In the not-too-distant future, Earth finds itself constantly under attack from extraterrestrial threats. To combat them, the Terrestrial Defense Force establishes the Ultra Garrison, a team of six elite members who utilize high-tech vehicles and weaponry. Joining their fight is the mysterious Dan Moroboshi who is secretly an alien from the Land of Light in Nebula M-78 and transforms into his true alien form, Ultraseven, in times of crisis.[2]
Eiji Tsuburaya proposed a series that would have been a hybrid of Thunderbirds and Lost in Space, Hajime proposed a new Ultraman series that would have included network and sponsors' input for each season, Jissoji proposed a time-travel themed show which would have focused on a time patrol team and their families, Kinjo proposed a children's horror/mystery show that would have been a hybrid of Ultra Q and The Twilight Zone, Sueyasu proposed a fairy tale-themed series, and Otomo proposed a space-themed series which would have been a cross of Lost in Space and Men into Space featuring giant monsters.[3]
TBS eventually settled on a fusion of Eiji's and Otomo's ideas and Eiji submitted a treatment titled The Ultra Garrison, which featured six trained astronauts (including an android named "John") stationed on a satellite called "Mother", the first line of defense against alien invaders. Kinjo felt that the idea was lacking an essential element and suggested adding a superhero.[3]
The treatment underwent massive revisions after TBS felt the idea was too similar to The Great Space War and the new version included giant monsters while retaining the original Earth Defense Force element at TBS' request.[3] TBS eventually suggested to make the series a direct sequel to Ultraman and have it focused on Hayata and Fuji's son, who would be able to call upon Earth monsters for help and only transform into Ultraman in times of desperation.[4]
Tetsuo Kinjo began working on an outline, combining elements of TBS' best ideas and his own, such as elements from his rejected proposal WoO, which featured an alien unwittingly becoming a savior of mankind. Kinjo's outline was titled Ultra Eye and featured Dan Moroboshi being the son of a human and an alien, with Dan coming to Earth in search of his mother. This version also featured Capsule Monsters that Dan would have used when he could not transform. Originally, monsters from Ultra Q and Ultraman were going to be used as the Capsule Monsters in order to cut down production costs.[5]
Tohru Narita was assigned to design the aliens, monsters, and vehicles. Narita's design for Ultraseven was inspired by Mayan culture and originally chose silver and blue for the colors, but changed them to silver and red to avoid problems with the blue-screen matte process.[6] Principal photography on the special effects began in May 1967 and casting began in June 1967. Many of the actors hired were chosen from Toho's acting pool, since the studio was one of the financial investors for Tsuburaya Productions.[7] Yoji Hashimoto and Toshimichi Miwa were put in charge of duties with TBS for the show, while Eiji Tsuburaya served as the chief producer and supervisor for the show and Masami Sueyasu reprised his role as a hands-on producer for Tsuburaya Productions.[8]
Four episodes were completed before copyright was approved for the show's title, which was changed to Ultraseven. The show was filmed silent, a common practice for Japanese shows at the time, and post-production, including editing and voice dubbing, began in September 1967. Toru Fuyuki was hired to compose the soundtrack, gearing towards a more classical direction as opposed to the jazz-inspired direction Kunio Miyauchi took for the Ultraman soundtrack.[9]
Ultraseven aired on October 1, 1967 and earned a 33.7% rating, an achievement at the time.[9] Due to the show's high ratings, TBS ordered an additional 10 episodes during preparations for the show's third Cours (episodes 27-39). Despite ratings dropping during the final weeks, Ultraseven still remained in the top five highest rated shows in Japanese television at the time.[10]
Sequels for both Ultraman, titled Ultraman Continues, and Ultraseven, titled Fight! Ultraseven, were proposed, but Tsuburaya Productions would not produce another Ultra series until 1971, with Return of Ultraman.[10]
Cast
Kohji Moritsugu as Dan Moroboshi/Ultraseven: Spelled as "Dan Moroboshe" in the Cinar English dub.[11] Ultraseven borrows the look of Jiroh Satsuma and transforms into his true alien form using the Ultra Eye ("Task Mask" in the Cinar dub). At the time of the show's production, Moritsugu was married and poor. This was kept secret in order to publicize Moritsugu as a rising young heartthrob.[8]
Shōji Nakayama as Captain Kaoru Kiriyama: The captain of the Ultra Garrison.
Sandayū Dokumamushi as Shigeru Furuhashi: The rotund, strong and trigger-happy member of the Ultra Garrison.
Yuriko Hishimi as Anne Yuri: Known as "Donna" in the Cinar dub.[12] The team's communications operator and nurse. Yoshiko Toyoura was originally cast in the role, but was pulled out by director Takashi Tsuboshima to cast her in his then-latest film. Hishimi was given the role after doing an immediate audition and photo shoot.[13]
Shinsuke Achiha as Soga: The Ultra Garrison's expert marksman.
