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Metal Kaiser (五龍奇剣士 メタルカイザー, Goryū Kikenji Metaru Kaizā) is a Chinese tokusatsu television series co-produced by Tsuburaya Dream Factory and Shanghai Media Group (SMG).

This series is not a work of Tsuburaya Productions and was originally scheduled to begin filming in 2006.[1] However, due to funding issues, the production was later halted.

Production[]

In 2005, Tsuburaya Productions' then-president, Hideaki Tsuburaya, was removed from his position following an internal coup triggered by the commercial failure of the Ultra N Project. He decided to go to China to produce a tokusatsu series and established a film production company called "Tsuburaya Dream Factory". This company was restructured through "Tsuburaya Communications" and separated from Tsuburaya Productions.

At that time in China, Ultraman Tiga was being officially broadcast and had gained immense popularity. As a result, SMG collaborated with Tsuburaya Dream Factory, touting it as China's first original tokusatsu work, and launched the Metal Kaiser project. They began producing a 5-minute TV pilot for Metal Kaiser in early 2006.[2] Since the Chinese team was relatively inexperienced in special effects production, they hired several Japanese staff members who had worked on many Heisei Ultraman series to assist and teach the Chinese production team about filming and visual effects composition. After completing the television pilot, Metal Kaiser submitted a production application to the National Radio and Television Administration, initially planning for the series to have around 50 episodes.

In February 2007, Metal Kaiser received production approval, but the Chinese government stipulated that the project must be completed within six months, otherwise, a new production approval would be required. Consequently, the production company hired over 30 staff members from Japan to assist with the filming. However, due to low production efficiency and the mid-production death of lead director Masaki Harada, the series ceased production after the ninth episode due to a lack of funds. Hideaki Tsuburaya was unable to secure funding from his Chinese partners and decided to return to Japan to raise capital.

In 2008, Metal Kaiser was condensed to 13 episodes, and a new production approval was sought from the Chinese authorities. However, Japanese investors hesitated to invest in the series due to concerns over rampant piracy in China, and Hideaki Tsuburaya, lacking social trust, was unable to raise sufficient production funds.

In 2009, Hideaki Tsuburaya resumed negotiations after selling off personal assets and securing a 30 million yen investment from Fuji TV. The Chinese company responsible for editing the series, after being unpaid for a year, stated that they had seized the completed footage and claimed, "Unless the full payment for all 52 episodes is made as per the original contract, we will not allow the use of this material, and we can freely alter and broadcast the content." Despite pleas to reduce the series to 13 episodes, during the negotiations, all the funds and financing were exhausted. Ultimately, in 2010, the production of the series was forced to halt.

Synopsis[]

In the year 2056, in China, an evil aura pervades the land, giving rise to monsters and attracting aliens intent on invading Earth.

Amidst this crisis, Meimei, the fairy assistant to Master Shen Wang, entrusts a bracelet with magical powers to Yuan Dong, a member of SAM (Science Analyze Mission). Yuan Dong will use the power of the bracelet to transform into the giant "Metal Kaiser" and confront the monsters and aliens.

Episodes[]

No. Title Airdate
1 Birth of the Azure Dragon Kaiser: Electric-Sucking Monster Enestan (青龍剣士誕生 電吸怪獣エネスタン, Seiryū Kenshi Tanjō - Denkyū Kaijū Enesutan) October 2, 2014 (DVD)
2 Yuan Revenge: Curse of the Demon Beast (悠遠の復讐 魔獣怨念, Yūen no Fukushū - Majū Onnen) October 2, 2014 (DVD)
3 Terrifying Invaders: Invaing Alien Kaela (恐るべき侵略者 侵略宇宙人カエラ, Osorubeki Shinryakusha - Shinryaku Uchūjin Kaera) October 2, 2014 (DVD)

Appearances[]

Protagonist[]

  • Yuan Dong

SAM[]

  • Lei Ting
  • Milan Mi
  • Xun Shan
  • Cheng Shen
  • You Qi
  • Bai Li
  • Wang Yuanbo

Heroes[]

Kaiju[]

  • Enestan
  • Demon Beast
  • Invasion Alien Kaela
  • Unnamed origami bird-like kaiju
  • Unnamed crab kaiju
  • Unnamed horse/knight themed kaiju
  • Unnamed chicken-like kaiju
  • Unnamed rodent kaiju
  • Unnamed blue insect-like kaiju

Cast[]

