Ultraman Max

Ultraman Max
Promotional Flyer
Genre	Superhero Tokusatsu Science fiction Action/Adventure Kaiju
Created by	Kazuo Tsuburaya, Tsuburaya Productions
Directed by	Shusuke Kaneko Hirochika Muraishi Kengo Kaji Futoshi Sato Takeshi Yagi Takashi Miike Hideaki Murakami Akio Jissoji Hiroaki Tochihara Toshiyuki Takano Toshihiro Iijima Kenji Suzuki
Starring	Sota Aoyama Hitomi Hasebe Kai Shishido Hikari Mitsushima
Composer(s)	Kuniaki Haishima, Toru Fuyuki
Country of origin	Japan
Original language(s)	JP:Japanese
No. of episodes	39
Production
Producer(s)	Takeshi Yagi
Running time	Approx. 24 mins per episode
Release
Original network	Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (Japan) TOKU (U.S.)
Original release	July 2, 2005 – April 1, 2006
Chronology
Preceded by	Ultraman Nexus
Followed by	Ultraman Mebius
External links
Website

Ultraman Max (ウルトラマンマックス, Urutoraman Makkusu) is a Japanese Tokusatsu series produced by Tsuburaya Productions and Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.. Released as the 19th Ultra Series overall, it aired on July 2, 2005 to April 1, 2006. The show aimed to return to the true formula of new monsters every week and being a fast paced show like previous series with the exception of Ultraman Nexus. The show is full of homages to past series by having three of the original cast members from the first Ultraman series (and one original cast member from Ultra Seven) being featured in an episode, updated versions of classic monsters like Red King, Eleking and Pigmon among others. One unusual episode (#29) revolves around the filming of the 1964 program Ultra Q which was the predecessor to the first Ultraman show in 1966. Two actors from that show appear as themselves. On October 10, 2014, Crunchyroll announced that the series would be broadcast on their streaming service starting on October 17, 2014 in the US, Canada, Latin America, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.^[1]

On January 27, 2017, the US television channel TOKU announced that the series will be broadcast in the United States on its channel with an English dub beginning February 27, 2017, making it the fifth Ultra Series to air in the United States after Ultraman, Ultra Seven, Ultraman: Towards the Future (original English language without Japanese dub) and Ultraman Tiga.^[2][3][4][5]

History

This series was colored the issue that the story is a connection from the Ultraman era Showa and also a member of Space Garrison, let alone indeed the Japanese public miss him. This is reinforced by a Max design that is physically similar to Ultra Seven and Ultraman Taro, as well as its moves. In addition, old monsters like Baltan and past monsters that often appear in the Showa era also appear in this series. However, Tsuburaya dismissed the issue ahead of Max's last episodes, that Max's reality has nothing to do with any Ultraman series ever appeared. Japanese viewers were wondering why Max's total episode was less than 50, whereas his response and ratings improved. Max was produced with the intention of being a stepping-stone from Ultraman Nexus, whose concept of story strayed away, before stepping back into the Showa era. So, you could say the story and the Max concept is at the intersection. And again before Max's runs out, his replacement series Ultraman Mebius, which Tsubaraya actually prepared to return to the Showa era story, has been advertised. Apparently, learning from the original Nexus produced 50 episodes but had to cut and finish in episode 38, Tsuburaya intend to anticipate this series failed so from the beginning was deliberately the number of episodes is already so, that is 40 only.

Series overview

Although certain monsters from the previous Ultra Series appear here in this series, the characters do not actually recognize them. This series does not have any direct continuity to any of the other Ultra Series (except episode 24: "The Untargeted Town" which seems to be a sequel to the Ultra Seven series episode 8: "The Targeted Town").

Just like his predecessors, Ultraman Max is from Nebula M78 and is supported by DASH (Defense Action Squad Heroes), a branch of the UDF (United Defense Federation). His human host's name is Touma Kaito. Ultraman Max is based on Ultra Seven and has two main weapons at his disposal, the Maxium Cannon fired from his left hand and the Maxium Sword which is a hand held boomerang cutter.

Another Ultraman known as Ultraman Xenon, or Janos, appears for the first time in episode 13, and again briefly in episode 39. While Ultraman Xenon is summoning a new weapon from the sky to use against Zetton, he is attacked by Zetton and the weapon attaches itself to Max's right wrist. Ultraman Max then uses the new weapon known as the Max Galaxy to destroy Zetton.

Team DASH is stationed in a harbor and their base is called the Base Titan. They have a main airplane called the Dash Mother which releases two other small planes known as Dash Bird 1 and 2. A third plane called the Dash Bird 3 appears in episode 23.

