Tokusatsu File 5: Ultra Seven (Original Series) Version 1.0 95.12.25.17:50 (c) 1995 Marc H. Miyake miyake@Hawaii.Edu This copyright applies only to this File and not to Ultra Seven and/or any other properties of Tsuburaya Productions which are (c) 1995 Tsuburaya Productions. This document may be distributed in part or in whole as long as this copyright notice is preserved. * I need a list of all the Turner dub episode titles and the Turner dub alien and monster names. * I also need a list of the Hawaii dub episode titles, if any, and the alien and monster names. * I forgot to give hints about the plot of banned episode 12; they will be included in the next edition. Ultra Seven (Original Series) 67.10.1-68.9.8 Network: TBS 16 mm, 30 minutes, color, 49 episodes (48, now that ep 12 is banned) Sundays, 19:00-19:30 Supervisor: Tsuburaya Eiji Producers: Sueyasu Masami (?), Miwa Toshimichi, Hashimoto Youji Directors: Jissouji Akio, Tsuburaya Hajime, Nonagase Mimachi, Mitsuda Kazuho, Iijima Toshihiro, Higuchi Yuuzou, Suzuki Toshitsugu, Andou Tatsuki Scripters: Kinjou Tetsuo, Minamikawa Ryuu, Fujikawa Keisuke, Sasaki Mamoru, Wakatsuki Bunzou, Yamada Masahiro, Kanno Akihiko, Ichikawa Shin'ichi, Akai Onisuke, Yamaura Hiroyasu, Kawasaki Taka (?) Music: Fuyuki Tooru Cast: Moroboshi Dan: Moritsugu Kouji Yuri Anne: Hishimi Yuriko Captain Kiriyama: Nakayama Shouji Soga: Ajiha Shinsuke Furuhasahi: Ishii Iyoshi Amagi: Furuya Satoshi Captain Kurata: Minami Hiroshi Commander Yamaoka: Fujita Susumu Counselor Takenaka: Sahara Kenji (see entry in File 3: Ultra Q) Counselor Manabe: Miyagawa Youichi Counselor Yanagawa: Hirata Akihiko Counselor Bogard: Franz Grubel Ultra Seven: Uenishi Kouji Narrator: Urano Hikaru Ultra Seven is no doubt the greatest tokusatsu TV series of the 1960s. Perhaps it ranks as the greatest of all time. Its 'hard', SF scripting and timeless costume and prop designs remain as impressive today as they did over 25 years ago--even the recent 1994 Ultra Seven TV specials maintain the look of the original series. It is unfortunate that only a Americans have managed to see this series, either in its Turner or Hawaii dubs, and that even fewer have seen the original. Only the smallest minority of all know of the story behind Ultra Seven--of the directors, writers, designers, and actors who made it great. This File is a small step toward giving this series the respect it deserves. Background: Due to budgetary limitations, the explosive hit Ultraman came to an end after only 39 episodes. In order to fulfill an earlier obligation with Toei, TBS (not Turner!) aired Toei's Captain Ultra (which has nothing to do with Tsuburaya's Ultra Series) as the follow-up to Ultraman. In late 1966, some months before Captain Ultra went on the air, Tsuburaya offered TBS an plan for a space adventure series entitled Ultra Defense Force. Although this title is the same as the literal translation of what I (and the Japanese) usually refer to as the Ultra Garrison (Turner's 'Ultra Squad'), this proposal has no other connection to Ultra Seven. A true follow-up to Ultraman was Tsuburaya's proposal for a series entitled Ultraeye. Moroboshi Dan, the esper child of a human and an alien from Planet R (probably not the same Planet R inhabited by the transplanted Baltanians), comes to Earth in search of the mother he never knew. (This sounds a bit like Space Sheriff Gavan, except that Gavan is searching for his alien father Voicer.) He becomes the driver of the Ultra Garrison's supercar and in times of emergency, changes into the form of a