Technically they already had a Gruebe suit when the film was revealed. Like it showed up in alot of the promotional material

That reminds me, I still need to watch Episode Z.

Anyway, for a recap, it was nice. Gives us some worldbuilding and context as to what's been going on between Trigger and Decker.

I never saw the Marluru specials, but it was nice seeing him and Hotta reuniting, even seeing how both of them have grown (Marluru sounds older, and Hotta's hair is greying). It's also funny how Marluru's favorite show is still ongoing 10 years later.

Next Episode: The Ryumon Episode!

As I understand, these early recaps are there to fill in a week that expected to have lower ratings due to ongoing events/festivals. In this case, this week is Obon Festival
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_(festival)

Huh! That's kind of funny given the reason they weren't able to actually fit it in was because the suit wasn't ready in-time. Funny how that works.

I should clarify, what I meant is that the suit already existed when they were filming for the movie.

I could have sworn I heard somewhere that Tsuburaya wanted to do some experimental stuff and did a CGI model for Gruebe even though they did have the suit.

Not sure how true that is though.

Yeah, that's what I always thought to be the case, that Tsupro wanted to experiment with utilizing CGI. And given how good the CGI intergration has been in all the shows since R/B, I think it was an experiment that paid off.

Yesterday I saw Ultra Q The Movie. It didn't work for me. Was expecting an anthology of cases but the central plot just kept getting dragging out it got boring quickly.

Don't jinx Japan, reporter lady!

Look, it's Pagos! The staple Reiwa Kaiju! Here to make his pre-requisite appearance. I didn't know it had a scientific name. And they referenced the fact that we hadn't seen it since the Trigger era.

They really effectively depicted how terrifying an underground monster who can come out at any time can be.

Kanata keeps trying with Ryumon and finally finds out what the stick up his butt is...he's a rich kid who basically had everything handed to him and now works to be the best to properly earn something, and feels as a member of GUTS-Select he has to be absolutely perfect or someone will die.

That underground cave environment looked fantastic!

I thought we were going to get a nest of Pagos', but nope! We get a bunch of other Kaiju! Gudon! Telesdon! A whole bunch of Twintails! And not a Sphere Kaiju among them!

No better time to summon a new Dimension Monster than when you're utterly surrounded. Agira killed Telesdon like he was nothing!

I was starting to wonder if the Nursedessei could still change into Battle Mode. It killed more Kaiju than Decker did!

At least Decker got to go Miracle Type and finish off Gudon in the sky in style.

I don't know why but everything the captain says comes off more sinister than I think it's intended to.

Kanata and Ryumon seem to have reached an understanding of each other and Kanata seems to respect Ryumon's personal resolve. But is it human or healthy to strive so much for perfection?

Next week: The return of Carmearra! And Trigger! And Kengo with drip!?

"It's like the Monster Convention!"

Decker continues to impress this episode. We got some Ryumon development, a slew of returning Kaiju, and biggest of all, GUTS Select destroying Kaiju! The underground environment looked fantastic and brought me back to Max, and gave us not one, not two, not three! But five different Kaiju this episode with one of them being a whole swarm (which is ironically enough the ugliest bunch)!

It was extremely fun seeing Decker and GUTS Select fight them all, Nursedessei Battle form return, and Agira got some love which was great.

I do like how the Captain is evaluating the crew, it's a neat way to show how he sees the team starting out to how they'll eventually grow. I enjoyed this episode very much.

Next Episode: Are ya ready to pull the Trigger again?

Honestly it's starting to feel like GUTS-Select is more effective than Decker at times in this show.

Pretty solid episode, I was curious what kind of twist we were going to do, was not expecting the "underground monster army" scenario if I'm being honest.

Next time, Trigger.

Alright Decker, let's see what you do for this episode because you've honestly got a good streak going so I'mma be optimistic about this team up.

I am enjoying the show but I have to say that the live action combining with shots of the model work was just amazing this episode.

New Trailer and details for the Regulos series
https://en.tsuburaya-prod.co.jp/news/4691
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evgOWnIDjhY

"A female Cosmo Beast Fighter who cares a lot about Regulos." Oh, I'm sure she does. New Sora, anyone?

Just let me watch Regulos in Japanese, Tsuburaya. Please. Come on.

