Ultraman Orb

Ultraman Orb

Title card
Created by Tsuburaya Productions
Written by
  • Takao Nakano
  • Yuji Kobayashi
  • Sotaro Hayashi
  • Akio Miyoshi
  • Hirotoshi Kobayashi
  • Hisako Kurosawa
  • Junichiro Ashiki
  • Uiko Miura
  • Daiki Seto
  • Hiroki Uchida
  • Sachio Yanai
Directed by
  • Kiyotaka Taguchi
  • Yuichi Abe
  • Ryuichi Ichino
  • Suguru Tomita
  • Masayoshi Takei
Starring
  • Hideo Ishiguro
  • Miyabi Matsuura
  • Naoto Takahashi
  • Hiroaki Nerio
  • Takaya Aoyagi
  • Shingo Yanagisawa
Opening theme "Orb no Inori" by Ichiro Mizuki with Voyager
Ending theme "Shine your ORB" by Voyager feat. Gai Kurenai & SSP
Composer(s) Takao Konishi
Country of origin Japan
No. of episodes 25
Production
Running time 24–25 min. (per episode)
Release
Original network TV Tokyo
Original release July 9[lower-alpha 1] – December 24, 2016
Chronology
Preceded by Ultraman X
Followed by Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle
External links
Website

Ultraman Orb (ウルトラマンオーブ Urutoraman Ōbu) is a Japanese tokusatsu television series produced by Tsuburaya Productions and aired on TV Tokyo. This series as well celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Ultra Series and is the first one since Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey not to be a part of Ultraman Retsuden/New Ultraman Retsuden.[1][2][3][4] Similar to its preceding series, Ultraman X, Orb is also simulcasted in North America via Crunchyroll.[5][6]

The show's main catchphrases are "I'm borrowing the power of your lights!" (光の力、おかりします！ Hikari no chikara, okarishimasu!) and "Awaken, the warrior of light." (覚醒せよ、光の戦士。 Kakusei seyo, hikari no senshi.).[7]

Story

Ultraman Orb, the series' titular character, in Spacium Zeperion, which bears elements from Ultraman and Ultraman Tiga.

A long time ago, the Earth was at the brink of destruction after King Demon Beasts wreaked havoc, but the monsters were sealed with the help of Ultra Warriors.

As a child, Naomi Yumeno has a strange dream of a warrior of light fighting against a monster. This dream eventually inspired her to form the mysterious phenomenon investigation site called SSP. In the present day, Naomi, Jetta, and Shin search for the giant monster that causes strange changes in the weather. During Naomi's investigation, her uncle Ittetsu and the VTL officers investigate a giant monster called Maga-Basser. As Naomi gets caught in the monster's gust, she is saved by Gai Kurenai, whose true identity is Ultraman Orb, a warrior from the outer space, whose mission is to stop the resurrection of the Demon King Beasts. Using two cards which hold the power of past Ultramen, Gai scans them through his Orb Ring and uses Fusion Up to transform.

From behind the scenes, the mysterious Jugglus Juggler laughs as he has the Dark Ring in his possession.[8][9]

