Ultraman Dyna (series)

Ultraman Dyna (ウルトラマンダイナ Urutoraman Daina?) is a Japanese tokusatsu TV show which aired between September 6, 1997 to August 29, 1998. The series is a direct sequel to the previous Ultraman series, Ultraman Tiga.

Plot
In the year AD 2017 (nine years after the final episode of Ultraman Tiga), TPC has advanced beyond earth, and has created a new GUTS team, "Super GUTS". Humans have begun terra-forming Mars and other planets in what is known as the "Age of the Neo Frontier". One day, however, the Neo Frontier is attacked by an alien race known as the Spheres. Shin Asuka has just joined Super GUTS and is in the middle of training maneuvers above Earth's atmosphere when he and his comrades are attacked. He proves himself in battle, and can hold his own against ace pilot Ryoh. However, his ship is damaged and he ejects, after which he encounters a shining light. It is then that a new giant of light merges with the bewildered Asuka, saving his life. When the Spheres enter Mars' atmosphere and merge with the Martian rocks to form monsters, Asuka again participates in the battle, now equipped with a mysterious device known as the "Reflasher". Upon the Sphere's new attack, Asuka suddenly transforms into a colossal giant, and manages to protect Mars from a group of monsters sent by the Spheres. The members of Super GUTS quickly catch on that this giant being is not Ultraman Tiga, but a new giant of light, "Ultraman Dyna". In contrast to the serious tone of Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Dyna is a far more light hearted show, featuring more upbeat stories and comical character personalities for its cast.

The final story arc is rather somber, in contrast to the rest of the series. Dyna/Asuka apparently sacrifice themselves to save the Earth from Gran Sphere, the planet-sized mother form of the Spheres. In the series finale, we do get to see that Asuka rejoins his father as they ride off toward the light in their two spaceships, though the fate of Dyna / Asuka and Asuka's father remains unknown. Eleven years after the end of the television series, the movie Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy is intended as a direct follow-up for Dyna / Asuka after events of the Dyna series finale. It is revealed that the wormhole resulting from Gran Sphere's destruction transported him to the M78 universe, where the film takes place. At the end of the movie, as the featured ZAP SPACY members require help back to Earth, Dyna / Asuka decides to direct them home personally. They are shown disappearing into a self-made wormhole together.

Super GUTS members
Super GUTS is a branch of TPC (Terrestrial Peaceable Consortium) and is the direct successor to GUTS.


 * Gousuke Hibiki (ヒビキ・ゴウスケHibiki Gōsuke? ): The team captain. He is loud and boisterous, often joking with his subordinates and shouting orders. At the same time, however, he is a caring leader with a good heart and good intentions for Super GUTS.
 * Shin Asuka/Ultraman Dyna (アスカ・シン／ウルトラマンダイナAsuka Shin/Urutoraman Daina? ): Ultraman Dyna's human host. He is light-hearted overall, and is one of the rare Ultra human hosts who also serves as the comic relief of the show. Asuka often whines and pouts immaturely, and sometimes pretends that he is killed in combat just to see his teammates freak out. Asuka is not all just fun and games, though. He can also be headstrong and overly courageous. His well-known motto is "Never give up." Asuka's dad disappeared years ago when his space ship disappeared into a mysterious light, which Asuka himself enters alongside his father in the final episode. In the end, Asuka ended up transported to the Showa timeline. Despite his personality, Asuka is an exceptional fighter, fending off aliens far stronger than normal humans with only his hand to hand combat skills.
 * Ryo Yumimura (ユミムラ・リョウYumimura Ryō? ): The tomboy ace pilot of Super GUTS, who has a short temper and often yells at Asuka for his goof ball antics and recklessness. They have a pilot rivalry going on. However, deep down inside she likes the guy, they do like each other, which becomes quite clear toward the end. She also plays a big sister role for the less experienced Mai. Ryoh is slightly cross-eyed, which add charm for her.
 * Toshiyuki Kouda (コウダ・トシユキKōda Toshiyuki? ): The cool and slick haircut guy who is eventually promoted to Dept. Captain.
 * Mai Midorikawa (ミドリカワ・マイMidorikawa Mai? ): A cute, bubbly, loud cadet-type with little combat experience. She mostly serves as the communication person, but she has multiple crushes (baseball players, cute exploratory robots, bike racers, etc.), gets peoples' attention by saying 'neh-neh-neh,' and has the amazing ability to hide multiple items behind her back, only to whip them out in rapid succession.
 * Tsutomu Nakajima (ナカジマ・ツトム Nakajima Tsutomu? ): The pudgy technician and researcher of the Super GUTS team, often becomes panicked or overly serious.
 * Kouhei Kariya (カリヤ・コウヘイKariya Kōhei? ): An expert of shooting of the Super GUTS and is well versed in archaeology.
 * Hanejiro (ハネジローHanejirō<span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ): A strange alien which Asuka befriended on a mission to mysterious planet, it first helped Asuka (as Dyna) by pointing out a monster's weak spot during a battle, and was since made Super GUTS' "mascot" of sorts. Bids farewell to Super GUTS in Episdoe 47, but returns in the Dyna movie "Return of Hanejiro".

