Ultraman Blazar roared to a raucous conclusion over the course of the last month. As we say goodbye (for now) to the caveman Ultra, let’s also take a look back at the final episodes of the series.
Hey all, Sean here again, and hope you all had a happy new year! I’m sorry this has taken so long, took some time off to spend time with family and (admittedly) finish the Insomniac Spider-Man games, but now I’m back with a new Ultraman Blazar recap! This time, we’re going over the endgame arc of the series.
Episode 22: “Insurance Hero”
Monsters Of The Day
The monsters of this episode are Freezing Kaiju Guigass (left) and Skull Kaiju Red King II (Right). These classic kaiju rely on their strength in combat but they each have signature weapons: Guigass’ freezing beam and Red King II throwing rocks.
SKaRD Team
The episode opens with Guigass and Red King fighting in the Japanese Alps, and Guigass begins to beg Red King to spare them instead of hitting them with a rock.
The two hear an ominous sound and look up to the sky.
We then see two salarymen running away from a kaiju, screaming.
A name isn’t given to the kaiju but their design reminds me of Baragon from the Godzilla series crossed with Nidoking from Pokémon.
It turns out, this isn’t an actual kaiju attack but rather an infomercial for the Japan Kaiju Damage Insurance firm. This is, therefore, an instance of in-universe tokusatsu and, that, I really like.
We then see an insurance salesman, Tetsuo, trying to sell an insurance package to a potential customer, but the caller hangs up halfway through, much to Tetsuo’s disappointment.
One of Tetsuo’s coworkers, Ryuji Aikawa, tells him that if he doesn’t change his approach, or the way he interacts with customers, he’s never going to make another sale again, this leads Tetsuo to decide to go door-to-door to make sales, Aikawa telling him it’s a waste of time.
We then see Anri sorting through paperwork, which the new upper brass have been drowning her in.
Anri tries to get Bando’s help but he’s swamped too, with working on the final Earth Garon mod.
We then see Teruaki discussing the appearance of the two kaiju we saw in the opening scene of the episode, one being part of the same species as the kaiju “Red King” that appeared on the Ogasawara Islands, and the new one being dubbed “Guigass”.
Gento gives Emi the orders to go and investigate the next day.
We then see the salesman, Tetsuo, at home, scrolling through his phone, asking himself “What am I doing with my life?”.
The next day, Tetsuo is scolded by his boss for being the only salesperson to not close a single sale, and tells him that he doesn’t care how, he just wants him to get someone to sign a contract.
We then get a montage of Tetsuo going door to door, but always getting the door slammed in his face. Tetsuo then stops at an old looking house and tells himself that it’s the last one for the day. The person who opens the door for him is an old woman, who’s curious about why he’s there. Tetsuo explains the different insurance options that the company has on offer, such as if burrowing causes your house to tilt over.
The old woman tells him that, since she lives alone, she doesn’t really need new insurance, but Tetsuo tells her that since she lives alone, that’s why she does need it. The old woman realizes she left the stove on, and has burned her food. Tetsuo apologizes for distracting her, but the woman tells him it’s not his fault, but Tetsuo takes it upon himself to fix this.
As Tetsuo leaves the house to run and get new food, he runs past Emi, who relays to SKaRD that the weather is fine, so the frequent landslides are an unnatural occurrence, with Gento telling her to contact them again if anything happens.
Anri and Bando celebrate that they’ve almost finished their tasks and plan on taking a break. Teruaki, however, tells them they’re on threat condition alpha, and for them to be ready to deploy at any moment, much to their sadness.
We cut back to Tetsuo, who’s putting in a new lightbulb for the old woman, as he also bought groceries for her, she tells him he didn’t have to do either but he says it’s fine. Tetsuo then asks if there’s anything else he can do, and at first the old woman says there isn’t, but then she realizes there is.
We then get a montage of Tetsuo doing various tasks around the woman’s home, such as cleaning the floor, binding newspapers, hoovering, etc. After watering the old woman’s flowers, she offers he stays for dinner, much to his surprise.
Tetsuo compliment’s the woman’s food, saying he’s only been eating ready-made stuff for a while now, to which the woman replies that the next time Tetsuo is there, she’ll have to make him one of his favourite meals, asking what he’d like. He mentions liking Hamburg Steak, and she says she can do that.
