Ultraman Nexus
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| Ultraman Nexus | |
|---|---|
 English Sales Flyer |
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| Format | Tokusatsu |
| Created by | Tsuburaya Productions |
| Written by | Keiichi Hasegawa Kenichi Araki Masanao Akahoshi Murai Sadayuki Ai Ota |
| Directed by | Kazuya Konaka Miki Nemoto Tsugumi Kitaura Yuichi Abe Takeshi Yagi Naoki Ohara |
| Starring | Takuji Kawakubo Yusuke Kirishima Masato Uchiyama Yasue Sato Tamotsu Ishibashi Kousei Kato Keiko Goto |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Language(s) | Japanese |
| No. of episodes | 37 (plus two DVD specials) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Takeshi Okazaki Hiroyasu Shibuya Tahei Yamanishi Tsuburaya Productions |
| Running time | Approx. 24 mins per episode |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting |
| Original run | October 2, 2004 – June 25, 2005 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Ultraman (2004 film) |
| Followed by | Ultraman Max |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
Ultraman Nexus (ウルトラマンネクサス Urutoraman Nekusasu?) was produced by Tsuburaya Productions and Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting. It was the 18th entry in the Ultra Series, and the 14th Tsuburaya-produced Ultraman show. The series aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System, including TBS, CBC, MBS, etc. The show ran from October 2, 2004 until June 25, 2005, with a total of 37 broadcast episodes. Subsequent DVD releases from Bandai Visual saw a brand new 45-minute Episode EX and an extended 45-minute Directors Cut of Episode 29.
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[edit] History
Ultraman Nexus was part of Tsuburaya Productions' Ultra N Project, an experiment in 2004 to re-invent Ultraman for a new generation of fans. Prior to this however, Tsuburaya had begun a project called Ultra Collaboration 2 at the end of 2003, which involved a brand new radio-adaptation of Ultra Q called The Ultra Q Club. The project was also due to include a new TV series called Ultraman Noa in early 2004, which is presumably what Ultraman Nexus evolved into.[original research?] Following the success of the new radio show, Tsuburaya forged ahead with a brand new television series Ultra Q: Dark Fantasy on April 6, 2004, a show which attracted top-rung directors such as Shusuke Kaneko (popular with fans for his work on the Gamera series and Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack).
The first stage of the Ultra N Project was entitled Noa: Nostalgia. The project mascot, Ultraman Noa, was a rather radical change design - an all-silver Ultraman with protruding wings on its back. Ultraman Noa was mainly used for live stage shows and merchandising. The second stage of the project was Next: Evolution. This saw the creation of a new theatrical film, ULTRAMAN. The final stage was Nexus: Trinity - the piece that ties the entire project together. A radical change from the prior Ultraman Cosmos series, which was strictly aimed at young children, Ultraman Nexus was the first Ultraman TV series specifically aimed at adults. The traditional monster-of-the-week stories were replaced with longer character-based story arcs. Tsuburaya Productions had intended the show to be run during primetime, but the CBC network gave the show a 7:30 AM Saturday morning slot. The TV series received weak ratings which were attributed to the change in style and not being able to have the target demographic tune in, resulting in the series being cut short from around 50 episodes down to 37.
Three months after the finished it's initial run it was re-run in a new time slot. This time the show aired at 2:30 AM on Tuesday mornings and the ratings met the expectations that were set for the Ultra N Project. Following the ULTRAMAN movie, Tsuburaya ran a teaser trailer for Ultraman 2 Requiem. Due to the performance of Ultraman Nexus the film was cancelled, and Tsuburaya moved ahead with a theatrical version of the then-current television series, Ultraman Mebius.
[edit] Story
Earth is in a secret war against the mysterious Space Beasts, unknown organisms which feed on human beings. TLT, a top-secret international defense organization, was humanity's last hope against the Space Beasts. The story revolves around, and is generally narrated by Komon Kazuki, a new recruit to the TLT's battle team, Night Raiders. On his way to the TLT Headquarters, Komon is attacked by a Space Beast. Luckily, he is saved by a mysterious giant known as Ultraman Nexus. As Komon steps deeper into the true reality unknown to other people, mysteries surrounding the Ultraman and his mysterious foes is revealed. Humanity's final fate will be determined by the bond of Light, Nexus.