  • Yuan Dong (袁東, Yuán Dōng): Xu Zhengxi (徐正曦, Xú Zhèngxī)
  • Milan Mi (c, Mǐlán): Jiang Shuying (江疎影, Jiāng Shūyǐng)[3]
  • Lei Ting (雷挺, Léi Tǐng): Huang Hao (黃浩, Huáng Hào)
  • Xun Shan (薫山, Xūn Shān): Li Shi (李師, Lǐ shī)
  • Cheng Shen (成沈, Chéng Shěn): Zhang Bin (張彬, Zhāng Bīn)
  • You Qi (尤琪, Yóu Qí): Wang Wenna (王文娜, Wáng Wénnà)
  • Bai Li (白莉, Bái Lì): Wu Jingqi (武晶琦, Wǔ Jīngqí)
  • Wang Yuanbo (王遠博, Wáng Yuǎnbó): Nie Yaliang (聶雅亮, Niè Yǎliàng)
  • Master Shen Wang (仙翁, Shian Wan): Zhong Hanhao (鍾漢豪, Zhōng Hànháo)
  • Meimei (美美): Li Zhe (李哲, Lǐ zhé)

Suit Actors[]

  • Azure Dragon Kaiser (青龍剣士, Qīnglóng jiàn shì): Seisuke Ida (井田 清介, Ida Seisuke)
  • Monster (怪獣, Kaijū): Yuki Mikuriya (御厨 勇樹, Mikuriya Yūki)

Staff[]

  • Directors: Masaki Harada, Iwao Takahashi, Shinichi Kamizawa[4]
  • Cinematographer: Yoshinari Hosho
  • Lighting: Fumihiko Tamura
  • Sound recording: Ichiro Hoshi
  • Art: Akihiko Iguchi, Osamu Sasaki
  • Action director: Kenji Tanigaki
  • Line producer: Hank Tseng
  • Assistant directors: Junpei Shiokawa, Mayumi Shiraishi, Tomonobu Koshi, Keita Kado, Kaori Harimoto
  • Assistant director support and art assistant: Ayu Hachimaki
  • VE: Hisanori Takahashi
  • Cinematography assistant: Maki Sugiura
  • Lighting assistant: Rikiya Ueda
  • Recording assistant: Kaori Miyahara
  • Art assistant: Mitsayasu Hanaya
  • Technical cooperation: Shigeki Murayama (Ginza Sakuraya)
  • Operator: Turtle Ship (Yoshinori Muraishi, Kenji Kawaguchi)
  • CG coordinator: Shun Mizutani
  • Image boards and costume design: Kiyoshi Okuyama
  • Background art: Nisenroku Shimakura
  • Assistant action director and stunt double: Junya Iwamoto
  • Character maintenance: Hiroyuki Fujise, Kazuaki Fukuda

Home Media[]

In October 2014, the partially completed episodes were compiled into a DVD with Japanese subtitles. This DVD was released in Japan under the title "Directed by Masaki Harada," and it only included the first three episodes.

Gallery[]

Images[]

Stills[]

Behind-the-scenes[]

Trivia[]

  • Hideaki Tsuburaya later described the process from the planning to the failure of the series in his 2013 book, "Ultraman is crying Tsuburaya Pro's failure."
  • Junpei Shiokawa, who was involved in the production, later opened an unofficial fan page for the series on Facebook, showcasing the list of production staff, photos, and some articles. According to information he revealed on that page, many staff members not only did not receive payment but also had their personal belongings and property seized in the studio.[5]
Metal Kaiser Kaiju suit in iPartment II

A Metal Kaiser kaiju suit in the Chinese romantic drama iPartment II.

  • Some of the monster costumes seized by the Chinese side were later used in the Chinese romantic drama iPartment II and the special effects hero program Armor Hero and Golden Hero.
  • Kaera's laugh would later be reused for the Ultraman X kaiju Greeza.

References[]

