Ultraman Tiga Ultraman Series, airing from September 7, 1996 to August 30, 1997. It was the first Ultraman Series broadcast in Japan since 1980's Ultraman 80. The series is notable for revolutionizing and revitalizing the franchise, not to mention the great effect it had on the tokusatsu genre as a whole outside of Tsuburaya.
is the 12th entry in theDespite being preceded by Ultraman Great as the first Ultraman Series to be aired in Japan in the Heisei period, and by Ultraman Neos to be the first Japanese-made Ultraman Series in the Heisei period, it is Ultraman Tiga that is officially and unofficially recognized as Tsuburaya Productions' first proper Ultraman Series entry in the Heisei period.
Set in a universe different from all previous series, Ultraman Tiga introduced new and radical updates to the Ultraman character for a new generation of audiences; most notably starring the first instance of the thematic concept of humanity as light or Ultraman being a human instead of alien, as well as the first Ultraman with multiple combat modes and non-red colors (purple and gold). It is also considered one of the most popular entries in the franchise.
The series can be viewed on Roku.
Synopsis[]
Ultraman Tiga was the giant of light that protected the ancient human civilization 30 million years ago. After the human civilization perished, Tiga become a stone statue. In the present times, Tiga was resurrected by merging with pilot Daigo from GUTS defense team, who also possess Ultra DNA in his body. At the same time, the 21st century Earth is facing threats of invaders from space and other dimensions.
Can Daigo and GUTS protect humankind from those invaders and saving Earth from destruction?
Characters[]
Protagonist[]
TPC[]
- Souichiro Sawai
- Masayuki Nahara
- Tetsuji Yoshioka
- Mayumi Shinjoh
- Naban Yao
- Reiko Kashimura
- Yuuji Tango
- Omi Yanase
- Shin Hayate
- Ryosuke Sanada
- Sayaka Ijuin
GUTS[]
Others[]
- Mitsuo Itahashi
- Keigo Masaki
- Yuzare
- Michiru Ezaki
- Makio Kirino
- Tomoki Miura
- Takehiko Onoda
- Takuma Aoki
- Kagetatsu Nishikida
- Masachika Nezu
- Asami Nezu
- Yuri Tezuka
Ultras[]
Kaiju[]
- Golza
- Fire Golza
- Melba
- Gakuma
- Kyrieloid
- Kyrieloid II
- Ligatron
- Sealizar
- Gazort
- Clitters
- Gazort II
- Alien Reguran
- Gilanbo
- Different Dimension Witch
- Saki
- Machina
- Gagi
- Gagi II
- Evolu
- Illusion Evolu
- Leilons
- Alien Raybeak
- Virtual Alien Raybeak
- Alien Muzan
- Virtual Alien Muzan
- Rucia and Zara
- Sukunaoni
- Alien Standel
- Abolbus
- Redol
- Gobnu
- Vaha
- Giga
- Ogma
- Enomena
- Deban
- Magnia
- Magnia Parasites
- Dinosauroid
- Naga
- Weaponizers
- Litomalus
- Silvergon
- Shadow
- Obiko
- Jobarieh
- Maya Cruz
- Alien Natarn
- King Molerat
- Molerat
- Bizaamo
- The Life Form of Planet Bizaamo
- Shiela
- Kyuranos
- Desimonia
- Small Desimonia
- Alien Desimo
- Guwam
- Goldras
- Alien Manon
- Dethmon
- Faldon
- Galra
- Bakugon
- Iludo
- Faivas
- Karen E-90
- Geozark
- Guardie
- Gijera
- Nook and Terra
- Metamorga
- Menjura
- Charija
- Yanakargie
- Zoiger
- Gatanothor
Adaptations[]
4Kids Entertainment[]
Ultraman Tiga was the fourth Ultraman Series to be adapted for a U.S. release, following Ultraman, Ultraseven, and Ultraman: Towards the Future. It was licensed by 4Kids Entertainment and aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company's FoxBox Saturday morning programming block. The first episode premiered on September 14, 2002.
Unlike the Super Sentai Series' adaptation into Power Rangers, which combined the original shows' tokusatsu sequences with an entirely new cast, Ultraman Tiga was simply dubbed into English. Nonetheless, 4Kids made a number of significant changes. There was an entirely new theme song and the original soundtrack for the series was replaced. Episode storylines was altered and simplified to comply with Fox's Standards and Practices division and accommodate the differences between Japanese and American commercial breaks and broadcasting scheduling. Each episode was typically one or two minutes shorter than its Japanese counterpart.
