Ultraman 80

infobox television


show_name = Ultraman 80
format = Science fiction, action, adventure
runtime = 24 minutes (per episode)
country = Japan
network = TBS
num_episodes = 50
creator = Tsuburaya Productions
starring = Hatsunori Hasegawa
Sayoko Hagiwara
Jin Nakayama
Mayumi Asano
first_aired = April 2, 1980
last_aired = March 25, 1981
preceded_by = "The Ultraman"
followed_by = "" (USA)|nihongo|"Ultraman 80"|ウルトラマン80（エイティ）|Urutoraman Eiti is a Japanese tokusatsu TV show and is the 9th show in the Ultra Series. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, Ultraman 80 was aired between April 2, 1980 to March 25, 1981, with a total of 50 episodes. "80" was the last Ultraman produced in Japan until Ultraman Tiga, 15 years later.

Plot

Ultraman 80 comes to Earth as one of the newest members of the Ultra Space Garrison (it is revealed in "Ultraman Mebius" that he is the ninth Ultra Brother), in the form of science teacher, Takeshi Yamato. After a five-year hiatus since the departure of Ultraman Leo, monsters started reappearing again.

Yamato's theory is that monsters are born of human wickedness, hatred, or sorrow. He decides to become a teacher at Sakura-ga-Oka Middle School, and serves as a science teacher, as well as the home room teacher responsible for 1st Year, E Division. He is absolutely dedicated to his students, for he is there to teach them not just about science, but also about life. Unfortunately, he has a penchant for being late, so he does things like promising his students to walk to class on his hands if he is late next time, or even promising to resign as a teacher. He even starts up a band with his students and jams on an electric guitar. His over-enthusiasm quickly wins the loyalty of his students, but often makes him an easy target for the prim Deputy Schoolmaster Kumi Nozawa. Yamato loves rice omelettes and orange juice. He also loves Kyohko Aihara, the gym teacher, but loses all confidence in himself and sense of composure in her presence.

Yamato dons an orange and silver suit to moonlight at UGM (Utility Government Members) after school and on Sundays. He gets the job from Captain Ohyama because they are both present at a park in the first episode, looking for signs of new monster activity. Ohyama is happy to meet someone who believes in the re-emergence of monsters. Even his own team members had their doubts, since none of them have any combat experience like their veteran captain. At school, only Principal Kennosuke Hayashi knows of Yamato's extracurricular activities.

80 has one of the more difficult human situations of any Ultraman. Ultraman 80 cannot be revealed to be known by humans, since his revelation will lead 80 to leave Earth. Yet, Yamato must still balance UGM and school, all the while hiding his true identity, while nursing a crush on Aihara. It is no wonder that he is often running to get to class on time. One has to wonder when he has time to grade papers. Though determined to teach his students about responsibility and integrity, he has to lie and break promises constantly to maintain this secret multiple personality.

Ultraman 80 and Yullian returns home after the event of the final episode against monster Margodon. In the final episode, UGM destroy Margodon all by themselves. It is revealed that Captain Ohyama knows the real identities of Yamato and Hoshi, and a small celebration is held to appreciate Ultraman 80's and Yullian's assistance while on Earth.

Yullian

Late in the series, 80 is joined on Earth by the Princess of the Land of Light (the Ultra Planet), Yullian, 80's childhood friend (and in "", his girlfriend). She originally comes to Earth to warn 80 that King Galtan the Great is planning to assassinate him, but she ends up sticking around for a while and joins UGM. She assumes the identity of Ryoko Hoshi. While not using any attacks as Yullian (other than Double Power, a combined attack with 80), she does shoot the Princess Ray, an infrared beam fired from the fingertips, as Ryoko.

Later years

25 years later, in "Ultraman Mebius", 80 returns to Earth while fighting Robelgar II, whom he eventually defeats with Mebius' help. Then, after defeating a resurrected Hoh (a monster which appeared in 1980), Ultraman 80 reverts to Takeshi Yamato and is greeted by his students at a Sakura-ga-Oka Middle School's final class reunion, as the building is to be torn down.

Takeshi Yamato is the only human host not to transform to his Ultra form on screen during Mebius' series.

Availibility

Unfortunately, Ultraman 80 has not been given a proper DVD release by Tsuburaya, and the only ways to obtain it are through Japanese VHS or Malaysian English(note only the 1st 10 are dubbed in English) and Cantonese VCDs.

Firsts

This is the very first live action Ultra series to have ending credits and an ending song. Two songs were used for ending songs, Let's Go UGM by TALIZMAN, and You are Earthlings by TALIZMAN. The 1st OP was covered by Koorogi '73, but this version is extremely rare.

Ultraman 80 Statistics

* Height
50 meters
* Weight
44,000 tons
* Flight Speed
Mach 9
* Running Speed
Mach 1.3
* Home Planet
The Land of Light, Nebula M78
* Human Form
Takeshi Yamato
* Transformation Item
Bright Stick

Weapons

*Saxium Kosen
L-style.
*Buckle Beam
A weapon 80 fires from his beltless buckle.
*Straight Flash
Fired from his fingertips.
*Ultra Arrow Shot
A stream of laser arrows.
*Ultra Spiral Beam
Green energy pulses shot from both hands.
*Ultra Ray Lance
A beam javelin.
*Eyespot
A beam shot from his eyes.
*Medical Power
He has healing powers.
*Ultra Reduction
He can shrink to any size.
*400-mon Kick
"mon" is a Japanese shoe size.
*Double Power
Lock arms and spin with Yullian to create a deadly windmill with their bodies.

UGM Members

* Captain Kazuki Ohyama
* Chief Junkichi Itoh
* Takeshi Yamato
* Hiroshi Tajima
* Emi Johno
* Ryoko Hoshi