Directed by Samaji Nonagase. Written by Tetsuo Kinjo. Airdate Oct. 15, 1967.
This was the first Ultraseven episode produced, and it’s fascinating to see how much the crew already had a feel for the show’s possibilities and what made it different from Ultraman. It’s a better start than the first two episodes aired: “The Invisible Challenger” put the pieces in place, “The Green Terror” emphasized the serious mood, but “Secret of the Lake” demonstrates what Ultraseven can do when it swings into action with full confidence in its premise.
For the first time, a giant monster dominates an episode. The space invaders of the week, Alien Pitts, raise electric space monster Eleking from Lake Azuma as part of their plot to scope out Earth for conquest. Their plan requires stealing Dan’s Ultra Eye so he can’t transform into Ultraseven, and then infiltrating Terran Defense Force HQ. The two members of Alien Pitts (both played by Reiko Takahashi) discover that hiding their insectoid forms under the guise of teenage girls is an effective tool against Earthlings — or at least Furuhasi and one rando TDF guard. This is a touch uncomfortable in concept, but the script doesn’t play it too creepy. Alien Pitts seem to delight in the manipulation more than the men they deceive.
Interestingly, reports from children are what alert the Ultra Guard to investigate Lake Azuma in the first place. If this were Ultraman or almost any other Ultra show, the episode would open with these kids having a run-in with some weird phenomenon. The children would then hang around for the rest of the story. Here, the children are only mentioned; Ultraseven wants to establish its older-audience creds.
Even with a kaiju taking the lead, the action covers a variety of ground and covers it fast, similar to the densely packed first episode. Since “Secret of the Lake” doesn’t have the burden of setting up an entire television show, all its parts get just enough space, and the episode cuts out not a second after the action wraps up.
We have plenty to enjoy in this half hour. There’s intrigue with Dan and Furuhasi investigating the alien ship and Alien Pitts sabotaging the TDF base in disguise. All three Ultra Hawks go into action: this is the first time we see Ultra Hawk 3, a jet meant for smaller reconnaissance missions, and Ultra Hawk 1 engages in another exciting confrontation when it goes head-on against Eleking. Since Dan is unable to transform after Alien Pitts steals the Ultra Eye, he must rely on the second of the capsule monsters, Miclas, to occupy Eleking. Miclas, a horned buffalo-looking thing, is a more successful fighter than hapless Windom, but it’s still not a match for Eleking.
You will get a bit weary of the gimmick of Dan losing the Ultra Eye, because it’s going to happen several more times during the show’s run, including in the very next episode. But this first time out, it works at keeping the tension going and preventing Ultraseven from overwhelming the already busy action.
So let’s talk about Eleking, the big reason this episode flies. Eleking is the first classic Ultraseven monster, and it’s gone on to be one of the most popular of all Ultra kaiju. Eleking has a gorgeous design based on an electric eel and given that special weird touch from designer Tohl Narita. The cream-colored body with jagged black marks, rotating horns, electro-blast mouth, and whip tail that can wrap around victims and shock them make Eleking a fun opponent to watch. All its scenes work, especially the fight against Miclas.
The final battle between Ultraseven and Eleking is a short one, but Ultraseven’s finishing move is brutal and spectacular. The creative team understood that they didn’t need to lean hard on Ultraseven for an exciting story. Put him in just enough, make him awesome, and pow! — you win.
Eleking is also … kind of cute? Maybe Alien Pitts should rely on their monster being lovable to distract Earthmen rather than pretending to be teen girls. I just love Eleking. It’s among my personal favorite Ultra kaiju. It might be the favorite. I would have had a plush Eleking as a little kid and use it as a security blanket at night.
You know who else loves Eleking? Kohji Moritsugu, the actor who plays Dan Moroboshi. He’s called Eleking one of his favorite kaiju. It probably helps that it was the kaiju in the first episode he shot.
Although the story of “Secret of the Lake” is standard for Ultraseven and not as creative as I often expect from writer Tetsuo Kinjo, the pacing and its top-tier monster star make it more than worth it. Considering it was the first episode shot, it’s amazing that it ranks as the best of this early batch of episodes.
Rating: Great
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