Shuwatch To Watch: Ultraman Arc Episode 18

Hey all, Sean here, and we’re back with another episode of Ultraman Arc! This time, we see the Ghost Kaiju continuing to appear but, with Zangill gone, SKIP needs a new plan of action, one that requires Arc’s help! Will Yuma be able to be in two places at once? Let’s find out!

Recap

The episode opens with Arc fighting more Ghost Kaiju, namely a swarm of Taganular, assisted by Shu and the GDF via the use of a sonic weapon that plays a recording of the sound of Zangill’s sword, allowing the Ghost Kaiju to gain physical form. Arc makes quick work of the Tanganulars, by using the Arc Exa Slash and then by using the Galaxy Armour. Later, we see Yuma on a rooftop, having detransformed after the harsh battle. He runs into SKIP HQ, where he sees YouPi, Ban and Rin at a computer, with Ban asking if Yuma is okay. Rin then speaks, mentioning how everything SKIP and the GDF has on multiverse theory is pretty basic, so she’ll need to go one theory at a time. YouPi adds that the dimensional rift has gotten bigger, with Yuma asking if it has anything to do with “Hellnarak”. Shu then enters, telling SKIP everything went well because Arc showed up, adding that he’s not sure how they’ll be able to last, because more Taganular have been sent over a few at a time for the past ten days. YouPi expresses sympathy for Arc, saying he must be exhausted, with Yuma slipping up and saying, “I’m exhausted”, but quickly recovering and saying that Arc is. Shu theorises that the Ghost Kaiju are trying to wear them down bit by bit. We then briefly cut to the rift, going inside to see one of the Ghost Kaiju eggs.

Later, Yuma is standing on a rooftop, looking up at the rift, thinking back on what Zangill said about “infinite worlds and Ultras”. Just then, Shu joins Yuma on the roof, asking him what he thinks of Ultraman Arc, specifically, why Yuma thinks Arc fights kaiju. Yuma asks Shu why he’s asking, saying it’s not like he knows much, with Shu just replying that Yuma was just there and because for their next operation they need to count on Arc for help.

Back at SKIP HQ, Shu shows archival footage of Arc using the Galaxy Armour, pointing out it’s dimensional and teleportation abilities and, whenever he does, high values of Onyxium particles are detected. Shu continues, adding that the GDF theorises that Arc can control the particles with his armour, Ban asks if they can affect the rift with the particles, adding they’d need a source. YouPi asks if they’re going to get Arc’s help, with Shu revealing they’ve constructed a particle collecting device, and once Arc hits it with Onyxium particles, the machine will redirect them skyward to destabilise the rift.

Rin then asks how they’re supposed to tell Arc the plan, with Shu saying that the members of SKIP are the closest to Arc. Ban then wonders how they’ll communicate with Arc, with YouPi revealing he’s been learning “Alien Language”, but Rin calls it out from being in a “scam textbook”, which reveals to the audience that Rin gives YouPi an allowance. Ban then gets the idea to use gestures to communicate, but nobody thinks either is a good idea. Just then, Yuma says that he thinks Arc can understand their language, with Rin recalling how he listened in on them at one point. YouPi then points out a roadblock in Yuma’s plan, the problem of how they’ll get Arc to show up. Ban notes that they can’t mobilise everyone on a hunch. Shu then adds that Yuma ma be right, as Arc has only shown up when they can’t beat a kaiju themselves, meaning he’s always somewhere where he can observe them. Rin suggests artificially recreating a kaiju event, such as a bio pulse or roar, with everyone agreeing on the plan. As everyone get’s ready, Ban assigns Yuma to write a message for Arc to explain the plan. Later, SKIP and the GDF are at the sight of the collection device, as Rin and YouPi get ready to lure in Arc. Just as the plan goes into motion, Yuma sneaks off and transforms into Ultraman Arc.

As Arc appears, Ban and YouPi put their communication plans into action. Rin reads what Yuma wrote but, before Arc can give them some Onyxium particles, a Ghost Kaiju comes through the rift! The sonic weapon is deployed, the soundwaves giving the kaiju physical form, with Arc taking flight to combat the kaiju, the pair making landfall to continue their fight. With the kaiju down, Arc summons the Galaxy Armour and begins charging the device, all while using the portals to combat the kaiju. Once the charge was complete, the Onyxium particles are fired at the rift, as Arc continues fighting the kaiju, finishing it off with the Arc Finalize beam. However, celebrations are cut short as the rift grows larger, and something begins to pass through, the Infernal Dark Shogun, Hellnarak! Arc looks up, and flies towards the rift, Pushing Hellnarak through and disappearing.

The episode ends as Yuma wakes up, only to see Hellnarak fighting a mechanical kaiju, but before he could be caught in the crossfire, he saved by an alternate Shu.

Extra Lore and Fun Facts

Not much extra lore to go over, so let’s jump right into the kaiju!

Starting off, we have the return of an old foe, “Space Crustacean Kaiju” Bazanga! A Crustacean like kaiju with Bladed arms and the ability to shoot projectiles was another returning kaiju from Ultraman Blazar. In fact, if you’ve been reading my articles since day one, you’ll know that Bazanga was the first kaiju we encountered together.

Moving on, we have the “Infernal Dark Shogun Beast”, Hellnarak! A creature who appears to be comprised of many different kaiju, such as Bazanga, Gedos, Taganular, Mogusion, Red King and more. He is the great evil Zangill spoke of. How will Arc and Blazar fare against this beast?

My Thoughts

The penultimate episode of the “Blazar Tribute Saga” and, wow, has this been a journey, From the return of Zangill, to the reveal that beyond the dimensional rift is Blazar’s world, I’m really excited to see how this all wraps up. My one question is, what would Rin’s plan have been to directly communicate with Arc? Since YouPi and Ban had their own plans.

Either way, I give this episode an 8/10

Did you enjoy the episode? Let us know your thoughts. Until the next Shuwatch, this is Sean signing off.