Episodes

No. Title[10][lower-alpha 2] Writer Original air date
0 "Ultraman Orb Pre-Premiere Special"
"Urutoraman Ōbu Chokuzen Supesharu" (ウルトラマンオーブ直前スペシャル) 		Junichiro AshikiJuly 2, 2016
1 "The Sunset Wanderer"
"Yūhi no Fūraibō" (夕日の風来坊) 		Takao NakanoJuly 9, 2016
2 "The King Demon Beast of Earth[lower-alpha 3]"
"Tsuchikure no Maō" (土塊 (つちくれ)の魔王) 		Yuji KobayashiJuly 16, 2016
3 "Monstrous Waters"
"Kaijū Suiiki" (怪獣水域) 		Sotaro HayashiJuly 23, 2016
4 "Beware of Fire in the Midsummer Sky"
"Manatsu no Sora ni Hinoyōjin" (真夏の空に火の用心) 		Akio MiyoshiJuly 30, 2016
5 "A Heart That Won't Run Away"
"Nigenai Kokoro" (逃げない心) 		Hirotoshi KobayashiAugust 6, 2016
6 "The Forbidden Forest"
"Hairazu no Mori" (入らずの森) 		Takao NakanoAugust 13, 2016
7 "A Future Shrouded in Fog"
"Kiri no Naka no Ashita" (霧の中の明日) 		Yuji KobayashiAugust 20, 2016
8 "The Urban Merman"
"Tokai no Hangyojin" (都会の半魚人) 		Hirotoshi KobayashiAugust 27, 2016
9 "The Impostor Blues"
"Nisemono no Burūsu" (ニセモノのブルース) 		Takao NakanoSeptember 3, 2016
10 "Juggler Dies!"
"Jagurā Shisu!" (ジャグラー死す！) 		Yuji KobayashiSeptember 10, 2016
11 "Trouble! Mama Is Here!"
"Taihen! Mama ga Kita!" (大変！ママが来た！) 		Hisako KurosawaSeptember 17, 2016
12 "The Dark King's Blessing"
"Kuroki Ō no Shukufuku" (黒き王の祝福) 		Hisako KurosawaSeptember 24, 2016
13 "Cleanup of the Heart"
"Kokoro no Ōsōji" (心の大掃除) 		Junichiro AshikiOctober 1, 2016
14 "Justice Out of Control"
"Bōsō Suru Seigi" (暴走する正義) 		Sotaro HayashiOctober 8, 2016
15 "Never Say Never"
"Nebā Sei Nebā" (ネバー・セイ・ネバー) 		Hirotoshi KobayashiOctober 15, 2016
16 "A Unforgettable Place"
"Wasurerarenai Basho" (忘れられない場所) 		Uiko MiuraOctober 22, 2016
17 "The Holy Sword, Restored"
"Fukkatsu no Seiken" (復活の聖剣) 		Yuji KobayashiOctober 29, 2016
18 "Hard-boiled Liver"
"Hādoboirudo Ribā" (ハードボイルドリバー) 		Daiki SetoNovember 5, 2016
19 "The Demon Inside of Me"
"Watashi no Naka no Oni" (私の中の鬼) 		Uiko MiuraNovember 12, 2016
20 "Revenge's Trigger"
"Fukushū no Hikigane" (復讐の引き金) 		Hiroki UchidaNovember 19, 2016
21 "The Girl With the Blue Ribbon"
"Aoi Ribon no Shōjo" (青いリボンの少女) 		Sachio YanaiNovember 26, 2016
22 "The Unmarked Café"
"Chizu ni Nai Kafe" (地図にないカフェ) 		Kyoko KatsuyaDecember 3, 2016
23 "The Blade of Darkness"
"Yami no Yaiba" (闇の刃) 		Shuji YukiDecember 10, 2016
24 "The Ultimate King Demon Beast Strikes Back"
"Gyakushū no Chō Dai Maō-jū" (逆襲の超大魔王獣) 		Yuji KobayashiDecember 17, 2016
25 "The Wandering Sun"
"Sasurai no Taiyō" (さすらいの太陽) 		Takao NakanoDecember 24, 2016

Production

A mysterious Ultraman being previewed at the end of Tsuburaya's Ultraman 50th Anniversary promotional video.

Prior to the conception of the series, a promotional video was made by Tsuburaya Productions released via YouTube on January 24, 2016 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ultra Series, dating back to the first series, Ultra Q through Ultraman X. At the end of the video, a black background with a pair of Ultraman eyes can be seen, with the English letters shown "What's next...?".[11] On February 6th, Field Corporation, the parent company of Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd., revealed in a financial presentation on February 1st that a new Ultraman series will premiere in July. However, the report did not reveal any other information about the new series.[12][13]

In April 25, 2016, Japanese newspaper Sports Hochi announced and revealed the details of the new entry in the Ultra Series, Ultraman Orb. Kiyotaka Taguchi, who directed the previous year's Ultraman X series, was once again set to be the director, with Yuji Kobayashi and Takao Nakano returning as the series' writers. Taguchi stated that the series will have "themes of traveling the noble path and returning to one's roots, while still being a funny and interesting Ultraman series".[4] Aside from celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ultra Series, it also aims to attract the series' fans since the past years.[2][3][14][15] This news was finally followed by Orb's appearance in episode 147 of New Ultraman Retsuden and a promotional video of the series, both launched in April 30, 2016.[16][4]

In an interview for the Uchusen summer 2016 magazine, the "wandering protagonist" concept had long been in development since the last two Ultra Series, Ultraman Ginga S and Ultraman X. The original character conception for Gai Kurenai, the series' protagonist, was based on Dan Moroboshi/Ultraseven, the protagonist of 1967 Ultra Series, Ultra Seven, with Takao Nakano including additional motives to the character. Additionally, Gai's concept was envisioned as a "What if?" variation should Dan was never scouted to be recruited as a member of the Ultra Guard. According to Nakano, Gai's main rival, Jugglus Juggler is based on "a stereotypical worthy opponent to the wanderers". While developing the leading cast, Taguchi requested for the removal of any research department in the shows attack teams. Instead opting to have the VTL Squad, the show's attack team, be portrayed as "ordinary street officers". The name of the antagonist kaiju, King Demon Beasts (魔王獣 Maō-jū), was created to sound appealing to the child audience.[17][18]

