Ultraseven

Ultraseven was a slightly different looking Ultra-hero. The show didn't explain why he came to Earth, although the back-story created later by Tsuburaya Pro. described him as a cartographer mapping out the Milky Way, who decided to visit Earth for an extended period. Ultraseven saved the life of Jiro Satsuma, after he fell off a mountain. Inspired by Jiro's purity of soul, Ultraseven decided to model his human form (which he created himself ... unlike Ultraman, he did not merge with a human) after Jiro, calling himself Dan Moroboshi. After several encounters with the Ultra Garrison, formed to combat a new attack on Earth by beings from outer space, Dan was allowed to join the Ultra Garrison.

One manga story delved into the background of Ultraseven. He was part of a group called the "Red Warriors." Seven started out very violent, and not well-versed in the use of the weapons at hand. At that point he was called "Red Ultraman." Whether this manga is considered canon or not, I don't know, nor do I know if the "Red Ultraman" was designed to fit into the rumored original name of Ultraseven, "Redman" (perhaps related to the Redman mentioned in the Other Ultras section) or if "Red Ultraman" was a later pre-production name for Ultraseven.

Although Ultraseven did not merge with a human, he still required, usually, a mechanism to change. This was accomplished through the use of the Ultra Eyes, also called the Task Mask. These were templeless goggles, which resembled modern eye protectors used when laying out in the sun or tanning booth, which, when applied, would change Dan into Ultraseven. In one episode, however, Dan was able to change into Ultraseven by using a different mechanism on his belt, and another time he was able to change through sheer force of will. When Dan would change to Ultraseven, he would retain a normal human stature. Normally Ultraseven would cause himself to grow to standard monster-bashing proportions, although on one occasion he spent the entire show at human size. Even while in human form, Dan possessed mental and telekinetic powers, used often during the show.

Ultraseven had several energy powers, including a beam similar to the Specium beam, called the Wide Shot. He had several other beam attacks, including one that was a pulsed energy beam that resembled several boomerangs fired in rapid succession. Ultraseven's two main attacks, however, were the Emellium Beam and the Eye Slugger. The Emellium Beam was an energy beam fired from the glowing green jewel on his forehead. The Eye Slugger was actually Ultraseven's fin, which was detachable and throwable like a boomerang. When thrown, it would seem to convert to energy, or be surrounded by an energy nimbus.

Another unique weapon Ultraseven possessed was a cache of "mini monsters." These were small capsules which, when thrown, would turn into monsters that would obey Dan's or Ultraseven's commands like pets. The most commonly used "pet" was the robot named Windom.

Ultraseven didn't have a standard ColorTimer on his chest. In fact, he didn't have any type of warning light that changed color. On at least two occasions, however, the green Emellium Beam emitter on his forehead began blinking ColorTimer-style when his energy diminished. In one situation, where Seven was battling a microscopic alien virus, his emitter began to blink, but he was able to finish off the creature before he ran dry. Once aliens known as the Gutsians devised a way to systematically weaken Ultraseven; after he was too weak to move, they encased him in a crystalline cross and scheduled him to die at dawn. As Seven was weakened, his beam emitter blinked, and finally went dark. Unlike some other Ultra-warriors, though, Seven was not finished when this happened. (In fact, rarely has this been a permanent doom; see the notes on ColorTimers for details.)

After 49 episodes, even Ultraseven's energy began to dwindle, and he was commanded by his commander (who wasn't Zoffy, curiously enough, but another Ultraseven-like hero we have not seen since) to return home. This happens just as the Goth aliens attack Earth. Dan is injured, and tells Anne (the Garrison's medical technician) who he really is. Anne has fallen in love with Dan, but Dan must soon leave, after he makes one final attempt to stop the Goth's monster, Pandon. Ultraseven finally wins over the Goth, and returns home to Nebula M78, although he, too, would return later.

It should be noted here that US citizens have had two different opportunities to see some variation of Ultraseven. Hawaiians saw a faithfully dubbed version in the late 60's. In 1985, Turner Broadcasting System bought the series, and commissioned a Canadian company to redub the series, although with little instruction on how to do so. The result was a dubbing that was less than faithful to the original dialog, and an editing job that obviously cut out certain scenes. "Ultra 7" (as the TNT titles called it) was first shown to most of the US by TNT in the early 90's; only 1 week's worth of shows were missing. (Curiously, TBS had scheduled a week's worth of Ultra 7, though they were never actually aired.)

