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Ultra Q: Dark Fantasy is a 2004 Sci-Fi Horror thriller produced by Tsuburaya Productions for late-night streaming. Exactly What It Says on the Tin, it's a Darker and Edgier remake of Ultra Q which started the Ultra Series.

Both this and the original were succeeded by its direct sequel, Neo Ultra Q.

Sci-Fi Japan has a series guide here.


Dark Fantasy provides examples of the following tropes:

  • Alternate Continuity: To the Ultra shows featuring Ultramen.
  • Attack of the 50-Foot Whatever: Mostly averted. With the exceptions of Garagon, Sabikong and the Rekyum-Man, all the Monsters of the Week are human-sized.
  • Be Careful What You Wish For: The theme of "The Eyes of the Totem" and "The Dream Stone", with both episode's wishes ending in twisted manners for the wishers.
  • Breather Episode: The series has a pattern of showing heartwarming episodes after its more tragic or nightmarish ones. The lighthearted "Unitoroda's Repayment" follows "Kiara"'s Downer Ending; a remake of the 1966 original's "The Devil Child" is followed by the hope-filled, monster-free story of "The Shining Ship"; etc.
  • Broad Strokes: It's a little bit vague whether the series actually does take place in the same universe as the original Ultra Q or not. The first episode references an episode of the 1966 original, which also plays a role in the plot, but when the Gara Q reappear, everyone seems to have forgotten about the original Garamon incident and treat the Gara Q's first appearance as the first of its kind.
  • Crapsaccharine World: Would you believe a nice modern Tokyo to have strange things behind?
  • Deconstruction: Of the original Ultra Q. Whereas the original tried its hardest to remain as family-oriented as a sci-fi horror series can be, Dark Fantasy is a 100% serious take on the genre.
  • Darker and Edgier: Compared to its preceding shows including its original, it's more horror-oriented and employs Deconstruction into various elements. Being aimed exclusively at adults, it's a late-night show.
  • Dark Fantasy: As said above, although it's more a Sci-Fi Horror.
  • Dream Stealer: The Rekyum-Man steals the dreams and imaginations of humans to fill his own.
  • Evil Twin: "Invader from the Shadows" is all about these. They're amoral mirrored versions of you and me created by an evil being in the Mirror World called Varno who send them out to Kill and Replace people.
  • Fountain of Youth: Yamada the alien salesman sold bottled versions of these.
  • Gender Flip: Female versions of the Cicada Man and Kanegon appear in the series.
  • The Grim Reaper: Farewell Flame is a mortal version of such.
  • Monster of the Week: Just like the original Ultra Q, every episode has a monster or some form of weird occurrence.
  • Negative Continuity: Besides the 2 Gara Q episodes, and the 3 characters of Goichi, Ryo and Kakunoshin the episodes share no continuity with eachother. This is most notable with The Eyes of the Totem and The Quiet End which their ending showing humanity is doomed which even if you take them as the final episodes chronologically they still contrast each other as well as the sequel series Neo Ultra Q.
  • Our Angels Are Different: Kiara is a fairy-like angel who helps Jazz musicians achieve greatness (or so Sakaguchi believes).
  • The Professor: Watarai steps into the shoes of Ichinotani for this series.
  • Schrödinger's Butterfly: "Who Are You?" ends this way for poor Yamazaki.
  • Sequel Episode: "Gara Q's Revenge" follows up on the first episode with the return of the Gara Q and their creator showing up for revenge.
  • Spiritual Successor: Many episodes are remakes of Ultra Q classics, notably "Lilly and Lili" and "Kanegoneh's Shining Road".
  • Touch of Death: Farewell Flame can do this to help people pass away peacefully.
  • Trademark Favorite Food: Sushi for Unitoroda, particularly urchin and tuna.
  • Two Guys and a Girl: Goichi, Ryo, and Professor Watarai.
  • You Know Too Much: Implied to be why the Alien Giraff were attacking Kaypoko. More explicitly stated with Goichi's encounter with the people who run "Paradise".

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