Ultraman

in the Japanese-language version) starts out at blue. At the 1 minute mark it starts to blink, and then turns red and blinks faster at the two minute mark. Some sources have given 2:10 as the mark where the timer begins to blink. If the Color Timer/warning light stops, Ultraman will "never rise again". Obviously, at whatever point the blinking begins, Ultraman typically has only a short amount of time left to defeat his foe and return to his human host. However, Ultraman has occasionally been able to extend his operating time by flying towards the Sun and "recharging". However it should be noted that in the Episode where he fought the monster Dada, Ultraman was clearly well beyond the three minute time limit in that issue and his warning light was not blinking very rapidly, so while Dada was back in the building chasing the humans Ultraman could have flown to the sun to recharge off camera or else the warning light is not an automatic timer but more along the line of a fuel gauge and that as he was standing around scanning for Dada he was burning minimal energy.

Ultraman rarely engages in conversation, and when he does it seems to be in a telepathic manner. In Episode 1, as he reveals who he is and what he must do to keep Hayata alive, his discussion with the clearly unconscious Hayata in the damaged Travelsphere can only be explained via telepathy. However, his conversation with the monster Mephilas does not follow this pattern. Zoffy also speaks to Ultraman in the final episode while the two are in the Travelsphere, though it is not clear if this is via telepathy as was the case earlier with the unconscious Hayata. Otherwise, Ultraman does engage in vocalizations, specifically the shouts and barks he makes in reverberating human-like cries ("kiais") while fighting a monster. Although these sounds and other grunts of exertion are most common, Ultraman also has one oft-repeated, and now extremely iconic phrase that he clearly utters: nihongo|"Shuwatch"|シュワッチ|Shuwatchi, which he shouts when jumping into the air to fly. In Japanese pop-culture, "Shuwatch" or 'Shoowatch' has been the phrase most associated with Ultraman.

The Science Patrol's arsenal

The Patrol personnel wear special orange field-uniforms that are worn under a regular duty blue business suit uniform. When the order to go into the field is given, the outer suit is designed to be quickly removed in favor of the field uniform. Accompanying the field uniform are special helmets with ear fixtures that improve the reception of their communicator pins, and visors that provide visual aid (such as when using weapons). The field uniform/helmet combination also provides a degree of protection from radiation—even enough to allow a human to operate in space.
*Jet VTOL (AKA: Jet Beetle)
The Science Patrol's iconic principal craft. Frequently just called the "VTOL/Beetle". (The prop for the Jet VTOL was originally from the 1962 Toho SF epic, "Gorath", but repainted and probably modified for this series. It should be noted that the Gorath prop was slightly pointier than the rounded VTOL.) Up to three are seen. A hydrogen-rocket modification is later built for it, allowing it to go into space. It is generally armed with missiles of varying quality, depending on the episode.

*Sub-VTOL (AKA: Sub-Beetle)
A smaller, triangular version of the Jet VTOL, it is actually an STOL with no VTOL capabilities. This was the vehicle piloted by Hayata when he crashed into Ultraman in the first episode. Generally not used to attack monsters, as it lacks the heavier firepower and carrying space of the Jet VTOL.

*Submarines S16, S21 and S25
The Science Patrol's underwater vehicles, which are airlifted by the Jet VTOL one at a time.

*Underground Tank Pelucidar
The Science Patrol's subterranean vehicle with a huge drill at the front. Similar to the Mole from Thunderbirds. Named after the underground world from Edgar Rice Burroughs' "At the Earth's Core". It appears to have its own incidental music when it is first used.

*Science Patrol Car
A silver 1961 Chevrolet Corvair, with the Science Patrol logos on the doors and roof.

*Supergun
The basic sidearm carried by each Science Patrol member. When unholstered, the barrel flips out from the handle and the gun is ready to fire. The weapon discharges either a wave of what looks like electricity or, alternatively in some episodes, a thin beam of energy. Three of them can be combined for a "triple shot", which is powerful enough to take down a (revived) monster. Returns for an episode of Ultraman Dyna (as an "older model").