R-ian, Redman ('R' is for 'red', I guess). Furthermore, he carries capsule monsters which were once monsters from Ultra Q and Ultraman such as Redking, Antler, and Peguila (not Windom, Miclas, or Aghira). Early Redman designs include one which is a cross between Man and Seven, with Seven's head and shoulders on a Man-like red-on-silver body, and another which is close to Seven, but with a large Color Timer (?) disk on his forehead and black instead of white stripes. Eventually, the series involved into what we know as Ultra Seven today in all aspects save the title. Redman commenced production in late May 1967 with the photography of the stock weaponry footage. Casting auditions were held in early June 1967. Four episodes (airdate order episodes 3, 2, 6, 4) were filmed before the decision was made in August 1967 to change the title to Ultra Seven. (Ultra Seven was originally intended to be the title of a comedy series proposed in early 1967 involving seven ape-people in prehistoric times, resembling a cross between The Flintstones and Dinosaurs.) The first episode aired (production episode 5), filmed in late August, was the first to bear the final title. (I suspect any references to 'Redman' in episodes 3, 2, 6, 4 were excised and redubbed.) Editing and dubbing took place in September. The show hit the airwaves in October, competing against the original, live action Giant Robo from Toei and the forgotten Monster Prince from Japan Tokusatsu Company. Originally, U7 was to be a 39 episode series like Ultraman, but its popularity enabled it to gain a ten episode extension. However, U7 was to be the last of the Ultra Series for three years (apart from Ultrafight). Its ratings dropped from a high of 30% to 20%. Tsuburaya went on to post-kaijuu projects such as (Fight!) Mighty Jack (1968), Operation: Mystery (1968), Chibira-kun (1970), and Fear Theatre Unbalance (1969; aired 1973). Ultra Seven reached Hawaii in 1975 as a dub made for KHON-TV, with a dubbed theme song (see below). Causing a great though short-lived Ultra boom, it aired there until about 1976 before disappearing entirely; its whereabouts are unknown to me. Ted Turner got ahold of Ultra Seven and had it dubbed in Canada circa 1985. This later dub was originally intended for nationwide syndication, but to my knowledge never saw the light of day until 1994, when TNT aired four-fifths of the series in the wee hours of the morning. TNT still airs episodes at random intervals. 1994 also was the year of the two TV specials, Solar Energy Strategy (94.3.21) and Land of the Terrans (94.10.10). I have not seen these myself; they are beyond the scope of this file, so I will leave them without comment except to say I have heard they are inferior to the original TV series. Notes on the staff and cast of Ultra Seven Besides THE great Tsuburaya Eiji himself, Kinjou Tetsuo, Uehara Shouzou, Narita 'Tohl' Tooru, Jissouji Akio, Nonagase Mimachi, Iijima Toshihiro, Mitsuda Kazuho, Sasaki Mamoru, Ishii Iyoshi, and Furuya Tooru, already noted in Tokusatsu Files 3 and 4, I would like to spotlight: Fuyuki Tooru (35.3.13-) Composer for Ultra Seven, which was his first children's TV program. In charge of the music for many Tsuburaya series; has composed songs for The Return of Ultraman, Mirrorman, Ultraman Ace, and Fireman. Currently Professor of Music at Kiritomo (?) Gakuen University. Moritsugu Kouji (44.3-) Played Dan in Ultra Seven. Reprises his role as MAC Captain Dan in Ultraman Leo. Returns as Dan in Land of the Terrans. Hishimi Yuriko (47.9-) Played Anne in Ultra