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{{Short description|1966 Japanese television series}}
{{For|the ]|Ultram}}
{{Infobox Television {{Infobox television
|image = ] | image = Ultraman (1966) HD Title Card.png
| caption = Original Japanese title card
|caption = Original title credit. The characters translate as "Ultraman: A Special-Effects Fantasy Series."
| native_name = {{Infobox Japanese| kanji= ウルトラマン | revhep= Urutoraman}}
|show_name = Ultraman
| alt_name = ''Ultraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series''<ref name="DVD Talk"/><ref name="Nex"/>
|format = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]
| genre = {{Plainlist|
|runtime = 24 minutes (per episode)
* ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/01/01/general/ultraman-50-years-battling-monsters/|title=Ultraman: 50 years battling monsters|last=Satake|first=Shinichi|work=]|date=January 1, 2016|access-date=November 8, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108123555/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/01/01/general/ultraman-50-years-battling-monsters/}}</ref>
|country = ]
* ]<ref name="Forever">{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2006/11/12/films/ultraman-forever/|title=Ultraman . . . forever|last=Schilling|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Schilling|work=]|date=November 12, 2006|access-date=November 8, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828113445/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2006/11/12/films/ultraman-forever/}}</ref>
|network = ]
* ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/japanese-superhero-ultraman-reboot-works-1168258|title=Japanese Superhero 'Ultraman' Reboot in the Works (Exclusive)|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|work=]|date=December 11, 2018|access-date=November 8, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109043807/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/japanese-superhero-ultraman-reboot-works-1168258}}</ref>
|num_episodes = 39
* ]
|creator =]
|starring = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>Bin "Satoshi" Furuya
|composer = Kunio Miyauchi
|first_aired = July 17, 1966
|last_aired = April 9, 1967
|preceded_by = '']''
|followed_by = '']''
}} }}
| developer = ]{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=114}}<br>Tetsuo Kinjo{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=114}}
{{nihongo|'''''Ultraman'''''|ウルトラマン|Urutoraman}} is a Japanese ] television series that first aired in 1966. ''Ultraman'' is a follow-up to the television series '']'', though not technically a sequel or spin-off. The show was produced by the ], and was broadcast on ] from July 17, 1966 to April 9, 1967, with a total of 39 episodes (40, counting the pre-premiere special that aired on July 10, 1966).
| director =
| starring = {{unbulleted list|]|]|]|]|]|]}}
| composer = Kunio Miyauchi
| opentheme = ''Ultraman Theme'' by the Misuzu Children's Choir
| country = Japan
| language = Japanese
| num_episodes = 39
| runtime = 24 minutes
| company = ]<br>]
| network = ] (TBS)
| first_aired = {{start date|1966|7|17}}
| last_aired = {{end date|1967|4|9}}
| related = '']''<br/>'']''
}}
{{Nihongo|'''''Ultraman'''''|ウルトラマン|Urutoraman|lead=yes}}{{efn|Titled onscreen as {{Nihongo|'''''Ultraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series'''''|ウルトラマン 空想特撮シリーズ|Urutoraman: Kūsō Tokusatsu Shirīzu}}<ref name="DVD Talk"/><ref name="Nex">{{cite web|url=https://www.scifijapan.com/dvd-blu-ray-digital/55th-anniversary-ultraman-archives-ultraman-movienex-remastered-japanese-blu-ray-release-in-november|title=55th Anniversary Ultraman Archive: Ultraman MovieNEX Remastered Japanese Blu-ray Release in November|work=SciFi Japan|date=November 2, 2020|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212004952/https://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2020/11/02/55th-anniversary-ultraman-archives-ultraman-movienex-remastered-japanese-blu-ray-release-in-november/}}</ref>}} is a Japanese '']'' ] created by ]. Produced by ], it is a follow-up to '']'', though not technically a sequel or spin-off. Tsuburaya Productions produced 39 episodes (40, counting the pre-premiere special) that aired on ] and ] from July 17, 1966, to April 9, 1967. Its premiere topped the average rating set by ''Ultra Q'' and kept climbing each week, marking the show as a success.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=127}} It was also the first Japanese television series to use a bidding system for commercial rights, allowing multiple third-party companies to sponsor the show. This was following TBS's merchandising troubles with its predecessor.<ref>{{cite journal|title=February 1979|journal=Merchandising Report|date=1979}}</ref>


Although ''Ultraman'' is the first series to feature an ] character, it is the second installment in the ], following ''Ultra Q''. This is symbolised by the Japanese show opening with the ''Ultra Q'' logo exploding into the ''Ultraman'' logo. ''Ultraman'' and its titular hero became a major pop culture phenomenon in Japan, generating dozens of sequels, spin-offs, imitations, parodies and tributes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/07/16/tv/ultraman-ultracool-50/#.WntggGaZMk8|title=Ultraman: Ultracool at 50|last=Alt|first=Matt|work=The Japan Times|date=July 16, 2016|access-date=February 7, 2018}}</ref>{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=114}} Ultraman went on to generate {{US$|7.4 billion|long=no}} in merchandising revenue from 1966 to 1987 in Japan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/docs/Retail_Letter.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030408132444/http://www.4kidsentertainment.com:80/docs/Retail_Letter.pdf|title=Brand News|website=4kidsentertainment.com|page=4|archivedate=April 8, 2003|date=2003|accessdate=March 26, 2022}}</ref><ref name="4kids">{{cite web|url=http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/properties/ultraman.html|title=Properties-Ultraman |website=4kidsentertainment.com|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050228095359/http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/properties/ultraman.html|archive-date=February 28, 2005}}</ref> (equivalent to more than {{US$|{{Inflation|US|7.4|1987}} billion|long=no}} adjusted for inflation) and become the world's third top-selling licensed character by the 1980s, largely due to his popularity in Asia.{{sfn|Warner|2005|p=44}}
Although ''Ultraman'' is the first series to feature an Ultra-Crusader, it is actually the ''second'' show in the ]. '']'' was the first. In fact, ''Ultraman'' opens with the ''Ultra Q'' logo exploding into the ''Ultraman'' logo. ''Ultraman'' ultimately became a major pop culture phenomenon in Japan. The show's success spawned dozens of sequels, spin-offs, imitators, parodies and remakes.


A ] serving as a sequel to the television series began publication in October 2011 and received an anime adaptation starting in April 2019. In May 2022, ] released '']'', a reimagining of the series directed by ].
To distinguish him from subsequent Ultra-Crusaders, Ultraman is referred to as the {{nihongo|Original Ultraman|初代ウルトラマン|Shodai Urutoraman}}, The First Ultraman, or Ultraman Hayata; this last is a reference to his host's surname.


==Premise==
==Series background==
The series follows the adventures of the Science Patrol, a special scientific team investigating and combating threats from aliens and '']''. Unbeknownst to the team, fellow member Shin Hayata possesses the ability to transform into the giant alien superhero ] in moments of crisis.<ref name="DVD Talk">{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25024/ultraman-series-one-volume-two/|title=Ultraman - Series One, Volume Two|first=Stuart|last=Galbraith IV|work=DVDTalk|date=November 13, 2006|access-date=April 21, 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422042227/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25024/ultraman-series-one-volume-two/}}</ref>
''Ultraman''{{'}}s central characters were created by ] from ], a pioneer in ] who was responsible for bringing ] to life in 1954. The show's predecessor was a series called ''],'' a ] 28-episode series very much like the original ''].''


==Production==
The Ultraman project had the following working titles/plots:
===Development===
Due to the success of '']'', ] (TBS) requested a similar themed show from ] (TPC), this time filmed in color and with the hopes of continuing the series with TPC.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=113}} TPC founder ] and writer Tetsuo Kinjo decided to recycle the barebones idea of ''Ultra Q'' about civilians and center the show on a team, tentatively dubbed the "Scientific Investigation Agency" (SIA), specifically designed to deal with monsters and supernatural phenomena. Tsuburaya and Kinjo repurposed unused ideas from ''Ultra Q'', as well as the rejected outline for '']''.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=114}} Tsuburaya had spent significant studio money to build his miniatures for the ''Godzilla'' films, and TPC was seeking a new project to repurpose and monetize those miniatures.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=114}}


The first iteration of Ultraman was named "Bemular" and had a human host in his late 20s named "Officer Sakomizu", described as a "tough guy" in early drafts. Captain Muramatsu would have been the only SIA member to know his secret identity,{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=114}} and a female SIA member was added late in production.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=117}} Pre-production and story layout began in December 1965 as ''Bemular: Scientific Investigation Agency''. Writer Masahiro Yamada completed a sample teleplay titled ''The Birth of Bemular'' that featured an unused scenario originally written for ''Ultra Q''. TBS producer Takashi Kakoi demanded that Bemular have a metallic complexion and be distinguishable from similarly designed monsters to avoid confusion. As a result, Tsuburaya and Kinjo discarded Bemular's original design in favor of a humanoid appearance.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=114}} The name "Bemular" was dropped for the hero but given to Ultraman's first foe in the debut episode "Ultra Operation No. 1".{{sfn|Asahi Sonorama|1982|p=43}}
*{{nihongo|''WoO''|WoO|Wū}}: This story featured a corporeal space creature with two large eyes, who befriended a reporter named Jôji Akita, but the ], who perceived the alien as a threat, went after them. This was basically the monster version of the ] ] series '']'' (1963), and Woo's personality was also to be comical. The name "Woo" ended up being used for an otherwise unrelated, ], in episode 30 of ''Ultraman.'' Later, Tsuburaya Productions would ultimately produce a series dubbed ''],'' in January 2006, but this series is very loosely based on the original concept.


In January 1966, the production's title was changed to ''Redman'' to reflect the hero's color scheme and was unanimously approved for production a month later. In this version, Redman lands on Earth as a refugee after invaders destroyed his home planet. Redman fuses with Sakomizu and together protect the Earth from giant monsters and alien invaders.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=114}} This version also featured the "Flashbeam", an early version of Ultraman's transformation device the Beta Capsule, however, the Flashbeam version resembled a futuristic fountain pen.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=116}} During the casting process, TBS suggested actors with Western appearances in order to appeal to overseas markets, however, most of the cast came from ]. On March 22, 1966, the copyright offices approved the shows's registration, now titled ''Ultraman''.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=117}} Each episode was produced on a budget of {{JPY|20-30 million}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nakajima |first=Junichiro |date=December 10, 2008 |title=「ウルトラマン」は迷走から脱却できるのか |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/2536 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629165828/http://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/2536 |archive-date=June 29, 2015 |access-date=September 8, 2022 |website=Toyo Keizai Online |publisher=] |language=Japanese}}</ref>
*{{nihongo|''Bemular''|ベムラー|Bemurā}}, then retitled {{nihongo|''Scientific Special Search Party: Bemular''|科学特捜隊ベムラー|Kagaku Tokusō Tai - Bemurā}}: The main characters are a defense force, with the same Japanese name as the ], but disguised as an art/photography team. One of the members, little did anyone (even his teammates) know, gained the ability to transform into a giant birdlike humanoid monster called Bemular (not the same ] that Ultraman would fight in Episode # 1 of the actual series), who defends Earth from monsters, aliens and other threats. Unlike Woo, Bemular was a tough and righteous fighter, and he looked very similar in design to the title monster of the 1967 ] film ''].'' Allegedly, the plot was scrapped when it was worried audiences might have trouble telling that one monster was good and the other evil.


===Design===
*{{nihongo|''Redman''|レッドマン|Reddoman}}: The title hero of this project slightly resembled Ultraman as he came to be known, but he looked more demonic and had horns. He came to Earth after his planet was destroyed by aliens from ]. ('']'' also shared this working title.)
The early Bemular version was originally conceived by Kinjo as an intergalactic reptilian creature that would enlarge itself to {{convert|164|feet|meters|sigfig=3}} and come to the SIA's aid. The early design was a cross between ], a mythological Hindu/Buddhist guardian bird, and ], a Japanese folkloric crow-goblin.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=114}} Eiji Tsuburaya found the early designs to be "too alien and sinister" and requested that production designer ] continue drafting additional designs as teleplays were being written concurrently. Narita took inspiration from the Greek concept of cosmos (order and harmony), in contrast to Narita's monster designs for ''Ultra Q'', which were rooted in the Greek concept of Chaos. Narita also drew inspiration from classical Greek art, ancient Egypt, the European Renaissance, and Miyamoto Musashi. Tsuburaya and Kinjo also gave their own input on Narita's designs. To reflect Ultraman's cosmic origins, his silver skin symbolized steel from an interstellar rocket and the red lining represented the surface of Mars. Narita's assistant, Akira Sasaki, sculpted clays, but became concerned about the nose and mouth looking too human. They eventually decided on a brim-like nose that runs from the mouth to the top of the head like a dorsal fin, and applied flexibility on the mouth for speech. Early outlines had Ultraman capable of spitting fire and a liquid called "silver iodine", but these ideas were dropped. A three-minute warning light called the "Color Timer" was added at the last minute due to the filmmakers feeling that Ultraman was too invincible, and also believed that it would invoke suspense and cheers from viewers.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=117}}


===Filming===
Both Bemular and Redman were designed by Toru Narita, who also came up with the final design for Ultraman based on his Redman design, now resembling a less-scary ]-style alien being, mixed with a bit of the iconic "]." The characteristic "Color Timer," more familiar to American audiences as the "warning light" on Ultraman's chest, was added at the eleventh hour.
To keep production costs from going over budget, the series was filmed on 16mm stock and optical effects on 35mm. This met the network's requirement for making new episodes on a fast-paced production schedule, due to filming starting in March 1966 for July premiere. The production crew were separated into three teams, subdivided into separate live-action filming and special effects filming groups. TBS and TPC originally agreed to air ''Ultraman'' on July 17, but TBS delayed it by one week in order to cover the spot originally intended for the final episode of ''Ultra Q'', which was pulled from the broadcast schedule due to not featuring any monsters. TBS also wanted to beat the release of Fuji Television's similarly themed '']''.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=120}} Though production on ''Ultraman'' was proceeding well enough, it was falling behind to meet the premiere date. After meetings between TBS, Tsuburaya Productions, and sponsors, they decided to produce the ''Ultraman Eve Festival'', a live TV special intended to introduce Ultraman to viewers that would air on July 10. This was also done to help the crew catch up and finish the premiere episode. The special was retitled ''The Birth of Ultraman: An Ultraman Premiere Celebration''.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=124}} Kunio Miyauchi, who composed the music for ''Ultra Q'', was brought back to compose the music for ''Ultraman''. The lyrics to the show's opening theme music were written by ] (credited as Koichi Fuji).{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=120}}


