Ultraman Gaia(ウルトラマンガイア,Urutoraman Gaia) is a Japanese tokusatsu TV show and is the 13th show in the Ultra Series. Featuring Chiaki J. Konaka as series composer and produced by Tsuburaya Productions and Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS TV), Ultraman Gaia was aired on JNN TV stations (TBS, CBC, MBS, etc.) from September 5, 1998 until August 28, 1999, with a total of 51 episodes.
Ultraman Gaia takes place in yet another universe, one that is totally different from the world of the Shōwa era Ultramen (Ultraman to Ultraman 80), as well as the world of Ultraman Tiga and Ultraman Dyna. In a departure from most of the other series, there are two Ultramen as the main characters. They have conflicting philosophies in regards to defending the Earth from a mysterious, malevolent and extremely intelligent cosmic entity.
The first half of the series explores the growing tension between them, and their eventual clash. The second half has them reconcile their differences so they can defeat their common enemy.
The show is also different from past Ultra Series in that the support team, XIG, has more personnel than the defence teams in previous series.
In this series, Ultraman Gaia (ウルトラマンガイア,Urutoraman Gaia) is the lead, but Ultraman Agul (ウルトラマンアグル,Urutoraman Aguru) is prominently focused on as well. They are often at odds with each other in the beginning of the series. Their philosophies are as different as their skin colors. Unlike Gaia, Agul is completely blue. Gamu Takayama, the human host of Ultraman Gaia, believes that Gaia is here to save Earth and humanity. On the other hand, Fujimiya Hiroya, the human host of Ultraman Agul, believes Agul to be Earth's natural defence mechanism. He is at first more interested in protecting just the planet itself, even at the expense of humanity (hence the occasional clashes with Gaia). But this was discontinued after Gaia and Agul would work together as one to face more powerful monsters.
Story
The story takes place in the year 2000. CRISIS, a supercomputer developed the Alchemy Stars (a global network of young geniuses born during the 1980s), predicts around 1996–1997 that Earth and humanity would be annihilated by something known as the "Entity that Brings Radical Destruction". Technology developed by the Alchemy Stars is used to form an international defence organization known as Geocentric Universal Alliance against the Radical Destruction (G.U.A.R.D.). This is done secretly, so as to avoid worldwide panic. The eXpanded Interceptive Guards (X.I.G.) is the combat wing of G.U.A.R.D, operating in a floating sky fortress known as the Aerial Base.
20-year-old Gamu Takayama, a scientist and member of the Alchemy Stars briefly encounters Gaia during some virtual reality experiments he performs with the secret purpose of discovering the will of the Earth, later merging with him in order to fight various monsters that threaten the safety of the Earth. During his battles, he encounters Ultraman Agul, whose human host is Hiroya Fujimya, a former Alchemy Stars member. Both clash because of their ideals regarding the protection of the Earth but eventually resolve their differences to battle their common enemy.
XIG
The eXpanded Interceptive Guardians (a branch of G.U.A.R.D.) is formed by:
Operation Crew
Gamu Takayama (高山 我夢,Takayama Gamu): He merges with Ultraman Gaia in episode 1, thus gaining the ability to assume the form of Ultraman Gaia. He joined the XIG as an analyzer in episode 2.
Akio Ishimuro (石室 章雄,Ishimuro Akio): 45-year-old, Ishimuro is the Commander of XIG and secretly aware of Gamu's alter-ego as Ultraman Gaia.
Seiichiro Tsutsumi (堤 誠一郎,Tsutsumi Seiichirō): 33-year-old. The Chief of XIG. He is a member of the Air Guard once, he was said to be the strategist of the team's best defense. Tsutsumi allowed to call out the face-to-face and his men almost always when the team called out, trust from the team for its thick. However, there is a little overprotective one side against subordinates.
Atsuko Sasaki (佐々木 敦子,Sasaki Atsuko): 21-year-old, she is the operator of XIG. Initially, she had a favor with Kaijo from Team Lightning but quit after he has a good friendship with her sister. Though Atsuko sometimes care for Gamu, but she never developed a special relationship with him. Though, Atsuko had once broke her pen twice with a finger out of jealousy when sensing Gamu holding hands with another girl. She has a horrible childhood where she was aways isolated while finding solace in arcade games. Though, this surprisingly helps her when Crisis invaded the base.
