KDF (Kaiju Defense Force)

The , abbreviated as KDF, is a large defense organization established by humans, which appears as the antagonistic force in Ultraman: Rising.
==Overview==
The KDF is believed to have been initially established 25 years ago due to the frequent disasters caused by kaiju from "Kaiju Island" traveling to Japan.https://x.com/ShannonTindle_1/status/1803936793450156115 This prompted some kaiju researchers to unite and form this investigative organization. Utilizing advanced technology, the KDF is equipped with various high-end mechs, dedicated to containing kaiju disasters and preventing them from spreading to human-inhabited areas. With the assistance of Ultraman, the KDF has successfully averted numerous disasters.https://x.com/ShannonTindle_1/status/1803969727217439075
For a long time, the primary goal of the KDF has been to "locate Kaiju Island." However, following a major disaster 20 years ago, the organization, under the leadership of Dr. Onda, gradually expanded its military capabilities and mech equipment. After undergoing significant changes, the KDF became Japan's main military force, focusing on eliminating all kaiju threats. The KDF's primary mission is to use advanced technology to completely eradicate kaiju.
Many KDF members have lost loved ones and homes to these disasters. They follow Dr. Onda's philosophy, believing that the only way to resolve the problem is by completely eliminating the kaiju.
==History==
===Ultraman: Rising===
The KDF first appeared during Ultraman's battle with Neronga and immediately intervened to halt Ultraman's actions. Utilizing their advanced technology, the KDF members successfully killed Neronga.https://x.com/ShannonTindle_1/status/1803810658565382350 After this victory, Dr. Onda addressed the team, acknowledging their sacrifices and efforts. He expressed his determination to create a safer country, earning applause from the members.
The KDF members then successfully captured Gigantron's egg in the Pacific Ocean and used it as bait to find clues leading to Kaiju Island. However, when the transport team arrived in Tokyo, they were attacked by Gigantron and completely wiped out. Dr. Onda ordered the air force to retrieve the egg, sparking a battle between Ultraman, Gigantron, and the KDF. Ultimately, under Dr. Onda's command, the KDF air force used missiles to strike both Ultraman and Gigantron, causing them to fall into Tokyo Bay. The investigative team was dispatched for recovery operations, but found no trace of Ultraman or the egg at the site.
The force eventually took the unconscious Gigantron back to headquarters and continued deploying multiple search drones to locate the missing egg, Gigantron's "baby" (later named Emi). Under Dr. Onda's direction, Gigantron underwent unethical modifications to lure the infant, resulting in the creation of "Mecha Gigantron." codename "".
When Emi escaped into the city, KDF drones eventually located her. Consequently, KDF deployed an attack squadron to Tokyo Tower for a capture mission. However, this mission failed again due to Ultraman's intervention. Nevertheless, KDF learned about Gigantron's echolocation-based positioning ability through this encounter, and decided to harness this power to locate Kaiju Island. Meanwhile, in the news, they also slandered Ultraman as a threat and demanded his arrest.
Drones eventually located Emi on Professor Sato's private island and attacked the individuals present. To pinpoint Emi's frequency, the KDF switched to triangulation and successfully located Ultraman's position. They then deployed Mecha Gigantron to launch missiles directly at the Ultra Base. With Mecha Gigantron successfully luring Emi, the KDF boarded the large airship "Destroyer" and tracked the two Kaiju southeast in an attempt to find Kaiju Island. However, Ultraman's intervention thwarted their plans.
Simultaneously, with assistance from Ultradad and Emi's cries, KDF ultimately lost control of Mecha Gigantron. Onda instructed Captain Aoshima to have all members board escape pods, transforming the ship into a massive robot to confront both Ultras and the Kaiju family in the final showdown. The battle concluded in the failure of the Destroyer. Onda eventually initiated the robot's self-destruct sequence in an attempt to obliterate the area containing Ultraman. The Destroyer ultimately exploded in Tokyo Bay. The story concludes without mentioning KDF's responsibility or subsequent actions regarding this incident.
==Base==
The main base of KDF is located near Tokyo Bay in Japan, and it's a massive facility. The main building of the base is a circular structure with a roof covered by a shield dome, protecting the large structures below. In concept art, the base's exterior was designed by Marcos Mateu-Mestre.
