Ultraman Tiga (character)

Ultraman Tiga (ウルトラマンティガ, Urutoraman Tiga) is the first Heisei Ultra hero to appear, ending the 15-year-long hiatus the Ultraman franchise had. Set in a universe different from all previous series, Ultraman Tiga introduced new and radical updates to the Ultraman character for a new generation of audiences; most notably him being the first Ultraman with multiple combat modes and non-red colors. He is also considered one of the most popular entries in the franchise, having had more exposure on TV and in film as compared to other Heisei Ultra heroes (a 52-episode series, three crossover films in 1998, 1999, 2008, and two direct sequels in 2000 and 2001)

History
In ancient times a race of giants lived on the Earth, protecting and guarding an ancient civilization from monsters of all types. However a war between them occurred, on one side the forces of good and light, on the other side, the dark giants lead by four dark warriors, Kamila, Hudra, Darramb, and Tiga. However, Tiga saw the error of his ways and chose light over darkness, changing to the side of good. The dark giants fell to the forces of light, Kamila, Gudra, and Darramb turned to stone. However, a great evil called Gatanozoa overtook their civilization and the world, turning all the giants to stone, Tiga included. Centuries later, Tiga’s transformation, the Spark Lens returned to Earth, finding a descendent of the ancient civilization, Daigo. As Golza and Melba, two super ancient monsters awakened to ravage mankind, Daigo and the GUTS team made their way to the resting place of Tiga and two of his comrades. While the two other statues were smashed by the ancient beasts, Daigo merged with Ultraman Tiga, taking the giant’s form as his own. With little effort, Tiga defeats the two and becomes the Earth’s protector against armies of ancient kaiju, genetic experiments gone wrong, aliens, and even a giant of darkness spawned by the Spark Lens and a greedy man’s desire for power, Evil Tiga. But the warrior would vanquish each threat the Earth faced, even when Gatanozoa’s minion, Gijura, awakened, the evil plant was destroyed. After defeating Gatanozoa’s other guardian, Zoyger, Tiga would face a greater challenge, the Ruler of Darkness himself, Gatanozoa. While he fought hard, Tiga was beaten and turned back to stone, but the children of the world lent their light to Tiga, transforming him into Glitter Tiga. After the ultimate evil was destroyed, the Spark Lens turned back to stone and disintegrated, leaving Daigo a normal man once more. However, two years later, Kamila, Hudra, and Darramb were awakened from their ancient prisons to blight the world once again and used the Dark Spark Lens to let Daigo transform, but into Tiga’s previous, evil form, Dark Tiga. But as he fought the trio of dark giants, Tiga absorbed their energy, turning him back slowly into his good form, killing Darramb and Hudra. Finally, during the fight with Kamila, Tiga Blast was transformed back into Ultraman Tiga. Enraged by this, Kamila transformed into the monstrous Demonzoa and assaulted the hero. Despite everything he launched at the beast, nothing could so much as phase it and Tiga was defeated by the dark monster. But Tiga’s former good comrades, left turned to stone and laying around the island in ruins, gave what energy remained to Tiga, transforming him back into the ultimate force of light, Glitter Tiga. Despite Demonzoa’s best efforts, Glitter Tiga was too strong and killed the final giant of darkness. After Daigo’s marriage to Rena, he left Earth, leaving the planet in the hands of Tiga’s apprentice, Ultraman Dyna. But while Daigo wouldn’t take up the mantle again, the energy of children revived Ultraman Tiga to save Dyna from death at the hands of the massive Queen Monela.

Glitter Type
Glitter Type only appeared in the episode 52 and the movie Final Odyssey (2000), when Ultraman Tiga was revived by the light of the fallen warriors present at the ruins of R'lyeh, to battle against Demonzoa. In this form, he seems to be surrounded by a shining shield that rends him invulnerable to damage. As Demonzoa consumed Glitter Tiga, it was destroyed by a blinding explosion of light.

Multitype
Multitype is Tiga's default form. It balances speed and strength attritbutes.

Zeperion Ray - Ultraman Tiga's signature move in Multi type, used as a finishing skill against most monsters. It is charged using the arms and then fired off as a white, incinerating laser.

Tiga Slicer - Ultraman Tiga's second signature move in Multi Type, Tiga creates an energy slicer from his hands and lets it go to slice monsters easily.

Timer Flash - Ultraman Tiga's ultimate finisher, debuted in Episode 52 against Gatanozoa, Tiga gathers light into his Color Timer and unleashes a rainbow light stream that decapitates monsters in a single blow. This finisher is normally done in Glitter Type.

Power Type
In Power type, Tiga becomes red in coloration theme, and gains increased strength and power, but at the cost of speed.

Delacium Light Stream - Power Type's finishing move. It is released as a stream of explosive energy.

Ultra Head Crusher - Power Type's signature move. Tiga grabs his opponent by the belly and smashes their head onto the ground.

Sky Type
In Sky Type, Tiga trades much of his strength for great speed and agility. It is lavender in coloration theme.

Rambolt Light Bullet - Used as a finisher in Sky Type. A lightning based attack that is fired off as a continous stream of energy.