Ultraman X is the 25th entry in the Ultraman Series. It aired in mid-July as part of New Ultraman Retsuden. This was the final show to be featured on the New Ultraman Retsuden block before it came to an end on July 2016.[1][2]
The series can be viewed on Shout TV, Tubi, Pluto, Roku, and Prime Video.
Production
The Ultraman X featured in this series has been promoted as "a completely new Ultraman full of a cyber feel."
This series is one of the series in New Ultraman Retsuden, continuing the Spark Dolls setting from the Ultraman Ginga series, but with different settings. The main director is Kiyotaka Taguchi, with directors Takanori Tsujimoto and Yuichi Abe, screenwriter Sachio Yanai, and Uiko Miura also participating in the production. In terms of actors, many young actors making their debut were selected.
In the Ultraman series, when humans and heroes become one as fusion heroes, the state of Ultraman's consciousness during activities is usually not deliberately depicted. Even if other Ultramen mimic human forms directly, for fusion-type heroes, expressing their state of consciousness has always been a relatively untouchable issue. While this ambiguity does not diminish Ultraman's appeal, maintaining a sense of mystery may be the correct choice. Some things may be more attractive when kept vague.[3]
Against this backdrop, Ultraman X provides an answer to the question of Ultraman's consciousness. Ultraman X is set to reside in the X Devizer instead of the protagonist's body. In battle, they transform through a device, creating an atmosphere where humans and Ultraman are almost on equal footing. The main character, Daichi Oozora, and Ultraman X are depicted as partners who need to cooperate and help each other. Ultraman X primarily handles combat abilities, while Daichi takes on thinking and intellectual tasks. This setting makes Ultraman X closer to the traditional Ultraman series concept, while also exploring new Ultraman images and continuously developing.[3]
In the initial planning phase, the concept of "Cyberization" was present from the beginning, primarily on a visual level rather than integrating cyber elements into the essence of the characters. When Kiyotaka Taguchi was confirmed as the main director of this series, Tsuburaya Productions had already outlined the story structure with concepts of "Cyber" and "Cyber Armor." Taguchi reshaped the elements of Spark Dolls to steer the series towards a more hard science fiction direction, with special attention in the production to depict the scale of Xio.[4][5]Taguchi aimed to portray a professional defense team image; thus, in the story development, Xio's focus shifted from simply responding to monster appearances to strategizing and setting clear goals to defeat monsters. Additionally, the daily lives of team members were emphasized with detailed backgrounds provided regardless of their on-screen depiction, enhancing their character presence. Before filming began, the production team also invited former JSDF members to instruct actors on firearms handling, salutes, and other military protocols.[6]
Considering that in previous series monsters often appeared in groups, which Taguchi believed diluted the impact of each monster, this series aimed to highlight the charm of each main monster in every episode. Taguchi and scriptwriter Hirotoshi Kobayashi focused on portraying monsters as "organisms," advocating the theme of "coexistence with monsters." Unlike Ultraman Gaia and Ultraman Cosmos, which explored the same theme, this series leans towards real-world nature reserves and wildlife management strategies, respecting monsters' natural habitats but advocating culling if they pose a threat to humans.[6][7][8]
Before the establishment of this series, there were other proposals gathered by the writers. Yuji Kobayashi proposed the concept of Ultraman Gold in the early stages of planning, which eventually appeared as a guest character named "Alien Gold" in episodes 6 to 7[9]. One of the highlights of this series is also the cameo appearances of past Ultramen. Initially confirmed cameos include Ultraman Ginga and Ultraman Victory from the previous series Ultraman Ginga S[10], Ultraman Zero, and Ultraman Max[11] and Ultraman Nexus[12], who have had fewer guest appearances in other series.[4]
During filming, Tsuburaya Productions utilized the RED EPIC digital cinema camera as a new filming equipment. This system processes video as continuous Raw still image files, achieving a quality close to traditional film cameras and suitable for digital compositing. This technology enabled CG images related to the series, even without creating miniature models, to resemble traditional miniature special effects. Continuing the collaboration seen in Ultraman Ginga S with Nissan, the series introduced modified vehicles for Xio, Additionally, the production used GoPro cameras, traditionally used for behind-the-scenes footage, as one of the main cameras to enhance the sense of scale in special effects scenes.[4][13][6][14]
The main actors of Ultraman X participated in the production press conference.[15][16][17]
Underpinning the series with its main settings, Ultraman X is divided into several distinctive chapters. Taguchi initially aimed to create a story akin to Ultraman Nexus with a vertical axis but diversified the thematic content akin to Ultraman Max.[18] Therefore, before episode 7, there was a recap of basic settings and physical enhancements of Ultraman X. Episodes 8 to 14 constitute the diversified chapters, while after episode 15, the focus shifts to character development of Daichi and the Xio members. This structure showcases the richness of the series content. Despite Ultraman X having a relatively short episode count of 22 episodes, unlike the serialized airing of Ultraman Ginga series, it aired continuously without breaks.[4]
The production press conference took place on June 18, 2015, at Tokyo Big Sight, featuring director Kiyotaka Taguchi, the cast, and the lyricist of the theme song, Masatooshi Ono.[19][20] Filming for the entire series concluded in August 2015, coinciding with the production of the theatrical film scheduled for release in March 2016, following the final episode of the TV series.
