Hey all, Sean here, and we’re back with another batch of episodes of Ultraman Arc! This time, we see Yuma wake up in another world, where some things remain the same, but with many major differences. With Hellnarak on the way, how will SKIP fare without Arc? After that, we see a story of family ties and the return of the king!
Episode 19: The Transcending Wish
This episode picks up right where we left off last time, with Yuma being saved by an alternate Shu, while Earth Garon begins to fight Hellnarak. Meanwhile, in Arc’s world, YouPi says that the rift will close in 10 minutes, with Captain Ban adding that the operation was a success, as Rin asks about Arc. As Earth Garon fights, Yuma finds out that, in this alternate world, “Hoshimoto City” is “Hoshi-Moto City” and that Earth Garon is a robot deployed by “SKaRD.” Hellnarak has begun its attack on the alternate world two days prior to Yuma’s arrival and, five hours prior, the rift opened. Just then, an alternate Rin arrives on the scene and looks over Yuma, finding no injuries but telling him to evacuate. Alternate Shu covers for him, saying he’s gathering data on Hellnarak, as the alternate Ban arrives, calling Rin away.
When Yuma asks the alternate Shu why he covered for him, Shu adds that, after entering the rift, Hellnarak was pushed back by something and, after, a high energy body fell from the sky, which is when Shu found Yuma. Yuma continues, realising that time flows differently between worlds, as the rift appeared in Arc’s world a few weeks ago. They heard about the alternate world from Zangill, with alternate Shu asking where Zangill is, and, despite Yuma not saying anything, Shu puts two and two together.
The pair then see the rift is beginning to close. Yuma confirms his world is closing it, as he comments that he didn’t think another world was on the other side. He asks if alternate Shu knew about his world, the latter and he confirms this, adding that just because they want peace, doesn’t mean they’ll push a problem onto another world. Just then, Ultraman Blazar arrives and begins fighting Hellnarak. Hellnarak knocks the Ultra down and Yuma decides to jump into the fight. Before he does, he asks alternate Shu if he likes coffee, with Shu saying he prefers tea. As Yuma runs off and transforms into Ultraman Arc, the alternate world’s Yuma finally arrives.
Arc appears, and joins the fight alongside Blazar. The pair take heavy damage in the fight but Blazar manages to impale Hellnarak with the Spiral Burrade, and Arc forces it through with the Arc Finalize beam, revealing an egg-creating organ, confirming Hellnarak’s weak spot. Just then, as Hellnarak flies towards the rift, Blazar turns to Arc, grabbing his hand and passing along some energy before throwing Arc towards the rift. The alternate versions of Shu, Rin, Baan and Yuma then meet us, as Shu confirms that Yuma returned to where he belongs. Yuma then wakes up, back in his own world, just as Hellnarak attacks, shooting Ghost-Kaiju eggs everywhere.
We then see SKIP beginning to pack up and leave, just as Yuma enters. The tem explains that Hellnarak arrived before the rift closed, and started laying eggs. Despite staying behind to gather data, SKIP has been ordered to evacuate along with the rest of the city. Shu mentions that to beat Hellnarak, the GDF is willing to sacrifice the city to do so. Yuma then brings up the weakness he found while in Blazar’s world, with Shu confirming they already figured that out. Later, we see Yuma looking at the Monohorn, remembering fighting alongside Blazar, thinking to himself that he has to try to beat Hellnarak. Yuma runs off, and transforms into Ultraman Arc again, going for a rematch with Hellnarak. Arc fights, but Hellnarak manages to knock him down, just as SKIP arrives, firing Ultrasonic waves at the Ghost-Kaiju eggs.
We then cut to Blazar’s world, where Blazar and Earth Garon are fighting Bazanga. As Blazar looks up, alternate Shu comments that he’s sure Arc is fighting too, just beyond the sky. As Hellnarak fires at Arc, Arc blocks the attack. Blazar’s red and blue markings appearing on his body, as well as a flame around his left eye, resembling Blazar’s crystal-like scar. This results in Arc summoning the Blazar cube, and Blazar must’ve felt Arc using his energy, as we then see both Arc and Blazar doing Blazar’s pre-battle stance. Blazar summons the Spiral Burrade, with Arc’s Arc-Eye Sword turning into the Spiral Burrade. Both throw them at their respective opponents, with Blazar defeating Bazanga. Arc then fires the Arc Finalize Beam at Hellnarak, this time going all the way, destroying Hellnarak.
As the eggs fade away in both worlds, the alternate Shu comments that Arc did it. The episode ends with Yuma reuniting with the SKIP team, YouPi commenting they were worried sick about him.
Episode 20: What is Passed Down
The episode opens with the members of SKIP not doing very much. Yuma comments that the SKIP Kaiju Hotline hasn’t been getting any calls, with YouPi adding that it’s a good thing, and Yuma should be careful what he wishes for. Shu agrees, saying they should enjoy the moment’s peace. Rin then tells everyone that something is starting, as a news broadcast featuring a student intern reporter begins to play. It’s Captain Ban’s daughter, Tsugumi, doing a report on a local bakery. The reporter, alongside Tsugumi, then asks her if there’s anyone she’d want to interview, and Tsugumi says Ultraman Arc.