Mechas

 * GUTS Eagle
 * Alpha Wing
 * Beta Wing
 * Gamma Wing
 * Alpha Superior
 * GUTS Eagle Superior
 * Connelly 07
 * GUTS Marine
 * GUTS Dig

Films

 * Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna: Warriors of the Star of Light (1998) Ultraman Dyna was one of the main Ultraman to appear in this movie (as events of the movie is set during times of the Dyna series). Ultraman Tiga also makes an important appearance.
 * Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna & Ultraman Gaia: Battle in Hyperspace (1999)
 * Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy (2009), a sequel to Dyna's series finale. It also features Dyna teaming with the Showa-Era Ultramen, Ultraman Mebius, and the ZAP SPACY crew from Ultra Galaxy.

Crossovers

 * Superior Ultraman 8 Brothers (2008), Ultraman Dyna joined with Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Gaia and Ultraman Mebius in this movie, alongside Showa-era Ultra Heroes.
 * Ultraman Saga (2012), Ultraman Dyna joined with Ultraman Zero and Ultraman Cosmos in this movie, alongside 5 Showa-era Ultra Heroes.

Cast

 * Shin Asuka (アスカ・シンAsuka Shin<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Takeshi Tsuruno (つるの 剛士Tsuruno Takeshi<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Gousuke Hibiki (ヒビキ・ゴウスケHibiki Gōsuke<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Ryo Kinomoto (木之元 亮Kinomoto Ryō<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Toshiyuki Kouda (コウダ・トシユキKōda Toshiyuki<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Toshikazu Fukawa (布川 敏和Fukawa Toshikazu<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Ryo Yumimura (ユミムラ・リョウYumimura Ryō<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Risa Saito (斉藤 りさSaitō Risa<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Kouhei Kariya (カリヤ・コウヘイKariya Kōhei<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Takao Kase (加瀬 尊朗Kase Takao<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Tsutomu Nakajima (ナカジマ・ツトム Nakajima Tsutomu<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Jo Onodera (小野寺 丈Onodera Jō<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Mai Midorikawa (ミドリカワ・マイMidorikawa Mai<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Mariya Yamada (山田 まりやYamada Mariya<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Kouki Fukami (フカミ・コウキFukami Kōki<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Toshiaki Amada (天田 俊明Amada Toshiaki<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Seiji Miyata (ミヤタ・セイジMiyata Seiji<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Hiroshi Tsuburaya (円谷 浩Tsuburaya Hiroshi<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Kihachi Gondou (ゴンドウ・キハチGondō Kihachi<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Shinobu Kameyama (亀山 忍Kameyama Shinobu<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Saeko Shiina (シイナ・サエコShiina Saeko<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Yasumi Maezawa (前沢 保美Maezawa Yasumi<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Kazuma Asuka (アスカ・カズマAsuka Kazuma<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Daisuke Ryu (隆 大介Ryū Daisuke<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Narrator (ナレーターNarētā<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ) - Yūji Machi (真地 勇志Machi Yūji<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )

thumb|left|226px|Ultraman Dyna (Series) OpeningOpening Theme
"Ultraman Dyna" by Tatsuya Maeda

Ending Theme 1
thumb|right|226px|Ultraman Dyna (series) Ending 1
 * Kimi Ma keo Mamoritai<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font: normal normal bold 80%/normal sans-serif; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )" by Fumiaki Nakajima



Ending 2 theme
thumb|right|226px|Ultraman Dyna (series) Ending 2

Trivia

 * This series was the first since Ultraman 80 to incorperate "Silhouettes" into its opening animations.
 * "Ultra High" by LAZY