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01-10-2024, 12:59 AM | #41 |
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Episode 18 "Agul vs. Gaia"
We come back to Ultraman Gaia in the new year swinging. One of the best episodes this show has to offer after what happened in the last episode this almost feels like downtime for the series. A chance to reflect on the past and try to move forward towards the future. From Fujimiya's stance on humanity finally coming to clash with Gamu. He;s really the focal point of this episode and it almost comes off desperate as with his encounter with Reiko his attempts to rationalize his actions to her bearing his soul as the weight of his mission. But it is not all doom and gloom as Gamu and Akiko awkwardly celebrate Georgie's belated birthday is one of the funniest and most down to earth scenes in the show. But the real star of the show is the ritual fight between Agul & Gaia and what I sight to behold human size fights in Ultraman aren?t very common and especially between two fellow Ultra?s them fighting in the familiar setting of the Aerial Base just adds to the memorability and the battle leaves the sky as Gamu plummet down to Earth and the battle in the warehouse showing both the individuals strength of Gaia & Agul as well as how equally matched they are. The choreography is something to behold and this is one of the boiling points the show had been slow burning towards. This track of the episode could only be ?Gaia vs Agul ~ Fateful Duel ~? this beautiful remix rendition combining both Gaia and Agul battle themes as they both fight for prominence as if the score itself is also fighting alongside their respective Ultra?s. And after that exciting first half comes a sorrowful tune as beyond the excitement seeing two Ultra?s fight over their ideology is such a sad thing these two heroes clashing and not rekindling but leaving on a hopeful note at the end signifying a possible future.
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Last edited by GrandComplete; 01-10-2024 at 01:03 AM.. |
01-16-2024, 11:54 PM | #42 |
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Episode 19 "Lilia's Labyrinth"
I love it when Ultraman goes into horror territory after all its roots as an anthology series about the supernatural and the unusual monsters and episodes like these keep those roots alive and well. I’m just really glad we finally got an episode focusing on Atsuko being the really closest thing to a female lead this show has or at least on Gamu's side of the story. And it is a suitably creepy episode that deals with anxiety and fears stemming from loneliness and touch of the supernatural creeping in that amplifies the problem. Surprisingly, a good focus on Kajio as part of the conflict stem from earlier mishap from Atsuko on the field and how he’s brought in to help find her once Lila starts to influence her. The show's large cast is used in the most efficient way possible and it is a sign of the trust and camaraderie forged in XIG as their members stick up for each other like this. Returning for a second time Psycho Mezard (and third in total for all Mezards) it’s design isn’t all that drastically different from the first Psycho Mezard but with the addition of the really creepy face on it’s chest it still a really great design either way coming from a really memorable episode. And of course this creepy tune named after the episode and its unsettling vibes makes for something you can’t get out of your head. It also evokes feelings of clowns and y’know fears of clowns is a really big phobia for people so there’s that.
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01-25-2024, 12:58 AM | #43 |
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Episode 20 The Fossil of Ruin"
Continuing the last couple of episodes this is yet another Fujmiya conflict episode as he takes a more active role in becoming an opposing force against Gamu. The use of dinosaurs in this episode to bring about the idea that one day natural selection will make humans extinct is yet another valid argument that Fujimiya makes. In one of the most intense encounters yet Gamu counters back with his unwavering hope and optimism struggling the face of the odds both physically restrained and mentally with the ideology Fujimiya presented. Gamu believes that Ultraman represents the best of what humanity can be and ultimately his trust in Fujimiya after all they were both chosen by the light. Geschenk is a funny looking dino kaiju. He has a very silly looking face with his very skinny proportions and fur it almost looks like he’s straight from the Showa Era lol. I just want to gush about the Agul theme again ok. But this version removing the chorals is still such a good song. Played when Gamu was captured by Fujimiya and the lash of words between the two. The song perfectly set the stage without being too overbearing by including the vocals it is one of the most memorable and iconic tunes in the entire franchise.