The old woman mentions that it must be hard being an insurance agent these days,and Tetsuo mentions the only good his job has done is teach him the layout of the streets.
Tetsuo mentions his old classmates are all off doing big things, like making music or starting businesses, but he never had a huge goal, he just drifted. The old woman tells Tetsuo he doesn’t need a big goal to have a fulfilling life, and that she knows how he feels, as ever since her husband died, she’s been drifting too. The woman then sits down and starts writing, and Tetsuo wonders what it is.
She was signing the insurance contract and tells Tetsuo to remember the little goals”, it is with this we learn the woman’s name, Michiko Tanaka.
We then see a landslide occurring, with trees shaking and rocks falling. Emi looks up at what caused the landslide; it’s the kaiju Guigass, and Gento tells her that Earth Garon has been deployed.
We then see a news report, telling the viewers that Guigass is headed to the Shomai neighbourhood of Matsumoto City.
The boss and employees of Japan Kaiju Insurance are watching the news, and the boss tells the employees to examine the claims, and, almost like a defence team, the employees all shout “Yes Sir!”.
Tetsuo thinks about it, and remembers that Michiko lives in the Shomai area and runs back for her.
We cut to Earth Garon, who is flying to the scene, Mopy in hand, which I thought was a nice touch.
Also, Guigass in this shot looks bored out of their mind, holding a car like it’s a Hot Wheels.
Emi and Gento watch Guigass and Earth Garon fight, as Earthy detects a second heat signature. From out of the ground, comes Red King II, and to be honest, I want to see this scene set to “Mama Said Knock You Out”, just me?
Tetsuo arrives at Michiko’s home, who seems to have accepted the idea of dying and was rather chill about it. However, Tetsuo tells her that they’re getting out of there, together.
While exiting Michiko’s home, the two see the fight, and rush to get away as fast as possible. Red King II is laying the smackdown on Earth Garon, and while Guigass holds Earthy in place, Red King II warms up a punch, but hits Guigass instead. Emi theorises that the two kaiju have established some kind of temporary truce between them while fighting Earthy.
Gento tells Emi that he’s going to lure one away so that they can have the advantage and… you all know what that means!
First, though, we see Tetsuo carrying Michiko on his back, as the fighting occurs in the background. Michiko asks Tetsuo why he cares so much, and Tetsuo says that he hasn’t had a hot meal like what Michiko made him for a long time and that they need to get through this to have Michiko’s Hamburg steak. One of the kaiju throws a tanker on the ground, and it explodes, throwing the pair to the ground.
Gento takes a few shots at Red King II, angering the kaiju. Gento then turns around, seeing Michiko and Tetsuo. The Blazar Brace appears on Gento’s wrist, and just like the past 21 episodes, he transforms into Ultraman Blazar.
Tetsuo and Michiko stare up in awe as they see Ultraman Blazar appear and join the fight. Blazar grapples with Red King II and uses some wrestling moves in the fight. At the same time, Earth Garon is dealing hit after hit to Guigass. Earthy hits Guigass with the Earth Fire, but Guigass retaliates, shooting ice breath from its mouth. Earth Garon freezes, and Guigass celebrates. Guigass does the same to Blazar after Red King sent Blazar Guigass’ way. And Blazar goes to his knees, frozen.
Just as Red King II is about to deal a punch, Blazar summons Firdran and activates the Firdran Armour. It was at this moment, the two kaiju knew, they messed up. The two kaiju clearly didn’t anticipate this, and are looking at each other like they’re saying, “What do we do now?”.
Blazar makes a matador muleta using the Tilsonfird Lance, and sends Guigass flying into Red King II.
The reactions of the two kaiju say everything, don’t you think?
The kaiju smash into another house, causing Aikawa to freak out. Insurances are being paid out today.
Blazar and Earth Garon finish off Guigass and Red King II, who are clearly freaking out about it.
Someone in the shelter announces that Blazar just defeated the kaiju and everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Michiko comments that her husband will have to wait for her, with Tetsuo saying that he’s sure that her husband will be fine with that. Michiko comments that her house is probably rubble by now, but Tetsuo reminds her that she can rebuild and that that’s what he’s there for.
We later see Tetsuo’s boss complimenting him, saying that him going door-to-door is paying off, and that he’s surprised by it. The boss also calls out Aikawa, as his customers have been complaining about his attitude.
The episode ends with Tetsuo saying “I’m heading out!”.