The Uchusen autumn 2016 revealed an interview with writers Yuji Kobayashi and Takao Nakano, the decision of having a protagonist as an Ultraman in disguise is to counter the elements of a bond between an Ultraman and human host that portrayed in the last year series' Ultraman X. Under Taguchi's supervision, each episode was added with both the elements of light and seriousness. The original idea behind the SSP was to follow the example of Kogoro Akechi, the fictional character from Edogawa Ranpo's novel series, The Boy Detectives Club.[19]

In July 14, Tsuburaya announced the release of team SSP's official website which focuses on their adventure with monsters in the series, as well as their meeting with Ultraman Orb.[20]

Casting

When Sports Hochi newspaper first announced the new series, Ultraman Orb, Hideo Ishiguro was revealed to be the lead actor of the series, as the main protagonist Gai Kurenai. According to Hideo, he has been a fan of the Ultra Series since his childhood, but never expected to land a role on the series himself.[21] Unlike the actors of recent Heisei era Ultra Series, Hideo is in fact an experienced actor instead of rookie/newcomer actors.[4]

The rest of the series' casts were later announced by the official Tsuburaya Productions website in May 26, 2016.[8] On June 9, press conference of the series was held at the Tokyo Toy Show 2016, with the attendance being the show's main cast and singers. Ichiro Mizuki collaborated with Voyager members TAKUYA and Chiaki Seshimo to perform the series' opening theme. At the same time, official websites for the series were given updates and another promotional video for the series was released.[7] During the final stage greeting for Ultraman X: Here It Comes! Our Ultraman, which was held as a sign of departure from the Ultraman X cast to their spectators, Ultraman Orb appeared as the guest of honor and was greeted by Kensuke Takahashi, Daichi Ozora's actor.[22]

Reception

In a financial report revealed by Fields Corporation, viewing figures for the show’s online streaming showcase a massive 89% increase from the previous series Ultraman X. As of episode 15, the show’s worldwide streaming figures total is 480 million.[23]

Spin-offs

Film

Ultraman Orb: I'm Borrowing the Power of Your Bonds! (劇場版 ウルトラマンオーブ 絆の力、おかりします！ Gekijōban Urutoraman Ōbu Kizuna no chikara, okarishimasu!) will be premiered in the Japanese theaters in March 11, 2017, which simultaneously celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ultra Seven. This movie was previously glimpsed following the conclusion of 2016 Ultraman Festival.[27] It was properly announced in November 23, 2016 in a special event in Ario Hashimoto shopping mall in Sagamihara, Japan.[28][29][30]

Ultraman Fusion Fight!

In response to the series' premier, a Data Carddass arcade game will be launch, called the Ultraman Fusion Fight! (ウルトラマン フュージョンファイト! Urutoraman Fyūjon Faito!) in July 31, 2016. The game is based on Ultraman Orb's Fusion Up ability, which involves players to insert two Ultra Fusion Cards to create a combination form for Orb, either in-series or game-exclusives. Accordingly, there are 56 cards in existence.[31][32]

Cast

Guest cast

Songs

Opening theme
Ending theme

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ July 9, 2016 is exactly 50 years after Birth of Ultraman (ウルトラマン誕生 Urutoraman Tanjō), the pre-premiere special of Ultraman which recorded in July 9, 1966 and later aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System (the Ultra Series' original network before TV Tokyo) the next day in 7:00 pm.
  2. ↑ English titles are taken from Crunchyroll.
  3. ↑ The initial title is "The Earthen King Demon", as stated from this episode's preview in Crunchyroll's subtitle. Ironically, the new title features the word "Beast", despite the Japanese kanji for "beast" (獣 jū) is nowhere to be seen.
  4. ↑ Credited under Catcher Nakazawa (キャッチャー中澤 Kyatchā Nakazawa).[36]

