"Ultraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series" (1966) "Urutoraman: Kûsô tokusatsu shirîzu" (original title), TV series 1966-1967

Director:

Hajime Tsuburaya

Writers:

Mamoru Sasaki (several episodes)
Shinichi Sekizawa (pilot)
(more)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

17 July 1966 (Japan)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Family | Adventure | Fantasy | Action

Plot:

A human member of a defense force is given the life and ability to change into a giant super-hero to battle the monsters he encounters.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Superhero | Ultraman | Giant Monster | Ultra Series

Cast

Susumu Kurobe	...	Shin Hayata (39 episodes, 1966-1967)
Sandayuu Dokumamushi	...	Daisuke Arashi (39 episodes, 1966-1967)
Masanari Nihei	...	Mitsuhiro Ide (39 episodes, 1966-1967)
Bin Furuya	...	Ultraman (39 episodes, 1966-1967)
Hiroko Sakurai	...	Akiko Fuji (38 episodes, 1966-1967)
Akiji Kobayashi	...	Captain 'Cap' Toshio Muramatsu (38 episodes, 1966-1967)

Series Directed by
Akio Jissoji		(6 episodes, 1966-1967)
Hajime Tsuburaya		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Tetsuo Kinjô		(unknown episodes)
Mamoru Sasaki		(unknown episodes)
Shinichi Sekizawa		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Eiji Tsuburaya	....	supervising producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Kunio Miyauchi		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Yasumichi Fukuzawa		(unknown episodes)
Masaharu Utsumi		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Tôru Narita		(unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Sadamasa Arikawa	....	special effects supervisor (unknown episodes)
Tetsu Matoba	....	special effects supervisor (unknown episodes)
Koichi Takano	....	special effects supervisor (unknown episodes)
Hajime Tsuburaya	....	special effects supervisor (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)
• Tsuburaya Productions

Distributors

• United Artists Television (1968) (USA) (TV)

Special Effects

• Tsuburaya Productions

Also Known As:

"Urutoraman: Kûsô tokusatsu shirîzu" - Japan (original title)

Runtime:

30 min (39 episodes)

Country:

Japan

Language:

English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)

Trivia:

As is the case with his previous series, "Urutora Q" (1965), series creator Eiji Tsuburaya uses and redecorates famous Toho monsters for the show. Baragon (from Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965)), who was also used in aforementioned series (as the monster Pagos), was used as monsters Neronga in Episode 3 ("Sally Forth, Science Patrol!") and Gabora in Episode 9 ("Operation Lightining Speed"). And the King of the Monsters himself, Godzilla (who was also used as the monster Gomess in the first episode of Q), was used as the frillnecked lizard monster Jirass in Episode 10 ("The Mysterious Dinosaur Base"). Using the body of the "Mosu-Goji" suit and the head of the "Daisensô-Goji" suit, Godzilla/Jirass was fitted with a frill collar around his neck, as well as a minor paint job. This was because the script called for a lizard monster, so Eiji said, "Okay, then, let's use a Godzilla suit!"

Quotes:

Ultraman:[flies off] Shuwatch!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in We Are the Strange (2007)

Soundtrack:

Urutoraman no Uta

Sublime Wacked Out Monster Show - That's a Compliment!

The first giant robot Japanese Sci-Fi TV show has something that all the others (Ultraman sequels included) never achieved. It's set in a world of bizarre logic and weird film making that is hard to describe. Unlike American television shows, Ultraman seemed to be played for laughs, very strange laughs, but laughs none the less. Don't expect the self-conscious humor of Batman but a world where people say and do odd things, the plot lines take goofy turns and characters will suddenly turn to the camera and talk to you as if nothing strange is happening at all.

In one episode, the main characters (members of the "Science Patrol" in the Amrican translation) are sent out to find nuclear bombs that fell off a wayward space mission (!) and sank to the bottom of the sea. Unfortunately a sea creature found one of the bombs first and mutates into a giant monster (resembling the Creature from the Black Lagoon) that sinks boats and attacks ocean resorts. All the time a nuclear bomb is stuck on the monster's shoulder. The Science Patrol has the brilliant idea to sooth the enraged beast with music so they get the Japanese Coast Guard to play classical music from a destroyer! This has the opposite effect as the monster rips up and hurls trees around. One member of the Science Patrol make the incredible observation, "The monster doesn't like music, turn it off!". The show stops as the main characters try to figure out why their plan didn't work since "all wild beasts are soothed by music"! It's decided that radiation is the cause of the monster's inability to appreciate fine music!

If you are looking for "rational" entertainment, run far as you can from Ultraman. For the rest of us who enjoy goofy fun, you can't get better then this. The new DVD set has the original Japanese track which has increased my admiration for this show.