Ultraman

Frankly, I'm surprised to be the first one to talk about Ultraman. This metro Japan action show never talked down to its young audience, and I'm sure a key reason is that Peter Fernandez -- the genius behind the English-ization of Speed Racer -- also was responsible for Ultraman. Always suspenseful and damaging, it's unfortunate Ultraman hasn't found a new audience. They need only put it on the air!

Oh -- who was Ultraman? Basically, this military fellow was able to become the metallic superhero when necessary in order to fight an enormous monster and crush several buildings.

This was a show that I can remember rushing to get home from school to watch! Who would Ultraman face today? How would Hyata save the day without being seen using the beta capsule? Would Ultraman destroy his opponent before running out of energy? Who would get to fly the jet plane and who would stay at the station? And what kind of mess would those two science patrol clowns get into? Then after the show, I remember going outside with my friends and playing Ultraman. This show occurred during a time when kids could be kids and not worry about someone saying a show is too violent. This show was purely about imagination, loyalty, and caring for others by defending against evil. Cool stuff!

I was lucky enough to live in an area on the United States that had a station that aired Ultraman and Johnny Sokko & His Flying Robot in the 70's. I was a big Speed Racer fan(now on the SPEED Channel), but was more into the live action tv shows like Jason of Star Command, Ark II, Space Academy, Land of the Lost, Six Million Dollar Man, etc. I've seen many different Ultraman series but this is my favorite and the one I saw in the 70's. The silver praying mantis looking face, the crossing of the arms to shoot an electric charge, it was just great entertainment. Iota was a great character to turn into Ultraman with a great team to fight monsters. TBS aired Ultra 7 for a while, I guess Ted Turner owns the rights, it's similar to this Ultraman series but the production and voice over quality isn't nearly as good. Don't miss it!!!

Of all the Japanese monster movies/TV shows, Ultraman has a special place in my heart. Produced by the same man who brought us Gojira (Godzilla) Eiji Tsuburaya brings to the small screen a more refined giant-sized, judo/jujitsu-throwing, eco-friendly, solar-powered, silver, flying hero.

Who could ask for anything more? :-)

Ultraman helps our gallant friends of the equally valiant Science Patrol, who seek out and confront strange new monsters on the city streets of Japan's urban hubs. When the Science Patrol finds they're in over their heads (ever episode, to be exact ;-)), Hyata calls upon his two-hundred foot symbiot. A fight usually ensues in downtown Tokyo, committing city hall to a perpetual state of Urban Renewal plans.

Seriously. Ultraman is the show they don't make anymore for kids, but should. Despite all the violence of Ultraman mixing it up with monsters on miniature sets, the show teaches some fundamental values and etiquette for young minds.

If you're a parent of a young child, do him/her a favor and go out and get either the VHS or DVD of Ultraman Volume 1.

To the best of my recollection the show was shot at TOHO studios (where Tsuburaya shot nearly all his Godzilla films), and stared Akiji Kobayashi, Susumu Kurobe and Hiroko Sakurai. The acting is typically Japanese (think high energy here), but entertaining all the same. And the actress who plays Fuji is easy on the eyes :-)

Ultraman is da BOMB! Accept no substitutes!

I ran home from school as so many others did to enjoy Ultraman and Space Giants. Reading all the other comments made me realize that even if we never met or come from different walks of life and environments, we share similarities far greater than any in-differences! Long live the spirit of Ultraman-kind! Speed Racer was also another favorite of mine. It increases my belief in our humanness that somehow will always thrive and what is truly good and decent exists in us all when we choose to nurture that which inspires us to spread our most heart-felt and sincere emotions. Not being afraid of sounding odd or out of touch or corny. Like Mary Tyler Moore said....As the human race.."were going to make it after-all".