This is a direct to video Ultraman series that was made in 2000. The series was supposed to be the 30th anniversary commemoration of the Ultra series, and pilot episode was made in 1995 (expecting broadcast in 1996). But due to the change of broadcast station, Ultraman Neos changed into Ultraman Tiga, and the project was shelved until it was revived in 2000.
Ultraman Neos is a space patrol from M78 nebula, and does not share the premise of other Ultraman series that were released during the same time period. Earth is moving into the region of space covered by the dark matter, and due to what the show calls the "unbalance phenomena", various monsters starts to appear on earth. Ultraman Neos joins HEART squad member Genki Kagura (Jun Takatsuki) when Kagura gets thrown out into space during a rescue mission. From that point on Kagura transforms into Ultraman Neos when the earth gets attacked by monsters and aliens. Ultraman Neos is often joined by Ultra Seven Two One, an another Ultraman from M78 nebula.
This series seemed have turned into a transitional series where various styles of old and new Ultraman series got mixed into one. First is that two Ultraman shows up in one episode that became common in the 21st century Ultraman series. Second, is that the casts are mixture of more mature actors with the young set actors. This gives the impression that the series are made for more mature audiences (but not completely) like it was with Ultra Seven X.
I think the series was made on a lower budget, or with lesser planning than the regular Ultraman series. And although not lacking in quality, the situation has many components that doesn't fit together well. The actors aren't uniform where a serious faced actor joins more juvenile faced actors, and they just don't gel in terms of the mood. The unevenness detracts from the usual joy of watching the Ultraman series.
Good series, but not completely a success in terms of its implementation.
