In this double edition of Ultraman Blazar recaps, Sean takes us through two very story heavy episodes: “The Wandering Zangill” and “The Towering Terror.”
Hey all, Sean here again, and back at it with Blazar again! This week, I will be recapping the battle against a revived kaiju, and encountering a wandering swordsman, as well as the rise of a terrifying foe!
Episode 17: “The Wandering Zangill”
Monster Of The Day
The mysterious alien Gento encounters in this episode is the Space Samurai, Zangill! Armed with a crystal that can grant the ghosts of kaiju visible form, will he and Gento be able to stop a kaiju that used the crystals power to revive?
SKaRD Team
The episode opens with Gento arriving on a scene in Mopy and meeting up with Teruaki and Anri, who explain that Taganular, a deceased kaiju, flew in 2 hours ago and, after wandering, it climbed to the top of a random building where he has sat since.
Gento comments on the lack of damage in the area and that’s when Anri mentions that witnesses reported that Taganular just passed over people and cars like a cloud of smoke, as if it was nothing. A civilian then points out that someone is up on the roof of the neighbouring building and we see it’s a hooded figure.
The hooded figure then takes out a strange blade and sends an energy slash at Taganular. Taganular dissipates and Gento asks where it went. We also see that the hooded figure has vanished too.
We then see footage of other fallen kaiju:
- Bazanga
- Deltandal
- Gedos
- And the previously seen Taganular
Teruaki explains that this footage was taken over the past month, they didn’t feed or destroy, they just phased through whatever was in their paths. Which then brings Teruaki to the hooded figure.
Teruaki adds that this mystery man has appeared at the scene of every kaiju reappearance. How does he stop the kaiju? Who or what is he? It’s all a mystery.
Gento theorises that it could be another Mogusion type case but that’s debunked by the videos. Bando suggest it could be projectors, since the ones they have now could fake something like this.
Emi then shows a chart showing where each kaiju appeared, and they line up with where they were defeated. Emi thinks if they track where each kaiju was defeated, it could put them one step ahead of the hooded figure, as Bando comments that going to where the kaiju died is “a little creepy”.
We then see Gento arrive at the remains of the Novaio headquarters (see episode 4 recap for details on that) as Gento wheels out equipment.
He finds a dirtied, singed magazine showing the human antagonist from episode 4, Hiroshi Sonezaki, as a voice then asks, “are thou in search of something here?”, causing Gento to draw his gun.
Gento sees it’s the hooded figure from the Taganular appearance, who then adds that he believes Gento’s goal is the same as his own.
The figure then takes out a green crystal, which starts to glow bright.
And just like that, Leviera appears!
However, Leviera just wanders, phasing through Gento like a ghost. The hooded figure takes out it’s blade again, and does to Leviera what it did to Taganular, and with that, Leviera dissipates.
The man introduces himself as Zangill, and assumes his true form, as he tells Gento, “I seek audience with thee”.
We cut to a café and see a nervous Gento, who comments on Zangill’s appearance.
Zangill, however, adds that he is in human form and that if Gento can see past the disguise, then it’s a true testament to his power, or rather, Blazar’s power.
We then see who I believe is the owner of the café, bring Gento and Zangill’s orders, with a free small pudding.
As the waitress leaves, Gento asks if he has Zangill’s name right, and Zangill asks who Gento is, but Gento tells him he can’t reveal his name, all he explains is that he’s part of an organisation that protects peace on Earth. Gento adds that in “earthling terms”, Zangill is an alien.
Gento then asks about the kaiju that Zangill has been hunting and Zangill explains that they’re lost souls, unable to pass on, and that in “earthling terms”, one could call them ghosts, which surprises Gento.
Gento asks why Zangill speaks the way he does, and Zangill explains he studied Earth’s history, and finds the samurai “magnificent”, therefore, he adopted their manner of speaking.
Zangill also compliments coffee and adds that humans should be proud of it.
Zangill then comments that when he was younger, he was as reckless as they came, as with this, a flashback begins.
Long ago, Zangill would travel from planet to planet, taking joy in defeating formidable foes, until one day, he met a great swordsman, and was defeated. The master swordsman (who, if you can’t tell, is Zamsher from Ultraman Mebius) charged Zangill with a mission, gather 108 souls of restless kaiju, and lead them to salvation, in doing so, Zangill would also be saved. Zangill adds that the soul of Leviera was the 107th soul, and that a few days ago, he encountered the final soul but couldn’t strike it down.