Underneath the shield dome, there's an open-air hangar bay with a roofed perimeter, shielding the maintenance areas from harsh weather conditions. The main hangar and side bays provide aircraft storage, ordnance storage, and maintenance space, featuring circular elevating lifts. When the Gunship is deployed, it can rise and turn on an elevating turntable from the lower deck to initiate takeoff procedures.
Prior to deployments, these mechas are stationed on the main flight deck for final fueling and flight preparation.
KDF HQ Hangar.png|Hangar
The core area of the base is the control room, where Dr. Onda issues instructions. The control room features a hemispherical structure with a central platform screen, and main paths divide various departments, all leading to the command center. The room is equipped with transparent glass interactive displays and matte black padded seats for the members to work.
Concept artist Adam J. Ely constructed an artistic model of this space based on the designs by Marcos Mateu-Mestre and Khang Le, marking out the various departments on the floor plan, indicating a total of 29 departments in the base.
KDF HQ Control Room film 1.png|KDF HQ Control Room
KDF HQ Control Room film 2.png|Interactive displays
KDF HQ Control Room film 3.png
The base also features other facilities, including a "Hatchery" where Dr. Onda addressed other members, and the room seems to be designed for incubating Gigantron eggs. Additionally, there is a large AR projection room and an area dedicated to the Kaiju Display Wall, which archives information on defeated kaijus from various eras. These facilities are also used for conducting life investigations on Gigantron and implementing "Project Surrogate."
Hatchery KDF.png|Hatchery
AR projection room.png|AR Projection Room
Kaiju Display Wall.png|Kaiju Display Wall
==Members==
===Former Members===
==Arsenal==
===Attire===
*KDF Uniform: The KDF members wear uniforms to denote their affiliation and provide identification. Depending on their roles, these uniforms include categories such as security attire and protective gear.
**The uniforms of this defense team are inspired by those of the SSSP and UG from the Showa era defense teams.https://nerdist.com/article/shannon-tindle-ultraman-rising-interview/
*KDF Helmet: Large helmets worn by KDF members for safety requirements, primarily used when piloting KDF Jets.
**The design of the old helmets was modeled after UG helmets.
*KDF Watch: A device worn by KDF members, equipped with multiple functions for communication and task notifications. 
**The design of these watches is based on the 1967 Omega Speedmaster. This model served as the prototype for MAT's Speedmaster in Return of Ultraman episode 8.https://revolutionwatch.com/2018-speedmaster-limited-edition-42mm-ultraman/
**The Sato family also possesses similar watch devices with additional functionalities. Ken's watch features an LED screen. The model of these watches is based on the Seiko Computer Watch UC-2000 & UC-3000.
KDF uniforms.jpg|KDF Uniform
KDF Uniform old style.png|KDF Uniform (old style)
KDF Helmet.png|KDF Helmet
KDF Watch.png|KDF Watch
===Equipment===
*Potent tranquilizer: A harmless yet highly effective medication with powerful sedative effects. In the movie, KDF uses this weapon to capture Emi, ensuring she is safely apprehended without harm or resistance.
*Capture net: An electronic capture device mounted on drones (Drone Triangle). This weapon is utilized in the film to capture Neronga by launching capture nets to restrict the monster's movements.
*Missiles: Medium-power weapons equipped by KDF on their jets, drones, and mecha Gigantron. These missiles possess strong destructive capability and are used to attack Gigantron and the Ultra Base.
*Parachute: An old equipment of KDF, now owned by Professor Sato, which is used as a blanket for Emi in the film.https://x.com/ShannonTindle_1/status/1805429705820250518
Potent tranquilizer.png|Potent tranquilizer
KDF 001.png|Capture net
KDF Missiles.png|Missiles
KDF Parachute.png|Parachute
*KDF Drones: Small unmanned aerial vehicles of the KDF, equipped with capabilities similar to attack aircraft, capable of combat operations through remote control or autonomous piloting. In the movie, these drones are equipped with potent tranquilizers used for capturing Emi.