Seven. Won second place in the 1965 Miss Tokyo pageant. Reprises her role in Leo episode 29 and in Solar Energy Strategy. Characters Ultra Seven (Much of the following data does not appear in the show, but is repeatedly quoted in Ultraman literature and approved by Tsuburaya as the official 'truth'.) Height: 40 meters Weight: 35,000 tons Running speed: 800 km/h Swimming speed: 240 knots Jumping ability: 400 meters Flying speed: Mach 7 Age: 17,000 years old Homeworld: M78 Nebula, 'Land of Light' The Ultraman whom we call 'Ultra Seven' is actually Fixed Point Observer No. 340, whose mission is to fly throughout the universe, mapping the movements of planets. His father is the Commander of the Braves' Command on his homeworld, while his mother died in childbirth. Ultra Mother is his maternal aunt. He has an older brother in the Braves' Command and an older sister in the Health Management Department. On one of his chance visits to Earth, Seven saw a brave youth, Satsuma Jirou, risk his life to save a friend. Impressed, Seven saved Jirou, adopted his form, took the name Moroboshi Dan, and swore to defend the Earth. In 1987, Earth was being invaded by the Coolians. (The date implies that all Ultra Series take place twenty years after the shows are televised. So Ultraman 80 would really be from 2000!? Only Ultra Seven mentions such a date twenty years in the [then] future; other series apparently take place in the [then] present.) As Dan, Seven came up with a way to expose the Coolians' invisible spacecraft, earning himself membership in the Ultra Garrison. Dan defended Earth from invasion after invasion in either human or Ultra form. He could (re)assume the later by donning the glasses called the Ultraeye and use the following powers against the enemies of Earth: * Eyeslugger head boomerang * Emelium Beam * Wide Shot * Three Wide Shot (a.k.a. Electromagnetic Wide Shot * Wedge Beam * Stop Beam * Eye Beam * Ultra Spiral Beam * Handy Shot * Line Beam * Ultra Shot * Chain Beam * Shuriken Beam * Break Beam * Shake Hand Beam * Hand Beam * Ultra Capsule Beam * Double Beam * Body Spark * Step Shot Tactic * Teleportation * Transparent Vision * Body Wind Wheel * Rolling Spark * Slide In * Micronization * Ultra Bubble * Ultra Power * Ultra Swing * Pate Reverse Fall * Ultra Volition * Ultra Psychokinesis * Ultra Punch * Ultra Chop * Ultra Kick * Capsule Monsters: * Windom * Miclas * Aghira (In Leo episode 34, Sevenger.) With those powers, Seven defeated a total of 57 aliens and monsters. During his last battle with the Ghosians and their monster, Pandon, Seven was visited by his superior officer, a total lookalike for himself, who warned him that he had used up almost all his energy and should return back to the M78 Nebula. Seven ignored his advice, revealing his identity to Anne before going into battle for the last time: Dan: Farewell, Anne! (Changes into human-sized Ultra Seven) Anne: Dan!! Seven: When the most stars come out, look in the western sky. A big light will return to space... Anne: Light...? Seven: That'll be me... (Seven flies into the sky.) The next morning, Ultra Seven disappears into the sky, with Anne crying after him, "Dan! Dan's returning back to M78!" Narrator: Thank you, Ultra Seven...we humans will defend our own world by our own hands, just as you had fought our battles for us. And we will try our best to all work together to make this a planet abounding in the light of peace, like the Land of Light in the M78 Nebula. Farewell, Ultra Seven! Farewell, Dan! Thus the series ended... The Terrestrial Defense Force (TDF): * The Ultra Guard Members, Ultra Defense Corps [literal translation], Ultra Garrison, Ultra Squad [Turner dub] (originally Urutora keibitai): * Moroboshi Dan. Estimated age: 23 (of course he's really far older). Esper with super senses, even before he turns into Ultra Seven. Later becomes the captain of MAC in Leo. * Yuri Anne 20. Belongs to the Medical Senter. An authority in space flight. Granddaughter of Dr. Yuri Genzaburou who holds a special doctorate in biochemistry. * Captain Kiriyama 38. 