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himitsusentaiblog · 7 years

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Hey do you know about the other Ultras from the Manga or their backstories

I assume you mean the current Ultraman Manga by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi.

That’s not always something I can take for granted considering there have been Ultraman manga since almost the invention of Ultraman.

The big difference between those manga and the current one is that most of them were adaptations or spin-offs from the official series. The current Ultraman manga is written as a direct sequel to the original 1966 TV series, ignoring the canon versions of the other ultra heroes and creating new versions of them.

Let’s start with the returning Ultraman… or at least his human host from the original series:

In the original series, Shin Hayata was a member of the Science Special Search Party investigating a mysterious object when his fighter was hit by a ball of light and he was killed. The ball of light was Ultraman, chasing an intergalactic criminal to Earth. Feeling bad for the human he accidentally killed, Ultraman merged with Hayata to bring him back to life. From that moment on, Hayata could transform into Ultraman to fight monsters and aliens. Eventually, Ultraman had to leave the Earth and left some of his life essence behind to keep Hayata alive, though without his memories of his time as Ultraman.

Shinjiro is the son of Shin Hayata and thanks to the life force of Ultraman inside of his father, he has inherited the ‘Ultraman Factor’ and been imbued with some of the powers of Ultraman. Enhanced by a special set of armor, he joins the SSSP and takes on the mentle his father left behind, battling alien threats to the Earth as he learns more about his powers and place in the universe. He is the only Ultra character in the manga without an analogue in the TV series.

Dan Moroboshi is another member of the SSSP and the third (after Shin and Shinjiro) to reveal his Ultraman powers. He is a no nonsense kind of man and doesn’t believe Shinjiro has what it takes to actually be Ultraman. Though he appears human, it is revealed later that he is not and is actually an alien in the form of a human. He wears the Ultraman V 7.2 armor. His TV analogue is Ultraseven, the second Ultra hero from the 1967 TV series.

Jack is a human who lives in the secret alien city the SSSP helps defend. He is superhumanly strong and works as an informant for the SSSP. He is also a fighter and friends with the monstrous Red. He wears a special bracelet on his arm. He does not (as of volume 8) wear a suit of Ultraman armor. His TV analogue is Ultraman Jack from 1971′s The Return of Ultraman.

Seiji is a 16 year old student and a classmate of Shinjiro. He is a survivor of the plane crash that happens just before the start of the manga and was given prosthetic arms and legs as well as a Ultraman suit (Version A) by his caretaker, Yapool. He fights to eliminate those who would stand in the way of human/alien coexistence. Though Dan refuses to acknowledge him as an Ultraman, Shinjiro is more open minded and Hokuto refers to him as ‘brother’. Seiji’s TV analogue is Ultraman Ace from the 1972 series.

Kotaro is a Japanese reporter who traveled to the United States to investigate a bank robbery that reportedly involved cloaked figures with glowing eyes. He runs across what appears to be some kind of drug deal and is shot dead. However, whatever was in the drug merges with his blood and heals him, leaving him with powers. He is based on the lead character from 1973′s Ultraman Taro.

So, there you go, the Ultra heroes of the current manga and where they came from. The heroes without armor are likely to get them in the future but I have only read to the end of the 8th English translated volume and I don’t want to spoil myself anymore than I already have been.

Thanks for the question!

#Askbox Replies #Ultraman #Manga #Ultra Heroes #Manga vs TV #Eiichi Shimizu #Tomohiro Shimoguchi #Tsuburaya Productions

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chernobog13 · 3 years

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SHIN ULTRAMAN

Okay, it’s bad enough (though, given how things have been the last year, inevitable) that Toho has postponed the release of the Shin Ultraman film from early summer to nobody-knows-when.

But just a few days ago Bandai added insult to injury by announcing the new Dynaction Shin Ultraman action figure.

At first blush, this just looks like the regular SHFiguarts figure of Shin Ultraman. I read a little more of the description and the Dynaction figure is supposed to have “die-cast and POM plastic joints for enhanced posablity.”

It’s also supposed to have light-up eyes (batteries included). But the real difference between the Dynaction figure and the SHFiguarts figure is size: the Dynaction figure is 40 cm/15.7 inches tall!

