Ultraman Leo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ultraman Leo (ウルトラマンレオ, Urutoraman Reo^?) is a Japanese tokusatsu TV show and is the 7th show in the Ultra Series. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, Ultraman Leo was aired between April 12, 1974 to March 28, 1975, with a total of 51 episodes.

Contents 1 Plot 2 Ultraman Leo Stats 3 MAC Members 4 Trivia 5 Cameos 6 Crossovers

[edit] Plot

Leo helmed the last series of the golden era of Ultraman, when monster shows were waning in popularity with the advent of giant robot animation shows, and special effects like rubber monster suits and miniature buildings were deemed extravagant due to the Oil Shock and inflation that Japan (and the world) was experiencing in the mid-Seventies. The economizing showed, and the live-action franchise was put into hibernation for four years after Leo ended.

There are several conceptual gimmicks used to freshen up the post-Taro series. Unlike all of the other previous Ultramen that came before him, Leo is from Nebula L77 in the Leo zodiac, which is about 700,000 light years away. His planet was destroyed by Magma-seijin, so he adopts Earth as his new home, which he vows to protect (making Leo conceptually a lot like Superman, who lost his home of Krypton). Gen Ohtori, Leo's human form, is a gymnastics instructor on the side, which creates an opportunity for there to be the requisite little children. He's very intense and emotional, and often makes mistakes.

Dan Moroboshi (Ultra Seven) is brought back as the captain of MAC (Monster Attacking Crew). However, since Magma-seijin's Gillas monsters mangle Seven's leg in the first scene of the series (we actually get to see his leg being twisted around and hear bones being cracked), Dan is no longer able to transform (his Ultra Eyes melt and burn), and he hobbles around haplessly with a crutch for the rest of the series. Plus, he gains weight and even tries sporting a moustache. He thus develops a master/disciple relationship with Gen (cheesy comparisons are made about them and the setting and rising suns). Dan often helps Leo by using Ultra Will Power (Urutora Nenriki), which momentarily renders monsters helpless, but is physically draining for Dan. Gen training to learn the Kirimomi Kick was very similar to when Hideki Goh learned how to do the Ryuhsei Kick in Return of Ultraman so that he could defeat King Saurus the 3rd.

The entire concept of the series is pretty grim and depressing. It's also infinitely more serious than Ultraman Taro. In fact, every episode opens with the explosion of L77, to remind us of just how much it sucks to be Gen. Until episode 13, the opening credit music is pretty much about the end of the world, adding to the dark milieu.

Leo has only two minutes and forty seconds to fight, unlike all of his three-minute predecessors (although his fight sequences in Episode 1 and 2 are interminably long) and he is the first headline Ultraman to lack an "-ium" weapon. In fact, at the beginning of the series, he completely lacks laser weapons, and has to kick and punch his foes into submission with his martial art skills. He rips chimneys off of buildings and turns them into nunchucks. And finally, the ornate, top-heavy crown design of his head and the keen Fonzie sideburns make him the rococo of Ultramen. His crown is toned down from initial designs (Balkie-seijin, the bad guy from the final episode of Ultraman Taro, is based on a reject design of Leo).

The "train with Dan to overcome the enemy using karate techniques" formula became the pattern of the first half of the series, which alienated traditional fans. Episode 17 has the dubious distinction of being the first Ultra episode to ever dip into the single digits in the ratings statistics.

This wake-up call evoked a creative push to reinvigorate the series. Leo starts using lasers (in a move in the opposite direction that can be considered overkill, he even uses a full-body laser). His brother Astra shows up on several occasions, and together they can fire the powerful Ultra Double Flasher. And then there is the introduction of the living legend, Ultraman King. King shows up in only three episodes, but his appearances are very significant. He gives Leo his "Ultra Mant," a multi-purpose cape that Leo usually hides in an armband. Episodes 26 through 32 encompass the "NIPPON MEISAKU" series, or Japanese Masterpiece series, drawing upon Japanese folklore mythology for plotlines. Episodes 32 and 33 are directed by Nobuo Nakagawa, a master of mystery movies.

Producers talked with fans who visited the studio for their input, and their ideas were incorporated (for example, the return of Magma-seijin, and the ball monster Sevengar for Dan). Then there a fake Astra steals the Ultra Key. The Leo brothers and the Ultra brothers get into a big fight over this. Finally, in a radical move, MAC is annihilated in Episode 40 by Commander Black of the BlackStar (it's not sure what happens to Dan Moroboshi). The last eleven episodes are devoted to the invading BlackStar Flying-Saucer Life Forms (ENBAN SEIBUTSU) that are sent to Earth every time Commander Black calls for one through a crystal ball he is always carrying around. This is a bold move, since most of the monsters must be strung from wires and demand tricky special effects.