Georgie Leland (ジョジー・リーランド,Jōjī Rīrando): The 20-year-old American operator of XIG. She is Atsuko's friend and also known for her cheerful personality.
Ayaka Ukai (鵜飼 彩香,Ukai Ayaka): The 20-year-old part-time operator of XIG. The filling-vacant-positions staff of Atsuko or Georgie. Ayaka's uniform however different compare to Atsuko and Georgie.
Team Lightning
The elite flight team. Staff Officer Chiba said that this team was "Defense Forces' Top Gun".
Katsumi Kajio (梶尾 克美,Kajio Katsumi): 24 years old. The leader of Team Lightning. He enlisted in XIG be withdrawn from Top Gun was the GUARDS. Has a high pride and absolute confidence in the handling, but he had a fairly high elitism first time around. Kajio never amused when Gamu joins XIG due to him being a student. Kaijo surprisingly terrible at socializing. Due to this, he always went away from everyone, though there was little able to converse with others on a mission other than the initial. He develops a relationship with Atsuko's sister, Ritsuko.
Yasushi Kitada (北田 靖,Kitada Yasushi): 23-year-old. He advises Kajio’s tactics surface for some cases. Hit rate of the fighter to steer high. He seems to had a strong interest in Gamu.
Satoshi Ogawara (大河原 聡志,Ōgawara Satoshi): 25 years old. Though older than Kajio, he has a great respect towards him. He also has a faith in Ultraman Gaia for saving him earlier from Mezard which later becomes a weakness when confused an imitation of Ultraman Gaia for the real one.
Team Falcon
The veteran flight team. The teamwork as a veteran excels the Team Lightning.
Tatsuhiko Yoneda (米田 達彦,Yoneda Tatsuhiko): 34 years old. The highly respected leader of Team Falcon. Former of the Defense Corps Top Gun, he gets the absolute trust of the bank, but believes that era to nurture a younger generation, such as Lightning from now on. He went to pick Gamu that was also from University in order to send Gamu to Team Marlin. He develops a relationship with Kei Tadano, a Team Crow pilot.
Koichi Hayashi (林 幸市,Hayashi Kōichi): 33-year-old. Kajio's trainer during sometime ago. He also had once saved by Yoneda.
Toru Tsukamori (塚守 亨,Tsukamori Tōru): 32-year-old. In the first person's flight tactics experiment, time-of-flight is long and far compared to the pilot of the same age. He is mild at first glance, but there is a moment when it is bound by impulse self-destructive, and strong will to try to overcome it, when there is a conflict is within him.
Team Crow
The female flight team. They like rock music.
Miho Inagi (稲城 美穂,Inagi Miho): 26-year-old. The leader of Team Crow. She previously known for her skillful flight in F16 jets and has a confident personality.
Julie Mishima (三島 樹莉,Mishima Juri): Age 24, she is known for her Hiroshima dialect. Julie previously assist in the development of Fighter jets maintenance some time ago, causing her to fall in love with the technologies.
Kei Tadano (多田野 慧,Tadano Kei): 22-year-old. Kei had once developed a phobia during her first training while also attracted to Team Falcon leader Yoneda. She had once given a Team Falcon pendant by Yoneda as a memento in case he killed in action.
Team Hercules
A beefy ground-based team. They work out during standby in the gym.
Satoru Yoshida (吉田 悟,Yoshida Satoru): 30 years old. The leader of Team Hercules. There is also a thoughtful one side unexpectedly. Helped Gamu caught in a storm of blasting in the second episode, but it was pressed against the hard work that bring in the equipment of the stinger instead. However, in practice, there is a purpose to recognize equipment in our dreams related to OPERATE. He have a beard from the second half. Contrary to the first impression, it is also a romantic with a great deal of interest to be related to animal extinction. It is referred as the "drunk-chan" from childhood friend Teruo Shoji that appeared in episode 29.
Takanobu Kuwabara (桑原 孝信,Kuwabara Takanobu): 28 years old. Or from that in the body of the school's best team, that young team, that you take care of Gamu often. Cage is just like his cousin, in Episode 34, had emerged as a professional wrestler under the Shinya Hashimoto in the ring name "Mammoth DaiTsuyoshi ".