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02-01-2024, 02:29 PM | #44 |
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Episode 21 "The Sea of a Mysterious Light"
Writer Shinsuke Onishi doesn't have a lot going on in the TDG era, only writing a single episode for each series. His big contribution to the franchise was being the head writer for Ultraman Cosmos. But his episodes on both Tiga & Dyna were very character focused on what specific character and digging into their depths and how we see more than meets the eye to these people putting under extreme pressure due to the one specific kaiju incident. Continuing from last week Gamu wakes up back in his bed after collapsing and contrasting that Fujmiya feels conflicted over saving that girl despite his stance on humanity. The kaiju of this episode is an aquatic one which means multiple things. First of all we finally get to see Team Marlin in action which is awesome since there always in the show but have’t really done much because specialty being underwater activities that don’t get highlighted much, secondly Tsuburaya just gets flex their muscles and look how gorgeous this underwater set is, this is all practical baby. And that one best part of tokusatsu right here is these amazing sets and miniatures depicting things on such a minimal tv show budget and it looks amazing. I know this show and Tsuburaya has always had good sets but this is just one of the best highlights. Sadly Agul doesn't fight in this episode but nonetheless Fujimiya reaffirms his belief after seeming conflicted and once more vows to oppose Gamu and his ideals here so it is still a huge focus even in this juncture of the show. Minor note they also introduce a cult that worships the Bringer of Radical Destruction which is surprisingly considering how long that took for that to be in an episode. Caneda, a bipedal aquatic sea kaiju, its look is menacing and almost gives off a lovecraftian monster vibes. I love the use of darker color to contrast the more serene underwater set they use. It's a striking contrast for this monster and it once again shows Tsuburaya skills as a designer of kaijus. Since I gushed so much about the set for this episode the battle theme that played during this episode “Gaia Mid-air Fight” the beginning is the ionic rise tune that every Ultraman has before moving to two remixed rendition of Gaia battle theme combined with the aerial themes the show has it blood pumping and its use here punctuates that battle.
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02-08-2024, 01:17 AM | #45 |
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Episode 22 "Stone Wings"
One of the beauty of life is discovery and one of the greatest fears is the unknown these two go hand ro hand with one another. The stone wings is quite the existential episode dealing with a boy's passion and dreams of what is out there turning into fear and anxiety over potential enemies from beyond. The show sticks with the Ultraman episodic nature but the constant looming threat that the Bringer of Radical Destruction is palpable and through the eyes of a normal child given a vague shape and more relatable feeling. An episode filled with symbolism and imagery, the Stone Wings is one of Gaia's best episodes for tackling mature subject matters without an ounce of blood, gore, sex or cursing telling in a brisk 22 minute episode. Pazuzu is one of Gaia's most iconic kaijus and you can see why those curled horns are just so striking. And it is a real powerhouse of a monster too making a memorable debut that sticks into viewers mind all right. The track I want to highlight is “I Want to Protect Earth '' a soft piano melody that defines itself conveying both hope and melancholy. Perfect for the wonder that Kouki once had in his stargazing that he lost as the events of the series went on because of the Radical Bringer it reflects the same nebulous fears and anxiety that we can have even if we don’t have to face something like that.
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02-15-2024, 01:29 AM | #46 |
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Episode 23 "Gamu Expelled!!"
As Fujimiya action increase; Gamu feels the pressure of his connection with him causing the title of the episode to happen, getting expelled from XIG. And man Fujimiya sure is a lady’s man. A significant portion of this episode is dedicated to both Reiko & Inamori and the effect they both have on Fujimiya as a person. All of this interpersonal drama has begun bubbling onwards and over the course of the next few episodes it will slowly simmer and explode despite not being a single episode it is still part of a larger story as we concluded the first half of Gaia. Gomenos is a tragic kaiju forcibly awakened from its slumber and mind controlled by Inamori and forced to be destroyed by Gaia. Embodying the iconic quote by Ishirō Honda "Monsters are tragic beings. They are born too tall, too strong, too heavy. They are not evil by choice. That is their tragedy. They do not attack people because they want to, but because of their size and strength, mankind has no other choice but to defend himself. After several stories such as this, people end up having a kind of affection for the monsters. They end up caring about them." Its design fits in well with the other underground monsters giving it a nice cohesion to the rest in particular resembling Geel quite a bit. The track “Trust” plays during Reiko and Inamori conversation as both are lovers of Fujimiya there heart to heart is a direct version of the central conflict in Fujimiya right now, This serene track plays over a conflicted person through simple dialogue.
