Ultraman –Series One, Volume One DVD Set
By Jmaruyama

Series Production Information

Japanese Title: “Ultraman – Kuso Tokusatsu Series” (Ultraman – A Special Effects Fantasy Series)
American Title: “Ultraman”
Original Air Date: 7/17/ 66 - 4/9/67 (39 episodes)
DVD Release Date: July 18, 2006

Based on a character created by: Tsuburaya Eiji

Producer(s): Tsuburaya Eiji, Tsuburaya Hajime, Tsuburaya Kazuo

Screenwriter(s): Kinjo Tetsuo, Sekizawa Shinichi, Yamada Masahiro, Minamigawa Ryu, Fujikawa Keisuke, Wakatsuki Bunzo, Kaido Taro, Uehara Shozo, Yamaguchi Hiroshi, Ito Kazunori, Konaka Chiaki, Miyazawa Hidenori, Kawakami Hideyuki, Kawasaki Minoru, Muraishi Hiromi, Saito Kazunori, Satsugawa Akio, Hasegawa Keiichi, Sasaki Mamoru, Iijima Toshihiro, Miyata Tatsuo,

Director of photography: Utsumi Masaharu

Director(s): Tsuburaya Hajime, Iijima Toshihiro, Suzuki Toshitsugu, Jissoji Akio, Higuchi Yuzo, Matsubara Shingo, Ishii, Teruyoshi, Nonagase Mimachi, Manda Kazuho

Art Direction: Iwasaki Chikyu

Music: Miyaguchi Kunio

Sound: Kinuta Laboratory, Ltd.

Original Series Produced by: Tsuburaya Productions Ltd./TBS

DVD Released/Distributed by: BCI Eclipse Company, LLC. Ultraman licensed by Tiga Co., Ltd. as agent for Tsuburaya Chaiyo Co., Ltd. and Sompote Saengduenchai.

Cast:
Kobayashi Akiji (Capt. Toshio “Cap” Muramatsu)
Dokumamushi Sandaiyu AKA Ishii Iyoshi (Arashi Daisuke)
Nihei Masanara (Ide Mitsuhiro)
Sakurai Hiroko (Fuji Akiko)
Tsuzawa Akihide (Hoshino Isamu)
Kurobe Susumu (Hayata Shin/Ultraman)
Furuya Bin (Suit Actor - Ultraman)

Episode Titles (from inner booklet)\Enemies:
#1 – “Ultra Operation #1” (Urutora Sakusen Dai-Ichi-go) – Bemier
#2 – “Shoot The Invader” (Shinryakusha Wo Ute) – Baltan
#3 – “Charge Forth, Science Patrol” (Katokutai Shutsugeki Seyo) – Neronga
#4 – “Five Seconds Before The Explosion” (Dai-Bakuhatsu Gobyomae) – Ragon
#5 – “Secret of Miroganda” (Miroganda No Himitsu) – Greenmons
#6 – “Coast Guard Orders” (Engan Keibi Meirei) – Gesura
#7 – “The Blue Stone of Baraj” (Baraji No Aoi Ishii) – Antlar
#8 – “Monster Lawless Zone” (Kaiju Muho Chitai) – Red King, Chandler, Magara,           Sufuran and Pigmon
#9 – “Operation Electric Stone Fire” (Denkosekka Sakusen) – Gabora
#10 – “The Mysterious Dinosaur Base” (Nazo No Kyoryu Kichi) – Jiraasu
#11 – “The Rambunctious One From Space/The Ruffian From Outer Space” (Uchu Kara              Kita Abarenbo) – Gango
#12 – “Cry of the Mummy” (Miira No Sakebi) – Dodongo, Miira Ningen
#13 – “Oil SOS” (Oiru SOS) – Pestar
#14 – “Pearl Oyster Defense Order” (Shinjukai Boei Shirei) - Gamakujira
#15 – “The Space Ray of Terror” (Kyofu No Uchusen) – Gavadon A, Gavadon B
#16 – “Science Patrol To Space” (Katokutai Uchu E) – Baltan II
#17 – “Passport To Infinity” (Mugen E No Pasupoto) - Bluton
#18 – “The Brother From Another Planet” (Yusei Kara Kita Kyodai) – Zarab, Fake Ultraman <Doppleganger>
#19 – “The Demons Once More” (Akuma Wa Futatabi) – Abolas, Banila
#20 – “Terror On Route 87” (Kyofu No Ruuto 87) – Hydora

The Story

"When the world is threatened by alien invaders and giant prehistoric monsters, there is only one agency equipped to handle the situation, The Science Patrol, an ultra-sophisticated police force equipped with high-tech weaponry and spacecrafts. Led by Captain Muramatsu, the team defends the planet from the unknown. Unbeknownst to the team, one of their members, Hayata, has the ability to transform into the giant superhero from Nebula M7B <sic>, Ultraman, when all their weaponry can’t stop their foes."
-- Summary from box cover

Review

This year will mark the 40th Anniversary of Tsuburaya Eiji’s landmark and influential Sci-Fi fantasy TV series “Ultraman”. Who would have guessed that Tsuburaya’s silver and red, egg-headed, bubble-eyed, alien giant from the Nebula M78 galaxy would have survived the test of time to become Japan’s most popular superhero and cultural icon (in much the same way that American’s “Superman” has done here).

