This may not be the article you are looking for. For the Return of Ultraman: MAT Arrow 1 Takeoff Order counterpart, see MAT (Return of Ultraman: MAT Arrow 1 Takeoff Order).
The
Overview
MAT is a special forces unit under the Terrestrial Defense Agency (TDA), an organization affiliated with the United Nations. The establishment of this unit was originally intended to combat Kaiju that awaken due to extreme weather events and Earth phenomena. Its headquarters is located in New York, with branch bases established worldwide, and it possesses facilities such as space stations.
In the series, the focus is primarily on the Japanese branch, and the team's radio call sign is "MAT J". The team is mainly divided into a combat unit and a logistical support unit (communication, maintenance). Due to the adoption of a policy favoring a small number of elite members, the combat unit has a relatively smaller number of personnel. Additionally, each member of the combat unit has a designated number on their helmet, with Number 1 indicating the team captain.
However, within the TDA, MAT appears to be in a relatively disadvantaged organizational position. Consequently, when undertaking Kaiju countermeasure missions, the team often faces pressure from higher-ups and public opinion, frequently encountering severe situations where dissolution is demanded.
Subsequently, TAC is considered to have a file on MAT, and they have already disbanded. Similarly, Crew GUYS also has records from MAT.
History
After the Ultra Guard disbanded, a new strike force was devised to protect the Earth and its people from alien machinations and monster attacks during what came to be known as the "Great Age of Monsters" (AKA Third Age of Monsters). To solve this problem MAT was created, combining elements of the Ultra Guard and the SSSP.
Return of Ultraman
In mid-1971, MAT was already well as established and well-funded, maintaining an underwater base off the coast of Japan, as well as their main base in Tokyo. MAT faced their first great monster threat in the form of the creatures Takkong and Zazahn. Despite the combined efforts of the defense team and the military, the two monsters leveled a considerable area in the city.
Takkong soon returned not long after and attacked MAT's underwater base, but was eventually driven away, only to commence an attack at an oil refinery. Thankfully, his attack was stopped by MAT's latest member, ex-race car driver Hideki Go, under the guise of the latest Ultra to arrive on Earth, the original Ultraman's almost identical younger brother in arms; Ultraman Jack.All Monsters Attack
Over the following year, MAT and Jack were constantly tried by various evil aliens and kaiju, ranging from the matter-eating alien monster Bemstar, the sadistic Alien Nackle and his bodyguard monster Black King, to the vengeful Alien Baltan Jr., and many more. Despite these lethal enemies, MAT and Jack always wound out on top one way on the other.
In March of 1972, Jack and MAT were to face their greatest challenge. The power-hungry Alien Bat had come to invade Earth with the revived Zetton, the very monster that had defeated the first Ultraman when he came to Earth. When Jack refused to let Hideki to transform, it was up to MAT to save the planet. Unfortunately, Zetton proved far too powerful to destroy. Fortunately, Jack, touched by MAT's courage under hopeless odds, let Hideki transform one last time. Working closely together, Jack and MAT defeated Zetton and his master, ending the Third Age of Monsters. MAT disbanded not soon after.
Ultraman Ace
Despite MAT's disbandment, its efforts in defending the Earth had not been forgotten, and their successor, TAC - which was established in 1972, a year after the end of Jack's time on Earth - was known to utilize the data MAT had gathered to help them fight against the threat of Yapool and his Terrible-Monsters. Duel! Ultraman Ace vs. Hideki Go
Bases
Japan Branch Base
MAT's Japan branch base is located underwater in Tokyo Bay. The base houses various facilities centered around the command room, including training grounds, dormitories, a medical room, and facilities for storing and maintaining mechs. The launch wells are used for ascending procedures, and there are also tunnels connecting the base to the surface.[4]
The command room's basic layout includes seating for the combat unit, a control center, and entrances. Among the primary facilities for launching mechs, MAT Arrow 1 launches through a ground-based launch port camouflaged at a lighthouse and cliff along the coast. MAT Gyro, on the other hand, launches through a semi-circular dome-shaped hatch. MAT Arrow 2 launches through a cylindrical rock-based launch port.
Additionally, in Kanda-Nishikicho Ni-chome, Chuo Ward, Tokyo, there is a specialized department and radar base dedicated to document management and related administrative tasks.
In the final episode, when MAT members went on an offensive mission, the base's nuclear reactor was opportunistically destroyed by the Alien Bat, leading to the paralysis of most facilities.
Others
- MAT Station [4]: The MAT manned space station is primarily used to monitor abnormal phenomena in the universe. After being destroyed during an attack on Bemstar, the facility was rebuilt.