Team DASH also has an android operator, who learns a bit about human behavior in some episodes. Her name is Elly and she has a small ball shaped robot called Koko which makes a high pitched sound to respond to queries.

This series was also unique as it was the first time a gaijin (foreigner) was an official member of the Ultraman team. The character's name is Sean White (played by actor Sean Nichols who is famous in Japan for being on the popular children's program Eigo de Asobo—Let's Have Fun with English).

Synopsis

In the world where Max is, it is said that since ancient times the Earth has many civilizations other than human civilization that inhabits the surface of the earth. Therefore, there is often conflict between them. Yet, whether hundreds of years later, today's man does not know it and live in peace. The hatred of other nations for human behavior is a threat that is not realized by them. Meanwhile, humans are more focused on monsters from outer space that actually attack the Earth. This is where Max appears.

Touma Kaito dreamed of entering DASH because previously he was a volunteer who often rescued people from natural disasters. However, he failed the entrance test because it was considered too hot-spirited when trying to protect people without thinking and often unconsciously doing excessive actions that endanger his own safety. Kaito has his own reasons and still insists on getting into DASH. One day, he who is still an apprentice, recklessly replaces one of the wounded DASH members to help dispel the monster in order to avoid the heavy casualties. At a critical moment, Touma then receives Ultraman power and begins his great responsibility. He named Ultraman in him Max. And because of this persistence, Kaito was finally accepted as a member of DASH.

As the story in which each episode stands alone, the story in Max is quite light when compared to the Nexus and is still more weighty when compared to the Cosmos. It is also told about Kaito who is trying to adapt himself to the team and that the nature of his lack of care has not changed. He also began to understand that sometimes Max's mind did not suit him. In addition, he was so confused follow-up when facing two disputing parties: humans with monsters. On the one hand, there are human beings who justify any means for his selfishness, and the other side is not all evil monsters. Max also thinks it is actually the man who builds the dispute itself. Moreover, after gradually it is known that there are civilizations other than humans who also inhabit the earth. Then, began to emerge the fact that there is a human race that turned out to be descendants of aliens.

Finally, one of the old civilizations inhabiting under the skin of the earth named Delos also wanted to control the surface. UDF headquarters were destroyed one by one. By Delos. In order not to happen worse, Kaito and his partner, Mizuki, went to the bowels of the earth to deliver a message of peace. What a shock to Kaito that the Delos were no longer existed, only weapons that had been arranged from time immemorial. On the other hand, Max is time to get away from Kaito's body. Kaito had to race against time.

