Z, no! No! Don't mention the original versions of Kaiju you're pretending are new to this show; you're going to break the viewers' minds!!!

Those recap episodes actually are on Crunchyroll (marked as ".5" episodes). To be fair to Z, new footage of him standing in a void talking puts it at least one step ahead of X's recaps, which were, as I recall, nothing but narration over old clips.

Those clip shows seriously annoyed me in X and were a blot on an otherwise nigh-perfect show. I can love a good clip show if it's got a half-decent framing device! Orb's having SSP clean up their base and reminiscing as they do so; or Geed's being a lesson about responsibility and time-and-place; or this one where it just goes out of its way to have some fun with the idea of the clips being used in the first place and fly all around the franchise! All of these use a very small budget to give nice character moments or construct a loose narrative or just kind of be a fun time.

X's were just... recapping in the most boring, dull way possible and then spoiling some stuff that happens later. And there were three of them. It's so frustrating it happened to a show as top-tier as X

There's a good reason they never included those in the episode count. It's a matter of context. Ginga, Ginga S, and X all aired as part of New Ultraman Retsuden, which was essentially a recap series, featuring reruns of classic episodes, and occasional "new" ones mashing various clips together under a theme. Both seasons of Ginga simply took large breaks midway through their run to return to that format, while X was actually powering through by "only" having those few X-centric recaps, before Retsuden was ended for good by Orb, moving us to the format we have now where we get a 25 episode new show followed by a 25 episode "new" show that generally acts as a prelude to the next real show.

So I wouldn't be too hard on X for doing what it did. Dull as they were, those three specials represent an important step in Ultraman's gradual return to prominence! ...or something!

Well given this isn't a numbered episode, our standard Ultra Clipshow is still on the horizon I believe.

But yeah, this is a more Retsudan based Clip Show which involves Ultra's/Someone else, sitting or standing somewhere and bridging various segments together.

Geed and Zero Chronicle probably had the best framing device honestly though, the fact that Riku went to a school made by Zero(named Beyond High) to be shown clipshows and learn more about Zero and reflect on his prior battles.

It gave us such fantastic things such as Riku the Dodgeball Demon, or Juggler ruse cruising everyone by having a boombox that played Gai's harmonica, making people think it was Gai. But no it was him, so he arrived and gave Riku his own stuffed Octopus and saying he got it at a gift shop named "Nebula House".

As far as recap episodes go it was... okay? I remember some recaps, like Orb's, at least having a very basic comedic plot with the complete cast centered around the stock footage so Z standing in a void talking to himself really didn’t do much for me.

I also imagined the feature on the robots to be a bit more - involved? And I think they wasted quite a lot of time on Ginga Stirum for some reason.

Oh well, the way I see we need one week off to catch out breaths before the new King Joe blows our minds! The suit looked amazing in the preview. I really like how Z adds to the Ultraman action with top-notch mecha battles.

Riku WHAT?!

So finally watched Ep 10. It was pretty good. The alien was threatening with the whole crushing skulls and able to hypnotize others. The whole pushing people along was a nice visual.

I liked when the alien grew it became a bit sillier, I mean it was a bit odd, but still the jokes worked. It was a bit of a sudden shift though.

One thing I don't like about ultraman as a whole is the tendency for the aliens have their roles determined by their species, it doesn't feel great. Mind you most the aliens are more like wild animals which I think works. Also it might be why we haven't seen aliens like Baltan or Dada in the modern era of ultra (or have we? I haven't seen every ultra).

Still wondering how the team is going to take out 9999 aliens at once.

Honestly, I never thought about it this way, but you’re not wrong for disliking this. There are explanations in both the fictional and real world for this - in fiction, most aliens that aren’t malevolent don’t bother with Earth. It's always invaders or space pirates who seek it out on purpose. In real life, it gives the writers easy access to old suits and tropes.

At least Ultraman does put some emphasis on monsters and aliens not being evil by nature. Ultraman X had a strong focus on peaceful coexistence with monsters, and Ultraman Taiga put a spotlight on racism towards aliens who want to live peacefully on Earth.

Of course you still have multiple shows that don’t bother with these messages at all - like Ultraman Z, our "professional monster exterminator". Poor Gomora did absolutely nothing wrong, they didn't even bother writing a Devil Splinter into this one :(

Still, I feel like the franchise is aware of it and there are enough examples of peaceful behavior between Ultraman, humans, aliens and monsters.

By the way, Dada did appear in both Ultraman Geed and Ultraman R/B, in the latter it was peaceful I think, it appeared in the weird, comedic Halloween episode.

But Baltan - Baltan I haven’t seen in forever. It pops up in the background from time to time but isn’t involved in any plots. Kinda weird considering how popular it is. Maybe they don’t feel like using its menacing formula anymore and don’t want to "tame" it either? I don’t know.

Thankfully, until those get to Earth, Z and Haruki well have unlocked their final form so these guys might want to reconsider their revenge agenda :lol

X had both of those monsters! Dada was in the documentary-style episode, while armies of Baltan cameo'd in a vision of Ultraman in the movie.

Knowing Ultraman's penchant of reusing suits, I'm pretty sure the Barossa bros are going to continue appearing in future Ultra series to torment on each and every new Ultramen onwards.

And in 2030 we will get a series where Barossa launches a Belial-level full scale war with the Land of Light.

That's what it think as well, Z has basically imitated a blood vendetta of the Barossa's against all Ultraman of the multiverse, so whenever one appears in a future show we know who to thank for it :lol

I can already picture Z apologizing to everyone about the mess he made :lolol

So I got the latest sets of medals and - yeah there are just all kinds of great sounds in the Z Riser.