[edit] Characters
[edit] TLT (Terrestrial Liberation Trust)
The Terrestrial Liberation Trust (地球解放機構 Chikyū Kaihō Kikō?) or TLT (ティルト Tiruto?) is a clandestine global, non-government organization set up to investigate, research and defeat the “SPACE BEAST” threat. Japan’s TLT (TLT-J) branch is hidden under a hydroelectric dam found in the mountainous Kanto region (eastern Japan). The main teams of TLT are Night Raider, Memory Police (who erase the memories of civilians involved in any Night Raider missions or witnessing any Space Beast attacks) and White Sweeper, who are involved in clean-up.
[edit] Night Raider
Night Raider (ナイトレイダー Naito Reidā?) is the elite defense team united under TLT. The team responsible in eliminating Space Beasts.
- Kazuki Komon (孤門 一輝 Komon Kazuki?): The main character of the series. Komon is a kind-hearted, straightforward person who is always willing to help others. Before he was recruited by TLT, Komon was from a rescue team. When Komon was a child, he fell into a river and almost drowned, only to be rescued by a mysterious person he believes to be an alien. Because of the incident, Komon decided to help others and joining Night Raider was a good opportunity to do so. He is later revealed to be the last Dunamist (see below) and battles as Ultraman Noa.
- Nagi Saijyo (西条凪 Saijō Nagi?): The deputy leader of the Night Raiders. She is very strict, especially to Komon and can be quite brutal in certain situations. She hates Space Beasts, stemming from incidents regarding her childhood and her former lover Mizorogi Shinya. When she was younger, her mother was murdered by a Space Beast. After she joined Night Raider to fulfill her vow to destroy the beings that killed her mother, she met and eventually fell in love with Mizorogi Shinya, the former deputy leader of Night Raider. When Mizorogi fell to the dark side, she deepened her hatred and was willing to do anything to bring a Space Beast down.
- Eisuke Wakura (和倉英輔 Wakura Eisuke?): The captain of Night Raider. A good leader and takes action effectively in any situation. He cares for his teammates and well trusted by them. Although his motto is to follow orders, he will take necessary action if it means to protect others. A brother figure towards Komon, he provides wisdom to the new recruit.
- Shiori Hiraki (平木詩織 Hiraki Shiori?): A female in the Night Raider team. Although she looks pretty and cute, she is an expert in weapons and can be very strong and helpful during missions. She has a good personal relationship with Ishibori Mitsuhiko.
- Mitsuhiko Ishibori (石堀光彦 Ishibori Mitsuko?): The analyzer and tactician of the team and an expert in computers. Unknown to everyone, he is Dark Zagi in disguise (see below).
[edit] The Dunamists
The Dunamists (デュナミスト Dunamisuto?) are humans who can bond with the Light to become Ultraman Nexus, using a wand-like device called the Evoltruster.
The first Dunamist, First Lieutenant Shunichi Maki of the Japanese Air Force can be seen in ULTRAMAN theatrical feature.
- Jun Himeya (姫矢准 Himeya Jun?): The second Dunamist. He is a serious, somewhat brooding individual, not given to trusting institutions such as the Night Raiders. He eventually strikes up some sort of kinship with Komon, rescuing him from danger a few times. Himeya was a photo journalist, specializing in war photos. During one assignment (presumably somewhere in SE Asia), he was injured and subsequently treated by an orphan named Sera. Sadly, Sera was caught up in armed conflict, and was killed as she rushed towards Himeya. Distraught, Himeya returned, full of regret, but ironically that collection of pictures shot him to fame. After the incident, Himeya encountered the Light. Trying to make up for what he was unable to do in the past, Himeya uses the power of the light to protect humanity and battles the Space Beast, sacrificing everything within battle.
- Ultraman Nexus' default Anphans mode is silver and gray. However, Anphans is able to transform into a red, black and silver mode known as Junis Red using the cuffs on his wrists, known as the Armed Nexus. Nexus Junis is then able to create a Meta-Field—a dome of light that transports himself and any opponent to an alternate dimension so that he can safely battle without causing damage to the surroundings. Analysis showed later that the Metafield was actually a manifestation of Himeya's physical body, which was why every battle affected him so greatly and continued to weaken him. His ultimate attack is the Over Ray Strom. During a climactic battle with Dark Mephisto, Himeya is presumed to have died, but is later shown at the end of the series very much alive and well.
