Ultraman Zearth
Ultraman Zearth (ウルトラマンゼアス Urutoraman Zeasu) is a fictional character from the Ultra Series of tokusatsu[1] and the name of a 1996 movie in the series.[2]
Character traits
Ultraman Zearth is a parody Ultraman. He hails from The Land of Pikari in Nebula Z95. He has a big red face and dislikes dirt, and will go to great lengths to wash it off his hands. His goal is to clean the polluted Earth. He transforms with an electric toothbrush, which is consistent with his hygiene fixation. He's not quite adept at being a superhero, but at least he tries his best.
His human form is Katsuto Asahi who also dislikes dirt like Zearth.
Appearances
Zearth's first movie, Ultraman Zearth, was released in 1996 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original Ultraman, as part of the Ultraman Wonderful World (along with Revive! Ultraman and Ultraman Company). Zearth's movie appearances include Ultraman Zearth (9 March 1996) and Ultraman Zearth 2: Superman Big Battle - Light and Shadow (ウルトラマンゼアス2 超人大戦・光と影 Urutoraman Zeasu Tsū: Chōjin Taisen Hikari to Kage) (4 December 1997). Ultraman Zearth 2 is paired with the first Ultra Nyan short.
Cameos by other characters
The movies include cameos by most of the original Science Patrol from Ultraman. Arashi is a helicopter reporter (which is not too far from what he currently does in real life). In Ultraman Zearth, Hayata is a night watchman (who holds his flashlight up like a Beta Capsule) and in Ultraman Zearth 2 he is a common citizen who tries to transform into Ultraman with a spoon (echoing Hayata's performance from episode 34), Fuji (the only woman who ever catches the MYDO plane taking off from a secret base exit, which happens to be a billboard), Ide (as a photographer), and Captain Muramatsu, as a fisherman. In Ultraman Zearth 2, Ide shows up as the fisherman's son with the a photograph of his dad (actor Akiji Kobayashi, who played Captain Muramatsu, died between films). And finally, in Ultraman Zearth 2, we are treated to a rare cameo reappearance of Jiro Dan, none other than Hideki Go from Ultraman Jack as a telecast reporter on TV.
The second movie features "Digital Kanegon", which is a take on the original Kanegon from Ultra Q. It also features Kohji Moritsugu (Ultraseven's Dan Moroboshi) as the captain, Satsuma Ban. The running joke is that he frequently lets slip that he knows that we in the audience know that he's Mr. Moritsugu / Dan Moroboshi / Ultraseven. He says "NATSUKASHI!" when he sees capsule monster Miraclon (that's something Japanese people say when reminded of the old days). At the end of the movie, he also nudges Katsuto and tells him he'll have to teach him the heel drop sometime (which implies that Dan knows that Katsuto is really Zearth).
Ultraman Zearth Statistics
- Height: 60 meter
- Weight: 54,540 tons
- Flight Speed: Mach 19.9
- Running Speed: Mach 5.55
- Swimming Speed: 889 kilometer per hour
- Tunneling Speed: Mach 1
- Jumping Distance: 1000 meter
- Home Planet: The Land of Pikari in Nebula Z95, 2,990,000 light years from Earth
- Human Form: Katsuto Asahi
- Transformation Item: Pikari Brusher (ピカリブラッシャー Pikari Burasshā) (Pikari Brusher 2 in Ultraman Zearth 2)
Weapons
- Speciu-Shula Beam (スペシュッシュラ光線 Supeshusshura Kōsen): Zearth's "+" style beam weapon. Can destroy monsters in one shot. This move has been quoted by the MYDO AI, Midori, and Alien Benzene, as a dangerous attack that could destroy planet Earth in one shot if it hits a particularly powerful source of energy, such as the Antagonist Kaiju Gold Bomber.
- Cross Speciu-Shula Beam (クロス・スペシュッシュラ光線 Kurosu Supeshusshura Kōsen): Zearth's "x" style beam weapon. Can destroy monsters in one shot.
- Ultra Warp Beam (ウルトラワープビーム Urutora Wāpu Bīmu)
- Zearth Kick (ゼアスキック Zeasu Kikku): A kick combo.
- Super Zearth Kick (スーパーゼアスキック Sūpā Zeasu Kikku): A spinning kick with enough force to send an enemy flying into space.
- Ultra Heel Drop (Zearth Heel Crash) (ウルトラかかと落とし(ゼアスヒールクラッシュ) Urutora Kakato Otoshi (Zeasu Hīru Kurasshu))
- Zearth Machine Gun Kick (ゼアスマシンガンキック Zeasu Mashin Gan Kikku): A kick combo.
- Zearth Knee Kick (ゼアスニーキック Zeasu Nī Kikku): An electric knee kick.
- Zearth Drop Kick (ゼアスドロップキック Zeasu Doroppu Kikku)
- Zearth Flying Drop Kick (ゼアスフライングドロップキック Zeasu Furaingu Doroppu Kikku): A drop kick from high above at maximum flight speed.
