Characters / Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero

Ultraman Powered

Portrayed by: Sho Kosugi (ep 1), Akio Ōtsuka (ep 13) (voice), Scott Rogers (suit)

One of the few Ultra Series heroes created outside of Japan, Ultraman Powered is an American reimagining of the original Ultraman. He came to Earth as a meteorite to stop the Baltans' quest for galactic domination, merging with Kenichi Kai in order to survive Earth's atmosphere. He is referred to solely as Ultraman in the series, with "Powered" being added for the series' Japanese dub.

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• Deadly Disc: Like most previous Ultras, Powered can unleash a razor-edged halo of energy called the Powered Slash to slice up monsters.
• The Determinator: His defeat in the hands of Powered Dorako isn't going to stop him from challenging the monster to a rematch to stop it from destroying a city... despite the fact that Powered haven't fully recovered from his injuries. And later in the final battle against Powered Zetton, Powered continues using his Mega Specium Ray repeatedly on the seemingly-unstoppable monster... and ultimately managed to destroy it, a victory that narrowly cost Powered his own life.
• Finishing Move: His Mega Spacium Beam, which is shaped like a cross.
• In a Single Bound: Powered have a tendency to summersault and leap over his opponents repeatedly, much like Ace and Taro before him.
• Non-Standard Character Design: He's the first main Ultra with blue, rounded eyes (the next blue-eyed Ultra is Ultraman Geed, 26 years later) and his colour timer appears more mechanical than previous Ultras.
• Not His Sled: The final episode, much like the original, does end with Powered battling a Zetton… but this time Powered emerged the winner.
• Synchronization: Power's life force is directly connected to his host, Kenichi Kai, due to both of them sharing a body; a later episode with Powered being wounded by a slash from Powered Dorako results in a similar slash appearing on Kai himself.

WINR (Worldwide Investigation Network Response)

An international search team established by the United Nations to find and deal with monsters, aliens, and other strange phenomenon. The series specifically focuses on the organization's United States branch, which operates from a suburb in Los Angeles, California on a 24/7 watch for unusual occurrences and creatures across America.

Kenichi Kai

Portrayed by: Kane Kosugi

The series protagonist and host of Ultraman Powered. He is WINR's second-in-command, a young Japanese-American man usually responsible for collecting intelligence and providing rear support. He transforms into Ultraman Powered using the Beta Capsule (or Flash Prism in the Japanese dub).

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Captain Russel Edlund

Portrayed by: Harrison Page

The African-American captain of WINR. He approaches his position as commander-in-chief of the team in a strictly pragmatic manner, thanks to his years of practical experience on the field.

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Theresa Beck

Portrayed by: Sandra Guibord

WINR's sole scientist. A red-haired woman responsible for planning strategies, processing data, and operating the control room. She is fascinated with Ultraman Powered and puts a lot of research into his nature. She frequently works with Kai on field missions.

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Julie Young

Portrayed by: Robin Bliley

The best pilot of the WINR team. This blonde-haired lady is the only one on WINR able to use the team's STRIKE VTOL plane to its maximum potential. She's usually paired with Sanders on missions.

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Rick Sanders

Portrayed by: Rob Roy Fitzgerald

WINR's best marksman, as well as the sole white male on the team. Sanders has a tendency to disobey orders just so he can get a shot at the Monster of the Week, as well as goof off when not on the field. Nonetheless, he is very dedicated and passionate about his job.

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Monsters and Aliens

All the monsters in this series are adapted from the original Ultraman, so see the Ultraman Character Sheet for tropes that also apply to their classic counterparts.

Alien Baltan

First Appearance: On a Mission from M78

"What's so funny, huh?!"

—Rick Sanders

The series' antagonists. This incarnation of Ultraman's most famous and popular enemy are as every bit as ruthless as ever, having ravaged countless planets on their never-ending galactic conquest. Their latest plans have brought them to Earth, where they are opposed by their longtime nemesis Ultraman Powered in the unlikely form of Kenichi Kai.