*Spider-Shot
The heavy atomic gun, and Arashi's favorite weapon. Fashioned as a two-handed weapon—somewhat like a submachine gun with a massive maw—it is clearly more powerful than the standard Supergun sidearm, and visually more impressive. It has at least three settings; stun, red-heat, and heavy damage.

*Mars 133
A gun invented by Ide/Ito that works on the same principal as Ultraman's Spacium Ray, and is thus mortally effective against Baltans. The name is read "Mars ichi-san-san" (one-three-three) in Japanese.

*QX Gun
This weapon attacks a monster's nervous system. Stands for "Quickly eXtinguish Gun".

*Mad Bazooka
Freakishly large cannon occasionally brought out by Arashi when the Spider-Shot is just not enough.

*Spark 8
An attachment for the Supergun invented by Ide/Ito, and used by him, that enables the gun to fire rapid shots. The effect is best described as a gattling gun that 'erases' parts of a monster from existence. Judging from its only effectiveness, it is easily the most effective handheld weapon the Science Patrol has, yet is only used twice; against a revived monster (Dorako II) and Geronimon.

*Monster Translator
It was invented by Ide/Ito to translate any monster's language. It was used to communicate with the friendly monster Pigmon, in the second of the two episodes he appeared in. A more modern (i.e.: no tape reels) version is invented early on in "Ultraman Tiga".

*Science Patrol Shuriken
Hayata hurls a shuriken or shaken shaped like the Science Patrol's logo at the man-sized version of the monster Baltan in episode 2. (On the DVD, you can actually see it bounce off, before the film is edited to show it stick in to the monster.)

*Communicator Pin
Each Science Patrol officer is equipped with a small pin shaped as the organization's emblem that has a radio transmitter of considerable power and range for its size. All the operator has to do is pull out the small antenna at the top of the pin to activate it and send a message.

tations

Alphabetized by city.

*KEMO-TV / Channel 20 • San Francisco, California (1968-?)
*KTVU-TV / Channel 2 • San Francisco, California (1977-1982)
*KTXL-TV / Channel 40 • Sacramento, California
*WTCG-TV / Channel 17 • Atlanta, Georgia
*WKBG-TV / Channel 56 • Boston, Massachusetts
*WUTV-TV / Channel 29 • Buffalo, New York
*WCCB-TV / Channel 18 • Charlotte, North Carolina
*KBSC-TV / Channel 52 • Los Angeles, California
*WDRB-TV / Channel 41 • Louisville, Kentucky
*WPHL-TV / Channel 17 • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
*WDCA-TV / Channel 20 • Washington, D.C.
*WSNS-TV / Channel 44 • Chicago, Illinois
*WXON-TV / Channel 20 • Detroit, Michigan
*WPIX-TV / Channel 11 • New York, New York

Monsters

Episodes

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Licensing rights dispute

See Ultra Series

DVD release

The American company BCI Eclipse has released the entire "Ultraman" series on DVD with the original Japanese soundtrack and the original 1960s American dub. On July 18, 2006, the first twenty episodes of the series were released in a 3-disc set which included interviews with Peter Fernandez, Corinne Orr and Earl Hammond, who were part of the American dubbing team. The remainder of the series was released on October 10, 2006. Because of a licensing rights dispute, BCI Eclipse acquired licensing through Thailand-based Chaiyo Productions. By the time Tsuburaya Productions has settled the licensing dispute with Chaiyo Productions, BCI's DVDs had since been discontinued. [http://www.henshinonline.com/]

A new R1 DVD Box set will be released October 14, 2008. [http://www.navarre.com/prodhome.aspx?ItemNumber=8025735&Prod=video]

There has also been a digital re-release movement in Japan where the entire Ultraman series are to be released as a collector's box set. These box sets feature the entire series plus various limited edition items such as posters, etc.

In video games

A Super-Nintendo (SNES) game featuring Ultraman was also released, and reached #2 on Screwattack's Top 10 Worst Fighting games list.

Note: The Super-Nintendo game was based "," which featured Ultraman Great, NOT the original Ultraman.

In Japan there was an Arcade game called Ultraman that had the player as Ultraman facing off against Ultraman's classic foes. This Arcade game would later be adapted to the Sega Genesis/Mega-Drive and was released in Japan. It served as the template for the Super Nintendo version that would feature Ultraman Great.