There were two Ultraseven specials broadcast in 1994, according to "Mr. X". Here, in his own words (with some personal commentary edited), are his descriptions of those two specials:

4) Ultraseven "Solar Energy Strategy"!! This is NOT A MOVIE!!! It is a TV special broadcast on Japanese TV 94.3.21 (that's the 21st of May, 1994....TWO YEARS AGO!!)
Aliens: Pittians II
Monster: Eleking III

These aliens fought Ultraseven in episode #3 "Secret of the lake" and Eleking was the beast!! [...] We last saw Ultraseven in Ultraman Leo, where Dan Moreboshi just disappears at the end [...]!! The show starts with Ultraseven very injured, his power supply running dry, falling to Earth!! Furohashi (new leader of the Ultra Garrison) stores him in a bunker and believes he is dead!! At the same time, The Ultra Garrison is trying to create a power supply to revive Ultraseven, but they are having problems!! It seems to be draining energy!! Donna's son is kidnapped by the Pittians (Donna....makes a return!!!)!! [Donna is the name used by the Turner translation project. The character's original name is "Anne," though it was usually pronounced "Anna" or "Annu". -- ed.] The Pittians also revive Eleking by (from what it looks like) reformulating a saved computer program of the monster back into Eleking!! The Pittians want to destroy Ultraseven ONCE and for all!! They use the Ultra Garrison relay (a satalite dish) to destroy him, but the kid manages to reverse the system from the Pittians spacecraft!! Furohashi thinks Seven is fully destroyed as Eleking is attacking!! But it saves him!!!

AND THE FEELING OF SEEING ULTRASEVEN RISE AGAIN IS INCREDIBLE!!!!! And the fight between Eliking is better than ever!!! Nice and long!!! Eventually Eleking raps that HUGE tail of his and starts to electrocute Ultraseven!! But remember, the Ultra Garrison relay can now opperate (although wrong) properly and drains Elekings power!! Ultraseven then cuts Elekings tail (again if you saw ep. #3) with the Eye Slugger and nails him with the emilium beam from his forehead!! But that's not all!! The Pittians are TORTURING Donna's son (as if this was Japanamation style violence!!)!!

Donna (who knows Dan is Ultraseven and was in love with him) looks at him as says "You must help me, Ultraseven" in Japanese!! Seven nods and resumes human size in the Pittian spacecraft!! He has a small, but cool martial art fight and saves Donna's son!! The Pittian craft tries to escape, but Seven uses the Specium beam from the forearm and destroys the craft!!! Yetta!!! [Although Mr. X mentions the Specium Beam, it's possible he is referring to Ultraseven's Specium-like "wide shot." It's also possible that the writers decided to give Seven his own Specium Beam. -- ed.]

5) Ultraseven: "Solid Earth of Ours" (also called "Land of the Terrans") Japanese broadcast date: TV special, 94.10.10......That's October, 10, 1994)!!
Aliens: Metronians III
Monster: Unnamed (?) dinosaur

These aliens were in episode #8 "The Targeted Town" also not broadcast on TNT!! Please note some Ultraseven episodes are quite violent and may not have been shown for that reason (i.e. episode #4, "Answer Max").

We begin this one hour episode [...] with Ultraseven in battle with a Metronian!! The fight is awesome (parts in retrospect with a Kung Fu movie)!!! As the Metronian tries to escape, Ultraseven destroys him with the Specium beam from the forearm (THE LAST FOREARM SPECIUM BEAM to date!!!)!!

Next a reporter is dicussing the issue of garbage dumping and this gigantic "Gorasaurus" clone appears out of no where!! Under the constant assumpion that Ultraseven is not about to return, the Ultra Garrison (led my Furohashi) uses a new weapon and freezes the beast!! As they try to secure the area later on, Furohashi notices Dan Moreboshi in the crowd, but isn't sure!! There are Metronians in the form of humans and are interacting with the Ultra Garrison scientists!! Dan roams in search of them!! The beast suddenly evaporates, but that WASN'T supposed to happen!!! At one point he encounters one which has a HUGE hand gun and tries to blast him away!! Dan escapes, but first is seen by one of the newer members of the Ultra Garrison!! Eventually at the Ultra Garrison lab parking lot, Dan is recognized by the new member (and his female side kick) and the restrain him for questioning (Dan's reaction at looking at the Ultra Garrison I.D. is hilarious!!)!! He says to release him and talk to Furohashi!! They respnd "Furohashi??", Dan disappears!!! At this point Dan Moreboshi (Ultraseven) is a fugitive resisting the authorities!! Remember, he disappeared from MAC in Leo!!