We later see Yuma looking at the website for “Hoshimoto City Occupation Experience”, reading that it’s so Junior and Senior High School students can discover Hoshimoto City’s charm. Ban comments that it just started recently. Rin and Yuma comment that SKIP should take applicants, with Ban revealing they do, but nobody applied. YouPi adds that teens these days prefer either flashy or high paying jobs, in other words, all things SKIP isn’t.
Just then, Ban gets a text. Rin decides to go out for lunch and Ban decides to go too, which YouPi finds weird, as Ban always brings lunch. Yuma then sees Ban forgot his wallet and so goes to bring it to him. Yuma then finds Ban and shouts over to him. He Ban tells him to be quiet, as he’s watching his daughter do another report. After the report wraps up, Tsugumi looks over at where Ban was and there’s nobody there.
Later, Yuma and Ban are eating lunch at SKIP HQ, as Ban explains he heard Tsugumi was filming nearby, and wanted to see her work. Yuma says he should’ve said hello but Ban didn’t want to interrupt. He asks Yuma if he makes his own lunch, with Yuma confirming he does. Ban then says that people grow and change in the blink of an eye, and things from the past are all parents get to keep. Ban adds that when she was younger, Tsugumi wanted to join SKIP, showing an old drawing she made. Just then, the SKIP Kaiju Hotline goes off. Yuma answers the call, and Ban deploy YouPi to investigate.
As Rin and Shu return to SKIP HQ, they see YouBot flying overhead. They quickly return to HQ, where YouBot sends in live video feed, revealing the Kaiju to be Gomess. Ban tells the team to issue an evacuation order. Yuma then points out this Gomess is a bit bigger than usual, but they should be able to handle it. Just then, YouBot adds its not going down the mountain, its climbing up. Ban changes the evacuation order to an advisory, as Shu prepares to contact the GDF for backup. Yuma mentions that if it’s hungry and searching for food, Gomess should be descending, and if it’s full, it should be burrowing. Rin theorises that it must have slept so long that its sense of direction is off. PiBody confirms the GDF has Citronella acid, which is capable of defeating Gomess, as the team prepares to move.
As time goes on, SKIP monitors Gomess’ movements in shifts, as Yuma tells Ban nothing has changed in the Kaiju’s movements. As everyone else sleeps, Ban rewatches one of his daughter’s news reports. Early the next morning, we see Gomess atop the mountain, as GDF tanks arrive and take aim, firing the Citronella acid, however, it has no effect, and, much to SKIP’s shock, Gomess levitates and takes flight.
Rin orders YouBot to check it out, and the latter finds that Gomess is emitting an anti gravity beam from its abdomen, allowing it to fly. Yuma and Shu look through the data, as the Kaiju matches Gomess perfectly, as Ban orders Rin to request an evacuation, city wide this time. Meanwhile, as the news crew sets up, Tsugumi sees the flying Gomess heading towards them, as the reporter begins an emergency report to tell civilians to evacuate. Later, SKIP arrives on the scene, helping get people to safety, as Tsugumi and Ban briefly lock eyes.
Gomess then tears down an electrical tower, and Ban runs in to push his daughter out of the way. Ultraman Arc arrives and saves them both. Arc fights Gomess, initially using the electrical tower as a club, before Gomess throws it away. As Arc fires the Arc Finalize Beam, Gomess deflects it, as Shu gets word from the GDF that lifeforms from space can mimic beings from other planets, explaining this Gomess’ behaviour.
Arc then summons the Arc-Eye Sword, and slashes at Gomess, revealing a crystalline structure, which then regenerates. Gomess then fires a triple beam, which Arc uses to charge his sword, and ultimately defeat the Kaiju, revealed to have a crystal-like true form. Arc then walks over to SKIP, as Tsugumi begins her report on Arc and SKIP. Shu then shows data on the crystal-like being, Supekkio, adding that it’s never been observed on Earth before.
The episode ends with Ban talking to Tsugumi, and as she leaves, he mimics Arc’s flight pose, smiling.
Episode 21: The Dream Bird
The episode opens with a flashback to Rin’s school days, as she’s seen hanging out with a girl named Aoi, who declares her dream of wanting to be a sci-fi writer. Flashforward to present day, we see a now grown up Aoi working at a publisher, who’s owner has been putting quantity above everything else. Later, after her boss has left for sushi in Ginza, Aoi goes through her stuff where we see a “SF short story newcomer award”, as the scene transitions to Aoi talking to Rin, as a moment of Aoi suffering writer’s block play out on screen. Aoi then asks Rin is she has any stories about kaiju, as various papers and books fall out of her bag, revealing various newspaper clippings and notes. As Rin helps Aoi, she finds a sticky note with the title “The Dream Bird” written on it, as Aoi explains it was an idea she had in a dream that she can’t seem to remember, as she longs for a good story to just fall from the sky. Later that night, as Aoi is sorting through her notes, something does fall from the sky, landing outside the publisher’s building.
