List of Ultraman Z characters

Haruki Natsukawa (ナツカワ ハルキ, Natsukawa Haruki)[lower-alpha 2][9][10] is the 23-year-old protagonist of the show; a rookie pilot of STORAGE and a Karate master with a huge sense of justice. He was bonded with Z after a near-death experience and since then transforms into the giant to combat daily monster attacks despite the conflicting ideals about "lives to be protected" and "beings to be killed".[9][10]

Using the Ultra Z Riser (ウルトラゼットライザー, Urutora Zetto Raizā) and his personalized Ultra Access Card (ウルトラアクセスカード, Urutora Akusesu Kādo), Haruki can transform into Ultraman Z. By scanning three different Ultra Medals stored in his Z Holder (ゼットホルダー, Zetto Horudā), Haruki can grant Z access to different forms based on past Ultra Warriors and performing the Ultra's finishing moves.[11][12]

Haruki Natsukawa is portrayed by Kohshu Hirano (平野 宏周, Hirano Kōshū).[9][10][4]

Shota Hebikura (ヘビクラ ショウタ, Hebikura Shōta)[lower-alpha 2][2][3] is STORAGE's 34-year-old captain who acts as an older brother-like figure to the rest of his young teammates. Like Haruki, Hebikura is also athletic and usually puts the rookie through intensive drills in the training room.

Shota Hebikura is portrayed by Takaya Aoyagi (青柳 尊哉, Aoyagi Takaya), previously portraying Jugglus Juggler in Ultraman Orb. Eager to return to the Ultra Series, Takaya immediately accepted the role after being offered in summer 2019.[2][3][4]

Yoko Nakashima (ナカシマ ヨウコ, Nakashima Yōko)[lower-alpha 2][3][13] is a 24-year-old female member and ace pilot of STORAGE. She has admiration for older men and Ultraman Z, but often challenging her admirers to an arm-wrestling match, which she has never once lost.

Yoko Nakashima is portrayed by Rima Matsuda (松田 リマ, Matsuda Rima).[3][13][4]

Kojiro Inaba (イナバ コジロー, Inaba Kojirō)[lower-alpha 2][14][15] is the 59-year-old leader of STORAGE's mechanics division in maintaining their Special Aircraft robots and is deeply trusted by other co-workers. He is nicknamed "Mr. Bako" (バコさん, Bako-san) and gives off a Shōwa atmosphere. Sometimes he displays an unexpected skill, but his past in shrouded in mystery.

Kojiro Inaba is portrayed by Jun Hashizume (橋爪 淳, Hashizume Jun).[14][15][4]

Yuka Ohta (オオタ ユカ, Ōta Yuka)[lower-alpha 2][15][16] is the 22-year-old lead scientist with passion for monsters, hence her occupation in STORAGE allows her to observe them closely. Yuka develops the anti-monster combat robots and knowledgeable about biology and historic legends, which help with her analysis. When conducting experiments on monsters, Yuka brings their essence or specific body parts to STORAGE's headquarters for examination.[17] She often makes and offers questionable juice mix with mysterious ingredients to others.

Yuka Ohta is portrayed by Hikari Kuroki (黒木 ひかり, Kuroki Hikari).[15][16][4]

The SAA (特空機, Tokkūki, acronym for "Special Airborne Armor")[4], also known as Anti-Monster Special Airborne Armor (対怪獣特殊空挺機甲, Tai Kaijū Tokushu Kūtei Kikō) are giant robots manufactured by STORAGE in order to combat against monsters and participating in rescue operations.[18][19] The mechas were developed by lead scientist Yuka and maintained by Kojiro's team of mechanics after each sortie.[14][16] Due to limited budget, only two units (Sevenger and Windom) were manufactured although additional models are considered for development.[20]

• SAA 1 Sevenger (特空機1号 セブンガー, Tokkūki Ichigō Sebungā):[18][20] The first of STORAGE's mecha to be created and the first human-built robot mecha, piloted Haruki and/or Yoko.[1] Within each missions, Sevenger can only operate for 3 minutes, based on its three battery packs.[1] In terms of long-distance transportation from STORAGE's base, it has a jetpack with separate fuel. First appeared in episode 34 of Ultraman Leo.[19]
• SAA 2 Windom (特空機2号 ウインダム, Tokkūki Nigō Uindamu):[18][20] The second of STORAGE's mecha, presented as speedy and versatile.[18] Its sole means of weapon is a beam from its forehead.[18] Due to its lighter built, the robot is capable of operating for a longer period than Sevenger.[1] First appeared in episode 1 of Ultraseven.[19]

Director Kuriyama (クリヤマ長官, Kuriyama chokan)[lower-alpha 2][21][22] is the 64-year-old director of the GAFJ and founder of STORAGE. Despite his long, nagging lectures, he is actually a worrywart who is prone to stomach aches. He is often worrying of the collateral damages brought by the monster attacks and the cost for development budget.

