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"Awaken, Warrior of Light!"

―Series tagline

Ultraman Orb (ウルトラマンオーブ, Urutoraman Ōbu) is the 26th entry in the Ultraman Series, and was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ultraman and the 20th anniversary of Ultraman Tiga.[1] It aired from July 9, 2016 to December 24, 2016. This series is not part of New Ultraman Retsuden and therefore aired on Saturdays instead of Tuesdays. It is the first show since Ultraman Mebius to air on Saturdays. It is Chapter 6 of the Ultraman Orb Chronicle.

The series can be watched on Shout TV, Tubi, Pluto, Roku, and Prime Video.

Production

What's next

"What's next..."

Ultra Q and Ultraman began airing in 1966. To commemorate their 45th anniversary, Ultraman Retsuden started broadcasting on the TV Tokyo network in July 2011. Following this, in July 2013, New Ultraman Retsuden began airing, which included only 11 episodes but was treated entirely as a drama unit, producing a 30-minute new series, Ultraman Ginga. After that, a new series, including a 30-minute new "Ultraman" and a 3-minute new mini-series, would be released every year. These attempts gradually gained public acceptance, and over time, the number of new series increased, establishing a system of producing theatrical versions at the end of TV series.[2]

Ultraman Orb is the first independently released new generation series after New Ultraman Retsuden and also the 50th-anniversary commemorative series of the Ultraman series. Before the conception of this series, Tsuburaya Productions released a promotional video on YouTube on January 24, 2016, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ultraman series. At the end of the video, a black background with a pair of Ultraman eyes and the English letters "What's next...?" were displayed.[3]. On February 6, Field Corporation, the parent company of Tsuburaya Productions, revealed in its financial report on February 1 that a new Ultraman series would premiere in July. However, the report did not disclose any other information about the new series.[4][5][2]

Ultraman Orb 2016 050

The main actors of Ultraman Orb participated in the production press conference.[6][7][8][9]

On April 25, 2016, Tsuburaya Productions announced and revealed details about the new series Ultraman Orb. Kiyotaka Taguchi, who directed Ultraman X, returned as the director, and Yuji Kobayashi and Takao Nakano returned as the series' writers. Following this announcement, Orb finally appeared in episode 147 of New Ultraman Retsuden and its promotional video. As a TV program, the rest of the cast for the series was announced on the official Tsuburaya Productions website on May 26, 2016.[10] New Ultraman Retsuden continued to air until June 25, 2016. Ultraman Orb officially began broadcasting as a new program in July 2016.[11][2]

The initial planning for the series began around the end of filming for Ultraman X in 2015. After the overall filming of Ultraman X was completed in early October 2015, the planning for the new series officially commenced. Along with Taguchi, Koichi Sakamoto and Yuichi Abe also joined the team. According to Taguchi, the inspiration for Ultraman Orb came from his collaboration with screenwriter Takao Nakano twice during Ultraman X. The initial concept stemmed from Nakano's proposal based on Edogawa Ranpo's The Boy Detectives Club, featuring a detective Ultraman akin to Kogoro Akechi, engaging in a battle with a foe resembling The Fiend with Twenty Faces, with a detective team analogous to Kobayashi Yoshio in between. Taguchi was highly intrigued by this setup and strongly recommended Nakano as the series composer. However, due to concerns over familiarity, the detective theme was ultimately adjusted.[12]

Firstly, the protagonist Gai Kurenai's drifter image was proposed by Nakano. After the detective setting was abandoned, Nakano suggested the drifter as an alternative. He believed that Dan Moroboshi in Ultraseven was also a drifter at the beginning of the story. Additionally, Nakano resonated with "Spaghetti Western," Kogarashi Monjirō, and the stateless route of Nikkatsu films, viewing the drifter as a more fitting hero than a detective. The name Gai Kurenai also derived from "sunset," and it referenced "○○ Gai" from Nikkatsu films[13]. Taguchi resonated with Sanjuro and was interested in the hypothetical scenario of "what if Dan hadn't joined the UG." Thus, the protagonist of this series blends the characteristics of a detective and a drifter, with a strong personality. The underlying reason for this setup was the need for a compelling character and attributes to define the tone of the work and drive the story.[14][15]

Tsuburaya Productions initially decided against introducing an organization similar to previous defense teams. However, Taguchi strongly opposed depicting Ultraman without such a defense team in place. During project coordination with Tsuburaya Productions, he ensured the preservation of the worldview involving a defense team. Based on his creative direction in episode 16 of Ultraman X titled "Feature Report! 24 Hours Inside Xio," Taguchi proposed that the defense team should include members resembling police roles, leading to the introduction of the down-to-earth character Shibukawa Ittetsu. While not prominently featuring the defense team, decisions were made to introduce elements like differently colored Jet VTOL, gradually emphasizing the team's presence throughout the series.[16]