- Zearth Chop (ゼアスチョップ Zeasu Choppu)
- Zearshutoh (ゼアシュトー Zeashutō): A chop from high above.
- Zearth Cross Ver. 1.0 (ゼアスクロスVer.1.0(バージョンイッテンレー) Zeasu Kurosu Bājon Ittenrē): An energy chop.
- Zearth Punch (ゼアスパンチ Zeasu Panchi): A punch combo.
- Zearth KO Punch (Zearth Hyper Punch) (ゼアスKOパンチ(ゼアスハイパーパンチ) Zeasu Kē Ō Panchi (Zeasu Haipā Panchi)): Hits the pit of the stomach.
- Zearscan (ゼアスキャン Zeasukyan): Sterilizes the area within a 50 km radius. Not used in movies.
- Ultra Rewind (ウルトラリワンド Urutora Riwaindo): Rewinds time. Not used in movies.
- Ultra Stretch (ウルトラストレッチ Urutora Sutoretchi): Slows time. Not used in movies.
- Ultra Blender (ウルトラブレンダー Urutora Burendā): Makes hyperspace. Not used in movies.
- Zearth Counterblow (ゼアスカウンターブロー Zeasu Kauntāburō): A horizontal chop. Not used in movies.
- Z Capsule Light Monster Miraclon: A gift to Zearth from his father.
Monster, Alien, & Capsule Monsters
Alien Benzene
Appears in Ultraman Zearth and Ultraman Zearth 2. Alien Benzene (ベンゼン星人 Benzen Seijin) appeared in the earth to steal gold, the specific medicine of his chronic illness. He assumes a human form named Akuma Ogami (悪神 亜久馬 Ogami Akuma). He has the vehicle named Beagle (ビーグル Bīguru) that transforms into a helicopter and a car.
Cotten-Poppe
Appears in Ultraman Zearth. Cotten-Poppe (コッテンポッペ Kottenpoppe) is a monster used by Alien Benzene to steal gold all over Japan. "Cotten-Poppe" was named by Mydo, but its real name is Gold Bomber (ゴルドルボムルス Gorudorubomurusu). Cotten-Poppe absorbed gold for the purpose of using it as medicine for his master, but this had the side effect of him absorbing massive quantities of energy which meant that he could explode if hit by Zearth's Speciu-shula Beam. Ultimately, he was paralysed by Zearth, then flown into space and detonated.
Ultraman Shadow
- Height: 62 meter
- Weight: 65,000 tons
- Flight Speed: Mach 21
- Running Speed: Mach 6
- Swimming Speed: Mach 1
- Jumping Distance: 1200 meter
Weapons:
- Shadolium Beam (シャドリウム光線 Shadoriumu Kōsen): Shadow's "L" style beam weapon. Rival's Zearth's in power.
- Mind Control Beam (マインドコントロールビーム Maindo Kontorōru Bīmu)
- Shadow Meriken (シャドーメリケン Shadō Meriken): Brass knuckles.
- Shadow Meriken Punch (シャドーメリケンパンチ Shadō Meriken Panchi)
- Shadow Meriken Missiles (シャドーメリケンミサイル Shadō Meriken Misairu)
- Defense Shield (防御シールド Bōgyo Shīrudo): Shadow has a Color Timer, like Zearth, but his is equipped with a shield to protect it against attack.
- Shadow Hyper Kick (シャドーハイパーキック Shadō Haipā Kikku): A spinning kick.
Appears in Ultraman Zearth 2. Ultraman Shadow (ウルトラマンシャドー Urutoraman Shadō) is an anti-Ultraman Zearth robot made by Alien Lady-Benzene. Unlike Zearth, he has black and yellow colour instead Zearth's original colour. He had evil red eyes, pointed ears and head fin. He used full power to fight Zearth, but destroyed in battle by Zearth.
Alien Lady-Benzene
Appears in Ultraman Zearth 2. Alien Lady-Benzene (レディベンゼン星人 Redi Benzen Seijin) is Alien Benzene's wife and controls Ultraman Shadow. She assumes a human form named Kagemi (影美). She congratulates Zearth and she says she will return to earth to steal mankind's souls.
Miraclon
Appears in Ultraman Zearth 2. Miraclon (ミラクロン Mirakuron) is Zearth's Z Capsule Light Monster.
Darklar
Appears in Ultraman Zearth 2. Darklar (ダークラー Dākurā) is Alien Lady-Benzene's S Capsule Shadow Monster . Alien Lady-Benzene converted Claos (クラオス Kuraosu) that inhabits Groge (グロゲ Guroge), a satellite of Planet Benzene.
Digital Kanegon
This monster originated from Ultra Q, and is MYDO's mascot. He is a robotic version of Kanegon, and contained a computer which helped the team in their studies of the Benzene aliens.
MYDO
MYDO (Maido) is the abbreviated name of Mysterious Yonder Defense Organization (超宇宙防衛機構 Chō Uchū Bōei Kikō). It has bases in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, South Pacific, Silicon Valley, Migo Desert, and one in Japan, which is the HQ. It stations bases also in Delambre (Moon), Elara and Sinope (Jupiter), Titan (Saturn), and Ariel (Uranus).