Director Kuriyama is portrayed by Hisahiro Ogura (小倉 久寛, Ogura Hisahiro).[21][22][4]

Shinya Kaburagi (カブラギ シンヤ, Kaburagi Shin'ya)[lower-alpha 2] is a 26-year-old researcher from GAFJ's Monster Research Center (怪獣研究センター, Kaijū Kenkyū Sentā)'s biochemical research department.[22][23][1] While delivering a canister of Genegarg's remains, Celebro possessed him as a medium to operate on Earth.

Shinya Kaburagi is portrayed by Rihito Noda (野田 理人, Noda Rihito).[23][22][4]

Ultraman Z (ウルトラマンゼット, Urutoraman Zetto)[lower-alpha 3] is the titular hero of the series, an Inter Galactic Defense Force cadet whose age is 5,000 years old. Z speaks in an unusual dialect, but overall has a passionate sense of justice and seek apprenticeship under his idol, Zero.[20] He was entrusted with the Z Riser and chased Genegarg to Earth, where he bonded with Haruki to revive the young pilot's life.[9][10] Ever since then, Z continues to protect Earth while seeking Haruki's aid to recover the lost Ultra Medals.

His Ultra Z Riser, the device which he gave to Haruki as means of transformation can also double as a combat weapon. His true form is designated as Original (オリジナル, Orijinaru) and is described as a rookie Ultra Warrior whose strength is half or one third of an experienced fighter.[9][10] His finishing move is Zestium Beam (ゼスティウム光線, Zesutiumu Kōsen), which can also be utilized by any of his other forms.[20][24][25] To make up for his lack of additional strength, Z can access Ultra Fusion (ウルトラフュージョン, Urutora Fyūjon) forms when Haruki scanned three different Ultra Medals of past Ultra Warriors.[24] These forms are capable of using a shared additional weapon named Z Lance Arrow (ゼットランスアロー, Zetto Ransu Arō).[1]

• Alpha Edge (アルファエッジ, Arufa Ejji): A speed-based form obtained through Ultraseven, Leo and Zero's Medals. Here, Z fights with the use of martial arts movements from master-apprentice chain components he is based on.[11][12] His finishing move is the Zestium Meizer (ゼスティウムメーザー, Zesutiumu Mēzā).[24]
• Beta Smash (ベータスマッシュ, Bēta Sumasshu): A strength-based form obtained through Ultraman, Ace and Taro's Medals. Z fights with a dignified style akin to professional wrestler.[11][12] His finishing move is the Zestium Upper (ゼスティウムアッパー, Zesutiumu Appā).[25]
• Gamma Future (ガンマフューチャー, Ganma Fyūchā): An agility-based form obtained through Tiga, Dyna and Gaia's Medals.[11][12] He is skilled in versatile beam attacks and tricky fighting style.[11][12] His finishing move is the Zestium Drive (ゼスティウムドライブ, Zesutiumu Doraibu).[25]

Ultraman Z is voiced by Tasuku Hatanaka (畠中 祐, Hanata Tasuku).[11][12]

Riku Asakura (朝倉 リク, Asakura Riku) is the genetically-cloned son of late Ultraman Belial, who defy his heritage as Ultraman Geed (ウルトラマンジード, Urutoraman Jīdo) from the series of the same name. Riku returned in Ultraman Z as a supporting character and had since utilized another Ultra Z Riser as his replacement transformation device.[11][12]

By inserting his own personalized Ultra Access Card and a trio of Ginga, X and Orb Medals into the Ultra Z Riser, Riku can access a new form of Geed, Galaxy Rising (ギャラクシーライジング, Gyarakushī Raijingu).[11][12]

Tatsuomi Hamada (濱田 龍臣, Hamada Tatsuomi) reprised his role as Riku Asakura.[11][12]

In Ultraman Z, the Land of Light developed both the Ultra Z Risers and Ultra Medals (ウルトラメダル, Urutora Medaru) to combat multiple universal threats. The theft of these items by Genegarg and its destruction on Earth scattered the Medals across the city, with selected few are already in possession of Haruki and other humans.