I liked this week's Decker. It was a bit weird, like it's clearly a Ryumon Episode, but I don't think it really focused on him that much? I don't know.

I'll never get tired of shots from inside the model buildings. Ever.

Will these Energy Crystals that caused these monster problems in the first place ever be mentioned again? I hope so.

The underground fight was interesting on a technical level because they were projecting the background on a big screen behind the suit actors. It's kind of cool! Miracle Type wasting Gudon was super stylish. But the GUTS guys did most of the work though! I'm glad they didn't ignore/forget the Nursedessei's battle mode. Ah I still want that dumb toy.

The team-ups in Z and Trigger were fun as hell, so I'm looking forward to this week!

I thought the underground fight was pretty cool, but I am a little disappointed that Victory didn't show up.

So they're developing their own version of the Volume? Interesting. I wonder how much of a difference it'll make for stuff like UGF that is all CG backgrounds.
Ha, I was thinking that too! Would have been the perfect set up for a cameo, but I get why they didn't.

Finished Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero/Powered. My thoughts? It's like the opposite of Towards the Future/Great.

The acting was better, effects looked better, monster designs were great (Gabora is my top favorite redesign), more memorable soundtrack, but the fighting was extremely lacking. It was so bad one episode Ultraman appears and never moves from his place. And any physical content is laughably bad by how they overreact by slightest nudges.

Terrafacer, a new TPU mecha based on Deathfacer is appearing in Decker

I'm sure that'll go very well for them!

Mars has...seen better days. Although it's kind of fun seeing the old team as a ragtag resistance.

Of course Kengo would return singing the church of Smile Smile and taking care of flowers to a child.

Yuzare 2.0? Yuzare with a bob cut!?

It was nice seeing Akito and Captain Tatsumi again. I wonder if we'll get a full Guts-Select team crossover. And Akito even figured out a way around the Sphere!

Say what you will about Trigger...it was pretty epic seeing Kengo transform again and wreck a bunch of Sphere.

Yuna's been on Earth the entire time!? And Akito is still carrying a torch?

Traveling through Space in Sky Type! He even saves Decker that way!

They're really not holding back on showing how powerful Trigger is now.

Kengo and Kanata finally meet! And exchange catchphrases! It's cute how Kanata is already treating Kengo as a Senpai, both in terms of Guts-SELECT and as an Ultraman.

I love how Ryumon is too smart for his own good and everyone was so disappointed they didn't have a connection to Mars.

It's nice to see Kanata and Kengo getting along as Ultra Hosts do and Kengo imparting some of the lessons he learned from other Ultras...like the Ribut dance!

Kengo still regrets how things ended with Carmeara...good thing she's finally been revived! Even if that means destruction for Japan.

Dual Transformation! Dual Rise Sequence! Speaking of which, the Dual Sword! Move over Circle Arms! Also some nice tag-teaming between Decker and Trigger.

"Manaka Kengo!" We were all waiting for that one!

It's always cute how two Ultraman hosts bond and nerd out with each other.

We got to see some of the previous GUTS Select Crew on Mars (happy to see Mars again, albeit brief) and some context on what's going on outside the barrier. I was a little worried about how they were going to bring back Megalathor, but then I remembered the Sphere, and all my worries were washed away. Heck, it's almost like they planned its return!

"Yuzare" gives Kengo some brand new toys and sends him to Earth, and also appears him being Trigger is common knowledge on Mars, but Yuna's still on Earth? I haven't seen Episode Z yet, so please no spoilers. But anyway, it seems as though Trigger can't break the barrier either.

I love how Kengo and Asumi are practically perfect for each other, both of them are such lovable dorks, and Kengo trying to explain how he made it to Earth with Asumi being a wingman is such a delightfully stupid moment. But what's even more fun, is that we get to see Trigger and Decker in action, with an amazing dual transformation and rise, along with the new sword, which I'm looking forward to seeing more of.

Next Episode: Remember when people were speculating something bad was going to happen with Kengo's Plant?

https://www.ultramanconnection.com/n...be-september-3

Let's go international subbed stage show. I hope this can lead to more Stage Show content being delivered cause there some really good stuff in there.

"MANAKA KENGO" I missed her. :o

This was a really good first half of a teamup. I hope the second half does it justice!

