Customer Reviews

Ultraman - Series One, Vol. 2

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you watch these dvd's you will notice that while watching the English version, ocasionally it will automatically change to Japanese...I was like what the heck is this about. I thought I had defective dvd's. I wrote the company that released them and this is what they told me. The versions that were sent to them were in bad shape and much shorter than what is actually on each disc the way they are now. When they switch from English to Japanese, this is becuase these were added scenes that were originally not there when they were received. Since these shows are from the 60's, and obviously these are not in production any more, there's no way they can loop the new scenes.

So you pretty much just have to take them as is and enjoy them. These scenes were not contained in the original US release apparently.

I'd reather have them longer with Japanese than shorter, chopped up versions.

So just enjoy them everyone.

Gabe de Kelaita
gabe@star-wars.net
http://www.myspace.com/ilmer1

PS Volume 2 is set to be released November 7th 2006. We need to remember that this series is 40 years old this year. Not everyone can afford or maybe some studios are just too cheap to spend 10 to 20 million dollars on restoration of prints al la George Lucas with Star Wars.

We have to take it for what it is.

Just enjoy them. We're lucky that we have something decent on dvd. I know the audio problems are bad, but trust me, if the original makers were around, then maybe they could work their magic and fix the issue. But I'm sure Ultraman has several owners now and are not filthy rich to restore these things. Or are they?

It's great to be able to watch these shows again! I lived in Japan in the mid-to late 60's and obviously watched Ultraman then along with all the other great Japanese TV shows of the time. I never thought I would be able to see Ultraman again-but even at 45+ I still enjoy watching them. Yes I suppose I'm going through a second childhood--but who care I'm going to enjoy every minute of this boxed set!! Highly recommended to kids today-even with all their high tech distractions kids really seem to like this show.

I originally watched series 1 in dubbed English, because its the way I remembered it as a kid. And like many, I though my DVD player was broken because it reverts to Japanese periodically. Well, the novelty wore off and I started watching the episodes in the same manner that I watch foreign films, in the original language with subtitles.

And I'm glad I did. The sound quality, particularly on volume 2, is far better than the dubbed English track. You even get a fairly good simulated surround sound if you have a home theatre. Most importantly, the acting and dialogue comes off as much more serious and not nearly as cheesy or condescending. The show is much more enjoyable.

I loved it when I was a kid and now my kids love it, too! Hayata is brave and handsome. My little girls all want to marry him. Ito is funny and silly. Aroshi is a great sharp-shooter. Fuji is smart and nice. Captain Mura is always in control. We laugh when it occasionally lapses into Japanese for no apparent reason. We gasp when Ultraman's light starts flashing. It's just as good as I remember it.
I only have one complaint: if you put the captions on, it sometimes translates into some bad words. The actors aren't saying any cuss words, but it will show them on the screen! So, if your kids aren't reading yet, it won't matter. But if they are you might want to turn off those captions!

People,

There are NO sound problems with these disks, meaning it is not a "defect" that the language sometimes changes to japanese. When this happens, it is because those are ADDED SCENES, not presented in the original United States television series. Therefore, just enjoy the bonus feature of having extra footage.

This is one of the fine japanese classic to own. If remember such classic's such as Johnny Sokko, Space Giants, then this will fit right in. I watched this series over and over again, it brought back great memories of my childhood. The monsters fight scenes are too good to past up. To sum this up you love Godzilla, Gamera, ect. Then don't be without Ultraman.

I took a big chance ordering volume 2. I didn't want a cartoon (anime I think they call it), I didn't want the show in Japanese, I wanted the show as I remember it as a kid, with English overdubs, and I wanted the last episode. I remember Ultraman loses to the monster in the last episode.

That's why I ordered volume 2. I didn't think I'd view the other 18 episodes, I just took a chance that episode 39 (the set has episodes 21-39) was the one where Ultraman loses. The last episode is called "Farewell, Ultraman", it's exactly the one I remember!! But I find myself watching the others, which were originally aired exactly 40 years ago (December 1966 through April 1967). I caught them on syndicated re-runs around 1970, though.

I've waited over 35 years to see that episode again!! 10 years ago, for the 30th anniversary of Ultraman, a VHS tape was released that had the first 4 episodes on it. I've been looking for 10 years for more episodes, including the last, to be released.

Finally!! If you buy this, it is interesting to watch in Japanese with English subtitles. Some of the dialogue reads different that the overdubbed versions. In Farewell Ultraman, the dubbed English version leaves open the possibility that Ultraman will return someday. In the Japanese version with English subtitles, you see that Ultraman will definitely not be returning.

Personally I have always loved watching Godzilla as a child and really looked forward to the release of the Ultraman series.

Let me say that also that my kids LOVE Ultraman (*maybe even more than Godzilla!)

Why mention my kids and how much they love Ultraman and how much I LOVED watching Godzilla movies as a kid? Because Ultraman, Godzilla and the like NEED to be watched with imagination,

Here's the deal. If you watch Ultraman, or Godzilla or any such films and see a man in a silly suit stomping around a cardboard city fighting monsters in rubber suits then YOU MISS IT! Watch the show with your imgination and I PROMISE you'll have an AMAZING TIME!

Watch without it and you'll see a guy in a silly suit stomping around a cardboard city fighting other guys in silly rubber costumes. It's that simple.

Personally I LOVED the first set and SO LOOK FORWARD to the next set.

Yeah I noticed the "dubbing issues" that were talked about in other reviews I've read but no big deal. It's actually best to watch in Japanese with the english subs on anyway!

Anyway, I really enjoyed the first set. So did my kids. If you're a fan Ultraman or Godzilla or Gamera or the like, you'll like it too!

Relive your childhood with this great set. The quality is very good. These are slightly longer episodes than what aired on American TV. That being said, certain scenes DO NOT HAVE ENGLISH TRANSLATION! It's NOT a goof or mistake... those scenes were never translated. So, don't freak out if in the middle of an episode they start talking Japanese. It'll switch back to English in a couple minutes. Very Enjoyable!

Watched "Ultraman" in Charleston, SC as a little boy on the "Happy Raine" show. 30+ years later I still like the show, has much self-effacing humor. My little boy loves it.