Mitsugu Shima (志摩 貢,Shima Mitsugu): 35 years old. In person he called "chewing gum" for the first time that our dream in episode 11 in the play, and the other hand stinking father, he was a partner of Gamu is carings good. In fact he also longing to intelligence secretly. Nickname of "chewing gum" is called so Satoru Yoshida when it is dispatched in order to save Fujimiya.
Team Seagull
Rescue team.
Atsushi Koyama (神山 篤志,Kōyama Atsushi): 28 years old. The leader of Team Seagull, he is more regularly seen as the pilot of Peace Carry. In addition, and to participate in the mission of the last round only fighter other than the team, a person of high status also quite XIG within. I have sunglasses good piece carry when boarding. It has participated in rescue activities from 18 years of age, there is also a severity and spicy Matsuo, but it was taught the significance of the rescue, which is also joy. In addition, or share someone for the action well with bank chief, for Tabata of KCB critical, I preached the height of the virtue of his bank chief. As mentioned above, participated in the mission, even the last round, I showed the skill which is not inferior to members of XIG Fighter team.
Renji Matsuo (松尾 蓮二,Matsuo Renji): 25 years old. Experience of rescue is like missing, I have studied with Koyama. The brittle to information. When a man named Hirakawa you rescue missions in pairs Rezaito warfare were interviewed to be "? Did helped to whom" to Reiko Yoshii in the news, and said, "team Seagull Matsuo-san" is not able to speak well because of injury was, but it was shouting "I'm Matsuo team Seagull" informs him that his "It is more of Italy" because I could hear the wind of "Chimushigaru-Mattsuo" for Reiko.
Michael Simmons (マイクル・シモンズ,Maikuru Shimonzu): 27 years old. Blacks of bright personality, not to play in scenes devoted to logistic support such as handling of Seagull Floater mainly, do the rescue at the forefront, but it is a scene to report to XIG the survival of Yoneda that crashed in episode 48.
Team Marlin
Sea-based team.
Katsutoshi Yokotani (横谷 勝歳,Yokotani Katsutoshi): 28 years old. The leader of Team Marlin. Personality honest calm, I was involved in the design of Siren 7500. There seems to be a finicky place, it was very unfriendly for Gamu you ride in the OV, but there is a scene to talk with colleagues of the team in the ending.
Gentaro Imai (今井 源太郎,Imai Gentarō): 25 years old. In the good-natured personality with glasses, he analyzed mainly. Is an oceanographer, is also a geologist. Was a variety of explanations to our dream that you ride in OV.
Kingo Iwao (巌 均悟,Iwao Kingo): 32-year-old. Some things in the school body, you've tightened too much Imai celebrates the first dispatch. The noisy but usually in mission is quiet.
G.U.A.R.D.
The Geocentric Universal Alliance against the Radical Destruction is formed by:
Tatsumi Chiba (千葉 辰巳,Chiba Tatsumi): The standing staff officer of XIG.
Hiroyuki Hiiragi (柊 博之,Hiiragi Hiroyuki): The Pacific rim unit's commodore.
Kosuke Ranbashi (乱橋 巧介,Ranbashi Kōsuke): The development officer of XIG Fighters.
Ryuichi Senuma (瀬沼 龍一,Senuma Ryūichi): The captain of a special investigation team, the Lizard, who belongs to Geo Base.
Chief Higuchi (樋口チーフ,Higuchi Chīfu): The chief of the chemical department of Geo Base.
Doctor Hoshiyama (星山博士,Hoshiyama Hakase): The doctor of the quantum mechanics department of the scientific inquiry section of Geo Base.
Alf Mckay (アルフ・マッケイ,Arufu Makkei): The command team captain of G.U.A.R.D. U.S.
Jeremy Spinoza (ジェレミー・スピノザ,Jeremī Supinoza): The executive of G.U.A.R.D. U.S.
Alchemy Stars
A network of scientists formed by child prodigies born in the 1980s. Gamu and Fujimiya are members.