Productions
Showa Series Ultra Q | Ultraman | Ultraseven | Return of Ultraman | Ultraman Ace | Ultraman Taro | Ultraman Leo | Ultraman 80
Heisei Series Ultraman Tiga | Ultraman Dyna | Ultraman Gaia | Ultraman Cosmos | Ultra Q: Dark Fantasy | Ultraman Nexus | Ultraman Max | Ultraman Mebius | Ultraseven X | Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle | Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey | Neo Ultra Q | Ultraman Ginga | Ultraman Ginga S | Ultraman X | Ultraman Orb | Ultraman Geed | Ultraman R/B
Reiwa Series Ultraman Taiga | Ultraman Z | Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga | Ultraman Decker | Ultraman Blazar | Ultraman Arc
Outside of Japan Ultraman: The Adventure Begins | Ultraman: Towards the Future | Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero | Ultraman: Rising
Original Video and TV Special Ultra Fight | Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider | Ultra Super Fight | Ultraman Nice | Heisei Ultraseven | Ultraman Neos | Ultraman: Super Fighter Legend | Ultra Idemitsujin | Ultra Zone
Showa Movies Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature | Ultraman, Ultraseven: Great Violent Monster Fight | Return of Ultraman | The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. The Monster Army | Ultraman (1979) | Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle | Return of Ultraman: MAT Arrow 1 Takeoff Order | Ultraman ZOFFY: Ultra Warriors vs. the Giant Monster Army | Ultraman Story
Heisei Movies Ultra Q The Movie | Revive! Ultraman | Ultraman Zearth | Ultraman Zearth 2 | Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna | Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Dyna, & Ultraman Gaia | Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey | Ultraman Cosmos: The First Contact | Ultraman Cosmos 2 | New Century Ultraman Legend | Ultraman Cosmos vs. Ultraman Justice | New Century 2003 Ultraman Legend | ULTRAMAN (2004) | Ultraman Mebius & the Ultra Brothers | Superior 8 Ultra Brothers | Mega Monster Battle Ultra Galaxy: The Movie | Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial | Ultraman Saga | Ultraman Ginga Theater Special | Ultraman Ginga Theater Special: Battle Royale | Ultraman Ginga S The Movie | Ultraman X The Movie | Ultraman Orb The Movie | Ultraman Geed The Movie | Ultraman R/B The Movie
Reiwa Movies Ultraman Taiga The Movie | Ultraman Trigger: Episode Z | Shin Ultraman | Ultraman Decker Finale | Ultraman Blazar The Movie
Spin-Offs Andro Melos | Ultraman Zearth: Parody Chapter | Revival of the Ancient Giant | The Return of Hanejiro | Gaia Again | Ultra Q Kaiju Legend | Ultraman Kaiju Legend | Hikari Saga | Armored Darkness | Ghost Rebirth | Ultraman Zero VS Darklops Zero | Q - Door to Another Dimension | Killer the Beatstar | Ultra Zero Fight | Ultra Fight Victory | Ultraman Orb THE ORIGIN SAGA | Ultra Fight Orb | New Generation Heroes | The Absolute Conspiracy | Sevenger Fight | The Struggle of Special Section 3 | The Destined Crossroad | Continued Ultra Fight | Shin Ultra Fight | Return of Special Section 3 | Ultraman Regulos | Ultraman Regulos: First Mission | Ultraseven IF Story | SKaRD Break Room
Rebroadcast Shows Ultraman Retsuden | New Ultraman Retsuden | Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle | Ultraman Orb: The Chronicle | Ultraman New Generation Chronicle | Ultraman Chronicle: ZERO & GEED | Ultraman Chronicle Z: Heroes' Odyssey | Ultraman Chronicle D | Ultraman New Generation Stars
Informational Ultraman The Prime | ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES | Ultra Science Fantasy Hour | Ultra Fight Club | UlSummer Information Station | Ultra Information Center | Professor Teruaki's "Blazar Kaiju Academy" | Super Power! Ultra Encyclopedia! | Ultra Construction Tour | THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN | Ultraman 4K Discovery
Docudramas Fly in the Sea Breeze! Ultraman | The Men Who Made Ultraman | My Beloved Ultraseven | The Man Who Wanted to Be Ultraman | Kaiju Club | The Two Ultramen
Other Series and Movies Kaiju Booska | Captain Ultra | Mighty Jack | Fight! Mighty Jack | Operation: Mystery | Chibira-kun | Mirrorman | Redman | Triple Fighter | Emergency Directive 10-4·10-10 | Iron King | Horror Theater Unbalance | Fireman | Jumborg Ace | Mirror Fight | Jumborg Ace & Giant | Mars Men | Army of the Apes | Pro-Wrestling Star Aztecaser | The Last Dinosaur | Dinosaur Expedition Born Free | Dinosaur Great War Izenborg | Star Wolf | Dinosaur Squadron Koseidon | Anime-chan | Gridman the Hyper Agent | Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad | Moon Spiral | Cyber Beauties Telomere | Booska! Booska!! | Otasuke Girl | Mysterious Incident Special Investigation Team SRI | Mirrorman REFLEX | Bio Planet WoO | Operation: Mystery - Second File | Mirror Fight 2012 | Operation: Mystery - Mystery File | Gridknight Fight
Anime The☆Ultraman | Ultraman Kids | Ultraman Graffiti: Wild! Ultra Country | Ultraman: Super Fighter Legend | Ultra Nyan | Ultra Nyan 2: The Great Happy Operation | Ultraman M78 Theater Love & Peace | Gridman the Hyper Agent: boys invent great hero | The・Ultraman: Jackal vs. Ultraman | Kaiju Sakaba Kanpai! | Kaiju Girls | SSSS.GRIDMAN | ULTRAMAN (2019) | Kaiju Step Wandabada | SSSS.DYNAZENON | KAIJU DECODE | GRIDMAN UNIVERSE
Outlaw Content Space Warriors 2000 | Project Ultraman | Ultraman The Animation | Ultraman: A Little Journey on Earth | Fun... English with Ultraman | Young Ultraman | Ultraman Big Transformation | Sinic Q | Red Jade | Dragon Force: So Long Ultraman | Dragon Force: Rise of Ultraman
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