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• Adaptational Villainy: The original Baltans were Well Intentioned Extremists who wanted to find a new home after destroying their own but went about it the wrong way. These Baltans are remorseless Galactic Conquerors that have subjugated and destroyed many planets throughout the Universe and who also create Kaiju to assist in their invasions.
• Art Evolution: Like all "Powered" kaiju, the Baltans are given a more "realistic" design. In this case, the aliens are given a more slender physique, including longer pincers and proboscis, as well as a more metallic body that more closely resembles an exoskeleton. According to Word of God, they were designed after the Alien Baltan II variant from Ultraman.
• Big Bad: The first time the Baltans have ever been given such a role, with the Pyscho Baltan being the supreme mastermind.
• Breath Weapon: They breathe poison in this series.
• Fusion Dance: It's how they grow gigantic in this series with multiple Baltan agents merging into a giant form.
• Giant Flyer: During its fight with Powered, Baltan grows a pair of insect-like wings to engage in some dogfighting.
• Maker of Monsters: They create Kaiju to assist their invasions, such as Dorako and Zetton. And it's also implied that they made many of the Kaiju faced by Ultraman Powered.
• The Man Behind the Man: It's implied that all the monsters' appearances were the Baltans' doing in order to study Ultraman.
• My Brain Is Big: The Psycho Baltan's brain is so big that it even extended out of his own skull.

Kemular

First Appearance: Catch a Kemura by the Tail

A part-plant, part-reptile beast that was first recorded terrorizing China 17 years prior to the series. Kemular has now unexpectedly reappeared in the United States, meaning WINR now has to figure out how to get the creature to expose its bizarre Achilles' Heel - the brain hidden beneath its leaves.

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• Adaptation Name Change: Is referred to as "Kemura" in this series.
• Art Evolution: This version of Kemular is more ferocious-looking, with tusks on a more reptilian face. Additionally, the back leaves are given a more natural shell-like form, with bright patterns underneath and the exposed back given the appearance and texture of a giant brain.
• Beware My Stinger Tail: Kemular's toxic gas is shot from its forked tail rather than as a Breath Weapon in this series.
• Overly-Long Tongue: Given one in this series.

Red King

Left: The female. Right: The male.

First Appearance: A Quartet of Creatures

Another superstar enemy of Ultraman, this version of the dinosaur-like brute consists of two individuals, a male and a female, living in a remote area of South America alongside other prehistoric behemoths. Known by locals in legend as "El Rey Rojo", the female Red King menaced a TV crew that had come to the region, and WINR's rescue mission ended up invoking the wrath of its mate.

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• Adaptational Nice Guy: In the Japanese shows, Red King is depicted as a bullying brute who enjoys beating up weaker kaiju and terrorizing smaller creatures that enter his home. Here, the Red Kings are more of Non Malicious Monsters who are willing to fight to the death to protect each other, with the male even grieving over the female's death.
• Alas, Poor Villain: While "villain" is a bit of a strong word, it still aptly fits the sympathy the characters give the male Red King after seeing its reaction to the female's death.
• Art Evolution: Less so than other kaiju in this series, but both Red Kings' heads are given a more skull-like appearance in reference to their Boss Subtitles "Skull Monster". Additionally, the male Red King is, for once, actually red, with the female keeping the traditional tan color.
• Disney Villain Death: The female Red King dies this way.
• Non-Malicious Monster: Unlike most versions of Red King, these ones are simply portrayed as animals trying to protect their territory.
• Slashed Throat: How Dorako kills the male Red King.
• Spared by the Adaptation: The male Red King. However, he is killed by Dorako later on.

Chandora

First Appearance: A Quartet of Creatures

A monstrous prehistoric flightless bird living on an isolated plateau in South America. Its existence was sought after by an American TV documentary crew, who soon found themselves in a precarious situation when the creature got into a fight with the female Red King, getting them trapped in a cave with no way out.

