Ultraman Tiga (series)



Ultraman Tiga (ウルトラマンティガ - Urutoraman Tiga) is a Japanese tokusatsu TV show which aired between September 7, 1996 to August 30, 1997. This series is a reboot of the Ultra series after a 15-year hiatus. It takes place in an alternate universe as opposed to the original series', complete with an updated look and feel as opposed to the campy nature of the original Showa ultra series'. This series is also the 4th official Ultra Series to be broadcasted in the United States, airing the network "FoxBox."

Plot
Set in the years 2007-2010, giant monsters and conquering aliens start to appear, as was foretold by an apocalyptic prophecy about an uncontrollable chaos over Earth. Facing the threat, the TPC (Terrestrial Peaceable Consortium) is created, such as its branch, GUTS (Global Unlimited Task Squad). Through a holographic message in a capsule found by researchers, GUTS gets knowledge about a pyramid of light built by an ancient civilization. At the site, three statues of a race of giants who defended early human civilization on Earth about 30,000,000 years ago from Super-Ancient Monsters and other forces of darkness are found, but two of them are destroyed by the monsters Golza and Melba. The third one gains life from the spiritual energy of GUTS Member Daigo, a descendant of the ancient race. Daigo and the statue merge into a single being, made of light. Shortly after defeating the monsters, Daigo is revealed by the hologram of the prophecy that 30 million years in the past, a great evil that not even the giants could stop, destroyed the ancient civilization. The evil reveals itself in the finale of the series, Gatanozoa, and his servants, Gijera and the Zoiger swarms. With the help of light from humanity, Tiga is able to turn into Glitter Tiga, giving him the power to defeat Gatanozoa and save the Earth.

GUTS
Main article: Daigo Madoka An action hero in her own right, being the best fighter pilot and no stranger to using heavy machines and artillery, and happens to have compassion for some of the monsters. Daigo's love interest, later becomes his wife. She was the first member of GUTS to learn that Daigo is Tiga and thus witnesses Daigo transform in front of her in episode 50. The first female Captain in an Ultra series, she has a commanding yet motherly presence. She mostly stays in headquarters and leaves field operations in the capable hands of her deputy captain, Munakata. Her influence makes GUTS perhaps less militant than some of her superiors over at TPC, which provides some opportunities for dramatic tension. She is formerly a scientist and she is also a widow with one child that lives with her mother-in-law. Later, she was revealed to be the re-incarnation of Yuzare. A no-nonsense, chisel-faced commander. He was saved by Iruma back in his days on the defense force. A teetotaler who has a penchant for drinking milk at jazz bars and wearing a baseball cap in the field. The pug-faced, brainy, Osaka-dialect-speaking comic-relief technologist who finds love and gets married during the series. Known as the "Brains of GUTS" with his genius. The bland but tall and good-looking guy with a fan following, and has a TPC nurse in a miniskirt for a sister. He is sometimes brash and hotheaded, but is also a bit of chicken and fears ghosts and supernatural things. He has formed a goofball combination with either Daigo or Horii. Rounding off the crew is young Yazumi, the communications and computer expert who goes out into the field even less than Captain Iruma. When reports of a winged monster appearing from Easter Island, most of the GUTS crew attends to this, the second monster on the loose since the meteorite landed, while Yazumi remains behind to research the name "Tiga." Yazumi discovers that the name is an old popular name of a northeastern district in Japan.
 * Daigo Madoka/Ultraman Tiga
 * Rena Yanase
 * Captain Megumi Iruma
 * Deputy Captain Seiichi Munakata
 * Masami Horii
 * Tetsuo Shinjoh
 * Jun Yazumi

