Ultraman Max
Encyclopedia
was an Ultraman TV series which started airing on 7 July 2005, and produced by Tsuburaya Productions
and Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
. The show tried to return to the true formula of new monsters every week and being a fast paced show like previous series with the exception of Ultraman Nexus
. The show is full of homages to past series by having three of the original cast members from the first Ultraman
series (and one original cast member from Ultra Seven
) being featured in an episode, updated versions of classic monsters like Red King, Eleking
and Pigmon
among others. One unusual episode (#29) revolves around the filming of the 1964 program Ultra Q
which was the predecessor to the first Ultraman show in 1966. Two actors from that show appear as themselves.
series episode 8: "The Targeted Town").
Just like his predecessors, Ultraman Max is from Nebula M78 and is supported by DASH (Defense Action Squad Heroes), a branch of the UDF (United Defense Federation). His human host's name is Touma Kaito. Ultraman Max is based on Ultra Seven and has two main weapons at his disposal, the Maxium Cannon fired from his left hand and the Maxium Sword which is a hand held boomerang cutter.
Another Ultraman known as Ultraman Xenon, or Janos, appears for the first time in episode 13, and again briefly in episode 39. While Ultraman Xenon is summoning a new weapon from the sky to use against Zetton, he is attacked by Zetton and the weapon attaches itself to Max's right wrist. Ultraman Max then uses the new weapon known as the Max Galaxy to destroy Zetton.
Team DASH is stationed in a harbor and their base is called the Base Titan. They have a main airplane called the Dash Mother which releases two other small planes known as Dash Bird 1 and 2. A third plane called the Dash Bird 3 appears in episode 23.
Team DASH also has an android operator, who learns a bit about human behavior in some episodes. Her name is Elly and she has a small ball shaped robot called Koko which makes a high pitched sound to respond to queries.
This series was also unique as it was the first time a gaijin
(foreigner) was an official member of the Ultraman team. The character's name is Sean White (played by actor Sean Nichols who is famous in Japan for being on the popular children's program Eigo de Asobo—Let's Have Fun with English).
Ending theme: "NO LIMITED"
Fight theme: "DASH Alpha"
Tsuburaya Productions
is a Japanese special effects studio founded in 1963 by special effects wizard Eiji Tsuburaya and was run by his family, until October 2007, when the family sold the company to advertising agency TYO Inc. The studio is best known for producing the original Ultraman TV series, as well as the Ultra...
and Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting
is a regional radio and television service serving Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Its radio service is affiliated with the Japan Radio Network and its television service affiliated with the Japan News Network and the TBS Network.-Radio:Frequency...
. The show tried to return to the true formula of new monsters every week and being a fast paced show like previous series with the exception of Ultraman Nexus
Ultraman Nexus
was produced by Tsuburaya Productions and Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting. It was the 20th entry in the Ultra Series. The series aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System, including TBS, CBC, MBS, etc. The show ran from October 2, 2004 until June 25, 2005, with a total of 37 broadcast episodes...
. The show is full of homages to past series by having three of the original cast members from the first Ultraman
Ultraman
is Japanese television series that first aired in 1966. Ultraman, the first and best-known of the "Ultra-Crusaders," made his debut in the tokusatsu SF/kaiju/superhero TV series, , a follow-up to the television series Ultra Q...
series (and one original cast member from Ultra Seven
Ultra Seven
is tokusatsu SF TV series that aired on Japanese TV in 1967. Created by Eiji Tsuburaya, this follow up to Ultraman went on to become one of Japan's greatest fantasy TV series...
) being featured in an episode, updated versions of classic monsters like Red King, Eleking
Eleking
is a fictional kaiju from the tokusatsu TV series, Ultra Seven.Subtitle: .- History :Eleking was a monster born and raised by two twin sisters, who let him loose on the earth after stealing Dan's Ultra Eye, which prevented him from assuming his Ultraseven form. With Ultraseven nowhere in sight,...
and Pigmon
Pigmon
was a monster who appeared in the fictional superhero show Ultraman. His name comes from the word pygmy as he is the size of a human child, unlike the rest of the show's enormous monsters...
among others. One unusual episode (#29) revolves around the filming of the 1964 program Ultra Q
Ultra Q
is a tokusatsu SF/kaiju series made in the tradition of Toho's many tokusatsu sci-fi/horror films.Produced in black and white by Tokyo Broadcasting System/Tsuburaya Productions, this is actually the first of the long-running Ultra Series, and was broadcast on Tokyo Broadcasting System from January...
which was the predecessor to the first Ultraman show in 1966. Two actors from that show appear as themselves.