Hiroya Fujimiya (藤宮 博也,Fujimiya Hiroya): He transforms into Ultraman Agul. Ex-Alchemy Stars.
Daniel Macffy (ダニエル・マクフィー,Danieru Makufī): The chairman of Alchemy Stars.
Miku Asano (浅野 未来,Asano Miku): A specialist whose work involves ancient monsters. Gamu is his acquaintance.
Catherine Ryan (キャサリン・ライアン,Kyasarin Raian): The development officer of a natural environment protection system.
Klaus Eckart (クラウス・エッカルト,Kurausu Ekkaruto): A founding member who is one of the designers of the CRISIS integrated-circuit.
Alan (アラン,Aran): One of members with a supercomputer.
Al (アル,Aru): One of members with a supercomputer.
Natalie (ナタリー,Natarī): One of members with a supercomputer.
Michel (ミッシェル,Missheru): A French member
Melinda (メリンダ,Merinda): The girl who cooperated in the Mission Gaia.
Azif (アジフ,Ajifu): The Pakistan member who cooperated in the Mission Gaia.
KCB
The KANTOH COMMUNITY BROADCASTING STATION,LTD (関東コミュニケーションテレビ,Kantō Komyunikēshon Terebi). The central broadcasting station of media.
Kenji Tabata (田端 健二,Tabata Kenji): A director. He has a skeptical viewpoint regarding G.U.A.R.D..
Reiko Yoshii (吉井 玲子,Yoshii Reiko): A popular announcer. She became a supporter of Fujimiya.
Michifumi Inoue (井上 倫文,Inoue Michifumi): A cameraman, more commonly known by his nickname "Rinbun" (an alternate reading of "Michifumi.")
Umezawa (梅沢,Umezawa): He is a director of a branch office and he is Tabata's senior.
Other
Sato (サトウ,Satō): One of Gamu's friends at Jonan University. Something of a playboy.
Makoto (マコト,Makoto): One of Gamu's friends at Jonan University. An excellent student who becomes Gamu's right-hand man at the laboratory in Jonan University.
Nakaji (ナカジ,Nakaji): One of Gamu's friends at Jonan University. A realist.
Shigemi Takayama (高山 重美,Takayama Shigemi): Gamu's mother. She is principle of laissez-faire to Gamu.
Yuiichi Takayama (高山 唯一,Takayama Yuiichi): Gamu's father. He is working as a caseworker in the city office.
Kyoko Inamori (稲森 京子,Inamori Kyōko): A scientist who helped develop CRISIS with Fujimiya; also a romantic interest of his who dies in episode 23.
Ritsuko Sasaki (佐々木 律子,Sasaki Ritsuko): Atsuko's elder sister. Her husband was a pilot who died fighting the C.O.V. in episode 1.
Megumi Kuroda (黒田 恵,Kuroda Megumi): The feng shui master who can sense Mizunoenoryuh's intentions in episode 11. Tabata's friend.
Yuki (ユキ,Yuki): A girl who Fujimiya rescues during a monster attack in episode 20; she runs into him frequently after the rescue.
Episodes
Seize the Light! (光をつかめ!,Hikari o Tsukame!)
