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The Ultraman
Official logo
ザ☆ウルトラマン
(Za Urutoraman)
GenreSuperhero, Kyodai Hero, Kaiju, science fiction
Anime television series
Directed byHisayuki Toriumi
Takeyuki Kanda
Written byKeiichi Abe
Sōji Yoshikawa
Hiroyuki Hoshiyama
Bunzo Wakatsuki
Yoshihisa Araki
Keisuke Fujikawa
Yasushi Hirano
Kiyoshi Miyata
StudioTsuburaya Productions
Nippon Sunrise
Licensed by
Original networkJNN (TBS)
English network
Original run April 4, 1979 – March 26, 1980
Episodes50

The Ultraman (ザ☆ウルトラマン, Za Urutoraman) is a Japanese animated television series co-produced by Tsuburaya Productions and animated by Nippon Sunrise.[1][2] It is the eighth entry in the Ultra Series, the first animated work in the franchise and the first series to air in 4 years after the end of Ultraman Leo. The series aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System on April 4, 1979 to March 26, 1980, lasting a total of 50 episodes.

Story

[edit]
Main article: List of The Ultraman characters

In the 21st century, various mysterious events occur on Earth, causing monsters to appear all of a sudden. EGG3 officer Chouichirou Hikari was scouted to join the Science Defense Squad on Earth but while on his way back, he was bonded to Ultraman Joneus, an Ultra-Person of U-40 who was sent by his brethren to fight against the monster threats and alien invasions. This allows the youth to become an Ultraman against countless enemies while keeping a secret identity from his fellow members.[1][2]

Midway through the series, both Hikari and Joneus die while fighting the Spirit Parasite. They are taken to the Ultra Planet U-40 to be resurrected, and while there, discover the Ultra People's connection to the Earth in the past. They also help to repel the invading Badel People, and to reclaim the stolen Ultra-mind.

Starting from episode 28, Daisuke Gondo becomes a new captain to the SDS. Despite their rocky start, the team learn to accept him due to his great intuition and brotherly instinct. Amia would return to Earth to warn Hikari and the SDS of the alien invasion of the Heller Empire, a renegade faction of Ultra People that invaded their home world and saw Earth as their next target due to Joneus's involvement. The Heller Empire was led by Heller, who was banished due to his misuse of the Ultra-mind for immortality. The SDS were given the Ultria, an ancient battleship made by the Ultra People to counter invasion attempts made by the Heller Army. In the four final episodes, Heller sent a full-scale invasion on Earth to wipe humanity after fearing that they would cooperate with the remaining Ultra People. The SDS disobeyed the Earth Self Defense Army to go into space, joining forces with the remaining U-40 resistances to form the U Fleet and attacked the Titan Base on Saturn to prevent more invasion forces from coming to Earth. On U-40, the SDS made a risky attempt to sneak into the Heller City to weaken its defense as the U Fleet attacked Heller's forces in the planet's outer atmosphere. When the SDS were about to be killed by Mac Datar, Hikari's secret was exposed to save his comrades before joining the remaining seven Ultras in foiling Heller's attempts to escape. With Amia and the Wiseman being rescued, Heller died in the ensuing explosion as U-40 celebrated their victory. Joneus finally separated from Hikari and spent several months to observe Earth with his sister Amia. Once assuring that peace had returned, they bid farewell to the SDS and promised to return when the Earth's safety is threatened once more.

Staff

[edit]
Opening Credits
Producers Noboru Tsuburaya, Kazuho Mitsuda, Masaru Tadakuma
Music by Kunio Miyauchi & Toru Fuyuki
Lyrics Yu Aku
Theme Song Performed by Isao Sasaki
Published in Shogakukan's "Tv-Kun" and Other Learning Magazines

Kodansha's "Tv Magazine" and Other Learning Magazines

Animation Supervision & Character Design Tsuneo Ninomiya
Designers / Monster Concept Akihiko Takahashi & Osamu Yamaguchi
Chief Directors / Storyboarding Hisayuki Toriumi, Takeyuki Kanda
Production Producer Yasuo Shibue
Animation Produced by Nippon Sunrise
Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, Tokyo Broadcasting System
End Credits
Written by Keiichi Abe, Soji Yoshikawa, Hiroyuki Hoshiyama
Bunzo Wakatsuki, Yoshihisa Araki, Keisuke Fujikawa
Yasushi Hirano, Shiro Azusazawa, Yuki Miyata
Directed by Masahisa Ishida, Junyasu Furukawa, Takao Shitsuji, Hideyoshi Oshika, Takashi Ano, Katsuyuki Tsuji, Masami Yagioka, Hiromichi Matano, Osamu Sekita
Storyboard Yuji Nunokawa, Kazuo Terada, Asahi Yahiro
Seiji Okuda, Soji Yoshikawa, Motosuke Takahashi
Kohei Matsuura, Noboru Ishiguro, Toru Sakata
Mitsuru Hikita, Takeshi Shirato, Tsutomu Yamaguchi
Kazuho Mitsuda, Masaoka Fujioka, Toru Yoshida
Kazuo Yamazaki, Ryosuke Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Tomino
In Charge of Literature Kazuichi Tsurumi
Mechanical Design Kunio Okakawa, Studio Nue
Art Mitsuaki Nakamura, Nobuto Sakamoto, Kazuo Miyagawa, Shin Sato, Torio Arai
Director of Animation Kazuo Nakamura
Animation by Sunrise Studio, Waap, Green Box, Anime R, Tiger & Nakamura Productions
Monster Concept Minoru Kujirai, Fumio Ogawa, Yoshio Tsuburaya, Yasumi Asahi, Seiichi Saito, Masahiko Watanabe
Color Designation Hiroshi Wakao, Atsuko Oikawa, Shinichi Hatori, Kazumi Matsui, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Sachiyo Osawa, Yayoi Suzuki
Ink And Paint Shaft, Green BOX, Studio Deen, Kuma Productions, Studio Juffs
Backgrounds Mascot, Production Eye, Big Studios, Artland, Art Take 1, Magic House, Baku Productions, Studio Apple
Special Effects Michiaki Doi, Masanori Yamazaki, Green Box, Takao Tanaka, Hiroshi Kazao
Rostrum Camera Asahi Productions and Zenji Furukawa
Editing by Tomoaki Tsurubuchi, Fumio Otachi, Tsurubuchi Films, Yukio Watanabe, Fumiei Kataishi
Titles Studio Try
Film Processing Tokyo Laboratories
Audio Director Toshimi Toriumi
Mixing Manji Nanbu
Production Coordinator Hisayoshi Takahashi
Recorded at Niisaka Recording
Production Managers Noboru Mano, Keiichi Kobayashi, Akira Machida, Yoshihide Fujita, Eiichi Endo, Hideo Hayashi, Masahiko Matsuo, Eizo Takahashi, Masami Yagioka, Mashiro Ueda, Tadayoshi Kusari, Setsuo Fukada, Katsushi Kaniyama
Desk Yoshiyuki Yoshina, Noboru Mano
Planning Desk Naoyuki Eto
In Charge of Production Yoshikazu Tochihira

