Ultraman Tiga

Japanese TV drama
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  • Hiroshi Nagano
  • Takami Yoshimoto
  • Akitoshi Ohtaki
  • Shigeki Kagemaru
  • Yukio Masuda
  • Yoichi Furuya
  • Mio Takaki
Narrated byIssei FutamataOpening themeTake Me Higher by V6
Larger Than LifeEnding themeBrave Love, Tiga by 地球防衛団 (the Earth Defense Force)ComposerTatsumi YanoCountry of originJapanOriginal languageJapaneseNo. of episodes52ProductionRunning time30 minutesOriginal releaseNetworkTBS, MBSReleaseSeptember 7, 1996 (1996-09-07) –
August 30, 1997 (1997-08-30)Related
  • Ultraman Zearth
  • Ultraman Dyna

Ultraman Tiga (ウルトラマンティガ, Urutoraman Tiga) is a Japanese tokusatsu TV drama and the twelfth show in the Ultra Series. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, Ultraman Tiga had aired at 6:00 pm and aired between September 7, 1996, to August 30, 1997, with a total of 52 episodes with five movies (three being crossovers, two being direct sequels to the series as well as a comic book series).

It was broadcast after a franchise hiatus of over 15 years, set in a universe different from all previous series and updated with a new look and feel. Tiga is the first Ultraman with multiple combat modes and non-red colors. It is one of the most popular entries in the Ultra Series. Because of Tiga's popularity, he had more exposure on TV and movies than any other Heisei Ultraman. Ultraman Tiga was also dubbed in English by 4Kids Entertainment and broadcast in the United States as part of the FoxBox programming block on Fox Broadcasting Company affiliates, making it the fourth Ultra Series to air in the United States after Ultraman, Ultra Seven and Ultraman: Towards the Future. A modern retelling of the drama titled Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga was released on July 10, 2021, as a commemoration for the drama's 25th anniversary.

Plot

Ultraman Tiga facing his final opponent in the series, Gatanothor.

Set in an alternate universe in the year 2007-2010 (2049 in the U.S. dub), giant monsters and conquering aliens start to appear, as was foretold by an apocalyptic prophecy about uncontrollable chaos over the Earth. Facing the threat, the TPC (Terrestrial Peaceable Consortium) is created along with its branch, GUTS (Global Unlimited Task Squad). Through a holographic message in a capsule found by researchers, the GUTS gets knowledge about a golden pyramid built by an ancient civilization. At the site, three statues of a race of giants who defended early human civilization on Earth about 30,000,000 years ago have been unearthed. GUTS finds the three ancient statues, but two of them are destroyed by the monsters Golza and Melba. The third one gains life from the spiritual energy of officer Daigo, a descendant of the ancient race. Daigo and the remaining statue merge into a single being, made of light. Shortly after defeating the two monsters, Daigo is revealed by the hologram of the prophecy that 30 million years in the past, a great evil that not even the giants could stop, destroyed the ancient civilization. Ultraman Tiga is a hero who protects the Earth. He accompanied the children throughout their childhood.