So far, so good, I thought. This baby is going to be more than twice the size of the SHFiguarts version; bigger even than a 1/6-scale figure. And still be super-poseable. Win, win situation. right?

Then I saw the price, and I had to rub my eyes and splash cold water in my face numerous times to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.

The price is going to be 22,000 yen, or approximately $202.00 US with current exchange rates.

I don’t know about you, but that’s more than a little expensive for a figure that is twice the size of their regular figure, even with the inclusion of light-up eyes.

For comparison, these are the last four Ultraman figures (based on the anime versions) that I have purchased from Threezero.

Ultraman (anime version on left, manga version on right); the batteries are dead in the anime version’s chest which is why it’s not lit

Ultraman version 7.2 (for all intents and purposes he’s Ultraseven)

Ultraman Ace

Like the Dynaction figure, all of these are extremely well articulated, are made of die-cast and plastic parts, and have light-up features. Multiple light-up features, not just the eyes (as illustrated in the above photos). The Ultraman figures also have light-up features on their forearms, which I did not take photos of.

The Ultraman and Ultraman ver. 7.2 (Ultraseven) are just shy of 13 inches tall.

MSRP for each one of these figures: $130.00 US each.

That’s a little more than half of what Bandai will be charging for the Dynaction Ultraman figure.

And for $200.00, I sure as heck do not want to see all of those exposed joints!

Why is the Dynaction figure so expensive in comparison? I don’t know. I’ve long had an issue with the price Bandai charges for many of their figures, especially their SHFiguarts Ultraman figures and SHMonsterarts figures. These always seem to be more expensive than the SHFiguarts Kamen Rider and Super Sentai figures.

For further comparison, the SHFiguarts Shin Ultraman figure, which is due to be released later this summer, is priced at $58.00 US. Most of the Kamen Rider and Super Sentai figures are in the $20-$30.00 US range.

I sometimes wonder if the reason the Ultraman figures always seem to be more expensive is because Bandai is the majority (49.5% the last time I checked) stockholder of Tsuburaya Productions, the folks who created and own Ultraman. But I don’t feel like going down that rabbit hole right now.

And before some people chime in and say something about the cost of importing the toys from Japan, be aware that the price of these figures in Japan is exactly the same.

The Shin Ultraman Dynaction figure is currently scheduled to be released in the US in October, so if anyone is interested in it I would suggest you start saving your pennies.

As for me, it’s not a priority purchase. If I see it offered at reasonable price on Mandarake I might pick it up sometime down the line, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

Thus endeth the rant.

Dynaction Shin Ultraman photos from scifijapan.com

photos of the Threezero Ultraman figures are by me from my collection

#Shin Ultraman #Bandai #Dynaction #SHFigurarts #Ultraman #Ultraman version 7.2 #Ultraseven #Ultraman Ace #Threezero #action figures #toys

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chernobog13 · 2 years

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MY FAVORITE TOYS OF 2021

By toys I mean, more or less, action figures.

While I didn’t get as many in 2021 as I have in the past (I remember when I used to purchase entire waves of DC Direct and/or Mattel DC action figures), I did get enough to amuse my rather addled brain.

Here are my ten favorites:

#10: Ultraman version 7.2 (aka Ultraseven) from the Ultraman anime on Netflix, manufactured by threezero.

This is a 1/6th-scale/12-inch figure made of die-cast metal and plastic. It’s very well articulated, with lots of movable parts on the armor, as well as light-up eyes and helmet. I know that threezero is basically following the design of the anime character, but this is proportioned more like a robot than a man in an armor suit. The head/helmet should be bigger, the neck should be wider, and the torso should be wider. Unless we’re to believe that the man inside this armor is made of spaghetti.

Those quibbles aside, this is an otherwise excellent figure that is a welcome addition to my collection.

#9: Ace suit (aka Ultraman Ace) from the Ultraman anime on Netflix, manufactured by threezero.

Another well constructed, extremely articulated, 1/6th-scale die-cast metal and plastic figure. This figure gives more of an impression of a man in an armor suit than the Ultraman ver. 7.2 figure. There are still a few places where the proportions are wrong though (the neck and upper torso), but these are minor quibbles. The figure is very very faithful to the character as it appears in the anime, and I guess that’s what’s most important. Another winner from threezero.

#8. Guts in Berserker Armor, from the Beserk manga, manufactured by threezero.