Series overview
Although certain monsters from the previous Ultra Series appear here in this series, the characters do not actually recognize them. This series does not have any direct continuity to any of the other Ultra Series (except episode 24: "The Untargeted Town" which seems to be a sequel to the Ultra SevenUltra Seven
is tokusatsu SF TV series that aired on Japanese TV in 1967. Created by Eiji Tsuburaya, this follow up to Ultraman went on to become one of Japan's greatest fantasy TV series...
series episode 8: "The Targeted Town").
Just like his predecessors, Ultraman Max is from Nebula M78 and is supported by DASH (Defense Action Squad Heroes), a branch of the UDF (United Defense Federation). His human host's name is Touma Kaito. Ultraman Max is based on Ultra Seven and has two main weapons at his disposal, the Maxium Cannon fired from his left hand and the Maxium Sword which is a hand held boomerang cutter.
Another Ultraman known as Ultraman Xenon, or Janos, appears for the first time in episode 13, and again briefly in episode 39. While Ultraman Xenon is summoning a new weapon from the sky to use against Zetton, he is attacked by Zetton and the weapon attaches itself to Max's right wrist. Ultraman Max then uses the new weapon known as the Max Galaxy to destroy Zetton.
Team DASH is stationed in a harbor and their base is called the Base Titan. They have a main airplane called the Dash Mother which releases two other small planes known as Dash Bird 1 and 2. A third plane called the Dash Bird 3 appears in episode 23.
Team DASH also has an android operator, who learns a bit about human behavior in some episodes. Her name is Elly and she has a small ball shaped robot called Koko which makes a high pitched sound to respond to queries.
This series was also unique as it was the first time a gaijin
Gaijin
is a Japanese word meaning "non-Japanese", or "alien". This word is a short form of gaikokujin , which literally means "person from outside of the country". The word is composed of two kanji: , meaning "outside"; and , meaning "person". Thus, the word technically means "outsider"...
(foreigner) was an official member of the Ultraman team. The character's name is Sean White (played by actor Sean Nichols who is famous in Japan for being on the popular children's program Eigo de Asobo—Let's Have Fun with English).
Defense Action Squad Heroes (DASH)
- Captain Shigeru Hijikata: The team leader of DASH.
- Kenjiro Koba: The marksman and sharpshooter of DASH.
- Mizuki Koishikawa: The ace pilot and token female member. She is Kaito/Ultraman Max's love interest.
- Sean White: The team inventor/scientist/joker. He was transported from DASH North America branch.
- Elly: The robot operator (android) of DASH. She learns human behavior and once wished to become a human. She even cried in Episode 16 and in the final episode. During the series she shows a growing interest in Kenjiro Koba, even admiting at a certain point during the series that she likes him.
- Kaito Touma/Ultraman Max: The team's latest recruit. After he lost his parents during an earthquake while he was traveling, he resolved to do his best to protect others, so that no one would experience the loss he did. In order to do this he tried joining DASH, but failed the test the first time. He was saved by Ultraman Max from a certain death and was given the Max Spark, so that he could transform whenever needs arose.
Supporting characters
- Chief Kenzo Tomioka: A UDF general, the supervisor of DASH.
- Professor Yukari Yoshinaga.: He appears once to help Ultraman Max when he is in danger and is also the one that gives Ultraman Max the Max Galaxy.
- Natsumi Oda
Episodes
Cast
: : : : : : : : : :Songs
Opening theme-
- Lyrics:
- Composition & Arrangement:
- Artist: TEAM DASH with Project DMMProject DMMis a Japanese musical group that primarily performs theme songs for Tsuburaya Productions' Ultra Series of tokusatsu programs. Its members are , , and KATSUMI. had originally been a part of Project DMM, but left in 2000 and was replaced by KATSUMI...
Ending theme: "NO LIMITED"
Fight theme: "DASH Alpha"
Cameo
- Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy (2009), Max along with Xenon help the M78 Ultra Warriors to fight against the evil Ultraman Belial.