The Ultraman

In this bold animated entry, Ultraman Joneus hails from the U-40 unit and teams with a young Earth Science Garrison member, Chōichirō Hikari, to shield the planet from looming threats. Their partnership blends large scale battles with a science fiction sensibility, offering a fresh take on the Ultraman formula without relying on live action tropes. The series presents the hero as an alternate Ultra, bringing giant monster clashes and high stakes defense to the screen in animated form. The storytelling foregrounds cooperation between human ingenuity and alien power, and it plants seeds for future installments by showing how a new Ultraman can emerge from the bond of brave humans and an extraterrestrial ally. This marks the first animated incarnation of the franchise.

Directed by Hisayuki Toriumi and Takeyuki Kanda, with creators Soji Yoshikawa and Keiichi Abe, The Ultraman premiered in 1979 as the first fully animated Ultra Series. It translates the classic hero into anime while preserving the epic battles and wonder fans expect from the franchise.

As the first animated Ultra Series, it broadened Ultraman reach beyond live action and comics. Joneus and his human ally helped establish the template for future crossover animations, merchandising, and fan communities. The legacy lies in proving Ultraman works as animation as well as television.

Reception is reflected in a 7.9 out of 10 score from a small audience, suggesting positive regard for the adaptation and its character dynamics. The narrative centers on cooperation between a human science officer and an alien defender, underscoring themes of teamwork, responsibility, and defending Earth through courage and ingenuity under pressure.

Box office data does not apply to this 1979 television series, which aimed at TV audiences rather than cinema. There are no widely reported box office figures for this animated entry, and its influence is tracked by viewership and fan reception instead.