- Unmanned Observation Station [4]: This is an unmanned observation satellite system operated by MAT in Earth's orbit. It transmits information such as the composition of the outer atmosphere and Earth's weather conditions to MAT headquarters through daily scheduled reports. Several observation stations operate in satellite orbit, and one of them, Observation Station No. 5, was taken over by Yadokarin as a nest during a routine inspection and fell near the outskirts of Tokyo.
- Space Station V1 [4]: One of the space stations under MAT's jurisdiction, this facility was destroyed after being targeted for an attack by the Alien Nackle.
- MAT Radar Base [4]: The main base equipped with MAT radar facilities, this base is implementing a long-range radar program.
Members
- Main article: Katsuichiro Kato
Captain Katsuichiro Kato [5]: 38 years old. Formerly a colonel of the Ground Self-Defense Force and the first captain of the MAT Japan branch. He is no-nonsense at times, while other times he tends to joke around with his crew. All the same, he is very protective of his small MAT team, and sometimes disregards orders if he feels the circumstances warrant it.
Kato has mentioned he has an older brother and a nephew. His brother is the president of a railway company, and his nephew appeared in series. He leaves in episode 22 having been promoted to the MAT Space Division Captain after the attack of Bemstar, and is replaced by Captain Ryu Ibuki. He is designated as MAT member No.1.
- Main article: Ryu Ibuki
Captain Ryu Ibuki [5]: Age 45 years. The second captain of the MAT Japan branch.
Transferred from MAT headquarters in New York. He is a little more passionate than Kato, sometimes using a harsh voice when performing his duties and giving orders, he has a gentler side of himself that he doesn't hide from his team. He is married and has a daughter, and as a result are the ocasional targets of Aliens invaders trying to control MAT. It is shown in series that he may be aware of Go's secret identity of Ultraman Jack.
He was Kato's senior officer when they where in New York, and is also designated as MAT member No.1.
- Main article: Takeshi Minami
Takeshi Minami [5]: 25 years old. He hints that he grew up on a farm, and tends to watch over the other officers, especially the new member Go. He is designated as MAT member No.2.
- Main article: Fumio Kishida
Fumio Kishida [5]: 25 years old. He comes from an old military family, and tends to have connections still with the higher-level officers who oversee MAT. He lives with his mother, but his father is deceased, as is his older brother who committed suicide upon learning a family secret. During the Gudon and Twin Tail attack he was extremely harsh to Go and convinced to nearly resign. He is designated as MAT member No.3.
He dated Alien Centaurus, being the first attack team member to have relations to an alien.
- Main article: Ippei Ueno
Ippei Ueno [5]: 23 years old. Sometimes superstitious, and loose in his methods when compared to Officer Kishida. He is very supportive of Go. During the later half of Return of Ultraman, he becomes more comedic. He is designated as MAT member No.4.
- Main article: Yuriko Oka
Yuriko Oka [5]: 20 years old. The only female in the team, but she is very capable, having saved the team by flying the planes or even from being brainwashed. She also serves as communications officer. She is designated as MAT member No.5.
- Main article: Hideki Go
Hideki Go [6]: 23 years old. The newest member to MAT and was killed while trying to save a young boy and a dog. Ultraman, upon witnessing this act, merges with Go's body to revive him and allows Go to transform when needed. He lives with the Sakata family on his off time from MAT, and before the series, race cars. Due to Ultraman's power, his senses are more enhanced to the point that he can hear and see monsters that other humans can't, and attains telepathy. Transforms through sheer force of will, not requiring a transformation item like other Ultraman Series heroes. However, the will isn't that of Go's but actually Ultraman's; he can either block the process or even transform against Go's will as a defensive reflex. He is designated as MAT member No.6.
He was fired in episode 2 after alerting Takkong. Then he was put on a 3-day home arrest after failing to attack Gudon. He resigned when Chief Kishida ordered the Laser Gun to be used against Gudon and Twin Tail, but after Ultraman Jack taking the two out, Go joins back.High-Ranking Staff
Kishida [4] is the head of the Terrestrial Defense Agency, the upper-level organization of MAT, and Kishida's uncle. He has powerful powers and responsibilities and even has the right to directly order MAT to disband.
Kishida is portrayed by Susumu Fujita
.
Satake [4] is a staff officer between MAT and the Terrestrial Defense Agency, as well as assistant to Chief Kishida. He has the same status as Kishida.
Satake is portrayed by Kenji Sahara.
Other Department
Masaru Kondo [4] is the leader of the MAT Weapons Maintenance Team, responsible for maintaining MAT Arrow and other aircraft.
Kondo is portrayed by Masashi Ishibashi
.
Kaji [4] is the captain of the MAT space station and a friend of Captain Kato in college. He was attacked by the Bemstar and died in the line of duty.
