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Biography

"DYUWAH!"

―Dan Moroboshi's transformation call

"I'm not human. I'm from M78. I'm Ultraseven."

―Dan Moroboshi reveals himself to Anne Yuri, The Biggest Invasion in History: Part 2

Dan Moroboshi (モロボシ・ダン, Moroboshi Dan) is the human form of Ultraseven and the protagonist in the titular TV series.

Personality

In the original series, Dan generally has a friendly and respectful demeanor towards both his colleagues in the Ultra Guard and any strangers he would encounter. When not deep in thought about suspicious and possible alien behavior, he would make small talk with his colleagues. He was thus able to develop a deep friendship with the Ultra Guard, proven by the fact that those who knew of his death in episode 11 "Fly to Devil Mountain" were deeply upset and hence were heavily driven to find the culprit responsible for his assassination. He is very passionate about preserving peace on Earth and saving human lives, as he would often loudly volunteer to participate in investigations whenever they popped up and would often risk his life and position in the Ultra Guard to save people and reveal the malicious intentions of disguised aliens. He has strong attention to detail and sensitivity to suspicious behavior, but his naivete and belief in the "honor as a fellow alien" (possibly as he was not trained to be a warrior or deep space combatant, hence was not experienced with dealing with potential alien invaders prior to his visit) has occasionally resulted in him falling for the plans of several aliens.

As the series progresses, Dan would face more moral challenges when he begins to be involved in a conflict where humans were partly responsible or when interstellar races would come to Earth for survival, rather than malicious conquest. Even so, his love and admiration for Earth would continue to dictate his actions. As a result of these experiences, Dan would grow to be less trusting towards aliens and less tolerant of wrongful human actions -- a trait he would carry on in the Heisei Series.

In Ultraman Taro, Dan acts much more stern and old. He is also very respectful towards his brothers, as shown when he (along with Zoffy, Ultraman/Hayata) wanted Ultraman Taro to defeat Alien Tempera by himself. In Ultraman Mebius, Dan is much more kind and wise.

History

Ultraseven

Dan Moroboshi holding his capsule monsters

He appeared as the main character of Ultraseven and the human form of the titular Ultra. His codename to the Inter Galactic Defense Force was "Agent 340" but was christened Ultraseven by the humans. Each member of the UG was codenamed Ultra One to Six, with Dan being the sixth member his true form was seen as an unofficial Seventh member of the team. Dan hails from the Land of Light in the Nebula M78, the same planet as Ultraman. Originally sent to map the Milky Way, he visits Earth and it captivates him. On his first day he saves the life of a young mountain climber named Jiro Satsuma, who nearly falls to his death while saving a fellow climber. Instead of merging with him, as Ultraman did with Science Patrolman Shin Hayata, 340 morphs himself into a duplicate of the unconscious Jiro. However, he names himself Dan Moroboshi to avoid confusion.

A kind and cheerful young man, Dan assisted the Ultra Guard in finding a way to detect Alien Cool's invisible ships, earning his place in the Ultra Guard, since then he has fought for the Earth and its people at times facing moral dilemmas, and at times he is left pondering the morality of his actions, such as when the Ultra Guard destroyed an underwater city seemingly inhabited by the Earth's original inhabitants that humanity force underwater, simply because it was deduced as the origin point of a monster they had faced. Eventually Dan noticed that his Ultra Powers were fading, this was coinciding with his injuries pilling up. It is then that his superior appeared to him telling him that he needed to return to the Land of Light to heal. When he refused his superior placed a mental lock in Dan's mind preventing him from using the Ultra Eye. When facing the Ghose Aliens and Pandon, Dan found a way around the mental block to save his friends. Though he saved his friends saved the one the aliens took, Seven was trounced by the Ghose monster and barely defeated it. Back in human form, Dan was found bleeding and heavily injured and taken back to the base for medical treatment.