English Dubbing Staff

[edit]
A New Hero is Born!! ~ Chase The Mysterious Red Cloud!!
Staff
Executive Producer Mark Cohen
Produced by Sydney L. Caplan
Directed by Tom Weiner
Voices Tom Weiner, Joe Perry, Barbara Goodson, Steve Kramer
Screenplay Sidney L. Caplan & Tom Weiner
Music Screen Music West
Post Production Supervision Wally Soul, Filmkraft
Sound Quality Sound
Produced by Associates Entertainment International
A Star of Evil is Coming!!
English version Presented by WWOR TV
Introduced by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
Voice Director William Ross
Produced by Frontier Enterprises
Sponsored by Bandai America
To The Ultra Star!!
Voices Gary Morgan, Gladys Enright, Susan Harry Sprang, Sean Reily, Michael Guillian, Walter Schafer
Written and Directed by Jeff Segal
Associate Producer Ken Fukui
Casting Consultants Buck and Margaret Kartalian
Dialogue, Music, Editing Assistants & Engineering Terry Porter, Mike McDonald, Lee Williams, Denis Ricotta, Don Harris, Robert Miller
Music Composed & Performed by Mark McKinniss, Bill Mutter, Ron Peters, Wade Short
P.A. & Production Secretary Martyn Segal, Roberta Miles
ADR Production Ryder Sound Services
Music Recorded at Trax Recording Studios
Produced by Lionsgate Home Entertainment

Episodes

[edit]
  1. The Hero is Born (新しいヒーローの誕生!!, Atarashī Hīrō no Tanjō!!)
  2. The Secret of the Shining Pendant (光るペンダントの秘密, Hikaru Pendanto no Himitsu)
  3. Sound of the Flute in the Setting Sun (草笛が夕日に流れる時, Kusabue ga Yūhi ni Nagareru Toki)
  4. The Mystery of the Red Cloud (謎の赤い雲を追え!!, Nazo no Akai Kumo o Oe!!)
  5. The Adventure of the Passenger (パッセージャー号地底突破!!, Passējā-gō Chitei Toppa!!)
  6. Escape From the Deepest Sea (燃える深海への挑戦, Moeru Shinkai e no Chōsen)
  7. Problems for Pig (攻撃指令!目標はピグ!!, Kōgeki Shirei! Mokuhyō wa Pigu!!)
  8. The Secret of Hikari (ヒカリ隊員の秘密が盗まれた!?, Hikari Taiin no Himitsu ga Nusuma reta!?)
  9. The Horror in the Old Castle (目覚めた古代生物の恐怖!!, Mezameta Kodai Seibutsu no Kyōfu!!)
  10. Strategy of the Monster Mirage見えたぞ! まぼろしの怪獣が... (Mieta zo! Maboroshi no Kaijū ga...)
  11. Old Friendship Revived in the Himalayas (科学警備隊へのチャレンジ!!, Kagaku Keibitai e no Charenji!!)
  12. The Sad Roar Goes On and On (怪獣とピグだけの不思議な会話, Kaijū to Pigu Dake no Fushigina Kaiwa)
  13. The Resurrection of the Legend (よみがえった湖の悲しい伝説, Yomigaetta Mizuumi no Kanashii Densetsu)
  14. The Devil Star Has Come! (悪魔の星が来た!!, Akuma no Hoshi ga Kita!!)
  15. Ultraman and Hikari (君がウルトラマンだ, Kimi ga Urutoraman da)
  16. The Rebirth of the Kingmore, the Prehistoric Bird (生きていた幻の鳥, Ikiteita Maboroshi no Tori)
  17. Betamy Has Disappeared! (ベータミーが消えた!!, Bētamī ga Kieta!!)
  18. The Mysterious Monster Island (謎のモンスター島, Nazo no Monsutā Shima)
  19. This is the Planet Where Ultraman was Born - Part 1 (これがウルトラの星だ!! 第1部, Kore ga Urutora no Hoshi da!! Dai 1-bu)
  20. This is the Planet Where Ultraman was Born - Part 2 (これがウルトラの星だ!! 第2部, Kore ga Urutora no Hoshi da!! Dai 2-bu)
  21. This is the Planet Where Ultraman was Born - Part 3 (これがウルトラの星だ!! 第3部, Kore ga Urutora no Hoshi da!! Dai 3-bu)
  22. The Mysterious Space in the South Sea (南海の怪しい空間, Nankai no Ayashī Kūkan)
  23. Supersonic War Breaks Out (超音速の対決, Chō Onsoku no Taiketsu)
  24. Twin Sister of Mutsumi (ふたりのムツミ隊員, Futari no Mutsumi Taiin)
  25. The Devil Flower (悪魔の花園, Akuma no Hanazono)
  26. Earth's Greatest Crisis (地球最大の危機!!, Chikyū Saidai no Kiki!!)
  27. The Island of the Monsters (怪獣島浮上!!, Kaijū Shima Fujō!!)
  28. A New Captain Takes Command (新キャップが来た!!, Shin Kyappu ga Kita!!)
  29. The UFO With the Devil-Heart Attacks! (悪魔のUFO大襲来, Akuma no Yūfō Dai Shūrai)
  30. The Moving Skeleton動きだした巨大化石 (Ugokidashita Kyodai Kaseki)
  31. The Woman Fighter From Ultra (ウルトラの女戦士, Urutora no On'na Senshi)
  32. Object "X" (宇宙からの物体X, Uchū Kara no Buttai X)
  33. Duel With Ultraman (GO!! マグマの決死圏, GO!! Maguma no Kesshi-ken)
  34. Break-Out at Prison Planet! Part 1: The Monsters are Loose (盗まれた怪獣収容星（前編）, Nusuma reta Kaijū Shūyō Hoshi (Zenpen))
  35. Break-Out at Prison Planet! Part 2: A Planet is Hijacked (盗まれた怪獣収容星（後編）, Nusuma reta Kaijū Shūyō Hoshi (Kōhen))
  36. The Snow-Queen From Outer Space (宇宙から来た雪女, Uchū Kara Kita Yukion'na)
  37. Danger on U-40 (ウルトラの星U40の危機!! ウルトリアの謎?, Urutora no Hoshi U40 no Kiki! ! Urutoria no Nazo?)
  38. The Great Ultra War (ウルトラ大戦争!! 巨大戦闘艦ウルトリア出撃, Urutora Dai Sensō! ! Kyodai Sentō-kan Urutoria Shutsugeki)
  39. The Hell Cat Appears (ねらわれた巨大戦闘艦ウルトリア, Nerawareta Kyodai Sentō-kan Urutoria)
  40. The Boy From the Green Planet (怪獣を連れた少年, Kaijū o Tsureta Shōnen)
  41. The Day Ultraman Fought Against Ultraman (激突!! ウルトラマン対ウルトラマン, Gekitotsu! Urutoraman tai Urutoraman)
  42. A Plan to Capture Ultramanウルトラマン生けどり作戦 (Urutoraman Ike Dori Sakusen)
  43. Monchi Became a Monster (怪獣になったモンキ!?, Kaijū ni Natta Monki!?)
  44. The Twin Craft of Ultria and the Monster "Spader" (ウルトリアが二つに割れた!?, Urutoria ga Futatsu ni Wareta!?)
  45. Pig Becomes a Walking Bomb (爆弾を抱いたピグ, Bakudan o Daita Pigu)
  46. The Remote-Control Monster (よみがえれムツミ, Yomigaere Mutsumi)
  47. To the Planet of Ultra - Part 1: Advice of the Female Warrior (ウルトラの星へ!!第1部 女戦士の情報, Urutora no Hoshi e!! Dai 1-bu On'na Senshi no Jōhō)
  48. To the Planet of Ultra - Part 2: Assault on the Titan Base (ウルトラの星へ!!第2部 前線基地撃滅, Urutora no Hoshi e!! Dai 2-bu Zensen Kichi Gekimetsu)
  49. To the Planet of Ultra - Part 3: The Great Battle of U-40 (ウルトラの星へ!!第3部 U(ウルトラ)艦隊大激戦, Urutora no Hoshi e!! Dai 3-bu U (Urutora) Kantai Dai Gekisen)
  50. To the Planet of Ultra - Part 4: Victory for Peace (ウルトラの星へ!!完結編 平和への勝利, Urutora no Hoshi e!! Kanketsu-hen Heiwa e no Shōri)

