Ultraman Gaia (character)

"Some people say that the Earth is a living being named Gaia..." "Gaia?" "What do you think of 'Ultraman Gaia' for the giant's name? Gaia's a cool name, right?" —Gamu Takayama and Atsuko Sasaki, His Name is Gaia!

is the third Ultra created by Tsuburaya Productions after the 15-year long hiatus of the Ultraman franchise. He is the successor of Ultraman Tiga and Ultraman Dyna and and is more powerful than either. In his primary Version 1 form, he cannot transform like the previous two Ultramen; later, he gained the Version 2 and Supreme forms from Ultraman Agul.

Battle Against Root of Destruction Part 1
"Ultraman! The Earth is in danger! I need to be like you! I need your power! Please, give it to me!"

—Gamu Takayama to Ultraman Gaia, Seize the Light!

Gamu Takayama is a 20-year old member of the Alchemy Stars who invented much of the technology used by XIG (including the repulsor lifts that allow Aerial Base and the XIG fighters to defy gravity). During some virtual reality experiments (performed with the secret purpose of discovering the will of the Earth,) he briefly encounters the mysterious glowing red giant, Ultraman Gaia, at the end of a tunnel of light.

When the KHST begins its first wave of attacks on Earth, XIG is too new to be effective. Time stops and he falls through another light tunnel, where he encounters Gaia again. Because Gamu is so passionately concerned with the fate of Earth and humanity, Gaia's light becomes a part of him, and he is thus able to transform into the Ultraman when necessary. The first monster, Cosmic Organism Vanguard, is destroyed. Subsequently, more KHST-generated monsters attack, and Earth monsters are also mysteriously roused, so Gaia is kept pretty busy. Gamu joins XIG as a technical advisor, and later creates the Esplender to store the light that is the essence of Gaia.

Gamu the meets the mysterious Hiroya Fujimiya, the dark, angsty youth who transforms into Ultraman Agul. He is responsible for developing the CRISIS computer array and its dire predictions. After many recalculations, what he learns is that the only way to save the Earth from KHST is to eliminate humans from the equation. He quits the Alchemy Stars and goes off by himself and Professor Kyohko Inamori to find the will of the Earth, only to discover Agul.

Agul and Gaia fight against KHST and occasionally help each other out, although Agul makes it clear their alliances are based on his duty to the Earth and his own ambitions, not out of friendship or gratitude. However, as the series progresses, Fujimiya grows more agitated and reckless, and has less and less regard for his fellow humans in his desperate mission to save the Earth. He pushes himself to the point of endangering his own health, and becomes feverish and irresponsible. When bullied in a bar, he declares that humans need to be purged from Earth. But as Reiko the TV reporter points out, how can he take care of the Earth when he can't even take care of himself?

Gaia and Agul have a major clash and both are badly injured. Incredible energy is released during the fight, which opens up a giant wormhole. An immense serpent named Zoalim partially emerges to invade Earth. It turns out that Zoalim was anticipating this clash, and was able to influence CRISIS's computations. Gamu explains to Fujimiya that Crisis was sabotaged all along, and its analysis is fundamentally flawed. Fujimiya realizes that everything he believes in is based on this flaw, and becomes dejected, losing faith in himself. He gives the injured Gamu the light that is the essence of Agul so that he can use it to defeat Zoalim. Fujimiya then is seamingly killed by a blast from Zoalim.

Gamu accepted Agul's light into his Esplender, and afterwards could transform into Gaia Version 2 and, Gaia supreme, a hybrid of both Gaia and Agul. He resembles the original Gaia, except for a black stripe on his chest plate.

Battle Against Root of Destruction part 2
Later in the series, G.U.A.R.D. tries to be more proactive about defeating the monsters that are attacking the Earth. They try to destroy dormant monster Tigris in episode 38 by sending a bomb into the ground (a plan that backfires horribly.) They create an artificial wormhole to destroy the home planet of monsters C.O.V. and Pazuzu, also with disastrous consequences.