Aoi goes to investigate and she finds a red sphere that explains that it’s come to grant her wish. Aoi passes this off as a dream and returns inside, where she finds the sphere waiting for her. The sphere once again asks her wish and Aoi asks to meet the “Dream Bird”. The sphere transforms into a baby Zandrias, that helps Aoi with her writing, naming the baby kaiju “Dori”.
Meanwhile, at SKIP HQ, Yuma and YouPi are looking over a map, as they discuss an unexplained signal in Kitagawa Town. Rin remembers that’s where Aoi’s office is, as Ban says that they should still investigate. Aoi is later woken up by her boss, who points out she’s finished everything. Dori then chirps, and Aoi’s boss hears it, but Aoi passes it off as her stomach. Later that night, Dori once again assists Aoi in her writing, as we flashforward to the next day: Aoi is on the phone to an editor who loves her story, as she tells Dori it’s all thanks to them, taking them out and getting the baby kaiju some bread. The next day, Aoi comes into work to find that Dori has grown, as her boss and coworker later come in and see the kaiju, immediately calling SKIP.
SKIP later arrive and try to pull Aoi away from Dori. She says Dori has done nothing but make her dreams come true, with Rin saying Aoi can’t have others grant her dreams or wishes, saying she needs to work hard. Aoi shoots Rin down, pointing out that Rin has it better than her. The GDF then arrives, shooting Dori dead. This causes Aoi to snap, looking back on how she’s given everything to her job, bit her tongue as her friends succeeded and took her parents complaints, deciding that she’d rather watch the world burn. The sphere reforms from Zandrias into a new kaiju, King of Mons!
As the new Kaiju rampages, civilians flee, and Rin pulls Aoi away. Yuma, meanwhile, wastes no time, transforming into Ultraman Arc and starts fighting King of Mons. As Rin, Aoi and others flee, the pair see a child in the crossfire and go to save them. As Rin takes the kid to safety, Aoi realises she was wrong, and shots for someone to come help Arc, her call reaches the moon, as Givas arrives to help Arc in the fight!
Arc summons the Solis Armour, as Givas uses its claw to grab King of Mons. The pair later using their respective blades to slash at the kaiju. Finally, Arc summons the Galaxy Armour, as Givas uses its claw to hold King of Mons in place so Arc can deliver the finisher. After King of Mons is defeated, Arc uses a portal, and Givas steps out, slightly damaged but still operational. Eventually, the sphere appears before Rin and Aoi, asking the latter to end their “journey”. Aoi does so, wishing the sphere out of existence.
The episode ends with Aoi heading to work again, briefly stopping as she hears Dori’s chirps. She keeps on walking, though, with a newfound spring in her step.
Extra Lore and Fun Facts
You all know the drill by now, time for the kaiju and guest Ultraman!
Starting off with episode 19, we have our very special guest, Ultraman Blazar, as well as Earth Garon and Blazar’s debut opponent, Bazanga! Now, I won’t go too deep into their story, because I already have, so to learn more, refer to my Blazar recaps.
Moving on, we have the Infernal Dark Shogun, Hellnarak! A being who can create Ghost Kaiju and appears to be an amalgamation of various kaiju from Ultraman Blazar. He was a threat to two worlds at once but, fortunately, the wish all Ultra’s share was able to bring this beast down!
Next up, we have the Ancient Kaiju, Gomess, or should I say, the Space Lifeform Supekkio! An alien who took on Gomess’ likeness and had the powers of levitation, shield generation and an triple energy beam!
Finally, we have the Red Sphere and it’s two forms, Dori, a Zandrias that appeared in Aoi’s dreams, and King of Mons, a powerful Kaiju that Arc couldn’t beat on his own, requiring a little help from an old Givas!
My Thoughts
Starting off with episode 19, I enjoyed that we got to return to Blazar’s world, and it gave us a glimpse of the counterparts of who we know as the SKIP Hoshimoto team. My one critique is that Gento Hiruma did not appear at all in this episode. He and Yuma transforming side by side would have made it all the better.
I rate this episode a 6/10.
Next up, we have episode 20, another Ban focus episode. We got a glimpse into his personal life, as we learn that he has a daughter who is interning as a reporter, who, at the end of the episode, not only praises Arc for saving Hoshimoto City, but also commends SKIP for their bravery, and I loved the inclusion of Ban mimicking Arc’s flight pose at the end of the episode.
In conclusion, this episode gets an 8/10.
Finally, we have episode 21 and, once again, I find myself relating to a side character in a Reiwa Era Ultraman show. This would be the third time, as Aoi is someone who has had to struggle with her dreams while watching others succeed. When what she thinks is her one chance is ripped away, she lets her anger take control.
By the end of it, having learned from events, she has a newfound motivation for the future.
So, I give this episode a 10/10 and I hope to see more episodes focusing on side characters outside of the main cast.
Did you enjoy the episodes? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, or reach out to us on social media. Until next time, this is Sean signing off.
Sean #1 Shin Series Enthusiast and Journey to the West Enjoyer View all posts
