6 reviews
Japan has three long running super hero based series. One is the Sentai Series that started from the Go Ranger (known in the US as the Go Rangers), second is the Kamen Rider series, and third and the longest running is the ULTRA series which this TV series is a part of.
This is the first of what's known as the "Early Heisei Ultraman Trilogy". The others includes Ultraman Dyna, and Ultraman Tiga, but broadly, all the Ultraman series that was made in the Heisei period (Period of emperor Akihito's reign), is called the Heisei Ultra Series. This series is the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Ultra series that started with the Ultra Q, and first Ultraman series to appear in 16 year after the completion of Ultraman 80. In the Japanese version, the time line of the story is set between 2007 - 2010.
This is the first Ultraman that is indigenous to Earth, and not a space patrol from M78 nebula. Color change between red, blue, and purple was a strategy conceived to enhance the related toy product's sale, but contributed as the interesting feature of this series. Different suit actor played each of the different color version of Ultraman Tiga, and added to the realism of the action.
The series is experimental in many ways, and features several women squad members in active roles. This includes the captain of the team Megumi Iruma (Mio Takagi), and daughter of the actor who played the first Ultraman's alter ego Hayata (Susumu Kurobe), Takami Yoshimoto as Rena.
This is the most serious of the Heisei Ultraman Trilogy in terms of its mood. The series gains more humorous aspect as it evolves.
It's incredible that Japanese TV stations only pay the production company 20 - 30,000 dollars per episodes for these series. The Ultra Series is known to be expensive to produce costing around a quarter million dollars per episode, but this is still mere pittance compared to the US made TV series that routinely costs over 5 million dollar per episode. The recent bankruptcy of Tsuburaya Production is understandable under these conditions. I'm a big fan of the ULTRA series, so I sincerely hope that better and more fair financial reward system be incorporated into the Japanese TV production system.
I just love these newer Heisei Ultraman series, and this is a welcome return of Ultraman to the TV screen.
This is the first of what's known as the "Early Heisei Ultraman Trilogy". The others includes Ultraman Dyna, and Ultraman Tiga, but broadly, all the Ultraman series that was made in the Heisei period (Period of emperor Akihito's reign), is called the Heisei Ultra Series. This series is the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Ultra series that started with the Ultra Q, and first Ultraman series to appear in 16 year after the completion of Ultraman 80. In the Japanese version, the time line of the story is set between 2007 - 2010.
This is the first Ultraman that is indigenous to Earth, and not a space patrol from M78 nebula. Color change between red, blue, and purple was a strategy conceived to enhance the related toy product's sale, but contributed as the interesting feature of this series. Different suit actor played each of the different color version of Ultraman Tiga, and added to the realism of the action.
The series is experimental in many ways, and features several women squad members in active roles. This includes the captain of the team Megumi Iruma (Mio Takagi), and daughter of the actor who played the first Ultraman's alter ego Hayata (Susumu Kurobe), Takami Yoshimoto as Rena.
This is the most serious of the Heisei Ultraman Trilogy in terms of its mood. The series gains more humorous aspect as it evolves.
It's incredible that Japanese TV stations only pay the production company 20 - 30,000 dollars per episodes for these series. The Ultra Series is known to be expensive to produce costing around a quarter million dollars per episode, but this is still mere pittance compared to the US made TV series that routinely costs over 5 million dollar per episode. The recent bankruptcy of Tsuburaya Production is understandable under these conditions. I'm a big fan of the ULTRA series, so I sincerely hope that better and more fair financial reward system be incorporated into the Japanese TV production system.
I just love these newer Heisei Ultraman series, and this is a welcome return of Ultraman to the TV screen.
In particular because this is Heisei by definition only because it's still 100% a showa era show with its ups and down, with the first 25-30 episodes being bogged down by the tendency of the main writer to repeat stuff that has already been previously said some minutes ago the way 60's stuff like the Atom comics written by Gardner Fox did. Also there's a LOT of repeating of Showa Ultraman storylines and ideas just with a different spin on it (did haters of the Heisei era actually saw episode 49?), but I guess it's due to your typical tendency of repeating previous storylines of the superhero genre, so I can get over it. For the rest, the show is enjoyable and has a very catchy intro and outro themes. All in all, recommended.
- TooKakkoiiforYou_321
- Jul 29, 2023
- Permalink
Another great Ultraman series.
New monsters. The GUTS team and GUTS vehicles. TPC is also in this series as well.
Lots of very awesome point of view (POV) shots in many episodes. From many different camera angles.
Also one kinda physcadellic episode. Filmed in a certain way.
This series is great for young and old.
Highly recommended if you are a fan of Ultraman.and Kaiju.
New monsters. The GUTS team and GUTS vehicles. TPC is also in this series as well.
