SKaRD (Special Kaiju Reaction Detachment) [1] is a special investigation and analysis detachment unit under the GGF Japan Branch. If needed, the unit is also tasked to have a direct role in eliminating kaiju and alien threats.[2]
Overview[]
Despite being an experienced defense organization, the GGF has begun showing signs of incompetence in dealing with kaiju that are scattered around the world. To efficiently analyze kaiju and devise effective counter plans against them, GGFJ Chief of Staff Retsu Haruno secretly creates the SKaRD and handpicks its members.The Man who Created SKaRD The unit has special authority to deploy at their own discretion and does not need to request permission beforehand.The Name is Earth Garon
As a newly-formed experimental unit, it is only given the most essential infrastructure and assets. The sense of being on a low budget is felt by the members themselves. Unbeknownst to them initially is that most of the budget is distributed to the development of their arsenal.
The detachment is comprised of five core members and has GGFJ personnel stationed at the base. The unit is led by Captain Gento Hiruma and Vice-Captain Teruaki Nagura. Both command Earth Garon from the cockpit in rotation. Intelligence Specialist Emi Aobe is in charge of information gathering and undercover missions. Pilots Anri Minami and Yasunobu Bando control the Earth Garon in rotation as well as maintain the equipment and participate in field missions. The members generally respond with "Wilco" to orders.[3]
Base personnel and a team of maintenance and supply crew serve under the SKaRD. The mechanics and supply crew are in charge of maintaining and resupplying Earth Garon.The Name is Earth Garon
History[]
Ultraman Blazar[]
Formation[]
Gento Hiruma receiving his transfer letters
The SKaRD unit was created in secrecy by GGFJ Chief of Staff Retsu Haruno. Having assessed Gento Hiruma's actions during the Bazanga Elimination Operation, the chief of staff appointed him as the unit's commanding officer. The members were handpicked by the chief of staff as well but on official record, it was organized so that the members were seemingly chosen by Hiruma himself. After an unexpected meeting with Intelligence Officer Emi Aobe at a cafe, new SKaRD Captain Hiruma and Aobe began their journey of finding the rest of the candidates. For all but one member, Gento introduced his subordinates to their base and equipment. At the same time, Gento had the members follow his own rules of referring to each other; members of the team were told to call each other by their first name or nicknames. This caused bewilderment among the team.The Man who Created SKaRD
Battle of Gedos[]
SKaRD members assessing the situation
In the midst of familiarizing themselves at the SKaRD Command Post, the crew received reports from the chief of staff that a civilian freighter was sunk by an aquatic kaiju 30 miles south of Shichijojima Island. They learned that the kaiju was named Gedos after watching the news. Lacking in equipment, untrained, and missing one member, the detachment began preparing for a potential deployment. For the meantime, Emi was sent to the port to blend in and gather information from the witnesses. Teruaki was ordered to update the higher-ups on their activities. As more news of the GGF's failure at eliminating Gedos emerged, the members were ordered to deploy by the chief of staff. Despite Gento's protests and frustration, the members mobilized for their first mission.
