Two kaiju driven episodes of Ultraman Blazar see Gento and the team tackle a figment of innocent imagination and another that exploits the worst of your imagination.
Hey all, Sean here again, and back at it with Blazar again! This week, I will be recapping the return of a classic kaiju, as well as the battle against a monster from the underground!
Episode 15: “Betwixt Morn and Dusk”
Monster Of The Day
The monster in this episode is the “Two Dimensional” monster, Gavadon! Created as a drawing and brought to life by cosmic rays, what are the intentions of this kaiju?
SKaRD Team
The episode begins with Jun and some classmates walking past some water, talking about how they did on a test at school.
Then, one of them notices their classmate, Arata, drawing by himself. One of Jun’s classmates comments that when he got the notes for the homework he lent Arata back, there was a picture of his “Ultimate Robot”, the classmate thinks it was Arata’s way of saying thanks.
Just then, Arata appears next to them, thanking Jun for letting him borrow his eraser and, for that, he wants to show them something “really cool.” Jun’s classmates leave Jun for their swimming lesson, while Jun tries to go to his English lesson but Arata asks Jun to follow him.
Arata brings Jun to the back of a construction site and to his secret base, commenting that he’s the boss and decides who gets to come there.
Arata shows Jun all of his drawings, such as a Giraffe (that Jun thought was a railroad crossing) and the Ultimate Kaiju, Radigali Beri Bimba.
Arata then asks Jun to draw his own Kaiju but Jun initially declines, commenting that he’s not good at drawing. Arata tells him that it doesn’t matter if he’s good at it.
Jun finishes his drawing, and Arata gives it a name: Gavadon.
Jun is confused by the name so Arata explains that when it knocks down buildings, the sound it makes is “gavadon”.
Just then, a man that Arata calls “Scruffy” appears, chasing them out of Arata’s hideout, given that it’s located on a construction site.
We then see a bright star, and we hear someone singing “star light, star bright, first star I see tonight”.
Some glowing lights pour into the hideout and touch Jun’s drawing. The drawing, starts pulsing.
We then see Gento telling Jun that he’ll be there at his school sports day to cheer him on. Jun tells him that sports day was last week. Gento’s wife, Satoko, then adds that he texted Gento a picture of Jun at the event and he apologizes. Jun understands though, as work does keep his father busy.
Gento then tries to see what he could do with Jun as he has the day off but Jun says that Gento should rest. Satoko tells Jun his dad is inviting him to have some fun but Jun adds that being busy work and home must be hard for Gento but Gento says it isn’t.
The Hirumas then see the news, showing a video of a “white Tsuchinoko” that was spotted in the forest.
The newscaster then interviews a man named Takashi Uchino (played by Sojiro Uchino, best known for playing Takashi-Kun in the original Ultraman episode “The Terrifying Cosmic Rays”, Gavadon’s first appearance) who explains that at first, he thought what he saw was a large dumpling, until he saw it moving.
Mr. Uchino then shows his drawing of what he saw, it looks exactly like Gavadon.
This causes Jun to gasp and for Satoko to ask what’s wrong but Jun brushes it off. Jun then says he’s going to see a friend and rushes off.
Jun arrives at Arata’s hideout and Arata asks if he saw the news. Jun tells him that he just did. They look through the sketchbook and find the Gavadon drawing is gone.
We then see Jun and Arata out with nets, ready to catch Gavadon, as they think of what happened, Arata hears a sound. They follow the sound and attempt to catch Gavadon.
Gavadon jumps into Arata’s shirt and Arata asks Jun to get it out as Tsumugi, Arata’s sister, arrives. Tsumugi asks what Arata and Jun are hiding but they say it’s nothing. Tsumugi, however, hears Gavadon make a sound. Gavadon then jumps out of Arata’s shirt, causing Tsumugi to scream.