Lots of very awesome point of view (POV) shots in many episodes. From many different camera angles.
Also one kinda physcadellic episode. Filmed in a certain way.
This series is great for young and old.
Highly recommended if you are a fan of Ultraman.and Kaiju.
- willzilla-91448
- Jan 25, 2022
- Permalink
This recent incarnation of Ultraman was done about six years ago and is now is getting exposure in the U.S. on the Fox Box (Fox Broadcasting's retooled Saturday Morning Lineup).
This version of Ultraman takes place in the year 2049 and centers around the Global Unlimited Task Squad or GUTS for short. GUTS now faces the challenge of defended Earth from alien monsters bend on taking over and/or destroying Earth (Old Ultraman plot). Daigo a skilled fighter pilot for GUTS has been chosen to inhered the powers of Ultraman Tiga. He is given the "Torch of Tiga" which enables Diago to become Ultraman.
Side Note: Unlike in the original Ultraman Daigo was not several injured and did not need to depend on Ultraman to survive.
Ultraman Tiga has three modes of fighting depending on his color.
Blue: Speed Red: Power Blue and Red: Combination of Speed and Power
Just like the original Ultraman, this superhero constantly put his mortality on the line. When the sensor on his chest changes from blue to flashing Red, it means that Ultraman's life-force is fading. Once the sensor gives out, Ultraman/Dagio will die and the invading monsters will have a clearer shot of taking over Earth, and ushering in mankind's demise.
The dialogue is cheesy at times and granted its B-rated action. However here is your chance to see the Japanese superhero that inspired many copy cats including the famous Mighty Mophin Power Rangers and the future incarnations (Zeo, Turbo, In Space, Lost Galaxy, Lightspeed, Time Force, Wildforce).
This version of Ultraman takes place in the year 2049 and centers around the Global Unlimited Task Squad or GUTS for short. GUTS now faces the challenge of defended Earth from alien monsters bend on taking over and/or destroying Earth (Old Ultraman plot). Daigo a skilled fighter pilot for GUTS has been chosen to inhered the powers of Ultraman Tiga. He is given the "Torch of Tiga" which enables Diago to become Ultraman.
Side Note: Unlike in the original Ultraman Daigo was not several injured and did not need to depend on Ultraman to survive.
Ultraman Tiga has three modes of fighting depending on his color.
Blue: Speed Red: Power Blue and Red: Combination of Speed and Power
Just like the original Ultraman, this superhero constantly put his mortality on the line. When the sensor on his chest changes from blue to flashing Red, it means that Ultraman's life-force is fading. Once the sensor gives out, Ultraman/Dagio will die and the invading monsters will have a clearer shot of taking over Earth, and ushering in mankind's demise.
The dialogue is cheesy at times and granted its B-rated action. However here is your chance to see the Japanese superhero that inspired many copy cats including the famous Mighty Mophin Power Rangers and the future incarnations (Zeo, Turbo, In Space, Lost Galaxy, Lightspeed, Time Force, Wildforce).
- donmccullen-1
- Oct 11, 2002
- Permalink
I really like this show, it's pretty good. I understand some people find it to be overrated but by the end of the day, it boils down to preference. The acting is not bad, they pulled it off well. The story is pretty good, I like how they made it a new hero, new legend type story (like Kamen Rider Kuuga). The writing is good for the most part. They're some episodes that are bland or boring but at least the fight scene made up for it. I'm gonna miss watching this show since I had a really fun time. Overall, really great show, I recommend it. Welp, now I'm gonna watch Dyna soon, I hope it's good.
- FinisherDude
- Nov 23, 2021
- Permalink
In my opinion, the Ultraman Tiga series is pretty good, although the concept of the story is the same as the Showa era Ultraman series in general, namely there are members of the earth defense team who get the power of ultraman, then fight to protect the earth while hiding their identity.
But Ultraman Tiga has a better and fresher story than Ultraman of the Showa era. The CGI in this series is also better, although it's still a bit rough. Although the nature of the story is a bit stiff and lacks comedy, the story can still be enjoyed well.
The story also features some mature sides but is still suitable for children to watch, so this series is suitable for all ages. The Ultraman Tiga series also introduces a new concept, namely the ability to change forms as its basic ability. This has never existed in an Ultraman series before, and makes this series even more interesting.
But Ultraman Tiga has a better and fresher story than Ultraman of the Showa era. The CGI in this series is also better, although it's still a bit rough. Although the nature of the story is a bit stiff and lacks comedy, the story can still be enjoyed well.
The story also features some mature sides but is still suitable for children to watch, so this series is suitable for all ages. The Ultraman Tiga series also introduces a new concept, namely the ability to change forms as its basic ability. This has never existed in an Ultraman series before, and makes this series even more interesting.