Emi and Anri attacking Gedos
Arriving at the scene with an upgraded Mobile Outpost vehicle, Gento, Anri, and Emi prepared for battle with their newest weapons. Analyzing Gedos' history, traits, and possible weak points, the SKaRD hastily formulated a plan to destroy the kaiju's heat emission vent to allow it succumb to thermal runaway. Captain Gento charged in by himself while GGFJ attacks were called off by Emi. He successfully inflicted damage on the kaiju's back, but was interrupted by a fisherman. Ultraman Blazar appeared and fought the kaiju. When the giant struggled with Gedos' electric lure, members Anri and Emi provided fire support with their RAR-23 assault rifles. The mission concluded with Ultraman Blazar defeating the kaiju. Later, the members reported to a hangar underneath their base. There, they were introduced to member Yasunobu Bando and Earth Garon. Together, the SKaRD members received their first official order from Chief of Staff Haruno: they were to pilot Earth Garon and defeat a kaiju before Ultraman Blazar could.The Man who Created SKaRD
Battle of Taganular[]
Earth Garon engaging Taganular
While still in training, the SKaRD began its investigations on a series of incidents relating to destroyed teaterium storage tanks across Europe and North America. Several weeks after the Battle of Gedos, the appearance of Taganular at the Energy Fusion Institute in Kutsuba City, Ibaraki put the unit into Threat Alert Status Charlie. Having learnt about the kaiju and formulated a plan to safely defeat it, Earth Garon was deployed for its first mission. Piloted by Anri and commanded by Captain Gento, Earth Garon engaged Taganular in CQC Mode. Despite several successful advances, Earth Garon was disabled by the kaiju. When Ultraman Blazar was having difficulties in stopping the kaiju from consuming more teaterium, Yasunobu instructed Anri to activate the Tail VLS so that he could guide the missiles toward the kaiju. Although Taganular was ultimately defeated by Blazar, Earth Garon's capabilities were convincing enough to allow the SKaRD to officially assume special kaiju reaction duty.The Name is Earth Garon
Base[]
Oshieno Base[]
The SKaRD Command Post , under the call sign SKaRD CP, is located inside the Global Guardian Force Japan Branch Oshieno Base in northwest Chiba Prefecture. While the base has an inconspicuous interior and exterior, hidden underground is a hangar for Earth Garon.
Members[]
Core Members[]
- Main article: Gento Hiruma
Gento Hiruma [1][4] is the captain of the detachment. He is 30 years old, has a wife of his age and a 7-year-old son. He is also the host for Ultraman Blazar. He is courageous, has a strong sense of justice, and excels in making decisions on the spot. As the detachment's captain, he often has to struggle with various relationships in his private and work life, as well as the alien life form residing within him.
Having shown his leadership in GGFJ's Special Mobile Brigade, especially his actions during the Bazanga Elimination Operation, he was handpicked by Chief of Staff Haruno for the position. Although he was appointed as the SKaRD's captain, he was initially uninformed about the details of the new unit and its members.
- Main article: Teruaki Nagura
Teruaki Nagura [1][5] is the vice-captain of the detachment. He is 29 years old. He is knowledgeable in Kaiju Biology and often uses it to strategize operations. He believes that humanity can live harmoniously with the kaiju on Earth. He is one of the most disciplined members, but can also be a bit out of it at times.
He was originally a fire support coordinator in the GGFJ General Unit. He had an active role in directing fire at Bazanga and luring it to Gento's team during the Bazanga Elimination Operation. Having shown his analytical and calm decision-making, strong conviction in his decisions, and extensive knowledge of kaiju, he was appointed as the SKaRD's vice-captain.
- Main article: Emi Aobe
Emi Aobe [1][6] is the intelligence specialist of the detachment. She is 23 years old and has a playful side. Her hobby is cosplaying. She specializes in undercover missions and information gathering. She has excellent physical abilities that aid her in the missions. She is also an experienced shooter, making her a skilled combatant in the battlefield.
- Main article: Anri Minami
Anri Minami [1][7] is a combatant and pilot belonging to the detachment. She is 26 years old and is a committed person. Thanks to her long service time in infantry missions, she is skilled in close-quarter combat. She would also apply her CQC skills to piloting Earth Garon.
- Main article: Yasunobu Bando
Yasunobu Bando [1][8] is the mechanic and one of the two pilots of Earth Garon. He is 25 years old and speaks in Kansai dialect. He is cheerful and secretly likes naming his favorite machines, such as giving Earth Garon the nickname "Earthy". His hobby is playing cat's cradle.
As a skilled mechanic, he is involved in the development of Earth Garon as well as upgrading and maintaining the detachment's assets.
