Heading back into the world of Ultraman has been a highlight of the past year. Mill Creek Entertainment has released some great discs; my only complaint is the fact that they’re not releasing things in a real order. There’s more to many of these different incarnations than just giant monsters attacking (although it is their bread and butter), as many of these shows have deeper messages or meanings, and it’s great to get caught up in them.
The latest discs to arrive in my mailbox is the 2015-2016 series Ultraman X. The exciting thing was the fact I was sent the entire series and not just the movie (all the later series end with a movie before passing on the torch). Maybe for some, it’s not a big deal if you just want to escape a little, but I enjoyed taking the entire journey with this particular cast.
When a major solar flare awakens the Spark Dolls, the giant monsters rise from the Earth and the ocean and cause havoc. This resulted in the formation of UVER, which put together a task force known as Xio. They will do what they can to combat the monsters. Fifteen years later, Daichi Ozora (Kensuke Takahashi), a member of the Xio force, comes into contact with a device he uses to learn about the Spark Dolls. There’s something inside that he will eventually learn to bond with, and together, they become Ultraman X.
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I know there are tons of Ultraman toys out there, but there are aspects of this show that seemed like they were designed specifically with marketing to kids in mind. I’m sure most of you remember the game Skylanders, which allows you to buy little action figures and put them on the platform. Then you can learn all about their skills and play that character in the game. Daichi uses a similar device in the series; he puts miniatures on a platform and learns about them, He even uses that technique to bond with Ultraman.
From a marketing standpoint, it’s pretty brilliant. As far as the story, it’s a cool gimmick, but it’s pretty obvious why it was used. At the end of some of the episodes, there are commercials for the toys, so you get to see that, too. Either way, Ultraman X is another insanely entertaining entry into the long-running saga. The overall story is pretty simple, so each episode tends to follow the “monster of the week” formula, and it works for this series. We know that all these creatures, Spark Dolls, were released, and each week they battle one.
If you look deeper into the story and what is being said, there’s a pretty strong message being introduced, and one that’s very relevant today. The underlying theme of almost every episode this season is to teach everyone that just because something (or someone) is different it doesn’t always mean they’re bad. There are plenty of lessons during the show that helps to express just how important individuality is.
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The battles are grand, and as the show progresses through the season, so do Ultraman’s skills. He learns new tactics and discovers new armor, so he always has a new trick up his sleeve. The cast is inherently likable, always colorful, and super-rad monsters. Except for Birdon, who has appeared in numerous different series and still has the two testicle-looking balls dangling from his chin.
Ultraman X: The Movie has its own separate storyline that involves a reality TV host that accidentally unleashes a creature that’s able to spawn a monster army, so X has to partner with other Ultramen (including the original Ultraman) in order to defeat them. Lots of great action and slightly enhanced effects make it one of the best of the saga.
Ultraman X runs twenty-four episodes and the movie, so there’s plenty to absorb. The six-disc set from Mill Creek contains a booklet that’s basically an episode guide with a few extras thrown in. The set is available now, reasonably priced, and worth every penny. This particular series also served as a way to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary.
