Isamu Hoshino

Isamu Hoshimo
Data
Type	Mascot
Gender	Male
Age	11 years old
Family	Akiko Fuji (older sister, only in the US ver.)
Affiliation	SSSP Ultraman
First Appearance	Ultraman episode 1 "Ultra Operation No.1"
Latest Appearance	Ultraman episode 25 "Mystery Comet Tsuifon" Ultraman Kaiju Legend: The 40 Year Old Truth (mentioned)
Portrayed by	Akihide Tsuzawa

Isamu Hoshimo is a SSSP special member in Ultraman.

History

Ultraman

Hoshimo's first appearance.

Hoshino is a boy authorized to access the Japanese branch of the SSSP, and he maintains a close relationship with the organization. Despite his youth, as the series unfolds, he attains notable accomplishments by actively participating in various missions. His ultimate goal is to become a member of the SSSP, and he diligently works towards realizing this aspiration.

When he initially appeared, he stayed at the headquarters with Akiko Fuji, awaiting news about Hayata, who went missing due to a plane crash. Although he and Fuji received notification from Hayata, his young age prevented him from participating in missions.^{Ultra Operation No.1}

Upon hearing ominous sounds emanating from an ancient well in a castle in Izu, Hoshino and Fuji arrived to investigate. Legend had it that samurai once used this well to escape to the sea when under enemy attack.

As Hoshino boldly descended into the well, he felt a gentle breeze. Believing the terrifying sounds to be caused by the wind, he ventured deeper into the crevice, only to encounter a colossal eyeball. Simultaneously, an earthquake struck, causing the cave to collapse. Concerned that Fuji might be following him, they reunited and discovered that the passage indeed connected to the sea. The two swam out of the well. Suddenly, a mountain abruptly rose, and a hydroelectric power plant was destroyed. The true culprit behind this incident was the invisible kaiju "Neronga".

Hoshino showed his brave side by using Spider-Shot alone to attack Nironga.

The SSSP initiated an investigation and, together with the military, attempted to intercept Neronga at the power plant. However, Neronga reappeared from another direction, initiating the destruction of the power plant. Hoshino, who had covertly followed the team, utilized the Spider-Shot to attack Neronga. Although he successfully wounded the creature's eye, he stumbled and lost consciousness while attempting to escape. Hayata and Arashi rushed to rescue Hoshino. After escorting him away, Hayata transformed into Ultraman to confront Neronga.^{Science Patrol, Move Out}

Recently, there have been multiple incidents of shipwrecks in Tokyo Bay. The SSSP received peculiar reports claiming that a massive shark, measuring 20 meters in length, was floating there. Meanwhile, Hoshino and his two friends were observing the ships at Yokohama Harbor with binoculars. When one of his friends noticed an unusual phenomenon in the sea, he immediately told Hoshino, "I saw a strange kaiju." Looking through the binoculars in the same direction, Hoshino discovered two suspicious men.

As it turns out, Hoshino witnessed wanted jewel smugglers. He immediately called the SSSP to report the incident, but Arashi, who answered the call, refused to assist. A sailor who overheard Hoshino and his friend's conversation approached him and suggested that the creature his friend saw might be a lizard called "Guesra" from South America. This lizard feeds on cocoa beans, especially the pests that infest cocoa beans.

Hoshino led his friends to escape from the pursuit of smugglers.

Guesra suddenly emerged from the seabed and disappeared after destroying nearby ships. Hoshino's friend speculated that Guesra was likely attracted by cocoa beans and suggested investigating a warehouse where cocoa beans were stored. However, inside the warehouse, smugglers were searching for smuggled jewels mixed with cocoa beans. Hoshino and his companions were caught on the spot and confined in their hideout. To rescue himself and his friends, Hoshino struggled to figure out how to escape.

Meanwhile, Guesra was attacking the warehouse where cocoa beans were located. When the SSSP arrived at the scene, they found Hoshino and his group, who had escaped from the smugglers, and successfully rescued them. Ultimately, with the intervention of Ultraman, the chaos caused by Guesra was resolved, and the smugglers were apprehended smoothly.^{The Coast Guard Command}

When Dr. Mouri personally boarded the space rocket "Ootori" for humanity's first exploration of Venus, the SSSP celebrated the successful launch. However, in contrast, Hoshino felt a sense of sadness. This was because Dr. Iwamoto, responsible for developing SSSP equipment, had also developed the rocket "Phoenix" for the purpose of Venus exploration. In the end, Ootori arrived at Venus earlier than Phoenix, leaving him feeling disappointed.