Conclusion
Wow, just wow. I think this might be my favourite episode of Blazar. Not only did we get to see this world from a civilian point of view but this episode shows that even if you think your life is mundane, it’s the little things you do that count. I’d like to see more episodes like this in future Ultraman shows.
Episode 23: “Visitor 99”
Monsters Of The Day
In this episode, the kaiju Deltandal and Taganular! Two Kaiju we previously saw in the episodes “Moonlit Memories” and “The Name is Earth Garon” respectively. You can learn more about these kaiju from previous episode recaps.
SKaRD Team
The episode opens with SKaRD and Blazar fighting a pair of Deltandal F’s, with Blazar taking down one of them. Then, the other escapes into the upper atmosphere as Blazar pursues it, giving us this very pretty shot.
We then see the SKaRD team discuss the fact that this was the fifth appearance this month alone. Teruaki brings up that the Mod 3, while allowing for aerial combat, but the Deltandal’s keep fleeing to space. Gento then arrives and the team ask what the doctor said. Gento tells them that he’s just been fatigued and that he’ll be getting lots of food and sleep, with everyone telling him to get some sleep, showing the team does have a bond outside being just a defence team.
Gento then looks down at the Blazar Stone, which is glowing again. Before he knows it, Gento loses control and punches himself in the face, knocking himself out, likely Blazar’s doing. The SKaRD team find him and check up on him, and Teruaki tells Bando to call the infirmary.
Gento is later with a doctor, who reprimands Gento for sneaking of during his examination, only to be brought to him unconscious. Gento mentions the lack of sleep finally catching up with him. However, the doctor points out that it’s not sleep that’s an issue, as Gento has low bone density and muscle atrophy, something that isn’t normal. The doctor tells him that if he pushes his body any further, he may not survive.
Gento later finds the Blazar Stone, asking if it punched him so he could get some rest.
Teruaki finds Gento, and Gento tells him that he was dizzy, to which Teruaki tells him to get some rest, and Gento says he will, not wanting to let his vice-captain down, as he puts it.
Meanwhile, aboard Mopy, Emi is with Bando’s friend, Mitchi, who was mentioned a few episodes ago, as he shows Emi some images he took.
Mitchi shows Emi an image he took while observing the path Gebalga and Bazanga took, with a similar occurrence happening five days later. Emi concludes that the distortion must be moving. Mitchi then explains that it followed it’s flight path, and when it got to Mars, he got a photo.
When He used a satellite near mars to get images of the distortion from different angles, he found it was a space kaiju. Emi says she’ll relay the information and Mitchi asks if he can name it, choosing “Mitchi-27”.
The SKaRD team are overlooking the image, piecing together that if Bazanga was the first wave, and Gebalga was the second, then this must be the third wave. Gento mentions he reported it to command but they didn’t want to hear it.
SKaRD then gets an alert for a Taganular appearance, much to Anri’s disgust. Based on where it’s appearing, it’s going for locations with Teaterium tanks. Fortunately, they’re only 10-20 metre class and can be handled locally.
They then get a report of a 60-Metre class Taganular in Koari City of Ibaraki Prefecture. Gento tells them that while they haven’t received a deployment request, they’ll take Earth Garon Mod 2.
Gento plans that since he and Anri fought Taganular before, they’ll go, but Teruaki tells him to stick to the rotation schedule. The whole team tells Gento that they can handle it and he should stay at base. Gento complies and gives the deployment order.
We then get this shot of Earth Garon flying, and like the previous episode, carrying Mopy.
We then see the GGF Base, as a communication that Earth Garon is entering the mission area comes in, and one soldier thinks they’ll only disrupt the attack, however, Commander Genkawa, tells them to launch an all out offensive with SKaRD’s support and the Earth Garon is given authorisation.
Earth Garon lands and prepares to engage Taganular. Earth Garon engages the Taganular, the two trading blows. SKaRD then get’s a request from the USA, as a 200-Meter class Taganular has appeared in the Mojave Desert.
Gento then heads outside, geared up, faking communication issues, as he asks Blazar to let him fight, just a little bit more. Blazar allows Gento to transform again, as they head off to the USA. Blazar flies at Mach 20 to Nevada, buying SKaRD some time to fight the 60-Meter Taganular.
Blazar arrives in the USA, and gives Taganular (200m) a knee to the face.