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• Adaptational Wimp: Chandora didn't even manage to subdue or even injure Red King like its 1966 counterpart who managed to knock the latter over by flapping its wings at him and even managed to draw blood by biting Red King's shoulder.
• Adaptation Name Change: Goes by "Chondra" in this series.
• Adaptation Species Change: In the original series, Chandora was a tusked bat-like monster with dark brown skin rather than a green skinned flightless tusked bird.
• Butt-Monkey: Like its 60's counterpart Chandora's appearance in Powered is to serve as a punching bag at the hands of Red King.
• Art Evolution: One of the more drastic redesigns of this series. Chandora is given a more avian appearance, with a beak and horns, as well as a mane and green skin.
• Composite Character: While this Chandora has the same name (more or less) and role in the story as a natural enemy of Red King in the original, its physical appearance, apart from its more batlike ears and wings, is actually an updated version of Hydra from the original series episode Terror on Route 87.
• Feathered Fiend: Unlike the original Chandlar this version of the winged monster is a giant prehistoric flightless bird albeit with bat ears and wings as well as having tusks.
• Informed Ability: Supplementary articles said that its claws can inject poisons, killing their targets in 3 minutes.
• In Name Only: Despite being the same creature that fought Red King this version of Chandlar resembles that of a giant flightless green-skinned tusked bird rather than a brown-skinned tusked bat-like monster like the original.

Pigmon

First Appearance: A Quartet of Creatures

One of several legendary creatures living in a lost world on a South American plateau, Pigmon was well known in the folktales on the locals and something of a regional Bigfoot. The friendly if mischievous creature was encountered by a TV crew that came to the area, providing them shelter from an attacking Red King.

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• Adaptational Jerkass: While still a friendly monster like in the Japanese series, Pigmon is given more of a mischievous streak in this series, including stealing others' possessions for fun.
• Art Evolution: His appearance is more ape-like here, with the addition of a segmented chest and larger claws. Word of God has it that Pigmon is designed after multiple sea creatures.
• Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and Yeti: Is treated as a local incarnation of such among the South American locals in the episode.
• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Despite its Adaptational Jerkass, this Pigmon still helps the filming crew to escape from Red King.
• Spared by the Adaptation: This is the first series where Pigmon is not killed or lost forever in some way, but instead remains at his home to be left in peace once the episode is over.

Telesdon

First Appearance: The Dark Past

A long-snouted reptilian creature under the control of a strange subterranean humans known as the Sun People. Telesdon's inscrutable masters sent the creature to Los Angeles to prepare the world for their return to the surface, even if it meant having to get rid of the current inhabitants.

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• Adaptational Wimp: A downplayed example, but for some reason, Telesdon lacks his fiery Breath Weapon in this series, though he does have it in the 3DO video game adaptation.
• Art Evolution: Telesdon has a more metallic appearance in this series, with his brown coloration being replaced with a more silvery color to resemble a digging machine.

Sun People

First Appearance: The Dark Past

Played by: Jim Eustermann, Kevin Hudson, and Bruce Spaulding Fuller

An ancient race with some kind of link to humanity's prehistoric past. Long ago, a great cataclysm struck the Sun People, and they were rescued by Ultraman Powered, who told them to wait underground until the light returned to the surface. Believing Powered's return in the form of Kenichi Kai to be a fulfillment of the alien's prophecy, they have sent the monster Telesdon against humanity to ready the world for their return.

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• Adaptational Nice Guy: While they are still villains, the Sun People are much less malevolent than the Underground People of the original Ultraman, who were your typical malevolent invaders out to enslave and dominate humanity, complete with a scheme to mind control Ultraman.
• Adaptational Ugliness: Their Japanese counterparts were fairly normal-looking humans if one ignored the Eyeless Face, but these guys are given a much more shriveled form.
• Composite Character: They worship Ultraman and have a large stone statue of him because he saved them from a disaster on a previous visit to Earth, an element taken from the villagers in The Bluestone of Barraj.
• Precursors: Their exact connection to the human race is unclear, but it is evident that they've been around much longer.
• What Happened to the Mouse?: After Kai turns into Powered and leaves for the surface to fight Telesdon, the Sun People are never heard from again. The last shot we get is them recoiling at the light from Kai's transformation.

Gabora

Petals Opened.

First Appearance: Monstrous Meltdown

A strange-looking monster with a tiny head encased within an armored cone that opens like a flower, Gabora is a creature that feeds on uranium. Its appetite for radioactive material posed a serious threat to humanity as its march towards a major power plant threatened bring about an American Chernobyl.

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• Achilles' Heel: Gabora's head is depicted as such in order to justify the cone-like frill.
• Action Bomb: His diet of uranium means he has the potential to explode with the force of a nuclear weapon if not dealt with properly.
• Art Evolution: Gabora is given warty skin, a longer neck, and large claws here. Additionally, the number of plates making up his cone frill are changed from six to four.
• Tiny-Headed Behemoth: Compared to the original (whose head is proportionally matched with its body), the powered incarnation of Gabora have a seriously dainty little stump of a head behind those petals.