TPC
The head and founder of TPC, and a strong advocate of GUTS. A pacifist at heart, but also a rationalist in the face of the dangers that face humanity. Advocated the formation of TPC when he was the secretary general of the United Nations back in the 20th century. Often participates in field operations. Also dedicated to contacting extraterrestrial life. A gentle man of principle who avoids confrontation. He likes to put the breaks on reckless military buildups. He is responsible for the enforcement arm of TPC. A war hawk, but also an old friend of pacifist Sawai. Often disagrees with Nahara, but never acts irrationally. A former submariner. He likes to carry and use a traditional folding Japanese fan. Shinjoh's 19-year-old little sister that work as a nurse in TPC. She had a biker boyfriend that died in episode 15. She joined the organization with the help of her older brother. She has great sibling-type arguments with him. The founder of Maxima Overdrive, which can harness the power of light. A scientist at heart, he continues to pursue the dreams of his childhood. It takes him 20 years to turn his dream of creating the greatest ship ever into a reality (in the form of the Art Dessei). In a nice touch, names his test vehicle the Snow White. The head of TPC's "Ride Mecha" R and D. She made several appearances in the first half of the series. She participates in the analysis of Yuzare's time capsule and the modification of GUTS mecha to combat She has a husky voice. She also appeared in Ultraman Dyna. A army scientist from TPC's Life Sciences Research division. He is small at heart but full of pride. He spends time analyzing the remains of the Tiga statues. His insecurities eventually lead him to trouble. He was actually working for Keigo Masaki. Rena's father, the head of Station Delta. He has a bad relationship with Rena, at first. But they are reconciled, after he shows that he actually loves his daughter, when captured by Alien Regulan. A poker-faced Captain of moon base Garowa. Flees to Earth when Garowa is annihilated by monster Menjura. An old friend and senior of Captain Iruma, who sees him as a great senior figure.
 * Inspector General Souichiro Sawai
 * Chief of Staff Officer Masayuki Nahara
 * Military Police Director General Tetsuji Yoshioka
 * Mayumi Shinjoh
 * Professor Naban Yao
 * Professor Reiko Kashimura
 * Professor Yuuji Tango
 * Technical Officer Omi Yanase
 * Captain Shin Hayate

Other characters
Main article: Keigo Masaki A man with extraordinary ability who is able to predict future events and communicate with others through telepathy. Thanks to this ability, he knew Daigo's identity as Ultraman Tiga. He became jealous of Daigo, because Daigo/Ultraman Tiga was praised as a hero with his "extraordinary power", while Makio himself was seen by others as a monster. Makio then blackmailed Daigo to play games with him and told him to defeat the monster Galra without transforming, and even threatened to reveal Daigo's identity as Ultraman Tiga to the world if he lost or transformed against the rules. But after seeing Daigo's eagerness to protect Rena, he is touched and redeemed himself by telling Daigo Garula's weak spot, so he could finally defeat it. Iruma's only son. He lives with his grandmother and is a computer Genius that surpasses even Yazumi.
 * Keigo Masaki/Evil Tiga
 * Makio Kirino
 * Tomoki Miura