This was really fun. I know that the show's not being direct sequels to each other before has never stopped a crossover, but Decker being a continuation of Trigger's universe really did add a lot to this episode. Little things like Kengo recognizing his old room or the new characters knowing the old ones was a nice touch and it gave the show more to work with than "I am also an Ultraman back home." I also appreciate how Kengo is really kind of useless as a mentor. Because of course he would be.

Good action in the episode, too. Absolutely loved the double rise and how Decker and Trigger worked together.

personally?

not a fan of Kengo being both quiet, mourning but courageous hero and "Smile smile!"
feels... like two different characters?

Kengo's been through a lot, admittedly, but he's still Kengo.

Did Kengo care about making Hudram smile? I don't recall that ever coming up, and Hudram was as bad as Carmeara. Then again, Hudrama smiled at maybe the worst things...

Ooh! We're getting more into Kanata's motivations! Nice!

New Gen Gijera!? Why are we doing a Tiga tribute in New Gen Dyna? I mean, I know it's a Trigger crossover but...except now, it's Gijeran! And it can control people to protect it from harm!

Everybody playing excited customers at Kanata's store was hilarious. Even Hanejiro was there!

Just when you think R'lyeh has gone evil, it's more of just a coincidence because of Ultra Ancient memories and the usual craziness of Trigger.

Yuna looks good in that suit, scarf, and braided hair! I like serious Yuna! But of course she can't help herself when she's alone with Kengo and they're back to being really cute together. It's nice getting to see them reconnect and talk about Akito.

Just like Tiga and Dyna's crossover, it wouldn't be right unless the old GUTS-Select dusted off their old uniforms for one last mission!

"This happens all the time." Won't that make them more suspicious, Yuna? I loved their reaction to her going full Yuzare.

Sky Type and Miracle Type!

So...we're just freeing Carmeara then? Even after everything she did? Like, I'm not against it, but when did that seem like the most ideal solution to everybody but Kengo? Oh well, "Wake Up Decker" playing during Miracle Type and Yuzare's combo to bring her back was pretty epic.

I guess...Carmeara is a good guy now? It seems like death has given her a new lease on life and made her realize that maybe the light isn't so bad after all, which was what broke her and Trigger up. I guess they're quasi-back together now? Maybe? It's got to be weird for Carmeara to basically be fighting herself.

All three teaming-up and them finally playing "Pull the Trigger" was pretty epic, especially when Glitter Trigger finally showed up, especially the triple Ultra Beam at the end.

Kengo can't answer Kanata's existential questions, but he can give him the latest merchandisable weapon and some new cards to help him continue his quest to find his own answers before he heads back to Mars.

It would've been a shame to bring back Carmeara and not Darrgon or Hudram either, but it looks like she has their cores so they're coming back too! UG4 characters, anyone?

We didn't get to see Trigger and Decker fly off into the sky together, but we did get Trigger and Carmeara flying off, so there's that.

Next week...Alien Gregore fight and Sphere Red King!

Bit rushed, but I liked it.

It's got some nice development for Kengo and let us see Yuna again, which was nice. Some explanation for R'yleth, and Kengo's regrets about Carmearra (still not sure how to write that one, but if the subs say so, then it must be so), and Asumi getting baited by the flower and having a weird fever dream.

But the main highlight is obviously the fight! We got Trigger, Decker, and a surprise appearance from Carmearra! A glorious triple team fight!

Again, it's rather rushed, but what it shows off is still nice. Carmearra remembering her final moments with Kengo, then joining forces with them to defeat Sphere Megalothor, all good. She even takes Dargon and Hudram with her as she leaves with Trigger, who gives Asumi a brand-new toy (still not a big fan of the voice)!

Next Episode: Sumo Boy flashbacks. Sphere Red King looks amazing!

Next week's guest appearance is quite something if you know your 90s Ultraman trivia. Koji Nakamura who was a suit actor for Tiga, Dyna, and Gaia seems to be up next. He was also Gozo the Metal Dopant from the Kamen Rider W summer movie.

this episode pretty much makes up for the shakiness of last episode, IMO

I'm a sucker for the "warrior finding their cause" trope, which I guess was kind of a thing in Z too

It was a little bit rushed, but I think it was a pretty cool team-up overall. I wonder if there was enough to make it a 3 episode thing? I dunno.

So what was the deal with the Yuzare in the last episode?