Songs

[edit]

Theme Songs

[edit]
  • Opening theme: "The Ultraman"
    • Song: Aku
    • Composition and Arrangement: Miyauchi Kunio
    • Song: Isao Sasaki and Columbia Yurikakai
  • Ending theme: "Brave Men of Love"
    • Lyrics: Aku
    • Composition and Arrangement: Kunio Miyauchi
    • Songs: Isao Sasaki

This serves as the first case of an entry in the Ultra Series having an ending sequence. Performed by BGM staff who had previously composed the theme song for "Ultra Seven". Both songs were recorded in Los Angeles, as was the in-play music.

Insert Songs

[edit]
  • "Ultraman Hymn"
    • Lyrics: Kazuho Mitsuda
    • Composition and Arrangement: Toru Fuyuki
    • Song: Isao Sasaki

Sasaki, who was in charge of the song, made it the most difficult song he had ever sung.

  • "Star of Ultra"
    • Lyrics: Tani Noboru
    • Composition and Arrangement: Toru Fuyuki
    • Song: Columbia Torigokai
  • "Song of Mutsumi"
    • Lyrics-Kazuho Mitsuda
    • Composition: Noboru Tani
    • Arrangement: Hiroshi Takada
    • Song: Mitsuko Horie
  • "Super Murdoch"
    • Lyrics and Composition: Tani Noboru
    • Arrangement: Hirotaka Takada
    • Song: Isao Sasaki
  • "Our Science Garrison"
    • Lyrics: Kazuho Mitsuda
    • Composition: Noboru Tani
    • Arrangement: Hirotaka Takada
    • Songs: Isao Sasaki
  • "Robot Pig's Song"
    • Lyrics: Noboru Tani
    • Composition: Toru Fuoki
    • Arrangement: Masahito Maruyama
    • Song: Junpei Takiguchi
  • "Tomorrow ..."
    • Lyrics and Composition: Noboru Tani
    • Arrangement: Hiroshi Takada
    • Song: Takashi Toyama

It was used in Episode 18, and in Episode 23, the instrument was used.

  • "Monster Requiem"
    • Lyrics: Kazuho Mitsuda
    • Composition and Arrangement: Toru Fuyuki
    • Songs: Isao Sasaki

In the 15th episode of the next series, Ultraman 80, Emi Johno was used in the scene singing a lullaby to the monster Mue and in 44 the instrument was used in the scene where 80 and the Delusion Ultra Seven fight. In addition, the "popular monster large parade" of "5 Nights Series Super TV" (March 26–30, 1984, Ultraman Taro, Mirrorman, Fireman, Jumborg Ace) digest version had been featured. It is also used as an ending.

English versions

[edit]

In the United States, there have been two feature-length movie compilations: The Adventures of Ultraman (1981), and Ultraman II: The Further Adventures of Ultraman (1983). The Adventures of Ultraman was a feature-length film produced by Tsuburaya Productions specifically for the English-language market. The film is composed of edited footage from several episodes of the series. The storyline was rewritten for this adaptation with a new script by Jeff Segal and music composed by Mark McKinniss. Ultraman II was a dub of the first four episodes co-produced by Tsuburaya Productions and Associates Entertainment International. Despite the title, it has no continuity with the previous English dub of the series. Although the translation is closer to the original Japanese scripts than the first movie, the characters' names were still changed (although, the names given to the characters are not the same ones used in the previous dub). The order of the third and fourth episodes were also switched.

On April 5, 1980, episode 14 of The Ultraman aired on U.S. national television when New York superstation WOR-TV Channel 9 (now WWOR) aired it as the first part of "Japan Tonight!", a special seven-hour block of programming from TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System), hosted by actor Telly Savalas. Japanese actress/author/talk show host Tetsuko Kuroyanagi introduced the episode surrounded by assorted Ultraman toys and merchandise while explaining to the American audience just who Ultraman is, "It's very, very popular in Japan - He's like your Superman". The episode was dubbed into English by William Ross (Frontier Enterprises) in Japan and was sponsored by Bandai America.