Earth Garon Maintenance and Supply Team[]
The SKaRD's mecha Earth Garon has its own dedicated team of GGFJ mechanics to maintain and resupply it. This allows SKaRD members to focus on being the mecha's pilots.The Name is Earth Garon
Sato is one of Earth Garon's mechanics. During Earth Garon's first launch procedure, he reported his status checks of the mecha's main engine to the SKaRD CP.The Name is Earth Garon
He is portrayed by Yoshiieo Sato .
Kimura is one of Earth Garon's mechanics in charge of reporting the status checks of Earth Garon's Earth Guns to the SKaRD CP during the mecha's launch procedure.The Name is Earth Garon
She is portrayed by Renka Tachibana .
Okazaki is one of Earth Garon's mechanics. He reported his status checks of the mecha's Tail VLS to the SKaRD CP during the launch procedure.The Name is Earth Garon
He is portrayed by Akio Okue .
A mechanic and announcer for when Earth Garon is transported to the launch pad and lifted off.The Name is Earth Garon
Stage Show Members[]
Numerous SKaRD members appeared exclusively in non-canon stage shows, appearing to be under the command of Captain Hiruma of the core team.
In particular, the SKaRD Ikebukuro Branch is a branch unit of the main detachment based in Ikebukuro. They appeared at Ultra Heroes EXPO 2023 Summer Festival in the first and second stage shows, as well as on the festival's Mini Stage. Additionally, the event's staff wore SKaRD uniforms, and every guest received a SKaRD membership card to become SKaRD Special Members , implying they are also part of the branch.
Ryuma Hashido is a member of the SKaRD Ikebukuro Branch and an Earth Garon pilot.[9] Like all SKaRD personnel, he is trained to use the SKaRD arsenal, and is typically seen with the RHG-23 Type 23 Rail Handgun.[10] He is also skilled in close-quarter combat.
He is portrayed by Ryuma Hashido and appeared in both stage shows as well as on the Mini Stage.
Shuji Gurumitsu [11] is a member of the SKaRD Ikebukuro Branch. He briefed Ultra Heroes EXPO 2023 Summer Festival guests about their new deployment, before relaying news of a kaiju attack in Ikebukuro.[12] He also advertised a campaign held at the festival's shop.[13]
He is portrayed by Hiroyuki Fukushima and appeared exclusively on the Mini Stage, occassionally with Ryuma or Maito.[14][15] Fukushima named his character after his father (Shuji),[16] and the kanji for his surname can alternately be read as Gourman, a reference to the character he suit acted as Ultraman X.
Riki is a member of the SKaRD Ikebukuro Branch.
He is portrayed by Keita Rikimaru and appeared exclusively on the Mini Stage in the event's second half, occasionally with Ryuma or Maito.[18][19]
Maito Kudo is a member of the SKaRD Ikebukuro Branch and an Earth Garon pilot.
He is portrayed by Maito Kudo [20] and appeared on the Mini Stage in the event's second half and in the second stage show, taking Ryuma Hashido's place in some performances of it. He later appeared in NEW GENERATION THE LIVE: Ultraman Blazar ～The Other Hero～ to pilot Earth Garon in performaces where Yasunobu, Anri, Teruaki did not appear.
Ayari Takeda is a rookie of the SKaRD Ikebukuro Branch.
She is portrayed by Ayari Takeda [21] and first appeared on the Mini Stage[22] and in the second stage show. Each performance of NEW GENERATION THE LIVE: Ultraman Blazar ～The Other Hero～ had either Ayari, Yuihi or Nene[23] star in the show as a mechanic who joined SKaRD to help to people, wanting to do so after being saved by a firefighter from a house fire when they were a child. Although nervous and clumsy, she invented autonomous androids that are skilled in battle, and a system to transfer the audience's feelings into energy. She also served as the show's MC when Yuihi and Nene were appearing.
Yumi Isseki is a rookie of the SKaRD Ikebukuro Branch.
She is portrayed by Yumi Isseki [24] and appeared in the second stage show with the same role in the story as Ayari Takeda in some performances.
Yuihi Shimizu is a member of the SKaRD Ikebukuro Branch.
