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Okay so earlier this afternoon I talked a bit about where you can watch the classic #Ultraman series for yourself to build up to #ShinUltraman. Now I want to talk a bit about *why* you should absolutely watch the original series
I first watched the 1966 Ultraman series a few years ago, actually before the "official" Mill Creek BD release. I talked some about my impressions of the show here. https://capesandcoolscarves.wordpress.com/2018/02/17/ultraman-1966-a-review/
The main thing that struck me is how well many thematic elements of the show had aged in the 50+ years since. The characters were fun, proactive and memorable, the stakes they faced were high, and the structure of the show allows them to face some important questions -
Many of which are shared with its cinematic relatives, Daikaiju films such as Godzilla. I think it's common knowledge at this point to acknowledge Eiji Tsuburaya's key involvement in both franchises, but Ultraman has more in common with Godzilla than special effects techniques
Whether Godzilla represents the looming specter of nuclear war, the horrific sins of humanity against nature and each other, or just random accidental disasters of nature, kaiju in general are things fundamentally outside of human understanding and control.
The Ultra Q series and the first Ultraman show START with this premise. As humanity enters into a new age, and starts to tentatively break new ground into space or scientific discovery, it sometimes uncovers things that are too big, too dangerous to deal with alone.
In many Godzilla or kaiju films, and in many stories in Ultra Q, the threat is defeated or quelled with luck, and ends with humanity bracing itself for a threat that will prove insurmountable, that will break humanity in its weakness.
The first episode of Ultraman seems to be leading into that insurmountable threat - two aliens crash into Earth, killing a pilot and threatening more destruction as their interplanetary conflict spills over.
But there's a twist this time.
But there's a twist this time.
A lot of kaiju movies serve as mirrors to humanity, reflecting our worst traits either by relating them to the actions of kaiju, or in how humanity responds to the kaiju.
Ultraman does something different, however, by providing a mirror to humanity that reflects the BEST of us
Ultraman does something different, however, by providing a mirror to humanity that reflects the BEST of us
Ultraman as a show - and as a franchise - shows that the universe is a big, scary place, but also has a place for humanity in it.
And that place isn't protected by being bigger or scarier than all the other monsters, but by instead holding onto what makes us uniquely human.
And that place isn't protected by being bigger or scarier than all the other monsters, but by instead holding onto what makes us uniquely human.
Ultraman acts as a bridge between humanity and the rest of the universe, and shows that those virtues of humanity - compassion, hope, courage, kindness - are things that have a place in the world around us, and should be protected and nurtured.
It's ironic that Anno is so famous for Evangelion, and Eva itself takes influence from Ultraman, because it's basically this idea in reverse. Evangelion argues that it's impossible for humanity to create real bonds with others, to communicate and find a place in the universe.
What sets Ultraman apart from Evangelion - and apart from other Kaiju franchises - is the idea that not only is such a thing POSSIBLE, but it is NECESSARY for humanity to continue into the future.
It's possible because of just one cosmic accident
two lives
and one moment 55 years ago.
two lives
and one moment 55 years ago.
/thread I guess
I could go another 50 posts about this franchise I LOVE IT SO MUCH
I could go another 50 posts about this franchise I LOVE IT SO MUCH
