The Birth of the Ultraverse and their creator Ejii Tsuburaya
Ultraseven theme-
Hailing from Nebula M-78, the Land of Light. Ultraseven( aka Dan Moroboshi) had extra senses-ESP, able to sense when things were out of sorts/out of place. Trained in survival tactics. His Earthly persona was of high moral fiber and loyal. Willing to sacrifice his life for others. And cared for all forms of life. For the episode The Green Terror it was a major help to Dan when he came upon a unique metal at an associates house that was giving off some strange “vibes”. He knew he had seen it on some other locale meaning not in this galaxy. Thanks to this extra sense of his Dan was able to head off an alien invasion of the plant kind. One with vampire like attributes right down to the drinking of blood with dire consequences. The Victims became plants beings themselves. Without Ultrasevens’ help the entire population of Earth was at stake. Can you say Triffids? or Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Either way you spray it or is it say it? Whew!!! I don’t mind drinking green but I don’t want to become green.
Ultraseven was also the beginning of the Ultraverse. For the first time it is evident that there are other Ultra beings that are destined to save not only Earth , but they are the protectors of the Universe. Including the future series featuring the Ultra-brothers and Ultraman Ace. All hailing from the nebula of light. Taking on any forces bent on throwing off the balance of between light and dark. Causing unwanted destruction and mayhem in their wake.
***trivia break- Ultramans’ costume was a refitted wetsuit. Now imagine spending a shooting day under the hot lights smashing buildings and trading punches with giant monsters and aliens who can burrow underground, swim underwater and fly. It’s all in a days work.
Above-Cast of Ultra 7 with Eiji Tsuburaya front center
Eiji Tsuburaya- Founder of Tsuburaya Productions, a name synonymous with Kaiju(Giant Monsters), Scifi/Horror & Fantasy
A little background on Eiji. As a child he was fascinated with two things, flight and a film that featured a giant ape terrorizing New York City. That unique and most influential piece of cinema was- King Kong. One that also inspired people like Ray Harryhausen(7th Voyage of Sinbad). Forrest J Ackerman(Famous Monsters of Filmland) and Ray Bradbury(The Lighthouse), One a stop motion animator, an editor of a magazine that focused on monsters on the big and small screen and a very respected author in Scifi/Horror. Eiji was right at home and in good company. In respect to flight he loved kites and model airplanes and of course the real thing. And blend in his love of stop motion and special effects and you have the ignition to an explosion waiting to happen. It would take hold during WW II. Eiji was asked to take his expertise to produce some propaganda films for the Japanese military/govt. What he produced was so realistic that the US officers(during the American occupation of Japan) discovered the footage he had helped to create it was believed to have been a real battle that must have been captured at great risk to the cinematographer. Eijis’ expertise with miniatures was that good. Again all this from a guy who never stopped being a kid and his love for of model airplanes.
***Trivia Break- All episodes were filmed using 35mm. Not a common practise in Japan.
The first couple of features he was to work on after the the occupation of Japan ended were war films. But wanting to make something different and really hoping to realize his childhood obsession with kaiju(giant monsters) he was finally able to create a new twist on miniatures and not taking the route of stop motion thereby saving on budget. This provided an earlier turn around for the effects on what would become a box-office sensation in Japan and later internationally. Especially in the US. Namely- a greenish, 40 story high, city stomping, living “machine” with radioactive breathe rose from the depths to cause mass hysteria and traumatise a country and the world-Godzilla.
Above — Who would ever tell this guy “Hey buddy I think you’ve had too much!”
Eiji never looked back. His team and thru the support of Toho studios and co-created with Director Ishiro Honda* (Inoshiro is a misspelling and incorrectly credited on US releases) and Tomoyuki Tanaka. He was able to give life to one of the most iconic characters in the history of film. Eiji’s accomplishments in effects fueled the rising national interest in monsters and aliens battling Earths and Japans’ defenses. It helped people deal with the horrors of war and coping with the aftermath of a history changing decision to detonate the atomic bomb. He made it possible for Japan to move forward through the medium of entertainment in a positive way. Thanks Eiji for a legacy that has been taken up by his sons and family. And thank you Eiji for making this”kids” Saturday afternoons fun and full of fancible adventure…
Today Tysubara Productions is still producing other and new renditions of Ultraman.
Above-fan art showcasing several of the popular “monsters” from Ultraman original series.
Looking for additional reads try Monsters are Attacking Tokyo by Stuart Gabriathe and Eji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters by August Ragone(The go to guy at Shout Factory when there is a Godzilla ? and host of many Toho-thons on Shout Factory TV).
Ultra Q/Ultraman and all the spinoffs, sequels,prequels, origin mini-series- the whole franchise has become a merchandisers’ dream come true. There are children’s books, photo books in several languages including chinese, magazines, manga(Japanese comics), encyclopedias on the aliens and monsters of all the series,
t-shirts(right),
hats, action figures, buttons, coffee mugs,stickers, sticker/coloring books, soundtracks and busts of the different Ultra incarnations.
But don’t count out the monsters who have their own figures available to play out those popular battles between them and that silver/red menace. Just the spirit of Ultraman lives with new series in the works, so does the licensing arm marches on.
Again I want to thank Mill Creek Entertainment,TBS and Indigo for making it possible for not only this article and being able to review this legendary series but for the fans of this beloved icon all over the world. The series has never looked better with all episodes having been remastered in high definition both Bluray and DVD. Fans will be delighted to know that all editions come with a digital copy to be redeemed on one of the newer streaming platforms-Moviespree. So that means watch anytime, anywhere. Besides the episodes themselves a special booklet is packaged with the the each title. Crammed with trivia, behind the scenes/production notes and a mini encyclopedia covering the characters/actors/, a kaiju gallery, Ultramans’ defenses & powers plus, an episode guide and a description of the Ultraman key technology(mainly tech used by the for each series. Glossy-full color, loaded with amazing stills of cast and crew.
“ You never know when a small twisted heart could cause a matter like this. “
I hope this article stimulated an interest in the Ultra franchise and the end result will be that you seek it out. I promise nothing but fun entertainment and for 30 minutes you will be transported to a world with no other worries or concerns of aliens and giant monsters to contend with. And that larger than life hero comes to save the day.
All Available on Amazon-
and
Other titles available from Mill Creek Entertainment-
Starting with in no particular order …
The cult hit series -
Below- Charlies Angels The Complete Series 1976–1981 — Bluray..Bonus *the complete series reboot from 2011 plus the unaired 8th episode
and
the 35th Anniversary Edition of Yor, The Hunter From the Future(Reb Brown & Corrine Clery).
I leave you with this thought “There is a man from future, there is a man of mystery” sounds like the beginning of an Ultra Q episode but it is a lyric from Yor’s theme- see how sometimes our worlds as different as they may seem are closely intertwined.. so good night for now… from Reviews on the Edge — til next time
Link to Yor theme-
Published by
Writer at Wengs Chop(International Pop Culture & Cinema) Magazine and the Medium platform
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