Home media

[edit]

In 2018, the series was released on the streaming service Toku.[3]

In July 2020, Shout! Factory announced to have struck a multi-year deal with Alliance Entertainment and Mill Creek, with the blessings of Tsuburaya and Indigo, that granted them the exclusive SVOD and AVOD digital rights to the Ultra series and films (1,100 TV episodes and 20 films) acquired by Mill Creek the previous year. The Ultraman, amongst other titles, will stream in the United States and Canada through Shout! Factory TV and Tokushoutsu.[4]

It was released in the United States on DVD September 14, 2021 by Mill Creek Entertainment.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Ultraman

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Ultraman (ザ☆ウルトラマン, Za Urutoraman) is a Japanese television series produced by in collaboration with animation studio Sunrise, serving as the eighth entry in the franchise and the first to utilize animation rather than live-action . The 50-episode series, which aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System from April 4, 1979, to March 26, 1980, centers on Science Guard Agency member Chôichirô Hikari, a young astronaut who merges with Joneus—an emissary from the planet U40—to transform into a 70-meter-tall and combat alien invaders, , and mysterious phenomena threatening Earth. In the narrative, the Earth Defense Forces establish the Science Guard Agency under Captain Tetsuo Akiyama to investigate unidentified glowing objects and escalating global anomalies, with Hikari—initially returning from a assignment—becoming the team's key operative after his fateful encounter with Joneus during his journey home. The series blends action with team-based investigation, featuring supporting characters like agency members Mutsumi Hoshikawa, Kei Marume, and Tobe who pilot advanced vehicles and conduct fieldwork against extraterrestrial foes from the Heller Empire and beyond. Notable for its departure from the franchise's roots, The Ultraman incorporates dynamic visuals, including fluid giant battles and a distinctive theme song, while maintaining core themes of heroism, , and interstellar conflict that define the Ultraman legacy. Each 24-minute episode typically builds suspense through human-scale defenses before escalating to Joneus's interventions using abilities like the Ultra Bracelet and energy beams.

Synopsis

Plot

Set in the , Earth is besieged by rampaging monsters of unknown origin and escalating threats from extraterrestrial forces. The story centers on Chouichirou Hikari, a young officer in the Earth Defense Force's Science Guard Party, whose life changes when he encounters Ultraman Joneus, a warrior from the distant Planet U40. Joneus's spaceship crashes on Earth during a mission to aid the planet, leading to a symbiotic bond between the two: Hikari merges with Joneus to transform into the giant defender known as Ultraman Joneus, enabling him to combat the invaders while concealing his dual identity from his teammates. Throughout the series, Ultraman Joneus engages in intense battles against a variety of dispatched to terrorize humanity, as well as the insidious schemes of the Heller Empire—a renegade faction of the Ultra people from U40 led by the power-hungry Heller, who seeks to conquer as part of their expansionist agenda. These conflicts escalate as the Empire's forces launch coordinated assaults, forcing Ultraman Joneus and the Science Guard Party to defend key locations and unravel the invaders' plans. Ultraman Joneus's abilities, including energy beams and protective barriers, prove crucial in repelling these attacks. The narrative builds to a climactic confrontation in space, where Ultraman Joneus, aided by allies from U40 and 's defenders, battles the full might of the Heller Empire's fleet. In a decisive victory, the heroes thwart the invasion, securing peace for and restoring balance to the interstellar order. The series explores themes of heroism, the defense of one's homeworld, and the formation of alliances across planets to counter existential threats.

Characters

Chouichirou Hikari serves as the primary human protagonist and host for Ultraman Joneus in The Ultraman. A young astronaut stationed at an Earth Defense Forces space station, Hikari is selected to join the Science Guard Party upon his return to Earth, reflecting his training as a skilled pilot with expertise in space operations. His daily life involves rigorous duties as a trainee pilot and agency operative, balancing scientific investigations with defensive missions against extraterrestrial threats. While personal family details are not prominently featured, Hikari's integration into the Science Guard Party forms his core support network, emphasizing his role in humanity's defense. Ultraman Joneus, the titular giant hero, originates from the planet U40 as one of its strongest warriors among the Great Eight , dispatched to protect from invasive forces. He merges with Hikari during the latter's journey back from space, enabling transformation into a 40-meter-tall form to combat monsters and aliens. Joneus possesses a range of abilities, including the Ultra Bracelet for emitting the Beam Flasher to initiate transformations and attacks, as well as energy beams such as the Planium Beam (in ball or stream variants) and Astro Beam for offensive strikes. Additional powers encompass physical maneuvers like the Ultra Body Screw—a drilling assault—the Ultra Barrier for defense, , and size alteration, all powered by absorption. Unlike standard , Joneus operates under a four-minute on due to energy constraints, after which he must revert to human form. The Science Guard Party comprises elite scientists and defenders formed by Earth authorities to probe anomalous phenomena and counter invasions. Initially led by the authoritative Captain Tetsuo Akiyama (episodes 1-26), with Daisuke Gondo succeeding as captain (episodes 28-50), the team includes key members such as the sharpshooter Kei Marume, the weapons developer and technical expert Hiroaki Tobe, and the medical officer Mutsumi Hoshikawa, who support Hikari in fieldwork and . Their roles emphasize coordinated scientific analysis and vehicle-based combat, utilizing advanced technology to aid Joneus in battles. The primary antagonists are the Heller Empire, an imperial force of dissident from U40 led by the exiled Heller, who seeks universal domination after being banished for advocating the abandonment of transformation powers in favor of mental immortality. Heller's motives stem from his rejection of U40's pacifist ideals, rallying 3,000 followers to conquer planets, including , to expand their influence and exploit resources. Notable kaiju under their command or encountered include Bagon, a space-origin beast deployed for uncontrollable rampages to destabilize defenses.

Production

Development

The Ultraman originated as an expansion of ' live-action franchise, representing the company's inaugural venture into through a co-production with Nippon Sunrise. This collaboration built on prior joint efforts, such as the 1976 series Dinosaur Expedition Born Free, leveraging Sunrise's expertise in production to adapt the hero for a new medium. The shift to animation stemmed from severe budget constraints in the late 1970s, exacerbated by Japan's economic and the global oil crisis, which had inflated costs for resource-intensive live-action special effects following the end of in 1975. Tsuburaya aimed to sustain the franchise with a more affordable format, enabling a full 50-episode season that aired from April 1979 to March 1980, comparable to the episode runs of prior live-action entries while mitigating financial risks. Creatively, the series blended core elements—like giant hero battles against —with aesthetics, targeting a family-oriented audience through episodic sci-fi adventures that emphasized dramatic storytelling and interstellar threats. This approach drew inspiration from the burgeoning popularity of during the era, incorporating trends from works like to infuse lore with broader cosmic exploration and team-based defense narratives. Pre-production unfolded in 1978 amid a sci-fi boom, with Tsuburaya submitting initial proposals—including a live-action "Ultraman III" in April and an "New Ultraman" in October—to secure broadcast on the TBS network. The concept, initially floated somewhat jokingly by producer Kazuho Mitsuta, gained traction for its cost efficiency and was greenlit, leading to the project's formal announcement that year.