The same evil reappears in the finale of the series, the Ruler of Darkness Gatanothor, and his servants, Gijera and Zeiger. Gatanothor defeats Ultraman Tiga with ease, withstanding the Delcalium Light Stream and a modified version of the Zeperion Ray, both Tiga finishes and turns him back into a stone statue, but the light of humanity can turn him into Glitter Tiga, giving him the power to defeat Gatanothor and save the Earth. However, Tiga's victory came at a cost. Daigo was no longer able to become Tiga after the Sparklence disintegrated into dust after his final battle. It is revealed that Tiga, although no longer bound to Daigo, and its energy now remains in the hearts of all those who believe in Tiga, inner strength, and justice. Given the right conditions such as times of despair, the sparks will gather and the Tiga statue will be revitalized.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Inheritance of Light" ("The Prophecy")
Transliteration: "Hikari o Tsugu Mono" (Japanese: 光を継ぐもの)		Shingo MatsubaraMasakazu MigitaSeptember 7, 1996 (1996-09-07)
2"Legend of the Stone" ("Monster in the Mine")
Transliteration: "Ishii no Shinwa" (Japanese: 石の神話)		Shingo MatsubaraMasakazu MigitaSeptember 14, 1996 (1996-09-14)
3"The Devil’s Prophecy" ("The False Prophet")
Transliteration: "Akuma no Yogen" (Japanese: 悪魔の預言)		Hirochika MuraishiChiaki J. KonakaSeptember 21, 1996 (1996-09-21)
4"Goodbye, Planet Earth" ("Spark of Evil")
Transliteration: "Sa.Yo.Na.Ra Chikyū" (Japanese: サ・ヨ・ナ・ラ地球)		Hirochika MuraishiHidenori MiyazawaSeptember 28, 1996 (1996-09-28)
5"The Day When the Monster Appeared" ("Munakata’s Monster")
Transliteration: "Kaijū ga Detekita Hi" (Japanese: 怪獣が出てきた日)		Kyōta KawasakiChiaki J. KonakaOctober 5, 1996 (1996-10-05)
6"Second Contact" ("The Dark Cloud")
Transliteration: "Sekando Kontakuto" (Japanese: セカンド・コンタクト)		Kyōta KawasakiChiaki J. KonakaOctober 12, 1996 (1996-10-12)
7"The Man Who Came Down to Earth" ("Alien Invasion")
Transliteration: "Chikyū ni Oritekita Otoko" (Japanese: 地球に降りてきた男)		Yasushi OkadaHidenori MiyazawaOctober 19, 1996 (1996-10-19)
8"On the Night of Halloween" ("All Hallows Eve")
Transliteration: "Harowin no Yoru ni" (Japanese: ハロウィンの夜に)		Yasushi OkadaMasakazu MigitaOctober 26, 1996 (1996-10-26)
9"The Girl Who Waits for the Monster" ("Stranded")
Transliteration: "Kaijū o Matsu Shōjo" (Japanese: 怪獣を待つ少女)		Shingo MatsubaraChiaki J. KonakaNovember 2, 1996 (1996-11-02)
10"The Abandoned Amusement Park" ("Afraid of the Park")
Transliteration: "Tozasareta Yūenchi" (Japanese: 閉ざされた遊園地)		Shingo MatsubaraHideyuki KawakamiNovember 9, 1996 (1996-11-09)
11"Requiem to the Darkness" ("Friend or Foe?")
Transliteration: "Yami e no Rekuiemu" (Japanese: 闇へのレクイエム)		Shinichi KamisawaJunki TakegamiNovember 16, 1996 (1996-11-16)
12"S.O.S from the Bottom of the Sea" ("Mutant from the Sea")
Transliteration: "Shinkai kara no SOS" (Japanese: 深海からのSOS)		Shinichi KamisawaNobuhisa KodamaNovember 23, 1996 (1996-11-23)
13"Human Collection" ("Attack of the Crow-Men")
