Tsuburaya Productions

[Zone Fighter]

I've seen the first ten episodes of Ultraman, all but 1 episode of Ultraseven (no not the banned episode 12, somehow I'm missing episode 20), two Ultraseven TV specials and two made for video movies, five episodes of Return of Ultraman, all of Fireman, about 1/4 of Ultraman Leo and Jumbborg Ace, and all of Ultraman Neos. All have the same basic plot. Giant monsters invade Earth. A military group tries to fight them but its a giant warrior that suddenly appears on the scene that will actually destroys the monsters.

I'm not complaing, just making an observation. I like Ultraseven, Ultraman Leo, Fireman and Jumborg Ace.

Ultraseven has the neatest aircraft, a jet fighter than can split into two seperate craft.

I probably like Ultraman Leo for precisly the same reasons many Ultraman fans do not. I like that he starts out with no energy weapons and has to train to learn new combat techniques, though I wouldn't want Moroboshi, Dan as my martial arts instructor, he's mean. Never break an Ultras legs or damage his henshin device!

Jumborg Ace has the widest variety of energy weapons I've ever see, 10 in the first 12 episodes, but they're not over used. Jumborg Ace punchs, kicks and wrestles with the monsters before finising them off with the energy weapon. He also has a sword and throwing daggers (Jet Knife).

"Beam Emerald!"

[Xenorama ™]

i like Leo a lot for the same reasons. i think it was made that way as a response to the popularity of the Riders more violent and active shows. it was nice to see Dan Moroboshi again, but he IS mean, no question, but that's not unusual for teachers to act like that- it makes the students tougher (at least that was my sifu's thought pattern).
i also like Koseidon as well, though it's a little different without giant heroes.
your point about the simillarity of the shows is good, but then none of the Rider have different formulae as well- they stick with what works, don't they? just like any company would!

[Zone Fighter]

Not quite. The new Kamen Riders have abandonded Ishinomori, Shoutarou's formula. They're no longer kaizjo ningen and champions of justice. Now they're getting there powers from cards like in an anime. In Ryuki they were killing each other off, ala The Highlander.

I've only seen the first four episodes of Koseidon. I think I know someone who has the entire series on VCD, if you're interested.

[Xenorama ™]

i wasn't really counting the new Riders, just the good ones! i'll get more Koseidon sometime in the future, i think. i'd be more inclined to get stuff from VDK if everything was on DVDr now.

[Igadevil]

Actually, all the new Rider shows have continued with Ishinomori's formula verbatim- entertain the viewing audience, sell the toys, and make money. The only difference is he's not around anymore to benefit from all that, but I would guess that his family is.

[Zone Fighter]

No they have abandoned his vision, of the Kamen Riders as champions of justice. They are not following his formula at all.

[Igadevil]

Really? I'd like you to tell me what exactly "his vision" was then, and how the new shows have abandoned it, since you obviously must have known him personally and you've seen every single episode of the new series so you know exactly what they're all about.

And how about Hirayama? You know, the other creator of Kamen Rider? He was working on the idea LONG before Ishinomori came in to design the hero. And he left after ZX. So does that make Black~J only half Riders now?

On second thought, don't bother- I've heard this exact same argument enough times already, and every time it just sounds more and more pointless.

Anyway, this thread should be about Tsuburaya's shows.