Sixteen years ago, kaiju attacks began happening simultaneously around the world in an event known as "K-Day". Since then, the GDF (Global Defense Force) has responded to these kaiju attacks with force, working alongside SKIP (Scientific Kaiju Investigation and Prevention center) - a national research and development agency that specialises in developing predictive, preventive, and responsive measures to kaiju disasters. After previously losing his parents during a K-Day attack, Yume Hize now works as an investigator and biologist for SKIP's Hoshimoto City branch. There he works alongside his colleagues Horoshi Ban, Rin Natsume, support robot YouPi as well as their newest member, GDF Space Science Division special investigator Shu Ishido.
When another kaiju attack threatens Hoshimoto City, Yuma is desperate to help those in need. At that point a mysterious being of light appears to him, calling out for Yuma to unleash his imagination. Using the being's power to become Ultraman Arc, Yuma defends Hoshimoto City as discovers why Arc takes the form of the ultimate hero he imagined as a child, as well as his previous encounter with the giant sixteen years ago and why he has arrived on Earth.
After several years of the franchise grasping desperately on to continuity through the use of gimmick items, legacy characters and even "remake" series, it now feels like Ultraman has fully embraced the idea of treating new series as their own entities. Yet while Ultraman Arc may take this same stance as Ultraman Blazar had before it, the approach to this both series have taken couldn't be more different. Whereas Blazar felt like a back to basics series that played up the science fiction element and attempted to restore some mystery to the character, Arc on the other hand is a series rich in its own newly created and original lore - emphasising some of the more fantastical qualities as well as Ultraman's alien origins. In some ways they're two sides of the same coin - representing different ways of revitalising a franchise without stripping away its foundations. These are something that Arc actually holds very close to its heart, harkening back to the Showa era with its character designs and certain visuals cues. And although the more serialised elements are a slightly more later development within the franchise, Arc retains the Ultra Series penchant for fantastic episodic storytelling with tales like "To My Distant Friend", "Message/You Are Givas" or "The Man in the White Mask" - all of which utilise some brilliant sci-fi concepts.
However that isn't to say Ultraman Arc completely discards the legacy element the franchise its built itself upon. There are still plenty of appearances from classic Ultra kaiju, many of which have been cleverly reimagined for the series. One of the best examples of this is the episode "Internet Kanegon", which updates the infamous coin kaiju (who dates all the way back to the original Ultra Q) into an AI internet idol who serves as the mascot of a contactless payment service. This update alone is nothing short of inspired, but the amount of fun it brings with it makes the episode a particular standout amongst an already impressive repertoire. Meanwhile "The Dream Bird" pays homage to the film Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Dyna & Ultraman Gaia: The Decisive Battle in Hyperspace, adapting elements of its plot around the (highly relatable) struggles of an aspiring science fiction author. Perhaps more significantly though Ultraman Arc features a multi-part crossover story with Ultraman Blazar, the handling of which is quite unlike anything the franchise has done previously. While the crossover begins with the reappearance of the space samurai Zangill, references to his previous adventure with Blazer remain relatively vague so not to alienate anyone joining the franchise with Arc. This is only further emphasised as Yuma crosses over into Blazar's world, revealing itself to be more of a parallel universe story rather than a proper meeting of the two shows casts. Naturally both Blazar and Earth Garon make an appearance, but other the SKaRD team themselves are surprisingly absent. Though this may seem disappointing to those looking to see the two casts interact (particularly as the traditional movie crossovers have become a lot less prevalent in recent years), the approach offers a more unique take on the crossover format - bringing in elements of Blazar but keeping the emphasis squarely on Arc and its cast. Though certainly not a method that should be implemented with every crossover going forward, it's another example of how Arc welcomes newcomers whilst keeping established viewers on their toes.
One of the advantages of a more vocal Ultra is also the opportunity to create a richer bond with their host, something of which Yuma definitely benefits from. As a younger protagonist with a headstrong personality he may be cut from the same cloth as many of the other New Generation Ultra hosts, but meeting first him as an already experienced member of SKIP makes for a slightly more confident character. His backstory is particularly well done too, building his heroism on tragedy and tying him to Arc in a way that riffs on the classic Ultraman setup but not following it to the letter. His position in the team as an investigator and biologist also means that his two halves don't feel too at odds with each other, allowing him to better assist in SKIP's role in the story before running off to save the day as Arc. But his strongest asset of all is of course the power of his imagination, born from a child's ideals and together with Arc allowing him to shape the future. Having Arc (or to go by his true name, Rution) by his side as proactive character really makes a huge difference - not just when it comes to explaining backstory but simply believing in them as partners as well.
