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The following contents of this article or section are considered to be non-canon or not part of the main canon. The events featured may not have actually happened/existed in-universe. |
Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider is a television special that aired July 21, 1993 featuring clips from the various series from over the years, interviews with two of the stars, and finally a team-up between Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman and Toei Company's Kamen Rider 1. It was also released on VHS and Laserdisc in 1993. In 2011, Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider was re-released on Blu-ray and DVD for the 45th anniversary of the Ultraman Series and the 40th anniversary of the Kamen Rider Series.
Plot[]
Kamen Rider 1 and Ultraman standing side by side.
The special is an in-depth retrospective of the two franchises, making comparisons between the different characters, their weapons, powers and so forth. Segments include:
- "The Spacium Beam Vs. The Rider Kick", which showcases the various attacks and finishing moves of each character.
- "Jet VTOL Vs. Cyclone", which spotlights the many jets, tanks, and other vehicles used in the Ultraman Series, and the different motorcycles ridden by the Kamen Riders.
- "Kaiju Vs. Kaijin", in which the many giant monsters (kaiju), and humanoid monsters (kaijin) that have been fought over the years are shown.
- "Henshin Vs. Henshin" shows the different transformation rituals of the Ultra Brothers and Kamen Riders.
- "!?" is a humorous segment examining some of the more wacky and oddball moments of the various shows (such as various Kaijin grunts, growls, and other sounds, characters acting silly, and other funny moments).
Interspersed among the many clips are interviews with Hiroshi Miyauchi, who played Kazami Shiro in Kamen Rider V3, and Kohji Moritsugu who played Dan Moroboshi in Ultraseven.
The final segment of the special is the short film "Super Battle: Ultraman vs Kamen Rider". The main characters, Ultraman and Kamen Rider 1 appear on the scene separately, each fighting an original kaijin and kaiju. When the two monsters are nearly defeated, they merge into a more powerful kaiju. Ultraman experiences trouble and calls for Kamen Rider 1's help. Kamen Rider 1 is then able to grow to enormous size to fight alongside Ultraman. Combining their powers, the two were able to successfully destroy the monster.
Production[]
The short, with the exception of the narrator and some background extras, featured no face or voice actors, only suit actors, and only used recycled soundbytes for both the voices of Ultraman and Kamen Rider 1.
Staff[]
- Producer: Butsuda Hiroshi
- Suit actors
- Ultraman: Toshiyuki Kikuchi
- Kamen Rider 1: Hiroshi Maeda
- Kaijin, Kaiju: Takeshi Miyazaki
Music[]
- "Tatakau Tame ni Umareta Senshi"
- Lyrics: Hirō Takada
- Composition: Asei Kobayashi
- Arrangement: Takeo Suzuki
- Singer: Hironobu Kageyama
DVD/Blu-ray[]
After having been unavailable for years, it was announced in a press conference held on June 24, 2011 at the offices of Bandai that the special is being released on both DVD and Blu-ray on Oct. 26th, 2011. This is to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Ultraman, and the 40th anniversary of Kamen Rider. To be included with the release is a special interview with Susumu Kurobe who played Shin Hayata (Ultraman), and Hiroshi Fujioka who played Takeshi Hongo (Kamen Rider 1).
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Ultraman Jack was still called as Returning Ultraman even though the name changed in 1984. Though, this might be the final thing to call his former name before adding it as his description.
- On the original version during Spacium Beam vs Rider Kick, the scenes of Ultraman Leo's Spark Ray and Ultraman Taro's Ultra Shower were added. However in the Blu-ray version, it was removed for unknown reasons.