Ultraman Blazar

[Dai]

The 2023 series is confirmed to be Ultraman Blazar, starting 8th July.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/MSnseh90pkg

It looks promising, especially with an apparently more mature protagonist than we've had of late. Maybe a little more grounded than the last couple of series, but not as Nexus-esque as I was hoping for from the gritty Codename: Ultraman teaser they posted earlier in the year.

[lhb412]

Kiyotaka Taguchi as showrunner?

Eschewing most of the usual toy-gimmickry, with a simple transformation device and (at least at the beginning) only one form? (The multiple, collectable caps are apparently for the toyline and aren't in the show)

An emphasis on realism, word building, and character relationships?

An older protagonist with a family?

An emphasis on new monsters?

Kiyotaka Taguchi as showrunner?!

I'm very, very happy with what I'm seeing. Addresses pretty much all of my complaints about modern Ultra, but still looks kid-acessible, unlike the probably too dark Nexus. Looks like the perfect middle ground between the demands of a toku kid's show and the broader audience brought in by the success of Shin Ultraman.

[Benjamin Haines]

This series looks very cool, and according to the press notes posted by SciFi Japan, each episode will be available online with English dubbing simultaneously with the Japanese broadcasts! It will also air in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia will local language dubbing. They're really making this new Ultraman show accessible to a lot of kids around the world!

https://www.scifijapan.com/ultraman-tsuburaya/ultraman-blazar-press-notes-and-photos-for-new-tv-series-from-tsuburaya-pro

[lhb412]

I'm trying to avoid all the publicity material now because I'm trying to prevent myself from getting over-hyped by this. Seriously, this series seems tailored to my requests from an Ultraman series. I mean, look at that lineup of all new kaiju!

... and legendary voice actor and former Power Ranger Johnny Yong Bosch is dubbing the lead in the English version! How cool is that?

[Kailem]

The pre-release special is out now, and I've got to say, it did a good job of getting me pretty hyped about the show!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRXpTbKAH6A

Having only recently "properly" started getting into Ultraman, and the fact that this is going to be available internationally on the official Ultraman Youtube channel with English dub (and I've got to imagine English subs as well, right? Although I guess not if the only video they upload is dubbed) means I think I might have to make this the first Ultraman series I actually keep up-to-date on while it's actually being released!

[lhb412]

Hot damn! We've got something special on our hands!

Can't wait 'till next week.

[Kailem]

I just watched it and man, that was legit! I'd been hearing good things throughout the day and trying not to get spoiled, but it was even better than I expected!

That opening was so damn cool, as was Blazar's initial appearance. And some of the shots of Bazanga (who's a really cool monster) rampaging around were really good.

I watched this first episode on my TV's Youtube app, but man, it really made me appreciate what a godsend the adblocker I've had on my laptop for all these years really is. It was annoying as hell that they kept building to all these hype moments only for it to immediately cut to ads for cooking utensils. Obviously the Ultraman ads were part of the video, but I think for future eps I might just have to watch them on a smaller screen on my laptop, since at least that way they won't end up being interrupted as much.

But yeah, the episode itself was great! I'm definitely super excited to continue watching!

[lhb412]

Man, still thinking of Blazar's growls and wails, his animalistic movement, the little ceremonial dance thing he does before fighting. This is so cool.

[Kailem]

I just watched it again on my laptop with an ad-blocker for the non-Ultraman ads and yeah, it's still great.

I love a couple of those shots where you see the X-Ray team, then it pans and you see Bazanga revealed behind them, then it pans away again without cutting. Just a really cool way of making the monster feel like it really is sharing the same space as the humans, instead of the usual "humans react to the monster in one shot, then a cut, then a shot of the monster" that we usually get most of the time.

And yeah, Blazar himself is great. They really gave him so much personality with his crazy howls and growls. And I really liked how he flew as well, starting off with a slow kind of hover and then speeding off leaving an energy trail behind on one side. The first part gave it kind of a dreamlike quality, which I thought was really cool. I'm always a sucker for any sort of crustacean or ocean-based monsters as well, so I thought Bazanga was awesome; not to mention Gedos is going to be keeping that theme going for the second episode in a row next week too!