Bin Furuya as Amagi: The team's strategist. Furuya had been the suit performer for Ultraman in the preceding series and stated that, although he liked being Ultraman, Amagi was more enjoyable due to having an exposed appearance.[14]
Koji Uenishi as Ultraseven (suit performer): Uenishi portrayed Ultraseven for the entire series while Eiichi Kikuchi did the suit performance for episodes 14 and 15.[15][16]
Episodes
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date
1
"The Invisible Challenger" Transliteration: "Sugata naki Chōsensha" (Japanese: 姿なき挑戦者)
"The 700 Kilometer Run!" Transliteration: "Nanahyaku Kiro o Tsuppashire!" (Japanese: 700キロを突っ走れ!)
Kazuho Mitsuta
Shozo Uehara
April 14, 1968 (1968-04-14)
29
"The Earthling All Alone" Transliteration: "Hitoribotchi no Chikyūjin" (Japanese: ひとりぼっちの地球人)
Kazuho Mitsuta
Shinichi Ichikawa
April 21, 1968 (1968-04-21)
30
"Glory for Whom?" Transliteration: "Eikō wa Dare no Tame ni" (Japanese: 栄光は誰れのために)
Toshitsugu Suzuki
Keisuke Fujikawa
April 28, 1968 (1968-04-28)
31
"The Flower where the Devil Dwells" Transliteration: "Akuma no Sumu Hana" (Japanese: 悪魔の住む花)
Toshitsugu Suzuki
Shozo Uehara
May 5, 1968 (1968-05-05)
32
"The Strolling Planet" Transliteration: "Sannpo suru Wakusei" (Japanese: 散歩する惑星)
Samaji Nonagase
Masahiro Yamada & Shozo Uehara
May 12, 1968 (1968-05-12)
33
"The Invading Dead" Transliteration: "Shinryaku suru Shishatachi" (Japanese: 侵略する死者たち)
Hajime Tsuburaya
Shozo Uehara
May 19, 1968 (1968-05-19)
34
"The Vanishing City" Transliteration: "Jōhatsu Toshi" (Japanese: 蒸発都市)
Hajime Tsuburaya
Tetsuo Kinjo
May 26, 1968 (1968-05-26)
35
"Terror on the Moon" Transliteration: "Gessekai no Senritsu" (Japanese: 月世界の戦慄)
Toshitsugu Suzuki
Shinichi Ichikawa
June 2, 1968 (1968-06-02)
36
"A Lethal 0.1 Seconds" Transliteration: "Hissatsu no Rei-ten-ichi Byō" (Japanese: 必殺の0.1秒)
Samaji Nonagase
Hiroyasu Yamaura
June 9, 1968 (1968-06-09)
37
"The Stolen Ultra Eye" Transliteration: "Nusumareta Urutora Ai" (Japanese: 盗まれたウルトラ・アイ)
Toshitsugu Suzuki
Shinichi Ichikawa
June 16, 1968 (1968-06-16)
38
"The Courageous Battle" Transliteration: "Yūki aru Tatakai" (Japanese: 勇気ある戦い)
Toshihiro Iijima
Mamoru Sasaki
June 23, 1968 (1968-06-23)
39
"The Seven Assassination Plan: Part 1" Transliteration: "Sebun Ansatsu Keikaku Zenpen" (Japanese: セブン暗殺計画 前篇)
Toshihiro Iijima
Keisuke Fujikawa
June 30, 1968 (1968-06-30)
40
"The Seven Assassination Plan: Part 2" Transliteration: "Sebun Ansatsu Keikaku Kōhen" (Japanese: セブン暗殺計画 後編)
Toshihiro Iijima
Keisuke Fujikawa
July 7, 1968 (1968-07-07)
41
"Challenge from Underwater" Transliteration: "Suichū kara no Chōsen" (Japanese: 水中からの挑戦)
Kazuho Mitsuta
Bunzo Wakatsuki
July 14, 1968 (1968-07-14)
42
"Ambassador of the Nonmalt" Transliteration: "Nonmaruto no Shisha" (Japanese: ノンマルトの使者)
Kazuho Mitsuta
Tetsuo Kinjo
July 21, 1968 (1968-07-21)
43
"Nightmare on Planet No. 4" Transliteration: "Daiyon Wakusei no Akumu" (Japanese: 第四惑星の悪夢)
Akio Jissoji
Takashi Kawasaki & Shozo Uehara
July 28, 1968 (1968-07-28)
44
"The Terrifying Super Ape-man" Transliteration: "Kyōfu no Chōenjin" (Japanese: 恐怖の超猿人)
Toshitsugu Suzuki
Shozo Uehara & Shinichi Ichikawa
August 4, 1968 (1968-08-04)
45
"The Saucers Have Come" Transliteration: "Enban ga Kita" (Japanese: 円盤が来た)
Akio Jissoji
Takashi Kawasaki & Shozo Uehara
August 11, 1968 (1968-08-11)
46
"The Showdown of Dan vs. Seven" Transliteration: "Dan tai Sebun no Kettō" (Japanese: ダン対セブンの決闘)
Toshitsugu Suzuki
Shozo Uehara & Shinichi Ichikawa
August 18, 1968 (1968-08-18)
47
"Who Are You?" Transliteration: "Anata wa dare?" (Japanese: あなたはだぁれ?)