Another core aspect of Ultraman that Arc succeeds in is its supporting characters, as well as the placement of SKIP as a whole. After several years of dealing with larger defence teams that get actively involved in combat, SKIP are a welcome return to a smaller more science-based organisation. An issue with combat-orientated defence teams that's become more prevalent in recent years (particularly with those that also use giant robots) is that rarely do they save the day without Ultraman's assistance, but with an organisation like SKIP they can remain actively involved in storylines without the presence of Ultraman overshadowing them. And this is exactly what SKIP does, with their work instead mostly revolving around kaiju research, preventative measures and handling evacuation. A smaller team also means more time spent with its members, getting a good sense of their personalities and dynamic through their work as a team as well as the obligatory character-focus episodes. Branch chief Hoshimoto (played by tokusatsu alumni Koichiro Nishi, best known as Ryuga Hakua/Aba Red in Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger) is an enthusiastic leader unafraid to make bold decisions, with a passion for geology and unwavering love for his family. Genius programmer Rin is cheerful and supportive to her colleagues, her personality emphasising the family-like dynamic they have. Even support robot YouPi feels just as important a member, actively participating in missions both as an aerial reconnaissance drone with its detachable You-bot head and ground-based tasks with the multi-purpose Pi-body. While their relationships are already established by the beginning of Arc, Shu on the other hand joins as its newest member – his meticulous and more straight-laced nature striking a contrast between how the GDF and SKIP operate (even if his passion for good coffee reveals him to be just as goofy). Although on occasion this leads to clashes with his colleagues, working alongside SKIP sees Shu reflect on his attitude and preconceptions and the bond he develops with Yuma becomes a key element of the series.
Creating a whole new mythos for its hero also brings new villains to challenge him, and together with the usual mix of brand new kaiju and legacy monsters Ultraman Arc also fights back against those of his own race as well. While the threat of the Dark Space Lord Ze Su is largely left to backstory, the series does find a similarly great villain in his lieutenant Sweed. Through Sweed's conflict with Arc/Rution we discover how all the various pieces of the plot fit together, as the two sides debate the ethics of whether the destruction of one planet is justified to save an entire galaxy. Though the context may be different and overall Arc is perhaps more overt in portraying both Ze Su and Sweed as villains, the conflict itself as well as Rution's protection of the Earth to the ire of his own race has similar shades to Lipiah's conflict with Zōffy in Shin Ultraman - though unlike Lipiah he is not alone in his ideals. Though Sweed's appearances may only make up a handful of Arc's run her impact is immediately felt as it brings the main story threads to the forefront. And although the series does reach a satisfying conclusion, it's also clever enough to keep back some resolution in case these characters ever have the opportunity to be explored again. And when it comes to Ultraman, those odds are never zero.
The new kaiju Ultraman Arc brings to the franchise are similarly strong, and much like the titular hero himself feel very Showa-inspired in their design and approach. Highlights include the armoured shell kaiju Shagong (the first monster we see Arc face off against), as well as the giant Cetacean beast Livyjira, the scorching kaiju Homger. There are even more overt tributes to classic Ultraman monsters, with Arc getting his own Zetton-like foe early on in the series through the multi-horned Gelos trio. And although Arc may not have a recurring robotic ally the same way several of the more recent instalments have, Tsuburaya continue their strong streak with the mechanical colossus Givas. Not only does each and every one feels like it has the potential to go on to become a franchise regular, but their softer more classic-styled aesthetics also make some of them feel like they've been part of the Ultra Series roster since the very beginning.
And though at this point it almost goes without saying that Tsuburaya Productions' detailed craftsmanship when it comes to their suits and miniatures makes this an incredible series to behold visually, what really makes Ultraman Arc stand out from its peers is the imagination its creators bring to both the fight scenes as well as Arc's powers as a whole. Moments like Arc being able to break down his barrier shield into shards that can then be used as melee weapons or giving him armour that sacrifices his flight for increased power might seem small within a franchise that's spanned nearly 60 years, but it's exactly that kind of playing around with established tropes and conventions that makes Arc feel both fresh and familiar. That core mantra of unleashing your imagination feels ever-present in both the narrative and production, resulting in Arc featuring some of the most spectacular fight sequences the mainline series have seen for some time. Even though some of its cleverer moments debut early on these fights still manage to up the ante throughout the series, culminating in a world-spanning final showdown with Sweed that fully embraces the rule of cool. Ultraman series rarely disappoint when it comes to visuals, but Arc feels particularly special in that regard.