Anne and Dan

Dan's conversation with Anne

Upon awaking Dan snuck out of the base and traveled seeing on the news that Ghose Aliens had attacked every major city on the planet. Heading to an abandoned where house Dan attempted to transform again despite a final warning from his superior, it was then Anne Yuri had arrived, having been worried for Dan's safety. It was then Dan revealed his secrets to her, his true nature and origins and to Anne, it didn't matter and still had her feelings for Dan. Transforming one last time Seven rescued the kidnapped team member and destroyed the aliens and their base. However he still had to deal with a now cyborg Pandon. Barely holding his own, Seven was saved by the assistance of his human allies allowing him to decapitate the Ghose monster. His battle finished and the sun rising, Seven without being able to say good-bye to his team members of the UG and flew off to his home world knowing the Earth would be safe.

Return of Ultraman

Hayata-Dan

Shin Hayata and Dan Moroboshi in Return of Ultraman

As Ultraman Jack was having difficulty with an alien threat, Seven appeared to him and gave the Ultra Bracelet which he would use a great deal during his stay on Earth. Some time later, after his defeat by Alien Nackle and his bodyguard monster Black King, the Ultra was hoisted away from the Earth via two Nackle Ships. There in the depths of space his two predecessors Ultraman and Ultraseven appeared, briefly meeting in human form/host, the two comrades in arms greeted each other before transforming and freeing their fellow of the Land of Light. Afterwards they transformed back into human form and wished Hideki and Jack luck on Earth as they were needed elsewhere amongst the stars.

Ultraman Taro

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Dan as seen in Ultraman Taro

Though Dan did not appear at first, Seven arrived on the Earth to help his cousin Taro, take the Tortoise family leave the Earth, Seven personally escorted the three to another planet where they could live in peace. In episodes 33 and 34 he returns in human form with Shin Hayata, Hideki Go, and Seiji Hokuto. The group gathered for a celebrative barbecue with Taro and Zoffy in human hosts. Unfortunately the Ultra Brothers' celebration was interrupted by Alien Temperor. For a time the Ultras switched hosts. Eventually they transformed and defeated the evil invader and returned home.

Ultraman Leo

Dan Moroboshi 1974

Dan Moroboshi in Ultraman Leo

In this series, Dan as Ultraseven returned to battle Alien Magma and his bodyguards the Giras Brothers. While holding his own in battle against them he was eventually overpowered but saved by the arrival of Ultraman Leo.

By the end of the battle, Seven's leg was injured, meaning Dan's was as well for most of the series. Also Magma and his two monsters had escaped after the battle and an entire city was left partially submerged. After the fight Dan met Gen Otori, the human form of Ultraman Leo who he introduced to MAC where he served as the captain. When the three beasts returned Dan watched on the sidelines helping the other Ultra with his Willpower, allowing him to vanquish the twin monsters, although the alien escaped.

Dan would serve as Gen's mentor, training him hard whenever he was defeated but his sometimes brutal training allowed the young warrior to vanquish his opponents and reach a new level of skill each time. Eventually when Silverbloome attacked MAC, Dan was believed dead for the rest of the series but reappeared near the end having had Ultraman Jack carry the Ultra Eye back to the Land of Light for repairs he regained access to his true form. In episode 40 he got his new look and a mustache. Dan's last appearance in the series was as Ultraseven when he invited Leo to the Land of Light and fly back to space.

Ultraman Mebius & the Ultra Brothers

Ultraseven assumed his human form as Dan Moroboshi after the defeat of Yapool and U-Killersaurus. He ran a ranch for the next 20 years, eventually coming out of hiding and revealing himself to Mirai Hibino with the other Ultra Brothers. After Alien Nackle and Alien Guts captured Ultraman Mebius, Seiji Hokuto convinced him and the other brothers to assume their Ultra forms. After the defeat of Yapool, Dan resumed his life on Earth. Ultraman Mebius & the Ultra Brothers

Ultraman Mebius

"For Ultramen and humans, as long as they have comrades, they can fight any enemy, no matter how formidable. And thus they can win."