Members
- Captain Shinpei Ohkohchi (大河内 神平 Ōkōchi Shinpei) is previous Mydo's captain. He was promoted to a staff officer in Ultraman Zearth 2.
- Butsukichi Konakai (小中井 仏吉 Konakai Butsukichi) is previous Mydo's deputy captain. He also was promoted to a deputy staff officer in Ultraman Zearth 2.
- Captain Ban Satsuma (薩摩 萬 Satsuma Ban) is Mydo's captain.
- Manabu Kazu (数 学 Kazu Manabu) is Mydo's deputy captain.
- Tohru Hoshimi (星見 透 Hoshimi Tōru) is a female member. She has a younger brother named Yuki Hoshimi (星見 勇気 Hoshimi Yūki).
- Ganta Takemura (武村 岩太 Takemura Ganta) is a strong man.
- Katsuto Asahi (朝日 勝人 Asahi Katsuto) is Zearth's human form.
- Midori (ミドリ) is an AI.
Weapons
- Stylus Gun (スタイラスガン Sutairasu Gan): A handgun.
- Drag & Drop (ドラッグアンドドロップ Doraggu Ando Doroppu): A heavy firearm.
Ships
- Sky Fish (スカイフィッシュ Sukai Fisshu): Two fighter jets.
- Sky Shark (スカイシャーク Sukai Shāku): The battle mother ship.
Cast
- Katsuto Asahi: Masaharu Sekiguchi (関口 正晴 Sekiguchi Masaharu)
- Shinpei Ohkohchi: Takaaki Ishibashi (石橋 貴明 Ishibashi Takaaki)
- Butsukichi Konakai: Noritake Kinashi (木梨 憲武 Kinashi Noritake)
- Tohru Hoshimi: Yuka Takaoka (高岡 由香 Takaoka Yuka)
- Ganta Takemura: Hiromoto Okubo (大久保 博元 Ōkubo Hiromoto)
- Midori (Voice): Mariko Fukushima (福島 まりこ Fukushima Mariko)
- Ban Satsuma: Kohji Moritsugu (森次 晃嗣 Moritsugu Kōji)
- Manabu Kazu: Ichirota Miyagawa (宮川 一朗太 Miyagawa Ichirōta)
- Akuma Ogami/Alien Benzene (Voice): Takeshi Kaga (鹿賀 丈史 Kaga Takeshi)
- Kagemi/Alien Lady-Benzene (Voice): Uno Kanda (神田 うの Kanda Uno)
- Night Watchman: Susumu Kurobe (黒部 進 Kurobe Susumu)
- Fisherman: Akiji Kobayashi (小林 昭二 Kobayashi Akiji)
- Photographer: Masanari Nihei (二瓶 正也 Nihei Masanari)
- Reporter: Sandayū Dokumamushi (毒蝮 三太夫 Dokumamushi Sandayū)
- Housewife: Sakurai Hiroko (桜井 浩子 Sakurai Hiroko)
- Master of Seidokaikan: Kazuyoshi Ishii (石井 和義 Ishii Kazuyoshi)
- Instructor of Seidokaikan: Nobuaki Kakuda (角田 信朗 Kakuda Nobuaki)
- Assistant Instructor: Andy Hug (アンディ・フグ Andi Fugu)
- Yuki Hoshimi: Hiromi Sakimoto (崎本 大海 Sakimoto Hiromi) (Played as "崎元 大海")
- Telecast Reporter: Jiro Dan (団 時朗 Dan Jirō)
Suit actors
- Ultraman Zearth: Keiji Hasegawa (長谷川 恵司 Hasegawa Keiji)
- Alien Benzene: Hiroyuki Okano (岡野 弘之 Okano Hiroyuki)
- Cotten-Poppe: Toshio Miyake (三宅 敏夫 Miyake Toshio)
- Ultraman Shadow: Yutaka Kanezuka (金塚 裕 Kanezuka Yutaka)
- Alien Lady-Benzene: Misato Suzuki (鈴木 みさと Suzuki Misato)
- Darklar: Hiroyuki Okano (岡野 弘之 Okano Hiroyuki)
Song
- Shuwatch! Ultraman Zearth (シュワッチ!ウルトラマンゼアス Shuwatchi! Urutoraman Zeasu)
- Lyrics: Shinya Jinma (じんま しんや Jinma Shinya)
- Composition: James Shimoji (ジェイムス 下地 Jeimusu Shimoji)
- Artist: Tunnels (とんねるず Ton'neruzu)
Games
A game adaption of Ultraman Zearth was available in PlayStation.
References
- ↑ Schilling, Mark (1997). The Encyclopedia of Japanese pop culture. Weatherhill. p. 280. ISBN 0-8348-0380-1.
- ↑ Warner, Brad (2003). Hardcore Zen: punk rock, monster movies & the truth about reality. Wisdom Publications. p. 54. ISBN 0-86171-380-X.