the original broadcast, spread across 15 volumes. The special features include openings and endings without subtitles, trailers, behind-the-scenes content, and a monster design gallery. Each segment starts with the introduction that was shown before the program in the TV version.
Five unaired episodes and three special episodes were released on March 28, 2003, in a "Special Selection" format on both VHS and DVD.
In 2011, Tsuburaya productions has released the entire TV Series in DVD Box set, under the title "Ultraman Cosmos: 10th Anniversary Memorial Box", features all 65 episodes plus three newly-edited episodes. Comes with a 32-page description.https://m-78.jp/news/n-1014
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 1.jpg|Volume 1 (episodes 1-4)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 2.jpg|Volume 2 (episodes 5-8)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 3.jpg|Volume 3 (episodes 9-12)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 4.jpg|Volume 4 (episodes 13-16)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 5.jpg|Volume 5 (episodes 17-20)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 6.jpg|Volume 6 (episodes 21-24)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 7.jpg|Volume 7 (episodes 25-28)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 8.jpg|Volume 8 (episodes 29-32)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 9.jpg|Volume 9 (episodes 33-36)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 10.jpg|Volume 10 (episodes 37-40)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 11.jpg|Volume 11 (episodes 41-44)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 12.jpg|Volume 12 (episodes 45-48)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 13.jpg|Volume 13 (episodes 49, 51, 53, 55)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 14.png|Volume 13 (episodes 57, 59, 60-61)
Ultraman Cosmos DVD 15.png|Volume 10 (episodes 62-65)
Cosmos Special Selection 1.png|Special Selection vol 1 (episodes 50, 52, 54, SP1)
Cosmos Special Selection 2.png|Special Selection vol 2 (episodes 56, 58, SP2, Special Event)
Climax Stories Cosmos.jpg|Climax Stories: Ultraman Cosmos
5100n90wP-L.jpg|Box Cover of the 10th anniversary release
Cosmos Mill Creek.webp|Mill Creek's DVD box set (episodes 1-65, Ultraman Cosmos: The First Contact, The Blue Planet, The Final Battle)
==Arrest of Taiyo Sugiura==
In June 2002, Cosmos was taken off of television for several weeks (following the broadcast of the 49th episode) when lead actor Taiyo Sugiura was questioned in an assault and extortion case. The feature film Ultraman M78 Theater Love & Peace and the direct-to-video Ultraman series Ultraman Neos were broadcast during this period. When the case against Sugiura was dropped for lack of evidence, Cosmos was put back on the air.https://web.archive.org/web/20030812041249/http://www.zakzak.co.jp/geino/n-2002_07/g2002070310.html TBS and Tsuburaya ultimately pulled five episodes (50, 52, 54, 56, and 58) from broadcast to make up for time lost, and these episodes were later released on DVD.
==Gallery==
Ultraman Cosmos Poster.png|Series Poster
File:Jo248 4f.jpg
Ultraman cosmos logo.svg
Ultraman Cosmos English Logo.png
Ultraman Cosmos 2001 4.webp
Ultraman Cosmos 2001 5.webp
Ultraman Cosmos 2001 6.jpg
Ultraman Cosmos 2001 7.jpg
==External Links==
*MBS official website
*Ultraman Cosmos at Tsuburaya Productions' official website
==References==
id:Ultraman Cosmos (seri)
ja:ウルトラマンコスモス
Category:Series
Category:Productions
Category:Heisei Series
Category:Ultraman Cosmos
Category:Shows Dubbed in English