This opening ep really was just awesome. I'm already so hyped about this show that I'm considering spending way too much money to buy one of those Blazar Brace toys!

[Dai]

What a drastic departure from the style of the last decade. Between the emphasis on live-action compositing versus reduced use of city miniature shots, the almost contemporary military hardware, the grounded costumes, and the style of cinematography, it all felt very 80s Hollywood. Blazar itself was a departure too, with its feral behaviour and downright bizarre vocalisations. I hope it doesn't stay like that throughout the series.

On the whole, a striking episode. The main thing that bothered me was the way the transformation device just appeared with no foreshadowing.

[Kailem]

It certainly took me a bit to get used to how noisy he was. It looks like it's probably going to get a bit more "traditionally Ultraman" with the next episode though once SkaRD and its members are introduced.

I was ok with the Blazar Brace appearing out of nowhere since Gento was left equally puzzled by what it was and what had just happened, so I like that they're introducing a bit of mystery there for us and not just every character *except* the one who's transforming into Ultraman. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Blazar actually encountered him three years previously, since one of the soldiers had that bit about him 'running into an explosion by himself three years ago and rescuing people.'

It could just end up being nothing more than a quick character bit, letting us know that Gento is the kind of person who puts himself in harm's way to help others, but it's possible they might be laying the first seeds of him eventually realising that something more happened back then than he currently thinks. Either way I'm looking forward to more!

[Kailem]

Now *that* definitely felt like the Ultraman I've come to know from the original series!

This episode almost felt like the polar opposite of the first, but not in a bad way. Whereas that one felt very grounded, more realistic and a bit dark, this episode was lighter brighter, more comedic and in some places ridiculously silly. But it still worked!

Some moments got some genuine laughs out of me, like the reveal of the "SKaRD mobile outpost" as just an ordinary-looking van with one of the characters immediately saying it looks a bit "low-budget", and the climax of Blazar's fight with Gedos had me thinking "you can't be serious with this!" with a big smile on my face. At least going by the original series I know Ultraman can apparently conjure up some totally random and bizarre powers whenever the situation calls for it, but I still couldn't believe what I was seeing here.

The rest of the SKaRD members also seem likeable so far. I'm looking forward to seeing them working as a team from the next episode onwards. And Gedos was a cool moments with some nice attacks and nice moments of destruction. I loved his intro with the blue flashing lights coming from underwater, too. It's a small detail but it totally reminded me of classic Showa movies that used to do that all the time, so that was a small touch I really liked.

Oh, and Blazar's slide under Gedos' beam attack was smooth. And an actual little transformation pose too! Great stuff. So yeah, though I expected this episode to be lighter than the first I didn't expect it to be *this* goofy. But since that's also totally in-keeping with the Ultraman stuff I've seen before, that's not a bad thing! I'm continuing to really like this show so far.

[lhb412]

Man, this is hitting so hard. Like you said Kailem, this was a tonal 180 from the first episode, but it was also a very clear companion piece. One was dark. Two was light. One focused on introducing the world, the lead, and Blazar. Two is all about introducing the whole team (which isn't complete until the final minute!) and the team dynamic. Gento's reaction to having to assemble the defense team and also be Ultraman seems to have manifested as a constant, low-level migraine. Very relatable!

Gedos was a beautiful new kaiju suit. Loved seeing the poor guy go on his little rampage (i.e. grab a bite to eat).

Great opening and closing credits.

Honestly, between Shin and this I'm in Ultra-heaven, especially since the one negative of Shin (lack of practical, tactile effects) is something Blazar has in spades.

[Kailem]

Another good episode this week! Although the focus on it wasn't huge, I did like the "international" feel that SKaRD investigating monster-related incidents overseas gave this one; even going so far as to have the opening scene take place in America! It just reminded me a bit of the original Ultraman, where they'd sometimes have characters come in from overseas or make reference to stuff happening in other parts of the world. So the reminder that this is indeed the *Global* Guardian Force was nice.

*Also some spoilers ahead, just in case anyone is reading this before watching the episode (since we can't use the spoiler markings anymore)*




And we finally got to see Earth Garon in action! I kinda like the "MechaGodzilla Junior" design he has, and his launch sequence was cool. Again, very reminiscent of Kiryu. And Taganular was another really cool monster as well, a sort of "giant insect but not quite". And what was that beam it fired into the sky at the end? I wouldn't be entirely surprised if that was some sort of call or signal that ends up playing a part in future episodes, perhaps.