There was also a lot more blatant and crude humor. The Japanese Ultraman Tiga had a few moments of subtle humor and charming moments. The Americanized version came with dialogue that poked fun of the original material as well as the dubbing in general, which changed the personalities for some of the characters (Notable in this aspect was the transformation of Captain Iruma from a smart, level-headed individual into a complete airhead.) Additionally, Captain Iruma was referred to as a "sir" instead of a "ma'am", perhaps in an attempt at being politically correct. This caused some problems within the addressing of a commanding officer whether that person was male or a female.
Some monsters were given new sound effects, and the transformation sequence was altered altogether, showcasing all of Tiga's forms and emphasizing the change from Daigo to Tiga. Tiga's "Multi, Power, and Sky Types" are changed into "Omni, Power, and Speed Modes," respectively. The Sparklence was renamed the "Torch of Tiga". His light techniques were called "Luminizers", and the Color Timer is referred to as the "Biotic Sensor."
Despite Producer Norman Grossfeld's enthusiasm of its success[1], Ultraman Tiga was removed from the FoxBox lineup on March 15, 2003, due to low ratings, with only 25 episodes of the 52-episode series having aired. 4Kids initially planned to relaunch the show in September, but decided to release the Japanese episodes on DVD instead.[2] As a result, their dub is only viewable through recordings of the original broadcasts.
Erica Schroeder (who voiced Rena) claimed that part of the reason for Ultraman Tiga's limited success in the U.S. was due to 4Kids' indecision whether to satirize the show or make it serious. The English dub never aired its 2nd half which is now considered lost media. The co-producer of the dub, Michael Pecoriello, confirmed the series was fully adapted into English during a recent interview.[3]
The completely produced dub aired on the TV channel POGO in India. One surviving episode title, which is called "Dark Warrior Part 1," which adapts Japanese episode 43, can be found in the link below. Footage from "Dark Warrior Part 2" of Ultraman Tiga battling Evil Tiga can be found in the "Enemy Database: Monster Files" segment for Evil Tiga below, as well as Japanese Text is edited off the signs in the background.
Uchūsen Magazine[]
Uchūsen (Spacecraft) Magazine began a serialization of an Ultraman Tiga manga in the Summer of 1997 written by Mamoru Uchiyama.
Dark Horse Comics[]
Dark Horse Comics published a manga-style series based on Ultraman Tiga in 2003–2004.
Cast[]
- Daigo Madoka Hiroshi Nagano (V6) /Nagano :
- Rena Yanase Takami Yoshimoto :
- Megumi Iruma Yuzare : Mio Takaki /
- Seiichi Munakata Akitoshi Otaki :
- Masami Horii Yukio Masuda :
- Tetsuo Shinjoh Shigeki Kagemaru :
- Jun Yazumi Yoichi Furuya :
- Souichiro Sawai Tamio Kawachi :
- Masayuki Nahara Take Uketa :
- Tetsuji Yoshioka Ken Okabe :
- Mayumi Shinjoh Kei Ishibashi :
- Naban Yao Ichiro Ogura :
- Reiko Kashimura Takako Kitagawa :
- Yuuji Tango Yoichi Okamura :
- Ultraman Tiga's Voice Yuji Machi :
Guest Cast[]
- Yuzare Minako Osanai :
- Mitsuo Itahashi Hiroyuki Takano :
- Omi Yanase Shigeru Araki :
- Ryosuke Sanada Ryoma Sasaki :
- Sayaka Ijuin Michiko Shimazaki :
- Zara Shogo Shiotani :
- Rucia Motoko Nagino :
- Takuma Aoki Takuma Aoki :
- Michiru Ezaki Misato Hayase :
- Obiko Shoichiro Akaboshi :
- Kiyoto Inui Tom Saeba :
- Makio Kirino Naoki Miyashita :
- Keigo Masaki Takashi Kora :
- Shin Hayate Masaki Kyomoto :
- Ultraman Issei Futamata (voice) :
Suit Actors[]