Monsters
Main Article: Ultraman Tiga Kaiju

Episodes

 * 1) The One Who Inherits the Light (光を継ぐもの Hikari o Tsugu Mono?)
 * 2) Stone of Legends (石の神話 Ishi no Shinwa?)
 * 3) The Devil's Prophecy (悪魔の預言 Akuma no Yogen?)
 * 4) Sayonara Earth (サ・ヨ・ナ・ラ地球 Sa.Yo.Na.Ra Chikyū?)
 * 5) The Day the Monster Came Out (怪獣が出てきた日 Kaijū ga Detekita Hi?)
 * 6) Second Contact (セカンド・コンタクト Sekando Kontakuto?)
 * 7) The Man Who Came Down to Earth (地球に降りてきた男 Chikyū ni Oritekita Otoko?)
 * 8) On Halloween Night (ハロウィンの夜に Harowin no Yoru ni?)
 * 9) The Girl Who Waits for a Monster (怪獣を待つ少女 Kaijū o Matsu Shōjo?)
 * 10) The Closed Amusement Park (閉ざされた遊園地 Tozasareta Yūenchi?)
 * 11) Requiem to the Darkness (闇へのレクイエム Yami e no Rekuiemu?)
 * 12) S.O.S from the Deep Sea (深海からのSOS Shinkai kara no SOS?)
 * 13) Human Collecting (人間採集 Ningen Saishū?)
 * 14) The Released Target (放たれた標的 Hanatareta Hyōteki?)
 * 15) The Phantom Dash (幻の疾走 Maboroshi no Shissō?)
 * 16) Resurrected Fiend (よみがえる鬼神 Yomigaeru Kishin?)
 * 17) Red and Blue's Battle (赤と青の戦い Aka to Ao no Tatakai?)
 * 18) Golza's Counterattack (ゴルザの逆襲 Goruza no Gyakushū?)
 * 19) GUTS to the Sky (part 1) (GUTSよ宙（そら）へ 前編 Gattsu yo Sora e (Zenpen)?)
 * 20) GUTS to the Sky (part 2) (GUTSよ宙（そら）へ 後編 Gattsu yo Sora e (Kōhen?)
 * 21) Deban's Turn (出番だデバン! Deban da Deban?)
 * 22) A Fog's Coming (霧が来る Kiri ga Kuru?)
 * 23) Dinosaurs' Star (恐竜たちの星 Kyoryū-tachi no Hoshi?)
 * 24) Go! Monster Expedition Team (行け! 怪獣探検隊 Ike! Kaijyū Tankentai?)
 * 25) The Devil's Judgement (悪魔の審判 Akuma no Shinpan?)
 * 26) Evil Monster Realm of the Rainbow (虹の怪獣魔境 Niji no Kaijū Makyō?)
 * 27) I Saw Obico! (オビコを見た! Obiko o Mita!?)
 * 28) One Vanishing Moment (うたかたの… Utakata no...?)
 * 29) Blue Night's Memory (青い夜の記憶 Aoi Yoru no Kioku?)
 * 30) Monster Zoo (怪獣動物園 Kaijū Doōbutsuen?)
 * 31) The Attacked GUTS Base (襲われたGUTS基地 Osowareta Gattsu Kichi?)
 * 32) Zelda Point's Defenses (ゼルダポイントの攻防 Zeruda Pointo no Kōbō?)
 * 33) Vampire City (吸血都市 Kyūketsu Toshi?)
 * 34) To The Southern Limit (南の涯てまで Minami no Hate Made?)
 * 35) The Sleeping Maiden (眠りの乙女 Nemuri no Otome?)
 * 36) The Time-Transcending Smile (時空をこえた微笑 Toki o Koeta Hohoemi?)
 * 37) Flower (花 Hana?)
 * 38) The Mirage Monster (蜃気楼の怪獣 Shinkirō no Kaijū?)
 * 39) Dear Mr. Ultraman (拝啓ウルトラマン様 Haikei Urutoraman-sama?)
 * 40) Dream (夢 Yume?)
 * 41) Friend from Space (宇宙からの友 Uchū kara no Tomo?)
 * 42) Town Where the Girl Disappeared (少女が消えた街 Shōjo ga Kieta Machi?)
 * 43) Land Shark (地の鮫 Chi no Same?)
 * 44) The One Who Inherits the Shadows (影を継ぐもの Kage o Tsugu Mono?)
 * 45) Eternal Life (永遠の命 Eien no Inochi?)
 * 46) Let's Go to Kamakura! (いざ鎌倉! Iza Kamakura!?)
 * 47) Goodbye to Darkness (闇にさようなら Yami ni Sayōnara?)
 * 48) Fugitive from The Moon (月からの逃亡者 Tsuki kara no Tōbōsha?)
 * 49) The Ultra Star (ウルトラの星 Urutora no Hoshi?)
 * 50) Take Me Higher! (もっと高く!～Take Me Higher!～ Motto Takaku!~Teiku Mī Haiyā~?)
 * 51) Master of Darkness (暗黒の支配者 Ankoku no Shihaisha?)
 * 52) To The Shining Ones (輝けるものたちへ Kagayakeru Mono-tachi e?)

Films

 * Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey: A film set two years after the final episode, serves as the epilouge to the series.
 * Ultraman Tiga Gaiden: Revival of the Ancient Giant: A direct-to-video special set many years after the end of the series. In it, Daigo and Rena also have a son who is named Tsubasa.
 * Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna: Warriors of the Star of Light: A crossover between Tiga and the series, Ultraman Dyna (as events of the movie is set during times of the Dyna series). Ultraman Tiga appears to assist Dyna in battling an Alien Threat.
 * Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna & Ultraman Gaia: Battle in Hyperspace: A crossover featuring featureing Tiga as an ultra that appeared in the film.
 * Superior Ultraman 8 Brothers: Tiga was one of the main Ultramen to appear in this film, alongside Showa-era Ultra Heroes, marking the first major "crossover" between Showa and Heisei Ultramen. This movie occurs in an alternate universe where Ultras never came to Earth and were thought of as legends from a TV show. Ultraman Mebius crossed over into this universe to team up with them.
 * Superior Ultraman 8 Brothers: Tiga was one of the main Ultramen to appear in this film, alongside Showa-era Ultra Heroes, marking the first major "crossover" between Showa and Heisei Ultramen. This movie occurs in an alternate universe where Ultras never came to Earth and were thought of as legends from a TV show. Ultraman Mebius crossed over into this universe to team up with them.

4Kids Adaptation
Ultraman Tiga was the 4th Ultra series to be adapted for a U.S. release. It was released by 4Kids Entertainment for Fox's FoxBox Saturday morning programming and debuted on September 14, 2002.

The Americanized version is a self-parody of 4Kids' style of Americanization. It contains many dramatic changes often seen in other 4Kids acquisitions. There is an entirely new theme song and the original soundtrack for the series is replaced. The storyline was altered to comply with network television censorship standards and make it "kid-friendly" (fewer people die, plots are simplified, and the diabolical motivations of aliens are watered down). There is a lot more dialogue and telepathic conversations to explain plot points that were originally implicit. A minute or two of scenes are cut out to make room for special new featurettes that highlight specific aspects of the show.