In a video call between SKaRD and Gento, Teruaki explains that the Kamikura Cosmic Ray Institute called and that Earth is being showered in strange cosmic rays. Gento says he’ll be right there, but Teruaki tells him it’s ok and that they’re measuring the amount of exposure and range of the rays. The Team tell Gento he should spend some time with his family and that they’ll report in on Monday. Gento thinks that the call has ended, but it hasn’t, and the team see him stretch in his underwear.
Back at Arata’s hideout, Jun, Arata and Tsugumi are looking at the tiny Gavadon. Tsumugi thinks Gavadon is cute but Arata reminds Tsugumi that Gavadon is a secret, so she can’t tell anyone. Tsugumi agrees but under the condition she can play with them.
At first, they try to feed Gavadon but it doesn’t eat. That’s when Jun realises it eats pictures, since it used to be one. They draw Gavadon some food and it eats it all very quickly, much to the three’s awe. Later, the three watch Gavadon as it sleeps. Jun thinks he should have given Gavadon horns but Tsumugi thinks Gavadon is fine as is, saying that Gavadon is fluffy. Gavadon then turns back into a drawing, and returns to the paper. Arata gets the idea to redraw Gavadon, but way bigger, and everyone agrees. After a drawing montage, the larger Gavadon is done, and the three cheer.
Later that night, the cosmic rays return.
We then see Gento, wondering why Jun is off so early and Satoko tells him he’s playing with his friends and even drew a picture on a handout from the school.
Gento asks what’s wrong with that and Satoko tells him Jun is acting like a normal kid, as Jun doesn’t ask for much of anything, and that it always feels like he’s trying to be extra good for their sakes. Satoko then adds that it’s not that she wants Jun to misbehave, she just doesn’t want him to hold back his feeling all the time.
We get a look at the drawing on the handout, and it’s a little Gavadon.
Jun arrives at Arata’s hideout, and comments on how big Gavadon is, to which Arata mentions all it wants to do is take a nap (can relate), Tsumugi comments on how comfy and soft the large Gavadon is and Jun tries it out, commenting that Gavadon smells like clean bedsheets.
Just then, Scruffy arrives and asks the three what they’re doing, so Arata drops a bucket on Scuffy’s head. This buys Jun, Arata and Tsumugi enough time to cover up Gavadon, as Jun “thanks” Scruffy for looking out for them. Scruffy doesn’t buy it, and removes the tarp, revealing Gavadon, which scares him, and makes him faint, as Jun, Arata and Tsumugi run away.
The three try to find a new hiding spot for Gavadon but some neighbourhood kids see them and all come near Gavadon.
Arata reminds Tsumugi she wasn’t supposed to talk, to which Tsumugi replies that she didn’t talk about it, she just posted about it online and Arata tells her that’s even worse. Arata then sees some laughing women, who are laughing and joking while playing punchies (I think) and Arata tells everyone to cover up Gavadon.
The kids then for a line and start singing to cover up Gavadon and distract the women from it which, surprisingly, works.
Arata and Tsugumi reveal to Jun that they’re moving next month since their mother got a job in America, which is why Arata wanted Jun to see his hideout.
The three then hear Scruffy and some other approach, and they try to protect Gavadon. Scruffy tries to catch Gavadon but Gavadon turns back into a drawing. Scruffy is confused by this, as one of the people who was with him comments that they should call the GGF. After Scruffy and his crew leave, Arata declares they need to draw Gavadon even bigger, so that no one can catch it.
Another drawing montage later, and we see the kids have drawn a giant Gavadon, as they cheer triumphantly.
The next day, we see civilians looking up in awe at the giant Gavadon, as Teruaki explains to Gento that there is an element in the rays that fuses with sunlight.
Teruaki then adds that the rays can turn a two dimensional object three dimensional. It’s also revealed, the Mitama area, near Gento’s house, has been showered by these rays. Gento says that he, Emi and Anri will head to the scene via Mopy, while Teruaki and Bando keep analysing.
We then see Gento in Mopy, on the phone to Satoko, who is evacuating the city with Jun. Jun then says to Satoko he forgot something and will be right back, much to Satoko’s fear.