While the Ultraman TV series begat a franchise of direct sequels (Seven, Return of/Jack, Taro, Ace, Leo, 80) and newer Ultraman creations (Tiga, Dyna, Gaia, Cosmos, Nexus, Max), the original Ultraman is still loved by Japanese children and adults alike. In fact Ultraman and several of his 70’s “brothers” will be appearing alongside newest Ultraman (Mebius) in a full length movie to be released in the Fall.

“Ultraman” was one of the few Japanese Tokusatsu TV series brought over and aired on American TV in the 70’s and helped to introduce and excite a generation of American fans to Japanese Tokusatsu fantasy TV in much the same way that “Star Blazers” (Yamato), “Battle of Planets” (Gatchaman) and “Robotech” (Macross) has inspired its fans.

BCI has finally released a DVD set of the original Ultraman series to Region 1 DVD this year although amid heavy controversy. BCI has been criticized and demonized by Tokusatsu purists and Japanese Sci-Fi fans for their (ill) decision to ally themselves with Thai based Chaiyo Co., Ltd. and Sompote Saengduenchai (who have designated themselves the representative of Tsuburaya Productions, Ltd. in Asia) rather than go directly to original creators/distributor Tsuburaya Productions themselves for licensing.

Controversy aside BCI has done a fairly decent job of committing this series to DVD for American audiences and it would seem that they have gone out of their way to produce something to appease those die-hard fans of the series.

The DVDs packaging is itself very attractive. The set comes in clear, slim DVD cases with various images of Ultraman, Hayata and assorted Kaiju plastered about.

The picture transfer is very good and while there are points where the picture does seem to soften and fade, the contrasts and sharpness are crisp and I appreciated the efforts that were made to re-master the original footage.

The audio is also very good and clear. While unfortunately not Dolby Digital, I was happy enough with the Stereo sound that I did not find it to be insufficient in anyway, albeit those with more advanced sound systems may think otherwise.

The inclusion of the original Japanese audio track in addition to the American dubbed track was very much appreciated. Having only seen Ultraman dubbed, I was overjoyed to finally hear the original theme song and to view the episodes in their original language. Granted the American dubbed audio track is still nostalgic and I find it quite bearable and superior when compared to the dubbed audio tracks of some Anime releases.

The episodes themselves are quite enjoyable and surprisingly don’t seem all too dated (fashion aside). A lot of the early episodes seem to take a page from the “Ultra Q” series that came before but on the whole Ultraman mixed just the right amount of drama, fantasy, action and comedy. The real treat however is to see all those awesome kaiju designs again (Baltan, Zarab, Red King, Antlar etc.). It is little wonder why these Ultraman kaiju are so adored and come back again and again in subsequent sequels.

All in all I was very happy with Vol. 1 of this collection. While I admit that it would have been nice to have gotten input and blessing from Tsuburaya Productions Japan, BCI still did a great (although not perfect) job with this set. I for one am definitely looking forward to Vol. 2.

Menus
The menus are fairly standard and aren’t really anything very exciting. There is basically just the “Episodes” and “Setup” feature options only. The American Ultraman theme plays in the background and does tend to become annoying after a while as it loops continually with “Ultraman..Ultraman”. The first disc contains the Special Features option.

Languages
The original Japanese soundtrack is available with or without subtitles. The subtitles are fairly easy to read and aren’t overly distracting. This is one of the few times where the American dubbed soundtrack is just as good as the original language track.

Video
Given that the series originally aired in 1966, the picture quality of the TV episodes here is quite good. While there are some instances where the age of the film print shows some wear, colors are generally very sharp and bright. Images are clear for the most part and special effect animation shots are very clean. For this DVD release, the episodes are presented in a 1.33:1 full-frame aspect ratio, just as they were originally broadcast on television. This is probably the best print one could hope for with this US release. While I’m not sure how BCI’s version compares with Tsuburaya’s official Japanese Region 2 DVD release, the picture quality seems on par with the Ultra Seven Region 2 DVD set (which I used as a comparison).

Audio
The DVD features a Stereo audio track (not Dolby Digital). The audio is clear and audible, rendering the dialogue and action sound effects perfectly clear. The BGM, OP song all sound great. Other than that, the audio here is nothing special but quite sufficient.

Extras
Being that Tsuburaya Productions had no part in this DVD release, it is understandable that extras would be very sparse with this release. We only get interviews with the English dub team of Peter Fernandez, Corrine Orr and the late Earl Hammond, a Kaiju Encyclopedia guide and the U.S. version opening credits with the Americanized theme song. The interviews were somewhat interesting but really didn’t add much insight into the series. The 8 page booklet which accompanied the DVD set also was pretty good but again didn’t really have anything much to say about series outside of covering what has already been written about by fan websites and fan publications.

Easter Eggs
None reported thus far.

DVD Specs

Episodes: Disc 1 (Eps. 1-6); Disc 2 (Eps. 7-13); Disc 3 (Eps. 14-20)
Color
Running Time: 450 min.
NTSC/Region 1
4:3 – Full Screen
Dual-Layer Format
Stereo Sound
Digitally Re-Mastered

Jmaruyama