Ultraman Taiga (character)

Ultraman Taiga (ウルトラマンタイガ) is the titular Ultra Hero of the series Ultraman Taiga and is one of the three Ultra Warriors who merge with Hiroyuki Kudo. He is the son of Ultraman Taro, and debuts along with Ultraman Titas and Ultraman Fuma as the first Ultra Warriors in the Reiwa era. Deep inside, he wishes his father Taro to understand and recognize him, but he cannot admit his true feelings. He has a strong sense of justice and is very enthusiastic. Along with Titas and Fuma, he founded the Tri Squad. Although still young and not skilled, but he dedicates to fight for peace on Earth. Together with Hiroyuki, he grows to become a true Ultraman.

Pre-Ultraman Taiga
Twelve years ago, Taiga and his team, the Tri Squad, attempted to fight Ultraman Tregear after the other New Generation Ultras had been defeated. As a gift, the New Generation Ultras gave their light to the Tri Squad, with Taiga receiving the lights of Ultraman Orb, Ultraman Rosso and Ultraman Blu. Taiga, Titas and Fuma ignored Taro's warning not to fight Tregear and attacked him. Despite being able to strike him a few times, their combined strength was not even close to enough to defeat him. Titas and Fuma were reduced to particles, which enrages Taiga. He charges ahead, but he also shared the same fate as his comrades.

Somehow, Taiga's particles descended to Earth. When Hiroyuki Kudo was attacked by an alien while trying to save his pet, Taiga saved the boy and bonded with him as he was falling from the sky.

Ultraman Taiga
After twelve years, Hiroyuki worked under EGIS. Taiga helped Hiroyuki out during a mission with Alien Rivers Kawazu, talking to the man through telepathy. After Hellberus attacks Young Mother Zandrias and sets the building Hiroyuki was in ablaze, Taiga emerges, allowing him to transform and fight Hellberus and save both the mother and baby Zandrias. After the battle, Taiga appears before Hiroyuki to talk to him.

Back at the EGIS base, Taiga explains to Hiroyuki the circumstances of how he came to dwell in Hiroyuki. While dealing with a King Guesra, who happens to be Hiroyuki's old pet Chibisuke, Tregear appears and toys with Taiga by beating and mocking him. Taiga and Chibisuke try to fight Tregear, but they are no match for him. Tregear kills Chibisuke, further enraging Taiga and Hiroyuki. Tregear disappears after Taiga uses his Flame Blaster.

Stats

 * Height: 50 m
 * Weight: 40,000 t
 * Time Limit: 3 Minutes

Body Features

 * Ultra Armor
 * Ultra Horns: Inherited from his father, Taiga has horns on the sides of his head.
 * Protector: Taiga has a Protector on his chest. Uniquely, it is blue in color.
 * Color Timer
 * Beam Lamp
 * Taiga Spark (タイガスパーク): A multi-purpose item that allows Taiga to perform various techniques and abilities.

Transformation
"Hero of Light, Taiga!"

- Pre-transformation call Hiroyuki slides down the block lever of the Taiga Spark to activate it, takes the Taiga Key Holder and scans it, then raises his hand while shouting his transformation call.

Trivia

 * Designer: Masayuki Goto
 * Taiga is the first New Generation Ultra Warrior since Ginga not to feature any black markings in his default form.
 * According to Taiga's main director, Ryuichi Ichino, the Ultra's age is equivalent to that of a young man in his third year of junior high school or a freshman in senior high school.