We then see Gavadon in the city, not moving at all.
Anri points out it looks like Gavadon is just sleeping, but Gento adds that sleeping or not, a Kaiju of that size is still a threat to infrastructure and civilians, adding that’s how the brass thinks and, once evacuation is done, the GGF will deal with it, confusing Emi.
We then see Jun, Arata and Tsumugi, as they try to wake up Gavadon, but with no luck at all, followed by another shot of a targeting system and a voice saying “commence attack”. Some bombs are dropped on Gavadon, and it wakes up due to the explosions.
Teruaki and Bando then see that there’s kids still in the city, as they thought everyone was evacuated, so they make a call to command to stop the attack. Gento sees the video feed, immediately recognises one of the kids is Jun and so he makes a dash to the location.
We see Gavadon’s “rampage,” which is just the kaiju walking while bombs are dropped on it. During the rampage, Gavadon accidentally hits a building that was about to fall on Jun, Arata and Tsugumi. As Gento rushes to the scene, he transforms into Ultraman Blazar.
Blazar catches the building, putting at back upright. Jun then says “Blazar, it’s you”.
Blazar then summons the Chilsonite Sword and fires the swords beam at Gavadon. The beam turns into a cloud of green smoke, as it has no effect whatsoever on Gavadon. Blazar attempts to grapple and bodyslam Gavadon but he just bounces off the kaiju. Blazar tries to pull Gavadon by the tail but he winds up being thrown back again. What makes this funniest is that Gavadon isn’t even fighting.
Blazar summons the Spiral Burrade and uses it like a claw machine to pick up Gavadon, as Jun, Arata and Tsumugi watch on in awe, as do Teruaki and Bando. Just like an actual claw machine, though, the claw slips and drops Gavadon, and Teruaki and Bando comment that Blazar almost had it.
By this point, it’s sunset, and Blazar is audibly tired. Tsumugi, Jun and Arata shout to Blazar, asking why he’s being “mean”, saying that all Gavadon was doing was sleeping. Blazar eventually lets go, likely having heard the kids.
Gavadon then turns to face the camera, as Jun tells Gavadon that what happened wasn’t it’s fault, it’s Jun, Arata and Tsumugi’s since they were the one’s who made it turn out so big. Much to Jun and the other’s sadness, they can’t be together with Gavadon anymore, this also upsetting the kaiju. Blazar picks up Gavadon and flies away, as Jun, Arata and Tsumugi bid the kaiju a tearful farewell.
The kids sit near some water, and what Tsumugi thought was the “first star” was actually Gavadon, who the kids believe turned into a constellation. Arata then says that Jun’s drawing is in the sky now and Jun adds that now, it’s like the whole world is their secret base. Tsumugi says that even if they’re far apart, they should stay friends. Arata then says that they shouldn’t forget Gavadon or the fun they had. Jun promises to write to Arata and Tsumugi, as they leave.
A worried Gento and Satoko arrive, asking Jun if he’s ok, Jun telling them he is. Satoko tells Jun to never scare them like that ever again. Gento then says that maybe they should spend more time together and Jun says they should, next time Gento is off from work, this making Gento extremely happy. The episode ends with the Hiruma’s going home, and Jun taking one final look at the Gavadon constellation.
Conclusion
This episode really pulled at my heartstrings, from Jun’s friendship with Arata and Tsumugi, to the callbacks to the original Ultraman, this episode is one of Blazar’s best.
Episode 16: “Terror from the Underground”
Monster Of The Day
The monster in this episode is the “Vision Monster”, Mogusion! A kaiju that can create illusions, has a frog like tongue and stretching arms. Blazar and SKaRD have their work cut out for them with this one!
SKaRD Team
The episode starts at a city redevelopment project construction site, where a tremor takes place, causing some of the equipment to go underground. All that remains after the tremor is a large sinkhole, which then emits a flash of light, and then the workers see something that causes them to run away.
