Z-Ton
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Z-Ton (ゼットン Zetton) is a fictional alien kaiju featured in the tokusatsu TV series, Ultraman. As Ultraman's toughest opponent ever, Z-Ton first appeared in the show's final episode, # 39, "Farewell, Ultraman". He was even popular enough to appear again in several subsequent Ultra Series.
Subtitle: Space Dinosaur (宇宙恐竜 Uchū Kyōryū)
"Z-Ton" is also the name of the planet from which he originated, as well as the aliens that utilize him (the Z-Ton Aliens - ゼットン星人 Zetton Seijin). They are "Transforming Monsters" (変身怪人 Henshin Kaijin).
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[edit] Ultraman
[edit] Stats
The smaller aliens that work in conjunction with Z-ton, known as Kemur-beings, are 2 meters (6.56 feet) tall and weigh 0.06 tons. The actual Z-Ton monster is 60 meters (196.8 feet) tall and weighs 3,000 tons.
Z-Ton is said to be the most powerful monster in the universe. He resembles a giant horned humanoid beetle with a glowing yellow streak down his face (in lieu of a mouth), striped limbs and powerful black armor plates on the torso. Z-ton possesses several strange locations for sensory organs: The yellow panels on Z-ton's chest are thought to be compound eyes. Where eyes are on most creatures, Z-ton has two sensory pits, thought to emit sonar or radar signals. Where ears would normally be are sensors that acquire the reflected signals. Z-Ton shoots 1 trillion degree Celsius Fireballs from his mouth, shoots energy waves from his hands, can create a force field which resembles the Baltan barrier, and can absorb a Specium Ray. These powers counter Ultraman's weapons flawlessly. He was strong enough to defeat Ultraman. (Source(s): [UK500], p. 161).
Z-Ton's roar is a low-pitched voice that utters "Zt'ton!"
[edit] History
In the show's tearful conclusion, an armada of alien ships arrive, plotting to conquer the Earth, and their plan was surely an effective one, almost succeeding where Ultraman's previous adversaries have failed. The aliens target the Science Patrol HQ and Ultraman, the only obstacles in their conquest. However, the Science Patrol chases and eliminates all but one of the alien vessels. Adding to the Science Patrol's difficulties, one alien infiltrates HQ and subdues Dr. Iwamoto. This alien, known as a Kemur-being, then shape-changes to disguise itself as Dr. Iwamoto, knocks out Science Patrol team member Fuji, and sabotages much of the Science Patrol's communication equipment and scientific instruments. The Science Patrol eventually chases down the Kemur-being and kills it. Dr. Iwamoto and Fuji manage to recover.
The one ship that evades the Patrol somehow burrows underground and surfaces just outside of Science Patrol HQ, releasing Z-Ton to finish the job. Hayata transforms into Ultraman for one last time.
The showdown between the silver giant and the insect invader ensues, and finally, the duel ends tragically for Ultraman, whose Colortimer was damaged by Z-Ton's rays. Ultraman falls unconscious and, left prone on Earth's surface, faces the prospect of dying without direct stellar radiation to revive him. The Z-ton monster proceeds to set fire to Science Patrol HQ. However, Dr. Iwamoto presents a newly-developed weapon, and Science Patrol member Ide succeeds in destroying the Z-Ton. The Science Patrol douse the charred remnants of their HQ.
With Ultraman at death's door, he is suddenly saved by his superior, Zoffy, who comes to Earth in a TravelSphere to rescue him. He not only restores Ultraman's life, but separates him from Hayata's body, restoring the Earthman's life as well. Zoffy and Ultraman then fly back to their homeworld on the Land of Light in the Nebula M78.
However, Z-Ton was brought back to life as a pawn against Ultraman and his kind in some of the subsequent Ultra Series.
[edit] Return of Ultraman
This monster re-appeared in the series Return of Ultraman, in the hope that as the original Z-Ton had defeated the original Ultraman, this one could defeat Ultraman Jack.
[edit] Redman
Zetton II appeared in several episodes of the series Redman.
[edit] Ultraman Powered
This monster re-appeared in the series Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero, again as Ultraman's ultimate enemy.
[edit] Ultraman Max
This monster re-appeared in the series Ultraman Max.
[edit] Ultraman Mebius
This monster re-appeared in the series Ultraman Mebius, as a Proto Maquette Monster. It appears in episode 27. It is a monster that Ultraman fought in the past. During a virtual simulation, the monster lost control and went on a rampage. It is because Toriyama dropped Maquette Capsule on the floor.
[edit] Trivia
The name "Z-Ton" is derived from "Zetto" (ゼット - the Japanese pronunciation of the English letter "Z"), "to" (と), Japanese for "and", and the Japanese character for "N" (ん/ン). Collected, the words spell "Zetto-to-n", shortened to "Zetton". The concept has a "final" theme: "Zetto" is the Japanese pronunciation for the final letter of the English alphabet, "Z". "N" is the final letter in the Japanese phonetic alphabet. In other words, Z-Ton is the "Z" and the "N", the last and final monster.
Z-ton is considerably larger than the vessel that delivers him, and he forms from the blue gas released from an expanded and then exploded membrane originating from the alien spacecraft, resembling a giant balloon. Many fans of the show speculate that the Kemur-beings, like the one who takes Dr. Iwamoto's place, command the vessel that Z-ton arrives in, rather than smaller versions of Z-ton, and that Z-ton is a specialized breed of monster designed specifically to defeat Ultraman. Z-ton does have many interesting similarities to other foes of Ultraman. Z-ton's illuminated vocal membrane is similar to that of Mephilas (a.k.a Mephiras), who reluctantly withdrew from Earth after fighting Ultraman to a standoff. Z-ton also gives off a high-pitched ambient noise, which was also true of Mephilas. Z-ton's limbs have zebra-like striped markings not unlike that of the Dada, a race of beings that also roared their name, much like Z-ton does. Z-ton projects a Baltan barrier to prevent Ultraman's energy ring from dismembering him, and Z-ton's dimorphous head bears a vague resenblance to that of the Baltan. Some fans of the TV show speculate that all of these races collaborated and contributed to the genetic engineering of Z-ton, to better ensure Ultraman's demise.
Per the Subtitle Track on On DVD set 2 of the series from BCI Eclipse, we learn from Dr. Iwamoto that since the 1930's there were recording sightings of scout ships from the alien fleet. So for years Earth was scouted and all the defense capabilities of the military, and Science Patrol were recorded for the aliens to study and counter. This would also account for Z-ton's superior strength to Ultraman and his ability to block all of Ultraman's known powers.
Despite being Ultraman's greatest enemy, in the American dub Zoffy's dialogue was notably altered to say that Ultraman's powers were stronger and Z-Ton shouldn't have defeated him, despite Z-Ton easily withstanding all of his attacks and visibly manhandling Ultraman with no trouble in that version.
