Directed by Toshitsugu Suzuki. Written by Keisuke Fujikawa. Airdate April 28, 1968.
In another departure from the science-fiction themes of Ultraseven, “Glory for Whom?” is a character drama centered on its guest star. TDF member Aoki is one of the most unusual characters to drop in for a single episode.
Continue reading “Ultraseven Ep. 30: Glory for Whom?”
Directed by Noriaki Yuasa. Written by Niisan Takahashi.
If you ever wanted to know what it looks like when a major studio perches on the verge of going under, allow me to present Exhibit A: Gamera vs. Zigra. You can feel the Japanese film industry of the early 1970s collapsing all around you as you watch.
Continue reading “Toku Theater: Gamera vs. Zigra (1971)”
Directed by Akio Jissoji. Written by Mamoru Sasaki. Airdate March 5, 1967.
Have you ever watched an episode of Ultraman and thought, “This is fun, but I wish the show was structured more like a Road Runner cartoon?” Good news, there’s an episode just for you! Really, an episode for everyone, because “A Gift From the Sky” is a hilarious farce that flattens the show’s formula into a prolonged Sisyphean comedy. It’s the episode with the line “Aim for its butthole” and where Hayata mistakenly tries to use a spoon to transform into Ultraman.
Continue reading “Ultraman Ep. 34: A Gift From the Sky”
Directed by Toshitsugu Suzuki. Written by Tesuo Kinjo. Airdate Feb. 26, 1967.
Meet the third of the great trio of Ultraman alien villains: Alien Mefilas. Not as famous as Alien Baltan. Not as tricky as Alien Zarab. But he’s the top of the heap: a baddie who’s the Ultra Universe’s hybrid of Mister Mxyzptlk and Galactus. He’s here to play word games, tempt humans with power, and crush the spirit of an entire planet — and brute force may not be enough to stop him.
Continue reading “Ultraman Ep. 33: The Forbidden Words”
Directed by Kazuho Mitsuta. Written by Shinichi Ichikawa. Airdate April 21, 1968.
Similar to “Return to the North!”, this episode looks at the life of an Ultra Guard member outside of the day-to-day work of defending Earth from invaders. We learn that Soga is engaged; his fiancée, Saeko Nambu (Sanae Kitabayashi), is a sophomore at Kyonan University. The other UG members tease Soga by calling him Soga-kun, the familiar form of address that Saeko uses with him. This is a welcome touch of humor and lightness among the Ultra Guard, who rarely have the easy camaraderie of the Science Patrol in Ultraman.
Continue reading “Ultraseven Ep. 29: The Earthling All Alone”
Directed by Toshitsugu Suzuki. Written by Keisuke Fujikawa. Airdate Feb. 19, 1967.
In what feels like a flashback to the earliest episodes, “Endless Counterattack” is a formulaic rampaging monster story with a structure similar to middle-of-the-road episodes like “Science Patrol, Move Out” and “Lightning Operation.” Giant monster Zumbolar appears in the wilds and causes massive destruction with its fiery powers. The Science Parol must find a way to stop it as it trundles toward Tokyo. Ide comes up with an invention, Hayata changes into Ultraman, and the problem is solved after a whole bunch of stuff goes kablooie.
Continue reading “Ultraman Ep. 32: Endless Counterattack”
Directed by Kazuho Mitsuta. Written by Shozo Uehara. Airdate April 14, 1968.
We have something special for you today, Ultra fans! My distinguished regular readers and guests, children of all ages, please direct your attention to the starting line of Day One of a 700 kilometer race. (That’s 435 miles for all my US-based readers.) I present to you … Dino Tank!
Continue reading “Ultraseven Ep. 28: The 700 Kilometer Run”
Directed by Yuzo Higuchi. Written by Taro Kaido. Airdate Feb. 12, 1967.
Ultraman’s fighting style evolved over the show’s run. Starting with a close-contact, grounded style, Ultraman became more agile and flexible as Bin Furuya, the actor inside the suit, got more accustomed to the costume. The fight choreography changed to match. Furuya picked “Who Goes There?” as a peak of this fighting evolution. He’s right: the battle between Ultraman and the giant Vampire Plant Keronia is among the most athletic and dynamic in the show. Furuya as Ultraman executes impressive full-body flips and flying double-leg kicks that must have required intense training and practice. Furuya was right to feel proud — all of it looks fantastic.
Continue reading “Ultraman Ep. 31: Who Goes There?”
Directed by Toshitsugu Suzuki. Written by Keisuke Fujikawa. Airdate April 7, 1968.
While doing this website, I’ve discovered that writing about the best Ultra episodes is more difficult than writing about good or mediocre episodes. With a classic episode, there’s more to consider and explore and numerous ways to approach the writing. Discovering the ideal way to concisely discuss a complex, multilayered episode in an entertaining and clear way can be rough. It’s rewarding to get to that final version, but it takes serious effort.
Continue reading “Ultraseven Ep. 27: Operation Cyborg”
Directed by Noriaki Yuasa. Written by Niisan Takahashi.
The progression of the classic Gamera series doesn’t follow conventional movie franchise logic. This logic says that once a series completes the transformation into children’s entertainment, it will enter a period of steady decline — if it hasn’t already. Although Gamera vs. Guiron was psychedelic fun with little in the way of story to interfere with kids’ enjoyment, it should have signaled an irreversible trend toward lower budgets and sillier, simpler plots.
Continue reading “Toku Theater: Gamera vs. Jiger (1970)”
The Ultra Project 