The K.H.S.T. uses this opportunity to send C.O.V. and a Pazuzu through the wormhole, and they become more powerful as a result. What becomes evident to Gamu is that monsters like Tigris, MIZUNOENORYUH, Shazack, and Izaku, are creatures of the Earth like humans are, and perhaps it is not so fair to eradicate them when their only instinct is to survive. As for creatures sent by the K.H.S.T., they are not inherently evil. When they are sent to Earth their first instinct is simply to survive in an alien environment. Thus, Gamu / Gaia questions his morals and human motives.

Agul eventually returns later, and he and Gaia set their differences aside to fight the common enemy. When Gamu's life is threatened by robotic monster Sigma Zuigul, Fujimiya pleads with the Earth itself 'to fight one more time' and he is granted the power of Agul again, as Version 2. Version 2 appears to have greater power than Version 1, as he was able to withstand Sigma Zuigul's second attack with little difficulty. Gaia and Agul finally join forces to defeat Super C.O.V. and Super Pazuzu.

The final assault on Earth forces begins with the arrival of BlitzBlotz, a black and white avian monster who has the ability to absorb and fire back Ultra energy weapons with the red object on his chest. He systematically destroys G.U.A.R.D. bases, and roughs up Agul V2 in the process. BlitzBlotz destroys a base that resembles the original Science Patrol headquarters. Tigris II emerges to fight BlitzBlotz and XIG, G.U.A.R.D., monster, and Gaia must fight side by side to defeat BlitzBlotz. Ironically, part of this motley alliance includes the G.U.A.R.D. commander who killed the original Tigris back in Episode 38, as part of an anti-monster vendetta.

Later, giant creature Mokian is sent to Earth. He is a living monopole, a monster with enough magnetic power to pull apart the Earth's crust and end civilization. It is revealed by the Death God that the KHST feels humans are a threat to the universe and must be eradicated. This is a fabulous, must-see episode in which the Aerial Base joins the action, and in the process it suffers extreme damage. It is determined that the only way to destroy Mokian is to sacrifice what is left of the Aerial Base by ramming it into the giant monster, and this is done, although miraculously, no one dies in the process. In a last effort before the final plan Shinigami comes to the earth in the form of Zebub an owl like monster and when Agul tries to fight, he ends up getting his leg cut open with his spear. Gaia soon comes in to let Agul change back and after a brutul fight Zebub dies and with that the final attack began.

Final Battle Against Zogu The Root of Destruction
The KHST finally reveals herself in the form of Zogu, a giant, white angel. She kills the Kizer Dobishis that the Ultramen are fighting, and replenishes Gaia and Agul's power, only to completely overpower the two and make their Life Gauges expire. The two Ultramen turn back into Gamu and Fujimiya, which is telecast by the two KCB cameramen. The battle is broadcast across the entire world. They survive, but can no longer transform into Gaia and Agul.

At this point, all of Earth's monsters start emerging again all around the world to protect Earth from the Dobishis and Kizer Dobishis.

Everyone is brought back and united to participate together in the final battle against Zogu. Gaia, Agul, XIG, the Earth monsters, the Alchemy Stars, the KCB TV crew, and even Gamu's parents show up to encourage him. Gamu hatches a final scheme, in which the Alchemy Stars network is used to assist the last of the XIG fighters (some are flying normal military planes that have been modified by the Alchemy Stars) to channel energy from the Earth monsters to give Gamu and Fujimiya the ability to transform back into Gaia and Agul.

Boosted with this huge supply of energy, Gaia and Agul wipe the Earth clean of the hordes of Dobishi. However, as Gaia finishes off the Dobishi, Zogu reappears. She strikes down Gaia and Agul, but they fiercely counterattack. After being briefly staggered by the counterattack, Zogu morphs from her angel form into a colossal dragon like monster.

Gaia and Agul then work together as a team and they destroy Zogu with their strongest attack, formed by combining their energy beams. Zogu is vanquished and people come out into the open to cheers for their heroes.

Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Dyna & Ultraman Gaia: Battle In Hyper Space
A young boy named Tsutomu, is failing in school from his addiction to Ultraman. One day, while watching an Ultraman Gaia episode, he gets teleported into hyperspace where he sees a girl and behind her a scene of mass destruction. He later sees that same girl, named Lisa, in his class. Later on, he finds a mysterious glowing ball (Also from the dream) that tells him it can make any wish come true. The one thing Tsutomu wants more than anything else is to meet Gamu, Ultraman's human counterpart. After his wish is granted, Gamu actually appears, but a bully takes the ball and makes the second wish; for a monster, Satan-biezor, to fight Gamu. After a Gamu transforms into Ultraman Gaia, he finds he is losing power quickly, but manages to defeat the monster regardless. Afterwards, reverting into Gamu, he is chased by kids through the neighborhood until he finally manages to elude them by hiding in a toy shop. Once inside though, Tsutomu & his friends find Gamu and Tsutomu explains to Gamu just how he was brought to their world. Tsutomu tries hiding Gamu in an abandoned hanger, and during this time, Gamu sees that Tsutomu has a present for Lisa, a book called "Gulliver's Travels", which was a favorite of Gamu's as a child. While scanning the ball for the answers, not only do the police find him, but Gamu suddenly finds himself back in his own world, and accidentally takes the book with him. He is soon able to recall the events and checks the data he scanned from the ball, and gets a vision telling him that Tsutomu's world will soon be destroyed.

Unfortunately, during the whole ordeal, Tsutomu loses the ball, and the bully finds the wishing ball and wishes for a giant monster to appear. King of Mons is created and starts destroying their suburban Tokyo neighborhood. Gamu becomes determined to open a gateway between the two universes to stop the monster and save the world Tsutomu lives in. Gamu is soon able to find his way there with the aid of a new mecha, the Aventure, and transforms into Gaia to battle the giant monster. Soon, Gaia is in a deadly battle against the monster. The monster then spawns two more monsters that are equally as strong as the original, one who's specialty is in water and the other who's specialty is sky. Tsutomu, knowing that Gaia is in trouble, tries to wish for help only to be sent flying into the air by one of the monster's stray beams. Just as all seems lost he is rescued by Ultraman Tiga and Ultraman Dyna, who have come via "The Light" into the battle to help Gaia. The three Ultramen battle the monsters. Tiga and Dyna destroy King of Mon's spawns. Gaia manages to obliterate King of Mons with a highly powerful laser blast and saves the day. Gaia then turns back into Gamu and reveals Lisa's secret to Tsutomu: She is the human-interface of the ball. Even though Lisa will disappear forever, she urges Tsutomu to wish for the ball to vanish forever, repairing all of the damage that had been caused by it to that world. Before returning to his world, Gamu returns Tsutomu's book to him and tells him "Thanks to this book, we were able to meet again."

The Rise of the Underwater Root of Destruction
Ultraman Gaia and Ultraman Agul return to fight a new enemy, Gakuzom. With help from mysterious undersea creatures, called Rinar. In the begiging Gamu goes back to school and gains much popularity by the students and soon is called back to XIG. He and the team are reunited. They go on a misson after getting a transmission in the ocean. Meanwhile Hiroya watches a report in America on Zonnel II. He is soon confronted on these visons of monsters called Baiakuhe, he is also comfronted a girl who tells him of what will happen to the earth. Underwater the sub is soon attacked by the fish like monsters and soon go into a cave. what they find is the civilizzstion of Rinar but, soon she a dark cloud which is Gakuzom. They are attacked and knocked out. Gakuzom rises from the depths and with the monsters cover the earth skies and soon begins his asult.

The Return of the Heroes.
With Gakuzom's attack the girl gives Hiroya some of her energy to them Agulator and soon is able to turn into Ultraman Agul once again. Soon he goes to fight Gakuzom but, is soon attack by the fish like monsters which can go into an attack mode and soon strapeed him down. Meanwhile Gamu regains concouisness he soon finds the Rinar giving their energy to the Esplender Gamu soon turns into Ultraman Gaia and the two giants fight Gakuzom. Later on the Root of Destruction monster soon combines with the flying fish monsters to become Super Gakuzom. Now with a claws and armor he is able to fight the giants with ease even with his reflective powers. Gaia and Agul soon figure out what to do and Gaia uses the Photon Stream and Agul uses the Liquidnator and soon there attacks were to much for him and soon blows up and dies and Gaia goes back to save to sub. Once again the earth is saved becaus eof the two heroes.