The characters

Monsters

Episodes

1. Ultraman Max Arrives! (ウルトラマンマックス誕生!, Urutoraman Makkusu Tanjō!)
2. The Girl Who Keeps a Monster (怪獣を飼う女, Kaijū o Kau On'na)
3. Proof of a Brave Man (勇士の証明, Yūshi no Shōmei)
4. Infinite Invaders (無限の侵略者, Mugen no Shinryakusha)
5. Appears, Monster Island! (出現、怪獣島!, Shutsugen, Kaijūtō!)
6. Bombing, 5 Seconds Before (爆撃、５秒前, Bakugeki, Gobyō Mae)
7. Destructor of the Star (星の破壊者, Hoshi no Hakaisha)
8. DASH Annihilated!? (DASH 壊滅!?, Dasshu Kaimetsu!?)
9. Dragon Lover (龍の恋人, Ryū no Koibito)
10. Young DASH (少年DASH, Shōnen Dasshu)
11. Prophecy of Baradhi (バラージの予言, Barāji no Yogen)
12. Pursuit at Supersonic Speed (超音速の追撃, Chō Onsoku no Tsuigeki)
13. Daughter of Zetton (ゼットンの娘, Zetton no Musume)
14. I Love King Joe (恋するキングジョー, Koi Suru Kingu Jō)
15. Miracle of the Third Planet (第三番惑星の奇跡, Dai Sanban Wakusei no Kiseki)
16. Who Am I? (わたしはだあれ?, Watashi wa Daare)
17. Ice Beauty (氷の美女, Kōri no Bijo)
18. Bright World (アカルイセカイ, Akarui Sekai)
19. Person Coming from the Door (扉より来たる者, Tobira yori Kitaru Mono)
20. Drifting Monster (怪獣漂流, Kaijū Hyōryū)
21. Challenge from Underground (地底からの挑戦, Chitei kara no Chōsen)
22. Butterfly Dream (胡蝶の夢, Kochō no Yume)
23. Youth Again (甦れ青春, Yomigaere Seishun)
24. The Untargeted Town (狙われない街, Nerawarenai Machi)
25. A Distant Friend (遥かなる友人, Haruka Naru Yūjin)
26. Elly of Christmas (クリスマスのエリー, Kurisumasu no Erī)
27. The Taken Max Spark (奪われたマックススパーク, Ubawareta Makkusu Supāku)
28. Attack of the Evil (邪悪襲来, Jaaku Shūrai)
29. Why Do Monsters Appear (怪獣は何故現れるのか, Kaijū wa Naze Arawareru Noka)
30. Courage Is from the Heart (勇気を胸に, Yūki o Mune ni)
31. Burn! Earth!! (燃えつきろ! 地球!!, Moe Tsukiro! Chikyū!!)
32. Elly Destruction Directive (エリー破壊指令, Erī Hakai Shirei)
33. Welcome! To the Earth: Part 1: The Science of the Planet Baltan (ようこそ! 地球へ 前篇 バルタン星の科学, Yōkoso! Chikyū e Zenpen Barutan Sei no Kagaku)
34. Welcome! To the Earth: Part 2: Farewell! Alien Baltan (ようこそ! 地球へ 後篇 さらば!バルタン星人, Yōkoso! Chikyū e Kōhen Saraba! Barutan Seijin)
35. Adam and Eve of M32 Nebula (M32星雲のアダムとイブ, Emu Sanjūni Seiun no Adamu to Ibu)
36. Alternate Dimension World (イジゲンセカイ, Ijigen Sekai)
37. Constellation Thief (星座泥棒, Seiza Dorobō)
38. Prelude to Ground Annihilation (地上壊滅の序曲, Chijō Kaimetsu no Jokyoku)
39. Hold On To! Future (つかみとれ! 未来, Tsukami Tore! Mirai)
40. Special Finale -To the Ultra Future- (スペシャルフィナーレ ～ウルトラの未来へ～, Supesharu Fināre -Urutora no Mirai e-)

Super Battle Special

After the broadcast of Ultraman Max, an eight-minute special was released on DVD. This special was a five-minute clip show giving a review of Ultraman Max's back story and primary attacks up until Ultraman Xenon gives him the Max Galaxy. After the clip show, the monster Red King attacks Max with Zetton shortly joining in. The special ends with Max defeating both of them.

Cast

• Kaito Touma (トウマ・カイト, Tōma Kaito), Kaito and Mizuki grandson (39-40)
  Sōta Aoyama (青山 草太, Aoyama Sōta)
• Shigeru Hijikata (ヒジカタ・シゲル, Hijikata Shigeru)
  Kai Shishido (宍戸 開, Shishido Kai)
• Mizuki Koishikawa (コイシカワ・ミズキ, Koishikawa Mizuki)
  Hitomi Hasebe (長谷部 瞳, Hasebe Hitomi)
• Kenjiro Koba (コバ・ケンジロウ, Koba Kenjirō)
  Nobuyuki Ogawa (小川 信行, Ogawa Nobuyuki)
• Sean White (ショーン・ホワイト, Shōn Howaito)
  Sean Nichols (ショーン・ニコルス, Shōn Nikorusu)
• Elly (エリー, Erī)
  Hikari Mitsushima (満島 ひかり, Mitsushima Hikari)
• Kenzo Tomioka (トミオカ・ケンゾウ, Tomioka Kenzō)
  Susumu Kurobe (黒部 進, Kurobe Susumu)
• Yukari Yoshinaga (ヨシナガ・ユカリ, Yoshinaga Yukari)
  Hiroko Sakurai (桜井 浩子, Sakurai Hiroko)
• Ultraman Max (ウルトラマンマックス（声）, Urutoraman Makkusu (koe))
  Kazuya Nakai (中井 和哉, Nakai Kazuya) (voice)
• Narration (ナレーション, Narēshon)
  Shirō Sano (佐野 史郎, Sano Shirō)

Songs

Opening theme

• "Ultraman Max" (ウルトラマンマックス, Urutoraman Makkusu)
  • Lyrics: Neko Oikawa (及川 眠子, Oikawa Neko)
  • Composition & Arrangement: Yasuharu Takanashi (高梨 康治, Takanashi Yasuharu)
  • Artist: TEAM DASH with Project DMM

Ending theme: "NO LIMITED"

Fight theme: "DASH Alpha"

Media

References

External links

• Official site
• Ultraman Max on IMDb
• Crunchyroll page