Ultraman Zero - Figures
The Ultraman series, which is also sometimes called the Ultra series, is a long-running tokusatsu (live-action TV series with heavy use of special effects) that has aired on Japanese television since January 1966. Over the years, the Ultra series would receive dozens of sequel and spin-off series and films, one of which is Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle, which compiles the story of Ultraman Zero, the son of Ultraseven, into a single 25-episode series. Although the Ultra series has had a very limited release out of Japan and Asia, there is an impressive amount of figures inspired by the series that fans can purchase. A few of the most popular figures relating to Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle include the “S.H.Figuarts Ultraman Zero”, the “Figure-rise Standard Ultraman Suit Darklops Zero: Action Ver.” and the “Ultra-Act Ultraman Zero Ver. 2.0”.
S.H.Figuarts Ultraman Zero Figure
This figure features Ultraman Zero wearing his standard red, blue, and silver outfit, complete with his iconic yellow eyes and Zero Sluggers that are attached to his head. This figure is also articulated, meaning that it can take a wide range of poses to recreate iconic scenes from the Ultra series. It also comes with several different accessories, like Zero’s Zero Twin Sword and optional hands and arms to even more possibilities.
- Product Name: S.H.Figuarts Ultraman Zero
- Series: Ultraman Zero
- Product Line: S.H.Figuarts
- Manufacturer: Bandai
- Specifications: Painted, articulated, non-scale ABS and PVC figure
- Height (Approx.): 150 mm
Figure-rise Standard Ultraman Suit Darklops Zero: Action Ver. Figure
This action figure recreates Ultraman Zero’s greatest rival: Darklops Zero. As a robotic prototype that was inspired by Ultraman Zero, Darklops Zero’s design greatly resembles Zero in many ways. Instead of red, blue, and silver, Darklops Zero’s outfit is orange, black, and white, but is otherwise very similar to Ultraman Zero. This figure is also articulated and includes various extra parts, allowing fans to recreate the many different battles between Ultraman Zero and Darklops Zero.
- Product Name: Figure-rise Standard Ultraman Suit Darklops Zero: Action Ver.
- Series: Ultraman
- Product Line: Figure-rise Standard
- Manufacturer: Bandai
- Also Includes: Lance, joint for abdomen LED unit, hand parts, stickers, and base
Ultra-Act Ultraman Zero Ver. 2.0 Figure
This figure from Bandai’s Ultra-Act line also features Ultraman Zero, but includes an incredible amount of accessories and effect parts to recreate even more iconic moves used by Ultraman Zero throughout the Ultra series. Such parts include a variety of different body pieces, four different Zero Sluggers, the Zero Twin Sword, two color timers, two attack effect parts, and a stand.
- Product Name: Ultra-Act Ultraman Zero Ver. 2.0
- Series: Ultraman
- Manufacturer: Bandai
- Specifications: Painted, articulated, non-scale ABS and PVC figure
- Height (Approx.): 6.3”
The Ultraman Zero Series Story
Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle is a series that recounts Ultraman Zero’s adventures throughout several points in the Ultra series. The following is a brief overview of the series story and characters.
Series Overview
As a compilation of various series and films, Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle retells the origins of Ultraman Zero and the various battles he fights throughout the Ultra series. Ultraman Zero was once a young Ultra born as the son of Ultraseven in the Land of Light. Although he was quite powerful, his lack of experience and naivete caused him to desire power for himself, eventually leading him to attempt to take the source of the Land of Light’s energy, the Plasma Spark, for himself. For his actions, he was banished from the Land of Light to atone for his betrayal. He would go on to be trained by Ultraman Leo and eventually rejoined the other Ultras to defeat Ultraman Belial.
Series Characters
Ultraman Zero and his various human hosts act as the main protagonists throughout this series. Zero’s character is greatly influenced by his father, Ultraseven, the titular protagonist of the Ultraseven series and Zero’s father. Ultraseven is the main force that prevented Zero from taking the Plasma Spark for himself and had him banished in order to protect him from turning evil, like one of the main antagonists, Ultraman Belial. Furthermore, Ultraseven had Zero train with Ultraman Leo in the hopes that Zero would learn from his mistakes and find his purpose as an Ultra.
The Ultraman Zero Series Development
Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle is a 25-episode long television series that was created in part to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original Ultraseven series. The following is a short look at its development and reception among fans.
Series Production
This series, like most of the Ultra series was created by Tsuburaya Productions and aired its first episode on January 7th, 2017. The show was broadcasted to several different channels, like TV Tokyo, WakuWaku Japan, Astro Ceria, and others in both Japan and Malaysia. Episodes were also posted to Tsuburaya Productions’ official YouTube channel as well. Most of the series consists of footage that is edited and re-cut from previous Ultra productions to fit a television series format. Such productions include Ultraman Zero THE MOVIE: Super Deciding Battle! The Belial Galactic Empire, Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends, Ultra Galaxy Legend Gaiden: Ultraman Zero vs. Darklops Zero, and more. After the series completed its original run, an American channel named Toku announced that it would broadcast translated episodes of the series in August 2017.
Series Reception
Although this series is largely a compilation of other series and films that focuses on Ultraman Zero, Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle is generally well received by fans. While the more avid fans of the Ultra series may not find anything particularly new or interesting, newer viewers will likely find this compilation a great way to learn about Ultraman Zero and his adventures. Some fans also note that they enjoy Mamoru Miyano’s performance as the voice for Ultraman Zero.
Links
S.H.Figuarts Ultraman Zero
Figure-rise Standard Ultraman Suit Darklops Zero: Action Ver.
Ultra-Act Ultraman Zero Ver. 2.0
Ultraman Series Label