There is also a lot more blatant and crude humor. The Japanese Ultraman Tiga has few subtle humor and charming moments. The Americanized version comes with dialogue that pokes fun of the original material as well as dubbing in general and changes character for some of the characters (Notable in this aspect is the transformation of Captain Iruma from a smart, level-headed individual into a complete airhead.) Additionally, Captain Iruma was referred to as a "sir" instead of a "ma'am", perhaps in an attempt at being politically correct. This causes some problems within the addressing of a commanding officer whether that person is a male or a female.

The monsters seem enhanced with new sound effects, and the transformation sequence is altered altogether. Additionally, Ultraman Tiga's "Multi, Power, and Sky types" are changed into "Omni, Power, and Speed Modes," respectively. The Spark Lens is called the "Torch of Tiga", although the Region 1 DVD Release refers to it as the "Spark Lance" for the first DVD (soon afterwards, the translation becomes "Spark Lens" yet again. His laser weapons are called "Luminizers", and Ultraman Tiga's Color Timer is referred to as his "Biotic Sensor." Probably the most infamous (and partially racial) of the Tiga incidents was in episode 22, where the Japanese dialogue was used in the Americanized version of the series as "Extraterrestrial Language."

Of the 52 Episodes of Ultraman Tiga, only 25 episodes were released dubbed and the series quietly ended its run on the FoxBox with limited success. Villains such as Irudo and Evil Tiga never had a chance to appear despite being shown previously in advertisements, indicating that the entire series (or at least significantly more,) was intended to be brought over.

A possible reason for its limited success in America was shown in a reference in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, another 4Kids acquisition. An episode which "coincidentally" features an Ultraman reference appears in both the Japanese and English versions. This could present the possibility that Ultraman Tiga (only the fourth Ultra series to be shown in the U.S. behind Ultraman, Ultra Seven, and Ultraman: Towards the Future) may have been acquired and broadcast merely to explain the reference.

Cast

 * Daigo Madoka (マドカ・ダイゴ Madoka Daigo): Hiroshi Nagano (V6) (長野 博Nagano Hiroshi)
 * Rena Yanase (ヤナセ・レナ Yanase Rena): Takami Yoshimoto (吉本 多香美 Yoshimoto Takami)
 * Megumi Iruma (イルマ・メグミ Iruma Megumi): Mio Takagi (高樹 澪 Takagi Mio)
 * Seiichi Munakata (ムナカタ・セイイチ Munakata Seiichi): Akitoshi Ohtaki (大滝 明利 Ōtaki Akitoshi)
 * Masami Horii (ホリイ・マサミ Horii Masami): Yukio Masuda (増田 由紀夫 Masuda Yukio)
 * Tetsuo Shinjoh (シンジョウ・テツオ Shinjō Tetsuo): Shigeki Kagemaru (影丸 茂樹 Kagemaru Shigeki)
 * Jun Yazumi (ヤズミ・ジュン Yazumi Jyun): Yoichi Furuya (古屋 暢一 Furuya Yōichi)
 * Souichiro Sawai (サワイ・ソウイチロウ Sawai Sōichirō): Tamio Kawachi (川地 民夫 Kawachi Tamio)
 * Masayuki Nahara (ナハラ・マサユキ Nahara Masayuki): Take Uketa (タケ・ウケタ)
 * Tetsuji Yoshioka (ヨシオカ・テツジ Yoshioka Tetsuji): Ken Okabe (岡部 健 Okabe Ken)
 * Mayumi Shinjoh (シンジョウ・マユミ Shinjō Mayumi): Kei Ishibashi (石橋 けい Ishibashi Kei)
 * Naban Yao (ヤオ・ナバン Yao Naban): Ichirō Ogura (小倉 一郎 Ogura Ichirō)
 * Reiko Kashimura (カシムラ・レイコ Kashimura Reiko): Takako Kitagawa (北川 たか子 Kitagawa Takako)
 * Omi Yanase (ヤナセ・オミ Yanase Omi): Shigeru Araki (荒木 しげる Araki Shigeru)
 * Yūji Tango (タンゴ・ユウジ Tango Yūji): Yoichi Okamura (岡村 洋一 Okamura Yoichi)
 * Shin Hayate (ハヤテ・シン Hayate Shin): Masaki Kyomoto (京本 政樹 Kyōmoto Masaki)