Ultraman Fighting Evolution 0 Bargain Edition will be released July 19, 2007 in Japan for PSP.

In other media

Ultraman served as an assistant to General Tani on the hit Japanese game show challenge, "Takeshi's Castle".

Ultraman is a member of the heroes in Banpresto's "SD Great Battle" video game series, appearing alongside Kamen Rider and Mobile Suit Gundam. Each Great Battle title would feature a current Ultraman, Rider, and Gundam.

In the video game King of the Monsters a character named "Astro Guy" is an obvious spoof. The character even crosses his arms in the same fashion as Ultraman. Astro Guy is later replaced by Atomic Guy, another knock-off, in King of the Monsters 2.

In a couch gag on "The Simpsons", the family appears as anime characters, with Homer Simpson as Ultraman.

A short clip from the series appears very briefly during a montage in the 1969 film "Midnight Cowboy".

In the eighth volume of the Manga Sgt. Frog there are constant references to Ultraman, with a character named "Wet Traman" representing Ultraman.

In 2007, a Super Bowl TV spot for Garmin personal navigation systems featured a character named "Garmin Man", obviously inspired by Ultraman. He transforms using his Garmin, and fights the evil "Maposaurus" using several Ultraman-like moves, including a finishing beam attack.

In the Cartoon Network series, Ben 10, an Omnitrix alien named Waybig bears a resemblance to Ultraman.

In the "Yu-Gi-Oh GX" anime TV show, there is a card called "Elemental Hero Neos" with the same resemblance as Ultraman. It has the ability to fly and merge with cards called "Neospacians".

In the Simpsons, the character, Ralph Wiggum, says, "My sash says Ultraman."

The base for the 2007 Hugo Awards trophy featured Ultraman standing at Mount Fuji. [http://www.thehugoawards.org/index.php?page_id=135]

At least two Mexican wrestlers, Ultraman and his son Ultraman Jr., have used the name in lucha libre.

Chikara Pro Wrestling's Ultramantis Black's name is said to have been based from and is in tribute to Ultraman.

In Ranma 1/2, the master of "The Good Old Days" martial art style wears Ultraman's mask.

In the Manga Azumanga Daioh, the character Osaka wears an Ultraman mask in one strip in volume 3.

In Yoshiki Takaya's Guyver series a student can be seen wearing an Ultraman mask. This occurs in the tenth issue and is in the background.

In the "Giant Billy and Mandy All-Out Attack" episode of The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Billy is transformed into "Super Happy Hyper Monster Fighter B", a giant version of himself who dresses like Ultraman.

In the "Mecha Streisand" episode of South Park, Leonard Maltin turns into an obvious knock-off of Ultraman.

In the opening of Lucky Star the pose that Konata does is from Ultraman.

In the last of Yakitate Japan, when the judge had a reaction and became a Manta Ray to swim the 7 seas,Tsukino uses the Bolneze ring that belonged to Pierrot Bolneze.He appeared from the sky and appeares like how Hayata transforms into Ultraman

In Tony Hawk's Underground 2 remix, the secret skater named Voltraman was made to resemble Ultraman. He can be found at the Kyoto stage.

In Yudetamago's Manga Kinnikuman, an American football Choujin named Specialman was made to resemble Ultraman's look. Also, his son, named Specialman Jr., appears in Kinnikuman Nisei. Even in the Manga Chapter 28, and Anime Episode 6 of Kinnikuman a seigi choujin from M78 Nebula named "Uldraman" was resembled to Ultraman.

In the song "Okkusenman" based of Rockman 2's Wily Castle 1-2 music, is a song based on childhood and growing up, which among other things, includes watching and being a fan of Ultraman. "Ultraman 7" is said in the semi-chorus.

In DiC Entertainment's Kid in Bed logo (which was used from 1987-2005), an Ultraman figure can be seen on the desk next to the kid's bed.

In the book Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People, a villain named Captain Blunderpants(an evil counterpart of Captain Underpants) parodies Ultraman.

ee also

* The Ultra Series—Complete list of official Ultraman-related shows.
* Bio Planet WoO
* Ultraman monsters—a list of Ultraman Foes.

References