| Series |
| Jumborg Ace | |
 | |
| Format: | Tokusatsu, Science Fiction, Kaiju, Superhero |
| Created by: | Tsuburaya Productions |
| Starring: | Naoki Tachibana, Jun Tazaki |
| Opening Theme: | Jumborg Ace Theme |
| Ending Theme: | N/a |
| Country Of Origin | Japan |
| Number Of Episodes | 50 |
| Running Time | 24 minutes |
| Original Channel | Mainichi Broadcasting System |
| Original Air Date | January 17, 1973 |
| Preceded by | Mirrorman |
| Succeeded by | Mirror Fight |
Jumborg Ace (ジャンボーグA, Janbōgu Ēsu) is the title of a tokusatsu/science fiction/kaiju/superhero TV series. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, the show was broadcast on Mainichi Broadcasting System from January 17 to December 29, 1973, with a total of 50 episodes. This was also one of several shows Tsuburaya did to celebrate the company's 10th Anniversary (the other two being Ultraman Taro and Fireman).
Plot summary
The two robots
Young air delivery boy Naoki Tachibana (played by, oddly enough, Naoki Tachibana; His character's first name is spelled in katakana, however) is out to deliver a package for his grumpy boss Daisaku Banno (played by veteran actor Jun Tazaki), when his older brother Shin'ya (Toshiaki Amada), who commanded the defense force, PAT (Protective Attacking Team), was killed in an attack by a giant monster called King Jyglus (which was sent by the evil alien Anti Go-Ne of the planet Groth). When PAT retaliates against a second attack by the monster, Naoki, in retaliation for his brother's death, suicidally tries to ram his air delivery cessna into the monster, to their shock. When the monster downs the plane, Naoki and his plane are teleported into an energy dimension by an Ultraman-like alien from the Emerald Star. The Alien Emerald has instantly used his technology to completely modify the plane, as well as Naoki's wristwatch. He suddenly finds himself back in his cessna's cockpit in the real world, but he hears the Emerald Alien's voice, telling him to activate his wristwatch, and upon shouting the command "Jum-Fight!!!", his jet transforms into the giant cyborg, Jumborg Ace, with Naoki, in a VR movement-control suit, piloting the robot from inside the head with his own physical movements! He fights with King Jyglas, eventually destroying the monster. But his battle against the Groth Aliens has only just begun...
Episodes
Songs
ジャンボーグＡMAD
Opening theme
- "Jumborg Ace"
- Lyrics: Kazuho Kiyose
- Composition, Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
- Song: Akira Tani , Arakawa boys and girls choir
Insert song
- "Shine! PAT" (Episode 13, 14, 39)
- Lyrics: Noboru Tani
- Composition, Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
- Singer: Akira Tani, Circle Barezu
- "Fight! Jumborg 9" (Chapter 27-34, 43 episodes)
- Lyrics: Kazuho Kiyose
- Composition, Arranger: Shunsuke Kikuchi
- Singer: Akira Tani
- "Ace and Nine" (Episode 43 & 47)
- Lyrics: Yamaura Hiroyasu, Toyoaki Dan
- Composition, arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
- Song: サークル・バレーズ (Circle Valley Sākuru Barē)
Cameos
Jumborg Ace was integrated into the "M78 Canon" in the form of "Jean-bot": A double-changing robot warrior making his debut in Ultraman Zero The Movie: Super Deciding Fight! The Belial Galactic Empire. He joined forces with updated versions of Fireman (Glenfire) and Mirrorman (Mirror Knight), in addition to Ultraman Zero.
Home Video Releases
A Malaysian company known as VBG made a Jumborg Ace DVD with English subtitles. It's mistitled as "Ultraman Jumborg Ace".
Trivia
- Jumborg Ace's special effects and sounds are reused in Ultraman Leo.
- Both series have a similar tone, being extremely dark with many deaths.
- Jumborg Ace, Fireman, and Ultraman Taro where all released on the same day and are all made for celebration of Tsuburaya Productions' 10th anniversary.