The L77-destroying arch-nemesis Magma-seijin plays a surprisingly unimportant role in the series (other than the first two episodes, and an episode where he seeks revenge for having his amorous advances rejected by Rolan. Dan doesn't use his cache of Capsule Monsters at all (though Windam and Mikuras were gone, Agira was never killed). Ultraman Jack does deliver Dan the "Monster Ball," which could turn into Sevengar for one minute, but Dan uses Sevengar only once against Ashuran.

After the destruction of MAC, Gen is unemployed, and stays at the home of Tohru and family. Gen goes running a lot with Tohru, and encourages him to run all the way to the sea one day. The Flying-Saucer Life Forms continue to attack the Earth, and one of the women living in the house starts wondering if the reason why Earth is always being invaded is because Leo is there. Tohru then defends Leo, saying he likes and wishes to protect humans. Gen starts to question whether or not there is some validity to what she is saying, and whether or not it's time for him to move on.

In Episode 50, Commander Black receives Flying-Saucer Life Form Bunyo, a weak but cunning fella, who uses his antennae to detect that Gen is an alien (and therefore Leo). Gen lets Bunyo bind his arms with a space rope to save the mother of his household, who was held in a hostage situation. Gen is taken before Commander Black, and his identity is revealed. Gen transforms, but the bindings prevent him from growing to giant-size. He is frozen, and Commander Black and Bunyo hack him to pieces with a saw, throwing the pieces away in a cemetery. Maybe it's things like this that prevent the Ultra series from being broadcast in America. Leo is of course resurrected, by Ultraman King.

In the final episode, Commander Black sends for the ultimate Flying-Saucer Life Form, Black End. The monster sounds like he is beckoning Gen by calling out his name, "Leo, Leo!" Leo can't transform, though, because he is with Tohru. Bored with this fruitless effort, Commander Black and Black End disappear. Even Tohru begins to have his doubts about his hero because of the no-show, and starts thinking that maybe Leo really is a liability for Earth. When Black End returns again, Gen reveals to Tohru his true identity, and transforms in front of the child to confront Black End. While Leo struggles with Black End, Commander Black grabs Tohru as a hostage. Leo can't make a move lest his friend be hurt. At that moment, a bunch of Tohru's friends attack Commander Black, and they bite and hit and trample him... he lets go of his crystal ball, which is used by Leo to kill Black End. A pretty gruesome scene, as the Commander melts away in front of these murderous yet heroic little tykes.

His work done, his identity revealed, and reassured now that the little kids can defend themselves, Gen leaves Tohru's household to travel and get to know this big blue planet that is his second home planet. Tohru runs to the sea to watch Gen sail away into the sunset.

Gen appeared again 32 years later with Ultraman Mebius/Mirai Hibino. Mebius was first defeated by Alien Reflect. Gen trained Mirai and they cooperate together and defeated Alien Reflect.

[edit] Ultraman Leo Stats

• Height: 52 meters
• Weight: 48,000 tons
• Flight Speed: mach 7
• Running Speed: 600 km/h
• Home Planet: Nebula L77
• Human Form: Gen Ohtori
• Transformation Item: Leo Ring
• Weapons:
  • Leo Kick: One of the most used weapons involivng a extemely powerful fly kick
  • Double Leo Kick: Similar to the Leo Kick, Leo uses both legs. (Used against Akumania Seijin)
  • Timer Shot: A blue beam from his ColorTimer.
  • Timer Shot, Version 2: Leo draws his hands across his chest (at which point his ColorTimer flashes), into the air, across his chest again, than extends them toward the target. The white beam comes from his hands, but the ColorTimer is the implied power source.
  • Hand Slicer: Leo can use his hand to cut off a enemie's weapon, remove dangerous body part or literally slice a opponant in half.
  • Multiple Backflips: One of Leo's ways to avoid enemies's weapons
  • Space Ray: A lazer which he shoots from his forehead.
  • Ultra Grenade: Leo draws a hand back to channel red and black energy into a ball, which he then hurls at his foe with a highly destructive yield.
  • Lightning Cutter: Leo can jump into the air, performing many flips in rapid succession with his limbs outstretched. This throws off lightning bolts and turns his whole body into one big Ultra Slash.
  • Ressurection: Leo can fire a white, sparkling beam from his eyes to bring the recently dead to life. This is a rare power, even among Ultramen.
  • Incapacitator: A beam similar in appearance to Ace's Punch Laser, Leo can temporarily put an enemy to sleep.
  • Arm Shields: By gathering energy around his entire body and concentrating it around his hands and lower arms, Leo can repel attacks that would ordinarily seriously injure him. This operates on the same principal the Theory of Reverse Magnetism. The catch is that the attack must be blocked with the hands or lower arms; other areas are likely more vulnerable than usual.
  • Ultra Double Flasher: A devastating red bolt of energy that Leo could fire when he joins hands with his brother, Astra.
  • The Ultra Mant: A multi-purpose cape given to him by Ultraman King in Episode 26, which he normally hides in the blue band he wears on his left arm. The Mant can make monsters smaller, and can turn into an umbrella.