Staff

The chief direction of The Ultraman was handled by Hisayuki Toriumi for episodes 1–13 and Takeyuki Kanda for episodes 14–50, with both contributing to storyboards for select installments such as Toriumi's work on episodes 1, 10, 15, and 17, and Kanda's on episodes 31–32, 38, and 46. After episode 13, chief director Hisayuki Toriumi departed, leading to a four-week production delay; Takeyuki Kanda took over from episode 14. contributed storyboards to finale episodes. Toriumi and Kanda emphasized dynamic action sequences in their episodes, leveraging the medium to depict fluid Ultraman battles against with exaggerated scale and motion not feasible in live-action . Additional episode directors included Masahisa Ishida, Yoriyasu Kogawa, and Osamu Sekita, who supported the series' high-energy combat choreography across its 50-episode run. The screenplay was crafted by a team of writers led by contributions from Bunzō Wakatsuki, who penned 10 episodes including 4–5, 7, 16–17, 27, 29, 32, 41, and 44, alongside Sōji Yoshikawa (18 episodes), Hiroyuki Hoshiyama (7 episodes), and others such as Yasushi Hirano and Yoshihisa Araki. This collaborative approach maintained the series' episodic monster-of-the-week format, where each installment typically introduced a new threat resolved through the Science Guard Party's efforts and Ultraman's intervention, balancing standalone adventures with overarching narrative threads about interstellar defense. Music composition was shared by Kunio Miyauchi, who handled the overall score and arranged the opening theme "The☆Ultraman," and Toru Fuyuki, who composed for episodes 10–50, creating tense orchestral cues for battle sequences and heroic motifs for Ultraman's transformations and victories. Their original score blended classical influences with upbeat, dramatic arrangements to heighten the intensity of confrontations and emotional team dynamics. Animation production was overseen by Nippon Sunrise, which utilized traditional cel animation techniques without computer-generated elements to achieve detailed designs and explosive action effects, involving studios like Sunrise Studio, Warp, and Anime R for key animation. Voice direction for the Japanese cast was managed by Toshiki Toriumi, ensuring synchronized performances that captured the urgency of space patrol missions and character interactions.

Music

Theme songs

The opening theme for The Ultraman (1979 anime series) is "The☆Ultraman" (ザ☆ウルトラマン), performed by with backing vocals from the Columbia Yurikago-kai chorus. The lyrics, penned by renowned lyricist Yu Aku, highlight 's heroic origins from the distant Land of Light and his mission to defend Earth from interstellar invaders, underscoring themes of bravery, justice, and planetary protection. Composed and arranged by Kunio Miyauchi, the track features a dynamic blend of rock and orchestral elements that energizes the series' sci-fi action. It served as the consistent opening for all 50 episodes, introducing viewers to the exploits of pilot Hikari and his Ultraman counterpart, Joneus. The ending theme, "Ai no Yuusha-tachi" (愛の勇者たち, "Heroes of Love"), is also sung by . With lyrics by Yu Aku and composition by Kunio Miyauchi, the song evokes a sense of wonder, adventure, and the enduring spirit of heroism amid cosmic conflicts, reflecting on the beauty and challenges of the . Its melodic, ballad-like structure provides an emotional coda to each episode's battles and explorations. Like the opening, it appeared uniformly across the series' run. Both themes, produced under the musical direction involving Kunio Miyauchi and Toru Fuyuki for the overall soundtrack, have achieved iconic status within the Ultraman franchise, evoking nostalgia for fans due to their association with the groundbreaking adaptation and Sasaki's signature vocal style.

Insert songs

In The Ultraman, insert songs served to intensify pivotal moments such as character development, team unity, and intense confrontations with , providing lyrical depth beyond the instrumental background score composed primarily by Kunio Miyauchi. These tracks, often tied to specific characters or plot beats, were integrated sparingly to evoke emotional resonance, like highlighting the resolve of Chôichirô Hikari or the camaraderie of the Science Guard Agency team during battles. Key insert songs include "Mutsumi no Uta" (Song of Mutsumi), performed by with lyrics by Kazuho Mitsuta, composition by Noboru Tani, and arrangement by Hiroshi Takada, which underscores the emotional arc of supporting character Mutsumi Hitsuda in relevant episodes. Another prominent track is "Warera Kagaku Keibitai" (We Are the Science Guard Team), sung by and the Kunitachi Kammer Chor, with lyrics by Kazuho Mitsuta, composition by Noboru Tani, and arrangement by Hiroshi Takada; it plays during team assembly scenes to boost morale against alien threats. For battle sequences, "Super Mardock" by and the Kunitachi Kammer Chor, with lyrics and composition by Noboru Tani and arrangement by Hiroshi Takada, accompanies high-stakes fights, emphasizing Ultraman Joneus's power-ups. The series finale features "Ashita ni..." (To Tomorrow...), a poignant ballad performed by , with lyrics and composition by Noboru Tani and arrangement by Hiroshi Takada, capturing Hikari's determination in the climactic resolution against . Additional inserts include "Star of Ultra" (ウルトラの星, Urutora no Hoshi), performed by the Columbia Yurikago-kai, with lyrics by Noboru Tani and composition/arrangement by Toru Fuyuki, used in space-themed episodes. Unlike the more formulaic soundtracks of prior entries, these vocal inserts in the 1979 marked an early experiment in blending anime-style character songs with action-oriented anthems, influencing later franchise by prioritizing narrative integration over repetitive motifs.

Broadcast and release

Japanese broadcast

The Ultraman premiered on Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) on April 4, 1979, airing weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. until its conclusion on March 26, 1980. The series consisted of 50 episodes, each approximately 24 minutes in length, and was produced in the standard format for children's anime of the era. Sponsored primarily by local toy manufacturers including (a Bandai character toy label), the program was designed to promote related merchandise and targeted young audiences through its action-oriented sci-fi narrative. It maintained consistent scheduling without major hiatuses over its one-year run, reflecting stable production and network commitment. The show achieved strong viewership among children, attaining an average rating of 11.0% in the Kanto region, which outperformed some preceding entries and underscored its appeal in the competitive evening slot. Following the initial broadcast, The Ultraman received occasional reruns on and cable channels throughout the 1980s and 1990s, helping to sustain interest in the franchise among new generations of viewers.