She is portrayed by Yuihi [25] and appeared on the Mini Stage[26] and later starred in NEW GENERATION THE LIVE: Ultraman Blazar ～The Other Hero～ as a rookie and mechanic of the team, having the same role in the story as Ayari and Nene.[23]
Koharu is a member of the SKaRD Ikebukuro Branch.
She appeared on the Mini Stage.[27] She later appeared at an Ultra Athletic Store in September 2023.[28]
Nene Takahashi is a rookie and mechanic for the SKaRD.
She is portrayed by Nene Takahashi and appeared in NEW GENERATION THE LIVE: Ultraman Blazar ～The Other Hero～ with the same role in the story as Ayari and Yuihi.[23]
Threat Alert Status[]
The SKaRD follows an alert level system, called Threat Alert Status [29], to determine and prepare suitable plans for the situation. It has three levels:
- Threat Alert Status Alpha [29]: Issued when signs associated with the appearance of a kaiju or extraterrestrial life form become apparent.
- Threat Alert Status Bravo [29]: Issued when the existence of a kaiju or extraterrestrial life form is confirmed.
- Threat Alert Status Charlie [29]: Issued when an area is under attack by a kaiju or extraterrestrial life form.
Arsenal[]
Attire[]
- SKaRD Standby Uniform [30]: A SKaRD member's uniform consists of a black inner t-shirt with the detachment's name and insignia, an outer blue buttoned work clothes with two breast pockets and touch fasteners on the sleeves, a black clip belt, a pair of blue work pants with two big and two small pockets, and either black combat boots or shoes. The top is tucked into the pants, secured by the belt. Both outer clothing and pants have gray accents. The wearer's name and role badges are sewn above the two breast pockets, while the GGF and SKaRD patches are attached onto the touch fasteners. Members who wear combat boots have the bottom hems of their pants tucked into the boots, while those who wear normal shoes have the hems hang over. Members can wear an optional plain black baseball cap. The uniform is a part of the combat gear.
- Combat Gear: When deploying to the combat zone, a SKaRD member would wear combat protective gear over their uniform or civilian attire. Some combat gear may vary depending on the member's role. All types include a helmet, either fully covered or fingerless tactical gloves, pads, body armor, communication equipment, and a gun holster for the RHG-23 handgun. For neck protection, the member would fold their uniform's collar up and secure it with the top button and strap.
- Combat Helmet: Worn by all members, the gray helmet offers protection and minimizes the user's risk of head injuries. The helmet has side and fore attachment points for accessories, such as head-mounted cameras and flashlights. It also has an intercom microphone and earpiece installed. A wired circular button on the user's upper chest area enables them to use the comms.
- Body Armor: There are two types of body armor depending on the member's role.
- SKaRD Combat Uniform [30]: When a member is not piloting Earth Garon, they would wear a black tactical vest, belt with pouches, shoulder and elbow pads, and knee guards. On one of the vest pocket covers is a blood type label. When the wearer is suffering from blood loss and unable to speak, rescue personnel can quickly identify and provide the right blood type for transfusion via this label.[31]
- SKaRD Earth Garon Pilot Uniform [30]: When piloting Earth Garon, a member would wear a black torso harness, similar to those worn by fighter pilots, with silver armor underneath. The harness comes with rectangular shoulder pads and rear neck protection. Unlike the standard type gear, the pilot gear does not come with limb protection padding. The gun holster is located on the wearer's back.
Equipment[]
- RAR-23 Type 23 Rail Assault Rifle [32]: A heavy man-portable railgun that launches high-velocity projectiles with the use of electromagnetic force. In addition to its own iron sight, the rifle has a top and bottom tactical rail for accessories such as optical sights. It entered service in 2023.
- RHG-23 Type 23 Rail Handgun [33]: A sidearm that works similar to the RAR-23. It entered service in 2023.
- Thermal Monocular: A handheld device that allows its user to view heat signatures and radiation.