―His words to Konomi Amagai, The Immortal Grozam
Dan Mebius

Dan as he appears in Ultraman Mebius

Dan appeared riding a horse after Grozam had defeated Mebius and left him frozen to a dam. He talks to and comforts Konomi saying that Ultras in past suffered defeats but their human allies always saved them. He also allowed Konomi to sense Mirai's thought revealing he was alive and giving back her hope. When Konomi and Marina attempted to save Mebius Dan transformed to help them. He and Mebius teamed up against the ice giant and their attack left him open to being destroyed by Konomi.

Ultraseven X

Dan Moroboshi 2007 2

Dan Moroboshi in the series.

Dan appeared at the very end of the series, after he had separated from Jin and the evil invaders of his world were vanquished, Seven returned to his home dimension. There as Dan, he met his love Anne, who was waiting for him at the lakeside.

Mega Monster Battle Ultra Galaxy: The Movie

Mirai zUltraman Wiikj

Dan with Shin and Mirai in Ultra Galaxy

During the battle against Ultraman Belial, Seven joined Zoffy and Ultraman after the first wave of warriors protecting the Plasma Spark were defeated. The three fought the evil Ultra on the side of the Plasma Spark Tower but Seven and Ultraman were both defeated followed shortly by Zoffy. When the Land of Light was frozen only Seven and Ultraman were able to protect themselves from the wave of frost that swept over the planet. They telepathically communed with Mobius to go and find Rei.

When Rei and Mirai returned to the Land of Light, Dan and Hayata rescued the pair from Alien Shaplay and his trio of monsters, driving off the Alien and destroying his beasts with Agira, Windam and Miclas. Later Dan, Mirai and Hayata would finish of the evil Alien before taking the last of the Light protected by Ultraman Taro. Together the three Ultras and Rei went after Belial in the Monster Graveyard. There they battled Belial's 100 Monster Army. Mega Monster Battle Ultra Galaxy: The Movie

Ultraman Saga

FiveLegendaryUltraBrothers

The Five Legendary Ultra Brothers in their human forms as Seiji, Gen, Dan, Shin, and Hideki

As with Hayata, Hideki, Seiji and Gen, Dan appears among the shining halls of the Land of Light as an Avatar of Seven's voice. Seven's/Dan's introduction in the movie is the exact moment he noticed that his son had traveled to another universe. With the appearance of the other Ultra Brothers the question is raised, if Zero's universe hopping was in any way related to the multiversal threat they had detected. A ship of unknown origin giving off a strong amount of minus energy was abducting monsters, dead or alive, even those in the Monster Graveyard. The Ultras declared they would watch for the threat but also noted they could only monitor a small amount of the countless other multiverses at any time.

In a deleted scene Dan and the other Ultra Brothers transformed and flew to the alternate Earth to assist Ultraman Saga against Hyper Zetton and the monster weapon army, Alien Bat had unleashed. Seven faced off against his old nemesis Pandon, as King Pandon, and would defeat it easily for the first time using the Eye Slugger (which is ironic given that Pandon was notorious for catching it). Ultraman Saga (film)

Ultraman Orb The Movie: Let Me Borrow the Power of Bonds!

Screenshot 2017-02-01-12-32-07

Dan was seen overseeing the battle between Orb Trinity and the Dark Alien Army. After Orb Trinity was blasted by Darebolic's cannon, Dan appeared in front of Orb Trinity, and transforms into Ultraseven. Afterwards, Dan as Seven joined the battle alongside the other New Generation Ultras against the Dark Alien Army. Ultraman Orb The Movie: Let Me Borrow the Power of Bonds!

Counterparts

Heisei Ultraseven

Main article: Dan Moroboshi (Heisei Ultraseven)

Great Decisive Battle! The Super 8 Ultra Brothers

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Dan with the other Ultra Brothers in Human Form

Like the other first four Ultra Brothers, Dan as an alternate version of himself married to an alternate version of Anne. The two own a Hawaiian themed restaurant which is frequented by the other couples (consisting of the other three Ultra Brothers and their wives) and Daigo, Gamu, Asuka and their own children. Later on as Tiga, Gaia and Dyna faced Giga Khimaira, Dan, like the others, is encouraged by his wife to 'remember' his days of fighting for the Earth and acquires the Ultra Eye. The four Ultra Brothers free the previously petrified Mebius and all eight Ultras defeat the Giga Khimaira and the Black Silhouette before returning to their loved ones in human form. Dan and Anne also accompany the others to the Land of Light.

