Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

^interesting...I didn't think those things on his chest were eyes...but it makes sense...good to know, also thanks kiryugoji04 for the tip about adblock, Ill try it next time

Episode 15: Never Say Never. Man did this show turn dark! No jokes or funny bits. Just bad decisions and the consequences of making them. But it was good to see Dyna alum Ryo Kinemoto in the last two episodes.

The last few episodes of the show have been really, really good. Effects work is wonderful.

The effects have been great all through the series. Great looking monsters and well done fight scenes. It was just that at the beginning, most of the cast of characters were so silly that if they disappeared you wouldn't miss them. They've definitely changed that. The humor has gotten much better and there is more of a serious tone that compliments it. But this episode is very different. If you watched the first three episodes and then jumped to where they are now, you would think it wasn't the same show.

It's become a top-tier Ultraman show at this point. No matter what tone they pick for an episode or scene, it all just works. I was surprised by just how brutal Orb became in episode 15. I'd expected Thunder Breaster's first appearance to be as dark as the show got, but this just kicked it to a new level. My jaw dropped when he actually used his finishing move in that situation.

Also, special mention has to go to the sound design for Galactron; very distinctive sound effects and music.

Thunder Breaster really shifted the show's gears. I liked it before, but once the Maga-Orochi stuff happened I was totally in love. It also feels like the show is shooting things in the same dynamic way the opening episode was presented.

It's also becoming increasingly apparent how heavily Juggler is based on the Dark Knight version of The Joker (as if the name wasn't a big enough hint): a total anarchist, and one determined to drag the hero down to his level. I don't know if it was just the moody camera work, but that final scene this week gave me a real Nexus vibe too.

I love Juggler and I know it was stated he and Orb used to fight on the same side. I am still half expecting Juggler to make a face turn in near the end of the series. I'm probably wrong, but it just seems that they're focusing on him so much that he's going to become a sort of anti-hero in the final episodes. Or, in the very least, a lesser of two evils.

Playing catch-up. Still not at the much-loved Orochi two-parter, but I have to say even those these earlier monster-of-the-week episodes don't really take advantage of the break in Ultraman formula (if anything, they're too formulaic to themselves) they show is still plenty watchable and has consistently neat Tokusatsu stuff. Love how Orb and Hyper Zetton battle around the human charters in Episode 5, and enjoyed Episodes 6 giving Juggler classic villain aliens to interact with - way too many transitional transformation scenes in that final fight, though!

... and now I'm getting the KY commercial every ad break.

And so Orb's true form is finally revealed. I don't know if it was just the contrast against the bulky Thunder Breaster, but Orb Origin seems unusually thin and lanky. Anyway, this was another good episode, especially the moody opening in the hospital and the big smackdown at the end. That sword though... it's so painfully a toy.

http://tokusatsunetwork.com/2016/10/ult ... igures-89/

Viewership's up, merchandise sales are up - just keep doing what you're doing Tsuburaya!

Just watched the Bemular episode. Must say, I really liked this incarnation, blue colors and horns included.

Back to the light, comedic tone this week. I was impressed by that extended shot of the human-size and kaiju-size fights happening at the same time. The episode directors for both Orb and X have been really creative and ambitious with the action scenes.

Interesting to see a mid-season change to the opening sequence to include Orb Origin, though it sounds like the same verse of the song again. I prefer the season 1 version of the song, but it still has that great thrash metal drumline.

Ultraman Orb movie in March.

Just watched episodes 18 & 19. I'm surprised that they changed Bemler, but didn't change his name. Also, it may be because of the wedding themed episode, but the actress that plays Naomi is really Beautiful. Don't know why I never really noticed before.

Also interesting news about a movie for Orb. I hope those Winckler movies come out soon. Since I skipped Ginga, Ginga S & X entirely, I would like to see all the series and films in order to fill in the *roughtly* 3 year gap I have.

Crunchyroll's article about the Orb movie announcement has a short synopsis. This movie sounds bonkers.

http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2 ... ch-of-2017

I like this show, and the characters are likable, but there is something off about the stories. They seem light compared to older series. I was wondering if it is a budget issue, but maybe Tsubaraya is trying to capture the J-Drama audience? The show is driven much more by character interactions than plot. Wondering if anyone else has had the same observation.

Last episode was pretty neat. I really like Deathscythe. Did have a big laugh at Orb randomly going into Thunder Breastar mode to kill it though. As if he didn't have it beaten as Origin, he just goes full-on overkill mode to deliver the final blows.