The Forbidden Words(禁じられた言葉, Kinjirareta Kotoba) is the thirty-third episode of Ultraman. It marks the first appearance of the iconic alien, Alien Mefilas.
Alien Mefilas kidnaps SSSP members Shin Hayata, and Akiko Fuji, as well as Fuji's younger brother, Satoru. Mefilas attempts to convince the child, Satoru, to give him the ownership of the planet Earth, in exchange Mefilas offers Satoru to live on another world that is without war and sickness. However Satoru refuses, saying that he is an Earthling and will only be happy living on Earth. Shin Hayata mocks Mefilas, and has exposed the Beta Capsule, his transformation artifact. But Mefilas paralyzes him before he can depress its ignition button with his right thumb.
Alien Mefilas begins his attempt to make the world's leaders give into his demands by enlarging SSSP member Fuji to a gigantic size, and uses her to hold a city at ransom. As a further demonstration of his power, he summons illusions of Alien Baltan, Alien Zarab, and Kemur. However, the Science Patrol learn the location of Alien Mefilas's starship and the Japanes Defense force begins to attack the malicious alien. Mefilas retaliates, but he is forced to retreat. Science Patrol members rescue Fuji and Hoshino, leaving Hayata behind.
The rumble of the ships destruction causes the paralyzed Hayata to fall over, causing his raised Beta Capsule to flash. Ultraman faces off against Mefilas, the two, however, prove evenly matched. Mefilas calls of their battle seeing no need to fight against each other. Mefilas accepts his defeat by Earth and even the child Satoru, however the alien vows that he will someday return, and vanishes. Leaving Hayata to rejoin the other SSSP members and congratulates Satoru for his courage.
"What's so funny, Ultraman?" "Mefilas, your guess was completely wrong. No human would sell the Earth. Even a child like Satoru, wants to do good things for the Earth, and would never throw it away!" "Shut up! What are you Ultraman? Are you an alien, or a human?" "I am both. I was born to fight those who break universal laws, like you." "Don't kid yourself. I will make this beautiful planet my own." "Mefilas, I won't let you."
―Alien Mefilas and Ultraman in the former's spaceship
"Alien Mefilas, go home to your own planet at once." "You spy." "Let's go!"
―Ultraman's and Alien Mefilas's final words before their battle
"Let's stop. Ultraman, there's no use in two aliens fighting each other. I only wanted the heart of the Earth. But, I have lost. I even lost to a child. However this does not mean I have given up. There must be someone that will give me the Earth. They will come to me!"
According to producer Takashi Kakoi, the original script for this episode featured a deception by Gamu that may have come across as too cunning. As a result, it was changed for the broadcast to portray him as brave and resolute. Tetsuo Kinjo, who greatly admired the script, felt that it did not merely reflect "Ryukyuansidentity and awareness" but instead introduced a new perspective on the theme of "Earth's justice not necessarily aligning with the justice (or greater good) of the universe." This made the episode a groundbreaking one in the series.[2]
In the story, Mephilas's line "A spy!" likely reflects his awareness, as a member of the Alien Forces, that Ultraman is disguised as a human and intervening in Earth's affairs.[2]
In "Ultraman Daikan," an excerpt from Kinjo's Literary Room Diary is included, titled "Director Toshitsugu Suzuki's Works Memo." This entry discusses the creative concept for what is considered a precursor to this episode, "The Day Gravity Disappeared" (引力のなくなった日, Inryoku no Nakunatta Hi).[3]
The opening scene of "The Day Gravity Disappeared" reportedly featured the SSSP's Jet VTOL participating in an air show, when an unusual event unfolded. A ship flew into the sky, and a man attempting suicide was unexpectedly drawn upwards. The aliens behind this "zero-gravity event" demanded Earth's unconditional surrender, asking, "If you had to choose between Earth and your life, which would you choose?" They hinted at using gravity to launch humans into space, intending to kill them.