This toy has the original sounds of the Orb fusions inside of it, if you combine Orb Origin with the fusion materials Gai used you get Spacium Zeperion (Ultraman, Ultraman Tiga), Burnmite (Ultraman Taro, Ultraman Mebius) and Hurricane Slash (Ultraman Jack, Ultraman Zero).

Plus, with Father of Ultra you can now get Geed Magnificent when you have the Riku card inserted and combine it with Zero, also with the classic sound and a unique finishing announcement sound from Tatsuomi Hamada.

You can also get two game-exclusive Geed forms, Fire Leader (Zoffy + Mebius) and Dandit Truth (Father of Ultra + Belial)

Ah yes, I remember seeing a render of that one - it was so horrible yet awesome.

Let me see if I can find it... there it is!

https://i.imgur.com/KFA9QQu.png

Please allow me to go back to a time before I saw this form with my own eyes.

If it helps, here's "Fire Leader" which I really like. And which I should also be able to pull off with the Z Riser, its Zoffy + Mebius.

https://i.imgur.com/3N7eNjO.png

You know what, I actually do dig that! Putting aside that I don't see either Zoffy or Mebius in that design, I really do like Geed's regal kikaider look there.

Same. No idea how Zoffy represents ice powers but hey, every Showa Ultraman has like a bazillion abilities so he did probably shoot ice at one point.

Also, @Topic: I was curious and damn - every single game exclusive Geed form I have the medals for work in the Z Riser. That's Fire Leader (Zoffy + Mebius), Mighty Trekker (Dyna + Cosmos) & Dandit Truth (Father of Ultra + Belial).

But not only do they work – they even got Tatsuomi Hamada to record the finishers for every one of these, even though they were never in the show. That’s awesome!

Is there anything the Z-riser can’t do?!

Sadly - yes. I know the question wasn't meant to be serious, but I did notice that combining Ultraman X and Gomora results in an error instead of giving you the Cyber Gomora Armor sounds :(

Technically accurate, but I doubt they'll ever make medals of the cyber kaiju.

So there's a bunch of new DX medals announced - and even though they are DX releases they are labeled "EX" so I doubt they'll play a role in the show.

There's some in there I was missing (Hikari) so I'm glad about that, but all of the movie forms - not sure if I need those. The Ultimate Force Zero is kinda cool though!

Also: The Showa-looking guy in the last set is totally Ribut, right?

Lastly - they really need to release a binder of sorts. My medal holder is full...

https://i.imgur.com/QnyIlKi.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/p0axsJo.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/uig07zn.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7CVPXNZ.jpg

Luna Miracle Zero but no Strong Corona is... interesting!

Ultimate Force Zero is fun, though. Is Geed an honorary member now? :lol

The most I'm interested in is the Ultimate Force Zero set and that last one with 80, Justice and Hikari. So I may pick these up.

I wonder if it’s possible to access Zero Beyond using the Leito card with the Ginga Victory, X and Orb medals.

Nope that Neos I could tell with his eyes. Ribut has more opaque eyes. Wheras Neos had yellow eyes.
https://cdn.star2.com/wp-content/upl...aman-Ribut.jpg

http://nostalgiaking.com/wp-content/...raman-Neos.jpg

Strong Corona already exists! It's not a candy toy release though so I assume it was handed out somewhere as a promotion.

It’s a shame the Leito card isn’t really available - it would’ve been cool if we got it in a set with special New Generation Alpha & Beta medals that play the Zero Beyond sounds.

I think it's Ribut... the "ears" give it away ;)

https://i.imgur.com/R4ipW2z.jpg

Actually I'm pretty sure it is Ribut. The curved of the ear shape and the curve of the 'indent' that separates the silver and red of his head is unique to him. Neos has a more geometrical shape to his side, not to mention his green forehead mark extends just a little to the side of his fin as well.

Yeah checked the official website your right sorry about that.

It’s NeosRibut!!

Pretty excited for more Ribut representation to be honest - that's what, his second official "toy" after the vinyl figure? And there’s the Figuart (hopefully) coming soon too!

Cool stuff, I just like this dude, even if he only appears in the "Ultra Galaxy Fight" specials. If nothing else I hope his organization gets picked up in the mainstream in the future, maybe one day we can have a new main Ultra that hails from the Galaxy Rescue Force?

Strong-Corona and Ultimate Zero got handed out in those box waves.

Can’t believe this wasn’t posted yet; but here’s Sigma Breastar — Zoffy, Tiga and Mebius! I find it interesting how similar it looks to Fire Leader; Geed’s game exclusive Zoffy/Mebius form.

Oooh I'm digging the forearm and shoulder armoring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMvjFEjBdBc

This week on Ultraman Z, come for the new giant robot fighting a monster, stay for the way the plot makes you reexamine your desire to see giant robots fighting monsters.

I uh, yeah basically this.

Like it was already a bit heavy given well, the whole Haruki lost his dad and all, and I didn't get where they were going with two Red Kings other than like, you know giving both Z and King Joe their spotlights. But then the focusing on the cave, and the egg, and the look on Haruki's face just selling it all.

Holy shit.

ESPECIALLY CAUSE FROM NEXT WEEKS EPISODE PREVIEW IT LOOKS LIKE WE AREN'T DONE WITH THIS YET. AHHHHHHHHHHH

Really great episode. When that reveal happened the YouTube chat went crazy. I had actually missed the opening bit with Haruki describing King Joe's weapons, which was a fantastic contrast to the end of the episode.

Ignore me that was a preview, I am bad at this.

I was waiting for this episode after the tragedy that was Gomora's demise also I don't about the rest of you but I love seeing Corn-on-Cob Dinosaur.