KDF 012.png|KDF Drone
KDF 013.png|KDF Drone (Attack Mode)
KDF Drone.png|KDF Drone (Attack Mode)
KDF Drone Art 1.jpg|Concept art by Ryo Yambehttps://x.com/Ryo_Yambe_jp/status/1805646166044164191
KDF Drone Art 2.jpg|
:;Unused Design
KDF Drone Art 3.jpg|Concept art by Ryo Yambehttps://x.com/Ryo_Yambe_jp/status/1805654619332526479
KDF Drone Art 4.jpg
KDF Drone Art 5.jpg
KDF Drone Art 6.jpg
KDF Drone Art 7.jpg
KDF Drone Art 8.jpg
KDF Drone Art 9.jpg
KDF Drone Art 10.jpg
===Mecha===
====Retired Mechas====
The following mechas still retain the old KDF emblem in their appearance:
==Gallery==
===Ultraman: Rising===
KDF 002.png
KDF 31.png
KDF 004.png
KDF 005.png
KDF 006.png
KDF 007.png
KDF 038.png
KDF 039.png
KDF 008.png
KDF 009.png
KDF 014.png
KDF 010.png
KDF 040.png
KDF 011.png
Gunship KDF 01.png
Gunship KDF 02.png
===Concept Art===
KDF 13.jpg|KDF HQ, by Joseph Feinsilverhttps://x.com/JoeFeinsilver/status/1804022929664913912
KDF 14.jpg
KDF 15.jpg|KDF HQ' Gunship Hangers, by Adam J Elyhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8dKdYbSaPG/
KDF 16.jpg
KDF 17.jpg
KDF 18.jpg
KDF HQ Control Room 1.jpg|KDF HQ Control Room, by Khang Lehttps://www.khangleart.com/ultraman-rising/
KDF HQ Control Room 2.jpg
KDF HQ Control Room 3.jpg
KDF HQ Control Room 4.jpg
KDF HQ Control Room 5.jpg
KDF HQ Control Room Art 1.png|KDF HQ Control Room, by Nacho Molinahttps://www.nachomolinaart.com/ultraman
KDF HQ Control Room Art 2.png
KDF HQ Control Room Art 3.png
KDF HQ Control Room Art 4.png
KDF HQ Control Room 6.jpg|KDF Hatchery Previs Model, by Justina Hnatowiczhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8QI0Z9SX4y/
KDF Control Room 21.jpg|KDF HQ Control Room, by Adam J Elyhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8any1Syj8m/
KDF Control Room 22.jpg
KDF Control Room 23.jpg
KDF Control Room 24.jpg|KDF position planned by Adam J Ely
incubator 1.jpg|Incubator, by Gabriel Gomezhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8UWSKQqhPf/
incubator 2.jpg
===Miscellaneous===
KDF 34.png|Kaiju alert, with Bemular as the icon.
==Trivia==
*A villain organization with a similar status to KDF already existed in the early conceptual planning of Made in Japan/Gamma Man.
Ovi Nedelcu Gamma man 6.jpg|Concept art by Ovi Nedelcuhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8ZxZT4OwIt/
Ovi Nedelcu Gamma man 12.jpg|Concept art by Ovi Nedelcu
Ovi Nedelcu Gamma man 13.jpg|Concept art by Ovi Nedelcu
Ganna man 40.png|Laboratory, by Emil Mitevhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8Xtf7TyrvU/
*This defense force is the fourth to primarily oppose the protagonist, following the Black Buster Corps from Ultraman Dyna, DEUS from Ultraseven X, and SAAG from Ultraman Z.
*The KDF is the second defense force, following TLT/NR (early period only), to entirely regard Ultraman as an adversary or attack target. According to public warnings from the KDF, since Ultraman is not an authorized government agent in Japan, the KDF has sufficient justification to order him to evacuate the scene immediately; failure to comply will result in detention. Under Dr. Onda's command, this defense force is authorized to use lethal force in the event of Ultraman's intervention.
*According to Shannon Tindle's AMA held on X (formerly Twitter), it was confirmed that Emiko Sato is the founder of this organization.https://x.com/ShannonTindle_1/status/1803816071679586417
**Since the Sato couple were former members of the KDF, it is speculated that the technology they left behind for the defense force was later used to upgrade prototypes of unmanned drone equipment. These drones bear a resemblance to Mina's appearance.
**Sato installed a secret monitoring system in their residence's room to monitor the activities of the KDF headquarters.
*KDF's organizational changes are reflected in the alteration of their emblem, the color scheme of their aircraft, and the uniforms of their members.
*According to the graphics at KDF headquarters, before the main events of the film, KDF had successfully eradicated five kaiju. These include Bemular, Red King, Gomora, Eleking, and Twin Tail.
==References==
Category:Ultraman: Rising
Category:Ultraman: Rising Characters
Category:Organizations