Tatsumi Ando
Shozo Uehara
August 25, 1968 (1968-08-25)
48
"The Biggest Invasion in History: Part 1" Transliteration: "Shijō Saidai no Shinryaku Zenpen" (Japanese: 史上最大の侵略 前編)
Kazuho Mitsuta
Tetsuo Kinjo
September 1, 1968 (1968-09-01)
49
"The Biggest Invasion in History: Part 2" Transliteration: "Shijō Saidai no Shinryaku Kōhen" (Japanese: 史上最大の侵略 後編)
Kazuho Mitsuta
Tetsuo Kinjo
September 8, 1968 (1968-09-08)
Banned episode
The 12th episode, titled "From Another Planet with Love", was banned due to Alien Spell (which had keloid scars) being labeled as "Hibaku Seijin" (A-Bomb Survivor Alien) which was lifted from the term "hibakusha", referring to the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The issue was featured on an article of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, which sparked public outrage and forced Tsuburaya Productions to change the name to "Kyuketsu Seijin" (Vampire Alien). Despite this, Tsuburaya Productions still received negative public opinion and as a result, Tsuburaya pulled the alien character and episode from official publications, broadcasts and home media releases. However, the Hawaiian English dub and Cinar dub of the series broadcast the episode (which was re-titled "Crystallized Corpuscles") in North America.[17]
English versions
In 1985, Turner Program Services licensed the series in a 15-year contract from Tsuburaya Productions, who provided the English dubbed versions produced in Honolulu by Tsuburaya-Hawaii, Inc. in the mid-1970s. Finding this English version to be lacking, Turner commissioned the Canadian children's programming production house, Cinar, to dub all 49 episodes for run in syndication.[18] The TPS/Cinar produced episodes featured new opening and closing credits, eyecatches, new episode names, and even a change of name for the character of Anne Yuri, who was dubbed as "Donna Michibata". Cinar edited the episodes for violence, language and commercial time and featured new music cues.
Unsatisfied with Cinar's resultant work, Turner put the series into their vaults until 1994, when they were alerted that the episodes were never broadcast. Ultraseven was dusted off for the "Toons 'Til Noon" and "MonsterVision" blocks on TNT. The "Toons 'Til Noon" broadcasts received substantially heavy editing to make them suitable for the time slot, while the "MonsterVision" broadcasts were the full-length Cinar adaptations. Episodes 3 and 5-7 were missing or mislabeled and were never broadcast. Clips from the series were later used in the "Messages from Space" and "Vacation Spots Around the Universe" segments on the animated variety show Cartoon Planet, which aired on TBS and Cartoon Network. When the contract expired in 2001, Turner returned all the materials (film elements, videotapes, audio masters) to Tsuburaya Productions.[17]
Home media
Japan
Bandai Visual released the series on Blu-ray in Japan as two separate sets with the first released on November 21, 2014 and the second on January 28, 2015.[19] In September 2020, NHK aired 4K remasters of the series, converted from 16 mm film with HDR.[20] In April 2023, Tsuburaya announced that Pony Canyon would release the 4K remasters in an 11-disc box set (containing 4K Blu-ray's with HDR and standard Blu-ray's) on July 7, 2023 to commemorate the 55th anniversary of Ultraseven.[21]
North America
In December 2012, Shout! Factory released the Japanese version on DVD, licensed from UM Corporation through Tiga Entertainment.[15][22] In July 2019, Mill Creek Entertainment announced that it had acquired most of the Ultraman library from Tsuburaya Productions through Indigo Entertainment, including 1,100 episodes and 20 films.[23] Mill Creek released the series on Blu-ray and digital on December 10, 2019 in standard and steelbook editions.[24]
In July 2020, Shout! Factory announced to have struck a multi-year deal with Alliance Entertainment and Mill Creek Entertainment, with the blessings of Tsuburaya and Indigo, that granted them the exclusive SVOD and AVOD digital rights to the Ultra series and films (1,100 episodes and 20 films) acquired by Mill Creek the previous year. Ultraseven, amongst other titles, will stream in the United States and Canada through Shout! Factory TV and Tokushoutsu.[25]
Legacy
Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri said that the Poké Ball concept was inspired by Ultraseven's Capsule Monsters.[26]