===Monsters===
The first series begins when Science Patrol (''Kagaku Tokusou Tai'') member Shin Hayata is flying his plane and a red sphere of light crashes into his Mini-]. The sphere turns out to be the transport (Travel Sphere) for a red-and-silver giant being who calls himself Ultraman. Feeling remorse for having killed the human, he merges his essence with Hayata to revive him. In return, Hayata serves as the human form for this being, and whenever danger threatens, and the resources of the Science Patrol are not enough to counter it, he raises and activates a power-object and artifact called a "beta capsule" and transforms to Ultraman to save the day.
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| width = 175
| footer = Several monster suits were produced for the show, while others were recycled from ''Godzilla'' films and ''Ultra Q''.
| image1 = Ultraman gyango ruffian from outerspace 19660925.JPG
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = Ultraman and Zetton episode 31.png
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
}}
Production designer ] designed all of the show's monsters, and sometimes deviated from their original descriptions. A majority of the time, the writers did not include any specific descriptions in the teleplays and left most unnamed. The names of the monsters were decided via staff meetings, where it would also be determined if the writer had created a creature that was capable or incapable of being filmed with the special effects technology available at the time. The monsters were sculpted and fabricated by Ryosaku Takayama, Akira Sasaki, and Ekisu Productions.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=127}}


], who played ] for the first 12 films in the ''Godzilla'' franchise,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/08/world/asia/godzilla-actor-haruo-nakajima-japan.html|title=Haruo Nakajima, the First Actor to Play Godzilla, Dies at 88|first=Russell|last=Goldman|work=]|date=August 8, 2017|access-date=September 10, 2022|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911022522/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/08/world/asia/godzilla-actor-haruo-nakajima-japan.html}}</ref> choreographed all the monsters' battles with Ultraman performer ] and even played the monsters for episodes three and ten. Nakajima also had two cameos, one in episode 24 and one in episode 33 as a police officer.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=128}} ''Ultraman'' featured new monster suits, as well as recycled suits from ''Ultra Q''. Two Godzilla suits were recycled from Toho for the monster Jirahs, with the head taken from the Godzilla suit from '']'' and placed upon the body of the Godzilla suit from '']''. The dorsal fins and parts of the suit were sprayed yellow and a large yellow frill was attached to disguise the connection of the head with the body.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=119}} The show also marks the first appearance of ''Ultraman Zoffy'' in the finale ''Farewell, Ultraman''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/ultraman/256859/the-complete-history-of-ultraman-part-1-1966-1987|title=The Complete History of Ultraman Part 1 (1966-1987)|last=Harber|first=Stephen|work=Den of Geek|date=January 8, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422042934/https://www.denofgeek.com/culture/the-complete-history-of-ultraman-part-1-1966-1987/}}</ref>
===Monsters and heroes===
]
The Ultraman series used various monster costumes, known as '']'' in Japan, prior to other series such as '']'' and ''].'' The principals were played by famous monster suit actor ], who performed as the original ]. Another Toho actor, Satoshi "Bin" Furuya, was sought out for the role of Ultraman, because of his tall stature and perfect proportions.


==Cast==
Nakajima had an outdoor-sports and ] background, and they decided that Ultraman would not seem alien if he was using earth-bound martial arts techniques. So Ultraman's fighting style was a mixture of grappling, Greco-Roman wrestling, and some Japanese martial arts, which evolved during the course of the series.
*] as Shin Hayata/] (voiced by ] in the English dub){{sfn|BCI Eclipse (b)|2006|loc=00:07:07}}:<br>The Science Patrol member who transforms into Ultraman with the Beta Capsule. ] portrayed Ultraman via ].<ref name="TTN 2022">{{cite web|url=https://tokusatsunetwork.com/2022/02/tamashii-nation-interview-with-original-ultraman-suit-actor-bin-furuya/|title=Tamashii Nation Interview with Original Ultraman Suit Actor Bin Furuya|first=Ayaku|last=Web|work=The Tokusatsu Network|date=February 15, 2022|access-date=September 1, 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=September 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901143053/https://tokusatsunetwork.com/2022/02/tamashii-nation-interview-with-original-ultraman-suit-actor-bin-furuya/}}</ref>
*] as Captain Toshio Muramatsu:<br>Leader of the Science Patrol. In the Japanese version, he is sometimes referred to as "Cap". His name is shortened to "Captain Mura" in the English dub.{{sfn|Nonagase|1966b|loc=00:02:30}}
*] as Daisuke Arashi:<br>The Science Patrol's expert marksman.
*] as Mitsuhiro Ide:<br>The Science Patrol's comical inventor. ] was originally cast in the role. Ishikawa filmed a few scenes but abruptly left the production due to contract disputes.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=120}} The English dub renames the character as "Ido".{{sfn|Iijima|1966|loc=00:01:13}}
*] as Akiko Fuji (voiced by ] in the English dub){{sfn|BCI Eclipse (b)|2006|loc=00:05:05}}:<br>The Science Patrol's communications officer.
*Akihide Tsuzawa as Isamu Hoshino (voiced by Corinne Orr in the English dub){{sfn|BCI Eclipse (b)|2006|loc=00:05:05}}:<br>The Science Patrol's unofficial mascot. In the English dub, he is identified as Fuji's younger brother.{{sfn|Nonagase|1966a|loc=00:04:02}}
*] as Dr. Iwamoto:<br>The Science Patrol's scientific advisor.


Cast taken from ''Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters''.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=117}}
Often costumes of famous monsters like ] (as Jirass/Keyra in "The Mysterious Dinosaur Island") and ] would be recycled and altered, sometimes with nothing more than ] and often while the actor was still inside. Nakajima quipped once that the staggering gait of some of the monsters he portrayed was due less to his acting than to the fumes he had to endure.


==Episodes==
Some of the quadrupedal monster costumes could not be shown fully as his legs dragging on the ground would have been exposed, a necessary allowance to maintain balance in the often cumbersome outfits. Also, the expense of repairing the scale cities and landscapes used for battle scenes required economy of movement and meticulous planning.
{{Episode table
| background = #A9271B
| overall =
| title =
| director =
| writer =
| airdate =
| episodes =
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Ultra Operation No. 1
| TranslitTitle = Urutora Sakusen Dai Ichigō
| NativeTitle = ウルトラ作戦第一号
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = ]
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo & ]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|7|17}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = Shoot the Invaders!
| TranslitTitle = Shinryakusha o Ute
| NativeTitle = 侵略者を撃て
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = ]
| WrittenBy = Kitao Senzoku
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|7|24}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = Science Patrol, Move Out!
| TranslitTitle = Katokutai Shutugeki seyo
| NativeTitle = 科特隊出撃せよ
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Toshihiro Iijima
| WrittenBy = Masahiro Yamada
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|7|31}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = Five Seconds Before the Explosion
| TranslitTitle = Dai Bakuhatsu Gobyō Mae
| NativeTitle = 大爆発五秒前
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Samaji Nonagase
| WrittenBy = Ryu Minamikawa
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|8|7}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title = The Secret of the Miroganda
| TranslitTitle = Miroganda no Himitsu
| NativeTitle = ミロガンダの秘密
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Toshihiro Iijima
| WrittenBy = Keisuke Fujikawa
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|8|14}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title = The Coast Guard Command
| TranslitTitle = Engan Keibi Meirei
| NativeTitle = 沿岸警備命令
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Samaji Nonagase
| WrittenBy = Masahiro Yamada
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|8|21}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| Title = The Blue Stone of Baradhi
| TranslitTitle = Barāji no Aoi Ishi
| NativeTitle = バラージの青い石
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Samaji Nonagase
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo & Ryu Minamikawa
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|8|28}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| Title = The Monster Anarchy Zone
| TranslitTitle = Kaijū Muhō Chitai
| NativeTitle = 怪獣無法地帯
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Hajime Tsuburaya
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo & Shōzō Uehara
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|9|4}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| Title = Lightning Operation
| TranslitTitle = Denkōsekka Sakusen
| NativeTitle = 電光石火作戦
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Samaji Nonagase
| WrittenBy = Masahiro Yamada
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|9|11}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| Title = The Mysterious Dinosaur Base
| TranslitTitle = Nazo no Kyōryū Kichi
| NativeTitle = 謎の恐竜基地
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = ]
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|9|18}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11
| Title = The Rascal from Outer Space
| TranslitTitle = Uchū kara Kita Abarenbō
| NativeTitle = 宇宙から来た暴れん坊
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Kazuho Mitsuta
| WrittenBy = Tatsuo Miyata
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|9|25}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 12
| Title = Cry of the Mummy
| TranslitTitle = Miira no Sakebi
| NativeTitle = ミイラの叫び
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Hajime Tsuburaya
| WrittenBy = Keisuke Fujikawa
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|10|2}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 13
| Title = Oil S.O.S.
| TranslitTitle = Oiru Esu Ō Esu
| NativeTitle = オイルSOS
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Hajime Tsuburaya
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|10|9}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 14
| Title = The Pearl Defense Directive
| TranslitTitle = Shinjugai Bōei Shirei
| NativeTitle = 真珠貝防衛指令
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = ]
| WrittenBy = Mamoru Sasaki
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|10|16}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 15
| Title = Terrifying Cosmic Rays
| TranslitTitle = Kyōfu no Uchūsen
| NativeTitle = 恐怖の宇宙線
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Akio Jissoji
| WrittenBy = Mamoru Sasaki
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|10|23}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 16
| Title = Science Patrol Into Space
| TranslitTitle = Katokutai Uchū e
| NativeTitle = 科特隊宇宙へ
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Toshihiro Iijima
| WrittenBy = Kitao Senzoku
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|10|30}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 17
| Title = Passport to Infinity
| TranslitTitle = Mugen e no Pasupōto
| NativeTitle = 無限へのパスポート
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Toshihiro Iijima
| WrittenBy = Keisuke Fujikawa
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|11|6}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 18
| Title = Brother from Another Planet
| TranslitTitle = Yūsei kara Kita Kyōdai
| NativeTitle = 遊星から来た兄弟
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Samaji Nonagase
| WrittenBy = Ryu Minamikawa & Tetsuo Kinjo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|11|13}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 19
| Title = Demons Rise Again
| TranslitTitle = Akuma wa Futatabi
| NativeTitle = 悪魔はふたたび
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Samaji Nonagase
| WrittenBy = Masahiro Yamada & Ryu Minamikawa
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|11|20}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 20
| Title = Terror on Route 87
| TranslitTitle = Kyōfu no Rūto Hachijūnana
| NativeTitle = 恐怖のルート87
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Higuchi
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|11|27}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 21
| Title = Breach the Wall of Smoke
| TranslitTitle = Fun'en Toppa seyo
| NativeTitle = 噴煙突破せよ
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Higuchi
| WrittenBy = Taro Kaido
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|12|4}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 22
| Title = Overthrow the Surface
| TranslitTitle = Chijō Hakai Kōsaku
| NativeTitle = 地上破壊工作
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Akio Jissoji
| WrittenBy = Mamoru Sasaki
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|12|11}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 23
| Title = My Home Is the Earth
| TranslitTitle = Kokyō wa Chikyū
| NativeTitle = 故郷は地球
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Akio Jissoji
| WrittenBy = Mamoru Sasaki
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|12|18}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 24
| Title = The Undersea Science Center
| TranslitTitle = Kaitei Kagaku Kichi
| NativeTitle = 海底科学基地
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Toshihiro Iijima
| WrittenBy = Keisuke Fujikawa
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1966|12|25}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 25
| Title = The Mysterious Comet Tsuifon
| TranslitTitle = Kai Susei Tsuifon
| NativeTitle = 怪彗星ツイフォン
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Toshihiro Iijima
| WrittenBy = Bunzo Wakatsuki
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|1|1}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 26
| Title = The Monster Highness: Part 1
| TranslitTitle = Kaijū Denka Zenpen
| NativeTitle = 怪獣殿下 前篇
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Hajime Tsuburaya
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo & Bunzo Wakatsuki
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|1|8}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 27
| Title = The Monster Highness: Part 2
| TranslitTitle = Kaijū Denka Kōhen
| NativeTitle = 怪獣殿下 後篇
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Hajime Tsuburaya
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo & Bunzo Wakatsuki
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|1|15}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 28
| Title = Human Specimens 5 & 6
| TranslitTitle = Ningen Hyōhon Go Roku
| NativeTitle = 人間標本5・6
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Samaji Nonagase
| WrittenBy = Masahiro Yamada
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|1|22}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 29
| Title = Challenge to the Underground
| TranslitTitle = Chitei e no Chōsen
| NativeTitle = 地底への挑戦
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Samaji Nonagase
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo & Ryu Minamikawa
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|1|29}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 30
| Title = Phantom of the Snow Mountains
| TranslitTitle = Maboroshi no Yukiyama
| NativeTitle = まぼろしの雪山
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Higuchi
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|2|5}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 31
| Title = Who Goes There?
| TranslitTitle = Kita no wa Dare da
| NativeTitle = 来たのは誰だ
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Higuchi
| WrittenBy = Taro Kaido
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|2|12}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 32
| Title = Endless Counterattack
| TranslitTitle = Hateshinaki Gyakushū
| NativeTitle = 果てしなき逆襲
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Toshitsugu Suzuki
| WrittenBy = Keisuke Fujikawa
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|2|19}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 33
| Title = The Forbidden Words
| TranslitTitle = Kinjirareta Kotoba
| NativeTitle = 禁じられた言葉
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Toshitsugu Suzuki
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|2|26}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 34
| Title = A Gift from the Sky
| TranslitTitle = Sora no Okurimono
| NativeTitle = 空の贈り物
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Akio Jissoji
| WrittenBy = Mamoru Sasaki
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|3|5}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 35
| Title = The Monster Graveyard
| TranslitTitle = Kaijū Hakaba
| NativeTitle = 怪獣墓場
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Akio Jissoji
| WrittenBy = Mamoru Sasaki
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|3|12}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 36
| Title = Don't Shoot! Arashi
| TranslitTitle = Utsuna! Arashi
| NativeTitle = 射つな! アラシ
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Kazuho Mitsuta
| WrittenBy = Masahiro Yamada
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|3|19}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 37
| Title = A Little Hero
| TranslitTitle = Chiisana Eiyū
| NativeTitle = 小さな英雄
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Kazuho Mitsuta
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|3|26}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 38
| Title = Spaceship Rescue Command
| TranslitTitle = Uchūsen Kyūjo Meirei
| NativeTitle = 宇宙船救助命令
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Hajime Tsuburaya
| WrittenBy = Shōzō Uehara
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|4|2}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 39
| Title = Farewell, Ultraman
| TranslitTitle = Saraba Urutoraman
| NativeTitle = さらばウルトラマン
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Hajime Tsuburaya
| WrittenBy = Tetsuo Kinjo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1967|4|9}}
| LineColor = A90712
}}
}}
* {{nihongo|''The Birth of Ultraman''|ウルトラマン 誕生|Urutoraman Tanjō}} a live stage show pre-premiere special intended to introduce audiences to Ultraman prior to the premiere episode. It was also produced to give the filmmakers time to complete the debut episode.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=124}}
* {{Nihongo|'']''|長篇怪獣映画 ウルトラマン|Chōhen Kaijū Eiga Urutoraman}} a theatrical film directed by Hajime Tsuburaya, consisting of re-edited footage from episodes 1, 8, 26, and 27. It was released by ] on July 22, 1967, as a ] with '']''.{{sfn|Asahi Sonorama|1982|p=109}}{{sfn|Keibunsha|2001|p=141}}
* {{nihongo|''Revive! Ultraman''|甦れ!ウルトラマン| Yomigaere! Urutoraman}} a short film directed by Masahiro Tsuburaya, and released in March 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eiga.com/movie/39999/|title=甦れ!ウルトラマン|first=|last=|date=|website=]|publisher=]|language=Japanese|access-date=December 17, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130214930/https://eiga.com/movie/39999/}}</ref>


