Ultraman Max (series)

Ultraman Max (ウルトラマンマックス Urutoraman Makkusu?) was an Ultraman TV series which started airing on 7 July 2005, and produced by Tsuburaya Productions and Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.. The show tried to return to the true formula of new monsters every week and being a fast paced show like previous series with the exception of Ultraman Nexus. The show is full of homages to past series by having three of the original cast members from the first Ultraman series (and one original cast member from Ultra Seven) being featured in an episode, updated versions of classic monsters like Red King, Eleking and Pigmon among others. One unusual episode (#29) revolves around the filming of the 1964 program Ultra Q which was the predecessor to the first Ultraman show in 1966. Two actors from that show appear as themselves.

Series overview
Although certain monsters from the previous Ultra Series appear here in this series, the characters do not actually recognize them. This series does not have any direct continuity to any of the other Ultra Series (except episode 24: "The Untargeted Town" which seems to be a sequel to the Ultraseven series episode 8: "The Targeted Town").

Just like his predecessors, Ultraman Max is from Nebula M78 and is supported by DASH (Defense Action Squad Heroes), a branch of the UDF (United Defense Federation). His human host's name is Touma Kaito. Ultraman Max is based on Ultra Seven and has two main weapons at his disposal, the Maxium Cannon fired from his left hand and the Maxium Sword which is a hand held boomerang cutter.

Another Ultraman known as Ultraman Xenon, or Janos, appears for the first time in episode 13, and again briefly in episode 39. While Ultraman Xenon is summoning a new weapon from the sky to use against Zetton, he is attacked by Zetton and the weapon attaches itself to Max's right wrist. Ultraman Max then uses the new weapon known as the Max Galaxy to destroy Zetton.

Team DASH is stationed in a harbor and their base is called the Base Titan. They have a main airplane called the Dash Mother which releases two other small planes known as Dash Bird 1 and 2. A third plane called the Dash Bird 3 appears in episode 23.

Team DASH also has an android operator, who learns a bit about human behavior in some episodes. Her name is Elly and she has a small ball shaped robot called Koko which makes a high pitched sound to respond to queries.

This series was also unique as it was the first time a gaijin (foreigner) was an official member of the Ultraman team. The character's name is Sean White (played by actor Sean Nichols who is famous in Japan for being on the popular children's program Eigo de Asobo—Let's Have Fun with English).

Defense Action Squad Heroes (DASH)

 * Captain Shigeru Hijikata: The team leader of DASH.
 * Kenjiro Koba: The marksman and sharpshooter of DASH.
 * Mizuki Koishikawa: The ace pilot and token female member. She is Kaito/Ultraman Max's love interest.
 * Sean White: The team inventor/scientist/joker. He was transported from DASH North America branch.
 * Elly: The robot operator (android) of DASH. She learns human behavior and once wished to become a human. She even cried in Episode 16 and in the final episode. During the series she shows a growing interest in Kenjiro Koba, even admiting at a certain point during the series that she likes him.
 * Kaito Touma/Ultraman Max: The team's latest recruit. After he lost his parents during an earthquake while he was traveling, he resolved to do his best to protect others, so that no one would experience the loss he did. In order to do this he tried joining DASH, but failed the test the first time. He was saved by Ultraman Max from a certain death and was given the Max Spark, so that he could transform whenever needs arose.

Supporting characters

 * Chief Kenzo Tomioka: A UDF general, the supervisor of DASH.
 * Professor Yukari Yoshinaga.
 * Ultraman Xenon (ウルトラマンゼノンUrutoraman Xenon? ): He appears once to help Ultraman Max when he is in danger and is also the one that gives Ultraman Max the Max Galaxy.
 * Natsumi Oda