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02-22-2024, 12:25 AM | #47 |
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Episode 24 "Determination Of Agul"
Fujimiya takes things to their most extreme, attacking a data lab and awakening kaijus all across the world. Gamu continues to investigate on his own since being expelled from XIG and Reiko continues to try to be Fujimiya's moral compass. It’s a dense episode as we close out the first half of the show and showing the scale off is the set piece of Arizona used in this episode. It is always fun when toku leaves it’s comfort zone and shows off more exotic locales and thanks to the scale of Ultraman it does happen a bit in this franchise. Which I’m always glad to see. Another variation of Agul theme since it was so prominent in this episode. And cause it’s amazing to hear everytime I highlight it.
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02-27-2024, 02:06 AM | #48 |
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Episode 25 "The Showdown for Tomorrow"
This is what it's all built up to. Everything from the past few weeks have just been bubbling beneath the surface and it’s finally time for Fujimiya & Gamu to begin their inevitable duel. We get so much insight from the two here from Fujimiya encounter in the bar reaffirming his beliefs about humanity to Gamu dreams of the destroyed future with the corpses of Gaia & Agul. sWhat it means to be Ultraman is the main question being asked and it is because the show has two diametrically opposed defenders that led to this. And the battle itself doesn't disappoint one of the finest of the era. The suit actors give it their all and portray these two giants of equal strength and importance clashing. This really is a proper finale for this half of Gaia. Also can I just say how much I love these petrified statue of Ultraman? There so prominent to TDG Era and has become sort of an recognizable icon. It's something that just stirs the imagination and is also present in Tiga & Dyna this is just so cool. “Roots of destruction” plays when Gamu finally had enough and fought Fujimiya. It highlights the desperation and inner turmoil between these two and how this was something almost predetermined to happen. A fitting track for such a pivotal moment in the show.
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03-05-2024, 02:15 AM | #49 |
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Episode 26 "The Final Resolution"
The commander really shined in this episode, finally revealing that he knew Gamu was Gaia this entire time. Yet still put his trust in both this young man & the hero he was inside, always believing in Ultraman and defending the Earth. It is because of this faith that renews Gamu’s spirit just in time for the greatest current crisis this show has faced. Fujimiya also hits a pivotal point as the reveal of Crisis being controlled by the Radical Destruction Bringer drives him to the edge of despair and his exit from the show. But not before entrusting Gamu Agul’s light and as such the status quo of the show has forever shifted both literally and figuratively. It clears the way for the rest of the show. Zorium is a beast, it's just a head but damn this is unlike we’ve seen a kaiju so big we can only show its head. What a marvel of puppetry and suitmation this is nothing like exist within the Ultra Series franchise it also makes for a great final boss for a video game, Now we see are new base form Gaia V2 and it’s amazing what just a stripe of black does it just changes the look completely making the suit feel more “complete”. I’m not sure whether this is just me seeing this suit more often due osmosis or not but it’s a good change and finally makes the suit feel whole. What a chad this suit is. Gaia Supreme just feels strong it’s a beefcase the uses of crimson reds and deep blues with huge chunks of black on the arms makes it’s a pop so much it’s one of the most gorgeous final forms in all of toku taking everything about Ultraman’s design philosophy and taking it to the next level imo. “Return” and epic orchestral rendition of Lovin' You Lovin' Me the first ending theme is a perfect piece to cap off the first half of Gaia playing when Gaia first adopts his now permanent new base form V2 it almost feels like it saying what you know is gone but it’s now better than before.
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Last edited by GrandComplete; 03-05-2024 at 02:25 AM.. |
03-05-2024, 03:42 AM | #50 |
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So, it’s been a while since I commented.
In what’s either a brilliant piece of symbolism, or Tsuburaya once more not having the money for a wholly new set of props, Zorium reuses the same costume as the Vision Dragon from the first episode. Meaning that the first half begins and ends with Gamu facing a similar creature. Also, the last appearance of Agul… for now. |
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