This is a list of characters for the 1980 Ultra Series Ultraman 80. Following the end of 1979–80 anime The Ultraman, 80 was introduced as a sequel to the mainstream Showa era Ultra Series through its continuation from 5 years since the finale of Ultraman Leo.
Ultraman 80 (ウルトラマン80, Urutoraman Eiti) is the eponymous protagonist of the series, an Ultra Brothers (ウルトラ兄弟, Urutora Kyōdai) candidate from Land of Light who was sent to Earth five years following Ultraman Leo's final fight.[1] Realizing that monster attacks were related to Minus Energy emissions from humans, 80 assumed the form of Takeshi Yamato (矢的 猛, Yamato Takeshi) and worked as a science teacher in Sakuragaoka Middle School to teach children about love and courage.[2] On the first day as a teacher, Takeshi's quick detection of the monster Crescent led to Ōyama recruiting him into the ranks of UGM after discussing the matters with the principal. From that day on, Takeshi led a triple life as either a schoolteacher on weekdays, UGM officer in weekends and after school and as Ultraman 80 when fighting monsters. Unfortunately, as the battle against monsters became more intense, Takeshi was forced to quit teaching at Sakuragaoka Middle School and became a full-time UGM member. In the final episodes of his series, he received assistance from his childhood friend Yullian and the two finally return to the Land of Light once the final monster, Margodon, was defeated by UGM themselves. By the time he returned to the Land of Light, 80 was officially recruited as a member of the Ultra Brothers.[1]
Since Takeshi was an Ultraman disguised as a human, he retained his enhanced sense of vision that allowed him to perceive a monster's presence. Takeshi's true form as Ultraman 80 was a secret he obligated to protect, especially during transformations since being discovered by Earthlings would lead to his immediate return to the Land of Light. Using the Bright Stick (ブライトスティック, Buraito Sutikku), Takeshi can either transform into Ultraman 80, expose disguised aliens or summon a barrier which he used against Gymaira.[3] As Ultraman 80, he fights with the use of acrobatic movements and ray beams. His finishing moves are the Succium Beam (サクシウム光線, Sakushiumu Kōsen),[4] Buckle Beam (バックルビーム, Bakkuru Bīmu)[5] and Moonsault Kick (ムーンサルトキック, Mūnsaruto Kikku).[6]
Takeshi Yamato was portrayed by Hatsunori Hasegawa (長谷川 初範, Hasegawa Hatsunori),[2] who received the offer for the role by Tsuburaya's then-producer Kazuho Mitsuda. Hatsunori liked the show's first cour which focused on Takeshi as a teacher and regretted that said plot ended early. Ultraman 80 on the other hand was designed by Osamu Yamaguchi.[7]
Yullian (ユリアン, Yurian, 43-50)[8] is the royal princess from the Land of Light, Nebula M78 and Ultraman 80's childhood friend. At some point in the duration of 80's time on Earth, the Land of Light countered the invasion force led by King Galtan. Yullian went to Earth to personally warn 80 but a chain of events accidentally led to Emi's death. Since then, she adopted a human form Ryōko Hoshi (星 涼子, Hoshi Ryōko), named by Ōyama and replace Emi to make up her mistakes. Although usually supporting 80, Takeshi had her remained as a human and wished to reserve her role as an Ultra in the event of his defeat but she transformed once to help him fight against Pluzuma and Minuzuma. At the end of the episode, Takeshi and Ryōko celebrated their final day on Earth before departing to the Land of Light.
Even in her human form, Ryōko can still use her Princess Ray (プリンセスレイ, Purinsesu Rei) attack and utilize the Medical Gun (メディカルガン, Medikaru Gan) healing pistol.[9] She transforms into Yullian using the Bright Bracelet (ブライトブレスレット, Buraito Buresuretto). As Yullian, she is capable of performing various superhuman feats, but her sole attack was Double Power (ダブルパワー, Daburu Pawā) rotation attack with 80.[9]
Ryōko Hoshi is portrayed by Sayoko Hagiwara (萩原 佐代子, Hagiwara Sayoko).[2]
The Utility Government Members (ユーティリティガバメントメンバーズ, Yūtiriti Gabamento Menbāzu), abbreviated as UGM (ユージーエム, Yū Jī Emu), is a monster and strange phenomenon investigation team under the Earth Defense Force UNDA (地球防衛軍UNDA, Chikyū Bōei-gun Unda, United Nations Defence Army), the latter founded by the United Nations to overseer armies across the world. In addition to various branch across the Earth, it also had its base on the Moon.
In the series' UGM took residence in UNDA's Far East Area Base (極東エリア基地, Kyokutō Eria Kichi) in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture. The base was partially destroyed by Zarudon in episode 14 and was relocated to another facility in the second half of the series. According to episode 25's narration, there were a total of 2,000 UNDA members with 30% of the staffs consist of women. As episode 12 concluded the "Academy Chapter", episodes 13 until 30 were regarded as UGM Chapter (UGM編, Yū Jī Emu hen).[7]
The Sakuragaoka Middle School (桜ヶ丘中学校, Sakuragaoka Chūgakkō) is a Japanese middle school and was the original setting in the first cour of Ultraman 80, hence its name as Academy Chapter (学園編, Gakuen-hen).[7] According to screenwriter Shigemitsu Taguchi, the show's initial focus on the middle school and Takeshi's initial job as a teacher was inspired by Kinpachi-sensei.[13]
Class 1-E is Takeshi's main classroom, with most of the monsters from the show's first cour were partly related to his students. 26 years after Taskeshi left the Earth as 80 in Ultraman Mebius, Yukio gathered his former classmates for a reunion after 80's brief appearance in pursuing Roberuga II on Earth. Following Hoe's destruction, each of the students exposed their gratitude towards their teacher despite his short period of teaching them.
Takeshi hypothesized that some of the Earth monsters were born from the darkness of human hearts, which he described as Minus Energy (マイナスエネルギー, Mainasu Enerugī). Said energy substance could also affect space monsters by drawing their attention towards Earth. As revealed in Ultraman Mebius, monsters that are associated with Minus Energy in any capacity are designated as Minus Energy Monsters (マイナスエネルギー怪獣, Mainasu Enerugī Kaijū).
The Minus Energy Monsters served their role as manifestations of an Earthling's malice and how both 80 and the guest characters handle their life challenges.[8]
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