A Hero Appears (勇者立つ,Yūsha Tatsu)
His Name is Gaia (その名はガイア,Sono Na wa Gaia)
Gamu of the Sky (天空の我夢,Tenkū no Gamu)
Another Giant (もう1人の巨人,Mō Hitori no Kyojin)
The Ridiculing Eye (あざ笑う眼,Azawarau Me)
The Cleansing of the Earth (地球の洗濯,Chikyū no Sentaku)
The 4,600 Million Years-Old Ghost (46億年の亡霊,Yonjūrokuokunen no Bōrei)
Seagull Takes Off (シーガル飛びたつ,Shīgaru Tobitatsu)
Rock Fight (ロック･ファイト,Rokku Faito)
The Dragon's Capital (龍の都,Ryū no Miyako)
Monster Encircling Net (野獣包囲網,Yajū Hōimō)
The Night of the Marionettes (マリオネットの夜,Marionetto no Yoru)
The Challenge from the Anti-Space (反宇宙からの挑戦,Han Uchū kara no Chōsen)
When the Rain Stops (雨がやんだら,Ame ga Yandara)
The Birth of Agul (アグル誕生,Aguru Tanjō)
Shadow of Space, Light of Earth (天の影 地の光,Ten no Kage Chi no Hikari)
Agul vs. Gaia (アグル対ガイア,Aguru Tai Gaia)
Lilia's Maze (迷宮のリリア,Meikyū no Riria)
The Fossil of Ruin (滅亡の化石,Metsubō no Kaseki)
The Sea of a Mysterious Light (妖光の海,Yōkō no Umi)
The Wings of a Stone (石の翼,Ishi no Tsubasa)
Gamu Expelled! (我夢追放!,Gamu Tsuihō)
The Determination of Agul (アグルの決意,Aguru no Ketsui)
The Showdown for Tomorrow (明日なき対決,Asu Naki Taiketsu)
The Final Resolution (決着の日,Ketchaku no Hi)
A New Battle ~Version-up Fight!~ (新たなる戦い～ヴァージョンアップ・ファイト!～,Aratanaru Tatakai ~Vājon'appu Faito!~)
The Advent of the Heatwave (熱波襲来,Neppa Shūrai)
The Distant City: Uqbar (遠い町･ウクバール,Tōi Machi Ukubāru)
The Demon's Cocoon (悪魔のマユ,Akuma no Mayu)
The Accursed Eye (呪いの眼,Noroi no Me)
The Future Seen Before (いつか見た未来,Itsuka Mita Mirai)
Battling the Legend (伝説との闘い,Densetsu to no Tatakai)
Crash of Souls! (魂の衝突!,Tamashii no Shōtotsu!)
Ransom for a Monster (怪物の身代金,Kaibutsu no Minoshirokin)
The Sky of Reunion (再会の空,Saikai no Sora)
The Fourth Symphony of a Nightmare (悪夢の第四楽章,Akumu no Daiyon Gakushō)
Ground-Breaking Tusks (大地裂く牙,Daichi Saku Kiba)
The Lake of Sadness (悲しみの沼,Kanashimi no Numa)
I Want to See Gaia! (ガイアに会いたい!,Gaia ni Aitai!)
The Resurrection of Agul (アグル復活,Aguru Fukkatsu)
Gamu vs. Gamu (我夢対我夢,Gamu Tai Gamu)
The Silver Eyes of Izak (銀色の眼のイザク,Gin'iro no Me no Izaku)
The Attack of the Space Monsters (宇宙怪獣大進撃,Uchū Kaijū Daishingeki)
The Living Planet (命すむ星,Inochi Sumu Hoshi)
The Attack of the Forest (襲撃の森,Shūgeki no Mori)
X.I.G. Destroyed!? (XIG壊滅!?,Shigu Kaimetsu!?)
The Revenge of the Death God (死神の逆襲,Shinigami no Gyakushū)
An Angel Descends (天使降臨,Tenshi Kōrin)
The Cry of the Earth (地球の叫び,Chikyū no Sakebi)
Earth is Ultraman's Star (地球はウルトラマンの星,Chikyū wa Urutoraman no Hoshi)
Films and team ups
Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna & Ultraman Gaia: Battle in Hyperspace (1999), Gaia is one of the main Ultramen to appear in this movie, alongside Tiga and Dyna.
Ultraman Gaia: Gaia Again (2001), A 45-minute Original Video Tokusatsu release (or OVT) set several years after the end of the series. Ultraman Gaia and Ultraman Agul return to fight a new enemy, along with help from mysterious undersea creatures.
Superior Ultraman 8 Brothers (2008), Gaia teams up with Tiga, Dyna and Mebius in this movie, alongside Showa-era Ultra Heroes.
Ultraman Ginga S: Showdown! Ultra 10 Warriors!! (2015), Ultraman Gaia is one of the Heisei-era Ultra hero to fight along with other 9 Heisei-era Ultra Heroes.
Ultraman Orb: The Origin Saga (2016-2017), Ultraman Gaia and Ultraman Agul return to fight the Bezelbs where it approaches the Earth, along with help from Ultraman Orb, Dyna and Cosmos starting on the eighth episode. The show also serve as a continuation to the original series, taking place in the same universe.
