Ultraman Blazar Series + Movie Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Ultraman Blazar Series + Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 22, 2024

The major deluge of Ultraman Blu-ray releases has slowed a bit since Mill Creek first started releasing the series a few years ago, but the franchise is still slow-dripping onto Blu-ray. Ultraman Taiga was the last major release (and a solid release it was!) and now, a few months later, here is Ultraman Blazar, like Taiga releasing with the series and the corresponding film in the set. In terms of video and audio presentations this is just about identical to Taiga, and also considering the absence of special features across all four discs (a trio of "recap" episodes notwithstanding). So, it's the basic Mill Creek Ultraman release, but as fans have come to discover, that' a good thing. Bare bones though it may be, this is a terrific package (that also comes with a few added physical goodies...more on those below) and it's priced just right, too.

Ultraman Blazar is the 35th entry in the sprawling franchise. It follows the work of the Global Guardian Force (or "GGF") as it continues its decades-long battle against Kaiju and aliens. And, now, it's really got its work cut out for it. Team member Gento Himura suddenly finds himself in possession of a device that bonds him with a new Ultraman: Ultraman Blazar. Now, Gento is transferred into the Special Kaiju Reaction Detachment (SKaRD) that leads him to not just hone his powers in battle but also to discover the truth behind a number of secrets that will have long-lasting repercussions on him, his team, and the world.

As always seems to be a point of discussion in Ultraman reviews, there's a certain familiarity at play in Blazar, with the story taking something of a cookie cutter approach to its foundational details and only then trying to blaze its own path forward once the usual elements are aligned. And, surprisingly, it actually succeeds at forging its own path. The show, beyond the very basics, is very much a product of its own making: it's in the universe but not slave to it. There are more intricate plot lines, more focus on characters and significant narrative elements, and the show strikes a higher balance between storytelling, character building, and the Ultraman-Kaiju battles that remain a highlight but are not always the highlight. In fact, the characterization and story details are nearly the best in the modern Ultraman era, and fans that enjoy the show while wanting something a little more substantial out of it will find that here.

Part of why Blazar is so successful at blazing its own path, for lack of a better term, is its disconnect from the tentacles of the larger series. It's remains the same at its core, but it's not so focused on trying to squeeze in cameos and references and dig back deep into franchise lore just for the sake of doing so. In many ways it's the perfect starter series, especially for the more modern era of the program. It magically hits the main theme but does so at its own pace, in its own rhythm, apart from the constraints of previous shows. It's not a rewriting or a reworking, but at the same time it's definitely its own thing. The essence is there, and the formula is there, but it's not married to its past, either.

Blazar is home to some of the best writing in the series of late, and the show spends far more time building narratives and constructing and deconstructing characters -- especially the humans -- than many (really most) of its predecessors. The show is worth watching not just for the eventual appearance of the Ultra and for the climactic kaiju battles, but also, and arguably more so, for the human elements and human stories that are so finely integrated into the series. The acting is really good, too, obviously not to award-worthy levels, but for an Ultraman show it's really solid. Plus, the action is amongst the most dynamic and intense in the series yet. It really stretches the budget and mimics the feel of a major motion picture in nearly every episode quite well. Digital effects work is excellent for a show of this caliber as well.

This set also includes the Ultraman Blazar movie titled Tokyo Kaiju Showdown (1:16:01). SKaRD continues its battle against kaiju but...the attackers just keep on coming! The more they fight, the more enemies appear. The movie is essentially a longer episode with no special production values, no extra effort. It's simply the show in a longer format, which is fine, because that's basically the history of Ultraman "movies" in a nutshell.

Ultraman Blazar Series + Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Mill Creek unleashes Ultraman Blazar to Blu-ray with a high end 1080p transfer. The show (and film) were digitally shot, and the result is a clean, efficient picture that shows minimal noise and no real issues with compression. Details are excellent, offering wonderful clarity to human skin and the rubbery characteristics of the Ultraman and Kaiju costumes. The picture never misses a beat for supreme detailing, even in low light. Colors are bold, with the brilliant colors of battle streaking around the screen. Bright blues, reds, oranges, and other colors dazzle and delight for pop and depth and accuracy. Black levels are not perfectly deep but usually come very close. Skin tones are very natural. This is another excellent Blu-ray release from Mill Creek. Note that while the video review applies to both the show and the film, the show is presented at 1.78:1 and the film is presented at 1.85:1.

Ultraman Blazar Series + Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Ultraman Blazar includes the original Japanese language 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack and an English dub in the same configuration. Neither track is particularly awesome, both coming across as a bit flat and lacking in significant depth during battle scenes, which are frequent. Even the opening battle fails to really excite the aural senses. Sure, music is appropriately wide and clear, and kudos for the track's ability to really stretch and position content dynamically within the two channel limit, but the show's action-heavy nature really screams out for greater depth (there's no active subwoofer channel) and more immersion (there are no back speakers in play). The track comes at a disadvantage, which is a shame, because this would be a prime candidate to really stretch the Ultraman universe and up the ante. But, as it is, it's perfectly listenable in either language, with no real obvious differences at work in them. Dialogue does image nicely to the center and is always clear and intelligible.

Ultraman Blazar Series + Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

As is the usual practice for Mill Creek's Ultraman Blu-ray releases, there are no "traditional" on-disc supplemental materials on any of the four Blu-ray discs. However, disc four does include three "recap" episodes (1080p, DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, Japanese and English) which, as the title suggests, recap the events so far, but unlike as the title suggests, they're not just entirely clips but rather clips interspersed with new material that tell the story for a somewhat different perspective alongside the animated PAG (Perfect Analyze Gadget). Included are:

• Bonus Recap Episode 1 (1080p, 24:30).
• Bonus Recap Episode 2 (1080p, 24:30).
• Bonus Recap Episode 3 (1080p, 24:32).

Additionally, fans will be thrilled to hear of the inclusion of a few fun add-ons. First, there is inner print artwork and an alternate art, non-embossed slipcover included. Also included is a single, sealed Ultraman trading card advertising the Ultraman card game (complete with QR code for easy access to more information). Finally, the set ships with a full color, glossy page booklet supporting Ultraman Blazar. In it are character profiles, a Kaiju guide, and episode synopses as well as a few words on the movie. The book is a little skimpier on content than some of the past booklets, notably lacking any in-depth writing by franchise expert Keith Aiken. Still, it's great to have and definitely adds some extra value to an already value-priced collection.

Ultraman Blazar Series + Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's an old saying that says, "familiarity breeds contempt," but the Ultraman franchise may be the exception to that statement and Blazar just throws it completely out the window. Here is a show in Blazar that really just adheres to formula, at least at the very essence of the show's moving parts, but does some serious legwork to place itself outside of the usual constraints while still holding to a basic, familiar structure. It sounds a little strange, but it works here, and fans will find a perfectly enjoyable 35th entry into the Ultraman franchise that ultimately gives fans something more unique than many of the more recent shows before it. The similarity of Blu-ray releases from Mill Creek also seems immune from the "familiarity breeds contempt" line of reasoning, given that the sets remain a great value, even absent any traditional making-of or commentary sort of on-disc special features. The inclusion of the three "recap" episodes, however, is a very nice treat! There are a few extra physical items in the case, too. Highly recommended!