16 years experience. Excellent leader from Tokyo. * Soga 25. 3 years experience. Sharpshooter from Kyushu. * Furuhashi 29. 7 years experience. Strongman from Hokkaido. * Amagi 24. 2 years experience. Strategist from Nagoya. * Captain Kurata Combat leader aboard space station V3. Kiriyama's peer. * Commander Yamaoka 55. Highest ranking officer at the Earth Defense Force's Far East base. * Counselor Takenaka 40. Far East Base staff council member; in charge of TDF. * Counselor Manabe 42. Far East Base staff council member; in charge of TDF. Later Ultra Garrison members (from Solar Energy Strategy) * Furuhashi Now the leader of the Ultra Garrison. * Toogoo 31. Analyst of alien strategies. * Lisa 24. A manly woman. * Kaji 25. Pilot of Ultrahawk 1. Ultra Garrison members are armed with Ultraguns; optional weaponry include the MS bomb, the Paralyzer gun, the Electro-H gun, and the Vertical Shotgun. Vehicles include the Ultra Hawks (1 through 3), the Station Hawks, the atomic ship Max, the submarine Hydranger, the Magmaraiser drill tank, the Space Tank, and the modified Imperial (later, a Mitsubishi Eclipse), the Pointer. The Ultra Garrison is based at the foot of Mount Fuji, with space stations V2 and V3 in orbit. Episode and monster/alien list (production numbers given in parentheses) Turner dub episode titles given when known to me. I have ignored Turner dub monster names: I prefer Badonian to Wayne. I don't remember what the Hawaii titles were or even if they existed...it's been twenty years. Asterisks indicate Capsule Monsters (good guys). I use plurals for races of aliens, even though in most episodes, only one alien of a given species actually appears. 1 (5). The Formless Invaders (67.10.1) Turner: Enter--Dan Moroboshe! [sic] Aliens: Coolians (Kuuru seijin) Monster: Windom (Windamu)* 2 (2). The Green Terror (10.8) Turner: Shrubs from Space Aliens: Waiellians (Waiaaru seijin) 3 (1). Secret of the Lake (10.15) Turner: ? Aliens: Pittians (Pitto seijin) Monsters: Eleking (Erekingu), Miclas (Mikurasu)* 4 (4). Answer, Max! (10.22) Turner: ? Aliens: Godolans (Godora seijin) 5 (6). Lost Time (10.29) Turner: ? Aliens: Virans (Bira seijin) 6 (3). Dark Zone (11.5) Turner: ? Aliens: Pegassans (Pegassa seijin) 7 (8). Space Prisoner 303 (11.12) Turner: ? Aliens: Qurasons (Kyuraso seijin) 8 (10). The Targeted Town (11.19) Turner: ? Alien: Metronians (Metoron seijin) 9 (11). Android Zero Command (11.26) Turner: Toys in Crisis Aliens: Chibullian (Chiburu seijin) Robots: Android Maiden Zero One 10 (7). The Strange Neighbor (12.3) Turner: The Man Next Door Aliens: Icarusians (Ikarusu seijin) 11 (12). Fly to the Mountain of Demons (12.10) Turner: ? Aliens: Wildians (Wairudo seijin) 12 (9). With Love from [Another] Planet (12.17; banned!) Turner: None Aliens: Spellians (Superu seijin; superficially resemble the Nonmalts in appearance) 13 (13). The Man from V3 (12.24) Turner: Space Ace Reunion Aliens: Ayrosians (Airosu seijin) 14 (17). Ultra Garrison Westward I (68.1.7) Turner: Planets in Conflict (Part 1), a.k.a. Invasion