Ultraman Taiga Series + Movie Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Ultraman Taiga Series + Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 20, 2024

There are few things that really surprise me anymore in the film and TV business, but the longevity of the Ultraman franchise is certainly one of those surprises. Journeying through the franchise on Blu-ray has been a pleasure; Mill Creek has been slow-drip (and sometimes quick drip) releasing the various TV series and films, which span decades, to Blu-ray. Even if the Blu-ray releases have been far from perfect, especially in the lack of supplemental content, the overall quality has been solid enough, and for crude bang for the buck there's not much out there that can match this sweet spot of length and largely likable content at budget price (and some of the SteelBook releases have been wonderful, too). But the surprise stems from the show's longevity. As fun as it is, there is a certain repetitious nature to it, which is invariably going to be true of any extra long running show. Beyond the expected evolutions in technical elements (aspect ratio, black and white to color, film to digital) and show quality (boosts to the look of miniatures, costumes, special effects, and the like), the core of the series seems pretty steady. But, maybe that's where the draw and charm are found. Audiences know what to expect, and while there is a certain draw to the universe building with each new show adding to franchise lore, the main driver seems to be in the comfort of watching the similar storylines play out in slightly different ways, with different Ultras and different humans and different Kaijus (with some returning favorites here and there) mixing it up on the screen. The stories are nothing to write home about, the action is nothing to write home about, the acting and visuals are never anything to write home about...yet it keeps on finding ways to satisfy longtime fans and bring in new viewers. Easy access on Blu-ray is also helping.

Ultraman Taiga is the 31st series in the sprawling franchise. The basic plot follows human Hiroyuki Kudo, an employee of the E.G.I.S. (Enterprise of Guard and Investigation Services) organization, an organization that deals with alien visitation and inhabitation on Earth. Of course, as the stories generally go, Kudo's character draws the attention of the Ultras, and he bonds with Ultraman Taiga and, later, other Ultras. But soon Kudo, Taiga, and the Ultras find themselves battling an old and very determined foe, Ultraman Tregear, who will stop at nothing to successfully pull off a master plan that could spell doom for the heroes.

As noted up front, at this point there is a sprawling history in the Ultra universe that even the most hardcore fans might have trouble maintaining, never mind newcomers, but one of the charms of something like Taiga -- and really for much of the series -- has been in its ability to just work. Maybe that's its insistence on sticking with basic formula rather than emphasizing and working through the maelstrom of permutations in every new season. That is certainly what is happening with Taiga. There's plenty of lore here for fans that want to soak it all in, but there's also plenty of essential accessibility in the overall fun of the story arc and the action, allowing brand new viewers, relative newcomers, and casuals who just tune in every now and then to feel at home. Certainly, those longtime franchise fanatics who have been with the show through thick and thin, over the decades, and through its many permutations will get the most from Taiga, but rest assured that it's not necessary to be a walking Ultraman encyclopedia to get into Ultraman Taiga.

The cast of characters -- humans and Ultras alike -- are enjoyably engaging. They're well scripted and nicely acted, physically and emotionally alike, bringing a need sense of humanity and realism to a show that is all about larger than life fantasy. The show's creative team toes that line between familiarity and envelope pushing freshness quite well here, and that Kudo bonds with not one, not two, but three different Ultraman characters brings the series a new twist that works quite well, creating almost a video game atmosphere that allows the player to switch between characters in a time of need, which here helps to prolong action even if predictably so and within many of the usual franchise contrasts. The Kaijus are fun, too, clearly over the top and at times downright goofy as has been a franchise staple, but suffice it to say they all lend themselves well to the on-screen action and mayhem that follows. As with other, newer entries in the series, Taiga does its best too amplify visual effects, improve costuming, and generally create a more seamless world, all while retaining the relatively simplistic charm that has been a series hallmark from the beginning.

All of this continues in the feature film Ultraman Taiga Movie (1:11:44), also included in this Blu-ray collection. Like previous Ultra films, there's not much of a distinguishing character to it beyond length. It pretty much looks and feels the same as the series, it's not bigger or boasting higher production values, and it focuses on many of the same characters and story lines, but not does it with more time to tell the story without the hard episode breaks and time constraints. Don't expect the word "movie" to mean something that is bigger and better; it's just the show, continued, with greater runtime.

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

In short, Ultraman Taiga looks fantastic whether talking the series or the movie. Both are essentially the same in terms of look and feel. The digital production is extraordinarily crisp, featuring tight, well defined elements that present for seemingly just about everything they're worth at the 1080p resolution. The various Ultra and Kaiju costumes stand as one of the chief highlights, with material elements plainly visible, adding to the show's overall charm. Environmental elements especially in offices, city exteriors, and other dense areas, capture with precision clarity every object and element on the screen. Human facial features are razor sharp, individual hairs are precise, and there's just never a missed opportunity for detailing delights and textural finesse. Colors reproduction is stellar, with bold tones the norm. Colors are natural yet very well saturated. Bursts of light and explosions shine forth with plenty of vivid color. Again Ultra and Kaiju costumes are brilliant, while urban tones are also satisfying. Black levels are superb, especially out in space, and white balance is about as good as anyone will find this side of HDR colors. There is no serious noise at work and compression issues are at a minimum. This is a delightful 1080p presentation from Mill Creek.

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

Ultraman Taiga blasts onto Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack. To be sure, the material misses the extension that a 5.1 track could have offered. The audio is not confined, and Mill Creek has squeezed just about every last bit of detail, separation, and opportunity for "immersion" as is possible in this configuration, but there is no mistaking that the material just cries out for expansion. As it is, however, clarity is rock solid to all elements: music, action, and ambience. Spread is great and balance is terrific; there's never a sense that anything is competing with another or one element is overpowering another. Action scenes, while missing that bigger soundstage, certainly do all they can in 2.0, with discrete effects, traversing sounds, and excellent detail helping to draw the listener in, even without surround content. Dialogue is clear and center-imaged for the duration.

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

As is the norm for Mill Creek's Ultraman Blu-ray releases, there are no supplemental materials on any of the four Blu-ray discs. If there is anything even resembling an "extra" it's the inclusion of a "Special Episode" on disc four entitled "And Taiga Is Here Before Us." However, 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 Taiga. In it are character profiles, a Kaiju guide, and episode synopses. 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.

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

Mill Creek's Blu-ray release of Ultraman Taiga Series + Movie delivers an exceptionally solid watching experience, primarily for the show and film content but also for the striking video quality and a 2.0 lossless audio presentation that gets the most out of the confines and constraints. Sadly, no extras are included, but that's the norm for the show on Blu-ray. Recommended!