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The Showa era (昭和 Shōwa), or Showa period (昭和時代 Shōwa jidai), was a political period in Japan which lasted from 1926 to 1989 during the reign of Emperor Shōwa (formerly Hirohito). Ultraman Series installments during this era have been identified as the Showa Ultraman Series (昭和ウルトラマンシリーズ Shōwa Urutoraman Shirīzu) or the First Generation.[1] It has also been referred to as Classic Ultraman. During this era, in the 1960s, Ultra Q, the original Ultraman series and Ultraseven aired and kickstarted a new era of Television Tokusatsu throughout the 1970s. It was succeeded by the Heisei era in 1989.
The original Ultraman series marked the first appearance of the title character, who debuted with his now iconic image of protecting Earth from monsters and aliens such as Alien Baltan, Gomora and Mefilas. As more series were produced, more Ultra Heroes debuted, each with their own traits and abilities.
Ultraman's success led to many sequels, spin-offs and merchandise. The franchise's popularity even caused Toho to produce a few Kyodai Hero series of their own, such as Zone Fighter and Go! Greenman.
Series and films[]
Showa Ultraman Series[]
There are three cycles of Ultraman series during the Showa era. The first three entries of the Showa Ultraman Series were produced, Ultra Q, Ultraman and Ultraseven. After Tsuburaya Productions founder Eiji Tsuburaya's death in 1970, Ultraman would continue throughout the first half of the 1970s starting with 1971's The Return of Ultraman due to the franchise's popularity. However, by the mid-to-late 1970s, attention for Tokusatsu began to cease. In 1980, the appropriately named Ultraman 80 aired and would become the last Ultraman series of the Showa period until the next series sixteen years later in the Heisei era.
Original trilogy (1966-1967)[]
- Ultra Q (1966)
- Ultraman (1966)
- Ultraseven (1967)
Tokusatsu boom series (1971-1974)[]
- Return of Ultraman (1971)
- Ultraman Ace (1972)
- Ultraman Taro (1973)
- Ultraman Leo (1974)
Post-Tokusatsu boom series (1979-1980)[]
- The Ultraman (1979)
- Ultraman 80 (1980)
Ultraman films[]
During the era, many Ultraman films were produced. Most of these were compilation films, however a few later on would have new footage. The only film that is presumed canon to the Showa Ultraman Series is 1984's Ultraman Story, as it acts as a backstory for Ultraman Taro.
1960s[]
- Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature (1967) [compilation film]
- Ultraman, Ultraseven: Great Violent Monster Fight (1969) [lost compilation film]
1970s[]
- Return of Ultraman (1971) [compilation film]
- Return of Ultraman: Terror of the Tornado Monster (1971) [compilation film]
- Return of Ultraman: Jiro Rides a Monster (1972) [compilation film]
- Ultraman Taro (1973) [compilation film]
- Ultraman Taro: Burn On! The 6 Ultra Brothers (1973) [compilation film]
- Ultraman Taro: The Blood-Sucking Flower Is a Young Girl's Spirit (1974) [compilation film]
- Akio Jissoji's Ultraman (1979) [compilation film]
- The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. the Monster Army (1979)
- Ultraman Leo: The Leo Brothers vs. The Monster Brothers (1979) [compilation film]
- Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle (1979) [compilation film]
- Ultraman Leo: The Wandering Monster of Sorrow (1979) [compilation film]
1980s[]
- Zoffy: The Ultra Warriors vs. the Giant Monster Army (1984)
- Ultraman Kids: The Movie (1984)
- Ultraman Story (1984)
Ultraman spin-offs[]
To be added.
- Ultra Fight (1970)
- Andro Melos (1984)
Outside Japan Ultraman films[]
To be added.
- Ultraman: The Adventure Begins (1987)
Other Tsuburaya series[]
1960s[]
- Monster Booska (1966)
- Mirrorman (1971)
- Redman (1972)
- Iron King (1972)
- Jumborg Ace (1973)
- Fireman (1973)
- Mirror Fight (1974)
- Dinosaur Expedition Born Free (1976-1977)
- Aizenborg (1977-1978)
Other Tsuburaya films[]
- Daigoro vs. Goliath (1972) [Toho co-production]
- Jamborg Ace and Giant (1974) [Chaiyo co-production]
- The Last Dinosaur (1977) [Rankin/Bass co-production]
- The Bermuda Depths (1978) [Rankin/Bass co-production]
Ultras Introduced[]
Showa Series[]
- Ultraman
- Zoffy
- Ultraseven
- Seven's Superior
- Ultraman Jack
- Ultraman Ace
- Father of Ultra
- Mother of Ultra
- Ultraman Taro
- Ultraman Leo
- Astra
- Ultraman King
- Ultraman Joneus
- People of U40
- Amia
- Loto
- Elek
- Ultraman 80
- Yullian
Outside Japan[]
- Ultraman Scott
- Ultraman Chuck
- Ultrawoman Beth
Monsters and Aliens Introduced[]
- Main articles: Category:Showa Kaiju, Category:Showa Seijin, Category:Showa Mechas
To be added.
Trivia[]
- To be added.
See Also[]
References[]
This is a list of references for Showa era. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]