==English version==
''For more on the monsters, go here:'' ]
]
] picked up the rights for '']'' and ''Ultraman'' in the fall of 1966, two months after the first episode of ''Ultraman'' aired. ''Ultra Q'' was dubbed but never broadcast in the United States due to American TV stations preferring color shows over black-and-white shows. ''Ultraman'' ran in and out of syndication until the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.ultramanconnection.com/pages/licensing-program/
|title=Licensing Program - Ultraman Connection
|access-date=25 August 2024}}</ref> UA-TV also syndicated ''Ultraman'' internationally.{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=129}} ], ],<ref>{{cite web |last=Aiken |first=Keith |date=March 3, 2017 |title=Ultraman in English: William Winckler Interview |url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2017/03/03/ultraman-in-english-william-winckler-interview/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119105543/http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2017/03/03/ultraman-in-english-william-winckler-interview/ |archive-date=January 19, 2020 |access-date=November 21, 2018 |work=SciFi Japan}}</ref> and ] provided the voices for the dub.{{sfn|BCI Eclipse (b)|2006|loc=00:07:07}} Fernandez also wrote and supervised the dub.<ref name="Peter"/>


Describing the process, Fernandez said: "I had a ], sometimes a projector, and I’d go back and forth over each line carefully and carefully, building the line to look like English." Fernandez also went on to explain that a ] was used to mark scenes that needed to be dubbed, even if it were only a few lines. A loop of the film would be projected so that the voice actor could memorize his or her lines and see where the scene needed to be dubbed. The voice actors had to wait for a beeping signal before starting, Fernandez explained: "So in the studio you hear “Beep… beep… beep…” then you talk, as if there is a fourth beep. Those beeps are drilled into me. They are two-thirds of a second apart. Later on, the film is reassembled and mixed with the original music and sound effects."<ref name="Peter">{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2009/01/07/peter-fernandez-speed-dubbing/|title=Peter Fernandez: Speed Dubbing|last=Johnson|first=Bob|work=SciFi Japan|date=January 7, 2009|access-date=February 7, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125223155/https://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2009/01/07/peter-fernandez-speed-dubbing/}}</ref> The English dub was featured in the BCI Eclipse DVD release of ''Ultraman'', as well as subsequent DVD re-issues from Mill Creek Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/15/ultraman-the-complete-series-dvd-review?page=2|title=Ultraman: The Complete Series DVD Review|work=]|date=October 15, 2009|access-date=February 7, 2018|first=R.L.|last=Shaffer|url-status=live|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605235436/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/15/ultraman-the-complete-series-dvd-review?page=2}}</ref>
==Story==
The storyline begins in the near future, as referenced from the mid-1960s (in episode 23, "My Home Is Earth," it is definitively established that the series takes place in the early 1990s, via a plaque shown at the end of the episode dated 1993). Sinister aliens and giant monsters constantly threaten civilization during this period. The only Earth organization equipped to handle these disasters is the Science Special Search Party, or SSSP, a special worldwide police force equipped with high-tech weapons and vehicles, as well as extensive scientific and engineering facilities; this organization is called the Science Patrol, or the United Nations Scientific Investigation Agency, in the English-dubbed version syndicated in the United States.


==Home media==
The branch of the Science Patrol that is focused on in the series is located in Tokyo, Japan. Led by Captain "Cap" Toshio Muramatsu (shortened to "Captain Mura" in the dubbed English-language version), the Science Patrol is always ready to protect the Earth from rampaging monsters, but sometimes it finds itself outclassed. When the situation becomes desperate, Shin Hayata, the Patrol's most capable member, holds the key to salvation in the form of a power-object and artifact called the "Beta Capsule," which, whenever activated, allows him to transform secretly into the super-humanoid-powered giant from space, who becomes known to the people of Earth as Ultraman.
===Japan===
In April 2013, Tsuburaya held a press conference announcing the new Ultra Series show and character, '']'', where they also announced that the original 1966 show will be given an HD remaster treatment in Japan. In July 2013, Bandai Visual released an HD transfer of ''Ultraman'' on Blu-ray titled ''Ultraman HD Remaster 2.0'', to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Tsuburaya Productions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Ultraman-Blu-ray-Box-I-Blu-ray/73090/ |title=Ultraman Blu-ray Box I Blu-ray (Japan) |publisher=Blu-ray.com |date=July 10, 2013 |access-date=2014-03-15}}</ref> Bandai Visual released the series on three separate box sets, each containing 13 episodes. The first box set was released on July 10, 2013, the second one on October 25, 2013, and the final one on January 29, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://otakumode.com/news/51ceb1ecee96ab500a059b47/ |title="Ultraman" Blu-ray Box Sets to Begin Releasing on July 10, "Ultraman Day" |date=10 July 2013 |publisher=Otakumode.com |access-date=2014-03-15}}</ref>


On November 25, 2020, Tsuburaya Productions and ] released a 3.0 HD remaster of the series on Blu-ray titled ''Ultraman 55th Anniversary Ultraman Archives: Ultraman MovieNEX'', suitable for large screen televisions. Composite technology EXA Quality Advanced Service (EQAS) was used to process the series to remove excess picture noise while retaining an appropriate level of graininess.<ref name="Nex"/>
Ultraman remains until the threat is neutralized and then flies away to revert to Hayata. (This was shown, twice, by Ultraman firing a ring of energy from his hands that would fly to a safe location, and then energy from it would materialize Hayata even as Ultraman fades away at the same time.) Ultraman's victory is never assured, however, as Ultraman's powers and, indeed, his very life force, come from rapidly depleted, stored solar energy.


===North America===
At the beginning of each transformation from Hayata-to-Ultraman, the "warning light" on the giant's chest begins as a steady blue color. Yet as Ultraman exerts himself, the "Color Timer," as it is also called, turns red, then blinks—slowly at first, then with increasing rapidity—as his energy reserves get closer to exhaustion. As the voice-over narration reminds the viewer, beginning with episode 2 and for each episode thereafter, if Ultraman ever reaches the point of total energy depletion, he "will never rise again."
BCI Eclipse Home Entertainment LLC officially released ''Ultraman'' on two separate DVD volumes in 2006 and 2007, licensed from then-rights holder Southern California-based Golden Media Group Inc. (via Tokyo-based UM Corporation). BCI's first DVD release featured the first 20 episodes, while the second release featured the final 19 episodes, all presented uncut, unedited and re-mastered in color with stereo sound. These releases also featured the original Japanese audio and the English dub. When Navarre folded BCI Eclipse in December 2008, the series was shuffled over to Navarre's other home video label, Mill Creek Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News-BCI-Shut-Down/11064 |title=Site News DVD news: Navarre shutters BCI Eclipse division |publisher=] |access-date=March 15, 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531025036/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News-BCI-Shut-Down/11064 |archive-date=May 31, 2010}}</ref> In June 2009, Mill Creek re-released the complete series set on September 29, 2009, in a four-disc set with the same special features from the previous release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Ultraman-Re-Release/12142|title=Ultraman – Rights to The Complete Series Picked Up|access-date=June 26, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621061559/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Ultraman-Re-Release/12142|archive-date=June 21, 2009}}</ref>


On July 10, 2019, Mill Creek Entertainment announced that it had acquired most of the franchise library from Tsuburaya Productions through Indigo Entertainment, including 1,100 episodes and 20 films. Mill Creek released the series on Blu-ray and digital on October 15, 2019, in standard and ] editions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2019/07/10/exclusive-mill-creek-entertainment-acquires-the-ultraman-library-for-physical-and-digital-home-entertainment-distribution-across-north-america/|title=Exclusive – Mill Creek Entertainment Acquires the Ultraman Library For Physical and Digital Home Entertainment Distribution Across North America|work=SciFi Japan|date=July 10, 2019|access-date=July 11, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712061246/http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2019/07/10/exclusive-mill-creek-entertainment-acquires-the-ultraman-library-for-physical-and-digital-home-entertainment-distribution-across-north-america/}}</ref> Mill Creek released ''The Birth of Ultraman Collection'' on Blu-ray on July 10, 2020. It included the pre-premiere special and seven episodes from the 1966 series, which included the English dub. The Blu-ray featured artwork by ] (originally created for Marvel's ''Ultraman'' comic) and was sold exclusively on DeepDiscount.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2020/06/17/mill-creek-entertainment-to-drop-the-birth-of-ultraman-collection-exclusive-blu-ray-release-july-102020/|title=Mill Creek Entertainment to Drop The Birth of Ultraman Collection Exclusive Blu-ray Release July 10, 2020|work=SciFi Japan|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617210347/http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2020/06/17/mill-creek-entertainment-to-drop-the-birth-of-ultraman-collection-exclusive-blu-ray-release-july-102020/}}</ref>
In episode 39, "Farewell Ultraman," Ultraman fights an enemy called Zetton, leader of an army of monsters bent on destroying all the Ultra-Crusaders, who employs an unexpected weapon against Ultraman—one which damages his Color Timer/warning light and disables his ability to measure his power supply. As a result, Ultraman stays in his full-size form too long and collapses into a dormant state. Fortunately, despite this loss, the Science Patrol's members are able to defeat Zetton on their own.


In July 2020, ] announced that they had struck a multi-year deal with Alliance Entertainment and Mill Creek, with the blessings of Tsuburaya and Indigo, that granted them the exclusive ] digital rights to the ''Ultra'' series and films (1,100 episodes and 20 film) acquired by Mill Creek the previous year. ''Ultraman'', amongst other titles, streamed on Shout! Factory TV and Tokushoutsu in the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/asia/ultraman-shout-factory-digital-distribution-deal-mill-creek-1234702280/|title=Shout! Factory Strikes 'Ultraman' Digital Distribution Deal With Mill Creek|last=Frater|first=Patrick|work=Variety|date=July 10, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214043858/https://variety.com/2020/digital/asia/ultraman-shout-factory-digital-distribution-deal-mill-creek-1234702280/}}</ref>
When ], Ultraman's superior, comes to retrieve the fallen hero, Ultraman pleads for Hayata's life and offers his life completely, so that Hayata may live as a normal man. Zoffy then says he has brought two life-forces and that he will give one to Hayata. He then separates them, giving Hayata new life, but Hayata seems to have no memory between the time he first collides with Ultraman's ship (in the first episode), and his standing outside Science Patrol Headquarters as he watches Zoffy take Ultraman home. This is a rather different finish to the series than stated in the English dub, which states both that Ultraman will return and that Hayata retains his beta capsule as he awaits Ultraman's return.


