UPG (Ultra Party Guardians) is a defense team formed under the International Defense Organization , whose main goal is to fight against monster threats and studying the Victorium crystals. They made their debut in Ultraman Ginga S.[1][2]
Overview[]
The UPG is a newly established defense team created by the International Defense Organization to address emerging supernatural phenomena. The team was formed following an investigation into paranormal activities in Shimogaoka , where the presence of Victorium ore and the emergence of kaiju were detected. The team's emblem is designed with a shooting star motif, featuring a "Live Sign" in the center of the star, and its representative color is orange.
Given its recent formation, UPG remains a relatively small unit with a limited number of personnel. To prepare for crises arising from new supernatural phenomena, the team is currently expanding with financial support from the Ichijoji conglomerate, including the construction of the "Live Base" in the mountainous areas of Shimogaoka.
UPG holds primary responsibility for investigating and responding to potential anomalies in Shimogaoka, including disaster response and kaiju-related incidents. The team is also tasked with patrolling the city to disseminate disaster information to the public and ensure their safety. Communication within the team includes the use of the phrase "Got it!" as a standard confirmation code during operations. Additionally, UPG is cognizant of the events that transpired in Furuhoshi Town two years prior, and thus recognizes the presence of Ultraman Ginga.
Initially, UPG faced considerable challenges due to its limited size and resources, struggling to achieve significant success against large kaiju in the early stages of its operations. However, with the recruitment of new members, collaboration with subterranean dwellers, and the acquisition of advanced weaponry, UPG has since demonstrated substantial improvements in its operational effectiveness and resilience.
History[]
Ultraman Ginga S[]
UPG was formed two years after the defeat of Dark Lugiel. It was created due to a wide amount of rumors that were circulating about unnatural phenomenons in a place called Shimogaoka. UPG launched an investigation and discovered a stone called Victorium, unrealistic phenomenons and a giant monsters. Due to these recent discoveries, UPG decided to make massive preparations and to expand UPG to counter potential threats.
Base[]
Live Base (As built)
Live Base (Rebuilt)
The UPG Live Base is the UPG's temporary main base of operations. The base played several roles in the story, used by UPG Captain Jinno to aid Ginga and Victory against Fire Golza and Gan-Q. Alien Chibull Exceller would later fuse the base with Dark Lugiel's essence, forcibly transforming the base into Vict Lugiel. One year after the base's destruction, it was rebuilt and continued to be used by the UPG.
Facilities[]
Command Center
- Command Center: The main room where most of the UPG members work in. When Koyama and other officers of the IDO took command of the base, he activated the secret Victorium Cannon.
Arsenal[]
- Third Radar Tower : Much like other radar towers, it functions to receive and transmit signals. However, in certain cases, the tower was converted into a giant magnetic cannon and controlled by a Charge Gun. It was used to attack monsters and extract Victorium from Shepherdon.
- Victorium Cannon : A large caliber energy cannon secretly built and only known by top ranking officers. The cannon is powered by Victorium energy. A single shot with 30% charged energy was able to effortlessly defeat Alien Guts Vorst. Although it could charge up to 150% for maximum firepower, it experienced an error and became out of control. Hikaru dubbed this as the forbidden weapon due to its misuse of Victorium that supposedly belonged to the Victorian.
Members[]
- Main article: Yoshiaki Jinno
Yoshiaki Jinno is the 43-year old captain of defense team UPG. He likes house plants and herbal tea, and cares for everyone in an emergency.
He is played by Ryuichi Ohura, who previously portrayed Alien Angel Tori in Ultraman Mebius.
- Main article: Hikaru Raido
Hikaru Raido is the current host of Ultraman Ginga and the newest UPG member. Sent on a mission by UPG to search for Alien Chibull who had landed on Earth. While finding Alien Chibull Exceller, Hikaru discovers the ancient city of Victorium.