• Inter-Galactic Defense Force (宇宙警備隊, Uchū Keibitai): A peacekeeping organization in the Land of Light.
  • Ultra Brothers (ウルトラ兄弟, Urutora Kyōdai): A division of 11 Ultras.
    • Ultraman (ウルトラマン, Urutoraman): See here.
    • Ultraseven (ウルトラセブン, Urutorasebun): See here.
    • Ultraman Ace (ウルトラマンエース, Urutoraman Ēsu): His power inhabited the Ace Medal (エースメダル, Ēsu Medaru) and was salvaged by Haruki after Genegarg's destruction.
    • Ultraman Taro (ウルトラマンタロウ, Urutoraman Tarō): See here.
    • Ultraman Leo (ウルトラマンレオ, Urutoraman Reo): His power inhabited the Leo Medal (レオメダル, Reo Medaru) and was originally utilized by Zero before the latter relinquished it and two other Medals to Ultraman Z following his banishment into Bullton's alternate dimension.
• Ultraman Tiga (ウルトラマンティガ, Urutoraman Tiga): See here.
• Ultraman Dyna (ウルトラマンダイナ, Urutoraman Daina): His power inhabited the Dyna Medal (ダイナメダル, Daina Medaru) and was among the set that was salvaged by an unnamed individual.
• Ultraman Gaia (ウルトラマンガイア, Urutoraman Gaia): His power inhabited the Gaia Medal (ガイアメダル, Gaia Medaru) and was among the set that was salvaged by an unnamed individual.

Parasitic Life Form Celebro (寄生生物 セレブロ, Kisei Seibutsu Sereburo) is an intelligent space parasite capable of possessing other creatures. After using Genegarg to steal a Z Riser and the three Ultra Medals, Celebro possessed the GAFJ's Monster Research Division officer Shinya Kaburagi as means of operating on Earth and orchestrated monster attacks from behind the scenes for his twisted enjoyment.[23]

In addition to his own Ultra Z Riser and a personalized Ultra Access Card, Celebro crafted his own Monster Medals (怪獣メダル, Kaijū Medaru) through reverse engineering from the Land of Light's Ultra Medals.[23][1]

The Devil Splinter (デビルスプリンター, Debiru Supurintā) are fragments of Ultraman Belial that went scattered across the dimensions and sent the universe into a state of turmoil by manipulating monsters into berserk.[26] Celebro abuses them in his despicable scheme to destroy planets one by one.[9][10][27]

• Aquatic Hazardous Monster Majappa (水異怪獣 マジャッパ, Suii Kaijū Majappa): First appeared in episode 9 of Ultraman Taiga.
• Giant Space Monster Bemstar (宇宙大怪獣 ベムスター, Uchū Dai Kaijū Bemusutā): First appeared in episode 18 of Return of Ultraman.
• Poison Flame Monster Segmeger (毒炎怪獣 セグメゲル, Dokuen Kaijū Segumegeru): First appeared in episode 5 of Ultraman Taiga.

• Ferocious Space Shark Genegarg (凶暴宇宙鮫 ゲネガーグ, Kyōbō Uchū Same Genegāgu, 1):[20][1] A space monster that eats anything, Celebro possessed the monster as a medium to steal an Ultra Z Riser and a few Ultra Medals from the Land of Light while finding itself being chased from Z and Zero. After banishing Zero into Bullton's dimension, Genegarg made its way to Earth where it attacked the suburban area and the evacuation center (an elementary school). Upon fusing with Haruki, Z Alpha Edge destroyed Genegarg with Zestium Beam, causing the Ultra Medals to be scattered. However, Celebro managed to emerge unscathed and possessed Kaburagi instead.[26]
• Fourth-Dimensional Monster Bullton (四次元怪獣 ブルトン, Yojigen Kaijū Buruton, 1): A meteorite monster that Genegarg (Celebro) used to expel Zero into an alternate dimension. First appeared in episode 17 of Ultraman.

• Ancient Monster Gomess (古代怪獣 ゴメス, Kodai Kaijū Gomesu, 1): A 20 meter tall monster from episode 1 of Ultra Q. Despite Yoko's precautions to evade collateral damages, Gomess chased Haruki after his attempt to rescue a stray dog.
• Transparent Monster Neronga (透明怪獣 ネロンガ, Tōmei Kaijū Neronga, 2):[1] One of the many monsters to be awakened on Earth as a result of Genegarg's destruction. It has the ability to turn invisible and even disguising its body heat to match with the surroundings. Neronga was able to defeat Haruki in Sevenger by siphoning its battery reserves. While targeting a recently opened energy plant, Yuka tagged the monster with a marker and Z interfered to save Yoko in Sevenger. Using Hebikura's training on Haruki, the Ultra turn the tables and defeated the monster with Zestium Beam. First appeared in episode 3 of Ultraman.