Ultraman: Towards the Future
Jack Shindo and Stanley Haggard are members of the first manned expedition to Mars, and on the red planet find a giant slug-like monster, Goudes/Gudis. Shindo is pinned by a rockslide and Haggard tries to escape in their ship but is blown up by Gudis. Suddenly a giant warrior, Ultraman Great, arrives and fights Goudes, but when Ultraman is on the verge of victory Goudes changes into a virus and travels to Earth where it mutates other creatures into monsters and awakens existing ones. Needing a human host to survive on Earth, Ultraman joins with Jack, allowing him to become the mighty alien when all seems lost. He joins UMA in order to help them battle the monsters.
Insights
Plot Summary
In the year 2049, Earth faces a dire environmental crisis and the threat of alien invaders. Kenki Sawai, a pilot for the United Nations Science Guard, merges with the Ultra Star to become Ultraman. He battles monstrous creatures and alien forces, while also leading the charge to find solutions for humanity's ecological problems. The series follows his fight for survival and his quest to restore balance to the planet.
Critical Reception
Ultraman: Towards the Future, also known as Ultraman G-Close, was a co-production between Tsuburaya Productions and Southern Star Entertainment. It was praised for its ambitious environmental themes and its blend of classic Ultraman action with a more mature storyline. While some critics noted the limitations of its budget compared to earlier Ultraman series, the series was generally well-received for its visual effects and its positive message.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its environmental message and updated storytelling.
- Appreciated for its blend of classic Ultraman action with a more serious tone.
- Some noted budget constraints affecting visual scope.
Google audience: Audience reception is not widely documented through Google reviews, but general fan sentiment often highlights the series' progressive environmental themes and its solid action sequences, despite budget limitations.
Fun Fact
This series was the first live-action Ultraman production to be filmed entirely outside of Japan, with principal photography taking place in Australia.
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