Tokyo (special effects series) is one of the most popular and iconic genres that Japan has to offer. Thus, it is not very strange to believe that one of these series receives an animated version. These would be like the Power Rangers, which are actually an adaptation of a franchise called Super Sentai that exists in Japan since the 70s. Ultraman was among the first, preceded by just over ten years.
While this character had already had an animated adaptation, this was almost forty years ago. Today we find a new version. This time with 3D animation, which is becoming increasingly common in this industry. It has a duration of only thirteen chapters, which is in the standards of an anime, but it is not so much for a tokusatsu, which usually have about fifty chapters.
As for the story, we follow Shinjiro, a teenager with superhuman strength who lives among his peers as one more. Until one day he is intercepted by an alien, who is apparently of the same origin as Ultraman. He has been retired for decades, but before the imminent threat he returns from his exile. Once he arrives at the rescue, Shinjiro soon realizes that this hero is none other than his father. Soon after fighting our protagonist escapes in the helicopter of a secret organization that helps Ultraman. The problem is that this is losing by beating. Seeing him from above, his son decides to go help him and puts on a new suit. Upon arrival we learn with him his gallery of powers and chiches, and we see how the villain retires before a possible defeat. And together with this agency, quite similar to the "Men in Black", it will help to maintain peace between aliens and humans.
That happens, in broad strokes, in the first two chapters. From then on the series seems to rely on the classic structure of the monster of the week. I say it seems, because it really is not structured as such. This is because while there is always at least one fight per chapter, this does not usually end with the defeat of the villain and problem solved. In general, the stories take place over two or three episodes, which allows us to better explore the characters in these different scenarios that are presented to them. This is a good change in relation to its live action series, which maintain this structure as seen in the genre.
Having talked a little about the script and its structure, I would like to move on to the direction, which I think is the strongest point of this anime. This is where the roots of the product are noticed. The strongest point of this anime: the fights. They are excellent, the choreographies are fluid and creative, the movements and the choice of plans are the most accurate. The mix between martial arts and powers is very well carried, the blows have weight and the movements dynamic. It shows that most of the budget went here.
Tokusatsu is not a genre that has too much to offer in general. But he usually complies, his biggest attractions are his variety of costumes, transformations and monsters, and his fights. The suits deserve attention. The different Ultraman are great. With highly detailed armor, and all following the classic motif of red and silver. The designs are different enough to recognize them quickly, but also similar to achieve this sense of unity. On the other hand, the aliens are very good for the most part, but the limited budget is beginning to be noticed. And it is understandable. What is not so good are the funds, sometimes we find some that have very low resolutions. This creates, from time to time, a very rare dissonance between the characters and the place where they stand.
Ultraman is a purely recreational series. He is here to enjoy the fights, relax for a while and forget about the problems. I don't think it's going to be a very remembered series, but that's not all bad. It has a specific audience that will interest you more, but it is perfectly mirable. Pop to have fun.