Dada

Powered Dada's default face

First Appearance: The Dada Effect

Voiced by: Aruno Tahara

As every bit as bizarre as the anti-art movement they were based on, the Dada are a computer virus that became a living being after absorbing human life force. Three of these strange humanoid creatures menaced WINR and Ultraman, wreaking havoc on both humanity and technology before merging into a single gigantic form.

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• Adaptational Backstory Change: Here, Dada is a computer virus that went beyond its creator's control and became an intelligent, malevolent entity.
• Adaptational Badass: The original Dada was a pathetic fighter and got killed by Ultraman whilst attempting to flee. Here, Dada is a bit more of a fighter thanks to its new abilities, and it survives its encounter with Ultraman even though its giant form was destroyed.
• Adaptation Dye-Job: In the source material the Dada's "A" face has red eyes while its "C" Face had yellow eyes, here the colors are switched around.
• Adaptation Species Change: The original Dada were aliens, not sentient computer viruses.
• Art Evolution: Dada is changed from a singular individual with three separate faces to three individuals with one face each. He's also give more robotic qualities, physically reflected in his hands and feet being less organic if shape, but also manifested in how Dada doesn't move much and always sticks his arms out. Additionally, his head is larger and the patterns on his body are different.
• Computer Virus: One that became powerful enough to manifest in the physical world as an actual being.
• Fusion Dance: The three Dadas fuse themselves to become a giant for the battle Ultraman Powered.
• Mind over Matter: Displays this ability by using it to toss cars at Ultraman.
• Not Quite Dead: After Ultraman destroys its gigantic form, the end of the episode reveals that unbeknownst to the protagonists, one computer was still infected by Dada.
• Puny Humans: Calls them carbon-based lifeforms.
• Shock and Awe: This version of Dada possesses any electrical powers, including the ability to shoot orbs of shocking energy and the power to channel electricity through its body when touched.

Aboras

First Appearance: Devils from the Crypts

One of two demonic creatures that were originally sealed away in mystic sarcophagi in ancient times, the blue devil Aboras was once more unleashed on the world when a team of scientists working with WINR uncovered the tombs and sought to try find out what was sealed inside them.

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• Achilles' Heel: High frequency sounds stun him in this series.
• Art Evolution: Due to being crafted from a fresh new suit instead of being a modified Red King, Aboras is given a more unique-looking body, with a tadpole-like tail, a darker shade of blue skin, and skin more closely resembling plates. Additionally, his head is given smaller eyes and more intimidating horns and teeth.

Banila

First Appearance: Devils from the Crypts

The second of two fiends sealed away long ago within enchanted sarcophagi, the red-skinned demon Banila was accidentally released by a team of scientists working with WINR in studying their tomb-prisons and what was sealed inside them.

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• Achilles' Heel: High frequency sounds stun him in this series.
• Adaptational Badass: Banila was pretty much just a punching bag for Aboras in the original series, but here, he is able to stand on toe with Aboras for much longer, and even reforms when destroyed by the acid.
• Art Evolution: His face is given an uplift to make him more menacing, namely the removal of the pig-like snout and the addition of smaller, meaner-looking eyes. His roar is also changed to sound more like Aboras' to make him scarier-sounding.
• From a Single Cell: Banila reforms shortly after Aboras defeats him in their initial battle. However, this doesn't occur again when Ultraman destroys the two, suggesting either their Achilles' Heel prevents Banila from regenerating or it only works when against Aboras.
• Mythology Gag: Aboras and Banila battling Ultraman together was what the original series' script had called for.

Jamila

First Appearance: A Father's Love

Played by: Phillip Stewart (also human form actor)

One of the series' more sympathetic creatures, Jamila was formerly Julie Young's brother-in-law Jamir Miller, an astronaut sent by NASA on a top-secret mission to Jupiter, in which he encountered a titanium-based alien entity and merged with it in a similar manner to Ultraman Powered and Kenichi Kai. Jamir returned to Earth fine, but his newfound power caused trouble for him, his family, and the government.