- Ren Senjyu (千樹憐 Senjyu Ren?): The third Dunamist, Ren receives the Light after the disappearance of Himeya. Outwardly, he is cheerful, optimistic and simple to the point of ditsy — this, however, conceals his past experiences. Ren is not a normal human, but rather a 'son of Prometheus': a human created through genetic engineering under the flag of "Prometheus Project" (an experiment performed in Dallas, Texas in the USA). He has faster reflexes, physical strength and ESP that more powerful than a normal human. However, Ren suffers from a genetic unbalance of his DNA which basically cut his lifespan to 17-18 years. His only hope to prolong his life is a drug known only as 'Raphael'. Running away from the institute in Dallas, Ren comes to Japan hoping to live his last days as a 'normal' human, but instead encounters the Light and becomes Nexus' third Dunamist. After Ren takes on the mantle of Dunamist, Nexus' Junis form is significantly modified to become a faster, sleeker Junis Blue. His primary attacks are the Strom Sword, Arrow Ray Strom and Over Arrow Ray Strom, deadly beams of light fired from his Armed Nexus.
- Nagi Saijyo (西条凪 Saijō Nagi?): The fourth Dunamist, see above and below sections for information.
- Kazuki Komon (孤門 一輝 Komon Kazuki?): The fifth and last Dunamist, see above and below sections for information.
[edit] Ultraman Nexus's modes
- Anphans (アンファンス Anfansu?): Anphans mode is completely silver, save for the color timer. Anphans grants the user all of the most basic powers. Anphans is also the form that is always present when first transforming. All other modes must be shifted to instead of appearing automatically and usually used by any Dunamists.
- NOTE : This Anphans is different from the Anphans Next seen in the Ultraman The Next movie.
- Junis (ジュネッス Junissu?): Junis mode resembles most of the other Ultras. It is mostly red, with other color patches on the arms, legs, and torso. Junis mode also grants the user additional abilities and usually used by Jun Himeya and other dunamists.
- NOTE : This Junis is not the same as the Junis Next in the Ultraman The Next movie.
- Junis Blue (ジュネッスブルー Junissu Burū?): Junis Blue mode is a blue version of Junis. It has all the powers of Junis, plus three more and is used by Ren Senjyu.
- NOTE : This Junis Blue was never shown in the Ultraman The Next movie.
- Ultraman Noa (ウルトラマンノア Urutoraman Noa?): Ultraman Noa is the final form of Ultraman Nexus. Ultraman Noa is entirely silver and sports two large wing like structures on the back. Ultraman Noa has three very powerful attacks; Lightning Noa, Noa Spark, and Noa Inferno. Ultraman Noa is obtained shortly after merging with the fourth and the fifth Dunamist.
[edit] The Dark Side
- Riko Saida (斉田リコ Saida Riko?)/Dark Faust (ダークファウスト Dăku Fausuto?): Komon's kind-hearted artist girlfriend. Later, it is revealed that she had actually died at the day she met Komon, when her family was attacked by the Space Beast Nosphil. Mizorogi arrived on the scene, but turned around and shot her instead. She was resurrected to become a pawn of the darkness, unwittingly serving as the human form for Dark Faust, Nexus' first enemy. However, in the end, Riko's consciousness won out during a battle with Nosphil where Komon became trapped in the Meta Field, and she shielded him with his/her body against an attack. The revelation that Riko was Faust and her death shook Komon considerably, and he took a long time to recover.