Eventually in the story, Dan is confronted by the aliens as they seem to want him more than he wants them!! An AWESOME karate fight ensues with one scene where they throw Dan from a bridge landing in front of a camera....The actor's head pops up holding his shoulder!!! COMPLETELY COOL!!! In the meantime, these aliens brainwash the U Garrison scientist that their research is good!! The Metronians have a bunker/missle silo under the ground with the garbage dump as a cover!! Eventually the reporter stumbles on a camoflaged transmaterial transporter and informs the Ultra Garrison!! In the bunker, the Metronians (still in human form), threaten to kill the scientist becuase he refuses their philosphy and scientific reseach as they want to take over the Earth!! The Ultra Garrison arrive inside, but the aliens hold them at gunpoint!! At this time, the head Metronian (still a human) sticks up his BIG GUN with the scientist in his arm!! It's about over, but the scientist takes a chance and points the gun away which fires across the room!! It pisses off the other alien who shoots the scientists in the shoulder!!

Dan Moreboshi enters and uses Martial Arts to push them aside!! He gets the guns!! BUT IS DAN A FUGITIVE STILL??? He throws the guns to the Ultra Garrison and (I believe) identifies himself formerly from Ultra Garrison and MAC! Therefore, he still holds his rank and orders the new members to leave!! WELL NOW!! The "human" Metronians transform into their original form and Dan turns into ULTRASEVEN in the BEST TRANSFORMATION scene to date!!! AWESOME!!! They fight in the bunker (at human size) and Ultraseven manages to kill one of them!! The other one grows to monster height, so does Ultraseven!! The Metronian releases his Dinosaur and the action begins!!! A HUGE LONG FIGHT ENSUES!!! Furohashi flies the same Ultra Garrison's ship and attacks the Metronian!!!

As they fight, the pounding of the size of the fight starts to blow up the missles!!! At one point the Dinoasaur is engulfed as the ground explodes beneath him and is destroyed!!! All that's left is Ultraseven and the Metronian!! The alien somehow darkens the sky!!! Ultraseven needs solar energy to continue and is considerable weakened!! At one point Seban releases his Eye Slugger, but holds on to it and uses it like a knife, but misses!! The Metronian knocks it out of Seven's hand and that looks like it is it!! Furohashi fires a missle into the sky whihc disperses the clouds!!! AWESOME SPECIAL EFFECTS!!! Ultraseven gets bashed around (still in the dark) until he lands next to the Eye Slugger!! He puts it on and the sky clears!! Ultraseven then recharges!!!

The Metronian tries to get him with missles out of his hands, but Ultraseven puts up the rectangle force field, then the emilium beam which injures the Metronian!! Gathering more solar energy, Ultraseven uses a DOUBLE ENERGY PUNCH from his arms and drestoys the Metronian!! The force of power was so great that the missles below Ultraseven starts to explode and engulfs him!! THERE IS NOTHING LEFT!!!

We don't know if Ultraseven is dead of alive, but Furohashi refuses to believe there isn't hope!! There was no sign of him!!! The show ends!

[end]

Chan Heng Yip, however, has another perspective on the shows (nb: I've made corrections per Chan's later comments; these comments are in [brackets]):