References

Published materials
Sources
  1. ↑ "新TVシリーズ 『ウルトラマンオーブ』が2016年7月9日(土)よりテレビ東京系にて毎週あさ9時～放送決定！歴代ウルトラ戦士のパワーをかりて戦う"風来坊"の新ウルトラヒーロー誕生！" (in Japanese). m-78.jp. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  2. 1 2 3 "新ヒーロー「ウルトラマンオーブ」誕生 歴代ウルトラ戦士のパワーを注入" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  3. 1 2 "Ultraman Orb Series Revealed With Star Hideo Ishiguro". Anime News Network. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  4. 1 2 3 4 宇宙船153 2016, pp. 70-73, 「ウルトラマンオーブ」
  5. ↑ "ULTRAMAN ORB". www.tsuburaya-prod.co.jp. 2016-05-02. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  6. ↑ "Crunchyroll Adds "Ultraman Orb"!". Crunchyroll. 2016-07-08. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "「光の力、おかりします！」最新ヒーロー『ウルトラマンオーブ』初お披露目！主題歌をアニソンの帝王・水木一郎さんが熱唱！" (in Japanese). m-78.jp. 2016-06-09. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "新番組『ウルトラマンオーブ』のメインキャスト発表！2016年7月9日(土)よりテレビ東京系毎週あさ9時～放送！" (in Japanese). m-78.jp. 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  9. ↑ "『ウルトラマンオーブ』タイプ別特徴、第1話・第2話あらすじなどが判明" (in Japanese). www.moview.jp. 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2016-06-11.
  10. ↑ "【放送】 『ウルトラマンオーブ』毎週（土）朝9:00～" (in Japanese). www.m78-online.net. 2016-07-02. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  11. ↑ "Tsuburaya Posts Teaser Video for Upcoming Ultraman Project". Anime News Network. 2016-01-24. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  12. ↑ "Fields: New Ultraman Series to Premiere in July". Anime News Network. 2016-02-06. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  13. ↑ "2016年3月期 第3四半期決算説明会 当社説明（要旨）" (in Japanese). Fields Corporation. 2016-02-06. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  14. ↑ "最新シリーズ「ウルトラマンオーブ」史上初、合体から変身！主演は元ジュノンボーイ石黒英雄" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  15. ↑ "新作『ウルトラマンオーブ』情報解禁！　今度のヒーローは既存のウルトラマンをフュージョンさせて合体変身！組み合わせは無限大！" (in Japanese). Hachima Kikō. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  16. ↑ "起動！新番組「ウルトラマンオーブ」。いよいよ7/9（土）放送スタート！「新ウルトラマン列伝」は6月いっぱいで最終回を迎えます。今後も変わらぬ応援を！" (in Japanese). 2016-04-30. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  17. ↑ Takao Nakano (2016-04-26). "新ヒーロー・ウルトラマンオーブ" (in Japanese). blog.livedoor.jp. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  18. ↑ 宇宙船153 2016, pp. 76-77, 「[インタビュー]田口清隆」.
  19. ↑ 宇宙船154 2016, pp. 90-91, 「[インタビュー]中野貴雄×小林雄次」.
  20. ↑ "SSP(サムシングサーチピープル)のサイトが正式オープン！？" (in Japanese). m-78.jp/orb. 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2016-07-15.
  21. ↑ "Hideo Ishiguro's Twitter". 2016-05-25.
  22. ↑ "『劇場版ウルトラマンＸ』グランドフィナーレ舞台挨拶つき上映にXio集結！大地隊員「さよならは言いたくありません。みなさん必ずまた会いましょう！」" (in Japanese). m-78.jp. 2016-06-11. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
  23. ↑ "Ultraman Orb Viewing Figures Up 89%". The Tokusatsu Network. 2016-10-29. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  24. ↑ "日本オリジナル作品発表 特集ページ:Amazonビデオ". www.amazon.co.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  25. ↑ "ウルトラマンシリーズ最新作のスピンオフ・シリーズ『ウルトラマンオーブ THE ORIGIN SAGA』Amazonプライム・ビデオ限定にて12-26(月)より見放題配信スタート！" (in Japanese). m-78.jp. 2016-11-28. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  26. ↑ "ウルトラマンゼロの雄姿再び！『ウルトラマンゼロ THE CHRONICLE』2017年1月7日(土)9:00～ テレビ東京系にて放送開始！" (in Japanese). m-78.jp. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  27. ↑ "ムービーコア on Twitter" (in Japanese). Movie Core@Twitter. 2016-07-22. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  28. ↑ "『劇場版 ウルトラマンオーブ 絆の力、おかりします！』2017年3月11日(土)全国ロードショー決定！究極のフュージョン形態「ウルトラマンオーブ トリニティ」登場！" (in Japanese). m-78.jp. 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  29. ↑ Chapman, Paul (2016-11-24). ""Ultraman Orb" Slashes Into Japanese Theaters in March of 2017". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  30. ↑ "Ultraman Orb Live-Action Series Gets Film on March 11". Anime News Network. 2016-11-24. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  31. ↑ "「データカードダス ウルトラマン フュージョンファイト！」が今夏稼働開始。6月1日に詳細を発表" (in Japanese). www.4gamer.net. 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  32. ↑ "7/28(木)稼働開始！データカードダス「ウルトラマン フュージョンファイト！」1弾がいよいよ登場！" (in Japanese). m-78.jp. 2016-07-26. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
  33. ↑ 宇宙船154 2016, pp. 86, 「ウルトラマンオーブ」.
  34. ↑ "buumaru_1001@Twitter" (in Japanese). twitter.com. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  35. ↑ "櫻井孝宏 出演情報 - INTENTION" (in Japanese). INTENTION. 2016-07-12. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  36. ↑ "ウルトラマンオーブ" (in Japanese). ameblo.jp. 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
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