Integration

GoldenXtreme · 11-03-2023, 08:13 PM

I finished Ultraman Leo today! This series was not what I expected. As a matter of fact, this might be the most buck wild 70s tokusatsu I've ever seen. Where do I even start...?

The Good

There's a ton of unique points to this show. The fact the hero starts off with very little in the way of fighting skills before gradually improving through some legitimately brutal training. The mentor student relationship between Dan and Gen, combined with Dan's jaded "the end justifies the means" mentality against Gen's gentle, yet indecisive behavior. Going into the show, I honestly thought it was going to be a fairly silly show like Taro, and while there are moments of levity it's far outshined by the sheer brutality of the overall story. This is a show that wants the viewer to know that people die and being a recurring character wont save you from the whims of death. The people left behind suffer their own challenges.
Some good effect work in this one, often depicting nigh on apocalyptic destruction.
I wasn't too keen on Gen at first, but as the show goes on you really start to sympathize with the poor guy. He really is sweet, even if at times his actions cause terrible consequences.

The Bad

The show definitely veers into a level of frothing-at-the-mouth machismo at times that is offputting, even considering the show's age and cultural differences.
The style of the show definitely shifts oddly at times, likely due to attempts to salvage its low ratings. Some stretches are softer and the whole final arc is just strange for an Ultraman show, what with MAC being annihilated and Gen being left on his own for the most part. Dan in particular varies wildly between murderous brutality and a strict but kind superior. I do think it overall managed to keep to good characterization and tone in spite of these problems though. Or at least there were more good than bad points.
MAC's members are super forgettable. I often couldn't remember if a character who died was recurring or just a one-off for the episode.

The Other

Dan's role is a bit of an odd choice. I'm not really opposed to it, but I'd kind of like to see a story about how Dan ended up so bitter and world-weary. Or maybe this already exists and I just don't know about it.

It's an odd show, I definitely think its pretty inconsistent in quality, but the highs blew me away. I think I like Return better since it is a more even experience overall, but at the same time I already find myself wistfully wishing more shows from the era were willing to do something so blatantly unmarketable like Leo!

11-03-2023, 08:13 PM	#4014
GoldenXtreme Henshin Heaven Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Inside a Hyper Battle Video, help. Posts: 1,405	I finished Ultraman Leo today! This series was not what I expected. As a matter of fact, this might be the most buck wild 70s tokusatsu I've ever seen. Where do I even start...? The Good There's a ton of unique points to this show. The fact the hero starts off with very little in the way of fighting skills before gradually improving through some legitimately brutal training. The mentor student relationship between Dan and Gen, combined with Dan's jaded "the end justifies the means" mentality against Gen's gentle, yet indecisive behavior. Going into the show, I honestly thought it was going to be a fairly silly show like Taro, and while there are moments of levity it's far outshined by the sheer brutality of the overall story. This is a show that wants the viewer to know that people die and being a recurring character wont save you from the whims of death. The people left behind suffer their own challenges. Some good effect work in this one, often depicting nigh on apocalyptic destruction. I wasn't too keen on Gen at first, but as the show goes on you really start to sympathize with the poor guy. He really is sweet, even if at times his actions cause terrible consequences. The Bad The show definitely veers into a level of frothing-at-the-mouth machismo at times that is offputting, even considering the show's age and cultural differences. The style of the show definitely shifts oddly at times, likely due to attempts to salvage its low ratings. Some stretches are softer and the whole final arc is just strange for an Ultraman show, what with MAC being annihilated and Gen being left on his own for the most part. Dan in particular varies wildly between murderous brutality and a strict but kind superior. I do think it overall managed to keep to good characterization and tone in spite of these problems though. Or at least there were more good than bad points. MAC's members are super forgettable. I often couldn't remember if a character who died was recurring or just a one-off for the episode. The Other Dan's role is a bit of an odd choice. I'm not really opposed to it, but I'd kind of like to see a story about how Dan ended up so bitter and world-weary. Or maybe this already exists and I just don't know about it. It's an odd show, I definitely think its pretty inconsistent in quality, but the highs blew me away. I think I like Return better since it is a more even experience overall, but at the same time I already find myself wistfully wishing more shows from the era were willing to do something so blatantly unmarketable like Leo! __________________ Tier Lists: Kamen Rider \| Sentai \| Ultra Last edited by GoldenXtreme; 11-03-2023 at 08:19 PM..