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| Foto:Warriors from Nebula M78. |
VISTORBELITUNG.COM,TOKYO – For generations of tokusatsu fans, Ultraman Ace has stood out in the legendary lineup of the Ultra Brothers. Known as the "Ace of Beam Cutters" for his astonishing array of beam and slicing techniques, Ace remains one of the most powerful and unique Ultra Warriors from Nebula M78.
However, one element of his original 1972 TV series continues to spark intense discussion among fans: the iconic and mandatory dual transformation of two human hosts, Seiji Hokuto and Yuko Minami.
Why did this powerful Ultra a warrior said to have exceptional energy reserves require both a man and a woman to combine into his colossal form? We dive into the lore and behind-the-scenes intentions that forged this Ultra mystery!
The necessity for both Seiji Hokuto (male) and Yuko Minami (female) to perform the "Ultra Touch" holding their Ultra Rings together to transform was a defining feature of the series' early run.
In the pilot episode, Seiji and Yuko tragically lose their lives protecting civilians from the first-ever Terrible-Monster, Verokron, a biological weapon far more dangerous than traditional Kaiju. Ultraman Ace, the fifth Ultra Brother, arrives on Earth and fuses his life with both of them, resurrecting them and entrusting them with the Ultra Rings. This dual fusion was necessitated by the dire situation and established a unique, shared destiny.
Sources indicate that the creative decision was driven by a desire to make Ultraman Ace a more androgynous and gender-neutral hero. By having one male and one female host, the creative team aimed to reflect a dual-gender nature in the Ultra himself, making Ace an embodiment of justice that transcends conventional gender barriers. This unique concept also influenced Ace's distinctive design, which features elements unlike the other Ultra Brothers.
Note: Later in the series, due to production changes, Yuko Minami's identity as an Ultra-person was revealed, and she departed Earth, leaving Seiji as the sole host to transform into Ace.
Ultraman Ace is renowned for having perhaps the widest and most varied arsenal of beam and projectile attacks among all the Ultra Brothers, earning him the nickname, "The Ace of Beam Cutters." But where does this extraordinary power come from?
Double the Energy, Double the Power!
According to Tsuburaya Productions lore, Ultraman Ace possesses two major energy sources, giving him twice the power of many of his predecessors:
• The Color Timer: The standard Ultra energy source located on his chest.
• The Ultra Star: An additional energy source located on his forehead (above the Color Timer).
This dual power supply is theorized to be the very reason Ace can perform such complex and energy-intensive moves, such as his signature finishing move, the Metalium Beam, or his highly-destructive ultimate attack, the Space Q.
His most famous techniques include:
• Metalium Beam: Ace’s primary, L-shaped beam attack, often considered more potent than Ultraseven's Wide Shot.
• Ultra Guillotine: A versatile category of "cutting" beam attacks, including the devastating Horizontal Guillotine and Vertical Guillotine, which can slice enemies apart.
Ace’s immense power was necessary, as he was deployed to combat the terrifying Terrible-Monsters (Chōjū) created by the interdimensional being Yapool. These creatures were genetically and biologically superior to standard Kaiju, often possessing enhanced durability and multiple weaponry, demanding an Ultra Warrior with truly phenomenal offensive capabilities.
Ultraman Ace’s legacy endures not only for his formidable strength and unique beam attacks but also for the pioneering concept of a hero shared between two people, embodying the core Ultra message of cooperation and unity in the face of overwhelming evil.