==Characters== ==Post-release==
===Proposed sequels===
Due to the show's success, a feature film titled ''Ultraman: Operation Giant'' was planned. ] was attached to write the script. The film was to be filmed in CinemaScope and was to introduce new characters, such as a self-sacrificing automaton built by the Science Patrol, the Baltans invading Earth with the help of a human scientist, a new subterranean monster named "Morugo", and Ultraman was to be given a new sword weapon. A sequel series tentatively titled {{nihongo|''Ultraman Continues''|続ウルトラマン|Zoku Urutoraman}} was also proposed; however, neither project ever materialized.{{sfn|Asahi Sonorama|1982|p=83}}{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=129}}{{sfn|Ragone|2012|p=12}}


===Adaptations===
===The Science Patrol, or United Nations Scientific Investigation Agency===
] published two short comic book series based on Ultraman in 1993 and 1994. ] published the video game ''Ultraman'' for ] in 1990, and '']'' for the Nintendo 64 in 1997. The games were released in Japan only. In 2011, a manga adaptation simply titled '']'' began serialization in ]'s ''Monthly Hero's'' magazine. It serves as a sequel to the television series. It was released on August 18, 2015, in North America by ], who had received the rights on February 18, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.viz.com/news/newsroom/1006195|title=VIZ MEDIA ACQUIRES ULTRAMAN MANGA SERIES|publisher=]|date=2015-02-18|access-date=2016-07-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2015-08-11/viz-media-launches-the-new-ultraman-manga-series/.91555|title=Viz Media Launches The New Ultraman Manga Series|publisher=]|date=2015-08-12|access-date=2016-07-19}}</ref> The manga was adapted into a ] and released on ] in April 2019.<ref name="Slash"/> In September 2020, ] launched a monthly series titled ''The Rise of Ultraman''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/comics/2020/9/11/21432981/marvel-comics-rise-of-ultraman-issue-1-review|title=Japanese superhero Ultraman barely shows up for his Marvel Comics debut|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|work=Polygon|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=December 3, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203093921/https://www.polygon.com/comics/2020/9/11/21432981/marvel-comics-rise-of-ultraman-issue-1-review}}</ref>
*{{nihongo|Captain Toshio "Cap" Muramatsu|ムラマツ・トシオ(村松 利夫)|Muramatsu Toshio}}: The Science Patrol's leader. He is known as Captain Mura in the US version.
**Actor: ]
*{{nihongo|Daisuke Arashi|アラシ・ダイスケ(嵐 大助)|Arashi Daisuke}}: The Science Patrol's rotund tough-guy marksman.
**Actor: ]
*{{nihongo|Mitsuhiro Ide|イデ・ミツヒロ(井出 光弘)|Ide Mitsuhiro}}: The Science Patrol's somewhat comical inventor. Although he sometimes feels that Ultraman's intervention makes his role useless, his inventions have occasionally been critical in saving the day such as helping the superhero defeat particularly formidable monsters. He is known as Ito in the US version.
:*Actor: ], also known as Masanori Nihei. Nihei won the role when originally cast actor ] left the production.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ragona|first=August|title=Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters: Defending the Earth with Ultraman and Godzilla|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=xVOH5aEaGI0C&pg=PA203&dq=Masanari+Nihei&hl=en&sa=X&ei=_R-QUbCvLdHCyAG6yYCQAQ&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Masanari%20Nihei&f=false|publisher=Chronicle Books|year=2007|page=120|isbn=9780811860789}}</ref>
*{{nihongo|Akiko Fuji|フジ・アキコ(富士 明子)|Fuji Akiko}}: The Science Patrol's radio/communications operator, and ostensibly their token female member. However, in most adventures, Fuji proves to be the most level-headed and capable member after Hayata.
**Actor: ]
*{{nihongo|Isamu Hoshino|ホシノ・イサム(星野 勇)|Hoshino Isamu}}: A little boy who is friends with the local kids. The Science Patrol's unofficial mascot, he also tends to visit the Science Patrol's headquarters to hang out with the full-fledged members. He often gets into trouble, and sometimes Ultraman has to save him. Later on, his courage during one of the Science Patrol's missions allows him to be issued a Science Patrol uniform and to go on some of their other missions. He is known as Hoshino Fuji in the US version, which describes him as Akiko Fuji's younger brother.
**Actor: Akihide Tsuzawa
*{{nihongo|Shin Hayata|ハヤタ・シン(早田 進)}}: The Science Patrol's brave, no-nonsense deputy captain. His life changed irreversibly when Ultraman accidentally crashed into his "Delta VTOL" with his TravelSphere and killed him, destroying both ships. To make amends, Ultraman merges his own life force into that of the Earthman before the brain functions of the latter are irreversibly terminated, thus reviving him. He then gives Hayata the power-object called the beta capsule, a microphone shaped cylinder device, with which he can transform into Ultraman by depressing a red push-button switch on its side with his thumb to activate it.
**Actor: ]; Ultraman himself is played by Bin "Satoshi" Furuya


In May 2022, ] released a reimagining of the series, titled '']'', directed by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2022/05/19/review-shin-ultramans-fanatic-and-hope-filled-entry-in-the-shin-universe|title=REVIEW: Shin Ultraman's Fanatic and Hope-Filled Entry in the "Shin" Universe|first=Alicia|last=Haddick|work=Crunchyroll|date=May 19, 2022|access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref> Using ], ], the original ] suit actor, portrays the titular hero alongside ].{{sfn|Anno|2022|p=74}}
===Ultraman's special powers===
This list covers powers used in and outside the series.


===Legacy===
*{{nihongo|Spacium Ray|スペシウム光線|Supeshiumu Kōsen}}: Ultraman crouches slightly forward and crosses his wrists together, with his right forearm vertical and left forearm horizontal in front of it, and the thumb edge of his hands facing his body, to shoot from the outer edge of his right hand a particle/light-ray that kills most opponents. The effect is either an explosion or a fatal burn. The ray can be reflected (see ]) but loses intensity once reflected. The ray can also be negated by similar energy (see ]). Spacium is actually a substance found on Mars that itself is deadly to at least one monster species (the ]), as established in Episode 2 ("Shoot the Invader"), most of which Masanori/Masanari Nihei narrates as Mitsuhiro Ide/Ito in flashback. The Spacium Ray—indeed all of Ultraman's Spacium-type energy attacks—may be based on that substance, but this is never stated as the case in the series. Regardless, the Spacium Ray is perhaps Ultraman's most powerful single weapon, and very few of the monsters he fights are immune to it; Antlar, Keronia, Kiyla, and Zetton are among those few. In ''],'' Ultraman uses it in conjunction with a giant ]'s Rider Kick to destroy Sasori-Gadoras, who had managed to absorb the ray earlier. (This weapon was used on nearly all opponents.) In ''],'' he used this to destroy Mephilas's blasts. In the movie, he used this on Ukillersaurus, and combined it with Ultra Seven's Wide Shot in an attempt to defeat alien Guts. The name has been mistranslated as "Spacium"; but the root word, "Supe" (スペ in Japanese), comes from スペース (Supessu) a distortion of the English word, "Space" (as in "Outer Space").
Since its debut, both the show and character became international pop culture phenomena,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2182224/chinese-ultraman-fans-win-plaudits-their-tribute-video|title=Ultraman scenes remade with cardboard and sticky tape become social media hit in China|last=Yan|first=Alice|work=South China Morning Post|date=January 15, 2019|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212010850/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2182224/chinese-ultraman-fans-win-plaudits-their-tribute-video}}</ref> inspiring rip-offs, imitators, parodies, tributes,<ref name="Slash">{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/ultraman-trailer-netflix-adapts-the-japanese-pop-culture-icon-into-an-anime/|title='Ultraman' Trailer: Netflix Adapts the Japanese Pop Culture Icon Into an Anime|last=Bui|first=Hoai-Tran|work=]|date=November 28, 2018|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108094558/https://www.slashfilm.com/ultraman-trailer-netflix-adapts-the-japanese-pop-culture-icon-into-an-anime/}}</ref> and a multimedia franchise centered around spin-off characters based on Ultraman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/ultraman-north-american-streaming-shout-factory-mill-creek-distribution-deal-1202982694/|title='Ultraman' Flies To North American Streaming In Sweeping Shout! Factory-Mill Creek Distribution Deal|last=Hayes|first=Dade|work=]|date=July 10, 2020|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212000715/https://deadline.com/2020/07/ultraman-north-american-streaming-shout-factory-mill-creek-distribution-deal-1202982694/}}</ref> The series has been recognized by ] for "TV series with most number of spin-offs."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/09/12/video-ultraman-gets-guinness-record-for-most-spin-off-shows|title=Ultraman Gets Guinness Record for "Most Spin-Off Shows"|last=Macias|first=Patrick|work=Crunchyroll|date=September 12, 2013|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402001006/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/09/12/video-ultraman-gets-guinness-record-for-most-spin-off-shows}}</ref> ] from '']'' called the series "a rite of passage for Japanese boys (and a few girls) and their families" since the series' debut and noted "the series is as much a part of the national fabric as furikake (rice topping) and chopsticks."<ref name="Forever"/> SciFi Japan called the 1966 series "the gold standard of Japanese special effects television series."<ref name="Nex"/> Ultraman has been parodied, tributed, and referenced in various media such as '']'',<ref name="CBR">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/things-about-ultraman/|title=Ultraman: The 19 Most Bonkers Things About Japan's Biggest (And Weirdest) Superhero|last=Magazzu|first=Andrew|work=]|date=October 7, 2018|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212003844/https://www.cbr.com/things-about-ultraman/}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2396142/5-ready-player-one-references-from-the-book-we-missed-in-the-movie|title=5 Ready Player One References From The Book We Missed In The Movie|last=Libbey|first=Dirk|work=Cinema Blend|date=April 1, 2018|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212003526/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2396142/5-ready-player-one-references-from-the-book-we-missed-in-the-movie}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/ultraman-how-to-bring-it-to-america/|title=The Challenge of Bringing Ultraman to America|last=Kelley|first=Shamus|work=Den of Geek|date=March 19, 2019|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107230650/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/ultraman-how-to-bring-it-to-america/}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-complete-guide-to-south-park-movie-parodies-and-references/|title=The Complete Guide to South Park Movie Parodies and References|date=April 16, 2019|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212003220/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-complete-guide-to-south-park-movie-parodies-and-references/}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/city-shrouded-shadow-kaiju-best-game/|title=City Shrouded In Shadow: Why The Best Kaiju Game Never Came to the US|last=Madsen|first=Hayes|work=]|date=March 2, 2020|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212004240/https://screenrant.com/city-shrouded-shadow-kaiju-best-game/}}</ref> and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-surprising-tokusatsu-influences-of-ant-man/|title=The Surprising Tokusatsu Influences of Ant-Man|last=Kelley|first=Shamus|work=Den of Geek|date=October 3, 2018|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828233314/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-surprising-tokusatsu-influences-of-ant-man/}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/when-ultraman-met-nsync/|title=When Ultraman Met *NSYNC|last=Kelley|first=Shamus|website=]|date=May 1, 2017|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-date=August 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827103910/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/when-ultraman-met-nsync/|url-status=live}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/34439-ultraman-english-dub-movies-release|title=Three 'Ultraman' Movies Are Coming Stateside, in English|last=Francisco|first=Eric|work=]|date=July 20, 2017|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212054852/https://www.inverse.com/article/34439-ultraman-english-dub-movies-release}}</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://birthmoviesdeath.com/2013/07/01/guillermo-del-toro-on-classic-kaiju-and-why-pacific-rim-doesnt-feature-robo|title=Guillermo Del Toro On Classic Kaiju And Why Pacific Rim Doesn't Feature Robots|last=Faraci|first=Devin|work=Birth.Movies.Death|date=July 1, 2013|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212055922/https://birthmoviesdeath.com/2013/07/01/guillermo-del-toro-on-classic-kaiju-and-why-pacific-rim-doesnt-feature-robo}}</ref> have cited the 1966 series as one of the shows they grew up watching as kids. Del Toro named Ultraman and Pigmon as his favorite characters from the show and cited ''Ultraman'' as an influence on '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eltiempolatino.com/news/2013/jul/05/guillermo-del-toro-creador-imparable/|title=Guillermo del Toro, creador imparable|last=Fuentes|first=Jennice|work=El Tiempo Latino|date=July 5, 2013|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212060716/http://eltiempolatino.com/news/2013/jul/05/guillermo-del-toro-creador-imparable/}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/07/10/pacific-rim-premiere-guillermo-del-toro-monsters/|title='Pacific Rim': Guillermo del Toro, cast talk favorite creatures|last=Bell|first=Carrie|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 10, 2013|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212060255/https://ew.com/article/2013/07/10/pacific-rim-premiere-guillermo-del-toro-monsters/}}</ref>
*{{nihongo|Ultra Slash|ウルトラスラッシュ|Urutora Surasshu}}: Ultraman fires a saw-like Spacium-energy ring (a {{nihongo|Cutting Halo|八つ裂き光輪|Yatsuzaki Kōrin}}) from his hand. This Halo can slice his opponent in half. The Cutting Halo does have drawbacks, however; a Baltan alien was able to deflect a Halo with his barrier, Gubira was lucky enough to catch a second Halo on his nose rather than be sliced by it, and Keelar was just as lucky to catch a third Halo with his tail. Alien Mephilas destroyed a fourth Halo with his Bare Hand Beam, and a fifth Halo shattered after striking Zetton's barrier. In ''Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider,'' Ultraman used this to sever Sasori-Gadoras's tail after Kamen Rider 1 had been struck. (This was used against RedKing and Alien Baltan II, among other opponents.) In the Mebius movie, he used it cut Ukillersaurs' tentacles during the final battle. In Episode 47 of ] (Urutoraman Mebiusu, 2006), Alien Mephilas was able to evade a pair of the halos Ultraman sent at him for a while, before shattering them with his bare hands.
*Electrical Immunity: When attacked by Neronga in Episode 3 of the series, and by Alien Mephilas in Episode 47 of ''],'' Ultraman evidences immunity to electrical or lightning attacks. Not all Ultra-Crusaders have this immunity.
*{{nihongo|Ultra Attack Beam|ウルトラアタック光線|Urutora Attakku Kōsen}}: By focusing energy from his left hand into a spiral energy beam around his right arm, then directing the energy at a target creature, Ultraman can induce a temporal stasis, in effect paralyzing the target. This is a rare power, Ultraman only used it once, against Keronia in Episode 31, when the Spacium Ray had failed him. Resembles a ] "]."
*{{nihongo|High Spin|ハイスピン|Hai Supin}}: Ultraman can counter temporal/spatial attacks or can damage opponents by spinning rapidly in an upright position. The attack is remote, and does not involve beams, but it can rip space on a local level, cause remote explosions, or create immobilizing rings of force. He used it against Bullton successfully; he also used it against Zetton, who interfered with the attack.
*{{nihongo|Ultra Psychokinesis|ウルトラサイコキネシス|Urutora Saikokineshisu}}: Ultraman's ]. Used before the Ultra Air Catch Version I. It is also called {{nihongo|Ultra Willpower|ウルトラ念力|Urutora Nenriki}}.
*{{nihongo|Ultra Air Catch|ウルトラエアキャッチ|Urutora Ea Kyatchi}} Version I: Using narrow beams from his index fingers, Ultraman can paralyze objects suspended in mid-air. This is followed by a Cutting Halo that divides in two to cut the suspended object into thirds. (He used this power against the second RedKing, who had swallowed a quantity of bombs, so that he could carry the top third, containing the missing bombs, into outer space where they could explode harmlessly.) It is also called {{nihongo|Ultra Anti-Gravity Beam|Urutora Han Jūryoku Kōsen}}.
*{{nihongo|Ultra Air Catch|ウルトラエアキャッチ|Urutora Ea Kyatchi}} Version II: With considerable concentration, Ultraman can converge two parallel swirls of energy originating from his palms to lift an opponent off the ground and repel it. This power also may involve a remote attack, as it was followed by explosive destruction of the target. He used it against Keelar.
*{{nihongo|Flight|飛行能力|Hikō Nōryoku}}: Ultraman can propel himself in a controlled manner through the air. Apparently it takes little energy to do this, as he almost always is able to launch at the conclusion of a fight and get out of sight to change back into his human host. Book sources indicate this is possibly due to special jet boots, but that effect is never in evidence on the television programs.
*{{nihongo|Teleportation|テレポーテーション|Terepōtēshon}}: In dire emergencies when flying to a location would be too slow, Ultraman can teleport to it instead. Ultraman used this power to return to Earth from Planet R, in order to combat an invading Baltan force in Episode 16. However, this power has a high energy demand and his warning light will usually turn red and/or begin to blink as soon as he arrives at his destination. In the English-language dubbed version only, a peculiar symptom of Ultraman's preparation to teleport is manic laughter. When Ultraman teleports, he leaves behind Hayata's body in its comatose state, and the two cannot re-merge until they are in sufficient proximity. '''NOTE:''' Despite the statement in the show that teleportation is a major drain of his energy, when Ultraman teleported from Planet R to Earth his warning light was still blue, and this was also after having destroyed Baltans on Planet R.
*{{nihongo|Ultra Current|ウルトラ水流|Urutora Suiryū}}: Ultraman can direct a high-pressure stream of water from his fingertips by touching his hands together. This may not actually be water from Ultraman's body, but rather a forced condensation of water in the atmosphere channeled into a stream. It was used to kill Jamila, whose body was water-soluble, and to extinguish the fires caused by Pestar.
*{{nihongo|Dynamic Size Change|巨大化能力|Kyodaika Nōryoku}}: Ultraman can control his molecular structure, phasing from human-size to giant-size. He places his hands in front of his chest at 45 degree angles, thumb edge facing inward, and then sharply gestures outward. This is not the same as his transformation from human form as Shin Hayata. He used this power only once, to counteract Dada's micronizer ray.
*{{nihongo|Clairvoyance Beam|透視光線|Tōshi Kōsen}}: Ultraman's vision extends into a wider range of the electromagnetic spectrum than that of humans, at least into infra-red and ultraviolet, and probably further to include gamma rays and X-rays. One manifestation of this power is a beam of energy, resembling a spotlight, that is emitted from Ultraman's eyes, and which renders electromagnetic ]s used by shielded objects and beings inoperative. (Ultraman used it to spot the Baltan spaceship in Earth's atmosphere at night, and the Dada when it attempted to remain invisible.)
*{{nihongo|Ultra Chop|ウルトラチョップ|Urutora Choppu}}: A standard karate chop, though a more powerful version is accompanied by a flash of energy on impact. Ultraman used an example of the latter to defeat the monster Jirass/Keyra. It is also called {{nihongo|Ultra Mist Cut|Urutora Kasumi Kiri}}.
*{{nihongo|Ultra Punch|ウルトラパンチ|Urutora Panchi}}: This is a basic punch, but since Ultraman possesses super-humanoid physical strength, it "has the power of 50 Indian elephants."
*{{nihongo|Ultra Kick|ウルトラキック|Urutora Kikku}}: Ultraman has a shoe size of 320 mon and {{nihongo|Three-Fold Joints|Sanjū Kansetsu}}.
*{{nihongo|Ultra Swing|ウルトラスウィング|Urutora Suwingu}}: Ultraman swings an opponent around several times before letting go, much like a ] in professional wrestling. It was used against Keronia and defeated the first RedKing and Terresdon.
*{{nihongo|Ultra Eye Spot|ウルトラアイスポット|Urutora Ai Supotto}}: When Alien Baltan II's barrier deflected Ultraman's Cutting Halo, Ultraman used this eye beam to neutralize the barrier. It is also called {{nihongo|Ultra Discernment|Urutora Gankō}}
*{{nihongo|Slash Beam|スラッシュ光線|Surasshu Kōsen}}: In his battle against Alien Mephilas, Ultraman used this line of chevron-like bolts fire from his fingertips while the two where in flight, and Mephilas countered with his Bare Hand Beam, which resulted in Ultraman being temporarily blinded.
*{{nihongo|Catch Rings|キャッチリング|Kyatchi Ringu}}: Ultraman, spinning at high speeds, can produce three yellow energy rings to bind an opponent. It was used on Z-Ton, who managed to break free. It is also called {{nihongo|Paralysis Beams|Kanashibari Kōsen}}.
*{{nihongo|Operation: Star of Ultra|ウルトラの星作戦|Urutora no Hoshi Sakusen}}: In '']'' Episode 38, Ultraman and Ultra Seven used this tactic to free Ultraman Jack.
*{{nihongo|Ultra Separation|ウルトラセパレーション|Urutora Separēshon}}: In the 1996 movie ''],'' Ultraman created four duplicates of himself to fight various monsters simultaneously.
*{{nihongo|Marine Spacium Beam|マリンスペシウム光線|Marin Supeshiumu Kōsen}}: A rainbow-colored Spacium Ray used to defeat Zetton in ''].''
*Energy Transfer Beam:In '']'' Episode 49, Ultraman used this to replenish Ultraman Tiga's stamina.
*{{nihongo|Final Cross Shield|ファイナルクロスシールド|Fainaru Kurosu Shīrudo}}: In the prologue of ''],'' Ultraman, Ultra Seven, Ultraman Jack, and Ultraman Ace used this to imprison U-Killersaurs and Yapool in the sea at the cost of their ability to transform.
*{{nihongo|Energy Exposure|エネルギー照射|Enerugī Shōsha}}: In ''Ultraman Mebius and Ultraman Brothers,'' Ultraman, Ultra Seven, Ultraman Jack, and Ultraman Ace gave energy from four directions to Ultraman Mebius, who had been imprisoned by Alien Guts.
*{{nihongo|Giga Spacium Beam|ギガスペシウム光線|Giga Supeshiumu Kōsen}}: In the ] video game '''' (released in 2005), Ultraman, who had been pummeled by the {{nihongo|Chaos Spacium Beam||Kaosu Supeshiumu Kōsen}} of {{nihongo|Chaosroid U||Kaosuroido Yū}} (but survived) and empowered by the light of the Plasma Spark, used this extremely powerful version of the Spacium Ray to destroy Chaosroid U and save the Land of Ultra from Alien Mephilas's invasion.
*Beta Capsule Transformation: Ultraman's cohabitation within Shin Hayata's body is not entirely unlike the religious or spiritual concept of possession.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} However, Ultraman does not attempt to control Hayata's decision-making. Instead, Shin Hayata's mind and spirit control his body under ordinary circumstances. Yet it is possible, as evidenced by the many close calls to Hayata's life, that Ultraman can intercede in some way to protect Hayata's body, presumably in the form of accelerated healing of injuries as Hayata would be injured in some episodes. However, injuries that Hayata sustains are not transferred to Ultraman when Hayata activates the Beta Capsule, and Hayata can still be shown as wounded when Ultraman reverses the change, such as one episode when Hayata was knocked off a cliff, injured his left arm, and was shown with his arm in a sling after the fight, and another episode had Hayata blinded by a monster attack but his eyes were restored at the end of the episode. Also, any injuries that Ultraman receives do not transfer to Hayata after Ultraman reverses the transformation. When Hayata was hypnotized by underground aliens in an effort to control Ultraman, the plan failed since they did not count on the fact that Ultraman would be immune to their mind control or, indeed, that the transformation would generate light of such strength that it would totally destroy them. Only the Beta Capsule can trigger the physical transformation from Hayata to Ultraman. Where the Beta Capsule goes when Ultraman is active is not known, but during his first battle with Gomora (Gohora in US version) the Beta Capsule was somehow separated from him by a strong attack from the monster. This also revealed that the Beta Capsule only works for Hayata, as the child who retrieved the capsule tripped its activator switch and nothing happened to either the child or Hayata. When Hayata activates the capsule, Ultraman does not have to appear precisely where Hayata was standing, but he usually does appear very close to that location, and often, but not always, in a similar pose. Should Hayata use the Beta Capsule inside a building, Ultraman can choose to appear from within it or outside of it, even projecting himself during transformation through the specially-reinforced walls of Science Patrol Headquarters. One occasion demonstrates the variability: Hayata was atop a building during a mission where Alien Baltan was attacking, and the Beta Capsule fell out of his reach and landed on a ledge below. With Hayata needing to transform immediately and having no way to reach the device safely, he took an extraordinary gamble by throwing himself headfirst off the building, and managed to grab the capsule and activate it as he fell. Ultraman then appeared on the ground, safely standing on his feet. Ultraman is able to change back to human form by beaming a spiral of energy from his hands to a point on the ground. Hayata's body materializes within this spiral, and Ultraman's body vanishes. The only episode that showed Hayata split from Ultraman and laying in a coma was when Ultraman teleported from a planet he had destroyed some Baltans on back to Earth so that he could finish off the rest off them. For unknown reasons, Hayata's body was left behind in a deep coma state, possibly in stasis, until Ultraman returned. Either the teleportation power somehow split them apart or else Ultraman left Hayata's body behind to maintain the secret identity.