I know this figure was available elsewhere sooner, but the week it arrived at my local comic store (shout out to House of Secrets!) was the same week that Beserk writer/artist/creator Kentaro Miura passed away.

The figure is 1/6th-scale, with a cloth cape, hard plastic armor, multiple sets of hands, a big honking’ sword, and two heads (one of which has light-up eyes). The sword and armor are very accurate to how they are drawn in the manga. This figure would have been higher up on the list, but despite threezero making the sword as light as possible, it’s still too heavy to pose with the figure without a stand (which is not included).

#7: Genos from One-Punch Man, manufactured by threezero (seeing a trend here?).

Genos, Saitama’s cyborg sidekick/student, is recreated here in 1/6th-scale glory. He comes with two different outfits (including shoes), light-up blasters in his hands, and a mechanical chest-piece you can attach if you want this boy band refugee to run around shirtless.

I enjoy the One=Punch Man manga and anime immensely, so I was very happy to be able to purchase Genos this year. I have still not gotten a Saitama figure yet, but I will eventually.

#6: Black Bolt and Lockjaw, from Marvel Comics’ Inhumans, released as part of Mezco’s One:12 Collective line.

These two guys were sold as a set early in 2021, and I’m happy I ordered them. I am not a huge Marvel fan, but I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to get a giant, teleporting bulldog with light-up eyes. Additionally, Black Bolt’s costume design has always been a favorite of mine. The fact that both characters were created by Jack Kirby is a bonus in my book.

I like the One:12 Collective line, even though some times Mezco utilizes their own design for a character’s costume instead of following the original source. They put their spin on Black Bolt’s costume here, but it is still very evocative of Kirby’s original design.

I got other One:12 Collective figures this year (KGBeast, Iron Fist, Wonder Woman - comic book version), and I like them all, but the inclusion of Lockjaw with Black Bolt knocked most of them out of contention for the list.

#5: Nerfertiti, Vampriella, Red Sonja, and Skariah the Valkyrie, all from TBLeague (formerly known as Phicen).

Nefertiti is 1/6th-scale; Vampirella, Red Sonja, and Skariah are all 1/12th-scale/6-inches tall.

I could go on and on about how innovative the TBLeague figures are; their stainless-steel skeletons; their over 30 points of articulation; the medical-grade silicon “flesh” over the skeleton that makes these figures seamless - there are no exposed joints except at the wrists and ankles.

But there’s really only one reason why these figures made the list, and it rhymes with “noobs.”

#4: Hellboy based on David Harbour’s portrayal of the character from the 2019 film; figure from Mezco’s One:12 Collective.

I’m a HUGE Hellboy fan, but there’s very little that I can say about the film that is nice, so I won’t say it at all.

This figure, however, has quite a few things going for it: it’s a Hellboy fire; Mezco nailed Barbour’s likeness; it’s a Hellboy figure; there are quite a few accessories; it’s a Hellboy figure; it’s well articulated (as all the figures in this line are); and last, but not least, it’s a Hellboy figure!

Now if only Mezco could do another figure based on Ron Perlman’s Hellboy!

#3: Iron Man Mark 43 from Avengers: Age of Ultron; manufactured by threezero.

I only purchased this figure a few days ago, but it’s swell enough that it made the Top Ten list anyway.

This is another die-cast metal and plastic figure from threezero. Unlike the Ultraman figures on this list, Iron Man is only 7-inches tall/1/10th-scale. However, they still managed to pack a lot of punch into the smaller package.

The armor has a lot of moving parts and doodads. The eyes and arc reactor on the chest light-up. Accessories include a very sturdy stand, multiple pairs of hands, and effects for flying and the repulsor beams.

I’m not a rabid Iron Man fan, but this was too good of a figure to pass up.

#2: Doctor Fate from DC Comics; Mezco One:12 Collective.

This is a case of Mezco designing their own unique costume for a character, but I definitely don’t mind in this case: it’s beautiful!

Dr. Fate is a character who has been through a lot in the last 30 years or so at DC Comics, with multiple hosts for the Helmet of Nabu coming and going. Nevertheless, Dr. Fate has been one of my favorite characters going all the way back to his first appearance during the Golden Age.

