[GrandComplete]

The☆Ultraman





Hey everybody It's me GrandComplete first time on this Anime Thread. So over the past, I've been rekindling my love of Ultraman and saw this thread and well already watching this so I waited until the halfway mark to get to this.

The☆Ultraman is an original Ultraman anime not based on any past show. Set in its continuity at a time unrelated to the other Showa Era shows. Animated by SUnrise of Gundam fame years before.

To start the show like other Ultra Series and other Tokusatsu media at the time followed a monster of the week format. With a core cast of characters the Science Guard Party being the team for this show.




We have the straight-laced protagonist Choichiro Hikari who on his arrival back on Earth merged with Ultraman Jonias to protect the Earth from various threats. Showing great bravery and a sense of justice were quickly given a good reason for why Jonias chose Hikari. Often time showing great wit as well seen in such episodes episode 8. However, he is not without flaws as one episode has him fearful of not being able to contribute as himself and only as a vessel for Jonias. A wonderful introspection on the dynamic of Ultra and man.

The other SGP sadly doesn't get as much as Hikari. They all do have personalities and focus episodes but none of them are quite as hard-hitting as the ones focusing on Hikari and U40 lore. But their presence in the show still does matter.

First up there's Mutsumi Hoshikawa who's the only female member on the team. She's seen as competent and never in my eyes became a damsel in distress she's alright.

Next up is Tetsuo Akiyama the leader and the one who brings everybody together. Stern but fair he's like a father to his men and it's his actions that brought the team together and Hikari back to Earth.

Following up is Kei Marume who is the only one that wasn't recommended but joined up anyways. At times is an audience surrogate mainly plays a comedic role with a slight waist size. A little annoying but overall fine.

And finally Hiroaki Tobe the technician who often creates new weapons and figure out solutions. And unlike the stereotypical nerd, he seems like a blend of the tech guy with the cool guy vibes. I do wish he got more episodes focused on him though.




Well with the human characters done let's get to the Ultra himself Jonias. Hailing from a different plant than Nebula M7* and unlike Leo's L77 we do get to see it. At this time his human form is unseen but Jonias is U40's strongest warrior and often mentors Hikari and advised outside of battles. In ways that haven't been one before. With a more muscular design as well as a slightly different color timer that goes from Green, to Yellow then beeps red. Jonias is overall well rounded.(A shame that Titas had the traditional Color Timer and not one like Jonias) Oh and Pig scares the crap out of me burn him with fire, please.

The show music is overall pretty good. The theme song, in particular, is amazing the ending song is alright. (Also this show was the first Ultra Series to have an Ending theme)

Now because this animated the homeland of Jonias was seen in a three-parter and giving both the audience and Hikari an extended look at the history of U40.




Which in comparison to the Land Of Light in the live-action shows at the time was unprecedented. Following these episodes, Hikari would shout "Ultra Change!" before transforming which is a nice way to shake up the status quo.

Monster designs range from inventive to a bit generic but overall good. The animation isn't the greatest and can be stiff but is a service and isn't too egregious.

Cutting this off here I will give my full thought and my favorite episodes one day after seeing the latter half of the show until then. See you!