This is the character list of the 2000 direct to video Ultra Series Ultraman Neos.

HEART

HEART (ハート, Hāto, High-tech Earth Alert and Rescue Team) is a special search team consist of particularly excellent members of the International Defense Agency's DJ members. Its main objective is to deal with various mysterious incidents and difficult cases. In addition, HEART is operated under the control of the Government of Japan and the Cabinet Information Bureau (内閣情報局, Naikaku Jōhō-kyoku, CIB), since the general headquarters of DJ exists in Japan. In the pilot short of Ultraman Neos, HEART was preceded by GSG to fight against Alien Zamu but defeated by his sheer might.

HEART's name is a reference to the recurring themes of "love", "courage" and "romance" in the Ultra Series.[1]

Members

General members usually wears the HEART Suit and HEART Met during missions, including the wrist communicator HEART-POP. Although their names were written by Katakana in the show, Kanji iterations were provided later on in the magazines.

Defense Juris-diction

The Defense Juris-diction (国際防衛機構, Kokusai Bōei Kikō, shortened as "DJ") is an organization founded by United Nations in 2001 to protect the worldwide welfare, freedom and peace through cutting-edge scientific developments. Aside from various branches worldwide, there is also a division for outer space exploration. Despite their presence in the show, the organization was never referred to its name as such, with their Japanese branch's headquarters served as HEART's base of operations.

Mechas and vehicles

GSG

Aside from HEART Runner, GSG's known fighting forces were McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter and Leopard 1 tank, both of which diverted from scenes of Ultraman 80.

HEART
DJ

Ultramen

Ultraman Neos

Ultraman Neos (ウルトラマンネオス, Urutoraman Neosu) is the titular hero of the series, whose affiliated to the Elite Task Force (勇士司令部, Yūshi Shirei-bu), a division of elite Ultra Warriors from the Land of Light.[4] Having bonded to an astronaut/HEART member Genki Kagura, Ultraman Neos faced against monsters born from the adverse effects of Dark Matter with the help from HEART members and Ultraseven 21.

Ultraman Neos' fighting skill involves the use of supernatural abilities and martial arts movements. As with general Ultramen, Neos can only stay active on Earth atmosphere for 3 minutes before his Color Timer (カラータイマー, Karā Taimā) turned red to notify his limit. His main finishers are Neo Magnium Ray (ネオマグニウム光線, Neo Maguniumu Kōsen) and Ultra Eddie Beam (ウルトラ・エディ・ビーム, Urutora Edi Bīmu). From the Blow Spot (ブロウスポット, Burō Supotto) on his forehead, he can fire the Ultra Multi Beam (ウルトラ・マルチ・ビーム, Urutora Maruchi Bīmu). With Ultra Metamorphose (ウルトラメタモーフォーズ, Urutora Metamōfōzu), Neos can reshape the energy from his body into light-based solid projections, used for attacks such as Ultra Light Sword (ウルトラ・ライト・ソード, Urutora Raito Sōdo), Ultra Light Langer (ウルトラ・ライト・ランガー, Urutora Raito Rangā) and Ultra Light Barrier (ウルトラ・ライト・バリアー, Urutora Raito Bariā).

He is named after the Greek word "Neo"[14] and is designed by Hiroshi Maruyama.[15][16] For his appearance in the 12 episode series, Neos' main body was redesigned[17] as he was given a sharper mask[18] and excess gloves and boots inserted within the suit, a trait that was established since Ultraman Tiga.[19] His rising scene is remodeled from the doll used to portray Ultraman Gaia.[17]

Ultraseven 21

Ultraseven 21 (ウルトラセブン21, Urutorasebun Tsū Wan) is the secondary Ultra Warrior of the series and Neos' partner in his active period on Earth. When the Inter Galactic Defense Force (宇宙警備隊, Uchū Keibitai) detected a danger on Earth, their subsidiary Galactic Security Agency (宇宙保安庁, Uchū Hoanchō) try to send their veteran agent Seven 21 under the chief's order but unfortunately another incident happened in Seven's patrolling area. Unable to leave his post, his chief was forced to ask for help from the Elite Task Force, who in turn send their member Neos to Earth. As the danger on Earth increases, Seven intervened on multiple occasions to support Ultraman Neos.[4]