Emi then gets a call from Mitchi, who’s made another discovery watching his kaiju. Mitchi sends over an image of an explosion, the result of Gebalga being hit by an energy beam mid-approach, a beam fired by the first Taganular Blazar fought (see episode 3 recap).
We then see Blazar make some solid progress, cutting down Taganular (200m). However, this only served to anger the kaiju, who know has energy tendrils in place of a blade-like hand, using them to knock Blazar to the ground.
Taganular (60m), meanwhile, is starting to gain the upper hand in Japan.
Mitchi theorises that the Taganular hitting Gebalga with it’s beam was no coincidence, and that it was targeting it, and Emi adds that all the Taganular appearing at once are all targeting “Mitchi-27”. Commander Genkawa, meanwhile, gives the order to fire thermobaric warheads at Taganular, with Anri relaying this to Emi, as all other units have pulled back. Earth Garon tries to grab Taganular, but it’s body is so hot, that Earth Garon’s hands overheat the cockpit. Emi checks on the distortion, to see if it’s any closer, and it is, right next to the moon. Emi contacts Teruaki, telling him that the beams fired by the original Taganular targeted Gebalga, and now these Taganular are targeting the third wave, and Teruaki realizes that the kaiju sensed an external threat.
Meanwhile in the USA, Blazar has summoned the Firdran Armour, and while ready to finish off the Taganular, Emi patches through the US communications, and tells Blazar about the third wave, and how the Taganular are trying to fight it off. Emi and Anri receive word that the missiles have been fired.
However, Blazar and Earthy shoot down the missiles, to the GGF’s anger.
The Taganular’s fire their beams, and the GGF find out what they were firing against. “Mitchi-27” is revealed to be a space kaiju, that the beam sends hurdling towards the Moon’s surface. Commander Genkawa tells Chief Haruno that while everything worked out, SKaRD’s actions were in direct conflict with the GGF’s orders, and that can’t go unpunished, with Haruno willingly accepting full responsibility. The episode ends with the Space Kaiju, currently known as “Mitchi-27” by SKaRD, unscathed, on the moon.
Conclusion
This episode was amazing, as always! The effects were perfect, the writing and acting were phenomenal. Honestly, I just really have been enjoying Blazar as a whole and it’s a shame it ends after this next episode.
Episode 24: “The Approaching Third Wave”
Monster Of The Day
This episode’s monster is the Space Bomber Kaiju, Varallon! Initially dubbed “Mitchi-27”, this kaiju can produce organic bombs, fire a strange beam, and consume the energy of it’s opponents! Will Blazar and SKaRD be able to win?
SKaRD Team
The episode opens on SKaRD looking at a screen, displaying Mitchi-27, AKA the “Third Wave”, who the higher-ups have named “Varallon”. Suddenly, Gento suffers a sharp chest pain, with the whole team asking if he’s ok, but Gento reassures them that he’s fine, and orders them to continue. Teruaki continues, adding that the kaiju is gathering round objects, and placing them in a spiral pattern on the far side of the moon.
We then see Varallon shine a light from it’s head, and the objects explode, knocking out the video signal, and when Emi restores it, a massive crater is in the moon. Anri comments how bad it is. They zoom in on Varallon, who’s started placing more objects on the moon’s surface. These objects appear to be organic in nature, as Varallon’s tail slithers out of a hole in the middle.
We then see Yu Dobashi, reading what appears to be Emi’s Father’s journal, asa subordinate tells him what happened on the moon, and that if the latest batch of explosives go off, it will alter the moon’s orbit. Dobashi then throws the journal into a fire, and leaves with the subordinate.
We then cut back to SKaRD, who have figured out how Varallon travels; it takes one celestial body, in this instance, the moon, and slams it into another, this being Earth.
Gento finishes a call with the higher-ups, with Teruaki asking what they said. We get to see the team looking at Earth Garon Mod 4, loaded with all the existing gear, and modified to fight in space, but as Bando states, it wasn’t meant to be finished for a while, Emi mentioning that Earthy was designed to fight V99 from the start. Gento gives the team their orders; complete the mods engage Varallon and stop the bombs. Teruaki mentions that with an explosion of that magnitude, there would be casualties. Emi asks what Chief Haruno said, but Gento reveals Haruno took the fall for them on the Taganular operation and was let go. Gento adds that he still can’t believe it, and that the operation lacks in everything, and the harsh reality that they may not even come back.
