03. Science Patrol, Move Out

I had to take a little liberty with the title of the episode, as in the Japanese version this episode's translated to "Science Special Search Party, Move Out." Science Special Search Party is the actual name of our heroes organization, but the English version that I watch refers to them as Science Patrol. Pointless explanation ending in 5...4...3...2......

Synopsis

Fuji and Hoshino are investigating a well where strange noises have been reported. In true Kenny fashion, Hoshino does something reckless and annoying; he crawls down into the dangerous well, ignoring commands to get out. As he wanders through a cavern system, a gigantic eyeball opens up and immediately moves out of the way, upset by Hoshino's short-shorts no doubt.

Yeah, we're not happy about seeing them either.

The monster digs its way out of the ground, and gets down to some monstery business - in that he starts destroying every power line in sight. "In sight" might be a poor choice of words however, as this guy decided to do this while invisible. Fuji climbs down the well to escape the kaiju and to find Hoshino. The two meet up and look for a way out of the cave. Science Patrol, always eager for an excuse to strip off their clothes, decide they need to go save the pair. Science Patrol arrive at the power station and question the witnesses. The workers claim that the monster is both invisible and was previously at the station stealing electricity. 

He's got a face that says "Now you see why I've been hiding underground."

Neronga, today's baddie, reappears for even more electric mayhem. Arashi dethrones Hayata's "become Ultraman midair" ultimate king of the badasses by observing "(Neronga)'s not invisible right now, here I go!" and charges the beast with his super gun. Arashi, you're one cool cat. Not cool enough to avoid being electrocuted by a giant monster, however, as that exact thing happens. Neronga leaves the scene, happy with his amount of destruction.  Science Patrol ponder a world without electricity as Hoshino and Fuji rejoin them at HQ. Arashi is apparently entirely fine despite his earlier incident, good for him! Hoshino instantly spies the most dangerous thing in the room and rushes over to pick it up. After having a talking to, he decides to steal the gun anyway because of course he does.

"I want to use it against Neronga. Or you. I just want to kill something!"

Everyone converges at the main power station in the city, certain that the monster will make an appearance. The army backs them up, and once the monster is located, tanks open fire upon it. If they ever watched a kaiju film they'd know that military might is never ever enough, and this particular case is no exception. Neronga lays waste to just about anything in sight. Hoshino eventually reappears with the gun and starts blasting the monster with it. When Arashi did this, it was heroic - When Hoshino does this, it's stupid and annoying. He does manage to blast out the creature's eye, so at least there's that. Hayata, for some reason waited for the entire station to get decimated and for a child to be at risk before he runs off to transform into Ultraman. The gang still hasn't figured it out after Hayata goes running off without a word, and Ultraman pops up in that very location.  The two battle, but Ultraman has the upper hand and isn't afraid to show this fact off.

Sup?

The narrator explains that Ultraman basically only has a few minute lifespan to defeat the monster or he'll die because his power drains in Earth's atmosphere. What? Has this been a thing in the previous 2 episodes? I swear I'd remember that.... Okay! Big plot point I just learned. Ultraman can only Ultra-up for a few minutes. Good to know. The fight ends with Ultraman tossing Neronga at the base of a hill and blasting him with his particle beam. Why don't you just lead off with that, bud? It all ends abruptly with "Where were you Hayata? No matter, let's go home."

Afterword

Well, three episodes under my belt and I feel like I can start to gauge the actual quality of the episodes a little. This one didn't feel that great. It was a little too Hoshino-heavy for my tastes, but I'm sure this was geared either toward children or families back in 1960's Japan, so who am I to judge? A whole lot didn't seem to be going on story-wise, and Hayata seemed to wait way too long to hit that Ultra-button. 

Today's monster was Neronga, a quadrupedal (except for when he isn't) kaiju with a lightning horn and a rigged back, and floppy ears. That sounds a little bit like Baragon from over at Toho. ... oh, he actually sounds a lot like Baragon, too. Supposedly this suit is a refurbished Baragon suit? What's with Ultraman borrowing so many things from Toho? I didn't think this would come up so many times in the first few episodes... I need to research this before I do the next episode.  The amount of toys that come out for each of these kaiju is - for some reason - a little heartwarming to me. It's definitely something I'm going to point out in each post. 

That's about all for this one, and I can't wait to see if a new ultimate king of the badasses moment tops Arashi's stunt today!