Zangill then brings out the crystal and explains it can give visible form to wandering souls but the final kaiju absorbed the power and granted itself a physical form too, and that in “earthling terms”, it would be a vengeful spirit.
We cut to a scene of clouds forming a swirl, of which the centre starts glowing.
A glowing orb exits the clouds.
And is revealed to be none other than Nijikagachi! (The kaiju who appeared in episodes 7 and 8).
Nijikagachi wastes no time in picking up from where it left off all those episodes ago. Zangill then adds that should he attempt to defeat Nijikagachi alone, he would fail, and he requests Gento’s help.
Zangill then takes out a newspaper and reveals he has learned of Gento, and by extension, Blazar’s exploits, and spent the past three days looking for him. Zangill then flips the newspaper over, and comments that meeting Gento now, it must be fate. Gento then mentions he’s never fought a vengeful spirit, but Zangill tells Gento he’s the only one who’s aid will suffice. Zangill then bows and Gento tells him to stop, as the café owner notices.
Gento gets a call from Teruaki, who tells him that a kaiju of the same species as Nijikagachi has appeared and, unlike the previous kaiju sightings, is causing a lot of damage.
Gento tells Teruaki he’ll be right there and grumbles to himself “of all the kaiju it could have been…”. He pays for the coffee and runs out the café.
Zangill follows, as the café owner tries to tell Gento that he’s overpaid. We then see Gento running through an alley, as Zangill tries to join him, but Gento tells him to go back and finish his coffee.
This greatly annoys Zangill, who asks if Gento thinks he is to blame and adds that, even without the crystals power, the kaiju will cause major destruction.
Gento then tells Zangill that, since he’s an alien, he can’t bring Zangill to work with him, but Zangill reminds Gento that they’re dealing with a vengeful spirit, and one must know how to fight it, or else, as Zangill puts it “Thou shalt lose”, to which Gento angrily replies “what shalt I do?”.
Zangill then puts on a pair of goggles, adjusts them, and puts them back on, asks Gento to forgive him and throws him towards a building, as he flies close behind.
Gento, through an albeit broken communication, tells the others to deploy Earth Garon, while they all look confused as to why Gento’s communication sounds bad, and why he’s screaming. I have to say, I love how expressive the SKaRD members can be in moments like these.
Gento and Zangill eventually land and Gento asks Zangill “are you crazy?!” as Zangill comments that Nijikagachi won’t escape, just as the kaiju is hit by missiles.
The missiles simply bounce off of the kaiju, as Gento asks why the missiles aren’t doing anything, as Zangill explains that the kaiju is undead, drifting in the rift between life and death.
We then get this shot of Nijikagachi and the carnage it has caused and, once again, I love these shots.
We then pan out to see a dump truck driver call out for help, as his truck is about to fall off of the broken bridge. We even see someone wave their arm with I thought was a cool effect.
Seeing this causes the Blazar Brace to appear on Gento’s arm, with Zangill asking how they’ll proceed, but all Gento tells him is that he’s got this.
As Gento leaves, Zangill stumbles to the ground and takes out the crystal, it’s glow dimming, with Zangill looking worried.
Gento then transforms into Ultraman Blazar and prepares for his grudge match with Nijikagachi.
Blazar catches the dump truck, with the driver thanking Blazar for saving his life and, when Blazar puts the truck down, the driver says the most casual “thank you” as he drives away, as if he wasn’t about to fall from a kaiju destroyed bridge.
Blazar then summons the rainbow slash and tries to use it on the kaiju. However, it seems being a ghost gave Nijikagachi time to realise that the saw using it’s own power against it is a bad thing and so destroys the rainbow slash and fires an energy beam, set to kill Blazar.
The attack is deflected by Zangil, who joins the fight. Zangill is quite agile, dodging Nijikagachi’s attacks with ease, blocking a few strikes.
However, the kaiju overpowers Zangil and, before Nijikagachi can stab at him, Blazar shoves him out the way and slashes the kaiju with the Chilsonite Sword. When Nijikagachi attempts to stab Blazar, Zangill returns Blazar’s favour and defends him.
