Why 2021 is an ultra year for the Ultraman series?

July 10, 2021, marks the 55th anniversary of the Ultraman franchise since the first Ultraman TV series went on air and the producers are very blessed why they've launched their newest installment, Ultraman Trigger, on this very day where fans from around the world are honoring 55 years of everyone's favorite giant alien saving the world, the galaxy rather, from terrifying monsters. From the first Ultraman to the recent Trigger, we are blessed with 51 Ultra Heroes (52 if you add Ribut from the Ultra Galaxy Fight web series) that appeared throughout the franchise and still counting!

So, why 2021 is definitely an Ultra year for the Ultraman series, you may ask? Let's begin.

Ultraman

55 years ago, Ultraman is aired on TV - Aired on MBS and its affiliated channels on the 10th of July, 1966, the Ultraman TV series is meant to be a spin-off of the Ultra Q mystery series but because it spawned into a full-blown franchise, Ultraman is Tsuburaya Productions' success story. The TV series is about Shin Hayata, a member of the special ops team called the SSSP, who got involved in a plane crash and his unknown encounter with Ultraman gave him a Beta Capsule, a device that allows Shin Hayata to transform into Ultraman and battle against monsters in as little as three minutes because of the Earth's atmosphere. Hence the signature color timer, huh? 

50 years ago, Return of Ultraman is aired on TV - Five years after the success of the first Ultraman TV series, as well as its successor show, Ultraseven, the producers from Tsuburaya Productions have created a follow-up of the original Ultraman TV series, titled Return of Ultraman. Aired on MBS and its affiliates in 1971, the Return of Ultraman brings back Ultraman and Ultraseven as they team up with the Monster Attack Team against terrifying aliens and monsters. The series welcomes one of the Ultra brothers, Jack.

25 years ago, we have...Zearth? - I know it sounds odd but the weird-looking Ultraman named Ultraman Zearth is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year since the film popped up in 1996. Known to be a lighter take on the Ultraman franchise, it's about your average employee at MYDO who uses a mysterious toothbrush that allows him to transform into Zearth, your not-so-average Ultra Hero with some not-so-average powers.

25 years ago, Tiga is here - Ultraman Tiga marks the Ultraman series' return to Japanese TV after a long hiatus. Aired on CBC and its affiliates in 1996, the TV series involves Daigo, a young man who is part of the TPU's special forces unit, GUTS, who got caught in a crossfire against a kaiju until he was chosen to be the ancient warrior, Ultraman Tiga.

20 years ago, we met Cosmos - The year 2001 welcomes the first Ultra Hero of the 21st century, Ultraman Cosmos. It's also the first of the second Heisei Ultra Heroes as well. The TV series is about a young man who is part of the special forces unit called TEAM EYES, named Musashi Haruno, who was granted the Cosmo Pluck which allows him to transform into Ultraman Cosmos, the champion of peace. Using its pacifist powers, Cosmos can calm down even the most stubborn monsters on rampage.

Mebius arrived 15 years ago - With the success of 2001's Ultraman Cosmos, 2004's Ultraman Nexus, and 2005's Ultraman Max, the year 2006 welcomed Ultraman Mebius, which is oddly the last Ultraman TV series aired on TV before Tsuburaya Productions went under new ownership by a certain advertising agency. Long story short but anyway, the TV series is about CREW GUYS member Mirai Hibino, who is armed with the Mebius Brace that allows him to transform into Ultraman Mebius.

5 years ago, Ultraman Orb's here - Aired on TV Tokyo on July 9th, 2016, and served as an ultimate present for the Ultraman franchise's 50th anniversary, Ultraman Orb, the fourth Ultraman TV show of the New Generation Heroes universe, centers on a mysterious man named Gai who lost his powers following a certain incident several years ago. Armed with the Orb Ring and a deck of Fusion Cards, Gai transforms into Ultraman Orb and battles against terrifying monsters as well as his arch-nemesis, Jugglus Juggler.

Today, Trigger is here! - 2021 marked the 55th anniversary of the Ultraman franchise and its ultimate birthday present has arrived; the recently aired TV show titled Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga. It is the third Reiwa era Ultraman TV show aired on TV Tokyo since 2019's Ultraman Taiga and last year's Ultraman Z, and the ninth of the New Generation Heroes universe. In the newest installment of the Ultraman franchise, it's about a young man named Kengo Manaka who witnessed a dream about a mysterious giant. Armed with the GUTS Spark Lens, Kengo becomes Ultraman Trigger. Although it is still unclear if it's the reincarnation of the ancient warrior, Trigger utilizes his powers against terrifying monsters while battling against the reincarnations of the three evil giants.

...and that is why 2021 is an ultra year for the Ultraman series. From the first Ultraman TV series to the recent Ultraman Trigger, the world experienced 55 years of monster-slaying giants guarding the galaxy against the forces of evil. How will the galaxy be without them?

Happy 55th anniversary to the Ultraman franchise!

PLUS ULTRA!!