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• Adaptational Backstory Change: While he's still a mutant astronaut with sympathetic qualities, the reason for Jamila's transformation is changed from being stranded on an alien world to die by the government to having merged with an extraterrestrial entity that gave him strange new powers which freaked the government out.
• Adaptation Name Change: The original's name was A. Jamila here his name is Jamir Miller
• Adaptational Nationality: Unlike Jamila in the original, who was from an unidentified country that served as a third column in The Space Race, Jamir Miller is American.
• Art Evolution: The original Jamila is a completely alien-like being altogether, while the American version is a composite of a robot and a spacesuit.
• Dying as Yourself: He staves off the alien entity's influence long enough for Powered to give the killing blow.
• Evil Counterpart: To Ultraman, both alien entities who possess human hosts, but Jamila's is far more aggressive.
• Hulking Out: Unlike in the original series, Jamila can change between his human and kaiju form at will, usually taking on the latter when enraged.
• Papa Wolf: Jamir Miller is very protective of his daughter Karen, transforming into Jamila to save her from government agents using her to coax Jamir into giving himself to the authorities.
• Symbiotic Possession: Jamila came into being after a human merged with a titanium-based alien entity in a similar manner to what Ultraman and Kai did. Unlike Kai and Ultraman, Jamir eventually loses control of his body to the alien and soon becomes a rampaging brute.

Zambolar

First Appearance: The Fires Beneath

A quadruped monster awoken by logging activity in its home, causing the enraged creature to rampage its way towards Seattle. Zambolar's body released such an intense heat that the beast's very presence threatened to engulf everything in its path in a sea of flames.

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• Art Evolution: Zambolar's horn is much larger and his back spikes are much lumpier, giving the monster a more fiery appearance. According to Word of God, Zambolar was removed from any organic design and is represented as a creature "bursting out from Earth".
• Non-Malicious Monster: While the reasons for his rampage remain the same as in the original series, Zambolar is portrayed more sympathetically here.
• Playing with Fire: In the original series, Zambolar could cause chosen areas to burst into flame, but in this series, Zambolar is permanently surrounded by a cyclone of heat so intense that forest fires erupt around him with his mere presence.
• Spared by the Adaptation: Whereas the original Zambolar received a Specium Ray to the face for his troubles, this Zambolar is instead calmed down by Ultraman and given a chance to simply go back home to be left alone by humanity.

Pestar

First Appearance: Deadly Starfish

An improbable hybrid of a bat, a starfish, and a crustacean from the darkest depths of the sea, Pestar menaced the coast of California with its appetite for oil, trashing tankers and rigs as it slowly made its way towards terrestrial oil refineries in search of its idea of an all-you-can-eat buffet.

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• Adaptational Badass: In the original series, Pestar was killed by the very fire it caused in its rampage, thus having no opportunity to battle Ultraman. Here, Pestar gets to show off some of his stuff and manages to stand against Ultraman long enough to set off his Color Timer.
• Art Evolution: Pestar's head is changed to look more like a crustacean than a bat, though looking at it closely reveals a superficially bat-like appearance.

Gomora

First Appearance: Dino-Might

One of the all-time most iconic monsters to have ever fought Ultraman, this reimagining of Gomora makes the creature into a living dinosaur discovered in the Andes Mountains, having been in hibernation for millions of years. The dormant beast was brought to California for exhibition, but unexpectedly reawoke and began rampaging about in a state of confusion.

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• Adaptational Species Change: The original Gomora is a subterranean monster, but this one is a wetland monster in need of water.
• Adaptational Wimp: In his original appearance, Gomora was a near-unstoppable force of nature who defeated Ultraman in their first match and was only defeated the second time after receiving an immense amount of punishment and some truly gruesome injuries. Here, Gomora is too exhausted to be able to put up a fight against Ultraman and dies of thirst within several hours of being awoken.
• Art Evolution: Gomora's brow horns are changed to resemble those of a water buffalo while his nasal horn points inwards instead.
• Composite Character: This Gomora's semi-aquatic nature and having been discovered by an idealistic scientist who desperately wants to keep him alive bear more resemblance to Jirass from the original series.
• Non-Malicious Monster: Rather than the enraged juggernaut Science Patrol fought, Gomora is instead a confused and exhausted animal desperately trying to find it way home.
• Tragic Monster: His plight and eventual death are portrayed much more sympathetically than in the original series, with Ultraman comforting Gomora as he dies. Even WINR pities his fate.
  Kai: I guess to Gomora, we're the real monsters.

