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03-06-2024, 02:09 PM | #51 |
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It could be both xD.
Ah budget the both the greatest enemy of Tsuburaya while also forcing them to be as creative as possible making their shows.
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03-07-2024, 12:58 PM | #52 |
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Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Dyna & Ultraman Gaia: The Battle in Hyper Space
Being totally upfront I can’t be objective about this movie. (Not that any of this thread ever was) It’s a childhood classic for me. I used to have it on dvd as a kid, and would play it constantly. It's a movie with a lot of nostalgic attachment to it. Despite that however I still say even with rose tinted glasses I still think this is a good and fun movie and thanks to its standalone nature can work as a good introduction to the Ultra Series by showing off some of the most impressive big budget it could’ve achieved at the time. Gaia was an expensive production and this movie felt even bigger was an impressive feat. (And I would argue the CGI used here is still on par and at times better than most modern Toei tv show productions lol.) With that long winded preamble at the beginning what is it that I love about this movie? It has to be the main character Tsutomu. Why? Because he’s literally me; and I mean it this kid embodies everything I am: his love of Ultraman, his unathleticism, minimal friends, insistence of hoping others can get into Ultraman. He is me. Hasegawa really tapped into the mind of the audience for this movie. (This won’t be his last romp with meta fiction in tokusatsu, Superior 8 Ultraman Brothers almost acts as a companion piece to this movie really.) And if you think this movie sounds really familiar Producer Shinichiro Shirakura himself admitted this movie was a huge inspiration in 2018’s Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever the final movie of the Heisei Era for Kamen Rider. This movie's core heart to me is understanding its fanbase so well. And it’s no better illustrated then the scene where Gamu lands in the “real world” for the first time. The literal army of children chasing after him wanting him to transform to Gamu hiding in a toy shop that just makes you feel the nostalgia with all those Ultraman toys in their classic toy packaging giving you glimpse to a simpler time all while the Gaia Theme Song is blaring in the background, It’s just the peak of this movie. And finally we have the first time team-up with the iconic TDG Trio, Even though neither Hiroshi Nagano(Tiga) nor Takeshi Tsurono(Dyna) reprised their roles for this sadly. (It would take almost another decade before all three stars would finally be together in the aforementioned Superior 8 Ultraman Brothers movie) Though it was actually planned when making this movie to unite this trio but sadly fell through to two major reasons Nagano’s talent agency Johnny & Associates were not playing ball, (not the first time nor the last time this had happened sadly and for those not in the know this helpful video from Vintage Henshin is a great way to learn more about this frustrating part of the Ultra Series history that still haunts us to this very day.) and Dyna’s involvement post show was complicated by reasons that I won’t spoil so that had to fall through. But being honest it was mostly likely the Johnny thing first. I'm sure Tsuburaya could’ve figured something out about Dyna in time if they had also secured TIga/Daigo’s place in the movie. A reminder of just how massive a production Gaia was, this movie's increased budget allowed it not just one or two new kaiju suits but 4 new ones in total! Starting off is Satan Bizor. This Zetton like kaiju homage is a really strong starting point for this movie thanks to its unique shape, memorable call back and an amazing color scheme. Fun Fact the episode that Tsutomu was watching is Episode 13 “The Devil's Kiss” but as we all know that is not the actual thirteenth episode of Gaia. Meaning the “real world” has an exclusive episode that we never got. I imagine had Gaia came out today they would’ve actually filmed a fake episode 13 and sell it on the Japanese blu-ray as a bonus feature like what Ultraman Geed did with the first episode of the in-universe toku show the protagonist Riku is a fan of Donshine. Sculla is this very slimy and gross amphibian bipedal kaiju with a gaping maw that can bite down an Ultra in half. It's almost very lovecraftian look made it a perfect match against Tiga in the ocean floor. Basiliss is a flying insectoid kaiju who’s armored plating and scissors hands that look like Gigan makes for really inventive kaiju and getting to see more space fights with Dyna is always a plus in my books. And finally King Of Mons a very unique Godzilla inspired kaiju with a nice rich purple coloring, menacing three red eyes, combining the maw of Sculla in its belly and Basiliss wings on it’s back it worthy movie kaiju and has since actually become one of my favorite kaijus in all of Ultraman because of its simplicity, brutality and fusion nature. Plus his reused roars are super fun to listen to too. Honestly just go listen to the entire soundtrack it’s amazing Sahashi given a big budget movie score allows it to match his grand vision. (The movie alongside the soundtrack was double billed with “Ultraman M78 Theater Love & Peace” so the actual soundtrack stops at track 21) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...6YCCMvgZezWFLU The remixed tracks breathes new life into things we’ve heard but the crowning jewel has to be “The Three Great Ultra Warriors • The Battle in Hyper Space” for combining Gaia’s BGM with Tiga and Dyna battle themes it’s an epic nostalgia boost that lifts you up every single time you hear it.
