Ultra Hero Best Set 01 (Bandai Sofubi)

One of my first Ultra Hero purchases was a set of the first six Ultramen: Ultraman, Zoffy, Ultraseven, Ultraman Jack, Ultraman Ace, and Ultraman Taro. Click on their names to jump down to their profile or click the Space Garrison to see more group shots.

 

 



Ultraman: the original hero. Ultraman bonded with Shin Hayata after colliding with his jet and accidentally killing the human member of the Science Patrol. Thus a franchise is born.

Colour Timer

"SHUWATCH!"

Zoffy: Ultraman's commander who first appears in the final episode of the original series to take him back to Nebula M78. I love that a commander in the Space Garrison has such a non-threatening name.

High ranking bumps

I wonder what would be the evolutionary purpose of that zipper-hider?

Ultraseven: Dan Moroboshi of the Ultra Garrison merged with Ultraseven in the first sequel to Ultraman which was originally designed to be a stand-alone series much like how the later Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series would. Ultraseven was potentially more popular than Ultraman and he would be folded into the main continuity through appearances in Return of Ultraman.

The new style eyes don't work so well at this scale

Eye-slugger (that's the fin, he can throw it like a boomerang)

Ultraman Jack: Originally known as new Ultraman or Return of Ultraman. This was the first series made after Eiji Tsuburaya's death. Jack's design seems to be an interesting mix of the original's and Zoffy's with the addition of the Ultra Bracelet.

Ultra Bracelet

Ultraman Ace: The initial twist in Ultraman Ace's story was that he had two hosts, one male (Seiji Hokuto) and one female (Yuko Minami). But 1970's sexism led to Yuko being written out of the show. The episodes were darker and the series had an overarching plot in the fight against Yapool.

He has an ear for music...

Ultraman Taro: Ultraseven's cousin Taro's series was geared much more toward children and was structured like a fairy tale. My first direct experience with Taro was when he was trapped in Spark Doll form acting as mentor to Ultraman Ginga. His design reflects his family connection to Ultraseven.

Head-fin and horns

Taro Bracelet

Space Garrison

The first two Ultras to visit Earth

"Sup Cuz?"

Head Fin Trio

Egg Head Trio