- Main article: Tomoya Ichijouji
Tomoya Ichijouji still uses the Gunpad which he used to control Jean-Nine two years prior. He is in charge of researching the Mysterious Stone "Victorium" in his "Ichijouji Lab". His research is sponsored by UPG. Among the other UPG members, he is the only one to know of Hikaru's secret as Ultraman Ginga.
- Main article: Arisa Sugita
Arisa Sugita (19 years old) is the only female member in UPG, and is the leader in combat. She has the strength of a strong man and is in-charge of the Mechas of UPG.
She is played by Yukari Taki.
- Main article: Gouki Matsumoto
Gouki Matsumoto (24 years old) is also in-charge of combat like Arisa. He has black belt in karate, has trained his body, likes to laugh heartily and is surprisingly delicate. He apparently has loose lips when drunk.
He is played by Takahiro Katou.
- Main article: Mana
Android One Zero is the latest addition to UPG. After being cast out by Exceller for her failures to defeat Ginga and Victory, she is left wandering without a purpose, until she met Misuzu who showed her compassion and kindness, causing One Zero to re-examine humans in another light. Her nickname, given by Misuzu, is "Mana".
She is played by Moga Mogami.
- Main article: Sho
Sho , along with Sakuya, joined the UPG after the defeat of Vict Lugiel. He aided the team on various missions and continued to fight as Ultraman Victory. Even after joining the team, he still visits his step-brother, Repi.
Arsenal[]
Attire[]
- UPG Uniform : It is a two-piece uniform with highly bullet-resistant material. Each team member dresses slightly differently.[3]
Equipment[]
- Charge Gun : A pistol that fires laser ammunition and can switch between two modes. If connected to UPG-EV1 Schnauzer's bonnet, it will give out a stronger blast called the Hyper Laser , that is able to destroy giant-sized enemies such as the Inpelaizers. It can also be connected to the UPG Live Base's parabolic antenna to control it and fire a magnetic wave cannon if linked to the base's power source and the Victorium Cannon.
- Smart Ceaver : A communication device that carried by UPG crews. It can also used to remotely control any UPG Vehicle. It is an all-purpose device with a comprehensive search function.[4]
- Energy Bazooka: A pair of giant bazooka which designed to fire gigantic energy blasts. Used to revive Ultraman Ginga and Victory.
Mecha[]
- UPG-EV1 Schnauzer: A small patrol car used by UPG members.
- UPG-EV2 Malamute: A patrol van used by UPG members.
Gallery[]
Ultraman Ginga S[]
Ultraman Ginga S The Movie: Showdown! The 10 Ultra Warriors![]
Miscellaneous[]
Trivia[]
- The UPG team shares a lot of similarities with SSSP from Ultraman as seen on their logo, their headquarters, and their suits.
- This marks as the second Earth defense organization to include non-humans. The first was DASH, both of which featured androids. However, the ULTRAMAN manga had an SSSP member, Edo, who is an Alien Zetton.
- This defense team was the third one whose higher officers portrayed an antagonistic role, abusing the team with the first is TLT and the second was DEUS.
- This is also one of the Defense Teams that team up with another Defense Team from another Ultraman Series; that being Xio. Another one is Super GUTS, which team ups with GUTS although it was only upgraded from the old team and from the same universe but different series.
- In the conceptual development of the series, it was noted that no defense team appeared in Ultraman Ginga. To maintain consistency in the timeline, the story established that the newly formed organization two years later did not yet have fully developed equipment. Therefore, it was planned from the beginning to include Hikaru, who had not received special training, as a team member. Being a small defense team also allowed the production to avoid building large-scale sets.[5]
- The surrounding scenes of the "Live Base" were filmed at the Ajinomoto Stadium, with the design of the base incorporating elements from the stadium. The command center scenes were shot on a temporary set constructed in the hall of a facility in Ibaraki Prefecture. During the initial design phase, there was also consideration of using regular sets similar to those in previous series' filming studios.
References[]
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/character/upg/
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/ginga/2014/cast/
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/n-2633
- ↑ Televi Magazine, August 2014 Issue, p.49
- ↑ Figure King 273 pg 50-59
| 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 |