In a brief interaction between what seems to be Blazar himself and Zangill proper, Blazar inspects the Chilsonite Sword.
Zangill then charges the Chilsonite Sword with his own energy, and the two resume the battle with Nijikagachi.
Earth Garon, piloted by Bando and Teruaki, finally arrives on the scene and Bando sees Zangill, and asks if it’s an alien, commenting that it looks familiar. However, Earth Garon says that he can’t find any applicable data.
Blazar manages to stab into Nijikagachi and sends it flying.
Zangill then jumps up and pierces Nijikagachi with his own head, which is what I call using your head! (I had to)
Blazar then flies and slices Nijikagachi in half, in yet another piece of wallpaper material.
But it’s not over yet, as the halves of Nijikagachi trap Zangill. The vengeful kaiju spirit possesses Zangill, who begins to fight Blazar.
Earth Garon finally lands and provides Blazar backup, as the possessed Zangill attacks Earth Garon, knocking the mecha to the ground. Even though Blazar charges up the Chilsonite Sword, not even that is enough.
We then get a classic sword slash face off, as Blazar emerges victorious.
Zangill is freed and he and Blazar defeat the soul of Nijikagachi once and for all.
Bando asks how Zangill survived the cut, to which Earth Garon reveals that Blazar didn’t even cut him, he just struck him with the blunt end of the Chilsonite Sword, putting him in suspended animation, the move being called “mineuchi”. This knowledge impresses Teruaki but Earth Garon reveals he just looked up historical dramas on archives, impressing Bando.
At the café, Gento asks what Zangill will do now and Zangill reveals that there is no “next step” for him, as he places the crystal on the table.
Zangill reveals that while the crystal has been able to maintain his form, it’s power is fading, and now, like the kaiju, he too is a wandering spirit and that for all the years he spent wandering he was truly alone. He adds that finishing his quest fighting alongside Gento and Blazar was a great honour.
Gento finally reveals his and Blazar’s names to Zangill, who thanks them, with Gento asking “what about your coffee?”.
Zangill replies that, after this adventure, that will be his lone regret, as he fades away.
The episode ends with the café owner bringing the order, and asking where Zangill is. Gento tells her that “he want on ahead” and accepts the order. The episode ends with Gento alone in the café.
Conclusion
Wow. Just, wow. This episode subverted all my expectations. I was expecting Zangill to be the villain, or the usual edgy alien swordsman, but no! He was a noble warrior to the very end and I was not expecting to tear up during Zangill and Gento’s final interaction before Zangill passed on. Once again, Blazar exceeds expectations.
Episode 18: “The Towering Terror”
Monster Of The Day
The kaiju featured in this episode is the pollution kaiju, Irugo! A serpent like kaiju capable of producing a toxic gas. SKaRD and the GGF certainly have their work cut out for them.
SKaRD Team
The episode opens with people going about their day in the city, when suddenly a giant serpent like kaiju looms over the city skyline, as we pan up to see the kaiju’s face.
We then see news footage of the kaiju, as it’s now been seven days since it first appeared. It’s stated to intermittently spew toxic gas, which has similar effects on the body to photochemical smog.
Attempts by the GGF have been made to eliminate the kaiju but it only led to more and more gas. We then see people walking through the streets wearing masks.
We then see a news reporter, who mentions that despite the fact that the gas levels are low at night, people have evacuated in droves, with not a single person being out, until the cameraman notices someone, who turns out to be Gento.
Gento is on the phone to Teruaki, who is explaining that Irugo is from space, as after some analysis, it’s cells don’t match any terrestrial creatures. Gento tells Teruaki to call if he finds anything else and that if they do, he’ll be back.
Just then, the reporter and camera crew run up to Gento, wanting to ask questions, leading to Gento making a break for it.
Gento arrives home and asks Satoko if Jun is already asleep, to which Satoko says yes. Satoko also mentions that Jun tried to stay awake for Gento coming home but Gento’s been getting back later and later. Satoko says that she knows the GGF is under pressure and asks if the engineer unit is really this busy (Side Note: as stated in a prior episode, Gento told his family he’s in the engineer unit, not in SKaRD).
