Return of Ultraman

During a destructive clash between two giant monsters, a young race car driver named Hideki Gô sacrifices his life while pulling a child and a dog out of falling rubble. His bravery doesn't go unnoticed, and an enigmatic extraterrestrial presence responds by fusing its life force with Hideki, bringing him back to life as the human host for the New Ultraman. Reborn and enlisted into the defense team MAT, Hideki balances his everyday identity with the demands of transforming into Ultraman to battle rampaging kaiju and alien invaders. The series focuses on episodic threats and the growing bond between the human crew and their towering protector, without revealing larger twists or finales.

First broadcast in 1971, the series stars Jirô Dan as Hideki Gô, with Nobuo Tsukamoto, Jun Negami, Mika Katsuragi and Shunsuke Ikeda in key roles. It followed earlier entries in the Ultraman franchise and continued the live action tokusatsu tradition on Japanese television.

Return of Ultraman helped reenergize the franchise for a new generation, cementing several visual and narrative staples that later tokusatsu shows would use. The transformation scenes, monster battles in urban settings, and the idea of a human host with a heroic alter ego became recurring touchstones in pop culture and merchandising across Japan and beyond.

Fans and critics who rate the show appreciate its blend of action and human drama, reflected in a strong vote average among viewers. Episodes mix straightforward monster fights with recurring themes of sacrifice, duty, and the strain of living a double life. The series keeps a brisk pace, and its practical effects and suitmation work remain central to its appeal.

While Return of Ultraman did not sweep major international awards, it has earned lasting recognition among genre fans and is frequently celebrated in retrospectives and anniversary programs. Its influence on later hero shows and continued presence in fan polls underline its status as an important entry in the Ultraman legacy.