International adaptations

The English-language adaptation of The Ultraman began with a limited effort in 1980, when Episode 14, titled "The Star's Devil Has Come!", was dubbed by Titra Studios in New York and broadcast on WOR-TV Channel 9 in New York as part of the "Japan Tonight!" programming block in April 1980. This single-episode dub, introduced by Japanese television personality , marked an early attempt to introduce the series to American audiences but did not lead to a full series translation at the time. To expand international reach, created two feature-length compilations specifically for overseas markets. The first, The Adventures of Ultraman (1981), was a with a new English script and soundtrack, drawing footage from later episodes of the series to focus on the character Scotty transforming into Ultraman Joneus to battle the antagonist Starlord Barock. This was followed by Ultraman II: The Further Adventures of Ultraman (1983), co-produced with Associates Entertainment International, which adapted the first four episodes into a single narrative with reordered segments (switching episodes 3 and 4), fresh dubbing, and altered character names, such as framing Lieutenant Harris as the central host figure. Both films were released on in , condensing the episodic structure for theatrical or home viewing while adjusting runtime through edits and narrative reframing. In 2020, a subtitled version of the full series became available for streaming in via Shout! Factory TV and . Beyond , The Ultraman saw limited international broadcasts, primarily through subtitled versions or partial airings in select Asian markets during the , with no comprehensive dubs produced to date. In , exposure was minimal, confined to sporadic festival screenings or niche imports without widespread television distribution. Localization efforts faced challenges, including dub name changes for characters to better suit Western audiences—such as altering Ultra warrior and team member identities—and narrative inconsistencies arising from footage recombination, which created continuity gaps across the multiple English versions. While no explicit of violence or themes was documented, the adaptations toned down some cultural references in dialogue to align with international sensibilities.