However, the entire team is with Gento, who lays out a plan, with Teruaki and Anri piloting Earthy, with Bando and Gento in the Mod 3 unit, Emi staying on Earth to find a way out off the mess. Gento gives his own order, for the team to return safely, and then asks when the Mod 4 will be ready, Bando saying it will take 24 hours, so Gento grants them and 18-hour dismissal.
We then cut to Gento, talking to the Blazar Stone, asking if Blazar doesn’t want him to go on the mission, but adds that it’s their only shot, before experiencing another chest pain.
We then get a montage of what the SKaRD members chose to do with their 18 hours, with Anri going for a run, running past where Hoichi Tsukushi and his band, who were Cicada-People in disguise, would play their music from episode 9.
Bando goes to the laundromat, and looks at his favourite dryer, Cururu, from episode 6.
Teruaki calls his father, asking if he got tested for an unnamed ailment, saying that he’s worried about him.
We then see Gento going to visit Chief Haruno, who was just given something by who I assume is Dobashi’s subordinate. Haruno asks Gento is Emi told him about where he’s staying, and Gento relays a message from Emi, asking when he’s coming back. Haruno tells him that he’s done all he can, but Gento reminds him of Emi’s impulsiveness, and that he’s headed for the moon, meaning he can’t protect her, but Haruno brings up the fact that Emi is Gento’s subordinate, and tells him to get back to base, Gento salutes, then leaves. As Gento leaves, Haruno takes out what he was given, the slightly burned journal of Emi’s father, his old friend.
We finally see how Emi is spending the 18 hours, as she’s talking to Earthy about the intel she’s gathered so far, the ship, the V99, the wormhole, the space kaiju, and the wormhole, only to hit a brick wall. Earthy asks what all this is telling her, and Emi theorises that the V99 either want revenge or to invade, and if she knew their goal, she could find a solution to this whole ordeal. Emi asks Earthy what he thinks, and the AI unintentionally reveals that it knows something through it’s use of the word “classified”.
Emi then tells Earthy that to the team, he’s more than just an AI, he’s a friend, and for Earthy, the feeling is mutual, and Emi asks why he can’t say anything, whatever information Earthy has would help the team in this whole situation.
Earth Garon then produces a micro-SD card, saying that while he is unable to comment further, this is the best he can do. Emi thanks him.
We then see Gento eating dinner with his family, Satoko and Jun. A news report plays on the TV, talking about Varallon, but Satoko turns it off. Jun asks if they’ll need to evacuate but Gento tells him that if the moon’s orbit changes, there won’t be any point. Jun asks if Gento’s helping. He tells him that everyone in the GGF is and, if everything works out, he’ll have time off. Satoko tells Jun that Gento has to leave early in the morning and Jun wants to see Gento off, telling him about a kaiju fossil exhibition at the science museum.
Later that night, before Gento leaves, Satoko wakes up and asks if he’s leaving already. Gento says that it’s better this way. Satoko points out that Gento is wearing the bracelet Jun made for him. Gento saying that wearing it makes him feel like he can do anything. Satoko tells him to be careful and he heads off.
We cut to SKaRD Command Post, and the staff wishing the team good luck on this mission. After a preparation montage, Earth Garon Mod 4 launches, as Emi enters Mopy. Yu Dobashi and his subordinate enter the GGF outpost, commenting that he wants a front row seat to what is happening, as the fate of the Earth is in the balance.
We then see Emi trying to access the files given to her by Earthy but she can’t seem to get the password right. Gento sends a communication that they have visual on the far side of the moon and, once they’re over, they’ll enter parking orbit. Emi tells them to be safe.
Emi finally accesses the files and finds a V99 document. As Emi is reading, a pair of men in black open Mopy, and aim their guns at her.
Earthy and the rest of the team arrive on the far side of the moon, seeing multiple organic bombs in the crater, Gento order them to activate all sensors and radars, so that they can get as much data as they can. However, Varallon spots them, and fires a beam from it’s head at Earthy, who does some evasive manoeuvres. Earthy then fires a laser at Varallon, but this, in turn, sets off some of the organic bombs
Dobashi remarks that it’ll take forever and says they should hurry up and fight it on the ground, as the GGF Outpost relays this command to Earthy. Earthy lands and begins fighting Varallon, who immediately overpowers Earthy. Earthy winds up pulling an organic bomb from Varallon’s tail, and it explodes in Earthy’s hands. After the explosion, everyone except Gento is knocked out cold, and he begs Blazar to fight with him, even though it puts the both of them at risk, Earth needs to be protected.
