The GDF (Global Defense Force is a cross-national defense organization formed by the world governments to combat kaiju and alien threats. The main branch seen in Ultraman Arc is GDFJ (Global Defense Force Japan) .
Overview
Since the event known as "K-DAY," simultaneous kaiju appearances globally have made kaiju disasters commonplace in Japan. As a result, the organization known as GDF was established worldwide, with branches in various countries, specializing in military responses to kaijus.
The Japanese branch of GDF possesses mechanized equipment such as tanks and fighter jets. They respond promptly and deploy when kaiju appear. Additionally, while collaborating with SKIP on incident resolutions, these organizations remain independent entities.
Although detailed information about kaiju is widely shared among all research institutions, the GDF enforces strict information control measures regarding matters related to space, especially space kaiju. The confidentiality level for such data is extremely high, and the full information is not disclosed to the public.
History
Pre-Ultraman Arc
16 years ago, Onyx caused "K-DAY" by falling to the earth.
Sixteen years ago, the GDF observed the sudden appearance of a "mysterious substance with properties similar to a black hole" located 1,000 kilometers from Earth. All GDF branches worldwide immediately went on high alert. Shortly after, the substance rapidly contracted and fell to Earth. Upon impact, it released gravitational waves and high-energy particles, disrupting Earth's geomagnetic field. This event triggered the awakening of dormant kaiju across the planet and became known as "K-DAY."
Further analysis revealed that this substance was continuously absorbing energy from space, and its energy reserves were nearing critical levels. Once the accumulation reached its limit, it would result in a cataclysmic explosion equivalent to a supernova. The substance was eventually assigned the codename "Onyx." Due to its extreme danger, the GDF enforced a strict information lockdown to prevent widespread panic. A global search was launched to track Onyx’s location. However, because of the unique properties of the waves it emitted, Onyx’s location could not be confirmed until new measurement equipment was developed, ultimately revealing it was within Japan.
Ultraman Arc
In the past 16 years, the GDF has successfully defeated various kaiju threats from different regions multiple times. However, three months ago, a mysterious giant suddenly appeared in Hoshimoto City and defeated several kaiju, drawing significant attention and prompting thorough investigations by the GDF and other related agencies.
When Shagong appeared at Hayama Chemical Industries, the GDFJ quickly deployed ground troops and fighter jets to launch an attack. Despite these efforts, they were unable to stop Shagong's destruction. At this critical moment, the mysterious giant reappeared and defeated Shagong within just three minutes. Following this event, the GDFJ publicly announced the giant's name as "Ultraman Arc."
Onyx appeared 16 years later somewhere in the forest east of Hoshimoto City.
The GDF continued to monitor the situation in Hoshimoto City, and the Space Division established the "Ultraman Arc-related Fact Management Unit," or "Arc FAM," to oversee the activities of Ultraman Arc. Following the Givas incident, GDF investigations revealed that the green beams detected by Givas were due to Onyx’s high-energy reactions, which they referred to as "Crescent." Upon further analysis, they confirmed that Onyx was located in the Kitsune Forest area in the eastern part of the city.
At the same time, ONYX reappeared as Zadime became more active. Any online posts mentioning Onyx were swiftly deleted by GDF authorities. While maintaining strict information control, the GDF planned to transfer Onyx to a research facility and attempted an aerial recovery. However, due to Onyx’s ability to distort the surrounding space, approaching aircraft were destroyed by the intense spatial distortion. When Zadime eliminated the spatial distortion and began attacking Onyx, Ultraman Arc intervened. Ultimately, Arc absorbed Onyx’s explosive energy and transformed it into a new armor, thus saving Earth from destruction.
Members
Space Science Division
The Space Science Division is the space research and investigation division of the GDF.
- Main article: Nibuya
Nibuya is the team leader of the GDFJ Space Science Division and the supervisor of Shu Ishido.
- Main article: Shu Ishido
Shu Ishido [1][2] is the 25-year-old special investigator assigned by the Space Science Division of the GDF joining at SKIP.
Kaiju Control Unit
The Kaiju Control Unit is the division responsible for direct confrontation with kaiju threats.
Former Members
- Main article: Ichiro Nakamura
Ichiro Nakamura was a member of the GDF in the past. He joined the organization after attracting the attention of SKIP after successfully capturing a crocodile turtle named Alligatortois in the past.
Arsenal
Attire
Equipment
- Elemagun : A GDF-exclusive electromagnetic anti-Kaiju gun, primarily used for combating and subduing Kaiju threats.
- Multipurpose Sensor [3]: The multifunctional sensor specially designed by the Space Science Division can investigate the source of any type of electromagnetic wave.
- Missile: The main weapon used to attack kaijus. The Full Moon's Answer
- SAR Satellite : Owned by the GDF Space Science Division, this artificial satellite features synthetic-aperture radar capabilities. It can focus microwaves using the spotlight mode to detect objects up to 500 meters below the Earth's surface. However, high-level authorization is required before use.
- Sonic Weapon [4]: A specialized sonic emitter mounted on GDF vehicles. It is developed based on the analysis of the sound emitted by the cosmic warrior Zangill's "Demon Slicing Meteor Sword." The device converts the sword's sound into high-frequency vibration waves, designed to disrupt spectral monsters and force them to transition from an incorporeal to a physical state. Demon Slicing Meteor Sword
- Parabolic Collecting Device : A dedicated parabolic particle focusing apparatus designed to collect and project "Onyxium Particles." These particles are a byproduct released when Ultraman Arc's Galactic Armor uses a space-time tunnel for instantaneous travel. Once sufficient particles are gathered, precise projection onto a space-time rift allows for the stable sealing of the rift.
Mecha
- Combat Vehicle MBT [5]/Combat Vehicle "Defense Force MBT" [6]: The GDF's primary ground combat vehicle. GDF MBTs are modified Type 10 tanks, and are equipped with a railgun-like turret and side skirts.
- Aircraft MRF [5]/Global Defense Force State-of-The-Art Fighter Aircraft "Defense Force MRF" [7]: The GDF's mainstay multi-role fighter. Primarily used for air strikes on kaiju from aerial zones. Armed with missiles and laser weaponry.
Gallery
Ultraman Arc
Trivia
- This is the third defense organization to continue using the same Japanese name after EDF and GGF.
- In the creative setting of this series, the protagonist is not affiliated with any defense team. However, Takanori Tsujimoto made an important suggestion: not to create a world without a defense team. He believed that in a world threatened by kaiju, it would be very unnatural if there were no human forces resisting them. Based on this suggestion, the GDF was incorporated into the setting to rationalize the plot.[8]
References
- ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/news/7250
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/post-7073
- ↑ https://cocreco.kodansha.co.jp/telemaga/news/feature/arc/aLwWS
- ↑ https://cocreco.kodansha.co.jp/telemaga/news/feature/arc/XEWRg
- ↑ フィギュア王 No.317 pg 21
- ↑ https://cocreco.kodansha.co.jp/telemaga/news/feature/arc/PiY59?page=2
- ↑ Figure king vol.317 pg 24
| 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 |