[edit] MAC Members

MAC is one of the most radically different Ultra support teams. As mentioned above, the captain is Dan Moroboshi, who is Ultraseven deprived of his ability to transform. MAC also has a flowing membership. Members get killed off and replaced with frightening rapidity, which is way more realistic than the typical ensemble cast. To top it all off, MAC gets annihilated mid-series (Episode 40). There are (were) bases in orbit above North and South America, Africa, Northern Europe, and Japan. This is in addition to numerous land-based bases as well.

• Captain Dan Moroboshi
• Gen Ohtori
• Ichiroh Aoshima
• Akio Kuroda
• Kiyohiko Akaishi
• Junko Shirakawa
• Haruko Momoi

[edit] Trivia

• The show got off on a bad start. The previous series, Ultraman Taro, was extended from 49 to 53 episodes because pre-production of Leo was running behind schedule.
• The MAC song sings about the MAC Mole and the MAC Shark, but these machines were never used in battle on the series (although the Shark makes an appearance in the opening credits after episode 28).

[edit] Cameos

• Episode 1: Leo saves Ultra Seven from certain death at the hands of Magma-seijin and the Gillas brothers. Ultra Seven's leg is damaged and Dan Moroboshi can no longer transform into him. They develop a mentoring relationship. As the MAC captain, Dan plays a recurring role.
• Episode 22: Astra joins Leo in the fight against brother monsters Gallon and Liter.
• Episode 26: After being shrunk by Pressure-seijin, Leo is rescued and resized by Ultraman King. They defeat the alien together and King gives Leo the Ultra Mant.
• Episode 29: Yuriko Hishimi reprises her role as Anne from the Ultra Garrison of Ultra Seven.
• Episode 30: Hiroko Sakurai (Fuji from Ultraman) plays the human form of Rolan, the "most beautiful monster in the world." Also, Susume Kurobe (Hayata, the original Ultraman) makes a cameo as the farmer father of some kid.
• Episode 33: Astra, against Akumania-seijin.
• Episode 34: Ultraman "Jack" delivers a monster ball to Dan Moroboshi, but monster Ashuran slaps a mask on him. For some reason, Ultra Seven makes an appearance as well.
• Episode 36: Astra, against Atlanta-seijin.
• Episode 38-39: Leo defends fake Astra from Zoffy, Ultraman, Ultraman "Jack," and Ultraman Ace in the ultimate Ultra rumble, after fake Astra steals the Ultra Key, which causes the Land of Light to head on a collision course toward Earth. In addition, to controlling the orbit of the Land of Light, the Ultra Key shoots a very destructive ray. Flashback to when the Ultra Father uses the Ultra Key to disintegrate an entire planet of evil. Gen gets into a fist fight with Dan. Leo even absorbs direct hits from simultaneous beams from three of the Ultramen, which knocks him out good. Had Ace not had his attention called skyward to an attacking Leo, he would likely have been killed right then and there by the Leo Kick. The other Ultramen were hurt, but the Leo brothers lost in the end due to Fake Astra standing still, knowing that Leo would try to take the blow for him. Ultraman King reveals that this Astra is in fact Babalou-seijin in disguise, hence Astra causing Leo to attack the other Ultramen while nearly killing himself trying to defend his "brother" against the combined force of their energy beams. Leo and the real Astra repair the broken Ultra Key with their Ultra Double Spark. Ultraman King has Dan accept Leo and Astra officially as new Ultra brothers. The Ultra Father and the Ultra Mother nod their approval.
• Episode 46: Astra, against Hanglar.
• Episode 50: Ultraman King uses a beam from his hands to resurrect Leo, who is dismembered by Bunyo.
• Episode 51: Ultra Seven appears in Gen's dream.

[edit] Crossovers

• Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle: New group shot footage.
• Ultraman Zoffy: Recycled footage.
• Ultraman Story: Young Ultraman Taro watches footage of Ultraman Leo battling Silver Bloome. Never mind the fact that Leo came to Earth after Taro. This movie is of a different temporal reality.

Ultra Series v • d • e
Showa era series:	Ultraman  • Seven  • Return of/Jack  • Ace  • Taro  • Leo  • 80
Heisei era series:	Tiga  • Dyna  • Gaia  • Cosmos  • Nexus  • Max  • Mebius
Ultra Q:	Ultra Q  • Ultra Q: Dark Fantasy
Specials:	The Ultraman/Jonias (anime)  • Ultraman Neos (Direct-to-DVD)
Movies:	Zearth  • ULTRAMAN
Co-productions:	The Adventure Begins • Towards the Future • Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider (with Toei) • The Ultimate Hero
Related:	Redman  • Bio Planet WoO