- Ultraman Tiga (Multi Type, Sky Type), Evil Tiga, Ultraman: Shunsuke Gondo
- Ultraman Tiga (Multi Type, Power Type, Glitter Tiga), Evil Tiga: Koji Nakamura
- Kaiju:
English Dub[]
- Wayne Grayson as Daigo Madoka
- Megan Hollingshead as Megumi Iruma
- Jimmy Zoppi as Masami Horii
- Andrew Paull as Tetsuo Shinjoh
- Dave Ward as Ultraman Tiga
- Dan Green
- Mike Pollock
- Corinne Orr
- Kerry Butler
- Daniel DeSanto
- David Moo
- Jason Samuels
- Eric Stuart
- Shayne Dukevitch as Marnie Shinjoh
Music[]
- Opening Theme
- TAKE ME HIGHER
- Lyrics and Composition: Jennifer Batten, Alberto Emilio Contini, Giancarlo Pasquini
- Japanese Lyrics: Kazumi Suzuki
- Arrangement: Yasuhiko Hoshino
- String Arrangement: Mitsuo Hagida
- Choral Arrangement: Hiroaki Suzuki
- Artist: V6
- Awaken, Ultraman Tiga
- Lyrics and Composition: Aritaka Hara
- Composition/Arrangement: Fumio Hara
- Artist: Voyager
- Alternative theme song for international broadcasts. First released on Voyager's ULTRA GALAXY album in 2014.
- Larger Than Life
- The theme song for the 4Kids English dub.
- Ending Theme
- Brave Love, Tiga
- Producer: Gorō Kishitani
- Lyrics: Sunplaza Nakano
- Composition: Barbe-Q Wasada
- Arrangement: Yasuhiko Fukuda
- Artist: Earth Protection Force
- Leader: Gorō Kishitani
- Members: Takashi Utsunomiya , Toshiaki Karasawa, Naoto Kine , Sunplaza Nakano, Yasafumi Terawaki , Masahiko Nishimura, Barbe-Q Wasada, Papala Kawai , Patrick Bommarito , Funky Sueyoshi , Yasuhiko Fukuda , Honjamaka , Hidehiko Ishizuka , Toshiaki Megumi
Ultraman Tiga has a special opening theme and ending theme exclusive to Chinese TV version named "奇迹再现" (The Miracle Reappear) and "永远的奥特曼" (Ultraman Forever).
Home Media[]
Ultraman Tiga is released in VHS in 1997, and DVD from 1999 till 2007. In January 25, 2008, the entire series has been condensed down into a 1-hour special, released under the "Climax Stories" DVD series.
In 2014, the entire series has been remastered and released as part of the "Complete Blu-ray BOX". The Remastered episodes are actually done with upscaling and noise-reduction.
Mill Creek Entertainment released the entire series and tie-in films, except for The Final Odyssey due to music rights issues, in October 2021 on DVD in North America.
Gallery[]
Images[]
Trivia[]
- This is the first entry of the Ultraman Series to use Chroma key special effects instead of doll props for aerial combat scenes.
- While the series is available for streaming at TSUBURAYA IMAGINATION on September 7, 2021, the entire series has yet to be available in some streaming services such as Amazon Video.
- The 4Kids Ultraman Tiga English dub was fully produced, but episodes 24-48 remain lost media to this day. It aired fully in India in the mid-2000s, and the co-producer of the dub, Mike Pecoriello, reiterated the dub was fully completed as well but remained unaired in the US.[4]
References[]
- ↑ Ultraman Tiga Fans of Japanese live-action superheroes know Ultraman has dominated that country for over three decade. The original show was even syndicated, and did quite well; domestically back in the 1960's.
"When I was a kid, I was very high on Ultraman," says Grossfeld. "I think it's going to be a big hit for us, I always felt if we had our own network we would show everybody why Ultraman has been the top action figure for Japan for the last 30 years." - Beckett Yu-Gi-Oh! Collector issue #1 - ↑ [1]Henshin! Online, 2/28/03 - Tiga Reloaded!
- ↑ https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxZwIwDBbCVIH2w41cxXhEfjrEkBag71EK?si=EPLkFLYeMQiZ5yOe
- ↑ https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxZwIwDBbCVIH2w41cxXhEfjrEkBag71EK?si=EPLkFLYeMQiZ5yOe