The Defense Force is a military organization established to protect Earth. First introduced in Ultraman, it stands out as a dedicated combat unit, in contrast to the SSSP, which functions more as a police-like organization.
Overview[]
In the series, beyond the SSSP, various other human defense organizations also participate in battles against monsters and aliens. These groups are often collectively referred to as the "Defense Force." Under the direction of a Chief of Staff, they coordinate with the SSSP in their efforts to implement counter-monster strategies, sometimes engaging in direct cooperation to combat these threats.
Additionally, the series features the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), a real-world military body. While their primary mission is national defense, they are frequently deployed to address monster-related emergencies. Their involvement is depicted in several episodes, including episodes 4, 8, 9, 15, 26, 27, 34, 36, and 39, where they conduct full-scale operations. In episodes 13 and 33, only the airborne units are shown taking independent action.
It is worth noting that in many scenes where defense organizations are shown attacking enemies, the series does not clearly specify whether these groups belong to the Defense Force, the JSDF, or local police tactical units. For this analysis, the content regarding these organizations has been consolidated under a single entry for simplicity and clarity.
Members[]
Defense Force[]
The Chief of Staff[1] is the head of the Defense Force and personally led the strategy meetings to counter the Alien Baltan threat.
He is portrayed by Susumu Fujita.
The Staff Officer A[1] voiced objections during the "Dialogue with Alien Baltan" plan, opposing Muramatsu's proposal.
He is portrayed by Munemaru Koda.
JSDF[]
The Commander[1] is the highest-ranking officer of the JSDF, and appears to have command authority over Muramatsu's directives. Don't Shoot, Arashi!
He is portrayed by Yoshiro Aoki .
Arsenal[]
Equipment[]
- Hagetaka [1][2]: A nuclear missile deployed at the Tokyo Defense Base, it was featured in the series as a weapon used to attack the Alien Baltan.
- Rocket Launcher [2]: Deployed during the operation against Neronga, this weapon was equipped with large rockets.
- Anti-Aircraft Gun : A self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The base vehicle is a 16-wheeled heavy trailer truck, with the trailer portion housing the anti-aircraft gun. The Defense Force utilized this weapon to deploy artificial rain rounds.
- 9-Barrel Rocket Cannon [2]: A piece of equipment belonging to the JSDF, equipped solely with rocket launchers. It was used in the attack on Gomora, but the operation yielded no significant results.
Mecha[]
- Aircraft
- F-4 Fighter Jet[2]: A real-world fighter jet used by the Defense Force, JSDF airborne units, and the SSSP's New York branch. This aircraft was deployed in the battle against Bullton and also conducted airstrikes on the saucers of Alien Mefilas.[3]
- Jet Fighter [2]: A futuristic jet operated by JSDF airborne units, it engaged in fierce combat with the massive disc fleet of Alien Zetton.
- Airborne Transport Helicopter [2]: A helicopter belonging to the JSDF, it provided support to the SSSP during operations against Pestar and Alien Mefilas.
- Ship
- Warship [2]: A fleet of JSDF naval ships appeared in the series. These vessels used loudspeakers to play music in an effort to calm Ragon.
- Vehicle
- Flamethrower Vehicle [2]: Assigned to the operation against Gango, this vehicle was part of the Defense Force's arsenal. However, its specific actions were not detailed.
- Ray Cannon Vehicle [2]: This vehicle participated in combat operations against Gango and Gavadon during the countermeasure mission.[4]
- Heat Ray Cannon Vehicle [2]: A combat vehicle capable of firing red energy beams, it was deployed in battles against Neronga and Gabora.
- Medium Tank [2]: Regularly featured in operations against monsters like Neronga and Gabora, this tank primarily consisted of Type 61 models, though the M4 medium tank was also occasionally utilized.
- Large Missile Vehicle [2]: Equipped with large missiles, this vehicle was used in combat against the Imit-Ultraman.
- 9-Barrel Rocket Vehicle [2]: A JSDF vehicle equipped with a nine-barrel rocket launcher, it was transported via trailer during the battle at Osaka Castle.
- Flame Cannon Vehicle : A large vehicle equipped with a massive flame thrower mounted on the rear.
Counterparts[]
Ultra Q[]
In the series, the JSDF and the Japan Coast Guard are portrayed as humanity's conventional military forces. With high combat capability, they have achieved notable successes in several monster countermeasure operations.
ULTRAMAN[]
- Main article: JSDF (Ultra N Project)
Neo Ultra Q[]
The JSDF appears in the series, with its forces deployed on Sedeccane Island to carry out the operation to eliminate Sedegan. The Extremely Smelly Island
Ultraman Orb THE ORIGIN SAGA[]
The Defense Force appears in the series. after the Tree of Life manifests in Tokyo. The Defense Force seals off the area, and when the Japanese government concludes that the tree's presence has attracted monsters like Bezelb, they order the Defense Force to plant bombs at the tree's roots in an attempt to destroy it. Flower Storm
Shin Ultraman[]
- Main article: Government of Japan (Shin Ultraman)
Gallery[]
Ultraman[]
Trivia[]
- In episodes 3, 21, and 29, the term "防衛隊" is used to refer to the organization.
- In Ultraman Kaiju Legend: The 40 Year Old Truth, the organization is referred to as the Earth Defense Force .
- The mecha models used by the Defense Force are actually recycled from fictional weapon models that appeared in Toho's tokusatsu films.
- The Ray Cannon weapons are the Type 66 Maser Cannons, which first appeared in The War of the Gargantuas.
- The Heat Ray Cannons are the A-Cycle Light Ray Guns from Invasion of the Astro Monster.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Ultra Tokusatsu PERFECT MOOK vol. 02: Ultraman, pg 14
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 ウルトラメカ大全 (The Complete Ultra Mechanic Book), pg 10
- ↑ https://x.com/BirthHopeMetor/status/678116915437371392
- ↑ https://x.com/BirthHopeMetor/status/805316440102289408
| Defense Teams | |
|---|---|
| Showa Defense Teams | SSSP, Defense Force | TDF (UG, MAT, TAC, ZAT, MAC, UGM) | Science Guard Party |
| Heisei Defense Teams | UMA | WINR | HEART | Mydo | TPC (GUTS, Super GUTS, Black Buster Corps, Neo Super GUTS) | GUARD (XIG) | GOKAZOKU | SRC (EYES, Team SEA), JADF | BCST, JSDF | TLT (NR) | UDF (DASH) | GUYS | DEUS | ZAP SPACY | Team U | UPG | UNVER (Xio) | VTL | AIB |
| Reiwa Defense Teams | EGIS | GAF (STORAGE) | TPU (GUTS-Select) | SSSP | GGF (SKaRD) | KDF | SKIP, GDF | KSCT, NDF |
| Other Defense Teams | Inter Galactic Defense Force | Space Patrol | MIGHTY JACK | SRI | SGM | Team Mouri | SAT | SAF | PAT | Koseidon Corps | MAT | SWORD | SSSP | USP | GIRLS |