In comparison to Neos, Ultraseven 21 makes use of his ESP and stealth missions, disguising as multiple humans per each episode and can also fight in human size to maintain his cover. His main weapon is the Velzard (ヴェルザード, Veruzādo), a removable crest dagger that can be used as a boomerang appendage.[b] His finishers are Adrium Ray (アドリウム光線, Adoriumu Kōsen) from his Beam Lamp and Regia Shot (レジア・ショット, Rejia Shotto). Like Neos, he can also use Ultra Metamorphose to create an object of light, creating the fireball projectile shot Ultra Fire Ball (ウルトラ・ファイヤー・ボール, Urutora Faiyā Bōru).

Ultraseven 21 is voiced by Isshin Chiba (千葉 一伸, Chiba Isshin) and is named after the 21st century of the Anno Domini era.[14] Likewise with Neos, Seven 21 was designed by Maruya after Ultraseven with his Protector covering his arms as well. He received his redesign in the 12 episode series.[20] In the pilot version, Seven 21 has the ability to change facial expression.[21]

Seven 21's human forms

On Earth, Seven occasionally assumed different human forms to blend in with the society.

Zoffy

First appeared in the final episode of Ultraman, Zoffy (ゾフィ, Zofi) is the leader of the Space Garrison and member of the Ultra Brothers, having saved the Earth countless times in the past. When a different planet Earth entered the Unbalance Zone, he observed Neos' fusion with the astronaut Genki Kagura and the Ultra's exploits on Earth.[4] When Neos exhausted his energies from fighting Grall, Zoffy warned the Ultra not to fight again during his trip to obtain a life force from the Land of Light.

Zoffy is voiced by Akitoshi Ōtaki (大滝明利, Ōtaki Akitoshi), who is also his suit actor.

Monsters and Aliens

Alien Zamu

The Brain Spirit Aliens Alien Zamu (脳魂宇宙人 ザム星人, Nō Tamashī Uchūjin Zamu Seijin) was a major alien race in Ultraman Neos.[4] Although a single member appeared in the pilot short as a malicious invader, the race itself portrayed as fugitives who fled their home planet, Planet Zamu, the 9th Planet of YY System from the reign of Dark Matter. Since then the race try to survive on Planet Earth while the Dark Matter influence reach said planet. Unfortunately the entire race was wiped out by Mensch Heit's assassin, Grall, with the endling Esura sacrificed his life to replenish Neos and Seven 21's energies. The Zamu race had their DNA memory stored in a special canister, which is currently in HEART's possession as they prepare to find a way to restore the race.

Instead of recycling suit, all appearing Alien Zamu are newly built.[22] The design drafts for Alien Zamu had been reworked into the Alien Standels from Ultraman Tiga.[23]

Servants

Mensch Heit

Ultimate Evolution Emperor Mensch Heit (究極進化帝王 メンシュハイト, Kyūkyoku Shinka Teiō Menshu Haito, 11, 12) is the main antagonist of Ultraman Neos. A personification of the Dark Matter, Mensch Heit proclaims himself as the rightful defender of the space, deeming the Alien Zamu as barbarians and drove them away from their home planet. Intending to invade the Earth, he coerced the leaders of Defense Juris-diction to hand over Esura but revealed his true colors to the Earthlings by unveiling his monster form. He had once used a spy drone named Tracker (トラッカー, Torakkā) to chase Esura on Earth.

After his personal assassin Grall was killed by Neos, Mensch Heit threatened Kisaragi to issue a manhunt on Esura. He would later on transform into his true form resembling a devil from Earth's ancient manuscripts. Through its horns, Mensch Heit used its ESP to subdue Seven 21 and the already weakened Neos before Esura replenished both Ultras' energies. The two would retaliate by severing its horns and destroying Mensch Heit with Neo Magnium Ray and Regia Shot, avenging the Zamu race's demise.