from Space Aliens: Pedanians (Pedan seijin) Robot: King Joe (Kingujoo) 15 (18). Ultra Garrison Westward II (1.14) Turner: Planets in Conflict (Part 2) Aliens: Pedanians (Pedan seijin) Robot: King Joe (Kingujoo) 16 (19). The Eyes That Glow in Darkness (1.21) Turner: The Eyes Have Had It! Aliens: Annon 17 (16). Underground GO! GO! GO! (1.28; part of U7's origin) Turner: Cave-In! Robot: U-Tom (Yuutomu) 18 (15). Escape from X Space (2.4) Turner: The Bells Are Ringing! Aliens: Bellians (Beru seijin) Monster: Gumonga (kumo = spider) 19 (19). Project Blue (2.11) Turner: Wayne, Lord of the Universe Aliens: Badonians (Bado seijin) 20 (20). Defeat Earthquake Source X (2.18) Turner: The Quakemaker Aliens: Shaplayans (Shapuree seijin) Monster: Giradorus (Giradorasu) 21 (21). Chase the Sea Base (2.25) Turner: The "Nissan's" Last Engagement Aliens: Mimyians (Mimii seijin) Robot: Ironrocks (Aianrokkusu) 22 (22). Human Stockyard (3.3) Turner: The Chromosome Eaters Aliens: Braconians (Burako seijin) 23 (23). Search for Tomorrow (3.10) Turner: The Fugitive Fortune Teller Aliens: Shadovians (Shadoo seijin) Monster: Gobbla (Gabura) 24 (24). Return to the North! (3.17) Turner: Mother Knows Best Aliens: Cannanians (Kanan seijin) Monster: Windom* 25 (25). Decisive Battle at -140 Degrees (3.24) Turner: Ultra-7 Exposed! Aliens: Pollians (Pooru seijin) Monsters: Gander (Gandaa), Miclas* 26 (26). Super Weapon R1 (3.31) Turner: The 8,000 Megaton Mistake Alien: Starbeast Gyeron (Gieron seijuu) 27 (27). Operation Cyborg (4.7) Turner: Temporary Traitor Alien: Borgians (Boogu seijin) 28 (28). Dash across 700 Kilometers!! (4.14) Turner: Death on Wheels Aliens: Killians (Kiru seijin) Monster: Dinotank (Kyouryuu sensha) 29 (29). The Lonely Earthman (4.21) Turner: The Apprentice Alien Aliens: Proteans (Purote seijin) 30 (30). Glory for Whom (4.28) Turner: Trial by War Aliens: Platicians (Purachiku seijin) 31 (31). The Flower Where a Demon Dwells (5.5) Turner: ? Aliens: Dally (Darii) 32 (32). The Planet That Walks (5.12; rerun as 33rd episode!) Turner: Island in the Sky Monsters: Aghira*, Rigger (Riggaa) 33 (34). The Invading Dead (5.19; rerun as 34th episode!) Turner: The Dead Invaders Aliens: Shadowmen (Shadouman) 34 (35). The City That Vanished (5.26; rerun as 35th episode!) Turner: Urban Removal Monster: Duncan (Dankan) 35 (36). Horror of the Lunar World (6.2; rerun as 36th episode!) Turner: Moon-Stuck! Aliens: Zamppans (Zanpa seijin) Monster: Petero 36 (33). The 0.1 Second Sure Kill (6.9; rerun as 32nd episode!) Turner: Sharpshooter Shootdown Aliens: Pegans (Pega seijin): 37 (37). The Stolen Ultra Eye (6.16) Turner: The Devil's Angel Aliens: Magellans (Mazeran seijin; represented by Maya) 38 (40). A Battle with Bravery (6.23) Turner: The Brave One Robot: Crazygon (Kureejiigon) 39 (38). Seven Assassination Project I (6.30) Turner: Ultra-7 Tastes Defeat Aliens: Gutsians (Gattsu seijin) Monsters: Aron, Windom* 40 (39). Seven Assassination Project II (7.7) Turner: Ultra-7's Execution at Dawn Aliens: Gutsians (Gattsu seijin) 41 (42). Challenge from Underwater (7.14) Turner: Killer Lake Aliens: Tepetonians (Tepeto seijin) 42 (41). Messenger from the Nonmalt (7.21) Turner: The Boy on the Beach 'Aliens': Nonmalts Monster: Guyros (Gairosu) 43 (43). Nightmare of the Fourth Planet (7.28) Turner: ? Aliens: Fourth Planet Humans Robots: Robot Commander, other Fourth Planet androids 44 (44). A Flying Saucer Has Come (8.4) Turner: ? Aliens: Perolyngans (Peroringa seijin) 45 (45). The Terrifying Super Man-Apes (8.11) Turner: ? Aliens: Goronians (Gooron seijin) Monster: Gorry (Gorii) 46 (46). The Decisive Battle between Dan and Seven (8.18) Turner: ? Aliens: Salomenians (Sarome seijin) Robot: Imit-Ultra Seven (Nise urutorasebun) Monster: Aghira* 47 (47). Who Are You? (8.25) Turner: ? Aliens: Hukians (Fukku seijin) 48 (48). The Greatest Invasion in History I (9.1) Turner: ? Aliens: Ghosians (Goosu seijin) Monster: Pandon 49 (49). The Greatest Invasion in History II (9.8) Turner: ? Aliens: Ghosians (Goosu seijin) Monster: Modified Pandon Solar Energy Strategy (TV special, 94.3.21) Aliens: Pittians II Monster: Eleking III Land of the Terrans (TV special, 94.10.10) Aliens: Metronians III Monster: Unnamed (?) dinosaur The music of Ultra Seven "Ultra Seven" Lyrics: Azuma Kyouichi (Tsuburaya Hajime) Music: Fuyuki Tooru Vocals: The Echoes, Misuzu Children's Chorus Sebun, sebun, sebun, sebun (Seven...) Sebun, sebun, sebun (Seven...) Sebun, sebun, sebun (Seven...) Harukana hoshi ga furusato da (A faraway star is your home) Urutorasebun faitaa sebun (Ultra Seven, fighter seven) Urutorasebun sebun sebun (Ultra Seven, Seven, Seven) Susume! Ginga no hate made mo (Advance! To the end of the Milky Way) Urutoraai de supaaku! (Spark with the Ultraeye!) Sebun, sebun, sebun, sebun (Seven...) Sebun, sebun, sebun (Seven...) Sebun, sebun, sebun (Seven...) Moroboshi dan no na wo karite (Assuming the name of Moroboshi Dan) Urutorasebun hiiroo sebun (Ultra Seven, hero seven) Urutorasebun sebun sebun (Ultra Seven, Seven, Seven) Taose! Hi wo haku daikaijuu (Defeat! The fire-breathing giant monster) Urutorabiim de sutoraiku! (Strike with the Ultrabeam!) Sebun, sebun, sebun, sebun (Seven...) Sebun, sebun, sebun (Seven...) Sebun, sebun, sebun (Seven...) Mirakuruman no nanbaa da (Number of the miracle man) Urutorasebun eesu da sebun (Ultra Seven, you're an ace, seven) Urutorasebun sebun sebun (Ultra Seven, Seven, Seven) Mamore! Bokura no shiawase wo (Defend! Our happiness) Urutohooku de atakku! (Attack with the Ultrahawk!) Some of the other Ultra Seven songs: "ULTRA SEVEN" (title and lyrics are in Englsh, all in caps) Lyrics: Azuma Kyouichi (Tsuburaya Hajime) Music: Fuyuki Tooru Vocals: The Echoes COME ON SEVEN ULTRA SEVEN ATTACK THE HAWKMISSILE FIGHTER SEVEN ULTRA SEVEN LET'S GO SEVEN ULTRA SEVEN STRIKE THE EYESLUGGER HERO SEVEN ULTRA SEVEN "The Theme Song of Ultra-7" (1975 Hawaii dub theme) Lyrics: Azuma Kyouichi (Tsuburaya Hajime) Translation: Taguchi Maya (lyrics reprinted below as is, odd capitalization, punctuation, and all) Music: Fuyuki Tooru Vocals: Shimon Masato Compare with my translation of the original Japanese theme. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Far among the Galaxy, is where your home lies. Ultra-Seven. Fighter-Seven. Ultra-Seven. Seven. Seven. March to the end of the Big Milky Way. With the Ultra Eye. Spark! Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. We know you by another name, the Planet Man, Dan Ultra-Seven. Hero-Seven. Ultra-Seven. Seven. Seven. Save us from destruction. The evil monsters. With the Ultra Beam. Spark! Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. Seven is the number of the miracle man. Ultra-Seven. Hero-Seven. Ultra-Seven. Seven. Seven. Go, Strike, Defend our life and happiness. With the Ultra-Hawk. Attack! (c) 1995 Marc H. Miyake miyake@Hawaii.Edu This copyright applies only to this File and not to Ultraman and/or any other properties of Tsuburaya Productions which are (c) 1995 Tsuburaya Productions. This document may be distributed in part or in whole as long as this copyright notice is preserved.