Ichiro Mizuno is a guest character who appeared in Return of Ultraman. He is a close friend of Hideki Go from elementary school days and currently serves as the director of the Mizuno Biological Research Institute.
History[]
Return of Ultraman[]
Mizuno as a child.
In the past, Mizuno's father was a brilliant scholar, inspiring Mizuno to dedicate himself to realizing his father's concept of animals and plants coexisting. He believes that all animals and plants share the same essence of life, and thus, his goal is to create a new life form that can integrate both. During elementary school, he became close friends with Go, and the two shared many wonderful memories during their childhood.
One day, the adult Mizuno came to Sakata Auto Repair Shop to commission the creation of a desk lamp. Go coincidentally encountered him on the street, realizing that this young man was his elementary school friend, Mizuno. After the long-awaited reunion, both of them were excited.
Mizuno told Go that, following his father's passing last year, he renovated his father's estate and has now immersed himself in biological research. That evening, Jiro Sakata personally delivered the completed desk lamp to Mizuno's residence. Guided by Mizuno, Jiro entered the residence and observed the iguanas and lizards being kept. When Jiro inquired about Mizuno's primary research focus, whether it was on animals or plants, Mizuno enthusiastically began explaining his research on distinguishing between animals and plants: "I want to cultivate an entirely new organism with characteristics of both animals and plants through simultaneous research on both. This is the right of a scientist."
Jiro found it perplexing, but Mizuno expressed, "Originally, there is only one type of organism in the universe. It's strange how humans categorize them into species like animals and plants. Life shouldn't be treated differently." At the same time, Mizuno had successfully created a completely new egg with characteristics of both animals and plants. He attempted to hatch it by exposing the egg to alpha Leo electromagnetic waves.
Mizuno successfully hatched Leogon.
When MAT investigated Mizuno's residence due to detecting strange electromagnetic waves, Mizuno stated that, aside from a heating device for the use of animals and plants, there were no other special installations in his home. Upon returning to the residence and observing the state of the egg, Mizuno noticed that the egg, subjected to electromagnetic wave irradiation, had hatched. Mizuno believed he had finally broken the barrier between animals and plants that seemed impassable. He raised a toast in celebration while speaking to his father's portrait, aiming to demonstrate that his abilities could surpass those of his father.
However, at this moment, the rapidly growing Leogon began to go berserk. Leogon destroyed the residence and escaped outside, entering the backyard of the Sakata family. When Jiro went to Mizuno's residence to inquire about the existence of the Leogon, Mizuno suddenly became angry, grabbing Jiro's neck, threatening him, warning, "Don't tell Go anything."
The next day, a tourist boat on Lake Ashi was attacked by Leogon. MAT was dispatched. Despite aerial bombardment, it proved ineffective against the monster. Go went to Mizuno's residence, requesting an assessment of the Leogon. However, Mizuno rejected his request. When Go and Jiro clandestinely entered the residence again, Mizuno was already waiting for them.
Mizuno was swallowed by Leogon and died.
In response to Go's inquiry, Mizuno stated that his goal was to create a new form of life. He believed that Go couldn't comprehend his inner feelings and threatened, "If creating Leogon is a sin, then I can only choose to die." He also asserted that by transforming alpha Leo waves into beta Leo waves, Leogon would meet its demise.
Upon Go's persuasion, Mizuno eventually agreed to go with MAT the next day to exterminate Leogon at the lakeside. However, he ultimately abandoned the mission and walked directly towards the lake. Go chased after Mizuno into the lake, but Mizuno was eventually captured by Leogon and devoured on the spot.
Mizuno's residence was converted into a children's museum according to his will.
After his passing, according to the will found in his room, Mizuno established his research institute as a "Children's Museum," and his residence was designated for use by children. Jiro mentioned that Mizuno had foreseen everything and, with Go's approval, ignited the alpha Leo electromagnetic waves, while Go watched from the side.
Gallery[]
Return of Ultraman[]