==See also==
Despite all these amazing powers, Ultraman has one main weakness: Since Earth's atmosphere leeches away his solar energy, Ultraman can only physically exist on Earth for approximately three to five minutes of Earth time. To signal this, a warning light in Ultraman's chest (called the {{nihongo|Color Timer|カラータイマー|KarāTaimā}} in the Japanese-language version) starts out at blue. At the 1 minute mark it starts to blink, and then turns red and blinks faster at the two minute mark. Some sources have given 2:10 as the mark where the timer begins to blink. If the Color Timer/warning light stops, Ultraman will "never rise again." Obviously, at whatever point the blinking begins, Ultraman typically has only a short amount of time left to defeat his foe and return to his human host. However, Ultraman has occasionally been able to extend his operating time by flying towards the Sun and "recharging."
* The '']'' — complete list of official Ultraman-related shows

* '']''
In the 2006 movie, Ultraman Mebius and the Ultra Brothers, it was stated that Ultraman, UltraSeven, Ultraman Jack and Ultraman Ace had sealed the monster Yapool behind a barrier at the cost of being unable to transform again due to the constant energy drain needed to maintain the barrier. They told Mebius that if they transformed again while the barrier was up that they risked permanent death. Despite this, and the fact that their color timers began flashing soon into the battle, any time limits or risk of actual death were not in evidence. With the destruction of the barrier and Zoffy and Taro reenergizing the four of them, they were restored to their full power. This would seem to support the idea that the Color Timer acts more as a "fuel gauge," and that the three-minute time limit that Ultra-Crusaders operate under on Earth is more of an average time limit, rather than an absolute.

When Zetton defeated Ultraman, his timer was still faintly flashing but he was too drained to fight and collapsed and would have had his timer go out completely if Zoffy had not arrived to recharge him. Subsequent Ultra series have had other Ultra-Crusaders experience total energy loss and their timer and eyes going dark, yet still being revived by an infusion of energy. It is likely that once the timer goes out, the time needed to infuse new energy into the dying Ultra-Crusader is short, and that permanent death is still possible.

Ultraman rarely engages in conversation, and when he does it seems to be in a telepathic manner. In Episode 1, as he reveals who he is and what he must do to keep Hayata alive, his discussion with the clearly unconscious, and obviously dying, Hayata in the damaged TravelSphere can only be explained via telepathy. His conversation with the monster Mephilas does not follow this pattern. Zoffy also speaks to Ultraman in the final episode while the two are in Zoffy's TravelSphere, though it is not made clear if this is telepathic. Otherwise, Ultraman does engage in vocalizations, specifically the shouts and barks he makes in reverberating human-like cries ("]s") while fighting a monster. Although these sounds and other grunts of exertion are most common, Ultraman also has one oft-repeated, and now extremely iconic phrase that he clearly utters: {{nihongo|"Shuwatch"|シュワッチ|Shuwatchi}}, which he shouts when jumping into the air to fly. In Japanese pop-culture, "Shuwatch" or 'Shoowatch' has been the phrase most associated with Ultraman.

Ultraman is one of the few Ultra-Crusaders who remains connected with his human host; despite being separated by Zoffy in Episode 39. Ultraman would return to recombine with Hayata after Ultraman had his warning light, which Zetton had damaged, replaced. In this case, Shin Hayata still serves as a vessel for the mighty alien warrior, as first revealed in Episode 38 of the Return of Ultraman series, in Episode 34 of Ultraman Taro, and Episode 47 of the Ultraman Mebius series and movies. '''NOTE:''' Ultra Seven, Ultraman Leo, Ultraman 80 and Ultraman Mebius used their powers to create human forms for their use and did not share their existences with any human host.

==The Science Patrol==
In the ''Ultraman'' television show, the Science Patrol is the name of the fictional organization which seeks out the monster of the week. One of its members is named Shin Hayata, and as he is secretly Ultraman's host, the monster is always defeated.

The symbol of the Science Patrol is the outline of a five-pointed star with the outline of a conventional rocketship having its nose in the center of the star.

The Science Patrol operates many different vehicles, most of which are depicted by models. But their car is a customized 1961 rear engine air-cooled ] sedan, one of the smallest cars Chevrolet ever made.

The uniforms of the Science Patrol are noteworthy. These are international orange in dominant color, and based on those used in the film '']'' in having a mantle that descends from each shoulder in front with a curved hem. However, they wear white shirts and orange four-in-hand ties instead of a ribbed imitation of a sailor's striped shirt. Their tie tacks are emergency detectors; each flashes and beeps when a monster is near. They wear plastic airmen's helmets with the insignium in the middle, which also appears on both descending parts of the mantle. As a precursor to the later '']''{{'}}s communicator being incorporated into the insignium, theirs functions as a two-way radio once a tiny antenna is raised from the star on the insignia on the left.