Kaji is portrayed by Hiroshi Minami
.
The leader of a Geological Survey Team analyzed the rocks brought back from Aino Village and concluded that the substance is of extraterrestrial origin.
He is portrayed by Munemaru Koda .
An engineer from the Space Research Department investigated the fall of an aircraft's directional indicator caused by the intense magnetic force released by the Kaiju.
He is portrayed by Kaku Suganuma
.
When the number of personnel in the command room is limited, the Operations Department officer often reports information about Kaiju sightings to the MAT team captain.
Two members portrayed by Kiyoshi Yoshida
and Norio Toyota .
Security Department is primarily responsible for the security and defense of the base. When Go attempted to thwart the actions of Alien Zelan, they intervened and prevented Go's actions.
Two members portrayed by Kengo Nakayama and Takanobu Toya.
A Transport Team member appeared during the transportation mission of the new liquid propellant, Saturn Z, and tragically lost their life due to an alien attack.
Hamamura
is a member of the Medical Center, primarily responsible for managing the health conditions and treatment of MAT team members. He has examined Go, who suffered from rat bite fever.He is portrayed by Toshio Takahara
.
A member of the Radar Communication Department is mainly responsible for communicating with various branches of MAT and implementing alert systems.
He is portrayed by Eiichi Kikuchi.
Arsenal
Attire
- Suits: MAT uniforms are durable and offer heat and cold protection.
- MAT Helmet [7]: It has a built in communication device and has the numbers of various members on it.
Equipment
- MAT Shoot [7]: A pistol that fires lasers and bullets.
- MAT Gun [8]: A recoilless automatic rifle.
- Laser Gun SP-70 [8]: A ray gun that fires an extremely hot laser.
- Space Laser Gun [8]: A new type of laser gun developed by Member Kishida.
- MAT Bazooka [8]: Similar to a conventional military rocket launcher, it is a primary weapon for ground attacks, primarily used by Kishida.
- Super Cannon [8]: A new type of laser gun that has the same power as a nuclear bomb but does not emit any radiation.
- MN Bomb : A powerful bomb installed on MAT Arrow 1, more powerful than regular bullets, and therefore utilized by the TDA.
- Spiner : A highly powerful explosive mentioned only in dialogue, with the explosive power comparable to a mini hydrogen bomb.
- Monster Sonar [8]: A monster detection device developed by the MAT Technical Bureau at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
- Infrared Device Camera : A special device equipped with infrared sensors.
- Anti-Magnetic Device : A powerful magnetic field reflection device.
- Communicator [8]: Small, high-performance communication devices used when not wearing a MAT helmet. When in use, the antenna is extended.
- Saturn Z : Liquid explosive developed by MAT for missiles. A drop can destroy an oil tanker, and a quantity the size of a box can blow up Mount Fuji. Since it does not emit radiation, it was planned for use in dam construction.
- X Bullet : A rocket missile developed by Member Kishida for aircraft, capable of blasting a monster into pieces.
- MS Mini Missile : Miniature missiles deployed by the New York MAT Team.
- Freeze Bomb : A munition dropped from a MAT Gyro that emits freezing gas when upright on a fixed bracket surrounding the target.
- Automatic Pistol : An improvised weapon used by Captain Ibuki instead of the MAT Shoot and MAT Gun during the final showdown.
- Knife : An improvised weapon used by Captain Ibuki during the final showdown.
Mecha
- Main article: MAT Arrow 1
MAT Arrow 1 Vulcan Cannon and missiles, both mounted on the main wing. In episode 13, a rocket bullet pod was equipped as well. The nose of the Arrow can shot a laser.[8]
is MAT's primary VTOL. It is a multi-seat but can also be operated single seat. The VTOL's armament consists of theThe MAT Arrow 1 was spirituality succeeded in Ultraman Mebius known as the GUYS Arrow MA1. The cockpits for the MAT Arrow were reused for other planes for the rest of the Showa Phase except Ultraman 80. The cockpits were also reused for the Jet Condor in Jumborg Ace.
- Stats
- Length: 15 m
- Width: 14 m
- Weight: 15 t
- Max Speed: Mach 5
- Crew: 3
MAT Arrow 2 [8]
is a fighter jet that has semicircular wings. The plane's armament is the same as MAT Arrow 1, except a laser cannon replaces the rocket bullet pod. The Arrow 2 can fly much higher than MAT Arrow 1 as it can fly all the way to the stratosphere. Episode 27 was the plane's last appearance with new footage, afterwards the plane was only shown as stock footage.A children's book describes this plane to be closely related to the F-16.