It should be noted that this film seems to imply that these versions of Dan and the other Ultra Brothers were the aliens of the Ultra Star, who may have inspired the Ultraman Series TV shows with their actions, but after living on Earth for so long that they almost forgot about their origins. This is supported when the four moved at super human speeds to save a group of children before their transformations at the end of the movie.

ULTRAMAN

Main article: Dan Moroboshi (ULTRAMAN)

The Rise of Ultraman

Main article: Dan Moroboshi (Marvel)

Transformation

Ultra Eye: This is Dan's transformation item, which allows him to become his true form, Ultraseven. To transform, Dan simply places it on his face and usually says "DYUWAH!". He then transforms into Ultraseven from top to bottom.

Powers and Weapons

  • Teleportation: Dan is able to teleport at will.
  • Ultra Senses: Dan being an Ultra in human form has beyond human senses, the most common example of this is when his eyes flash and he sees through objects.
  • Ultra Psychokinesis (ウルトラ念力, Urutora Nenriki): Dan can use this telekinetic power in human form like other Ultras.
  • Telepathy: Dan can communicate telepathically with any sentient life form.
  • Enhanced Strength and Agility: Even in old age, Dan has demonstrated exceptional perhaps beyond human fighting capability. During his stay on Earth, Dan could outperform his fellow Ultra Guard members, his body was also immune or at least resistant to several alien abilities and technologies.
  • Alien Knowledge: Being that he was tasked with mapping galaxies Dan has a great deal of knowledge about various alien species, several times his familiarity with alien objects clued him into the nefarious deeds of evil space goers.
  • Ultra Eye: Dan uses this device to transform into Ultraseven.

Merchandise

Medicom Toy

RAH-Dan-Moroboshi-(2005)
  • Dan Moroboshi (Real Action Heroes, 2005)
    • RAH Number: 241
    • Release Date: December 2005
    • Price: 13,440 yen
    • Materials: ABS, PVC (doll), Fabric (clothes)
    • Accessories: Helmet, Ultra Gun, Ultra Eye, Video Ceiver
Released as part of the Real Action Hero Series, Dan Moroboshi is a 300mm tall action doll complete with fabric clothes, and he utilizes the RAH301 Kai Doll body. He also comes with a removable helmet, an Ultra Gun & the Ultra Eye which can be wield by his hands. The Video Ceiver on his left arm can be opened and closed.
Dan can be obtained by using the purchase ticket included in the Real Action Heroes Ultraseven Doll.


RAH-Dan-Moroboshi-(Leo)
  • Dan Moroboshi [MAC Captain] (Real Action Heroes, 2009)
    • RAH Number: 450
    • Release Date: November 2009
    • Price: 13,440 yen
    • Materials: ABS, PVC (doll, accessories), Fabric (clothes)
    • Accessories: Helmet, damaged Ultra Eye, walking stick
This release of Dan Moroboshi is based on his appearance as a captain of MAC from the Ultraman Leo TV series. He also comes with a removable helmet, a walking stick, & the damaged Ultra Eye. The head is sculpted by Kyoji Maeda.
Dan [MAC Captain] can be obtained by using the purchase ticket included in the Real Action Heroes Zoffy (Ver.2.0) Doll.


RAH-Dan-Moroboshi-(Renewal)
  • Dan Moroboshi [Renewal Version] (Real Action Heroes)
    • RAH Number: 517
    • Release Date: July 2011
    • Price: 15,800 yen
    • Materials: ABS, PVC (doll, accessories), Fabric (clothes)
    • Accessories: Helmet, Ultra Gun, Ultra Eye, ammunition holder.
This Dan Moroboshi doll is a renewed version of the Real Action Heroes doll above, featuring additional accessories like the ammunition holder.
Dan [Renewal] can be obtained by using the purchase ticket included in the Real Action Heroes Ultraseven (Ver.2.0) Doll.