After the conclusion of the battle against the Alien Baltan II , he and other members boarded Phoenix and headed to the planet R to rescue the stranded team members.^{Science Patrol Into Space}

When the SSSP was investigating two meteorites brought back by an explorer from the desert, he became suspicious of the situation and decided to conduct his own investigation. He learned that a dangerous event would occur if the two meteorites were combined.

Hoshino was appointed as a "special member" of the SSSP.

After the monster Bullton, born from the fusion of the meteorites, was defeated by Ultraman, he contributed significantly to resolving the incident. As a result, Captain Muramatsu promoted him to a special member, recognizing his efforts in rescuing Hayata. He was also presented with a special SSSP uniform. In subsequent episodes, he consistently appeared dressed in the SSSP uniform.^{Passport to Infinity}

Ultraman rescued Hoshino from the clutches of Alien Zarab.

During the Alien Zarab invasion, as the Alien Zarab alien bound Hayata and disguised itself as Ultraman, causing havoc in the city in the guise of Ultraman, Hoshino went to where Hayata was held captive and handed over the Beta Capsule that Hayata had forgotten. However, after rescuing Hayata, Hoshino himself was captured by the Imit-Ultraman and ultimately saved by the real Ultraman.^{Brother from Another Planet}

Afterwards, Hoshino frequently participated in frontline missions. He secretly boarded the Sub VTOL and joined Fuji in investigative missions. When Fuji succumbed to Kemular's poisonous gas and fainted, Hoshino, following Captain Muramatsu's orders, piloted the Sub VTOL, replacing Fuji in receiving instructions to assist the aircraft in taking off. He also discovered Kemular's weakness at the creature's back and provided crucial advice to Ide.^{Breach the Wall of Smoke}

As the inauguration ceremony for the Undersea Science Center, constructed for the development of underwater resources, was about to take place, he, along with SSSP members, accompanied Mr. Yoshimura, the president of the Science Company, and a girl named Jenny to the Science Center.

However, when the pipeline was damaged by Gubila, he, along with Captain Muramatsu and two guests, found themselves trapped in the isolated Science Center. Despite the situation, he calmly assisted Captain Muramatsu and managed to cheer up the frightened and saddened Jenny. In the end, he, along with other members, successfully escaped from the predicament unharmed.^{The Undersea Science Center}

Since episode 25, he has not made any appearances in the series. There has been no explanation within the series for his departure.

Ultraman Kaiju Legend: The 40 Year Old Truth

Although not appearing in the film, it is revealed that with the restructuring of SSSP, Hoshino, influenced by Ide, went to study at a university in the United Kingdom and is currently employed at a private research institution.^{Ultraman Kaiju Legend: The 40 Year Old Truth}

Other Media

Ultraman THE FIRST

Hoshino in Ultraman THE FIRST

Unlike his original counterpart, he only appeared in the first chapter of the manga. He arrived in the control room comforting Akiko Fuji, who believed Hayata was presumably killed until Hayata contacted her.

Gallery

Ultraman

Miscellaneous

The article talks about Hoshino's training at the SSSP Training Institute and appears in the January 1967 issue of "Bokura" magazine.

Akihide Tsuzawa reprising the role of Hoshino, photographed in 2023.

Trivia

• Hoshino likes to watch horse race broadcast.
• Hoshino does not show up in the series after episode 25 because his actor, Akihide Tsuzawa, suffered a leg injury during a skiing accident. While the official material claim the character was sent through SSSP Academy for further development.
• Hoshino was originally planned to appear in Ultraman Mebius & the Ultra Brothers 2, which was planned before Great Decisive Battle! The Super 8 Ultra Brothers, alongside Jiro Sakata, Dan Umezu, Kenichi Shiratori, and Toru Umeda. However, due to changes in plan, Hoshino's appearance was canceled.
• In the English dubbed version, he is portrayed as the younger brother of Akiko Fuji.