Ultraman

「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman) is a Japanese superhero television show from the 1960’s.

「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman)

The story is basically about an organization that protects Earth from giant alien attacks. But they are always overwhelmed by the monster…fortunately, one member of the organization has a “Beta Capsule” that can be used to summon 「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman) from the Sun.

「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman) can only stay on Earth for a short time before he must return to the Sun…otherwise he’ll die. The 「カラータイマー」 (“Color Timer“) on his chest blinks to indicate that he must return soon.

I used to watch 「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman) reruns dubbed in English on TV in the ’70s when I was a child in America.

In America, 「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman) is considered low-standard and cheesy.
But here in Japan, 「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman) is a pop-culture phenomenon. 「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman) is still popular with young boys in Japan today.

In Japan, there have been numerous spin-off shows including 「ウルトラセブン」 (Ultra Seven), 「帰ってきたウルトラマン」 (Return Of Ultraman), 「ウルトラマン・エース」 (Ultraman Ace), etc as well as 「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman) movies. And stores in Japan sell 「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman) toys, clothes, shoes, lunchbox sets, towels, and all kinds of other merchandise.

Ultraman Alarm Clock

「ウルトラ・サイダー」 ("Ultra Cider") drink

「ウルトラセブンワインセット」 ("Ultra Seven" 40th anniversary wine set)

「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman) was supposed to take place in the 1990’s…thirty years in the future from when it was filmed.

Have you ever watched 「ウルトラマン」 (Ultraman)? Do you like the series?