There have been other Dr. Fate action figures before, but this - by far - is the greatest. Mezco added a ton of detail to the costume, added really great effects pieces (like the ankh in the picture), and upped their game with the figure’s light-up function.

#1: Tormund Giantsbane from Game of Thrones; threezero.

Another 1/6th-scale wonder from threezero. They nailed the likeness of actor Kristofer Hivju, and went all-out with a screen-accurate costume and accessories. Heck, when I took this figure out of the box I thought I could smell the furs it’s wearing; that’s how realistic it seems.

The fact that Tormund is one of my favorite characters from the television series probably had a lot to do with why this figure is #1. The quality of the figure and accessories (which are excellent) had little to do with the decision.

And finally, a figure I like so much it’s in a category all its own---

The Christopher Reeve Superman, from the 1978 film Superman the Movie; Mezco One:12 Collective.

I have been a Superman fan my entire life, and Superman the Movie is my favorite film of all time.

So I was more than a little excited when Mezco opened pre-orders for this figure.

After waiting what seemed like an eternity (but not as long as I’ve been waiting for Mezco’s Batman ‘89 figure), I was so happy when the figure finally arrived at my door.

Mezco did a great job with capturing Christopher Reeve’s likeness. The costume is also accurate to how it appeared in the film.

Although I don’t have the shelf space to display the Fortress of Solitude base the figure came with, Superman himself has proudly taken his place amongst the many other figures I have.

Mezco did such a great job with this figure that I hope they make more DC Comics characters as they appeared in film and on television. I’d love a George Reeves and Kirk Allyn Superman, a Lynda Carter Wonder Woman, a John Wesley Shipp the Flash, a Jackson Boswick, and a Joanna Cameron Isis.

But in the meantime, I’d really, really like for my Batman ‘89 figure to show up.

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chernobog13 · 3 years

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ULTRAMAN ACE

Another great surprise was waiting for me at the comic book store this past weekend: Threezero’s 1/6-scale Ultraman Ace action figure! It’s based on the version of the Ace suit that appears in the Ultraman anime on Netflix.

Here we see Ace with his signature Ultra Guillotine. Like the Bandai SHFiguarts figure of the same character, the guillotine is is a little difficult to place on the figure as the ends kept popping out of the anchor holes in the wrists.

Luckily a little patience, with a few expletives mixed in, allowed me to successfully get the guillotine effect attached.

This may end up being the way I pose Ace on my shelf if I can free up enough room for the arm stretch.

Ultraman Ace also comes equipped with the arm cannon that he uses in the anime series.

Unfortunately, unlike the Threezero Genis figure I posted about a couple of months ago, the end of the arm cannon does not light up; that would have been a really nice effect.

I guess that would have necessitated another battery compartment and LED set in the arm like Genis had. As you can see in these photographs, though, Ultraman Ace has light-up features in the head and chest. Unfortunately, like other Threezero figures, the required button batteries are not included.

The Ultraman Ace figure comes with three sets of hands to accommodate almost any pose imaginable.

Like the other figures in this line from Threezero (Ultraman and Ultraman 7.2) this figure is composed of both plastic and die-cast parts. The figure has good, stiff joints and is well articulated,

Some of the smaller, interchangeable parts are delicate, and require care when switching them out so that they don’t break, For most people this shouldn’t be a problem. I, on the other hand, have no feeling in my fingertips. Therefore working with small and/or delicate parts is extremely challenging, and often downright frustrating for me.

Besides batteries the only other thing the figure is lacking is a display stand. True, the figure is solid enough to stand on its own, but a stand would be nice because it allows for a greater range of poses. Plus, I live in earthquake-prone Southern California, so a stand would help safeguard the figure from toppling over.

Overall, though, I have to say that I’m quite happy with the Ultraman Ace figure. Threezero has done another outstanding job. The MSRP for the figure is $130.00, which is dirt cheap for a 1/6-scale figure. Figures from other manufacturers, Hot Toys and TBLeague/Phicen for example, typically are priced much, much higher.

And Threezero’s customer service is absolutely terrific! I had an issue with a small part that broke on my Genis figure. The customer service rep had the replacement part in my hands a week later - straight from their offices in Hong Kong! I can’t say enough nice things about these guys, and look forward to future releases from them.

photos by me

#Ultraman Ace #Ultraman #anime #Netflix #Threezero #action figures #toys

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