The Blazar Brace appears on Gento’s wrist, and he says “Let’s go…Blazar”.
Gento transforms into Ultraman Blazar, in yet another variation of the transformation, Blazar appears in a more traditional pose.
However, Blazar’s colour timer immediately starts going off, giving Varallon the opportunity to strike.
Varallon slices Blazar with it’s abdominal buzzsaw, dealing heavy damage. (Very akin to Gigan from the Godzilla films.) Varallon then launches an organic bomb at Blazar, who tries to fly away from it, but it still hit by it. Varallon begins burrowing, so Blazar rushes to Earth Garon and SKaRD’s aid, to get them out of there. As Blazar and Earthy fly away, an explosion goes off, and the GGF Outpost members say that this could be what throws off the moon’s orbit.
Blazar sees this and attempts to correct the moon’s orbit but is bitten by Varallon, who begins feeding on Blazar’s energy. Blazar summons a wormhole, generating red and blue lightning.
With a flash of white, we see Gento in a void and Blazar separating from him, Gento calls out to Blazar, asking what he’s doing. We see the two drifting apart, in a reversal of how they merged. Gento winds up back in Earthy, wondering what happened. As he takes out the Blazar stone, he sees that it’s blank.
We see Varallon, now in an evolved state, leave another bomb on the moon, with a dormant Blazar, and it explodes. The GGF see that Blazar did manage to restore the moon’s orbit, but Varallon escaped the moon’s gravity, now approaching Earth. Dobashi gives the order to eliminate Varallon before it makes it to earth. The episode ends with Blazar, drifting through space.
Conclusion
Wow, this was a heavy hitter and, with Blazar possibly dead, who knows what will happen to SKaRD and Earth. Guess we’ll have to find out in the final episode… which just so happens to be the final portion of this article.
Episode 25 (FINALE): “The Ones Who Embrace the Earth”
Monsters Of The Day
Picking up directly where last episode left off, we have Varallon in it’s second form! Armed with even stronger abilities, how will Earth and SKaRD fare without Blazar’s help? Let the final battle begin!
SKaRD Team
The episode opens with SKaRD regaining consciousness and using auxiliary power to reboot Earth Garon. They prepare to go after Varallon and decide to bring Blazar with them, Teruaki saying “We can’t leave a friend behind”. We then see the GGF trying to attack Varallon, but none of their missiles have any effect on the kaiju.
We then see Emi get thrown into a cell by the men in black, screaming that she doesn’t have time for this.
Varallon lands on Earth and starts rampaging, causing a trail of destruction in it’s wake. Varallon places down one of it’s evolved organic bombs, as it’s tail slithers out.
The SKaRD team finally make it back to Earth, setting the Uranus Drive to full power, causing some turbulence that results in them losing Blazar, who falls from the sky, and crash lands into a building near the Command Post. Earth Garon then lands, but stumbles due to the damage it sustained in the moon battle. We then see Varallon rampaging, as a voice tells us that it’s heading west, placing bombs as it goes.
Yu Dobashi is panicking because, if the bombs go off, it will blast a hole through Tokyo to the other side of the world, with Commander Genkawa asking for the status on Earth Garon.
We then see the team, having exited Earthy, which, according to Anri, should be repaired within the hour. Gento gives the order to deploy but stumbles, as the team help him up. Teruaki tells him to see the doctor, as Gento can barely stand.
Just then, three units fly over, the 83rd Special Maintenance and Supply Regiment, the Special Forward Arming, and Refuelling Company. They all heard Gento’s unit needed help, so they came as fast as they could. Anri asks how many units owe Gento a favour, but he says that he doesn’t remember now, just saying “a few”. Gento thanks the units for coming, as Gento tells him that they just might make it in time, Gento telling them that he’s going to get clearance from Dr. Ogawara.
We then get this chilling shot of Varallon, standing amongst the rubble of buildings it destroyed.