Later, we see Gento and Teruaki, who are investigating what happened. Teruaki mentions that the underground exploratory team found tunnels reminiscent of a mole’s burrow and whatever caused the sinkhole, ventured a bit too close to the surface. Gento asks Teruaki if the drone was sent in, and Teruaki says it was, as it detected a giant lifeform, but the drone was disabled by strong electromagnetic waves.
Emi and Anri then arrive and tell Gento and Teruaki that they interviewed the witnesses, and Gento asks what they found.
The first witness said what he saw was a giant bird.
The second witness said he saw something giant and hairy, that was reaching towards them.
The third witness said he saw a bunch of giant scorpion tails.
The fourth and final witness claimed he saw an octopus.
Emi then shows an artists depiction based on the four men’s combined accounts of what they saw. It gets a laugh out of Teruaki, who quickly recomposes himself. Gento then says that whatever it is, they will need to get a look at it. Teruaki mentions it could be a long time before it shows itself again, as underground creature get skittish when their burrows collapse so Gento adds that this calls for a stakeout.
We then see Bando, looking at live video feed of Earth Garon.
Teruaki mentions that he’s heard that the Interactive AI system, “EGOISS” is almost complete. Bando adds that the maintenance team is getting ready for the performance test and, while he’s done all the voice recognition checks, he really wants to have a conversation with Earth Garon.
Bando then asks what Teruaki is holding and Teruaki says it’s an emergency gas detector, since he wanted to check for any toxic subterranean gas. Teruaki’s theory is that gas poisoning may have influenced the eyewitness accounts and that the flashing lights from the tunnel could have been spontaneous gas combustion.
Teruaki goes outside to take a gas reading but the readings are at zero. Suddenly, lights flash from the tunnel and hit Teruaki.
Whatever Teruaki saw in the burrow, causes him to scream. Before I continue, I must say that Teruaki’s actor, Yuki Ito, has had some of the most meme worthy facial expressions in the show.
Bando hears Teruaki screaming and comes to see if he’s ok. Teruaki then says what he saw, it was red, black and slimy. Bando reassures Teruaki that there was nothing here but Teruaki says what he saw looked just like a bean cake.
Teruaki winds up passing out from shock to the fear and worry of Bando.
Later, we see Gento, Anri and Bando discussing what happened with Teruaki. Gento remembers that he offered Teruaki a bean cake once and he freaked out, as it turns out, Teruaki’s been scared of bean cakes ever since he was little. Anri then realizes that each eyewitness account has included an aspect of whatever the witness fears the most.
Suddenly, there’s a tremor and Bando, Anri and Gento go outside. They see a flash from the crater and each of them see something emerge from it.
Anri sees the kaiju Taganular.
Bando sees Alien Canaan.
Gento sees a heavily damaged Earth Garon but Gento doesn’t let his fear phase him. He closes his eyes and, when he opens them, he sees the actual kaiju, Mogusion. Mogusion grabs onto a tree with it’s frog like tongue and throws it to the ground. Gento pushes Anri and Bando out of the way so they don’t get caught.
Some GGF officers come to get Bando and Anri to safety as Gento gets a communication from Teruaki.
Gento returns to Mopy and tells Teruaki that Bando and Anri were taken to the base hospital but he came through alright. Teruaki then tells Gento that he’s figured out what’s going on. The electromagnetic pulses were affecting the witnesses amygdalae, the part of the brain that governs fear and disgust.
Teruaki then adds that the damage extends from the optic nerves and to the amygdalae. Gento then remembers seeing Mogusion emit a bright flash from it’s palms, which must be the trigger, making the target hallucinate what they fear most. Gento then mentions that the kaiju almost ate him, Bando and Anri, to Teruaki’s shock. Emi then joins the communication, confirming the kaiju’s codename: “Mogusion”. Gento asks Emi where she is, and Emi says she’s at the Command Post, leading to Gento wondering where Teruaki is.