Mecha[]
- SKaRD Mobile Outpost [34]/SKaRD MOP [35][36]: A white Toyota HIACE van, it is the detachment's mobile command vehicle. It initially lacked any military-grade protection and equipment, and was later upgraded by member Yasunobu. The MOP is 4.9 meters long.
- Special Tactical Armored Kaiju [37][1]: Shortened as Special Combat Kaiju , they are a series of kaiju-shaped robot artillery. Their purpose serves as a direct confrontational weapon against kaiju threats.
- Type 23 Earth Garon: A 50-meter-tall bipedal kaiju-type counter-kaiju robot artillery. Its primary weapon is Earth Fire, a charged particle cannon concealed inside its mouth. It entered service in 2023.
- Earth Garon (Ikebukuro Branch): An Earth Garon belonging to the non-canonical SKaRD Ikebukuro Branch. It appeared in both the stage shows at Ultra Heroes EXPO 2023 Summer Festival.
- DASH Garon : A variant of Earth Garon belonging to the non-canonical SKaRD Taiwan Branch. It features a red armored mask with a drill horn protruding from the center and red weapon arms. Its right arm resembles a boxing glove battering ram while the other a chainsaw. It has its own AI personality, named DASH (Dual-Artificial intelligence System Harmonized).[38] It appeared in a stage play in Taiwan.
Gallery[]
Ultraman Blazar[]
Ultraman Blazar The Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown[]
Miscellaneous[]
Trivia[]
Building No. 3 of NTT Central Training Center serves as the basis for SKaRD CP.
- The SKaRD CP in real life is actually the building No. 3 of the "NTT Central Training Center" located in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. This facility serves as an instructional building for training purposes.[39]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 https://m-78.jp/videoworks/ultraman-blazar/
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/character/skard/
- ↑ Figura King pg 19
- ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/news/6028
- ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/news/6114
- ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/news/6083
- ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/news/6104
- ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/news/6090
- ↑ http://movie-core.jp/blog-entry-8275.html
- ↑ https://twitter.com/_ai_lab/status/1683114607257464833
- ↑ https://twitter.com/29shimahiroyuki/status/1698630934097232034
- ↑ https://twitter.com/777knka/status/1682563376134918144
- ↑ https://twitter.com/777knka/status/1690204755073933312
- ↑ https://twitter.com/777knka/status/1687861717861330944
- ↑ https://twitter.com/777knka/status/1690331913519800320
- ↑ https://twitter.com/29shimahiroyuki/status/1698631128348062040
- ↑ https://twitter.com/777knka/status/1686210382619357184
- ↑ https://twitter.com/777knka/status/1689922637374672897
- ↑ https://twitter.com/777knka/status/1694291678583226519
- ↑ https://twitter.com/ryuma_HSD/status/1692150637516177419
- ↑ https://twitter.com/konoooomin/status/1690486956877291520
- ↑ https://twitter.com/777knka/status/1685525593771896832
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 https://twitter.com/777knka/status/1744179863718957347
- ↑ https://twitter.com/saiyu_mi/status/1691082911032991744
- ↑ https://twitter.com/1daydream17/status/1753731767478186101
- ↑ https://twitter.com/cheer_AMR/status/1692178062669189438
- ↑ https://twitter.com/777knka/status/1694520748713586936
- ↑ https://twitter.com/fig_kenp/status/1700520760232886379
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Figure King pg 25
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 https://twitter.com/ultraman_series/status/1690513566020128768
- ↑ https://twitter.com/yi0124/status/1690596885667717121
- ↑ https://youtu.be/RRXpTbKAH6A?t=382
- ↑ https://youtu.be/RRXpTbKAH6A?t=387
- ↑ https://youtu.be/lV__Nie3VmE?t=839
- ↑ https://twitter.com/yaaaateam/status/1680145202969980928
- ↑ https://twitter.com/ultraman_series/status/1680366741585821696
- ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/news/6028
- ↑ https://twitter.com/gogogo0718/status/1688569677906366466
- ↑ https://hr.nttls.co.jp/n-chuken/facility/03.html
| 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 |