The switch from conventional form changes to armour upgrades is another clever move by the series, keeping that mandated toy advertisement element that comes standard with any tokusatsu Bandai have a hand in without making Arc feel too toyetic. While Arc's handling of its forms might be a little more obvious than the far more reserved approach seen in Blazar, it arguably feels a lot more natural thanks to the way it is ingrained into both the story and character. Once again it makes full use of the imagination aspect, the forms being an extension of what child Yuma saw as the "strongest hero" - the childlike drawings they are derived from no doubt resonating with older audience members just as much as they would children. Each armour is unique feels unique and more importantly don't ever detract from the base Arc suit. From a production perspective it's another example of Tsuburaya taking the act of simply trying to save money and using it to the show's advantage - taking those funds to instead create new kaiju just as they had done with Blazar. Even the role-play items don't feel too gimmicky, their simplicity allowing for smooth transformations and demonstrations that don't pull you out of the action. It's no easy feat given how essential this element has become to franchise tokusatsu, but in these last couple of years Ultraman has managed to strike up the perfect balance.
Ultraman Arc is a series that takes full control of its themes to create a series that's imaginative in a way that pays tribute to the format and conventions of classic Ultraman whilst also revitalising it for a whole new generation. Through its engaging characters and creation of a whole new mythos for its titular hero, Arc follows in the footsteps of Blazar in being another perfect introductory series for new fans - completely free from decades of continuity but not losing any of the masterful storytelling that's helped make this franchise so beloved. Whereas there might be other moments in 2024 that have made a bigger impact for the franchise as a whole, Ultraman Arc is simply one of its best entries in years - making the trajectory it seems to be heading in all the more exhilarating.
2 comments:
Arc was such an absolutely special Ultraman. It felt so fresh in the current era of whats relatively standarized Ultraman, deciding to go back on old tones with new ideas and unique ways of tackling it, and providing some of the best one-off episodes I've seen in years. I'll really miss this one.
Recently finished Arc, and I'll have to say that it's a series with VERY high highs that unfortunately spends most of the time being kinda middling.
I *love* Arc/Rution, easily my favorite Ultraman since Z, every fight scene he's involved in is genuinely delightful. For an Ultraman with limited movepool (roughly around 7 total attacks without his armors which already counts his barrier and sword attacks), they really cranked up the choreography and creativity to make an Ultraman whose fighting style genuinely feels unique. And to add to his awesome fights, you get his interactions with Yuma which told a really compelling almost parent-child relationship between the 2.
Another aspect they did really well was Yuma, despite sometimes coming off as rather dry and dull, the flashes of characterization we gave enough meat to latch onto him. I really like that for most of the show, Yuma's reason for fighting as Arc is grief for his parents and the want to prevent others from feeling said grief like him, as opposed to the usual "wants to protect everyone" Ultraman hosts tend to be which made him stand out to me.
That being said though, the show spends most of the time almost wasting (though that wording might be a bit harsh) the time it was given. Some episodes that explores the SKIP members I feel like tends to end up a bit undercooked (such as ep. 9 with Rin and the Neronga-Pagos duo) and consequently the characters never really grew past their initial characterization and archetype (Rin is the kinda sassy tech girl, Ban is the somewhat dorky experienced leader, You-Pi is the excitable mascot) with the exception of Shu.
Not only that, Arc in my opinion suffers greatly for not leaning hard enough on either the episodic or serialized format. Because the plot of the Ze Su Gate/Cult introduced in the episode 14-15 two parter is genuinely engaging and has the skeleton of a really interesting main conflict that SCREAMS urgency only for it to be pretty much forgotten and put on the back-burner until the last 3 episodes. On the flip side, episodes that could have fleshed out the SKIP crew was unfortunately spent for a 4-episode Blazar crossover which while pretty decent, leads to the extremely underwhelming Hellnarak (both as a monster and as a fight--twice). I felt like had they either introduced the Ze Su Gate/Cult earlier, or integrate them more to the story, or cut down the Blazar crossover by an episode or two and add more episodes focusing on the side characters, the show would feel less uneven and much more satisfying to watch.
That being said, I didn't hate it, or even dislike it. I like Arc, and sometimes I LOVE Arc. When it truly gets its stride, Arc can produce genuine all-timers due to how committed the show is towards "Imagination" (episodes 10 and 22 is far and away the best episodes of the show, and arguably some of the best in the Reiwa Era). So unfortunately, Ultraman Arc to me is a good show which I am really sad I can't call a great show.
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