Transliteration: "Ningen Saishū" (Japanese: 人間採集)		Hirochika MuraishiMinoru Kawasaki & Hirochika MuraishiNovember 30, 1996 (1996-11-30)
14"The Unleashed Target" ("Nowhere to Hide")
Transliteration: "Hanatareta Hyōteki" (Japanese: 放たれた標的)		Hirochika MuraishiKazuyoshi Nakazaki & Hirochika MuraishiDecember 7, 1996 (1996-12-07)
15"Phantom Dash" ("Revenge of Gazoto")
Transliteration: "Maboroshi no Shissō" (Japanese: 幻の疾走)		Kyōta KawasakiJunki TakegamiDecember 14, 1996 (1996-12-14)
16"The Revived Demon" ("The Monster Slayer Returns")
Transliteration: "Yomigaeru Kishin" (Japanese: よみがえる鬼神)		Kyōta KawasakiHideyuki KawakamiDecember 21, 1996 (1996-12-21)
17"The Battle Between Red and Blue" ("Dark vs Light")
Transliteration: "Aka to Ao no Tatakai" (Japanese: 赤と青の戦い)		Tōdō FuyukiHidenori Miyazawa & Shinichi KamisawaDecember 28, 1996 (1996-12-28)
18"Golza Strikes Back!" ("Golza is Back!")
Transliteration: "Goruza no Gyakushū" (Japanese: ゴルザの逆襲)		Tōdō FuyukiMasakazu MigitaJanuary 4, 1997 (1997-01-04)
19"GUTS Into Space (Part 1)" ("The Power of Light (Part 1)")
Transliteration: "Gattsu yo Sora e (Zenpen)" (Japanese: GUTSよ宙（そら）へ 前編)		Hirochika MuraishiChiaki J. KonakaJanuary 11, 1997 (1997-01-11)
20"GUTS Into Space (Part 2)" ("The Power of Light (Part 2)")
Transliteration: "Gattsu yo Sora e (Kōhen)" (Japanese: GUTSよ宙（そら）へ 後編)		Hirochika MuraishiChiaki J. KonakaJanuary 18, 1997 (1997-01-18)
21"Deban’s Turn!" ("The Show Must Go On!")
Transliteration: "Deban da Deban" (Japanese: 出番だデバン!)		Tsugumi KitauraAi ŌtaJanuary 25, 1997 (1997-01-25)
22"The Fog is Coming" ("The Fog")
Transliteration: "Kiri ga Kuru" (Japanese: 霧が来る)		Tsugumi KitauraKeiichi HasegawaFebruary 1, 1997 (1997-02-01)
23"Planet of the Dinosaurs" ("Prehistoric Danger")
Transliteration: "Kyoryū-tachi no Hoshi" (Japanese: 恐竜たちの星)		Yasushi OkadaJunki TakegamiFebruary 8, 1997 (1997-02-08)
24"Go! Monster Expedition Squad" ("Toxic Terror")
Transliteration: "Ike! Kaijyū Tankentai" (Japanese: 行け! 怪獣探検隊)		Yasushi OkadaYasushi HiranoFebruary 15, 1997 (1997-02-15)
25"The Devil’s Judgement"
Transliteration: "Akuma no Shinpan" (Japanese: 悪魔の審判)		Hirochika MuraishiChiaki J. KonakaFebruary 22, 1997 (1997-02-22)
26"The Mysterical Monsterland"
Transliteration: "Niji no Kaijū Makyō" (Japanese: 虹の怪獣魔境)		Hirochika MuraishiMasakazu MigitaMarch 1, 1997 (1997-03-01)
27"I Saw Obiko!"
Transliteration: "Obiko o Mita!" (Japanese: オビコを見た!)		Kyōta KawasakiAi ŌtaMarch 8, 1997 (1997-03-08)
28"One Vanishing Moment"
Transliteration: "Utakata no..." (Japanese: うたかたの…)		Kyōta KawasakiKyōta KawasakiMarch 15, 1997 (1997-03-15)
29"A Whiter Shade of Pale"
Transliteration: "Aoi Yoru no Kioku" (Japanese: 青い夜の記憶)		Masaki HaradaKeiichi HasegawaMarch 22, 1997 (1997-03-22)
30"The Monster Zoo"
Transliteration: "Kaijū Doōbutsuen" (Japanese: 怪獣動物園)		Masaki HaradaKazunori SaitoMarch 29, 1997 (1997-03-29)
31"GUTS Base Under Attack"
Transliteration: "Osowareta Gattsu Kichi" (Japanese: 襲われたGUTS基地)		Tsugumi KitauraHideyuki KawakamiApril 5, 1997 (1997-04-05)