Great Decisive Battle! The Super 8 Ultra Brothers
An alternate version of Ultraman Gaia and Gamu Takayama appear in a world were Ultraman was nothing but a tv show.

Dark Spark War
Prior to the Ultraman Ginga tv series, Ultraman Gaia participated in the Dark Spark War but this time he fought not only alongside with the Ultraman Agul  but, with the other Ultras that came from other universe and their allies against Evil side. In the War, Ultraman faced Zetton while in their midst battle, Dark Lugiel the mastermind behind this war turn every Ultras alongside their allies,monsters & aliens into Spark Dolls just as the war about to end,an unknown warrior appear and faced Dark Lugiel but like others he also turned into Spark Dolls but he was kept within his Spark Device and fall alongside other Spark Dolls it is unknown whether Gaia fell to Earth or was kept by Dark Lugiel as part of his collection.

Body Features

 * Gaia Head: Referring to the gold markings on Gaia's head, they gather light energy or mana from the Earth to power him, they are also required for the Photon Stream and similar beams fired from the head.
 * Gaia's eyes: They can detect hidden enemies, even those that are invisible or hiding behind objects, can also see vast distances.
 * Life Gauge: The proper term for Gaia's color timer, he has no set time limit to how long he can be active. Instead it serves to show how much energy he has left, his energy is used up both by attacking and receiving blows.
 * Gaia Shake Star: The gold (Later gold and black) bands around his life gauge, they are pieces of armor and sturdiest part of his body, being almost indestructible. Upon gaining V2 they gain a black lines inbetween them and in supreme version they spread to his shoulders.
 * Gaia Body: The red ultra's body can withstand low temperatures and survive in the vacuum of space. He is also resistant to laser beams and fire.

Forms
{{#tag:tabber| V1= Version 1
 * Home world: Planet Earth (Gaia universe)
 * Height: micro - 50 m
 * Weight: 42,000 t
 * Activity time: Undefined (Gaia's color timer only begins to flash when damaged)
 * Flight speed: Mach 20
 * Running speed: Mach 5
 * Underwater speed: Mach 2
 * Ground latent speed: Mach 2
 * Jumping distance: 1,200 m
 * Grip strength: 50,000 tons (equivalent to 50 kg, for a human)

Special Moves

 * Photon Edge: Gaia can generate a large, pink whip-like beam from the golden indents on his head. He clenches his fists, and bows his head before heaving backwards, generating the whip. He then thrusts his head forward, unleashing the attack. Can destroy monsters in one hit.
 * Quantum Stream: The standard "L" style beam, but with the left fist in the crook of the right arm. He puts both arms to the right, with the left arm on the side of the right, and slowly brings them to the L shape, as the while his clenched first, which is at the base of his vertical arm, burns with fire-like energy. He then unleashes the beam in from his vertical right arm. Can destroy monsters in one blow.

Physical Techniques

 * Gaia Punch: An intense straight punch, often deployed in flurry attack.
 * Gaia Kick: A basic combat technique, various kicking techniques, often a middle, high, flying and roundhouse kick.
 * Gaia Knee Kick: A knee strike while Gaia is holding a monster.
 * Revolve Succession Kick: A kick using both feet and centripigul force from a back flip.
 * Gaia Diving Kick: A flying kick from the air to the ground.
 * Gaia Backdrop: Gaia grabs an enemy from behind, bending bakwards, and slams them into the ground.
 * Gaia Lifting: A skill to lift an opponent with both arms.
 * Gaia Leg Whip: In a manner similar to the Monkey Flip, Gaia leans back while holding the enemy and uses his leg to throw them.
 * Gaia Headlock: A headlock to hold the opponent in places, squeezing their neck.
 * AST Ride Attack: Used against a pushing enemy, purpose is to stop the movement.