        I recently bought the Ultraseven TV specials and noticed that the
information is in need of mega correction. Here is the corrected synopses of
the two TV specials.
        First, 'Tai Yoo Enerugii Sagusen' (Sun Energy Tactic). The story
begins with Seven seriously injured and falling to Earth. It is explained
that Seven is so injured that Earth's gravitional pull can pull him down.
        Next, we see Ann for the first time. She has married and
has a boy (he's named Dan). [Her brother is a professor, who has a daughter
of his own.]
        Meanwhile, Furohashi is the leader of Ultra Guard and goes to a
meeting. All the actors who potrayed the Science Team, Hayata, Fuji, Arashi,
Ide and Mura are at the meeting as well as some other actors who I could
only identify thanks to Ultraman Zearth 2. They, of course, do not potray
their original characters. The meeting is about the 'Greenhouse Effect'.
(Hey! It is a kid show.)
        Ann's [brother] is in fact the professor who created the Solar Energy
Dish (as in Radar Dish) which can be used to handle the recent pollution
problems plaging Earth. The station is destroyed and the professor suspects
sabotage.
        It is made known that Ann is somewhat a legend of the Ultra Guard
and the two new members are honoured to meet her. 
        Dan (Seven never appears in human form so this is Ann's son) is in
the forest taking photos of birds when a girl appears (she's pretty!) and
tells him there is monster close by. He investigates and sees Eleking! He
runs off with the girl. They meet the Ultra Guard members who were at his
house. He tells them about Eleking and they investigate only to find there
is nothing there. However, the area is very hot and the girl has disappeared.
        Meanwhile, Furohashi finds out that a similar looking girl sabotaged
the station. Later, the same girl uses gas to knock out Ann's husband and
then sends the information of Eleking to another place and deletes the file
at the same time.
        Furohashi gets a call that Seven is on Earth. He reaches he hangar
that Seven is placed in and finds that he is 'dead'. He reminises about his
good friend Dan who he knows is Seven and the scene is very touching. It is
explained that Seven is not dead but dormant and resting because of his
injuries.
        Next morning, the previous two members of Ultra Guard go to Ann's
house to escort the professor to the station. On their way, the two 'twins'
(aliens of the show) activate Eleking who attacks with blast of 'hot steam'.
The Ultra Guard mecha is mobilized and defeats Eleking by blasting its
horns. The professor says that the Solar Dish can defeat Eleking.
        The aliens capture Dan. They also find out about Seven's arrival on
Earth. They plan to destroy the Ultrahero. First, they send Eleking to
destroy the station while they themselves attack Seven.
        Upon arrival, they blast the hangar with a large dose of solar
energy. Dan gets free and stops the machine before it can cause greater
damage. The solar energy discharged accidently reenergizes Seven and he
rushes off to fight Eleking. The battle scene was nicely detailed by 'X' so
I won't bother. 
        With Eleking defeated, Seven is faced by the threat of the aliens
who have Dan as a hostage. Ann tells Seven 'Rescue him please, UltraSeven.
Ultraseven does so and destroys the ship with 'Wide Shot'!
        Seven then leaves. 

P.S. One of the Ultra Guard members is the same actor as one of the guys in
G.U.T.S. from Ultraman Tiga. In Tiga, he has a sister whose boyfriend died
and returned as a spirit. I forgot the character's name but the explanation
should , make him ious. [This was the actor who played Shinjoh.]

