It’s no secret that one of the best parts of any toku is the music and, in this article, Sean will be counting down his seven favourite Ultraman theme songs.
With a rich musical history spanning three generations, Ultraman, arguably, leads all tokusatsu in the theme song department, but which are the best? Let’s dive in.
Top of the Ultra Pops
#7 Wake Up! Decker by SCREEN MODE
Ride on time, go Decker! Coming in at number 7, is the most recent entry in the Ultra Series’ theme song, Wake Up! Decker, the theme song of Ultraman Decker! Now, Decker was a pretty hit and miss show, I will admit, but one of the hits, was the theme song, with it’s fast pace, and reference to Decker’s forms (akin to Ultraman Dyna’s OP) and even foreshadowing Decker Dynamic, its one that will surely get you pumped up for some Kaiju fighting action!
#6 Orb no Inori by Ichiro Mizuki and Voyager
Combine the power of 2! At number 6, we’ve got Orb no Inori, the theme song of Ultraman Orb. Now, I have a bit of a soft spot for this one, as Orb is the show that got me back into tokusatsu, and with the legendary vocals of the late Ichiro Mizuki and the modern stylings of Voyager, this one really does pack a punch, combining the power of the old and the new, just like Orb himself.
#5 Take Me Higher by V6
Gonna Tiga take me, take me higher! Rising to number 5 is Take Me Higher, the theme song of one of the most popular Ultra’s, Ultraman Tiga! To say this song is iconic would be a massive understatement, it’s so well known, that even Italian Eurobeat musician Dave Rodgers (who originally composed the song) would do an English version of it. The song also included vocals from V6 member Hiroshi Nagano, who also played Daigo Madoka, the shows main character.
#4 Kaettekita Ultraman by Jiro Dan and Misuzu Children’s Choir
He has returned, he has returned! Arriving in the number 4 spot, we have Kaettekita Ultraman, the opening for Return of Ultraman, one of my personal favourite shows! It has a calm yet heroic tone to it, ending off with announcing that Ultraman (or more specifically, Ultraman Jack) has returned to Earth. The song, like Take Me Higher, included vocals from the late Jiro Dan, who played Hideki Gō, the shows main human character.
#3 Ultraseven No Uta by The Echoes and Misuzu Children’s Choir
Seven, seven seven! At number 3, we have the theme song of Ultraseven, Ultraseven No Uta by The Echoes and Misuzu Children’s Choir. Seven has a different tone to the original Ultraman, and the theme song conveys this, starting out mysteriously, then breaking into a triumphant and heroic chorus, starting by repeating seven’s name exactly ten times. Its heroic and powerful, just like Seven is.
#2 Ultraman Leo by Ryu Manatsu and Mizumi Children’s Chorus
The eyes of the lion are shining! Taking the number 2 spot is the first opening of my favourite Ultraman show, Ultraman Leo! This first opening in my opinion, better reflects the tone and nature of this entry in the Ultra Series, as it has an air of urgency to it, commenting that “The future of all people must be protected”, and a fun fact I learned about this one, is that it wasn’t even intended to be the first opening, and was made last minute as the shows actual theme song, which became its second theme, wasn’t ready yet. Like Kaettekita and Take Me Higher, Ryu Manatsu, who played Gen Otori/Ultraman Leo, provides vocals for the song.
#1 M87 by Kenshi Yonezu
If you so wish it, he will come to your aide! Coming in at number 1, who would have guessed, my number one pick is M87, the theme song of Shin Ultraman! This to me, is the definitive Ultraman theme song, triumphant, heroic, calm, everything that Ultraman is, and the lyrics even make reference to him, as I pointed out in my Shin Ultraman review, the song is genuinely beautiful in my opinion, and is one I think everyone should listen to, even if you aren’t an Ultraman fan, and a small confession, I teared up a bit the first time I listened to it.
Do you agree with my picks? Let me know in the comments below and share this post around with people you know who like Ultraman! This is Sean, signing off once again!
