Takeshi Yamato

This may not be the article you are looking for. For the actor, see Takeshi Yamato (actor).

Takeshi Yamato
Data
Ultra	Ultraman 80
Transformation Item	Bright Stick
Type	Hero
Age	25 years old
Gender	Male
Home World	Land of Light
Affiliation	UGM Ultra Brothers
First Appearance	Ultraman 80 episode 1 "Ultraman Teacher"
Latest Appearance	Ultraman Mebius episode 41 "Teacher's Memories"
Portrayed by	Hatsunori Hasegawa

Takeshi Yamato is the main protagonist in Ultraman 80. He is Ultraman 80's human form.

History

Ultraman 80

Coming to Earth, Ultraman 80 took on a human form and the identity of Takeshi Yamato. Takeshi's theory was that monsters were born of the energy created by negative human emotions, also known as Minus Energy. He decided to become a teacher at Sakuragaoka Middle School in Tokyo, and served as a science teacher, as well as the home room teacher responsible for 1st Year, E Division. He was absolutely dedicated to his students, for he was there to teach them not just about science, but also about life. Unfortunately, he had a penchant for being late, so he does things like promising his students to walk to class on his hands if he is late next time, or even promising to resign as a teacher.

Takeshi in his uniform

He even started up a band with his students and jammed on an electric guitar. His over-enthusiasm quickly won the loyalty of his students, but often made him an easy target for the prim Deputy Schoolmaster Kumi Nozawa. Takeshi loves rice, bakso and orange juice. He also had a crush on Kyoko Aihara, the gym teacher, but would lose all confidence in himself and sense of composure in her presence.

Takeshi would don an orange and silver suit to moonlight at UGM (Utility Government Members), the regular Earth defense team, after school and on Sundays. He acquired the job from Captain Oyama because they were both present at a park in the first episode, looking for signs of new monster activity. Oyama was happy to meet someone who believed in the re-emergence of monsters.

Even his own team members had their doubts, since none of them had any combat experience like their veteran captain. At school, only Principal Kennosuke Hayashi knew of Takeshi's extracurricular activities.

Ultraman Mebius

Takeshi in Ultraman Mebius.

After Mebius and 80's battle with the monster Hoe, he later appeared at a private class reunion in Sakuragaoka Middle School. Originally he was not going to join because he felt he had let down his students, but he was proven wrong as the students showed their gratitude for him both as their teacher and as an Ultraman. He then decided to go to the school reunion. ^{Teacher's Memories}

Transformation

Takeshi thrusts his fists left, then right, before holding the Bright Stick up in the air and shouts "80!" as the rod's button activates and then emits light that transforms Takeshi into Ultraman 80.

Takeshi raises the Bright Stick

Bright Stick activates

80's first rise

80's second rise

Powers and Weapons

• Training: Takeshi, being an Ultra Warrior's human form, is very agile in battle and can operate the various equipment provided by the UGM.
• Telepathy: Like other Ultras, Takeshi can use this ability to communicate with others through his mind. However, he dislikes using it as it could potentially expose his true identity.
• Bright Stick: Takeshi can use this device to transform into Ultraman 80. He can also attach it to his gun to amplify its power.
• Ultra Eyes : Takeshi can use his Ultra powers to see through objects, disguises, and pick up anomalies.

Bright Stick (Gun barrel)

Ultra Eyes

Gallery

Ultraman 80

Takeshi's first appearance

Takeshi and Ryoko turning back to their Ultra form.

Ultraman Mebius

Miscellaneous

Trivia

• According to an interview with Hatsunori Hasegawa in 2021, he recalled how he came to be cast as Yamato. At the time, he was working on the television drama Love for the Family, when TBS producer Kiyoshi Nomura and a producer from Tsuburaya Productions invited him into a room and asked him many questions in a very stern manner. Hasegawa asked, "Which TV drama is this audition for?" to which Kazuho Mitsuta responded angrily, "What are you talking about? It’s for Ultraman! How could you not know?" Hasegawa received a harsh reprimand, while Nomura laughed happily.
  • It was said that although the main role's auditions had concluded, they had not yet found a suitable candidate, so Hasegawa was called in to audition and received the casting offer the next day. He was puzzled as to why he was chosen for Ultraman, but later, his acting mentor Tomisaburo Wakayama told him, "Whatever the job, once you accept it, you must take it seriously. That’s the way of an actor!" This reassured Hasegawa, and from the decision to the start of filming, only a week had passed.
  • Regarding his role as Yamato, Hasegawa noted that this character was quite different from the young culture of the 1980s. At that time, the popular "tough guy" image, regardless of gender, was admired, while characters like his, who were pure and gentle, were often ridiculed. Nevertheless, he remained steadfast in his desire to portray an "ordinary person," and did not waver in shaping his character.
• Until Mirai Hibino, Takeshi Yamato was the final and the youngest of Ultra Brothers' human forms.
• Takeshi Yamato is the only Ultra Brothers' human form not to transform into his Ultra form on screen during Ultraman Mebius' series although he did make an appearance.
  • As for the cameo in Ultrmaan Mebius, Hasegawa was invited by Hiroyasu Shibuya of Tsuburaya Productions. The letter explained that due to various reasons, the teacher’s story had been interrupted, and a new story about the teacher’s reunion with students was being created. Hasegawa saw this as an important opportunity and immediately agreed to participate upon receiving the invitation. Ultimately, the script for the reunion on the rooftop of Sakuraoka Junior High School was shot almost directly without rehearsal.

• In chapter 112 of ULTRAMAN, the teacher of Shinjiro is depicted with a facial appearance similar to that of Takeshi. It is unknown whether it was intentional for the author to introduce a future counterpart of Ultraman 80 ahead in this continuity or it was just a random cameo that would not impact the plot.
• According to the 45th anniversary interview in 2024:
  • Hasegawa mentioned that the most challenging aspect of filming the series was the post-production dubbing work. After the filming of the visual scenes was completed, the actors’ dialogue would be recorded separately. "Dubbing would take an entire day to record two episodes, which was always exhausting. Sometimes, during dubbing, it felt like my voice couldn't match the actions."
  • Influenced by Hollywood films like Star Wars, Hasegawa had studied performances by Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, hoping to present a natural acting style in Ultraman 80. However, Director Noriaki Yuasa did not allow for that. At the time, Japanese cinema still adhered to traditional acting methods, but this period marked a turning point. Therefore, Hasegawa believes that the natural acting style pursued by the main cast of Ultraman 80 was an innovative attempt in the Ultraman series.