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Last edited by GrandComplete; 03-07-2024 at 01:02 PM.. |
03-17-2024, 11:27 PM | #53 |
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Episode 27 "A New Battle ~Version-up Fight!~"
Wow sorry guys for the incredible late post. Got no excuse, life just got in the way. Either way the show must continue so we will too. With Fujimiya out of the picture and with Gamu obtaining Agul’s power it seems like a deliberate choice to have him act more like Fujimiya now. As evidenced by his whole weight lifting session at the very beginning and his ponderings of the soul crushing loneliness he feels now that he’s the only Ultraman. But in spite of everything the episode shows that neither Gamu or Gaia is ever alone. From something as small as his parents buying a computer to keep more in contact with their son to the members of XIG and especially Ogawara these moments bring out the best of humanity and remind Gamu of what he’s fighting for. The third Metal Organism Mimos, a lot more bulkier and monstrous looking but still keeping design elements started with Apatee & Alguros. Can I just say I love the concept of Gaia V2 fighting a fake Gaia based of his original V1 that just shows off how much more powerful the new upgrade is it just simply plain genius of storytelling and taking advantage of the shows many elements to promote their new thing in a way that doesn't feel intrusive. Something different this time for the music and it’s the insert song “Power Of Gaia” in comparison insert songs aren’t as common or talked about in Ultraman in comparison to Kamen Rider or Super Sentai but nevertheless they slap hard. I love the lyrics and the melody and the more somber rock feel to it. The power of the Earth The power to survive When to use as long as life The miracle that attracts you When the heart of the magma awakens, I'll stand up with the Earth Evil, I have a shining will that you have lost I want to protect my loved ones It's just that, it's the same as it used to be Every time I feel sad Every time I suffer When to move forward as long as life What you can see is the light (Gaia) I was holding hope and courage when I was born Creating a world where weak and ephemeral people can feel at ease I believe in what I believing It's just that, the prayer of heart does not change For someone For myself When to live as long as life The power is coming up (Gaia) (I'M GONNA FIGHT FOR THE EARTH) (I'M GONNA FIGHT FOR THE EARTH) The power of the Earth The power to survive When to use as long as life The miracle that attracts you (Gaia) the light (Gaia)
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03-31-2024, 01:22 AM | #54 |
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Episode 28 "The Advent of the Heatwave"
It slipped my mind in the last episode but there a new ending theme "Beat on Dream on" and so I'll use it as this episode track to highlight. And I love it for some reason I'm always partial to the second endings for Ultraman shows and this one no different from the melody to the triumphant chorus to the wonderful lyrics telling about the shows themes this is a fantastic and underrated ending theme. "What you believed in wasn't a mistake I have always searched for the same thing as you However, we seem to be like planets on different trajectories... ...as we are torn apart This sky, and this land brimming with life... ...is something I want to share with you Therefore, beat on! One day, the two of us... Beat on! ...will become one, and this planet will shine Always dream on! The reason for our sadness... Dream on! ...and the reason we fight... ...we'll discover it together What you chose wasn't a mistake Therefore, don't regret, and don't give up Despite seeing the same dream, we always take a different path... ...always missing one another This is all for the sake of... ...protecting the most beautiful planet in the sky, isn't it? Therefore, beat on! Because you are here... Beat on! ...I finally understand why I became strong Always dream on! If I run... Dream on! ...I'll make it past this lonely day... ...I want to see you This sky, and this land brimming with life... ...is something I want to share with you Therefore, beat on! One day, the two of us... Beat on! ...will become one, and a planet will shine Always dream on! The reason for our sadness... Dream on! ...and our reason to fight... ...we'll discover it together" I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. It's just nice to have a toku protagonist with normal parents that are just alive even if they aren’t prominent. This episode you really get to see where Gamu gets his personality and ideals from. But not just that, we have brief snippets of how Reiko is handling Fujimiya being gone and the strength of her character in the end where even though she still carrying her sadness she can still begin the process of healing via returning to her coworkers and begin working in earnest, and the appearance of another machine that controls nature like Tenkai. Gaia’s greatest strength as a show has always been juggling multiple plots and never feeling overwhelming or underwhelming; everything moves at the pace needed. Enzan is an armored and beefy looking design combining the insectoid stag beetle inspiration with an amazing glowing kanji that represents its element of fire very well.
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04-03-2024, 01:39 PM | #55 |
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Episode 29 "The Distant City: Uqbar"
In what seems like a return to the franchise roots Ultra Q we have a very strange episode of Gaia. It’s introspective, and grounded, telling the story mostly from the viewpoint of just two ordinary citizens and veering between edge of the mundane with the otherworldly. You can’t help but feel tense because you can’t tell whether Nagata is simply delusional or if he’s telling the truth and also whether either way would be better or worse. At the end we're left with no answers, a bunch of questions and a sense of being humbled we don’t have all the answers to life and what we find in that search is neither good nor bad just is. I think Rukulion or as it is nicknamed Ruku is cute. It’s not very threatening and looks very friendly like it just wants to have fun and play with kids on a sunny afternoon. It doesn't try to fight Gaia. Heck Gamu/Gaia involvement felt more mandatory than anything (the show is named after them) but it’s also a little eerie since we know nothing about it. This track name is the same as the episode is mysterious, atmospheric, and somewhat somber. It makes you feel for Nagata and his mental state and whether Uqbar really exists and the implications of such. But it also can describe Uqbar as a whole and being told about it doesn't make it feel malicious, just unknown and how to attribute fears to that. Perfect for the episode and Sahashi brought his A Game for this specific track.
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