The aliens stated, "I don't want to take Earth by force. If one person agrees, Earth will be mine, and that person will be spared." If agreed, Earth would be transported out of the galaxy. As various gravity-related incidents occurred, the SSSP was dispatched to investigate. The aliens gathered clouds to threaten humanity, and characters like Hoshino faced the agony of weightlessness, while Fuji was transformed into a giant.
Originally, Satoru was intended to be played by Isamu Hoshino, but due to actor Akihide Tsuzawa's injury, the role was reworked into a new character. Early drafts of ""The Day Gravity Disappeared" had Hoshino playing a character similar to Satoru. "The Forbidden Words" preparation script, printed on January 7, 1967, after episode 25 aired, suggests that Hoshino's departure was likely finalized by then.
There are several differences between the draft and the final version, including the following:
In the preparation draft, Alien Mefilas's transformation sequence included the following aliens in order: Alien Baltan, Dada, Alien Zarab, Kemur, Namegon, Bemular, Garamon, and Gango. However, the final script confirmed that only Alien Baltan, Dada, Alien Zarab, and Kemur would appear. In the final version, only Alien Baltan, Alien Zarab, and Kemur were featured.[4]
Satoru, unable to endure the interrogation, ultimately surrendered to Mefilas and said, "Earth is yours," but used the opportunity to rescue Hayata and resolve the crisis. Hayata later comforted Satoru, saying, "It was your lie that defeated Mefilas." In the final version, this scene was changed to show Satoru's determination and bravery.
In the script, Dr. Iwamoto was originally scheduled to appear in this episode but was later replaced by Dr. Yamamoto.
A conversation between Hayata and Mefilas in the draft had Mefilas asking, "Why must comrades who love each other fight?" to which Hayata replied, "That's the complexity of humans. We may argue, but no one will betray Earth!" Mefilas then mentioned, "But the animal I found on the street yesterday said betraying Earth is no big deal." Hayata retorted, "That animal was a dog, an insignificant creature. As long as it's fed, it'll wag its tail and beg for more!"[2]
Both the preparation and final drafts included Dr. Yamamoto noting that Mefilas's actions were simply a display of his power.
At the beginning of this episode, an F-86 fighter jet with blue markings appears during the airshow. However, in the later scene in episode 34 set at the Hamamatsu Base, the F-86 shown has its actual livery from that time. The jet's paint scheme in this episode reflects an early, pre-1963 design style.
There are accounts suggesting that the cast did not travel to the Hamamatsu Base for on-location filming. It is therefore speculated that footage from previous Toho productions was used as a substitute.
This is the only time Masao Nakasone voiced Ultraman in both speaking voice and grunts.
This episode was later featured in Ultraman Retsuden episode 84 "The Forbidden Word! Alien Mefilas's Challenge!!."[5]
One of the most memorable moments in this episode is the appearance of "Giant Member Fuji."
According to Hiroko Sakurai, "Giant Member Fuji" became famous in a new way after being included in the "Kaiju Encyclopedia" published at the time. The character received high praise from director Shinji Higuchi, manga artist Kazuo Umezu, and others. While she was happy about the recognition, Sakurai also felt conflicted, as Fuji was the heroine of the series.[7][8]
Sakurai (Fuji) reconciles with Alien Mefilas.
On August 23, 2015, 49 years later, Hiroko Sakurai attended the "Ultra Kaiju Walk in Odaiba Dreamland 2015" event as a guest. During the event, she humorously pointed out that, despite being the heroine, her character was listed in the Kaiju Encyclopedia. This caused the Alien Mefilas actor, present at the scene, to feel quite embarrassed. He deeply regretted turning Fuji into a giant and knelt to apologize. Sakurai forgave him, leading to a "historic reconciliation" between the two.[9][10][11]
The plot of this episode later became a theme in the 2022 film Shin Ultraman, which featured a confrontation between Mefilas and Ultraman, as well as the appearance of "Giant Hiroko Asami." Additionally, this episode was part of the film's "Special Screening Project" and was specially re-released in theaters from July 8 to July 21 of the same year.[12][13][14]
