Ultraman R/B (ウルトラマンR/B, Ultraman Rūbu)[a] is a Japanese tokusatsusuperhero television series produced by Tsuburaya Productions. It is the 30th entry to the Ultra Series overall, the sixth entry to the "New Generation Heroes" lineup and the last entry to the series released in the Heisei era. It aired on TV Tokyo on July 7, 2018.[1][2]
The series's main catchphrases are "This is the story of us, brothers. Starting out as Ultraman." (これは俺たち兄弟の物語。ウルトラマン、はじめます。, Kore wa oretachi kyōdai no monogatari. Urutoraman, hajimemasu.) and "Color me with your power! R/B!!" (オレ色に染めあげろ！ルーブ!!, Ore-iro ni someagero! Rūbu!!).
The series takes place in Ayaka City, a jōkamachi-themed city that is funded by the mega corporation Aizentech. During the 15 year-anniversary of their mother's disappearance, Minato siblings Katsumi and Isami were rescued by the R/B Gyros from Grigio Bone's attack, transforming them into Ultramen Rosso and Blu. True to the show's theme of “bonds” and “love”, the brothers face their emotions with allies and against enemies, realizing important things they tend to take for granted.[1][2] Although both siblings collide against each other, they willingly cooperate when fighting against opponents.[4]
In the middle of the series, the perpetrator behind the monster attack was revealed to be Chereza, an alien who inhabited the body of Makoto Aizen to obtain the means to become an Ultraman, thus transforming into Ultraman Orb Dark. Unfortunately this doesn't last long as Saki Mitsurugi orchestrated his downfall and deposed Makoto to become the new president of Aizentech. With the Minato brothers obtaining the means to fuse into Ultraman Ruebe, Saki reveals herself as the youngest sister of a trio of siblings who died protecting the Earth, and her objective is to defeat Leugocyte in hopes of avenging her fallen brothers, former namesake users of Rosso and Blu.
In the middle of Saki's conflict with Minato brothers, Mio Minato returns from her disappearance and helped turn Leugocyte into a R/B Crystal and at the same time tried to stop the Minato brothers from becoming Ultramen in order to prevent their incoming deaths. Unfortunately Saki's determination to destroy the monster with the planet as a giant bomb foil Mio's plans and thus releasing Leugocyte in its corporeal state. With Earth nearing its explosion, Mio plans to banish Leugocyte and herself into an alternate dimension until the Minato siblings interfere, with Saki sacrificing her life to defend them. Having learned her extraterrestrial origin, Asahi becomes the Makoto Crystal and sacrificed herself to destroy Leugocyte by empowering Ultraman Ruebe. In aftermath of the battle, Asahi was revived as the Minato family went back to their normal lives.
Production
As mentioned by Tsuburaya Productions, this series is part of the "New Generation Hero" (ニュージェネレーションヒーロー, Nyū Jenerēshon Hīrō) batch, which aired on TV Tokyo since the start of Ultraman Ginga. The new series is said to be filled with even more exciting elements than the past Ultra Series, with an unexpected story plot. Aside from the titular brothers fighting against their opponents, it also serves as a TV drama series focusing on the brothers’ family bond.[1][2] In an interview conducted by Sports Hochi, filming of the series was revealed to have started on March 10, 2018.[4] Takao Nakao returns from Ultraman Orb to serve as head of writing and series composition.
"What We Should Protect" Transliteration: "Oretachi ga Mamoru beki Mono" (Japanese: 俺たちの守るべきもの)
Junki Takegami
September 22, 2018 (2018-09-22)
13
"I Don't Want Secrets!" Transliteration: "Himitsu wa Iya desu!" (Japanese: 秘密はイヤです！)
Junichiro Ashiki
September 29, 2018 (2018-09-29)
14
"Who Are You?" Transliteration: "Omae wa Dare da" (Japanese: お前は誰だ)
Misaki Morie
October 6, 2018 (2018-10-06)
15
"Enshrined by Kiwami" Transliteration: "Matō wa Kiwami" (Japanese: まとうは極)
Takao Nakano
October 13, 2018 (2018-10-13)
16
"This Moment Is a Bond" Transliteration: "Kono Shunkan ga Kizuna" (Japanese: この瞬間が絆)
Sachio Yanai
October 20, 2018 (2018-10-20)
17
"Everyone Is Friends" Transliteration: "Min'na ga Tomodachi" (Japanese: みんなが友だち)
Aya Satsuki
October 27, 2018 (2018-10-27)
18
"A World Without Tomorrow" Transliteration: "Asu Naki Sekai" (Japanese: 明日なき世界)
Kyoko Katsuya
November 3, 2018 (2018-11-03)
19
"The Good and the Bad" Transliteration: "Zen'nin to Aku'nin" (Japanese: 善人と悪人)
Junki Takegami
November 10, 2018 (2018-11-10)
20
"Memory of Stardust" Transliteration: "Hoshikuzu no Kioku" (Japanese: 星屑の記憶)
Yūji Kobayashi
November 17, 2018 (2018-11-17)
21
"Candies and Manjū" Transliteration: "Amedama to Omanjū" (Japanese: あめ玉とおまんじゅう)
Toshizō Nemoto
November 24, 2018 (2018-11-24)
22
"The Extradimensional Mother" Transliteration: "Ijigen Kāsan" (Japanese: 異次元かあさん)
Misaki Morie
December 1, 2018 (2018-12-01)
23
"The Crystal of Destruction" Transliteration: "Horobi no Kurisutaru" (Japanese: 滅びのクリスタル)
Satoshi Ito
December 8, 2018 (2018-12-08)
24
"I Am Happy" Transliteration: "Watashi wa Happī" (Japanese: 私はハッピー)
Junki Takegami
December 15, 2018 (2018-12-15)
25
"Sunrise Hits Home" Transliteration: "Asahi no Ataru Ie" (Japanese: 朝日のあたる家)
Takao Nakano
December 22, 2018 (2018-12-22)
Ultraman R/B The Movie
Ultraman R/B The Movie (劇場版 ウルトラマンR/B セレクト! 絆のクリスタル, Gekijō-ban Urutoraman Rūbu Serekuto! Kizuna no Kurisutaru, also called "Ultraman R/B The Movie: Select! The Crystal of Bond") was released on March 8, 2019.
Related media
Appearances in other Ultra Series media
In the final episode of Ultraman Orb: The Chronicle, Katsumi and Isami made their appearance as they walk past Gai Kurenai during the evening.
Ultra Galaxy Fight: The Absolute Conspiracy (2020): Ultrawoman Grigio return to help Tri-Squad and Ultraman Z to stop the conspiracy led by Absolute Tartarus along with other Ultras without her brothers help.
