2024/11/3
■ Because They Wanted to Introduce Akiko Fuji as a Giant
Shin Ultraman, directed by Shinji Higuchi and supervised by Hideaki Anno, was a masterpiece.
Mr. Anno and I are the same age. Last autumn, I caught up with his doings at an exhibit at The National Art Center Tokyo.
I also once asked Mr. Higuchi, who is four years younger, about his hobbies at a Keio University event.
My attachment to the Ultraman of the 60s is even stronger than to Godzilla of the 50s and Kamen Rider of the 70s.
I wanted a Flash Beam. I wanted to wear the Science Special Search Party badge.
Those happy memories are a privilege exclusive to our generation, a paean illuminated by a beam.
I was deeply moved by the movie's inclusion of homages to Ultraman Q.
Gomess, Litra, Peguila, Pagos, Mammoth Flower, Goga.
And Neronga.
I like Neronga.
I want a pet Neronga.
Perhaps the aliens known as Mefilas were given semi-leading roles out of a wish to introduce SSSP Member Akiko Fuji as a giant.
I was reminded of the masterpiece "Giant Member Fuji versus King Ghidorah" by Makoto Aida.
Both Imit-Ultraman and Alien Zarab seemed secondary characters.
Even stars like Alien Baltan and the Kemur Man were intentionally left out,
I got it.
Even a flawless hero can be defeated.
Animosity – and a twisted reverence – toward Zetton. Childhood trauma.
All-out resistance by powerless humans. Childhood hope.
An homage to the impressions left in the hearts of youths, and new iterations.
These were depicted in full.
How far will the younger generation and foreigners go in squarely embracing this?
Neronga, Mephilas, Zetton.
The structure, with its focus on three episodes, also marked a gallant decision to discard the remaining 36 episodes that include Red King, Pigmon, Bullton, Gomora, Dada, and Seabozu.
I spoke with Takayuki Tsukagoshi, the chairman of Tsuburaya Productions, about production of the work.
The movie offered a complete depiction, didn't it.
"No, there's more to come."
Huh?
"We're making more."
Wow.
Hope for tomorrow springs forth.