The initial concept of Ultraman Orb's character was simple: the protagonist possesses the powers of two Ultramen. However, to enhance the story's clarity, the basic form of Orb Origin was introduced, and the consistent theme became "rediscovering one's true self." When shaping the character of Gai Kurenai, not only did they portray him avoiding his past cold image, but they also added cheerful and unexpected traits. Actor Hideo Ishiguro, who played Gai, differed from recent actors in the Heisei era Ultra series in that he was an experienced actor rather than a newcomer.[17][18][15]

Regarding Jugglus Juggler, Gai's adversary, Taguchi requested that actor Takaya Aoyagi portray a thorough sense of instability. Aoyagi's superb acting amplified moments of cruelty following laughter or anger, perfectly contrasting with Gai throughout the series, embodying the concepts of light and darkness within justice. Throughout the series, under Taguchi's steadfast intent, the serious and comedic elements were integrated, embracing the spirit of "playing even on the main axis!" with a serious attitude, thus creating an entertainment piece filled with a spirit of service.[19][15]

The prequel web series Ultraman Orb THE ORIGIN SAGA, depicting Orb's birth, premiered on Amazon Video in Japan starting from December 20, 2016, and concluded on March 13, 2017.[20]

Synopsis

Naomi Yumeno has had the same strange dream since she was young: visions of a shining giant of light battling a giant monster.

With her interest sparked by those dreams, she starts the paranormal phenomena tracking website called "Something Search People" with her friends Jetta Hayami and Shin Matsudo.

One day the trio are on the tail of a unidentified mysterious animal suspected of causing strange meteorological activity. They ignore the warnings of Naomi's uncle Ittetsu Shibukawa, an officer with the special investigations team VTL, and head towards the center of the strange weather. There they suddenly encounter the Lord Monster of wind, Maga-Basser! Naomi is blasted by the vicious winds but rescued by the vagabond, Gai Kurenai.

By using his Orb Ring to read the power of two previous Ultras, Gai is able to Fusion Up into a warrior of light from a distant galaxy, Ultraman Orb! And thus the curtain rises on a series of intense battles between Ultraman Orb and the Lord Monsters, while behind the scenes, the mysterious Juggler takes hold of his Dark Ring while smiling sinisterly...

Gai's Ultra Hero Special Study

Gai's Ultra Hero Special Study (ガイのウルトラヒーロー大研究, Gai no Urutora Hīrō Dai Kenkyū) is a segment at the end of the show where Gai will feature the Ultra Fusion Card and Kaiju Card of the week.

Characters

Protagonist

SSP

VTL

Antagonists

Others

Ultras

Kaiju

Cast

  • Gai Kurenai (クレナイ・ガイ, Kurenai Gai): Hideo Ishiguro (石黒 英雄, Ishiguro Hideo)
  • Naomi Yumeno (夢野 ナオミ, Yumeno Naomi): Miyabi Matsuura (松浦 雅, Matsuura Miyabi)
  • Jetta Hayami (早見 ジェッタ, Hayami Jetta): Naoto Takahashi (髙橋 直人, Takahashi Naoto)
  • Shin Matsudo (松戸 シン, Matsudo Shin): Hiroaki Nerio (ねりお 弘晃, Nerio Hiroaki)
  • Jugglus Juggler (ジャグラスジャグラー, Jagurasu Jagurā): Takaya Aoyagi (青柳 尊哉, Aoyagi Takaya)
  • Ittetsu Shibukawa (渋川 一徹, Shibukawa Ittetsu): Shingo Yanagisawa (柳沢 慎吾, Yanagisawa Shingo)

Staff

Music

Opening Theme
Ending Theme

Home Media

In Japan, the series was released on 8 DVDs and two Blu-rays sets. Both Blu-rays contain special features such as trailers and Gai's Ultra Hero Special Study segments, with the second notably containing deleted scenes from various episodes with explanations.[21] Mill Creek also released the series and movie in the United States with English subtitles on November 19, 2019.[22]