- Shiniya Mizorogi (溝呂木眞也 Mizorogi Shiniya?)/Dark Mephisto (ダークメフィスト Dāku Mefisuto?): The former deputy captain of the Night Raiders, who went missing in 2008 during a mission with Nagi, also his former girlfriend. In reality, Mizorogi had merged with the Dark Giant known as Dark Mephisto. He is portrayed as cruel and manipulative, playing mind games with Komon and other people and seeming to take delight in antagonising Nagi, his ex-girlfriend, as well. Using the Dark Evolver, Mizorogi can transform into Dark Mephisto as the most frequently appearing enemy of Nexus. Dark Mephisto is able to generate the 'Dark Field', which neutralises the effects of the Meta Field and gives him an advantage in battle. In Nexus' climactic battle with Mephisto, it is presumed that both perished, but Mizorogi is found alive, although wounded and with absolutely no memory about Faust and his battles with Nexus. He had also lost the ability to become Mephisto, but when the Unknown Hand sends down Dark Mephisto Zwei against Junis Blue, Mizorogi transforms by force of will and holds Zwei down so that Nexus can destroy him. Both Mephistos perish, and Shinya dies in Nagi's arms.
- Hiroyuki Misawa (三沢広之 Misawa Hiroyuki?)/Dark Mephisto Zwei (ダークメフィストツヴァイ Dāku Mefisuto Tsuvai?): Misawa is part of the Memory Police that fell under control of the Unknown Hand. Has the same powers as Dark Mephisto and only differs in eye color with Zwei being red instead of black.
- Unknown Hand (アンノウンハンド An'nōn Hando?): It is described as unlimited darkness which controlled the dark giants and Space Beasts behind the scenes. It has the ability to generate a Dark Field G and power up Space Beasts. In the end of the series, its identity was revealed as Dark Zagi (ダークザギ Dāku Zagi?), Mitsuhiko Ishibori of the Night Raider.
[edit] Episodes
- Episode.01: Night Raid (夜襲－ナイトレイド－ Yashū -Naito Reido-?)
- Episode.02: Space Beast (異生獣－スペースビースト－ Iseijū -Supēsu Bīsuto-?)
- Episode.03: Ultraman (巨人－ウルトラマン－ Kyojin -Urutoraman-?)
- Episode.04: Meta Field (亜空間－メタフィールド－ Akūkan -Meta Fīrudo-?)
- Episode.05: Dunamist (適能者－デュナミスト－ Tekinōsha -Dyunamisuto-?)
- Episode.06: Relic (遺跡－レリック－ Iseki -Rerikku-?)
- Episode.07: Faust (魔人－ファウスト－ Majin -Fausuto-?)
- Episode.08: Memory Police (M・P－メモリーポリス－ Emu Pī -Memorī Porisu-?)
- Episode.09: Warning (警告－ワーニング－ Keikoku -Wāningu-?)
- Episode.10: Strike Formation (突入－ストライク・フォーメーション－ Totsunyū -Sutoraiku Fōmēshon-?)
- Episode.11: Marionette (人形－マリオネット－ Ningyō -Marionetto-?)
- Episode.12: Lost Soul (別離－ロスト・ソウル－ Betsuri -Rosuto Sōru?)
- Episode.13: Illustrator (予知者－イラストレーター－ Yochisha -Irasutorētā?)
- Episode.14: Mephisto (悪魔－メフィスト－ Akuma -Mefisuto-?)
- Episode.15: Nightmare (悪夢－ナイトメア－ Akumu -Naitomea-?)
- Episode.16: Labyrinth (迷路－ラビリンス－ Meiro -Rabirinsu-?)
- Episode.17: Darkness (闇－ダークネス－ Yami -Dākunesu-?)
- Episode.18: Apocalypse (黙示録－アポカリプス－ Mokushiroku -Apokaripusu-?)
- Episode.19: Cross Phase Trap (要撃戦－クロスフェーズトラップ－ Yogekisen -Kurosu Fēzu Torappu-?)
- Episode.20: Chrome Chester δ (追撃－クロムチェスターδ－ Tsuigeki -Kuromu Chesutā Deruta-?)
- Episode.21: Sacrifice (受難－サクリファイス－ Junan -Sakurifaisu-?)
- Episode.22: Cure (安息－キュア－ Ansoku -Kyua-?)
- Episode.23: Satisfaction (宿命－サティスファクション－ Shukumei -Satisufakushon-?)
- Episode.24: Hero (英雄－ヒーロー－ Eiyū -Hīrō-?)
- Episode.25: Prophecy (予兆－プロフェシー－ Yochō -Purofeshī-?)
- Episode.26: The Third (憐－ザ・サード－ Ren -Za Sādo-?)