Episodes

 * 1)  Ultraman Max Arrives!|ウルトラマンマックス誕生!|Urutoraman Makkusu Tanjō!}}
 * 2)  The Girl Who Keeps a Monster|怪獣を飼う女|Kaijū o Kau On'na}}
 * 3) Proof of a Brave Man|勇士の証明|Yūshi no Shōmei}}
 * 4) Infinite Invaders|無限の侵略者|Mugen no Shinryakusha}}
 * 5) Appears, Monster Island!|出現、怪獣島!|Shutsugen, Kaijūtō!}}
 * 6) Bombing, 5 Seconds Before|爆撃、５秒前|Bakugeki, Gobyō Mae}}
 * 7) Destructor of the Star|星の破壊者|Hoshi no Hakaisha}}
 * 8) DASH Annihilated!?|DASH 壊滅!?|Dasshu Kaimetsu!?}}
 * 9) Dragon Lover|龍の恋人|Ryū no Koibito}}
 * 10) Young DASH|少年DASH|Shōnen Dasshu}}
 * 11) Prophecy of Baradhi|バラージの予言|Barāji no Yogen}}
 * 12) Pursuit at Supersonic Speed|超音速の追撃|Chō Onsoku no Tsuigeki}}
 * 13) Daughter of Zetton|ゼットンの娘|Zetton no Musume}}
 * 14) I Love King Joe|恋するキングジョー|Koi Suru Kingu Jō}}
 * 15) Miracle of the Third Planet|第三番惑星の奇跡|Dai Sanban Wakusei no Kiseki}}
 * 16) Who am I?|わたしはだあれ?|Watashi wa Daare}}
 * 17) Ice Beauty|氷の美女|Kōri no Bijo}}
 * 18) Bright World|アカルイセカイ|Akarui Sekai}}
 * 19) Person Coming from the Door|扉より来たる者|Tobira yori Kitaru Mono}}
 * 20) Drifting Monster|怪獣漂流|Kaijū Hyōryū}}
 * 21) Challenge from Underground|地底からの挑戦|Chitei kara no Chōsen}}
 * 22) Butterfly Dream|胡蝶の夢|Kochō no Yume}}
 * 23) Youth Again|甦れ青春|Yomigaere Seishun}}
 * 24) The Untargeted Town|狙われない街|Nerawarenai Machi}}
 * 25) A Distant Friend|遥かなる友人|Haruka Naru Yūjin}}
 * 26) Elly of Christmas|クリスマスのエリー|Kurisumasu no Erī}}
 * 27) The Taken Max Spark|奪われたマックススパーク|Ubawareta Makkusu Supāku}}
 * 28) Attack of the Evil|邪悪襲来|Jaaku Shūrai}}
 * 29) Why do Monsters Appear|怪獣は何故現れるのか|Kaijū wa Naze Arawareru Noka}}
 * 30) Courage is from the Heart|勇気を胸に|Yūki o Mune ni}}
 * 31) Burn! Earth!!|燃えつきろ! 地球!!|Moe Tsukiro! Chikyū!!}}
 * 32) Elly Destruction Directive|エリー破壊指令|Erī Hakai Shirei}}
 * 33) Welcome! To the Earth: Part 1: The Science of the Planet Baltan|ようこそ! 地球へ 前篇 バルタン星の科学|Yōkoso! Chikyū e Zenpen Barutan Sei no Kagaku}}
 * 34) Welcome! To the Earth: Part 2: Farewell! Alien Baltan|ようこそ! 地球へ 後篇 さらば!バルタン星人|Yōkoso! Chikyū e Kōhen Saraba! Barutan Seijin}}
 * 35) Adam and Eve of M32 Nebula|M32星雲のアダムとイブ|Emu Sanjūni Seiun no Adamu to Ibu}}
 * 36) Alternate Dimension World|イジゲンセカイ|Ijigen Sekai}}
 * 37) Constellation Thief|星座泥棒|Seiza Dorobō}}
 * 38) Prelude to Ground Annihilation|地上壊滅の序曲|Chijō Kaimetsu no Jokyoku}}
 * 39) Hold On To! Future|つかみとれ! 未来|Tsukami Tore! Mirai}}
 * 40) Special Finale -To the Ultra Future-|スペシャルフィナーレ ～ウルトラの未来へ

Cast

 * Kaito Touma (トウマ・カイトTōma Kaito? ): Sōta Aoyama (青山 草太Aoyama Sōta? )
 * Shigeru Hijikata (ヒジカタ・シゲルHijikata Shigeru? ): Kai Shishido (宍戸 開Shishido Kai? )
 * Mizuki Koishikawa (コイシカワ・ミズキKoishikawa Mizuki<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ): Hitomi Hasebe (長谷部 瞳Hasebe Hitomi<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Kenjiro Koba (コバ・ケンジロウKoba Kenjirō<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ): Nobuyuki Ogawa (小川 信行Ogawa Nobuyuki<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Sean White (ショーン・ホワイトShōn Howaito<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ): Sean Nichols (ショーン・ニコルスShōn Nikorusu<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Elly (エリーErī<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ): Hikari Mitsushima (満島 ひかりMitsushima Hikari<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Kenzo Tomioka (トミオカ・ケンゾウTomioka Kenzō<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ): Susumu Kurobe (黒部 進Kurobe Susumu<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Yukari Yoshinaga (ヨシナガ・ユカリYoshinaga Yukari<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ): Hiroko Sakurai (桜井 浩子Sakurai Hiroko<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Ultraman Max (voice) (ウルトラマンマックス（声）Urutoraman Makkusu (koe)<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ): Kazuya Nakai (中井 和哉Nakai Kazuya<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Narration (ナレーションNarēshon<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? ): Shirō Sano (佐野 史郎Sano Shirō<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )

<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; ">Opening theme
<p style="line-height: 19px; font-family: sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Ending theme: "NO LIMITED"
 * "Ultraman Max" (ウルトラマンマックスUrutoraman Makkusu<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Lyrics: Neko Oikawa (及川 眠子Oikawa Neko<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Composition & Arrangement: Yasuharu Takanashi (高梨 康治Takanashi Yasuharu<sup style="line-height: 1em; "><span class="t_nihongo_icon" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; padding-right: 0.1em; padding-left: 0.1em; ">? )
 * Artist: TEAM DASH with Project DMM

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; line-height: 19px; font-family: sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Fight theme: "DASH Alpha"

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; line-height: 19px; font-family: sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">