Next, Gento is talking to the unconscious Blazar, thanking him for his protection, telling him that SKaRD will handle the battle against Varallon. As Gento is about to walk away, Blazar wakes up, and speaks his first human words:
“We’ll go” (Japanese audio with English subtitles)
“We’ve got this” (English Dub)
The Blazar Brace then appears on Gento’s wrist. Gento then calls Teruaki, telling him that the Doctor examined him and put him on strict bedrest, as he transfers control of SKaRD to Teruaki. The Blazar Stone then returns to normal.
Gento and Blazar share a knowing look, as they reunify, for one final battle.
We then get this visual of the two reuniting, and as they transform, Gento tells Blazar to not “let go”.
The GGF Outpost sees that Blazar has appeared, and is now fighting Varallon.
Blazar is giving it his all against the powerful kaiju but Varallon is stronger, tossing Blazar to the floor as if it was nothing.
Meanwhile at the GGF Outpost, the operators, Commander Genkawa and Yu Dobashi see something on screen, spherical kaiju have appeared in orbit.
Dobashi recognize these as the V99, believing that they’ve come in a fleet to exact revenge on humanity.
Commander Genkawa asks what Dobashi knows about the V99 but Dobashi brushes it off, telling him too send a message to the Supreme Commander of the US HQ: “Fourth Wave Approaching”, and that he’ll know what it means.
Teruaki then gets a communication from the Outpost, telling SKaRD to deal with the fleet. Teruaki tells Anri and Bando to prioritise fighting Varallon, and that they’ll deal with the fleet after, and hangs up on the Outpost.
Earth Garon launches, piloted by Anri and Bando, as the Command Post crew watch on and cheer.
Meanwhile, Chief Retsu Haruno manages to free Emi, giving back her dad’s diary, referring to it as “The truth Tatsuki Aobe left us”.
We then get a pretty quick panning low shot of Blazar’s fight with Varallon, and this is a technique that I really love for kaiju tokustatsu media.
Earth Garon flies in, and fires everything it has at Varallon. Varallon retaliates by throwing an organic bomb at Earthy but Blazar stops it by setting it off. Blazar and Earthy fight Varallon together, to make sure it doesn’t alter Earth’s orbit.
The GGF worldwide, has armed all interception units, aimed at the V99, as Emi and Chief Haruno enter the Outpost. Haruno tells them they have information, and ask permission to speak, Dobashi tells them that no-one will let them speak, but Commander Genkawa does let them.
Emi then turns on a communication, and reveals everything; the meteorite shot down in 1999, that wasn’t a meteorite, but an alien ship, and that the fleet above Earth now is made up of beings that piloted the ship from 1999, and that wreckage from the ship was used to develop new technologies on Earth, including the Wormhole Generator that caused the accident at Facility 66 and the Earth Garon.
Anri and Bando, who are getting the communication, are shocked by this, with Bando realizing that it’s why Earthy was full of so much top-secret stuff, and Anri getting the idea for Earthy to try communicating with the V99, since he’s made off it’s tech, Earthy’s AI hoping it’s possible.
Cutting back to Emi, we get the identity of the man who ordered the ship be shot down, Yu Dobashi. Dobashi makes a claim that the ship was a threat to humans, and that’s why it needed to be shot down. Emi points out that due to Dobashi’s actions, the V99 sent Bazanga, Gebalga and now Varallon as assailants. Dobashi just doesn’t care, saying that they brought them down once, and they’ll do it again.
Teruaki then, via communication, brings forward Anri’s idea to the GGF Outpost, to have Earthy ask if the V99 are in fact here to invade.
Dobashi laughs at this but, then, the Outpost sees that Earthy has sent a signal to the fleet and that the V99 replied, much to Dobashi’s surprise.
As Blazar fights Varallon, Earthy translates the fragmented communication from the V99:
“Friend… Weapon… Planet of Light… New world… Journey… Blue Planet… Danger… Fear… Fear… Fear…”
Emi then shows her father’s diary, as he was in charge of research on V99 tech.
The diary shows that there were no weapons whatsoever found among the wreckage. Emi concludes that the V99 had no intention to invade, they just sought a new world, travelling unarmed through wormholes, this being the truth that Dobashi tried to cover up.
Dobashi doesn’t accept this, as he still refers to the V99 as a threat, asking Emi what they should do. Earthy then repeats the “Danger…Blue Planet…Fear” part of the communication, Emi theorising that the V99 are afraid of humans.