- Stats
- Length: 14 m
- Width: 13.2 m
- Weight: 13 t
- Max Speed: Mach 3.8
- Crew: 1
MAT Gyro Tilt Rotor with large propellers on the left and right and small propeller at the rear. It is made out of special steel so it withstand any chemicals or heat. MAT Gyro is also used to transport goods. Gyro can also be split into two as shown in episode 34. The two planes are called Gyro A and Gyro B . Its armament includes a Vulcan Cannon and a rocket bullet pod. It can also equip different ammunition such a Napalm Bullet, Spray Paint, extinguisher, spray, and frozen droppings, and a laser.[8]
is a battle- Stats
- Length: 13 m
- Width: 16.4 m
- Weight: 3 t
- Max Speed: Mach 1
- Crew: 2
The Space Arrow [8]
is a modified MAT Arrow 1 for space travel. The spaceship is completely unarmed.- Stats
- Length: 15 m
- Width: Unknown
- Weight: 18 t
- Max Speed: Unknown
- Crew: 1
MAT Sub
: A small special submarine used by MAT to enter and exit underwater bases. While it has limited sailing distance, it is used for attacks and searches on monsters lurking underwater. Among them, the MAT-J is equipped with 2 units.- Stats
- Length: 8 m
- Width: 6.8 m
- Weight: 2 t
- Max Speed:
- 60 kt (water)
- 40 kt (underwater)
- Crew: 2
- Main article: MAT Vehicle
The MAT Vehicle
is a special-purpose vehicle that is mainly used for Patrol. Sometimes Rocket Launchers are attacked to the celling of the car for emergencies. It is modeled of the Mazda - Cosmo Sport.- Stats
- Length: 4.1 m
- Width: 1.6 m
- Weight: 0.94 t
- Max Speed: 185 km/h
- Crew: 2
MAT Jeep
: A vehicle commonly used in rough terrains and field operations, renowned for its excellent mobility. The vehicle is often equipped with various special equipment and has dedicated license plates, such as "MAT-101" and "MAT-102".
Special Transport Vehicle
: A large vehicle specifically used for transporting Saturn Z, featuring sturdy armor and driven by members of the transport team. Its license plate number is "MAT-4".
Special Heat Ray Gun Car
: A six-wheeled vehicle equipped with a special heat ray emitted from a huge barrel.Gallery
Return of Ultraman
Miscellaneous
Trivia
- In the Brazilian dubbed version, MAT was translated to GAM (Grupo de Ataque aos Monstros) which translates to "Monster Attack Group" in English.
- MAT's helmets were reused for the helmets of SAF.
- When planning the portrayal of MAT, the series producer, Yoji Hashimoto, mentioned in subsequent book interviews that the goal was to "bring together people who speak differently." This insight came after he asked the screenwriters of Tsuburaya Productions, Tetsuo Kinjo, Shozo Uehara, and Shinichi Ichikawa, how the captain felt when issuing the command "Move Out!"
- Hashimoto explained that considering "group dynamics" where "everyone is different," each character in the show should have their own life path and way of thinking. Characters must speak as "independent individuals." For instance, if the captain gives the order "Move Out!" it should not result in an immediate action from all members; instead, some team members might express a request for more time, such as "Please wait a moment…". Developing the characters' backgrounds, experiences, thought processes, and goals is crucial for the series' narrative structure.
- Thus, MAT is established as a defense team where conflicts and entanglements exist among its members, and MAT members do not accept orders from superiors blindly. Although the MAT members are all elites, they each have their own distinct personalities. The friction between these personalities is a key aspect that differentiates MAT from organizations like the SSSP and the UG, which was also a goal of Shozo Uehara's creative vision for MAT.
References
- ↑ https://hicbc.com/tv/mebius/document/
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/character/mat/
- ↑ https://imagination.m-78.jp/contents/d2ViL1lvbWlfMDE1NTc%3D
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Ultra Tokusatsu PERFECT MOOK vol. 04: Return of Ultraman, pg 10
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Ultra Tokusatsu PERFECT MOOK vol. 04: Return of Ultraman, pg 12-13
- ↑ Ultra Tokusatsu PERFECT MOOK vol. 06: Ultra Q, pg 11
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ultra Tokusatsu PERFECT MOOK vol. 04: Return of Ultraman, pg 13
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 Ultra Tokusatsu PERFECT MOOK vol. 06: Ultra Q, pg 14-15
- ↑ https://www.fukkan.com/fk/CartSearchDetail?i_no=68329109
- ↑ https://gendai.media/articles/-/46235?page=2
- ↑ https://cocreco.kodansha.co.jp/telemaga/news/1B8SR
Defense Teams | |
---|---|
Showa Defense Teams | SSSP | 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 | 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 | GDF (SKIP) |
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 |