Bandai

SHF-Dan-Moroboshi
  • Dan Moroboshi (S.H.Figuarts, 2017)
    • Release Date: October 27, 2017
    • Price: 5,800 yen
    • Materials: ABS, PVC
    • JAN/ISBN: 4549660175667
    • Accessories: 1 pair of holding hands, 1 pair of relaxed hands, Ultra Eye, Ultra Eye w/ Hand, Ultra Gun, Dan Moroboshi head with Helmet
S.H.Figuarts Dan Moroboshi is a 150mm-tall poseable action figure that is sculpted to resemble his appearance in the TV series. He comes with the Ultra Gun, his trademark Ultra Eye (and an extra with the right hand molded), and an extra head that is based on his helmeted appearance. Unfortunately, the helmet is not removable.
Not counting the Shota Hebikura version of the Jugglus Juggler figure, Dan is the only SHF to be based on a human character.


Trivia

  • In the Cinar dub of Ultraseven, Dan is dubbed by Canadian voice actor Rob Roy.
  • When Turner held the rights to the Cinar dub, an episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast utilized stock footage of Dan to portray Moltar's agent, though this has been edited in newer re-releases.
  • Dan is the first...
    • instance of an Ultra taking on a human form as opposed to a human host.
    • protagonist to visit another planet outside the solar system.
    • protagonist to have 'civilian powers' that is, special abilities outside of his transformed state.
  • Dan is the first Ultra Hosts/Forms to show their transformation item to the members of the Defense Team.
  • In the early version of the series, Ultra Eye, Dan was portrayed as a young character. He was a half-blood between Earth and Planet R, secretly operating as Redman. His reason for coming to Earth was to search for his mother.[1][2]
  • In the subsequent Redman project proposal, the focus was on depicting "Dan's success story." Instead of immediately becoming a full-fledged member of the UG, Dan would first serve as a trainee, working as the driver of the command vehicle. As he gradually proved himself through his mission performance, he would be promoted to a full member, which was originally intended to be the main storyline of the series. However, since Kohji Moritsugu did not have a driver's license at the time, this concept could not be realized, and he was ultimately appointed directly as a full member.[3]
    • It is said that models like the "Station Hawk," intended to be Dan's mecha during his trainee period, were already made in the early stages. However, with the removal of the trainee concept, some of the mecha models lost their opportunity to appear in the series.
Kohji Moritsugu 2022 06

Kohji Moritsugu on the red carpet of the 2022 Tokyo International Film Festival.[4][5]

  • According to an interview with Kohji Moritsugu, he mentioned that after arriving in Tokyo during the 1960s, he supported himself through part-time jobs and acting. In 1967, while appearing in Tennka no Seinen, staff from Tsuburaya Productions often visited the filming set. Among them was Satoru Niino from Tsuburaya's acting department, who was searching for an actor suitable for the lead role in Tsuburaya's new television series. Due to Moritsugu's youthful and fresh energy, he was selected from 50 actors during the audition.[6]
    • When portraying Dan, Moritsugu focused primarily on the power of the character's gaze. He said, "The working title during the planning stage was Ultra Eye, and the transformation item was also called Ultra Eye, so I thought leaving a strong impression with the eyes would be effective. That's why I paid a lot of attention to that aspect."
    • It is said that Tsuburaya Productions originally intended to cast an actor from Toho to play Dan, with Toshio Kurosawa included on the list of candidates at the time. However, the decision was ultimately canceled as they felt there was too great a difference between Kurosawa and the image of Dan.
    • During the year-long filming of Ultraseven, Moritsugu lived in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, and commuted daily by train to Seijōgakuen-mae Station, the closest station to the studio on the Odakyu Line. He left home at 5 a.m. every day, spending about an hour and a half to reach the studio, and after filming, it took him the same amount of time to return home.[7]
    • The iconic "DYUWAH!" sound Dan makes when putting on the Ultra Eye, as well as Seven's battle cry "Daah!", were both voiced by Moritsugu himself. According to Moritsugu, the director asked him to give it a try, and he ended up spending an entire day recording, trying various versions. The "DYUWAH!" sound wasn't deliberately shouted but was chosen by the staff as the most fitting for the transformation scene.
  • In Ultraman Leo, Kohji Moritsugu was supposed to portray a character named Tetsutaro Kawakami (川上 鉄太郎, Kawakami Tetsutarō), MAC's captain and Gen's mentor, as well as the only human character to be aware of Gen's alter ego as Ultraman Leo. However, Kohji refused the role, fearing that people would mistake him for Dan. As result Ultraseven/Dan was brought into the story on the condition that he would not become Seven, resulting in Dan being unable to transform after episode 1, in addition to his out-of-character behavior for the character that is controversial for many fans.[8][9]
  • In one of the two novelized versions of Heisei Ultraseven, Ultraseven EPISODE: 0, Dan did not age, hence he appeared similar to that of his original look. 