Episodes

Episode list

The☆Ultraman consists of 50 episodes that aired weekly on Wednesdays from April 4, 1979, to March 26, 1980, on Tokyo Broadcasting System, with occasional skips for holidays. The following table lists each episode with its Japanese title (in romaji), English translation, original air date, and a brief plot summary highlighting key encounters, Joneus's battles, and relevant subplots.
No.Japanese Title (English Translation)Air DateSummary
1atarashii hīrō no tanjō !! (The Birth of a New Hero!!)April 4, 1979The Terrestrial Defense Force forms the Science Guard Party to investigate mysterious phenomena; Chôichirô Hikari encounters a red light and merges with Ultraman Joneus from U40 to battle the aquatic kaiju Seagra in his first defense of Earth.
2hikaru pendanto no himitsu (The Secret of the Shining Pendant)April 11, 1979A massive tornado targets power plants and is revealed as the kaiju Spiral; Hikari transforms into Joneus for the first time to confront it, while the team uncovers the pendant's role in his transformation.
3kusabue ga yūhi ni nagareru toki... (When the Grass Whistle Flows in the Sunset...)April 18, 1979A boy's pet transforms into the multiplying kaiju Wanigodon due to its rapidly dividing cells; Joneus intervenes in a rural battle, emphasizing themes of innocence lost to monstrous evolution.
4nazo no akai kumo o oe !! (Chase the Mysterious Red Cloud!!)April 25, 1979A sentient red cloud lifeform morphs into the rampaging kaiju Red Smogy; the Science Guard Party pursues it across cities, leading to Joneus's aerial confrontation.
5pasēijā gō chitei toppa !! (The Passager Breaks Through Underground!!)May 2, 1979Disappearing trees lead to an underground cavern harboring the kaiju Tough Gillan and its variants; Joneus battles the burrowing family of monsters in a subterranean showdown.
6moeru shinkai e no chōsen (Challenge to the Burning Deep Sea)May 9, 1979A tsunami reveals the volcanic kaiju Fire Badon emerging from the ocean depths; Joneus faces extreme heat and pressure in an underwater clash, testing the team's submersible capabilities.
7kōgeki shirei ! mokuhyō wa pigu !! (Attack Order! Target is Pigu!!)May 16, 1979The robot Pigu detects an underground threat from the electronic kaiju Combugon and Robot No. 101; Joneus protects the team and Pigu in a high-tech assault subplot involving machine loyalty.
8hikari taiin no himitsu ga nusumareta !? (Was Hikari Member's Secret Stolen!?)May 23, 1979Hikari fights the kaiju Mikonos, but the Space Ninja Alien Baltan sets a trap to expose his identity; Joneus's battle highlights the dangers of espionage within the Science Guard Party.
9mezameta kodai seibutsu no kyōfu !! (The Terror of the Awakened Ancient Creature!!)May 30, 1979The kaiju Dolfiego brainwashes investigators on Tamara Island; Joneus combats the mind-controlling ancient beast, exploring prehistoric revival themes.
10mieta zo ! maboroshi no kaijū ga... (I Saw It! The Phantom Monster...)June 6, 1979Magician George Satake's teleportation accidentally summons the illusory kaiju Xalome; Hikari shrinks to miniature size for an intimate battle, blending magic and science subplots.
11kagaku keibitai e no charenji !! (Challenge to the Science Guard!!)June 13, 1979Technician Ogawara's invention Hectore is overtaken by a Liquid Monster; Joneus defends against the fluid kaiju, underscoring internal team conflicts over technology.
12kaijū to pigu dake no fushigi na kaiwa (The Mysterious Conversation Between the Monster and Pigu)June 20, 1979The triplet kaiju Opt brothers attack oil tankers; Pigu communicates telepathically with one, leading to Joneus's selective battle that spares a redeemable monster.
13yomigaetta mizuumi no kanashii densetsu (The Sad Legend of the Revived Lake)June 27, 1979The kaiju Garadoras petrifies people and fish at Lake Ryujin; Joneus breaks the stone curse in a watery confrontation tied to local folklore subplots.
14akuma no hoshi ga kita !! (The Devil Star Has Come!!)July 4, 1979An asteroid's radiation incites violence, spawning kaiju Xyclon, Gellon, and Gadon; Joneus battles the cosmic invaders, revealing interstellar aggression themes.
15kimi ga urutoraman da (You Are Ultraman)July 11, 1979Hikari fights the kaiju Goglan without fully transforming, injuring teammate Marume; the episode explores Hikari's internal struggle with his dual identity.
16ikite ita maboroshi no tori (The Phantom Bird Was Alive)July 18, 1979A mythical bird transforms into the abducting kaiju King Moa, targeting Mutsumi; Joneus's rescue battle delves into ancient legends coming alive.
17bētamī ga kieta !! (Beetamii Has Disappeared!!)July 25, 1979Tobe's drone Beatamy vanishes while tracking a typhoon, attacked by locust-like kaiju Badan; Joneus aids in the aerial pursuit subplot.[](https://ultra.f fandom.com/wiki/The☆Ultraman/Episodes)
18nazo no monsutā shima (The Mysterious Monster Island)August 1, 1979A sea serpent kaiju Islanda rises from South Uki Island; Joneus battles the island-forming beast, uncovering hidden oceanic mysteries.
19kore ga urutora no hoshi da !! dai 1 bu (This Is the Ultra Star!! Part 1)August 8, 1979Joneus fights global kaiju threats including Spirit Parasite, Gerada, Janyur, and Bedran, depleting his energy and leading to a near-fatal subplot on U40 origins.
20kore ga urutora no hoshi da !! dai 2 bu (This Is the Ultra Star!! Part 2)August 15, 1979Revived on U40, Hikari witnesses war with the Bader Tribe kaiju group; Joneus joins the planetary defense, introducing intergalactic alliance themes.
21kore ga urutora no hoshi da !! dai 3 bu (This Is the Ultra Star!! Part 3)August 22, 1979The Bader Group deploys kaiju Bagon and Janyur III against U40; Hikari and Joneus counterattack, resolving the arc with a triumphant return to Earth.
22nankai no ayashii kūkan (The Suspicious Space in the South Sea)August 29, 1979Dimensional kaiju Zaanmoth causes ship sinkings; Joneus navigates alternate spaces in a battle blending maritime and otherworldly subplots.
23chō onsoku no taiketsu (Showdown at Supersonic Speed)September 5, 1979UFOs attack aircraft, revealing kaiju Zanba; Hikari's personal rivalry subplot hampers the supersonic aerial dogfight with Joneus.
24futari no mutsumi taiin (The Two Mutsumi Members)September 12, 1979An alien princess impersonates Mutsumi to evade assassins and kaiju Dragodos; Joneus protects the duo, exploring identity duplication themes.
25akuma no hanazono (The Devil's Flower Garden)September 19, 1979A yellow wind from kaiju Death Balan causes disappearances and possesses Hikari; Joneus fights internal corruption in a botanical horror subplot.
26chikyū saidai no kiki !! (Earth's Greatest Crisis!!)September 26, 1979Sea water signals a global threat from kaiju Gibaaroga; Joneus battles the oceanic behemoth amid escalating planetary peril subplots.
27kaijū shima fujō !! (Monster Island Emerges!!)October 3, 1979An island of kaiju rises from the sea, unleashing multiple beasts; Joneus leads a massive defense operation against the emerging horde.
28shin kyappu ga kita !! (The New Cap Has Arrived!!)October 10, 1979New captain Gondow arrives as the team captures kaiju Dabaran, but revived monsters spark rebellion subplots; Joneus quells the multi-kaiju uprising.
29akuma no UFO dai shūrai (Great Invasion of the Devil's UFO)October 17, 1979Alien Jadan's UFO fleet invades, possessing a human into kaiju Jagon; Joneus counters the aerial armada in an invasion escalation subplot.
30ugokidashita kyōdai kaseki (The Enormous Fossil Has Come to Life)October 24, 1979Museum bones animate into kaiju Skeldon; the team deploys Super Murdock, but Joneus delivers the finishing prehistoric revival battle.
31urutora no jo senshi (The Female Ultra Warrior)October 31, 1979Joneus's sister Amia possesses Kyoko's body to warn of kaiju Garbados; their sibling reunion subplot leads to a joint Ultra-powered confrontation.
32uchū kara no buttai X (Object X From Space)November 7, 1979Alien Babilar deploys robot kaiju Megasaura; Professor Nishiki's fragment analysis subplot sets up Joneus's anti-alien machinery clash.
33go !! maguma no kesshi ken (Go!! Magma's Desperate Sphere)November 14, 1979Underwater volcanoes on Maroi Island spawn merged kaiju Gamiba from mollusks; Joneus dives into the volcanic desperate zone battle.
34nusumareta kaijū shūyō boshi (zenpen) (The Stolen Monster Containment Star (Part 1))November 28, 1979Space pirates Imbedians raid U40's prison, releasing kaiju Goadarion and others; Joneus pursues the stolen star in a multi-monster prison break arc.
35nusumareta kaijū shūyō boshi (kōhen) (The Stolen Monster Containment Star (Part 2))December 5, 1979Injured in the Imbedian assault with kaiju Putgolia, Hikari receives aid from U40 allies Elek and Roto; Joneus resolves the interstellar heist subplot.
36uchū kara kita yukionna (The Snow Woman Has Come From Space)December 12, 1979A cosmic cold front brings kaiju Darantulas and alien Noa; Hikari and Mutsumi's investigation turns into a frozen Joneus battle with mythical elements.
37urutora no hoshi U 40 no kiki !! urutoria no nazo ? (Ultra Star U40's Crisis! Ultria's Mystery?)December 19, 1979Hikari discovers the Heller Empire's control over U40 via kaiju Gumons; Amia's arrival subplot unveils the battleship Ultria's enigmatic role.
38urutora dai sensō !! kyōdai sentō kan urutoria shutsugeki (Great Ultra War! Huge Warship Ultria's Sortie)December 26, 1979Ultria awakens in Antarctica to repel the Heller Legion and kaiju Gumons; Joneus coordinates the massive warship's launch against the empire.
39nerawareta kyōdai sentōkan urutoria (Aim at Huge Warship Ultria)January 9, 1980Heller commander Roygar tests Ultria with kaiju Hell Cat from Titan; Joneus defends the battleship in a targeted space assault subplot.
40kaijū wo tsureta shōnen (The Boy Who Took a Monster)January 16, 1980Boy Federico unleashes kaiju Orolan on the city out of resentment toward Earthlings; Joneus confronts the human-monster alliance in a poignant betrayal subplot.
41gekitotsu !! urutoraman tai urutoraman (Clash! Ultraman vs. Ultraman)January 23, 1980A fake Ultraman Joneus repels kaiju Gilos but reveals itself as an imposter; the real Joneus battles his mimic in an identity crisis confrontation.
42urutoraman ikedori sakusen (Ultraman Capture Operation)January 30, 1980Space hunter Hatari pursues a moving island kaiju during Mutsumi's probe; Joneus intervenes in the hunter-prey survival strategy subplot.
43kaijū ni natta monki !? (Monkey Became a Monster?!)February 6, 1980Heller Empire transports kaiju Dostony via spacecraft, mutating a monkey host; Joneus traces the anomalous transformation in an experimental subplot.
44urutoria ga futatsu ni watareta !? (Ultria Was Broken In Two?!)February 13, 1980Alien Scien launches rocket kaiju Spader at Space Point X; Joneus protects the splitting Ultria in a divided battleship defense battle.
45bakudan wo daita pigu (Pigu Was Holding a Bomb)February 20, 1980Tobe uncovers a bomb-laden returned aircraft tied to kaiju Golding; Pigu's sacrificial subplot leads to Joneus's timely explosive intervention.
46yomigaere mutsumi (Revive Mutsumi)February 27, 1980Mutsumi is gravely injured by kaiju Gedon; Hikari's desperate transformation into Joneus fights for her revival amid team morale subplots.
47urutora no hoshi e !! dai 1 bu jo senshi no jōhō (To The Ultra Star! Part 1: The Female Warrior's Information)March 5, 1980Amia urges a joint assault on Titan Base against the Heller Empire; Earth-U40 tensions subplot sets up Joneus's strategic departure.
48urutora no hoshi e !! dai 2 bu zensen kichi gekimetsu (To The Ultra Star! Part 2: The Frontline Base's Destruction)March 12, 1980Hikari and Amia infiltrate Titan, destroying kaiju Hella Umaya; Marume's tailing subplot adds tension to the base demolition mission.
49urutora no hoshi e !! dai 3 bu U (urutora) kantai dai gekisen (To The Ultra Star! Part 3: U (Ultra) Fleet's Large Fierce Battle)March 19, 1980Ultria merges with the Ultra Fleet at U40 against Heller's kaiju Panther; Hera's hostage ploy lures Joneus into the climactic fleet war.
50urutora no hoshi e !! kanketsu hen heiwa e no shōri (To The Ultra Star! Conclusion: Towards Peace and Victory)March 26, 1980Joneus leads the final assault on the Heller Empire fleet and kaiju Mac Datar; after an explosion, Hikari remerges with Joneus to secure victory and lasting peace for Earth and U40.