And speaking of stuff being planted for future episodes, it sure looked like we got confirmation that Gento did indeed encounter Blazar three years ago during the incident those soldiers were talking about in the opening ep. I'm sure there's still a lot more left to be revealed, like why he's apparently been "dormant" until now, but it was good to see they're not going to be dragging stuff like that out for too long without giving us at least *some* answers.

So yeah, this is continuing to be good stuff, and next week's episode looks really good too!

[lhb412]

I love how, after a full episode of intense action in the premier, we've had two relaxed, comfy episodes. It just feels so... like Ultraman. Both this and Shin have really cracked the core vibe of Ultraman.

Love seeing these brand new kaiju costumes every week. It's such a treat, and following up two more naturalistic kaiju with that grotesque flesh monster next episode? Looks so cool!

[Kailem]

As much as I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, yet another really good episode this week as well!

I loved how almost "Resident Evil"-y this one felt at points, what with the secret underground lair filled with corporate-manufactured monsters in tubes, and a main monster that itself looked like some sort of crazy mutation. Even just on a basic visual level I've really been liking how distinct each one has felt in each episode so far, with their own colours schemes that really set them apart from the ones we've seen before. And for sure Leviera looks super different from anything we've had up until now. It kinda reminds me of Khezu from the Monster Hunter games, in a good way. And another night-time city battle was a treat to see as well!

I also liked the reveal that Gento and Emi were basically setting up the bad guy. I did think it was a little abrupt that Gento went to her and was like "we're in over our heads!", so the reveal that that was all for show made much more sense. And granted I've found this to be a thing with Ultraman in general since I started watching the original series going into Ultraseven and now this, but the 30-minute runtime for a live-action show really does mean that these episodes just belt along with no real downtime; and that's great!

We got a cool fight scene with the human characters too, although I'm not sure how Emi can't think that there's *something* going on with Gento and Ultraman after this! Even in the original show people were occasionally thinking Hayata was a bit suspect after miraculously surviving yet another crash unharmed, but hey, I'm just gonna roll with it!

And next week it looks like we're getting a much more classic-feeling weird as heck monster to keep the variety going! Once again, I'm looking forward to it!

[DannyBeane]

Every episode of Blazar so far has been a banger. Episode 4 had some excellent martial arts choreography. The series feels almost like a classic 80s tokusatsu with modern spfx and I dig it. I love all the monsters so far!

[lhb412]

I'm also sounding like a broken record, but I'm just permanently gobsmacked by what a leveling up this series is. The scope of everything that happens in this 24 minute episode?!

Really love how Blazar's glowing bits illuminate the stuff around him in night scenes.

[Kailem]

Yep, can confirm that Ultraman Blazar is still great! This fifth episode felt a little slower than last week's, but not in a bad way given how much they crammed into episode 4. The pacing was good, and I loved the new monster. Dorgo really felt like a classic Ultraman kaiju with those big white eyes and long pointed nose and mouth. Like Tohl Narita meets Shadow of the Colossus. And they literally went climbing on its back later in the episode, which only makes the comparison even more apt! And the grassy beard was a fun detail too.

I've also always been a fan of monsters being defeated but not killed (one of the many reasons the Showa era of Godzilla films is my favourite), so it was nice to see Blazar was on the same page as SKaRD and not trying to rip his head off or anything. And man, that 'double Spiral Blade' move was sweet. He leaned back so far he stuck them into the ground for a second! I also really liked the mid-fall close-up Blazar Brace transformation too, that was a cool way of doing it this time.

So yeah, Ultraman Blazar continues to be just really great stuff so far!

[Kailem]

I guess recap episodes are just kind of a "thing" in modern Ultraman shows? Obviously the "next time" preview in last week's ep made it clear that's what this one would be, but reading around a bit it sounds as though episodes like this are pretty much standard, rather than just taking a break like American shows do a lot of weeks, or having a fun run of uninterrupted "normal" episodes as with UK shows.