Other Techniques

 * Gaia Slash: A red energy blast from Gaia's hand. Just a standard energy blast.
 * Cleaner: Gaia can release a blue beam from his right hand that vaporizes enemies.
 * Ultra Barrier: Gaia created a massive barrier to protect an entire city from an explosion in the upper atmosphere.
 * Quantum Flash: Gaia can move forward in a flash of light he can disappear and reappear several meters in front his previous position in another flash of light.
 * Whole-Body Emmision (Name Unknown): When held by Rezaito, Gaia shined a bright white light from his entire body to free himself and counteract the monster's intense heat. It was later used again in V2 only red.
 * Halling Hoop: An energy ball released from Gaia's hands. When it hits a wall, it creates a door to the other side of that wall. It will stay open until Gaia passes through.
 * Analysis Ball (Name unknown): Gaia can create an energy ball from his hands that can not only back enemies away, but also analyze any toxins they produce and convert them into that toxin's antithesis upon destruction.
 * Calmer Ray: Gaia can charge his arms with a rainbow colored energy and create a beam with them that calms down monsters and makes them peaceful for a while.

V2= Version 2 After receiving the the Agul Force from Fujiyama, Gaia achieved Version 2; his new default form. The red line on his chest changed to black, possibly in resemblance to Agul's body pattern. His techniques are further enhanced and he can use powers that were formerly Agul's.
 * Flight speed: Mach 22
 * Running speed: Mach 6:
 * Underwater speed: Mach 3.2
 * Latent ground speed: Mach 3
 * Jumping distance: 1,800 m
 * Grip strength: 70,000 t (equivalent to 70 kg, for a human)

Special Moves

 * Photon Crusher: Gaia also able to performed Photon Crusher similar to Agul.
 * Photon Edge: Gaia can generate a large, pink whip-like beam from the golden indents on his head. He clenches his fists, and bows his head before heaving backwards, generating the whip. He then thrusts his head forward, unleashing the attack. Can destroy monsters in one hit.
 * Quantum Stream: The standard "L" style beam, but with the left fist in the crook of the right arm. He puts both arms to the right, with the left arm on the side of the right, and slowly brings them to the L shape, as the while his clenched first, which is at the base of his vertical arm, burns with fire-like energy. He then unleashes the beam in from his vertical right arm. Can destroy monsters in one blow.

Physical Techniques

 * Gaia Slash: The same technique as before but now the power is two-fold, it is also now fired like a dart.
 * Gaia (V2) Punch: A glowing red hot right punch. Used on Gan Q2.
 * Gaia (V2) Chop: A skill that can cut into the skin of the enemy using the forearm.
 * Gaia (V2) Elbow: Multiple Elbow strikes to pinpoint the enemy's weak spot.
 * Gaia (V2) Kick: A variety of kicks such as a roundhouse kick and hick kick. Used on Gan Q2 with a combination of the Quantum Flash
 * Gaia (V2) Whip: After lifting the enemy into the air, Gaia throws them into the ground with great force.
 * Gaia (V2) Back Drop: Having raised the enemy by one of their limbs, Gaia drives them into the ground.
 * Gaia (V2) Lifting: A skill where Gaia lifts the enemy over his head. It is possible to carry super-heavy opponents through the air effortlessly.

Other Techniques

 * Healing: Gaia can heal wounds of another Ultramen or himself. Used in episode 48
 * Agul Saber: Like Agul, Gaia can now create a blade from his hand made of energy.
 * Liquidator: Gaia able to performed Liquidator similar to Agul but, it's red instead of blue. Though, during his fight with Meemos its blue.
 * Version Up: Gaia can change from Version 2 to Supreme Version.
 * Ultra Barrier: A round barrier, a red prismatic barrier emitted with both hands.
 * Capture Beam: A beam used to rescue a girl held aloft by telekinesis
 * Fire Light Bullets: A continuous stream of light bullets fired from the hands. Used in Episode 49.
 * Hyperspace Penetration Ability (Name Unknown): Used in episode 37, upon transforming, Gaia entered Queen Mezard's dimension and later leave.
 * Photon Discharge: A full body emission of energy used to red himself of pests.
 * Gaia Blizzard: Gaia can emit a intense gales of blizzard, in order to freeze enemies.