- Episode.27: Prayer (祈り－プレイヤー－ Inori -Pureiyā-?)
- Episode.28: Reunion (再会－リユニオン－ Saikai -Reyunion-?)
- Episode.29: Calling (幽声－コーリング Yūsei -Kōringu-?)
- Episode.29: Calling - Directors Cut (幽声－コーリング－ディレクターズカット Yūsei -Kōringu- Direkutāzu Katto?)
- Episode.30: Watcher (監視者－ウォッチャー－ Kanshisha -Wotchā-?)
- Episode.31: Bird (鳥―バード－ Tori -Bādo-?)
- Episode.EX: Lost Memories (詩織－ロストメモリーズ－ Shiori -Rosuto Memorīzu?, DVD Volume 9/BCBS-2099)
- Episode.32: Unknown Hand (影－アンノウンハンド－ Kage -Annōn Hando-?)
- Episode.33: Forgetfulness -AD 2004- (忘却－Ａ．Ｄ．２００４－ Bōkyaku -Ē Dī Nisen Yon-?)
- Episode.34: Blockade -AD 2009- (封鎖－Ａ．Ｄ．２００９－ Fūsa -Ē Dī Nisen Kyū-?)
- Episode.35: Revolt (反乱－リボルト－ Hanran -Riboruto-?)
- Episode.36: Final Match -Farewell- (決戦－フェアウェル－ Kessen -Feaweru-?)
- Episode.37: Nexus (絆－ネクサス－ Kizuna -Nekusasu-?)
[edit] Cast
- Kazuki Komon - Takuji Kawakubo
- Jun Himeya - Yusuke Kirishima
- Ren Senjyu - Masato Uchiyama
- Nagi Saijyo - Yasue Sato
- Eisuke Wakura - Tamotsu Ishibashi
- Mitsuhiko Ishibori - Kousei Kato
- Shiori Hiraki - Keiko Goto
- Yu Kirasawa - Nobuhiko Tanaka (Illustrator)
- Riko Saida - Shion Nakamaru
- Shinya Mizorogi - Mitsutoshi Shundo
- Mizuo Nonomiya - Tomomi Miyashita
- Youichiruu Matsunaga - Horiuchi Masami
- Jinzou Negoro - Hiroshi Okouchi
- Saya Shutou - Hitomi Hidaka
- Hayato Kaimoto - Hisataka Kitaoka
- Hiroyuki Misawa - Yoshito Takeuchi
- Tougou - Kenji Sahara
[edit] Songs
- Opening themes
- "Hero" (英雄 Eiyuu?)
- "Blue Fruit" (青い果実" Aoi Kajitsu?)
- Lyrics: Daiki Yoshimoto
- Composition & Arrangement: Akihito Tokunaga
- Artist: doa
- Episodes: 26-37
- Ending themes
- "A Sun is Always in my Heart" (いつも心に太陽を Itsumo Kokoro ni Taiyou wo?)
- Lyrics & Composition: U-ka Saegusa
- Arrangement: Masazumi Ozawa (小澤 正澄 Ozawa Masazumi?)
- Artist: U-ka Saegusa in dB
- Episodes: 1-13
- "You Gave Me Wings When I Couldn't Fly" (飛び立てない私にあなたが翼をくれた Tobitatenai Watashi ni Anata ga Tsubasa wo Kureta?)
- Lyrics: U-ka Saegusa
- Composition: Aika Ohno (大野 愛果 Ōno Aika?)
- Arrangement: Masazumi Ozawa
- Artist: U-ka Saegusa in dB
- Episodes: 14-25
- "Red Burning Pulse" (赤く熱い鼓動 Akaku Atsui Kodō?)
- Lyrics & Artist: Rina Aiuchi
- Composition: Masaaki Watanuki (綿貫 正顕 Watanuki Masaaki?)
- Arrangement: Masazumi Ozawa
- Episodes: 26-36
[edit] Video Game(s)
A video game based on the series was produced by Bandai for the PlayStation 2, under the name Ultraman Nexus.
[edit] Related Websites
- Official Website (CBC)
- Official Website (TBS)
- Official Ultra N-Project Website
- Tsuburaya Station Web
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