Either way, since all the new monsters they've had in this show so far have been awesome I was ok with watching those fights again! I will say though that the preview for it kinda made out like it was going to have just a *little* more story than it did, with the whole "a TV director narrows in on the origins on the kaiju?!" thing, which never even came remotely close to happening. But for what it was it was still cool.

Given the way it started though, I was also thinking that maybe there'd be a bit more discussion/speculation about Blazar's origins and why he keeps showing up to fight monsters all the time. But they pretty quickly settled into the (apparent) normal Ultraman thing of being like "oh, what's this strange alien giant that's appeared?!" initially, and then just being totally cool and not at all suspicious every time he appears after that.

I saw some people saying there were apparently some meta jokes about previous recap episodes and stuff, but I've not watched nearly enough Ultraman to pick up on things like that. But speaking of watching Ultraman, I did think it was really cool that only last week did I watch the episode of Ultraseven featuring Alien Cannan and now, after an apparently 56 year-long absence, they'll be returning in next week's episode! That's some really great timing on that!

[sentaison]

I've really been enjoying Blazar. Every episode so far has been very good, with original kaiju and seijin. (Not counting the inevitable recap) Blazar is a very original design and his fighting style and finishing weapon/attack are also unique. One other thing that stands out is that usually by now we have at least a second form as a power up. There is no sign of that happening yet, maybe Tsuburaya is breaking the pattern of the last decade?

[lhb412]

^ I think I read Blazar may get some power up armor or something but not an outright form change. I think Taguchi's conception from the beginning was to steer away from certain toyetic conventions (while making the mech and original kaiju the stars of the toyline).

[Kailem]

This latest episode was fun as well. It felt like they took a page out of the Marvel playbook by having a moment that was purely just an excuse for a buff character to take his shirt off.

It was fun seeing the Alien Cannan make an appearance too, just a couple of weeks after I watched the Ultraseven episode with their one and only appearance up until now. And I didn't even make the connection at first with how their base in this one was a direct nod to their base in their debut episode. That was a nice little touch.

Some cool shots in it as well, especially when Earth Garon was chasing the SKaRD van and another first-person transformation. And Blazar had yet more crazy awesome moves again here too! That "henshin uppercut" was super cool, and his randomly ultra-spinning when he threw the blade was just the right kind of silly.

And next ep is the first two-parter of the show so far, and once again the new monster looks really cool! Here's hoping we get some awesome action scenes fitting of a multi-part episode.

[Kailem]

Oh yeah, now that episode right there? That's the good stuff!

I've definitely come to anticipate that an Ultra two-parter is going to be a cut above the usual fare, and this was no exception! Nijikagachi's a really cool-looking monster, with the bone white of its armour contrasting well with the brighter rainbow colours. And it's a tank, too! Just shrugging off pretty much every attack thrown its way, including the Spiral Blade! I've kinda been loving these eps where the various Ultras finally go up against something that's immune to their strongest attacks, so it was definitely a cool moment to see Nijikagachi just beam attack it out of the sky.

Also, it's just a walking natural disaster! It certainly upped the stakes from just the regular kind of rampaging monsters we usually get. Really looking forward to the crazy action we're sure to get in the concluding part next week!

[Kailem]

"Taste the rainbow, ************!!"

Just when you thought they couldn't top the craziness of episode 2's fishing scene, they literally have Blazar grab a rainbow and turn it into a buzz saw!! I really do love how each Ultraman (of the ones I've watched, at least) can just pull out some utterly crazy moves whenever the need arises, so seeing something as completely over-the-top as this was great!

And a brief glimpse of Blazar by Gento there while he was unconscious. I'm guessing that eventually they're actually going to communicate with each other beyond just Gento knowing that it's Blazin' time whenever the bracer appears on his arm.

A somewhat ambiguous ending there too. Is Nijikagachi really gone? As someone who's preference has always been for monsters to be defeated rather than killed I'd like to imagine we might see him return at some point down the line. Either way, methinks the law needs to be changed to allow people in this show to actually be charged with kaiju crime if it's going to be this easy to try to destroy the world and get away with it!

And wow, Garamon's returning next week!! My favourite Ultra Q monster is back again!! Everything truly is coming up Millhouse right now!