Emi tells Commander Genkawa to order all units around the world to stand down, much to his shock at the idea of a ceasefire. The Outpost then receives word that the fleet is close enough to fire on Earth, but Emi tells Genkawa that if they attack, they’ll start a war, just as Teruaki says via communications that the V99 won’t lower their weapons if Earth’s are raised.
Just as Blazar was about to shoot Varallon, Earthy steps in between, sending out the message that humanity does not wish to fight, proving this by removing all units, much to the Outpost’s shock.
Varallon just opens fire on Earthy but Earthy keeps doing what it was doing. Blazar then sees the oncoming V99 Fleet and disables the Firdran armour, reaching out to the fleet as a show of peace. Varallon however, attacks both Blazar and Earthy, the kaiju not wanting to hear the message.
Dobashi is enraged by this and tells then to hurry up and attack, but Chief Haruno cuts him off, telling him that it was Dobashi who made the decision to fire, especially with the information he had, and that they cannot afford that mistake again.
Emi then adds to what Chief Haruno said, saying that, while she believes Dobashi only did what he felt was right at the time, she hopes he can trust them to do what they feel is right, Dobashi is unimpressed by this.
Dobashi leaves them with the final words “Fine, do as you will”, as he leaves the GGF Outpost. Chief Haruno then turns to Commander Genkawa, who both send out the call that the “Fourth Wave” has gone and to switch all interception units from armed to standby, and the units do so.
Emi then steps forward, and tells Earthy to send out another message, a single word:
“Future.”
Earthy repeats the word and, eventually, the fleet stops its advance and also says “Future”, vanishing one by one into wormholes. With this, Teruaki gives Anri and Bando the order to “Show Varallon what they’re made of”.
Blazar also rejoins the fight, using a Dual-Rainbow Slash to set of an organic bomb, which sends both him and Varallon flying back.
Earthy helps Blazar to his feet, and we get this beautiful shot, worthy of being in the finale.
Commander Genkawa gives the order for all units to focus on Varallon, with Chief Haruno ordering that units use long distance precision attacks.
Blazar and Earthy run side-by-side as Earthy lets loos the Earth Fire at full power.
Blazar pierces Varallon with the Spiral Burrade, however, Teruaki finds that the bombs have increased in temperature, and at this rate, all of them will go off. However, humanity got some unlikely assistance from Earth’s kaiju, as hordes of Demaaga, Zugugan and Deltandal, have intercepted the bombs and began eating them, cancelling the chain reaction.
Just as Blazar is about to get hit by Varallon’s claws, Earthy saves him, by pulling back one of Varallon’s arms to distract the kaiju, but this results in Earthy taking the hit.
As the fight goes on, we cut to Gento’s family, with his son, Jun saying “You can do it, Blazar!”.
This seemed to resonate, as Gento’s wedding ring and the bracelet Jun made for him start to spark and glow.
This results in Blazar’s arm glowing, as a swirl of red and blue emits from his wrist.
And as Varallon charges at Blazar, Blazar, for the very first time, fires his own beam, the Blazar Beam, defeating Varallon, causing everyone to celebrate.
Blazar goes to check on Earth Garon, who, while dazed, waves at him before deactivating.
We then see Emi and Dobashi talking, with Emi saying that the V99 have been searching for a new world for decades and that she thinks they understood, adding that everyone wants a brighter future. Dobashi tells Emi he’s had enough and is leaving the rest to her, as he leaves.
At the SKaRD Command Post, Bando shouts to Earthy that they’ll get him fixed up, with Earthy giving him a thumbs up.
Emi starts to wonder where the V99 were headed now, with Gento saying that if they go through another wormhole and should they find the new home they seek, it‘ll be beyond the Blazar of a distance galaxy, beyond the brilliant light, or so he believes.
We end this episode, and Ultraman Blazar, with Gento returning home to his family.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
I’ve never enjoyed a New Generation Ultraman show this much since Ultraman Orb. The story, while flawed at times, was a fun and enjoyable ride, and the characters were all well written and likeable. Overall, Ultraman Blazar is a show I would recommend to tokusatsu fans old and new alike, and I’m going to miss the SKaRD team.
But hey, February, we’ll get to see them in action one last time in Ultraman Blazar: The Movie.
You can watch the episodes here on YouTube, starting with episode 22:
What did you think? Did you enjoy the final episodes? Let us know in the comments. I’m Sean, once again, signing off.