Synopsis
As Ultra Flares from the sun blanket the Earth, Spark Dolls that had been hidden underground and in the sea are turned into monsters. In order to deal with the sudden outbreak of invading aliens, humanity arms itself with machines of super science and forms the defensive team Xio.
Fifteen years later... A member of Xio, Daichi Oozora, hears a mysterious voice while in combat against a monster. "Unite..." Just as Daichi is on the verge of being obliterated by the creature, he finds himself bathed in a radiant light.
Daichi's Kaiju Lab
Daichi's Kaiju Lab is a segment at the end of the show where Daichi and X will feature the Spark Dolls and Cyber Cards of the week.
Characters
Protagonist
UNVER
- Daisuke Minamikawa
Xio
- Asuna Yamase
- Wataru Kazama
- Hayato Kijima
- Takeru Yamagishi
- Chiaki Matsudo
- Mamoru Mikazuki
- Rui Takada
- Sayuri Tachibana
- Shotaro Kamiki
Others
- Takashi Oozora
- Haruka Oozora
- Yuki Harusaki
- Isamu Kazama
- Hana Suda
- Chizuru Ueki
- Yamato Suda
- Hiromi Kamiki
- Kaoru Tachibana
- Michiru Tachibana
- Sakura Aizawa
- Kaori Aizawa
- Nanako
- Shogo Tachibana
Returning Characters
Ultras
- Ultraman X
- Ultraman Zero
- Ultraman Max/Kaito Touma (Human Form)
- Ultraman Victory
- Ultraman Ginga
- Ultraman Gingavictory
- Ultraman Ace (Stock Footage Flashback)
- Ultraman Leo (Stock Footage Flashback)
- Astra (Stock Footage Flashback)
- Ultraman Cosmos (Cameo)
- Ultraseven (Cameo)
- Ultraman Nexus
Kaiju
- Greeza
- Bemular
- Aboras
- Banila
- Pestar
- Magular
- Peguila
- Cyber Gomora
- Demaaga
- Alien Fanton Gourman
- Birdon
- Telesdon
- Underground Woman
- Alien Zarab
- Bemstar
- Black King
- Black King Drill Custom
- Alien Nackle Bandello
- Alien Gold tE-rU
- Rudian
- Gargorgon
- Zetton
- Alien Sran Quila
- Alien Valky Halky
- Alien Icarus Icary
- Alien Nackle Nackley
- Samekujira Jolly
- Alien Babarue
- Dada
- Kemur
- Alien Zetton
- Alien Akumania Referee
- Houlinga
- King Joe
- Gina Spectre
- Tsurugi Demaaga
- Zaragas
- Alien Magma
- Alien Shaplay
- Mold Spectre
- Shepherdon (Stock Footage Flashback)
- Black King (Stock Footage Flashback)
- Windom (Cameo)
- Miclas (Cameo)
- Agira (Cameo)
- Alien Markind
- Mecha Gomora
- Juda Spectre
- Gua Spectre
- Gomess (S)
- Gubila
- Cicada Woman
- Pigmon
- King Guesra
- Red King
- EX Red King
- Space Cat Mu
- Dorako
- M1
- Gomora
- EX Gomora
- Bugbuzun Brood
Cast
- Daichi Oozora : Kensuke Takahashi
- Asuna Yamase : Akane Sakanoue
- Wataru Kazama : Yoshihiko Hosoda
- Hayato Kijima : Ukyo Matsumoto
- Mamoru Mikazuki : Hayato Harada
- Rui Takada : Haruka Momokawa
- Takeru Yamagishi : TAKERU
- Chiaki Matsudo : Chiaki Seshimo
- Sayuri Tachibana : Sarara Tsukifune
- Shotaro Kamiki : Yuu Kamio
Voice Actors
- Ultraman X : Yuichi Nakamura
- Narrator, Alien Fanton Gourman : Yasunori Matsumoto
Staff
- Directors: Kiyotaka Taguchi (main director), Takanori Tsujimoto, Koichi Sakamoto, Yuichi Abe, Suguru Tomita
