Maki Shigenaga is a guest character and minor antagonist who appeared in Ultraman Decker. She is the former head of TPU Monster Response Department.
Personality[]
Shigenaga was once a top expert in studying monster ecology, but she possesses an extreme personality. Although she had a profound understanding of monster power, she later adopted an extreme stance out of fear of monster revival. She firmly believed that the coexistence of humans and monsters required humans to grasp the secrets of monster life and "control" them, making the monsters obey human commands. For her, either eliminating monsters or controlling them was the only correct value, leading to a dangerous ideology. She had completely disregarded laws and ethics.
She strongly believed that the ideal of humans and monsters coexisting would never happen, making her an extreme pacifist. Her beliefs fueled a paranoid attitude towards monsters, pushing her further to the edge of extreme actions.
History[]
Pre-Ultraman Decker[]
Shigenaga and Sawa discover gigantic monster fossils.
After graduating from the Faculty of Science at Jonan University and Harenstan University in the United States, Shigenaga became a professor in the Department of Biology at TPU Science and Technology University and also took on the role of head of the Monster Response Department.
Ten years ago, she and her student Sawa Kaizaki accidentally discovered a huge monster fossil in a remote mountain. At first, she sought to unravel the mystery of the monster's vitality. However, during her research, she became fearful of the monster's attacks triggered by fluctuations in the Eternity Core. Moreover, the actions of the Giants of Darkness and human negligence deeply impacted her. As a result, she concluded that "for the sake of ensuring human survival and continuous development, all monsters must ultimately be eliminated or thoroughly controlled."
To achieve this, Shigenaga delved into the study of cloning technology, merging the fossil with the genetic factors of various monsters and implanting a brainwave device in her own brain. Her intention was to create a "monster weapon" that could obey human commands.
However, five years ago, Sawa who disagreed with her ideas, discovered the experiment and reported it to higher authorities. As a result, due to violations of cloning regulations and the prohibition of bioweapons, Shigenaga was relieved of her position as the head of the department and left TPU. Her whereabouts were unknown for a while.
During the year after the Sphere attacked Earth, she secretly received assistance from the black market and sponsors from other countries. Eventually, with their support, she succeeded in creating Neomegas.
Ultraman Decker[]
Shigenaga shows off her elaborate monster weapon Neomegas.
In order to showcase her achievements to her sponsors, she ordered Neomegas to attack Sadola and King Guesra. Through the analysis of the rock samples left behind and observation of its behavior, Sawa discovered that Shigenaga was the mastermind behind Neomegas. Together with Kanata, they explored the mountain cave where the monster fossil was originally found, but they were discovered by Shigenaga and brought to her secret experimental base.
Even though Sawa pointed out that the sponsors might not necessarily use the cloned monster technology for peaceful purposes, Shigenaga believed that concerns about such matters would only hinder technological progress. She rejected Sawa's opinion and asserted that the existence of Neomegas and its control device would not only serve as a countermeasure against Sphere, monsters, and other alien threats, but also save the world. Subsequently, in order to prove her point, she activated Neomegas in front of both of them and let it engage in battle with Ultraman Decker, who came to the rescue.
She attempted to prove that "humanity has gained the power to protect the Earth" by defeating Decker. However, when Sawa destroyed the restraining and control device of Neomegas, it went into a rampage. Shigenaga was ultimately helpless and could only watch as Neomegas was defeated by Decker and GUTS-Select.
Shigenaga arrested by TPU.
Afterward, Shigenaga was arrested by TPU. The sponsors behind her were also identified by TPU's intelligence department, and all research data was confiscated. Although Sawa expressed that she did not believe in her own ability to achieve the ideal of coexistence with monsters, she still wanted to find a path to save as many lives as possible, guided by the efforts of the new generation, in order to discover the true answer.
To this, Shigenaga responded, claiming that the control of Neo Megas had already been successful and said, "Do you think it's over just like that? The fight between monsters and humans will never end with such a beautiful vision... unless it's complete 'annihilation' or 'control'... otherwise, it will be eternal...".Man and Monster
In the following period, Agams stole the pendant-style control device belonging to Shigenaga, which had been recovered by TPU. He then dispatched monsters, using it as a threat.The Fall of Bazdo
Gallery[]
Ultraman Decker[]