I wasn't expecting the triple team-up! That was great! The Dark Giants coming back might cheapen their deaths but I like that they're still around and Trigger and Carmeara flying away together is nice. :). Now we can get the whole anti-hero redemption arc thing with them. It worked for Juggler!

The voice of the Dual Sword is terrible.

Why didn't Kengo lend Yuna that Sphere card? Maybe they could've figured out a way for everyone to get past the barrier!

Sphere Red King looks awesome. (and RED???)

He needs SOME way to get back to Mars! Place still needs protecting

I'm gonna leave this here :lol

https://i.imgur.com/hb6lwjj.gif

So they took from the Alien Gregore episode in Dyna that Alien Gregore is a great fighter who wants to prove himself against Dyna...though instead of staging fights and being an elitist martial artist, here he's a Space Wrestler With Problems trying to raise his daughter by himself while they're stuck on Earth.

I wonder if the reason they didn't do Fake Decker is because that'll play into their take on Terranoid.

Mika is the best hype man for her dad.

Grace gets his own Rise Sequence!

Is that Red King suit new? It looks new.

They even adapted the ring from Dyna!

Windom! I didn't know Kanata could summon monsters outside Ultra form, but I guess it makes sense that he would.

Murahoshi can cook! And got surprisingly invested in this family drama.

Training montage! Even Kaizaki gets in on it! I was half-expecting Asakage to try it and fail because he's a scientist.

I have to admit, I am a little bummed that we didn't get to see Grace fight Decker. No offense to GUTS-Select, but I think it would've been a really good fight.

Sphere Red King! And it's actually red! Honestly though, it looks like the thing is constantly in pain with all those crystals spouting out of it.

GUTS-Select still has a higher kill count than Decker. The only thing Decker really did in this episode was save Grace by summoning all the Monster Cards through the Dual Sword, but I guess that's just as important. Mika needs her father!

Next week: Kaizaki episode and Neomegas!

Can we have a whole show for Grace?

This was another delightful episode, felt very in line with the New Generation Shows, and I'm all for that!

We got Grace, who is just an absolute delight of a character with some fun-filled fights, Sphere Red King, which again, looks fantastic, and more GUTS Select Training!

I love how Grace had his own dedicated rise sequence and summons a ring complete with a cape, it's just a pure joy to see, and even the Monster Cards got to shine (I kind of like how this is also a New Gen Seven in a way, which is funny given he's got an Anniversary).

Next Episode: More Character focus and a cool Monster? Yes please!

This episode really displays the difference between Trigger and Decker in how they handle the elements of thier predecessors had this plot been in Trigger they would've just copied Episode 31 of Dyna. Decker here though has the elements from that episode of Dyna but it completely different spin that works for Decker. An older Gregorian with different attitude, a clear relationship between the girl instead of being parallel to each other like Dyna. And there was no Fake Decker at all. Showing a surprsing amount of restraint torwards going all out on the nostalgia.


Also Decker can freely Type Change unlike Dyna took me by surprise.

Grace?
more like toku dad #128

I have a new favorite Ultraman side-character to add to the list.

also DG001? okay, so I guess we're gonna have another superweapon that eventually turns on the humans

And here I thought Ginga S was average, I suppose in a sense as I sit on it, my score of giving Ginga S an 8/10 at the time does make sense. And I thought that would be my low point for Ultra.

Decided to finally actually watch the rest of Trigger instead of dipping in and out and just viewing on the sidelines.

...It has ideas, but it doesn't know which ideas to do, and it doesn't know what identity it wants to really take for itself. A lot of things come off as superficial at best because they don't have the effort/build up put into them.

Not to say that like the technical side is lacking though. As always a lot of top notch shots and miniatures alongside some really well used CG.

But yeah, I never really jived with Trigger and this is as a guy who has not even really seen Tiga stuff. I've heard of Tiga's stuff, mostly certain episodes/the movie Trigger mostly takes from, but I've never watched Tiga. And Trigger feels almost soulless at points saying "Hey remember that thing we did in Tiga? Here it is! Clap!"

Which is why I'd put it at like a 5.5/10, a very, very average show that doesn't really take full control of what it's potential can be resulting in a confused show stumbling its way forward with a few nice episodes along the way.

Time to watch the movie before diving back into Decker's Trigger Episodes because that's what prompted this to begin with.