Dorako

First Appearance: Falling Stars Spell Trouble

An alien bioweapon created by the Baltans, the strange dragon-like monstrosity known as Dorako was sent against Earth as a challenge to both humanity and Ultraman. The creature proved to be Ultraman's deadliest foe yet, but as powerful as it was, it was merely a herald for a far more worse monster.

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• Adaptational Badass: At this point in the franchise's history, Dorako had a rather dubious honor of having never fought any Ultras, existing pretty much to get pummeled by other kaiju. In contrast, Powered Dorako is the first Dorako in franchise history to ever won a fight against monsters and even fighting an Ultraman altogether. Since then, Dorako's kind have gone on to fight numerous other Ultras and monsters alike.
• Adaptation Origin Connection: This version of Dorako was created by the Baltans as a precursor to Zetton, despite the original Dorako having zero connection to either in the original Ultraman.
• Adaptation Species Change: Changed from a dragon-like creature to an alien bioweapon.
• Art Evolution: Dorako differs quite drastically from his Japanese counterpart, being colored red (as opposed to the usual black) to more closely resemble the male Red King, having more bird-like wings and a more insect-like face, and having its arms changed to sleeve-like appendages reminiscent of a kimono that hide its Hook Hands.
• Ascended Extra: Dorako is promoted from a side monster as it was in its debut (and most subsequent appearances) to being the main Monster of the Week of its starring episode.
• Attack Reflector: Dorako's skin acts like one in this series.
• Harbinger of Impending Doom: The arrival of Powered Dorako heralds the Baltanians' final, full-scale assault on Earth, the unleashing of their greatest weapon yet - Powered Zetton.
• Knight of Cerebus: Its appearance marks the return of the Baltans and the beginning of WINR's deadliest challenge in the form of Zetton.
• Make Me Wanna Shout: Can emit a sonic screech here, which it uses to stun Ultraman and awaken Zetton.
• Mythology Gag:
  • Its ninja-like appearance references how the original Dorako was meant to have a retractable whip on its right arm, which could be used in tandem with the sickle on its left hand like a ninja's kusarigama.
  • Dorako kills Red King - an ironic twist on the events of its debut in episode 25 of the original Ultraman.
• Ninja: It's reimagined to somewhat resemble one, with its kimono-like sleeve arms and its ability to throw its sickle blades being reminiscent of shuriken.
• Throwing Your Sword Always Works: Its hand sickles can be used as throwing projectiles deadly enough to leave deep wounds on Ultraman.

Zetton

First Appearance: The Final Showdown?

Another of Ultraman's best-known monsters, this take on the final enemy of the original series is a monstrous robot created by the Baltans as their ultimate weapon against Ultraman. Unleashed against WINR headquarters after the defeat of Dorako, Zetton is programmed with complete knowledge of all of Ultraman's strengths, weaknesses, and tactics to put an end to the red-and-silver hero once and for all.

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• Achilles' Heel: Zetton's back is largely unarmored, and if its chest orbs are overused, they will damage the monster.
• Adaptation Origin Connection: In the original series, Zetton was used by an alien race with the same name to conquer Earth. Here, it's a Baltan weapon created specifically to defeat Ultraman.
• Adaptation Species Change: The original Zetton was just some strange alien creature rather than a robot.
• Art Evolution: This Zetton has a more robotic appearance and outspread wings (rather than the beetle carapace of the original). Additionally, he is much taller than the original, towering over even Ultraman.
• Cyber Cyclops: While the original Zetton is a one-eyed living creature^note Though some sources state that its eyes are the two glowing orbs on its chest, considering this one is a robot created by the Baltans it inevitably becomes one of this.
• Energy Absorption: Here, the yellow orbs on Zetton's chest are given the ability to absorb Ultraman's beam attacks.
• Hand Blast: Can shoot orange orbs of explosive energy from its hands here.
• Humongous Mecha: As stated above, Zetton is a robot in this series, but he's also much more humongous than usual, with his height increased from 60 to 100 meters.
• Mythology Gag: Its outspread wings are meant to reference the original Zetton's signature pose of standing with its arms outstretched.
• Number of the Beast: Its official weight is given as 66, 666 tons.