Satoko then shows Gento the bracelet that Jun made for him at school, adding that Jun won’t say it himself but it’s really bothering him that Gento just left it sitting there. Satoko tells Gento she’s going to bed, leaving Gento alone with the bracelet.
We then cut to the SKaRD Command Post, where SKaRD is being ordered to stop their investigation by Chief Haruno. Gento begins thinking about “The Third Wave”.
Through narration from Emi, we’re reminded that Bazanga was the “First Wave” and Gebalga was the “Second Wave”.
Emi’s narration adds that command refers to these as “V99 matters” and classified all the details.
Chief Haruno then adds that command will be taking point on Irugo, including mission planning. The kaiju research centre will investigate and SKaRD is on standby indefinitely. When Gento asks why, Chief Haruno tells him that it’s information he doesn’t need to know.
We then see Emi talking to Gento, with Emi commenting on the fact that command decided to lock these down, theorising that the Kaiju, now named “Irugo”, could be the “Third Wave” they’re so worried about. Emi then questions what makes these “waves” different from other space kaiju, adding that command is being awfully cautious.
Chief Haruno then asks where Emi is and Gento replies that she’s around, somewhere. This annoys Haruno, who tells Gento that “a captain should be aware of his subordinates whereabouts”, and Haruno leaves.
As Haruno leaves, Bando asks if Chief Haruno has ever been happy, Anri commenting that he was worse than usual this time. Gento comments that he’s used to it and gives the order for Teruaki to investigate as normal, this confusing Teruaki, with Gento mentioning that they’ll come back when things go south, they always do.
In a flashback, Gento asks Emi what she knows about “V99”. Emi reveals it has something to do with “Test Facility 66” (the building Emi was investigating in episode 14, “Moonlit Memories”). Gento comments that Emi has done some thorough research, to which Emi credits it all to long days at internet cafés.
Emi shows a picture of astrophysicist Tsutomu Nishizaki, a survivor of the Test Facility 66 incident. Emi asks if Gento knew him.
We get a brief flashback to the incident; specifically Gento’s first meeting with Blazar.
Everything was so chaotic that day, Gento explains. Emi mentions that Nishizaki went to university with her father and after the incident, he quit his job and vanished, and as Emi puts it, “after searching for him for approximately forever”, she finally has confirmed his whereabouts. Gento asks if Emi’s contacted him but she says no and Gento tells Emi to be careful. Emi replies only if Gento will, asking if he’ll be ok with the upper brass and Gento says that he’s stuck his neck out before.
Gento takes his phone out of his locker and sees a text from Satoko telling him that Jun is feeling down and asks if Gento could make it home early.
Then, Gento looks at the bracelet and Emi asks about it. Gento says Jun made it for him and that he’s been feeling down, to which Emi pats him on the back and tells him “Go, be a good dad”.
We then see Jun and Satoko. Satoko tells Jun that Gento will be coming home early and all Jun has to say is “ok” and the two smile.
Just as Gento is about to get ready to go, Anri bursts into the room and tells Gento that there’s been a development regarding Irugo.
We see Anri and Gento watching a reporter read a statement from the GGF, which says that the GGF is going to use a high power, self propelled laser cannon to cut Irugo down at it’s base. The reporter then mentions the one flaw in the GGF’s plan: direct attacks caused more gas to spread and then adds that the GGF plans to shut Irugo’s mouth with a high tensile wire.
We then see two GGF vehicles in action, the laser cannon, and a GGF Fighter (both of which are modified from vehicles from Ultraman Gaia).
The wire makes a direct hit, forcing Irugo’s mouth shut.
The laser cannon begins shooting at Irugo’s base and the reporter screams success.
However, Irugo snaps the wire and grabs the cannon in it’s mouth, throwing it in the air.
The rest of the news crew escapes but, by the look of things, the camera guy (or just the camera), wasn’t so lucky.
Irugo then shoots the gas out it’s mouth, contaminating the air.
We see Satoko and Jun watching the news and Satoko gets a text from Gento, who says he’s going to be late. Jun asks if the text was Gento and Satoko says no, and they put on masks, as the news instructed.
We then see Anri hang up the phone and tell Gento that command is in chaos, rescue teams are lagging behind and the laser team are still trapped in their vehicle.