===The Science Patrol's arsenal===
The Patrol personnel wear international-orange field uniforms under a regular duty blue ] uniform with white trousers or skirts. When the order to go into the field is given, the outer suit is designed to be quickly removed in favor of the field uniform. Accompanying the field uniform are special helmets with ear fixtures that improve the reception of their communicator pins, and visors that provide visual aid, such as when using weapons. The field uniform/helmet combination also provides a degree of protection from radiation—even enough to allow a human to operate in space.

*The Jet VTOL is the Science Patrol's iconic principal craft, and is frequently just called the "VTOL." (The prop for the Jet VTOL was originally from the 1962 ] SF epic, ''],'' but repainted and probably modified for this series. It should be noted that the Gorath prop was slightly pointier than the rounded VTOL.) Up to three are seen. A hydrogen-rocket modification is later built for it, allowing it to go into space. It is generally armed with missiles of varying quality, depending on the episode.
*The Sub-VTOL, a smaller, triangular version of the Jet VTOL, is actually an STOL with no VTOL capabilities. This was the vehicle piloted by Shin Hayata when he crashed it into Ultraman's "TravelSphere" ship in "Ultra Operation Number One," the first episode, and destroyed both. It is generally not used to attack monsters, as it lacks the heavier firepower and carrying space of the Jet VTOL.
*Submarines S16, S21 and S25 are the Science Patrol's short-range, high crush-depth underwater submarines, all of which are airlifted by the Jet VTOL to lakes or other bodies of water one at a time.
*The Underground Tank Pelucidar is the Science Patrol's subterranean vehicle with a huge drill at the front. Similar to the Mole from ''],'' it is named after the ] from ]'s ''].'' It appears to have its own incidental music when it is first used.
*The Science Patrol Car is a silver 1961 ] four-door sedan with the Science Patrol logo on the doors and roof.
*The Supergun is the basic sidearm carried by each Science Patrol member. When unholstered, the barrel flips out from the handle and the gun is ready to fire. The weapon discharges either a wave of what looks like electricity or, alternatively in some episodes, a thin beam of energy. Three of them can be combined for a "triple shot," which is powerful enough to take down a (revived) monster. It returns for an episode of ''Ultraman Dyna'' as an "older model."
*The Spider-Shot is the heavy atomic gun that Daisuke Arashi uses frequently; it is his favorite weapon. Fashioned as a two-handed weapon—somewhat like a submachine gun with a massive barrel—it is clearly more powerful than the standard Supergun sidearm, and visually more impressive. It has at least three settings; stun, red-heat, and heavy damage. It is called the "gamma-ray gun" in the English dub.
*The Mars 133 is a gun, invented by Mitsuhiro Ide/Ito, that works on the same principle as Ultraman's Spacium Ray, and is thus mortally effective against Baltans. The name is read "Mars ichi-san-san" (one-three-three) in Japanese.
*The QX Gun is a two-handed blaster, which attacks a monster's nervous system. Stands for "Quickly eXtinguish Gun." Called the "M-Ray Gun" in the US version.
*The Mad Bazooka is a large shoulder-mounted bazooka, also created by Matsuhiro Ide/Ito.
*The Spark 8 is an attachment for the Supergun invented by Matsuhiro Ide/Ito, and used by him, that enables the gun to fire rapid shots. The effect is best described as a ] that disintegrates its target in parts. It is easily the most effective handheld weapon the Science Patrol has in its arsenal, yet Matsuhiro Ide/Ito only uses it twice; against a revived monster (Dorako II) and Geronimon.
*The Monster Translator was invented by Matsuhiro Ide/Ito to translate any monster's language. It was used to communicate with the friendly monster Pygmon, in the second of the two episodes he appeared in. A more modern (i.e.: no tape reels) version is invented early on in ''Ultraman Tiga.''
*The "Science Patrol Shuriken." Shin Hayata hurls a ] or ] shaped like the Science Patrol's logo at the man-sized version of the monster ] in episode 2. (On the DVD, it can actually be seen bouncing off before the film is edited to show it sticking into the monster.)
*Communicator Pin. Each Science Patrol officer is equipped with a small pin shaped as the organization's emblem that has a ] of considerable power and range for its size—or one that relies on a dense network of radio-communications relays. All the operator has to do is pull out the small antenna at the top of the pin to activate it and send a message.

==The monsters==
{{main|List of Ultraman monsters}}

Every episode featured a ], a ''seijin,'' or both; many of these were used in ]. Two monsters (Ragon and Kemur) from ''],'' the series' predecessor, make a reappearance.

==Episodes==
<!--Do not place airdates in this list-->
# {{nihongo|Ultra Operation #1 (Alternate DVD Title: Ultra Operation Number One)|ウルトラ作戦第一号|Urutora Sakusen Dai Ichigō}}
# {{nihongo|Blast the Invaders (Alternate DVD Title: Shoot the Invader/Defeat the Invaders)|侵略者を撃て|Shinryakusha o Ute}}
# {{nihongo|Science Patrol, Move Out (Alternate DVD Title: Charge Forth, Science Patrol/Sally Forth, Science Patrol!)|科特隊出撃せよ|Katokutai Shutugeki seyo}}
# {{nihongo|Five Seconds to Detonation (Alternate DVD Title: Five Seconds Before The Explosion/5 Seconds Before the Big Explosion!)|大爆発五秒前|Dai Bakuhatsu Gobyō Mae}}
# {{nihongo|Secret of the Miloganda (Alternate DVD Title: Treasure of the Miloganda/Secret of Miroganda)|ミロガンダの秘密|Miroganda no Himitsu}}
# {{nihongo|The Coast Guard Command (Alternate DVD Title: Coast Guard Orders)|沿岸警備命令|Engan Keibi Meirei}}
# {{nihongo|The Blue Stone of Vallarge (Alternate DVD Title: The Blue Stone of Baraj/The Blue Stone of Baradhi)|バラージの青い石|Barāji no Aoi Ishi}}
# {{nihongo|The Wild Monster Zone (Alternate DVD Title: The Lawless Monster Zone/Monster Lawless Zone)|怪獣無法地帯|Kaijū Muhō Chitai}}
# {{nihongo|Operation: Uranium (Alternate DVD Title: Operation Light Speed/Operation Electric Stone Fire)|電光石火作戦|Denkōsekka Sakusen}}
# {{nihongo|The Mysterious Dinosaur Base (Alternate DVD Title: Mysterious Monster Base)|謎の恐竜基地|Nazo no Kyōryū Kichi}}
# {{nihongo|The Rascal from Outer Space (Alternate DVD Title: The Ruffian From Outer Space/The Rambunctious One From Space)|宇宙から来た暴れん坊|Uchū kara Kita Abarenbō}}
# {{nihongo|Cry of the Mummy (Alternate DVD Title: The Cries of the Mummy)|ミイラの叫び|Miira no Sakebi}}
# {{nihongo|Oil S.O.S. (Alternate DVD Title: none)|オイルSOS|Oiru Esu Ō Esu}}
# {{nihongo|The Pearl Defense Directive (Alternate DVD Title: The Pearl Oyster Protection Directive/Pearl Oyster Defense Order)|真珠貝防衛指令|Shinjugai Bōei Shirei}}
# {{nihongo|Terrifying Cosmic Rays (Alternate DVD Title: The Space Ray of Terror)|恐怖の宇宙線|Kyōfu no Uchūsen}}
# {{nihongo|Science Patrol Into Space (Alternate DVD Title: The Science Patrol in Outer Space/Science Patrol to Space)|科特隊宇宙へ|Katokutai Uchū e}}
# {{nihongo|Passport to Infinity|無限へのパスポート|Mugen e no Pasupōto}}
# {{nihongo|The Brother from Another World (Alternate DVD Title: The Brother From Another Planet)|遊星から来た兄弟|Yūsei kara Kita Kyōdai}}
# {{nihongo|Demons Rise Again (Alternate DVD Title: The Demons Once More)|悪魔はふたたび|Akuma wa Futatabi}}
# {{nihongo|Terror on Route 87|恐怖のルート87|Kyōfu no Rūto Hachijūnana}}
# {{nihongo|Breach the Wall of Smoke (Alternate DVD Title: Break Through The Smoke)|噴煙突破せよ|Fun'en Toppa seyo}}
# {{nihongo|Overthrow the Surface (Alternate DVD Title: The Underground Destruction Work)|地上破壊工作|Chijō Hakai Kōsaku}}
# {{nihongo|My Home is Earth|故郷は地球|Kokyō wa Chikyū}}
# {{nihongo|The Undersea Science Center|海底科学基地|Kaitei Kagaku Kichi}}
# {{nihongo|Rogue Comet Cyphon (Alternate DVD Title: The Dreaded Comet Tsuiphon/The Dreaded Comet Twenty-Four)|怪彗星ツイフォン|Kai Susei Tsuifon}}
# {{nihongo|The Prince of Monsters: Part 1 (Alternate DVD Title: His Majesty Monster, Part 1/The Monster Prince, Beginning)|怪獣殿下 前篇|Kaijū Denka Zenpen}}
# {{nihongo|The Prince of Monsters: Part 2 (Alternate DVD Title: His Majesty Monster, Part 2/The Monster Prince, Conclusion)|怪獣殿下 後篇|Kaijū Denka Kōhen}}
# {{nihongo|Human Specimens 5 & 6|人間標本5・6|Ningen Hyōhon Go Roku}}
# {{nihongo|The Challenge Into Subterra (Alternate DVD Title: Challenge To The Underground)|地底への挑戦|Chitei e no Chōsen}}
# {{nihongo|Phantom of the Snow Mountains (Alternate DVD Title: The Snowy Mountain of Illusion/The Phantom Snow Mountain)|まぼろしの雪山|Maboroshi no Yukiyama}}
# {{nihongo|Who Goes There? (Alternate DVD Title: Who Has Come?/Who Has Arrived?)|来たのは誰だ|Kita no wa Dare da}}
# {{nihongo|The Endless Counterattack|果てしなき逆襲|Hateshinaki Gyakushū}}
# {{nihongo|The Forbidden Words (Alternate DVD Title: The Forbidden World)|禁じられた言葉|Kinjirareta Kotoba}}
# {{nihongo|A Gift from the Sky (Alternate DVD Title: Present From The Sky)|空の贈り物|Sora no Okurimono}}
# {{nihongo|The Monster Graveyard|怪獣墓場|Kaijū Hakaba}}
# {{nihongo|Arashi, Don't Shoot! (Alternate DVD Title: Don't Shoot! Arashi)|射つな! アラシ|Utsuna! Arashi}}
# {{nihongo|The Littlest Hero|小さな英雄|Chiisana Eiyū}}
# {{nihongo|The Spaceship Rescue Command (Alternate DVD Title: Spaceship Rescue Orders)|宇宙船救助命令|Uchūsen Kyūjo Meirei}}
# {{nihongo|Farewell, Ultraman|さらばウルトラマン|Saraba Urutoraman}}
# {{nihongo|'']'' |甦れ!ウルトラマン| Yomigaere! Urutoraman}} (This was a short film produced in 1996; it lacks the English language dubbing of the main series.)

==Theme song==
*{{nihongo|"Ultraman no Uta"|ウルトラマンの歌|Urutoraman no Uta|"The Song of Ultraman"}}
**Lyrics authorship: Kyōichi Azuma
**Music composition: Kunio Miyauchi
**Performing artist: Misuzu Children's Choral Group

==Home media==
In 2006, BCI/Eclipse officially released Ultraman on DVD under license from then rightsholder Chaiyo Productions. These releases featured the original Japanese soundtrack and the English dub. When Navarre folded BCI/Eclipse in December 2008,<ref>http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News-BCI-Shut-Down/11064</ref> the series was shuffled over to Navarre's other home video label, ]. In June 2009, Mill Creek re-released the complete series set on September 29, 2009, in a 4-disc set with the same special features.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Ultraman-Re-Release/12142|title=Ultraman - Rights to The Complete Series Picked Up|accessdate=2009-06-26}}</ref> In Japan, there have been numerous releases in numerous home video formats over the last 25 years (from VHS to DVD) on several labels, including ]'s various home video divisions, including ].

On April 2013, Tsuburaya held a press conference announcing the new Ultra Series show and character, ], where they also announced that the original 1966 show will be given an HD remaster treatment in Japan. On July 2013, Tsuburaya released an HD transfer of Ultraman on Blu-ray titled, ''Ultraman HD Remaster 2.0'', to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Tsuburaya Productions.<ref>http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Ultraman-Blu-ray-Box-I-Blu-ray/73090/</ref> Tsuburaya plans to release the series on three separate box sets, each containing 13 episodes. The first box set was released on July 10, 2013, the second on October 25, 2013 and the final set is planned for January 29, 2014.<ref>http://otakumode.com/news/51ceb1ecee96ab500a059b47/</ref>

== Adaptations ==
] published two short ] series based on Ultraman in ] and 1994.


