Ultraman The Complete Series features all episodes.
1999 version
2009 version
Ultraman The Complete Series
Trivia[]
This episode and the previous one are recognized as the first two-part story in the Ultraman series.
Although the story is set in Osaka, not all scenes were filmed there. For example, the police car scene where Osamu is taken to Osaka Castle was actually filmed in Marunouchi, Tokyo.
Initially, the two episodes were drafted as one continuous story, but the final script introduced several key changes:[1]
In the original draft, after repelling Ultraman, Gomora did not retreat underground but moved straight toward Osaka Castle. A tank shell from the JSDF's Itami base hit Gomora, enraging it and causing destruction. Headquarters and top JSDF officials questioned Professor Nakatani about Gomora's behavior. He explained that Gomora's sharp sense of smell detected an odor similar to the "Dandara Grass" (ダンダラげし, Dandara Geshi) found on Johnson Islands, also present in Senri Hills. Gomora then rampaged through Dojima, Kitahama, Kyobashi, and headed for Osaka Castle.[1][3]
Hayata, wounded in battle, was taken to Namba National Hospital. Osamu, witnessing the fight, accidentally picked up the lost "Flash Beam" (the Beta Capsule) at the scene. Meanwhile, SSSP tried to stop Gomora by using helicopters to spread oil, causing it to slip. They planned to immobilize Gomora by extracting its blood with a giant syringe. Despite flamethrower attacks from the Self-Defense Force, Gomora broke through and destroyed Osaka Castle's main keep.[1]
Fuji suggested making the "Dandara Grass Bomb" (ダンダラげし弹, Dandara Geshi Dan). Gomora had once consumed the essence of Dandara grass, which put it into a deep sleep for millions of years. The plan was to create bombs containing this essence and drop them to weaken Gomora. Meanwhile, Gomora smashed the stone walls of Osaka Castle, whose massive stones were originally transported by boat under Katō Kiyomasa.[1]
After destroying the castle, Gomora moved toward Senri Hills. Osamu's mother was hospitalized due to the disaster, and the injured Hayata was admitted to the same ward. Hayata noticed Osamu holding the "Flash Beam" and asked him to return it.[1]
As SSSP completed the Dandara Grass Bomb, Gomora continued its assault, approaching the hospital. Doctors and patients fled in panic, and Hayata transformed into Ultraman to protect the building. SSSP deployed the Dandara Grass Bomb, hitting Gomora precisely. Ultraman then fired his beam and defeated Gomora. After Ultraman left, Gomora's corpse lay in the sunset as everyone mourned.[1]
The story underwent major changes from the first draft:
Originally, a comedic scene showed a rocket fired from a Jet VTOL hitting Gomora's rear, which it then threw back, accidentally striking a patrol car and sending it flying. This was changed in later drafts to the rocket hitting the JSDF's Mazer Tank instead.[1]
The broadcast announcer declared, "Our 500 years of cultural heritage have been destroyed by Gomora. Osaka is now a dead city. If Gomora continues, Kyoto and Nara will also be at risk..."[1]
The final script removed a scene where Gomora's tail was severed.
According to Tetsuro Fukada's son, responsible for the special effects models, Gomora destroyed three famous Osaka landmarks in this episode:[4]
This episode marked the first time since Godzilla Raids Again (1955) that a Japanese film or TV show featured the destruction of Osaka Castle.
Notably, Akira Maeda, a famous professional wrestler and MMA fighter, watched this episode in second grade and was shocked by Gomora destroying Osaka Castle. The next day, he and friends visited the castle, only to find it intact. A staff member casually told him, "We fixed it overnight."[6][7][8]
Interestingly, the Industry Club of Japan Hall seen in the episode is not in Osaka but is actually a building in Marunouchi, Tokyo. Fukada's son mentioned a university student working on the production explained they scouted Tokyo for buildings suitable for monster destruction scenes.[9]
In an interview, Bin Furuya said he initially struggled with how to portray battles and scenes while filming Ultraman. After watching the episodes, he felt he might have "done something wrong."[11]
During filming of the Gomora fight, Furuya gradually adapted to his role. What started as indifferent acting evolved into a thoughtful approach to portray Ultraman as a figure who inspires children's dreams. He occasionally felt conflicted about defeating monsters so harshly, even feeling emptiness.
Furuya, who loved insects since childhood, felt protective of life and couldn't kill insects just for a summer project, admiring their graceful flight. He empathized with Gomora and other monsters like Zumbolar and Jamila, who became violent due to human selfishness. He believed simply defeating monsters does not truly inspire children. Other production members shared this view.[11]
Furuya requested Tetsuo Kinjo to avoid destroying monsters caused by human selfishness or those harmless to humans, instead allowing them to return to their habitats. Kinjo incorporated this idea in episodes 20 "Terror on Route 87" and 30 "Phantom of the Snow Mountains."[11]
![[14]](/wiki/File:Osaka_Castle_01.webp "Osaka Castle 01.webp (72 KB)")
![[15]](/wiki/File:Osaka_Castle_02.jpeg "Osaka Castle 02.jpeg (53 KB)")