32"The Battle of Zelda Point"
Transliteration: "Zeruda Pointo no Kōbō" (Japanese: ゼルダポイントの攻防)		Tsugumi KitauraAi ŌtaApril 12, 1997 (1997-04-12)
33"Vampire City"
Transliteration: "Kyūketsu Toshi" (Japanese: 吸血都市)		Hirochika MuraishiKeiichi HasegawaApril 19, 1997 (1997-04-19)
34"To The Farthest South"
Transliteration: "Minami no Hate Made" (Japanese: 南の涯てまで)		Hirochika MuraishiChiaki J. KonakaApril 26, 1997 (1997-04-26)
35"Sleeping Beauty"
Transliteration: "Nemuri no Otome" (Japanese: 眠りの乙女)		Teruyoshi IshiiChiaki J. KonakaMay 3, 1997 (1997-05-03)
36"The Smile Across Space and Time"
Transliteration: "Toki o Koeta Hohoemi" (Japanese: 時空をこえた微笑)		Teruyoshi IshiiMasakazu Migita & Keiichi HasegawaMay 10, 1997 (1997-05-10)
37"Flower"
Transliteration: "Hana" (Japanese: 花)		Akio JissojiAkio SatsukawaMay 17, 1997 (1997-05-17)
38"The Mirage Monster"
Transliteration: "Shinkirō no Kaijū" (Japanese: 蜃気楼の怪獣)		Kyōta KawasakiShinsuke OnishiMay 24, 1997 (1997-05-24)
39"Dear Mr. Ultraman"
Transliteration: "Haikei Urutoraman-sama" (Japanese: 拝啓ウルトラマン様)		Kyōta KawasakiKeiichi HasegawaMay 31, 1997 (1997-05-31)
40"Dream"
Transliteration: "Yume" (Japanese: 夢)		Akio JissojiAkio SatsukawaJune 7, 1997 (1997-06-07)
41"A Friend from Space"
Transliteration: "Uchū kara no Tomo" (Japanese: 宇宙からの友)		Tsugumi KitauraAi ŌtaJune 14, 1997 (1997-06-14)
42"The City Where the Girl Disappeared"
Transliteration: "Shōjo ga Kieta Machi" (Japanese: 少女が消えた街)		Tsugumi KitauraKeiichi HasegawaJune 21, 1997 (1997-06-21)
43"The Land Shark"
Transliteration: "Chi no Same" (Japanese: 地の鮫)		Hirochika MuraishiChiaki J. KonakaJune 28, 1997 (1997-06-28)
44"Inheritance of Shadow"
Transliteration: "Kage o Tsugu Mono" (Japanese: 影を継ぐもの)		Hirochika MuraishiChiaki J. KonakaJuly 5, 1997 (1997-07-05)
45"Eternal Life"
Transliteration: "Eien no Inochi" (Japanese: 永遠の命)		Shingo MatsubaraMasakazu MigitaJuly 12, 1997 (1997-07-12)
46"Let’s Go to Kamakura"
Transliteration: "Iza Kamakura!" (Japanese: いざ鎌倉!)		Shingo MatsubaraMasakazu MigitaJuly 19, 1997 (1997-07-19)
47"Goodbye to Darkness"
Transliteration: "Yami ni Sayōnara" (Japanese: 闇にさようなら)		Teruyoshi IshiiKeiichi HasegawaJuly 26, 1997 (1997-07-26)
48"Fugitive from the Moon"
Transliteration: "Tsuki kara no Tōbōsha" (Japanese: 月からの逃亡者)		Teruyoshi IshiiMasakazu MigitaAugust 2, 1997 (1997-08-02)
49"Star of Ultra"
Transliteration: "Urutora no Hoshi" (Japanese: ウルトラの星)		Masaki Harada & Kazuho MitsutaShōzō UeharaAugust 9, 1997 (1997-08-09)
50"Take Me Higher!"
Transliteration: "Motto Takaku!~Teiku Mī Haiyā~" (Japanese: もっと高く!～Take Me Higher!～)		Masaki HaradaChiaki J. KonakaAugust 16, 1997 (1997-08-16)
51"Ruler of Darkness"
Transliteration: "Ankoku no Shihaisha" (Japanese: 暗黒の支配者)		Hirochika MuraishiChiaki J. Konaka, Keiichi Hasegawa & Masakazu MigitaAugust 23, 1997 (1997-08-23)
52"To The Shining Ones"
Transliteration: "Kagayakeru Mono-tachi e" (Japanese: 輝けるものたちへ)		Hirochika MuraishiChiaki J. Konaka, Keiichi Hasegawa & Masakazu MigitaAugust 30, 1997 (1997-08-30)

