I must admit, I was surprised when it was announced that Ultraman Blazar the Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown would premiere in Indonesian theaters. Even more so that it would receive a fan screening with cast members attending. We’re truly in a golden age of accessibility when it comes to Ultraman media, with whole series and movies being available to watch for free on the ULTRAMAN Official YouTube channel or television stations like RTV. And yet this being the first time an Ultraman movie is being shown in local theaters still comes as a genuine surprise. What a time to be an Ultraman fan.
If you’ve watched any Ultraman movies in recent years, then Tokyo Kaiju Showdown should feel familiar. Taking place after the end of the TV series, the SKaRD crew and Ultraman Blazar must respond to another mission to save the day, this time involving a kaiju, as well as a father and his son. The relationship between Captain Gento Hiruma (played by Tomoya Warabino) and his son Jun (Haru Iwakawa) is put on center stage, and it parallels nicely with the other father-son pair in the story as it explores themes of fatherhood and family. Warabino’s captain, Gento, is an outlier among Ultra series protagonists in being a working father and squad captain, so seeing that aspect of him on center stage is always interesting.
While the plot beats are clear enough to guess what will happen next, Tokyo Kaiju Showdown is still a fun romp that reminds you of just how likeable the SKaRD crew are. It’s a bit of a shame that the recent Ultra series are limited to two cours, as I would love to see another twenty-or-so episodes featuring them. As well as the titular Ultraman Blazar, whose wild antics & unique pencak silat-based movements are always exciting to see.
Another star of the movie is the city of Tokyo itself. Ultraman Blazar is another oddity in that it’s set in modern-day Tokyo compared to other Ultra shows that are nondescript in their locations. The addition of the Tokyo skyline, familiar-looking motorways, as well as a miniature-scale version of the National Diet building heavily featured in promotion for the movie indeed makes a strong case for watching the movie. If you love seeing miniature buildings get destroyed and practical effects still being used, then this movie has them for sure. That, and, also a little bit of political commentary of how those in power can neglect the nation’s children who need their help, to go along with all the buildings being destroyed. It’s a welcome, if unexpected addition to the film.
But perhaps the best case for watching the movie in theaters is the sheer sense of scale displayed. Having so far only watched Ultraman movies on TV or computer screens, I’m shocked at just how much of a difference watching our giant-sized hero on the silver screen makes. Whether it’s with Blazar himself, the giant robot Earth Garon, or the giant kaiju threat, each of their presence on the screen becomes much more impactful, and I’m glad that I got to experience a way to watch Ultraman that I never knew before. If you’re an Ultraman fan, then you probably should too.
Ultraman Blazar the Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown premieres in Indonesian theatres on 24 April 2024.
*Pencak silat
The Indonesian Anime Times | Review by Caesar E.S