References


Human Hosts and Forms
Showa Hosts Shin Hayata | Dan Moroboshi | Hideki Go | Seiji Hokuto | Yuko Minami | Kotaro Higashi | Professor Ohtani | Shuuhei Aragaki | Tetsuya Kitajima | Tadao Nanbara | Takashi Ueno | Gen Otori | Choichiro Hikari | Kyoko Kodaka | Takeshi Yamato | Ryoko Hoshi | Scott Masterson | Chuck Gavin | Beth O'Brian
Heisei Hosts Jack Shindo | Dan Moroboshi (Heisei Ultraseven) | Kenichi Kai | Masaki Kazamori | Genki Kagura | Mysterious Girl | Shin Kenmochi | Agent Sean | Masato Usami | Katsuto Asahi | Daigo Madoka | Tsubasa Madoka | Amui | Shin Asuka | Gamu Takayama | Hiroya Fujimiya | Ginga Yumeboshi | Musashi Haruno | Julie | Shunichi Maki | Jun Himeya | Ren Senjyu | Nagi Saijyo | Kazuki Komon | Kaito Touma | Ikuo Hasunuma | Mirai Hibino | Kazuya Serizawa | Ryu Aihara | Shingo Sakomizu | Jin | Run | Nozomu Taiga | Hikaru Raido | Sho | Daichi Oozora | Sayuri Tachibana | Yuuto Tamaki | Gai Kurenai | Riku Asakura | Leito Igaguri | Katsumi Minato | Isami Minato | Rosso | Blu | Asahi Minato
Reiwa Hosts Hiroyuki Kudo | Haruki Natsukawa | Kengo Manaka | Ribut | Ignis | Shinji Kaminaga | Kanata Asumi | Decker Asumi | Dinas | Gento Hiruma | Yuma Hize
Evil Ultra Hosts Keigo Masaki | Riko Saida | Shinya Mizorogi | Hiroyuki Misawa | Mitsuhiko Ishibori | Soso | Utsuutsu | Arie Ishikari | Makoto Aizen | Kirisaki | Zabil
Other Ultraman Media Takeshi Yoshioka (Hyperspace) | Ikuru | Shin Moroboshi | Kazuma Asuka | Akiko Fuji (Ultraman F) | Shin Hayata (Marvel) | Dan Moroboshi (Marvel) | Lili Archive | Ken Sato | Hayao Sato
Other Hosts Takeshi Hongo | Kyotaro Kagami | Officer Sakomizu | Goro Kirishima | Yuji Hayase | Tetsuo Hayase | Lily Hayase | Daisuke Misaki | Naoki Tachibana | Kochan | Ai Tachibana | Zen Tachibana | Go Toki | Naoto Sho | Takeshi Todo | Ippei Baba | Yuka Inoue | Mai Midorikawa | Sam Collins | Ai Kumashiro | Akira Kageyama | Rei | Nao | Tomoya Ichijouji | Daisuke Misaki (Glenfire) | Amate | Yuta Hibiki | Hikari Kaizaki | Chloe
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