SV= Supreme Version Supreme Version (スプリームヴァージョン) is the form Gaia assumes when he uses the power of Agul's Force to the maximum. Black and blue lines align his body resembling Agul, and his physique increases dramatically. Unlike V2, he can only stay in this form for a short duration.
 * Flight speed: Mach 25
 * Running speed: Mach 7.5
 * Underwater speed: Mach 5
 * Latent ground speed: Mach 6
 * Jumping distance: 2500 m
 * Grip: 120,000 tons (equivalent to 120 kg, for a human)

Special Moves

 * Photon Stream: After some hand waving, Gaia will place his hands in front of his chest, as if he was in prayer. He will then slide one hand vertically up and one hands vertically down. A powerful energy beam will be fired from the space in between the hands. This is a very powerful attack and will destroy any monster in one blast. This move is ten times stronger than Photon Edge.

Physical Techniques

 * Supreme Punch: A variety of punch techniques, each one is strong enough to stun the foe.
 * Supreme Kick: Gaia able to charge his right foot with energy while doing a midair attack.
 * Supreme Cross Counter: A cross conter punch using an energy covered arm. Used to defeat Bizomu.
 * Supreme Elbow: An elbow strike channeling all of Gaia power. Mainly aimed at the opponent's head.
 * Supreme Chop: A variety of chop techniques, any of them can pierce the most robust of skin.
 * Supreme Whip: Lifts the enemy with Herculean Strength and throws them.
 * Supreme Leg Whip: A throw using the opponent's foot, flings them in a manner similar to the Monkey Flip.
 * Supreme Face Crusher: Grabs the opponent by the neck and ploughs them into the ground.
 * Supreme Lifting: Holds an enemy overhead and then throws them.

Other Techniques

 * Shinning Blade: Gaia can charge his arms with rainbow energy and then release it from his chest to create a boomerang made of energy. Destroys monsters in one hit.
 * Gaia Blizzard: Gaia can emit a intense gales of blizzard, in order to freeze enemies.
 * Gaia Slash: The same technique used in V2, however it is now thrown like a shuriken and always aimed at weak points on the enemy.

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Other forms
Forms that are used by alternate counterparts.

Glitter Gaia
A form of Gaia that is used by alternate version in Superior 8 Brothers movie.

Techiques

 * Glitter Quantum Stream: Stronger version of the Quantam Stram.
 * Superior Myth Blaster: A combination of all brother signature moves.

Transformation
The Esplender: Gamu raises the Esplender to the sky, it then activates and bathes Gamu in a beam of red light where, Gamu is then transformed into Ultraman Gaia.

New Century Ultraman Legend
Pending

PD Ultraman Battle Collection 64
Pending

Great Decisive Battle! The Super 8 Ultra Brothers
Gaia has a counterpart from another universe who was born from human feelings instead of Earth energies.

Toy Release Information
Ultraman Gaia was first released as a ATBC-PVC material soft vinyl Figure by Bandai in 1998. Both V2 and Supreme Version (except V1, who were released as an EX version, also Gaia's Fake Counterpart is also released as UHEX) were also re-released as Ultra Hero Series 2004 and 2009 versions. An UH-a, Action Hero Series (V2 only) , Kyomoto Collection, & an Ultra-Act version (V2 is standard, and Supreme version is a Tamashii Exclusive) of the figure is also released. His transformation Device is released by Bandai.

Gallery

 * Gallery:Ultraman Gaia (character)

Trivia

 * Ultraman Gaia is the second ultra to fight another ultra, the first was Ultraman Tiga.
 * Ultraman Gaia and Agul are perhaps the most unique of Ultras in the entire series. The two are not aliens to the Earth and instead of running on sunlight or having the three minute rule, they are powered by the Light Energies of the Earth and Sea (some call it Mana) and seem to be metaphysical in nature. Their lack of a time limit is not seen again until Nexus.
 * Like Agul, Gaia's power is always increasing, meaning his attacks are always stronger than the last time he used them. Agul's version 2 is the result of the Agul force reforming after Fujimiya gave it power to Gamu, so it is possible that Gaia may have acquired a different Version 2 if he didn't acquire Agul's power.
 * Ultraman Gaia is the first Ultra shown fighting a monster before merging with his host or taking a human form.
 * The Gaia's name comes from the Gaia theory, named after the Greek Goddess whose name means "Earth", it states the totality of the Earth constitutes a complex organism.