Mensch Heit is portrayed by Mister Chin (ミスターちん, Misutā Chin).

Dark Matter

The Dark Matter (ダークマター, Dāku Matā) is a mysterious energy substance located in the Unbalance Zone (アンバランスゾーン, Anbaransu Zōn) area of outer space. For the first time in 3 million years, Earth's orbit entered this area, which resulted in the Unbalance Phenomenon (アンバランス現象, Anbaransu Genshō) to occur worldwide, such as monster attacks in Japan as HEART and Ultraman Neos deal with the incoming threat. By the time Grall appeared, Earth has exited the Unbalance Zone as Neos and Seven 21 left the planet in aftermath of their fight with Mensch Heit.

Other

Notes

  1. ^ Her family name is written as "速見" in the Ultraman Dictionary.[9]
  2. ^ Alternatively named as 21 Slugger (21スラッガー, Tsū Wan Suraggā).[20]

References

  1. ^ "ウルトラマンネオス NEWS" (in Japanese). VAP@WEB. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  2. ^ 大辞典 2001, pp. 78–97, 「か」
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h 平成ウルトラビデオ全集 2002, pp. 54–55, 「特捜チーム HEART」
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "ウルトラマンネオス CHARACTER" (in Japanese). VAP@WEB. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "ウルトラマンネオス CAST & STAFF" (in Japanese). VAP@WEB. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  6. ^ 大辞典 2001, pp. 312–319, 「み」
  7. ^ 大辞典 2001, pp. 37–60, 「う」
  8. ^ 大辞典 2001, pp. 266–273, 「ひ」
  9. ^ 大辞典 2001, pp. 249–265, 「は」
  10. ^ 大辞典 2001, pp. 98–111, 「き」
  11. ^ 画報 下巻 2003, p. 196.
  12. ^ 大辞典 2001, pp. 274–286, 「ふ」
  13. ^ AGE2 2001, pp. 49–53, 「完結!!ウルトラマンネオス 大団円を君は見たか!?」.
  14. ^ a b AGE2 2001, pp. 54–55, 「光の戦士よ永遠(とわ)に 『ウルトラマンネオス』の健闘をたたえて」
  15. ^ 画報 下巻 2003, p. 168, 「1995年のウルトラマンネオス」
  16. ^ 小中千昭 2015, pp. 205–226, 「対談 丸山浩(デザイナー)」
  17. ^ a b 平成ウルトラビデオ全集 2002, pp. 50–51, 「ウルトラマンネオス」
  18. ^ 平成ウルトラビデオ全集 2002, pp. 51, 53.
  19. ^ 平成ウルトラビデオ全集 2002, pp. 50, 53.
  20. ^ a b 平成ウルトラビデオ全集 2002, pp. 52–53, 「ウルトラセブン21」
  21. ^ ウルトラマン全史 2013, p. 69.
  22. ^ 宮島和弘, ed. (15 June 2001). "ついに最終章へ! ウルトラマンネオスシリーズ構成 脚本担当武上純希氏特別インタビュー". ウルトラマンAGE. タツミムック. Vol. 1. 辰巳出版. p. 12. ISBN 4-88641-590-3.
  23. ^ "INTERVIEW 「ウルトラマンティガ」怪獣デザイン 丸山浩". 宇宙船YEAR BOOK 1998. 宇宙船別冊. 朝日ソノラマ. 10 April 1998. p. 40. 雑誌コード:01844-04.
  24. ^ a b c d 平成ウルトラビデオ全集 2002, pp. 70–73, 「アンバランスゾーンより大襲来!」
  25. ^ a b c 平成ウルトラビデオ全集 2002, pp. 92–96
  26. ^ "「ウルトラマンネオス」がアジアのスーパーバンド「Mayday」のミュージックビデオに登場!YouTubeにて配信開始!" (in Japanese). m-78. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2019.

Sources