Films

Other appearances

Cast

Guest cast

English dub

An English dub of the series was produced by 4Kids Entertainment and recorded by their in-house dubbing studio, 4Kids Productions. The dub aired on the Fox Box, which was formerly the Fox Kids Children's block on Fox in the United States. The first episode premiered on September 14, 2002.

4Kids' adaptation served as a parody of the original Ultraman series' English adaptation produced by Peter Fernandez and, as such, made some significant changes. Such changes include producing a new theme song and soundtrack that replaced the originals. Storylines were altered to comply with Fox's Standards and Practices division and accommodate commercial breaks and broadcasting scheduling. Each episode was one or two minutes shorter than its Japanese counterpart. The dub included tongue-in-cheek dialogue, which changed the personalities for some characters such as Captain Iruma, who was changed from a smart, level-headed individual to an airhead. Additionally, Captain Iruma was referred to as a "sir" instead of a "ma'am".

Some monsters were given new sound effects, and the transformation sequence was altered altogether, showcasing all of Tiga's forms and emphasizing the change from Daigo to Tiga. Tiga's "Multi, Power, and Sky Types" are changed into "Omni, Power, and Speed Modes," respectively. The Sparklence was renamed the "Torch of Tiga", although the Region 1 DVD Release refers to it as the "Spark Lance" for the first DVD but afterwards, the translation becomes "Sparklence. His light techniques were called "Luminizers", and the Color Timer is referred to as the "Biotic Sensor."

Ultraman Tiga was removed from the FoxBox lineup on March 15, 2003, due to low ratings, with only 24 episodes of the 52-episode series having aired. 4Kids initially planned to relaunch the show in September, but decided to release the Japanese episodes on DVD instead. As a result, their dub is only viewable through recordings of the original broadcasts. Erica Schroeder (who voiced Rena) claimed that part of the reason for Ultraman Tiga's limited success in the U.S. was due to 4Kids' indecision whether to satirize the show or make it serious.

English voice cast

Remake

A modern retelling of the series titled Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga (ウルトラマントリガー NEW GENERATION TIGA, Urutoraman Torigā Nyū Jenerēshon Tiga) was released in TV Tokyo from July 10, 2021, to January 22, 2022, as a commemoration for the 25th anniversary of the series.[1][2] Actors Raiga Terasaka, Yuna Toyoda, Shunya Kaneko, Meiku Harakawa, Katsuya Takagi, Kei Hosogai and Shin Takuma portrayed as Kengo Manaka (Ultraman Trigger), Yuna Shizuma, Akito Hijiri, Tesshin Sakuma, Himari Nanase, Seiya Tatsumi, Ignis (Trigger Dark) and Mitsukuni Shizuma respectively, while M・A・O and Sumire Uesaka voiced Marluru and Carmeara respectively.[3][4] The series was directed by Koichi Sakamoto as a main director, and was followed by Ultraman Decker on July 9, 2022.

Songs

Opening theme
Ending Theme
Insert song

Post–release

Adaptations

Dark Horse Comics published a manga-style series based on Ultraman Tiga in 2003–2004.[5]

China ban

In September 2021, the series was removed from online streaming platforms in China. The removal triggered outcry from Chinese fans, trended on Sina Weibo, and began a hashtag which was viewed 84 million times. Global Times deduced that the series was banned due to "violent plots" that featured fight scenes and explosions.[6] However, the show returned to all major Chinese streaming video websites on September 27 of that same year but in an edited version.

Home media

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 TV episodes and 20 films) acquired by Mill Creek the previous year. Ultraman Tiga, amongst other titles, will stream in the United States and Canada through Shout! Factory TV and Tokushoutsu.[7] Mill Creek's DVD release of Ultraman Tiga is set for October 19, 2021.

References

  1. ^ "New TV Series "ULTRAMAN TRIGGER: NEW GENERATION TIGA" Starts Broadcasting in Japan Every Saturday 9 AM, from July 10th, 2021! | Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd". Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd - ULTRAMAN Series. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  2. ^ Ltd, TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Co (2021-04-15). "新テレビシリーズ『ウルトラマントリガー NEW GENERATION TIGA』テレビ東京系 2021年7月10日(土)あさ9時放送スタート！". 円谷ステーション – ウルトラマン、円谷プロ公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  3. ^ "ULTRAMAN TRIGGER New Poster Revealed! M・A・O, Sumire Uesaka & More to Voice New Characters Premieres on July 10, 2021 | Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd". Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd - ULTRAMAN Series. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  4. ^ Ltd, TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Co (2021-06-10). "新TVシリーズ『ウルトラマントリガー』 オンライン発表会にキャスト集結！ 新キャラやM・A・Oさん、上坂すみれさんほか声優陣も発表！". 円谷ステーション – ウルトラマン、円谷プロ公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  5. ^ Dark Horse Launches Ultraman Tiga Comic
  6. ^ Yeung, Jessie (September 28, 2021). "Cartoons and children's shows are next on the chopping block in China's entertainment crackdown". CNN. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  7. ^ Patrick Frater (July 10, 2020). "Shout! Factory Strikes 'Ultraman' Digital Distribution Deal With Mill Creek". Variety. Archived from the original on December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.

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