We then see Teruaki, who was making the call from the hospital. It is also revealed that what he sent Gento was his exam results and a nurse has to drag Teruaki back to bed. As they’re walking, Teruaki sees a dazed and confused Anri and Bando. Emi then adds that livestock have been disappearing from farms across Fujigaki city, and Gento concludes it must be Mogusion’s doing.
We then see the GGF fire missiles at Mogusion but it does nothing. As the kaiju dusts itself off, Emi confirms that Mogusion is headed for central Fujigaki City.
Emi is about to deploy Earth Garon but remembers no one is there to command it. Gento tells her she’s there and to use the “EGOISS” AI as a partner.
Later, Emi is in Earth Garon, trying to talk to Gento but the Earth Garon activates and introduces himself to Emi, even mentioning that Bando calls him “Earthy” when they’re alone together. Emi explains that she doesn’t have the amount of experience Bando or Anri have but Earth Garon tells her that it’s ok, he’s there to help.
Earth Garon then launches with Emi and the AI on board. We see Gento driving to Fujigaki City, as he asks Emi how the “EGOISS” is. Emi refers to EGOISS as a “good boy”. Emi then asks how Gento was okay after the the light showed his fear and Gento explains it was his special ops training, it taught him to control his fear.
We then see Mogusion walking through the city, tearing things up as it walks. He looks through a window and see some office workers trying to flee. I’ve got to say, I also really love these sorts of shots that show people inside the model buildings.
Emi and Earth Garon then fly towards Mogusion. Earth Garon tells Emi that firing while airborne poses a risk to civilians but Emi flies Earth Garon directly into Mogusion.
Mogusion uses it’s light beam to show Emi’s worst fear, which turns out to be a giant version of herself. As a result, she sees herself proceed to attack Earth Garon.
Gento transforms into Ultraman Blazar and joins the fight. Blazar uses the rainbow slash on Mogusion but the kaiju catches it like a frisbee and throws it right back at him. This winds up slicing two nearby buildings in half, much to Blazar’s worry. Blazar and Mogusion engage in hand to hand combat, with the kaiju using it’s stretching arms to punch Blazar while he’s down. Blazar and Mogusion continue fighting, slapping each other’s hands and grappling. Mogusion then uses the fins on it’s head as a buzzsaw and strikes down Blazar.
We then see what Emi sees of the fight, herself fighting Blazar, which must’ve been fun for Emi’s actor. Teruaki, Bando and Anri then connect in a video call to Emi, saying that Earth Garon told them the situation, and they tell her to not be afraid. The nurse from earlier finds them and yells at them but Anri tells Emi that she can do it. Emi then sees through the illusion.
Having seen through Mogusion’s illusion, Emi and Earth Garon open fire on Mogusion.
Blazar covers his eyes and they stop glowing, suggesting that Blazar has closed his eyes. Mogusion tries to use its beam again but, now, it has no effect.
It was at this moment, Mogusion knew it messed up and it tries to sneak attack Blazar. With Emi’s help, Blazar manages to fight without having to open his eyes. Blazar then opens his eyes and summons the Chilsonite Sword. Mogusion tries to use it’s buzzsaw attack again but this time, it’s powerless. Blazar slices through Mogusion and fires it’s beam as he stabs the kaiju, destroying it.
Emi thanks Earth Garon, telling him good job. Earth Garon does the same, telling Emi the crash landing was the right call. Emi asks what scares Gento and he says failing an operation is what scares him the most. Gento asks Emi the same thing and she says that it’s a secret.
Bando arrives and says that it’s not fair that she got to talk with Earth Garon, when it should have been him. Emi reveals she now knows Earth Garon’s nickname, as Teruaki and Anri arrive to tell Emi well done. The episode ends with a smiling Gento, laughing at the antics of his team.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed this episode. We got to learn what scares each member of SKaRD and we got to hear Earth Garon speak for the very first time. All in all, an enjoyable episode.
You can watch the episodes here:
What did you think? Did you enjoy these episodes? Let us know in the comments. I’m Sean, once again, signing off.
Image Source: Ultraman Official YouTube Channel