        The second part of the synopses for the TV special, 'Chikyuu seijin
no daichi'. (World of the Earth people)
        Here, it begins with Seven battling a Metoron Seijin. After a short
battle, the Metoron tries to escape only to get blasted by the 'Wide Shot'.
(we never see this again... sadly) It then says, before dying, 'Earth will
soon be doomed.' Seven is unnerved by this sentence and flies off.
        On Earth, a reporter reports about the ever increasing trash on
Earth. After she makes her report, she tells the cameraman to use a wooden
comb for 100 yrs so that trees can grow back and use plastic hair brushes
for 1000 years.(?)
        Later, a Kyoryu (dinosaur) appears near a lake. The local police
task force battles it but find their weapons ineffective. The guy in charge
calls upon the Ultra Guard. (Incidentally, the guy is also the actor who
acted as the field commander of the GUTS team in Tiga. Does this mean that
guys from old series don't die, they get recycled?) Ultra Guard arrives and
freezes the Dinosaur.
        When investigating the Dinosaur, Furohashi sees someone who looks
like Dan (Seven and looking pretty old... considering he can live up to a
few Million years) but Dan runs off before Furohashi can confirm it.
        Later, the Ultra Guard see a biology Professor from a nearby
institute, not a Ultra Guard Professor, to find out if the Dinosaur is
really a dinosaur. 
        The reporter and her cameraman get pictures of the Dinosaur but
Ultra Guards confiscates the camera while a duo of mystery (at least in the
credits) people block them as a bolt of lightning steals the tape from the
video camera. The Dinosaur also disappears.
        The Ultra Guard try to find out how the dinosaur disappeared. They
are followed by a mysterious man who is in turn followed by Dan. The man has
a multiple-barreled gun and blast at Dan. Then, Dan's stunt double dodges
until 'Shinjoh' appears and forces the man to leave.
        A note on the Professor: He seems adamant that Humans have caused
the planet great harm. He also believes in the Cycle of Life and that nature
should take its course.
        The information obtained by the Professor seems almost concrete that
the Dinosaur really exist. However, a mysterious woman talks to the
professor that the Dinosaur was created by her and her people. She then
tells the professor to follow her. 
        Under the dump, she reveals to the Professor that she and her
counterpart, the mysterious man are building a Metropolis under the planet
using the junk there. They need the information from the Professor and get
him to join them by telling them that the world will be a greater place when
the Metropolis is completed.
        The Professor then goes on to end the investigation and tells Ultra
Guard that no such thing exist. He then tells them to leave. 'Shinjoh' and
her female collaegue investigate and find out that a mysterious woman has
been working side-by-side with the Professor while his own students are
locked out of the lab.
        At the carpark, 'Shinjoh' sees Dan and questions him. This is the
dialogue (loosely translated):
        'Shinjoh': Wait! I am from Ultra Guard.
        Dan: You?
        'Shinjoh': What were you doing at the restricted area? Why did you
leave? I have questions for you.
        Dan: Don't worry, I'm not a bad guy.
        'Shinjoh': Where's you proof? Show me your I.D.
        Dan (turns to female member): You're from Ultra Guard?
        Female member: SHow me your I.D. please.
        Dan: I am a vagabond. (Laughs!)
        Both UG members: Vagabond?
        'Shinjoh': Don't joke. Take you back to the base for questioning.
        Dan: I can't see Furohashi now.
        Female member: Furohashi?
Dialogue ends.
        Dan then checks on the Professor but is led away by the mysterious
man. The professor later finds out that the duo wish to destroy the human
race with highly intense ultraviolet rays. The professor feels cheated.
        While drinking, the professor meets Dan who tells him friends are
the most important things in the world. Dan then follows the professor only
to get waylaid by the duo and then attacked by them. Seven seems hopeless in
a fight when in humanform.
        later, the reporter sees the professor disappear and the cameraman
contacts the Ultra Guard.
        In the alien base, the professor tries to convince that humans are
worth leaving alive but the aliens decide to kill him. Ultra Guard appears
but the aliens use the professor as a hostage and the U.G. are forced to
give up their weapons. When the alien decide to kill U.G. the professor
saves them and is shot for his trouble. 
        Dan appears and gets back the weapons. He tells the U.G. to leave
with the professor, not that he is Dan from U.G. or MAC! (Grrr...!) He then
battles the duo who reveal themselves to be Metorons (big surprise) and Dan
transforms in Seven. They do battle, however, due to the problem that only
one Metoron costume exist, Ultraseven only fights one Metoron and kills off
the other one, same costume, with a single blast. (I thought they were made
of sterner stuff)
        Morphing time and the battle of the giants begin. Kyoryu and Metoron
vs Seven. After a while, the three missiles, which were suppose to destroy
all lifeforms explode and kill the Kyoryu.
        Alright, one-on-one. However, due to the explosion, dark clouds form
and cause Seven to be cut off from his power source, the Sun. Furohashi
destroys the dark clouds and Seven manages to regain enough energy to
destroy the Metoron but is engulfed by the destruction of the Metropolis.
        The end shows the Professor telling Furohashi sorry for his betrayal
caused Seven's death. Furohashi tells him that they are part of the Earth
and that Seven had always protected it. He knows Seven is still alive
somewhere. The narrator ends with 'Yes, we are part of the Earth and we must
always love it.'

        Conclusion: the special effects are pretty mediocre considering this
is a 1994 production. Fighting is nothing to cheeer about but is noted for
being similar to the original series. It is good to see Dan but he is older
even though Ultraheroes live up to a few million years. Eye-slugger effects
was pretty bad in my opinon along with the energy beams effects. Furohashi
looks comical running around in tights with a stomach that would make
Yokozuna embarress.
        Overall, the story was pretty crappy. Being very ecological
orientated but it taught important lessons to younger viewers. The most
interesting part was that it looked like Seven died but he actually didn't
as noted in the recent releases of Ultraseven straight-to-VHS specials.

In 1998, Tsuburaya released 3 new direct-to-video Ultraseven episodes. These have Seven still in hiding. He takes on a new human form, so Dan Moroboshe won't be recognized. (Presumably, Dan is still wanted for running out on MAC.) There will be 3 more in 1999 or 2000, called "Ultraseven: The Final Chapter."

For more information, check out Marc Miyake's Ultraseven text.