==Notes==
] published the video game '']'' for the Nintendo 64 in ].
{{Notelist}}


==References==
On November 2013, a source close to Chaiyo Productions told the website that an English-language feature film is in development for a targeted 2016 release. The studio plans to approach several A-list actors for the lead role, including ], and plan to produce the film in a style similar to ].<ref>http://nukethefridge.com/2013/11/17/ultraman-movie-will-smith/</ref>
{{Reflist}}


==See also== ===Sources===
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* ]—Complete list of official Ultraman-related shows.
* {{cite book|last=Anno|first=Hideaki|author-link=Hideaki Anno|url=https://www.khara.co.jp/2022/04/18/sudw/|title=シン・ウルトラマン デザインワークス|trans-title=Shin Ultraman Design Works|publisher=]|date=May 13, 2022|isbn=978-4-905033-28-8|language=Japanese}}
* ]
* {{cite book|title=不滅のヒーロー ウルトラマン白書|trans-title=Immortal Hero: Ultraman White Paper|date=December 1982|publisher=]|isbn=|asin=B00LYV9N66|language=Japanese|ref={{harvid|Asahi Sonorama|1982}}}}
* ]—a list of Ultraman's foes.
* {{Cite episode |title=Shoot the Invaders!|episode-link=|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oT19rhCahI&t=61s|access-date=October 15, 2022|series=Ultraman |series-link=Ultraman (1966 TV series)|first=Toshihiro|last=Iijima|author-link=Toshihiro Iijima|network=]|station=]|date=1966|season=01|series-no= |number=02|time=00:01:13|quote=Ido, telephone!|language=English}}

* {{Cite episode |title=Five Seconds Before the Explosion|episode-link=|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ugMbW-MM3k|access-date=October 15, 2022|series=Ultraman |series-link=Ultraman (1966 TV series)|first=Samaji |last=Nonagase|network=]|station=]|date=1966a |season=01 |series-no= |number=04 |time=00:04:02|quote=Hoshino! He's her brother!|language=English}}
== References ==
* {{Cite episode |title=The Blue Stone of Baradhi|episode-link=|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFSLuuXEorA|access-date=October 15, 2022|series=Ultraman |series-link=Ultraman (1966 TV series)|first=Samaji |last=Nonagase|network=]|station=]|date=1966b |season=01 |series-no= |number=07|time=00:02:30|quote=Captain Mura, I'd like to go along with the Science Patrol.|language=English}}
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite book|title=円谷英二特撮世界|trans-title=Eiji Tsuburaya's World of Tokusatsu|date=August 10, 2001|publisher=Keibunsha|isbn=4-7669-3848-8|language=Japanese|ref={{harvid|Keibunsha|2001}}}}
* {{cite book |last=Ragone |first=August |year=2007 |title=Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters|publisher=Chronicle Books |isbn=978-0-8118-6078-9 }}
* {{cite book |last=Ragone|first=August|year=2012|title=The Making of Ultraseven|publisher=Shout! Factory DVD Booklet|asin=B0096W46VW }}
* {{cite book |first=Brad|last=Warner|year=2005|title=Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies and the Truth About Reality|publisher=]|isbn=9780861719891|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CHhyAI6BN4AC&pg=PA44}}
* {{cite book |last=BCI Eclipse|year=2006|title=Ultraman - Episode Guide|publisher=BCI Eclipse|asin= B000FKO42K }}
* {{cite book |last=Mill Creek Entertainment|year=2019|title=Ultraman - Information and Episode Guide|publisher=Mill Creek Entertainment|asin= B07TKNFKKP }}
*{{cite AV media|first=|last=BCI Eclipse (b)|title=Interview with American Voice Cast – Peter Fernandez, Corinne Orr, and Earl Hammond|type=DVD|publisher=BCI Eclipse|year=2006|asin= B000FKO42K}}
{{Refend}}


==External links== ==External links==
*{{IMDb title|0060038|Ultraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series}} *{{IMDb title|0060038|Ultraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series}}
* of ] {{in lang|en}}
*{{imdb character|0112591|Ultraman (character)}}
* {{in lang|en}}
* at ]


{{Ultra Series}} {{Ultra Series}}{{Eiji Tsuburaya}}


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Latest revision as of 11:52, 13 September 2024

1966 Japanese television series
Ultraman
Original Japanese title card
Also known asUltraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series
Japanese name
Kanjiウルトラマン
Transcriptions
Revised HepburnUrutoraman
Genre
Developed byEiji Tsuburaya
Tetsuo Kinjo
Starring
Opening themeUltraman Theme by the Misuzu Children's Choir
ComposerKunio Miyauchi
Country of originJapan
Original languageJapanese
No. of episodes39
Production
Running time24 minutes
Production companiesTsuburaya Productions
TBS
Original release
NetworkJNN (TBS)
ReleaseJuly 17, 1966 (1966-07-17) –
April 9, 1967 (1967-04-09)
Related
Ultra Q
Ultraseven

Ultraman (Japanese: ウルトラマン, Hepburn: Urutoraman) is a Japanese tokusatsu science fiction television series created by Eiji Tsuburaya. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, it is a follow-up to Ultra Q, though not technically a sequel or spin-off. Tsuburaya Productions produced 39 episodes (40, counting the pre-premiere special) that aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and its affiliate stations from July 17, 1966, to April 9, 1967. Its premiere topped the average rating set by Ultra Q and kept climbing each week, marking the show as a success. It was also the first Japanese television series to use a bidding system for commercial rights, allowing multiple third-party companies to sponsor the show. This was following TBS's merchandising troubles with its predecessor.

Although Ultraman is the first series to feature an Ultraman character, it is the second installment in the Ultra Series, following Ultra Q. This is symbolised by the Japanese show opening with the Ultra Q logo exploding into the Ultraman logo. Ultraman and its titular hero became a major pop culture phenomenon in Japan, generating dozens of sequels, spin-offs, imitations, parodies and tributes. Ultraman went on to generate $7.4 billion in merchandising revenue from 1966 to 1987 in Japan (equivalent to more than $20 billion adjusted for inflation) and become the world's third top-selling licensed character by the 1980s, largely due to his popularity in Asia.

A manga series of the same name serving as a sequel to the television series began publication in October 2011 and received an anime adaptation starting in April 2019. In May 2022, Toho released Shin Ultraman, a reimagining of the series directed by Shinji Higuchi.

Premise

The series follows the adventures of the Science Patrol, a special scientific team investigating and combating threats from aliens and kaiju. Unbeknownst to the team, fellow member Shin Hayata possesses the ability to transform into the giant alien superhero Ultraman in moments of crisis.

Production

Development

Due to the success of Ultra Q, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) requested a similar themed show from Tsuburaya Productions Company (TPC), this time filmed in color and with the hopes of continuing the series with TPC. TPC founder Eiji Tsuburaya and writer Tetsuo Kinjo decided to recycle the barebones idea of Ultra Q about civilians and center the show on a team, tentatively dubbed the "Scientific Investigation Agency" (SIA), specifically designed to deal with monsters and supernatural phenomena. Tsuburaya and Kinjo repurposed unused ideas from Ultra Q, as well as the rejected outline for Woo. Tsuburaya had spent significant studio money to build his miniatures for the Godzilla films, and TPC was seeking a new project to repurpose and monetize those miniatures.

The first iteration of Ultraman was named "Bemular" and had a human host in his late 20s named "Officer Sakomizu", described as a "tough guy" in early drafts. Captain Muramatsu would have been the only SIA member to know his secret identity, and a female SIA member was added late in production. Pre-production and story layout began in December 1965 as Bemular: Scientific Investigation Agency. Writer Masahiro Yamada completed a sample teleplay titled The Birth of Bemular that featured an unused scenario originally written for Ultra Q. TBS producer Takashi Kakoi demanded that Bemular have a metallic complexion and be distinguishable from similarly designed monsters to avoid confusion. As a result, Tsuburaya and Kinjo discarded Bemular's original design in favor of a humanoid appearance. The name "Bemular" was dropped for the hero but given to Ultraman's first foe in the debut episode "Ultra Operation No. 1".

In January 1966, the production's title was changed to Redman to reflect the hero's color scheme and was unanimously approved for production a month later. In this version, Redman lands on Earth as a refugee after invaders destroyed his home planet. Redman fuses with Sakomizu and together protect the Earth from giant monsters and alien invaders. This version also featured the "Flashbeam", an early version of Ultraman's transformation device the Beta Capsule, however, the Flashbeam version resembled a futuristic fountain pen. During the casting process, TBS suggested actors with Western appearances in order to appeal to overseas markets, however, most of the cast came from Toho. On March 22, 1966, the copyright offices approved the shows's registration, now titled Ultraman. Each episode was produced on a budget of ¥20−30 million.

Design

The early Bemular version was originally conceived by Kinjo as an intergalactic reptilian creature that would enlarge itself to 164 feet (50.0 m) and come to the SIA's aid. The early design was a cross between Garuda, a mythological Hindu/Buddhist guardian bird, and Tengu, a Japanese folkloric crow-goblin. Eiji Tsuburaya found the early designs to be "too alien and sinister" and requested that production designer Tohl Narita continue drafting additional designs as teleplays were being written concurrently. Narita took inspiration from the Greek concept of cosmos (order and harmony), in contrast to Narita's monster designs for Ultra Q, which were rooted in the Greek concept of Chaos. Narita also drew inspiration from classical Greek art, ancient Egypt, the European Renaissance, and Miyamoto Musashi. Tsuburaya and Kinjo also gave their own input on Narita's designs. To reflect Ultraman's cosmic origins, his silver skin symbolized steel from an interstellar rocket and the red lining represented the surface of Mars. Narita's assistant, Akira Sasaki, sculpted clays, but became concerned about the nose and mouth looking too human. They eventually decided on a brim-like nose that runs from the mouth to the top of the head like a dorsal fin, and applied flexibility on the mouth for speech. Early outlines had Ultraman capable of spitting fire and a liquid called "silver iodine", but these ideas were dropped. A three-minute warning light called the "Color Timer" was added at the last minute due to the filmmakers feeling that Ultraman was too invincible, and also believed that it would invoke suspense and cheers from viewers.

Filming

To keep production costs from going over budget, the series was filmed on 16mm stock and optical effects on 35mm. This met the network's requirement for making new episodes on a fast-paced production schedule, due to filming starting in March 1966 for July premiere. The production crew were separated into three teams, subdivided into separate live-action filming and special effects filming groups. TBS and TPC originally agreed to air Ultraman on July 17, but TBS delayed it by one week in order to cover the spot originally intended for the final episode of Ultra Q, which was pulled from the broadcast schedule due to not featuring any monsters. TBS also wanted to beat the release of Fuji Television's similarly themed Ambassador Magma. Though production on Ultraman was proceeding well enough, it was falling behind to meet the premiere date. After meetings between TBS, Tsuburaya Productions, and sponsors, they decided to produce the Ultraman Eve Festival, a live TV special intended to introduce Ultraman to viewers that would air on July 10. This was also done to help the crew catch up and finish the premiere episode. The special was retitled The Birth of Ultraman: An Ultraman Premiere Celebration. Kunio Miyauchi, who composed the music for Ultra Q, was brought back to compose the music for Ultraman. The lyrics to the show's opening theme music were written by Hajime Tsuburaya (credited as Koichi Fuji).

Monsters

Several monster suits were produced for the show, while others were recycled from Godzilla films and Ultra Q.

Production designer Tohl Narita designed all of the show's monsters, and sometimes deviated from their original descriptions. A majority of the time, the writers did not include any specific descriptions in the teleplays and left most unnamed. The names of the monsters were decided via staff meetings, where it would also be determined if the writer had created a creature that was capable or incapable of being filmed with the special effects technology available at the time. The monsters were sculpted and fabricated by Ryosaku Takayama, Akira Sasaki, and Ekisu Productions.

Haruo Nakajima, who played Godzilla for the first 12 films in the Godzilla franchise, choreographed all the monsters' battles with Ultraman performer Bin Furuya and even played the monsters for episodes three and ten. Nakajima also had two cameos, one in episode 24 and one in episode 33 as a police officer. Ultraman featured new monster suits, as well as recycled suits from Ultra Q. Two Godzilla suits were recycled from Toho for the monster Jirahs, with the head taken from the Godzilla suit from Ebirah, Horror of the Deep and placed upon the body of the Godzilla suit from Mothra vs. Godzilla. The dorsal fins and parts of the suit were sprayed yellow and a large yellow frill was attached to disguise the connection of the head with the body. The show also marks the first appearance of Ultraman Zoffy in the finale Farewell, Ultraman.

Cast

  • Susumu Kurobe as Shin Hayata/Ultraman (voiced by Earl Hammond in the English dub):
    The Science Patrol member who transforms into Ultraman with the Beta Capsule. Bin Furuya portrayed Ultraman via rubber suit.
  • Akiji Kobayashi as Captain Toshio Muramatsu:
    Leader of the Science Patrol. In the Japanese version, he is sometimes referred to as "Cap". His name is shortened to "Captain Mura" in the English dub.
  • Sandayū Dokumamushi as Daisuke Arashi:
    The Science Patrol's expert marksman.
  • Masanari Nihei as Mitsuhiro Ide:
    The Science Patrol's comical inventor. Susumu Ishikawa was originally cast in the role. Ishikawa filmed a few scenes but abruptly left the production due to contract disputes. The English dub renames the character as "Ido".
  • Hiroko Sakurai as Akiko Fuji (voiced by Corinne Orr in the English dub):
    The Science Patrol's communications officer.
  • Akihide Tsuzawa as Isamu Hoshino (voiced by Corinne Orr in the English dub):
    The Science Patrol's unofficial mascot. In the English dub, he is identified as Fuji's younger brother.
  • Akihiko Hirata as Dr. Iwamoto:
    The Science Patrol's scientific advisor.