Home media

Streaming and digital

In January 2018, the full series of The Ultraman premiered in the United States on the TOKU television network, marking its initial foray into modern streaming as part of TOKU's block, with episodes airing weekly before becoming available on their on-demand platform later that year. A significant expansion occurred in 2020 through a distribution partnership between Shout! Factory and Mill Creek Entertainment, which brought the series to various digital platforms across , including Shout! Factory TV's ad-supported streaming service accessible via , Channels, and other devices. From around 2021 until December 2024, it was widely available for free streaming on , a free ad-supported television (FAST) service, allowing viewers to access all 50 episodes without subscription. In March 2025, Mill Creek Entertainment launched the ULTRAMAN Channel, a free ad-supported streaming (FAST) service on , providing access to the series along with other content and enhancing its digital footprint at no additional cost to users. Internationally, remains to select regions, with no inclusion on major platforms such as or as of November 2025.

Physical releases

In Japan, Bandai Visual released the complete series on DVD as a box set on May 23, 2008. Tsuburaya Productions followed with the first Blu-ray box set on November 22, 2024, featuring all 50 episodes remastered in HD, Dolby Atmos audio, new narration, and a bonus 94-minute feature film compiling the final four episodes as Feature-length Anime Movie The☆Ultraman: To The Ultra Star!!. In the , two volumes were released in the under the titles The Adventures of (1981) and Ultraman II: The Further Adventures (1986); both are now . Mill Creek Entertainment issued the complete series on DVD as a 6-disc set on September 14, 2021, containing all 50 episodes with English subtitles and a total runtime of approximately 20.5 hours. As of 2025, no official Blu-ray edition has been released in the .

Reception and legacy

Critical response

In modern retrospectives, the series has garnered appreciation among fans for Ultraman Joneus's distinctive design, featuring a sleek, star-symbol-adorned form that blends traditional Ultra aesthetics with flair, often highlighted in fan tributes and merchandise like the "anime color" Ultra-Act figures. Its soundtrack, composed by Kunio Miyauchi and Toru Fuyuki (who passed away in 2024), is similarly valued for energetic theme songs that capture the era's heroic spirit, contributing to nostalgic appeal in online discussions. User ratings reflect this tempered fondness: an average of 7.1/10 on from 117 votes (as of November 2025) and 6.46/10 on from over 11,000 users, with reviewers noting cool visuals but critiquing flat characters and dated animation. The series received no major awards during its run, though it has been retrospectively acknowledged in Ultraman franchise milestones, such as the 45th anniversary Blu-ray release in 2024, underscoring its role as the first animated entry. Critics often position The Ultraman as a pivotal bridge between the franchise's live-action Showa-era roots and later adaptations, like Netflix's Ultraman (2019), by enabling fluid, imaginative fights.

Cultural impact

The Ultraman (1979) holds a significant place in the Ultra Series as the franchise's inaugural animated production, departing from the live-action tradition and opening the door to subsequent animated interpretations, including the 2019 computer-generated series . This shift to allowed for innovative storytelling and visual effects, influencing the blend of giant hero battles with serialized narratives in later entries. Ultraman Joneus, the series' central hero from Planet U40, has appeared in cameos in modern Ultra Series installments, such as (2020), marking Joneus's return after 17 years and connecting the animated origins to contemporary multimedia projects; the planet U40's legacy continues in (2019) through the introduction of Ultraman Titas. Merchandise tied to the series emerged alongside its original broadcast, featuring and model produced in 1979 to capitalize on the Ultra brand's popularity. The 2021 DVD release of the complete series by Mill Creek Entertainment revitalized interest, boosting demand for related figures and collectibles within the broader merchandise ecosystem. In the United States, The Ultraman developed a during the via English-dubbed VHS releases of recut feature-length films distributed on . Following digital re-releases after 2010, including streaming on platforms like TOKU starting in 2018, the series has fostered dedicated online fan engagement, sustaining its niche appeal among enthusiasts. The series contributed to the global reach of tokusatsu-inspired by emphasizing interstellar defense themes, which resonate in international adaptations without spawning direct sequels; instead, echoes appear in space-faring narratives like Ultra Galaxy Legends (2009), where U40's legacy indirectly informs expansive Ultra lore.

References

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