Gallery

Images

Videos

External Links

References

Productions
Showa Series Ultra Q | Ultraman | Ultraseven | Return of Ultraman | Ultraman Ace | Ultraman Taro | Ultraman Leo | Ultraman 80
Heisei Series Ultraman Tiga | Ultraman Dyna | Ultraman Gaia | Ultraman Cosmos | Ultra Q: Dark Fantasy | Ultraman Nexus | Ultraman Max | Ultraman Mebius | Ultraseven X | Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle | Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey | Neo Ultra Q | Ultraman Ginga | Ultraman Ginga S | Ultraman X | Ultraman Orb | Ultraman Geed | Ultraman R/B
Reiwa Series Ultraman Taiga | Ultraman Z | Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga | Ultraman Decker | Ultraman Blazar | Ultraman Arc
Outside of Japan Ultraman: The Adventure Begins | Ultraman: Towards the Future | Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero | Ultraman: Rising
Original Video and TV Special Ultra Fight | Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider | Ultra Super Fight | Ultraman Nice | Heisei Ultraseven | Ultraman Neos | Ultraman: Super Fighter Legend | Ultra Idemitsujin | Ultra Zone
Showa Movies Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature | Ultraman, Ultraseven: Great Violent Monster Fight | Return of Ultraman | The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. The Monster Army | Ultraman (1979) | Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle | Return of Ultraman: MAT Arrow 1 Takeoff Order | Ultraman ZOFFY: Ultra Warriors vs. the Giant Monster Army | Ultraman Story
Heisei Movies Ultra Q The Movie | Revive! Ultraman | Ultraman Zearth | Ultraman Zearth 2 | Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna | Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Dyna, & Ultraman Gaia | Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey | Ultraman Cosmos: The First Contact | Ultraman Cosmos 2 | New Century Ultraman Legend | Ultraman Cosmos vs. Ultraman Justice | New Century 2003 Ultraman Legend | ULTRAMAN (2004) | Ultraman Mebius & the Ultra Brothers | Superior 8 Ultra Brothers | Mega Monster Battle Ultra Galaxy: The Movie | Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial | Ultraman Saga | Ultraman Ginga Theater Special | Ultraman Ginga Theater Special: Battle Royale | Ultraman Ginga S The Movie | Ultraman X The Movie | Ultraman Orb The Movie | Ultraman Geed The Movie | Ultraman R/B The Movie
Reiwa Movies Ultraman Taiga The Movie | Ultraman Trigger: Episode Z | Shin Ultraman | Ultraman Decker Finale | Ultraman Blazar The Movie
Spin-Offs Andro Melos | Ultraman Zearth: Parody Chapter | Revival of the Ancient Giant | The Return of Hanejiro | Gaia Again | Ultra Q Kaiju Legend | Ultraman Kaiju Legend | Hikari Saga | Armored Darkness | Ghost Rebirth | Ultraman Zero VS Darklops Zero | Q - Door to Another Dimension | Killer the Beatstar | Ultra Zero Fight | Ultra Fight Victory | Ultraman Orb THE ORIGIN SAGA | Ultra Fight Orb | New Generation Heroes | The Absolute Conspiracy | Sevenger Fight | The Struggle of Special Section 3 | The Destined Crossroad | Continued Ultra Fight | Shin Ultra Fight | Return of Special Section 3 | Ultraman Regulos | Ultraman Regulos: First Mission | Ultraseven IF Story | SKaRD Break Room
Rebroadcast Shows Ultraman Retsuden | New Ultraman Retsuden | Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle | Ultraman Orb: The Chronicle | Ultraman New Generation Chronicle | Ultraman Chronicle: ZERO & GEED | Ultraman Chronicle Z: Heroes' Odyssey | Ultraman Chronicle D | Ultraman New Generation Stars
Informational Ultraman The Prime | ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES | Ultra Science Fantasy Hour | Ultra Fight Club | UlSummer Information Station | Ultra Information Center | Professor Teruaki's "Blazar Kaiju Academy" | Super Power! Ultra Encyclopedia! | Ultra Construction Tour | THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN | Ultraman 4K Discovery
Docudramas Fly in the Sea Breeze! Ultraman | The Men Who Made Ultraman | My Beloved Ultraseven | The Man Who Wanted to Be Ultraman | Kaiju Club | The Two Ultramen
Other Series and Movies Kaiju Booska | Captain Ultra | Mighty Jack | Fight! Mighty Jack | Operation: Mystery | Chibira-kun | Mirrorman | Redman | Triple Fighter | Emergency Directive 10-4·10-10 | Iron King | Horror Theater Unbalance | Fireman | Jumborg Ace | Mirror Fight | Jumborg Ace & Giant | Mars Men | Army of the Apes | Pro-Wrestling Star Aztecaser | The Last Dinosaur | Dinosaur Expedition Born Free | Dinosaur Great War Izenborg | Star Wolf | Dinosaur Squadron Koseidon | Anime-chan | Gridman the Hyper Agent | Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad | Moon Spiral | Cyber Beauties Telomere | Booska! Booska!! | Otasuke Girl | Mysterious Incident Special Investigation Team SRI | Mirrorman REFLEX | Bio Planet WoO | Operation: Mystery - Second File | Mirror Fight 2012 | Operation: Mystery - Mystery File | Gridknight Fight
Anime The☆Ultraman | Ultraman Kids | Ultraman Graffiti: Wild! Ultra Country | Ultraman: Super Fighter Legend | Ultra Nyan | Ultra Nyan 2: The Great Happy Operation | Ultraman M78 Theater Love & Peace | Gridman the Hyper Agent: boys invent great hero | The・Ultraman: Jackal vs. Ultraman | Kaiju Sakaba Kanpai! | Kaiju Girls | SSSS.GRIDMAN | ULTRAMAN (2019) | Kaiju Step Wandabada | SSSS.DYNAZENON | KAIJU DECODE | GRIDMAN UNIVERSE
Outlaw Content Space Warriors 2000 | Project Ultraman | Ultraman The Animation | Ultraman: A Little Journey on Earth | Fun... English with Ultraman | Young Ultraman | Ultraman Big Transformation | Sinic Q | Red Jade | Dragon Force: So Long Ultraman | Dragon Force: Rise of Ultraman
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