Cast taken from Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Ultra Operation No. 1"
Transliteration: "Urutora Sakusen Dai Ichigō" (Japanese: ウルトラ作戦第一号)
Hajime TsuburayaTetsuo Kinjo & Shinichi SekizawaJuly 17, 1966 (1966-07-17)
2"Shoot the Invaders!"
Transliteration: "Shinryakusha o Ute" (Japanese: 侵略者を撃て)
Toshihiro IijimaKitao SenzokuJuly 24, 1966 (1966-07-24)
3"Science Patrol, Move Out!"
Transliteration: "Katokutai Shutugeki seyo" (Japanese: 科特隊出撃せよ)
Toshihiro IijimaMasahiro YamadaJuly 31, 1966 (1966-07-31)
4"Five Seconds Before the Explosion"
Transliteration: "Dai Bakuhatsu Gobyō Mae" (Japanese: 大爆発五秒前)
Samaji NonagaseRyu MinamikawaAugust 7, 1966 (1966-08-07)
5"The Secret of the Miroganda"
Transliteration: "Miroganda no Himitsu" (Japanese: ミロガンダの秘密)
Toshihiro IijimaKeisuke FujikawaAugust 14, 1966 (1966-08-14)
6"The Coast Guard Command"
Transliteration: "Engan Keibi Meirei" (Japanese: 沿岸警備命令)
Samaji NonagaseMasahiro YamadaAugust 21, 1966 (1966-08-21)
7"The Blue Stone of Baradhi"
Transliteration: "Barāji no Aoi Ishi" (Japanese: バラージの青い石)
Samaji NonagaseTetsuo Kinjo & Ryu MinamikawaAugust 28, 1966 (1966-08-28)
8"The Monster Anarchy Zone"
Transliteration: "Kaijū Muhō Chitai" (Japanese: 怪獣無法地帯)
Hajime TsuburayaTetsuo Kinjo & Shōzō UeharaSeptember 4, 1966 (1966-09-04)
9"Lightning Operation"
Transliteration: "Denkōsekka Sakusen" (Japanese: 電光石火作戦)
Samaji NonagaseMasahiro YamadaSeptember 11, 1966 (1966-09-11)
10"The Mysterious Dinosaur Base"
Transliteration: "Nazo no Kyōryū Kichi" (Japanese: 謎の恐竜基地)
Kazuho MitsutaTetsuo KinjoSeptember 18, 1966 (1966-09-18)
11"The Rascal from Outer Space"
Transliteration: "Uchū kara Kita Abarenbō" (Japanese: 宇宙から来た暴れん坊)
Kazuho MitsutaTatsuo MiyataSeptember 25, 1966 (1966-09-25)
12"Cry of the Mummy"
Transliteration: "Miira no Sakebi" (Japanese: ミイラの叫び)
Hajime TsuburayaKeisuke FujikawaOctober 2, 1966 (1966-10-02)
13"Oil S.O.S."
Transliteration: "Oiru Esu Ō Esu" (Japanese: オイルSOS)
Hajime TsuburayaTetsuo KinjoOctober 9, 1966 (1966-10-09)
14"The Pearl Defense Directive"
Transliteration: "Shinjugai Bōei Shirei" (Japanese: 真珠貝防衛指令)
Akio JissojiMamoru SasakiOctober 16, 1966 (1966-10-16)
15"Terrifying Cosmic Rays"
Transliteration: "Kyōfu no Uchūsen" (Japanese: 恐怖の宇宙線)
Akio JissojiMamoru SasakiOctober 23, 1966 (1966-10-23)
16"Science Patrol Into Space"
Transliteration: "Katokutai Uchū e" (Japanese: 科特隊宇宙へ)
Toshihiro IijimaKitao SenzokuOctober 30, 1966 (1966-10-30)
17"Passport to Infinity"
Transliteration: "Mugen e no Pasupōto" (Japanese: 無限へのパスポート)
Toshihiro IijimaKeisuke FujikawaNovember 6, 1966 (1966-11-06)
18"Brother from Another Planet"
Transliteration: "Yūsei kara Kita Kyōdai" (Japanese: 遊星から来た兄弟)
Samaji NonagaseRyu Minamikawa & Tetsuo KinjoNovember 13, 1966 (1966-11-13)
19"Demons Rise Again"
Transliteration: "Akuma wa Futatabi" (Japanese: 悪魔はふたたび)
Samaji NonagaseMasahiro Yamada & Ryu MinamikawaNovember 20, 1966 (1966-11-20)
20"Terror on Route 87"
Transliteration: "Kyōfu no Rūto Hachijūnana" (Japanese: 恐怖のルート87)
Yuzo HiguchiTetsuo KinjoNovember 27, 1966 (1966-11-27)
21"Breach the Wall of Smoke"
Transliteration: "Fun'en Toppa seyo" (Japanese: 噴煙突破せよ)
Yuzo HiguchiTaro KaidoDecember 4, 1966 (1966-12-04)
22"Overthrow the Surface"
Transliteration: "Chijō Hakai Kōsaku" (Japanese: 地上破壊工作)
Akio JissojiMamoru SasakiDecember 11, 1966 (1966-12-11)
23"My Home Is the Earth"
Transliteration: "Kokyō wa Chikyū" (Japanese: 故郷は地球)
Akio JissojiMamoru SasakiDecember 18, 1966 (1966-12-18)
24"The Undersea Science Center"
Transliteration: "Kaitei Kagaku Kichi" (Japanese: 海底科学基地)
Toshihiro IijimaKeisuke FujikawaDecember 25, 1966 (1966-12-25)
25"The Mysterious Comet Tsuifon"
Transliteration: "Kai Susei Tsuifon" (Japanese: 怪彗星ツイフォン)
Toshihiro IijimaBunzo WakatsukiJanuary 1, 1967 (1967-01-01)
26"The Monster Highness: Part 1"
Transliteration: "Kaijū Denka Zenpen" (Japanese: 怪獣殿下 前篇)
Hajime TsuburayaTetsuo Kinjo & Bunzo WakatsukiJanuary 8, 1967 (1967-01-08)
27"The Monster Highness: Part 2"
Transliteration: "Kaijū Denka Kōhen" (Japanese: 怪獣殿下 後篇)
Hajime TsuburayaTetsuo Kinjo & Bunzo WakatsukiJanuary 15, 1967 (1967-01-15)
28"Human Specimens 5 & 6"
Transliteration: "Ningen Hyōhon Go Roku" (Japanese: 人間標本5・6)
Samaji NonagaseMasahiro YamadaJanuary 22, 1967 (1967-01-22)
29"Challenge to the Underground"
Transliteration: "Chitei e no Chōsen" (Japanese: 地底への挑戦)
Samaji NonagaseTetsuo Kinjo & Ryu MinamikawaJanuary 29, 1967 (1967-01-29)
30"Phantom of the Snow Mountains"
Transliteration: "Maboroshi no Yukiyama" (Japanese: まぼろしの雪山)
Yuzo HiguchiTetsuo KinjoFebruary 5, 1967 (1967-02-05)
31"Who Goes There?"
Transliteration: "Kita no wa Dare da" (Japanese: 来たのは誰だ)
Yuzo HiguchiTaro KaidoFebruary 12, 1967 (1967-02-12)
32"Endless Counterattack"
Transliteration: "Hateshinaki Gyakushū" (Japanese: 果てしなき逆襲)
Toshitsugu SuzukiKeisuke FujikawaFebruary 19, 1967 (1967-02-19)
33"The Forbidden Words"
Transliteration: "Kinjirareta Kotoba" (Japanese: 禁じられた言葉)
Toshitsugu SuzukiTetsuo KinjoFebruary 26, 1967 (1967-02-26)
34"A Gift from the Sky"
Transliteration: "Sora no Okurimono" (Japanese: 空の贈り物)
Akio JissojiMamoru SasakiMarch 5, 1967 (1967-03-05)
35"The Monster Graveyard"
Transliteration: "Kaijū Hakaba" (Japanese: 怪獣墓場)
Akio JissojiMamoru SasakiMarch 12, 1967 (1967-03-12)
36"Don't Shoot! Arashi"
Transliteration: "Utsuna! Arashi" (Japanese: 射つな! アラシ)
Kazuho MitsutaMasahiro YamadaMarch 19, 1967 (1967-03-19)
37"A Little Hero"
Transliteration: "Chiisana Eiyū" (Japanese: 小さな英雄)
Kazuho MitsutaTetsuo KinjoMarch 26, 1967 (1967-03-26)
38"Spaceship Rescue Command"
Transliteration: "Uchūsen Kyūjo Meirei" (Japanese: 宇宙船救助命令)
Hajime TsuburayaShōzō UeharaApril 2, 1967 (1967-04-02)
39"Farewell, Ultraman"
Transliteration: "Saraba Urutoraman" (Japanese: さらばウルトラマン)
Hajime TsuburayaTetsuo KinjoApril 9, 1967 (1967-04-09)
  • The Birth of Ultraman (ウルトラマン 誕生, Urutoraman Tanjō) a live stage show pre-premiere special intended to introduce audiences to Ultraman prior to the premiere episode. It was also produced to give the filmmakers time to complete the debut episode.
  • Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature (長篇怪獣映画 ウルトラマン, Chōhen Kaijū Eiga Urutoraman) a theatrical film directed by Hajime Tsuburaya, consisting of re-edited footage from episodes 1, 8, 26, and 27. It was released by Toho Co., Ltd. on July 22, 1967, as a double feature with King Kong Escapes.
  • Revive! Ultraman (甦れ!ウルトラマン, Yomigaere! Urutoraman) a short film directed by Masahiro Tsuburaya, and released in March 1996.

English version

Title card for Ultraman English dub (1966)

United Artists Television picked up the rights for Ultra Q and Ultraman in the fall of 1966, two months after the first episode of Ultraman aired. Ultra Q was dubbed but never broadcast in the United States due to American TV stations preferring color shows over black-and-white shows. Ultraman ran in and out of syndication until the early 1990s. UA-TV also syndicated Ultraman internationally. Peter Fernandez, Corinne Orr, and Earl Hammond provided the voices for the dub. Fernandez also wrote and supervised the dub.

Describing the process, Fernandez said: "I had a Moviola, sometimes a projector, and I’d go back and forth over each line carefully and carefully, building the line to look like English." Fernandez also went on to explain that a grease pencil was used to mark scenes that needed to be dubbed, even if it were only a few lines. A loop of the film would be projected so that the voice actor could memorize his or her lines and see where the scene needed to be dubbed. The voice actors had to wait for a beeping signal before starting, Fernandez explained: "So in the studio you hear “Beep… beep… beep…” then you talk, as if there is a fourth beep. Those beeps are drilled into me. They are two-thirds of a second apart. Later on, the film is reassembled and mixed with the original music and sound effects." The English dub was featured in the BCI Eclipse DVD release of Ultraman, as well as subsequent DVD re-issues from Mill Creek Entertainment.

Home media

Japan

In April 2013, Tsuburaya held a press conference announcing the new Ultra Series show and character, Ultraman Ginga, where they also announced that the original 1966 show will be given an HD remaster treatment in Japan. In July 2013, Bandai Visual released an HD transfer of Ultraman on Blu-ray titled Ultraman HD Remaster 2.0, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Tsuburaya Productions. Bandai Visual released the series on three separate box sets, each containing 13 episodes. The first box set was released on July 10, 2013, the second one on October 25, 2013, and the final one on January 29, 2014.

On November 25, 2020, Tsuburaya Productions and Pony Canyon released a 3.0 HD remaster of the series on Blu-ray titled Ultraman 55th Anniversary Ultraman Archives: Ultraman MovieNEX, suitable for large screen televisions. Composite technology EXA Quality Advanced Service (EQAS) was used to process the series to remove excess picture noise while retaining an appropriate level of graininess.

North America

BCI Eclipse Home Entertainment LLC officially released Ultraman on two separate DVD volumes in 2006 and 2007, licensed from then-rights holder Southern California-based Golden Media Group Inc. (via Tokyo-based UM Corporation). BCI's first DVD release featured the first 20 episodes, while the second release featured the final 19 episodes, all presented uncut, unedited and re-mastered in color with stereo sound. These releases also featured the original Japanese audio and the English dub. When Navarre folded BCI Eclipse in December 2008, the series was shuffled over to Navarre's other home video label, Mill Creek Entertainment. In June 2009, Mill Creek re-released the complete series set on September 29, 2009, in a four-disc set with the same special features from the previous release.

On July 10, 2019, Mill Creek Entertainment announced that it had acquired most of the franchise library from Tsuburaya Productions through Indigo Entertainment, including 1,100 episodes and 20 films. Mill Creek released the series on Blu-ray and digital on October 15, 2019, in standard and steelbook editions. Mill Creek released The Birth of Ultraman Collection on Blu-ray on July 10, 2020. It included the pre-premiere special and seven episodes from the 1966 series, which included the English dub. The Blu-ray featured artwork by Alex Ross (originally created for Marvel's Ultraman comic) and was sold exclusively on DeepDiscount.

In July 2020, Shout! Factory announced that they had struck a multi-year deal with Alliance Entertainment and Mill Creek, with the blessings of Tsuburaya and Indigo, that granted them the exclusive SVOD and AVOD digital rights to the Ultra series and films (1,100 episodes and 20 film) acquired by Mill Creek the previous year. Ultraman, amongst other titles, streamed on Shout! Factory TV and Tokushoutsu in the United States and Canada.

Post-release

Proposed sequels

Due to the show's success, a feature film titled Ultraman: Operation Giant was planned. Toshihiro Iijima was attached to write the script. The film was to be filmed in CinemaScope and was to introduce new characters, such as a self-sacrificing automaton built by the Science Patrol, the Baltans invading Earth with the help of a human scientist, a new subterranean monster named "Morugo", and Ultraman was to be given a new sword weapon. A sequel series tentatively titled Ultraman Continues (続ウルトラマン, Zoku Urutoraman) was also proposed; however, neither project ever materialized.

Adaptations

Harvey Comics Entertainment published two short comic book series based on Ultraman in 1993 and 1994. Bandai published the video game Ultraman for Super Famicom in 1990, and PD Ultraman Battle Collection 64 for the Nintendo 64 in 1997. The games were released in Japan only. In 2011, a manga adaptation simply titled Ultraman began serialization in Shogakukan's Monthly Hero's magazine. It serves as a sequel to the television series. It was released on August 18, 2015, in North America by Viz Media, who had received the rights on February 18, 2015. The manga was adapted into a 3DCG anime of the same name and released on Netflix in April 2019. In September 2020, Marvel Comics launched a monthly series titled The Rise of Ultraman.

In May 2022, Toho released a reimagining of the series, titled Shin Ultraman, directed by Shinji Higuchi. Using motion capture technology, Bin Furuya, the original Ultraman suit actor, portrays the titular hero alongside Hideaki Anno.

Legacy

Since its debut, both the show and character became international pop culture phenomena, inspiring rip-offs, imitators, parodies, tributes, and a multimedia franchise centered around spin-off characters based on Ultraman. The series has been recognized by Guinness World Records for "TV series with most number of spin-offs." Mark Schilling from The Japan Times called the series "a rite of passage for Japanese boys (and a few girls) and their families" since the series' debut and noted "the series is as much a part of the national fabric as furikake (rice topping) and chopsticks." SciFi Japan called the 1966 series "the gold standard of Japanese special effects television series." Ultraman has been parodied, tributed, and referenced in various media such as Ben 10, Ready Player One, The Simpsons, South Park, Kyoei Toshi, and Ant-Man. Chris Kirkpatrick, Will Smith, and Guillermo del Toro have cited the 1966 series as one of the shows they grew up watching as kids. Del Toro named Ultraman and Pigmon as his favorite characters from the show and cited Ultraman as an influence on Pacific Rim.

See also

Notes

  1. Titled onscreen as Ultraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series (ウルトラマン 空想特撮シリーズ, Urutoraman: Kūsō Tokusatsu Shirīzu)

References

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Sources

External links

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