Bando and Teruaki then arrive and explain their findings. They’ve discovered that Irugo Gas toxins are extremely similar to sulphate and sulphur oxide. Bando then shows that he compared many filters and found one that could work against the gas. Teruaki continues, adding that Irugo’s cells grow weaker in normal air, so it spreads the gas to remain alert. Gento asks if they purify the air, could they do damage, and Teruaki replies that with enough time, they could even drive it off.
Anri mentions how much gas there is in the atmosphere and Bando explains that they’ll be putting air filters into Earth Garon to deal with the gas, turning Earth Garon into the worlds biggest air purifier, using Earth Garon’s engine to circulate the bad air in and out.
We then see a disguised Emi, walking down the street, as two passersby talk about the Irugo gas. Emi then sees a man walking in the crowd and approaches him, it’s Tsutomu Nishizaki. Emi introduces herself and mentions that he worked with her father, this causing Nishizaki to become nervous and tries to leave. When Emi walks alongside, trying to ask questions, he says he doesn’t remember anything. Emi then asks if her father is still alive, causing Nishizaki to leave.
We then see Earth Garon approaching Irugo, as the air purification begins.
Bando tells Earth Garon not to take off and to just stay in place, Earth Garon’s AI comments that it feels weird.
Meanwhile, Anri and Gento rescue the laser cannon crew, who tell them that the TV crew is still trapped. Gento tells Anri to get the laser cannon crew to safety, while he looks for the TV crew.
Gento finds the crew under some rubble and uses his rifle to destroy the rubble. This frees the TV crew, who are escorted to safety by Gento.
At first, Bando and Teruaki think the purification is working, however, something strange occurs, as Irugo curls into a ball.
The curled up Irugo looks exactly like Gebalga’s meteor form (See episodes 11 and 12 for information on Gebalga). Teruaki asks himself what’s going on.
Suddenly, another Irugo bursts from the ground and Earth Garon takes off, so that it can regain it’s footing.
However, before Earth Garon can even leave the ground, the second Irugo wraps around Earth Garon, keeping it from moving.
After escorting the TV crew and handing them over to Anri, Gento finds a secluded area to transform into Ultraman Blazar.
Blazar attempts to save Earth Garon but is hit by the Gebala/Irugo.
Then, another Irugo appears, attacking Blazar by tangling around his leg and biting his arm. The Gebalga/Irugo slams into Blazar, as the third Irugo increases its grip on Blazar’s arm.
Teruaki and Bando free Earth Garon by firing the tail VLS at the second Irugo, and it works! Earth Garon then grabs the second Irugo by the neck and starts punching it repeatedly.
Earth Garon then shoots the third Irugo, freeing Blazar, as Teruaki uses the speaker on Earth Garon to tell Blazar to use the Chilsonite Sword to create a vacuum discharge, and that it should be able to generate enough plasma to purify the air.
Blazar summons the Chilsonite Sword and lets it fly up into the air, creating the discharge.
Teruaki gives the order to fire and Bando lets out a battle cry, as Earth Garon fires rapidly at the second Irugo, destroying it.
Blazar then grabs the Chilsonite Sword and slices down the third Irugo and the Gebalga/Irugo.
We then see Emi, walking down the street, as a billboard plays a news report, commending both Blazar and the GGF. Emi then hears someone call out to her, it’s Nishizaki.
We then see Gento, finally meeting with Satoko, apologising for being late. Satoko then reveals that Jun is feeling better and shows the news report of Gento saving the TV crew.
Gento tries to come up with a cover story but it’s clear Satoko has pieced everything together, as she makes Gento promise to not do anything risky.
Jun then runs up and is happy to see his dad wearing the bracelet he made for him, as the three head home.
We then see a man in a suit inform Yu Dobashi (from episode 14) that Emi has made contact with Nishizaki. Dobashi says that it was only a matter of time that it would happen.
The episode ends with three more Irugo, rising from the ground and the final Irugo eating the camera.
Conclusion
This episode was pretty good. We got to see more of Gento’s family and him trying to balance that with his role in the GGF, Emi continuing to investigate what happened to her father and the subtle foreshadowing of Blazar’s next opponent, I’m on the edge of my seat!
You can watch the episodes here:
What did you think? Did you enjoy this episode? Let us know in the comments. I’m Sean, once again, signing off.
Image Source: Ultraman Official YouTube Channel
