Ultraman Episode #5: Secret of the Miroganda

[heroforhirerob]

The Basics: Members of a scientific expedition are being mysteriously murdered.

The Story: I like the story in this one. It's definitely different. It actually has a more Ultra Q/X-files feel to it than most episodes and that's a good thing. Only thing that drags it down is the obligatory "grow to giant size" sequence at the end.

The Kaiju: Greenmons is really a mixed bag, though more in execution than concept. For one...a hundred demerits for the uninspired name...basically a shortened version of "Green Monster". LAAAAAME! I like its motivation in going after the members of the island expedition, but they throw that out the window when he kaiju sizes. The creature is a little too anthropomorphic for my tastes, especially a scene where he bows to Arashi...basically saying..."take your best shot". The creature did have some interesting abilities though, but overall...not a fav.

The Acting: Big bonus points here for Akihito Hirata's first appearance as Dr. Iwamoto(sp?) and special guest star Akiko Wakabayashi as the expedition photographer.

The SPFX: Average. Greenmons too often looks like a guy wearing a blanket, but that's my biggest complaint.

The Other Stuff: Very little explanation is given for the monster...even compared to most japanese critters. Ultraman reacts to Greenmons poison mist even though it is HIGHLY unlikely he could be harmed by this(given that he flies through space without breathing and so forth). Two possibilities...one...Ultraman and his kind were once organic beings..and he's reacting based on instinct.....or the Hayata persona is reacting subconsciously. Either way. Ultraman is never truly threatened by Greenmons and he defeats him easily.

[Xenorama]

this was one of the few episodes of Ultraman I actually got to see growing up. I remember it vividly due to the circumstances of getting to watch the show. so it has a lot of nostalgic value for me.

it is very different, for the most part. there were only 2 plant monsters in the first series, so Greenmons is very unique that way.

I like the episode a lot.

David

[Dagarah72]

[planetxleader]

Love this episode, one of my favorites, and the first one to make a huge impression on me (although episode 2 came close). Seeing suprise appearances by Akihito Hirata and Akiko Wakabayashi was definitely awesome, and I loved the Ultra Q/X-Files feel to the episode. Though Greenmon's transformation into a "daikaiju" was out of nowhere (unfortunately, I've noticed this happens a lot in various shows, just because it's supposed to happen). The part where he knocks down the clocktower made it worth it, though.

Big props too for the black-and-white flashback sequence where the poisonous flower is the only color in the frame. That's when I knew this was going to be more than a run-of-the-mill episode.

[MekaGojira3k]