- Series compositors: Yuji Kobayashi, Takao Nakano, Hirotoshi Kobayashi, Hisako Kurosawa
- Screenplay: Yuji Kobayashi, Takao Nakano, Hirotoshi Kobayashi, Hisako Kurosawa, Sotaro Hayashi, Sachio Yanai, Hiroki Uchida, Akio Miyoshi, Kyoko Katsuya, Uiko Miura
- Supervision: Shinichi Ooka
- Planning: Tomohiro Ikari, Ryota Katano (Bandai), Haruto Nakayoshi (Bandai Visual), Taihei Yamanishi (Dentsu)
- Production supervisor: Sei Okazaki
- Chief producer: Tsugumi Kitaura
- Producer: Eiji Kikuchi
- Assistant director: Masayoshi Takesue
- Special effects assistant director: Tomonobu Koshi
- Action Coordination: Hiroyuki Okano
- Character design: Masayuki Gotoh, Kiyotaka Taguchi, Sarito Minowa, Takanori Tsujimoto, Taku Tomita
- Special effects modeling: Takafumi Uenuchi, Fuyuki Shinada, Toshio Kaimai, Shun Tahara, Taku Hashimoto, Hiroki Yokouchi, Kayo Murakami, Masakatsu Yagi, Shiro Tanaka
- Music: Takao Konishi
- Optical illustration: Sadao Iizuka
- Vehicle cooperation: Nissan Motors
- Produced and Copyrighted: Tsuburaya Productions
Music
- Opening Theme
- Ending Theme
Home Media
In Japan, the series was released on 6 DVDs and two Blu-rays. Mill Creek also released a Blu-ray of the series and movie in the United States with English subtitles on April 20, 2021.[21]
Gallery
External Links
- Official website (web archive)
- Ultraman X and New Ultraman Retsuden at TV Tokyo (web archive)
- Ultraman X at Tsuburaya Productions' official website
References
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/n-3088
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/n-3127
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ultra Tokusatsu PERFECT MOOK vol. 19: Ultraman X, pg 4
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Ultra Tokusatsu PERFECT MOOK vol. 19: Ultraman X, pg 5
- ↑ Spaceship Vol.149 pg 84-86
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 https://v-storage.jp/talk/interview/29974/
- ↑ Ultraman X Blu-ray BOX I EPISODE GUIDE Episode 2
- ↑ https://www.monomagazine.com/76109
- ↑ https://x.com/kobayuji/status/636117034531618816
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/n-3365
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/n-3304
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/n-3470
- ↑ https://www.moview.jp/958931217.html
- ↑ https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20171002-ultramanvr/
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/n-3154
- ↑ https://ure.pia.co.jp/articles/-/38824
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/wp-content/uploads/pressrelease/tsuburayaprod-pr-20150618-x.pdf
- ↑ Spaceship Vol.151 pg 77-79
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2054476/full/
- ↑ https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20150619-a392/
- ↑ https://www.millcreekent.com/collections/the-ultra-verse/products/ultraman-x