Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		2.5
Audio		2.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.0

Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman February 21, 2022

Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle celebrates the 50th anniversary of Ultraseven. This is largely a compilation collection (all of the parts and where they are from are included below) that features Ultraman Zero serving as something of a tour guide or host at a look into the world of Ultraman that prominently features his character. The series aired beginning on January 7, 2017 on both TV Tokyo and BS Japan and ran through June 24th of the same year.

Official synopsis: Son of the legendary Ultraseven, rookie Ultraman Zero receives rigid training from his master Ultraman Leo on his way to becoming a qualified hero. When his homeland, the Land of Light, is threatened by a troop of monsters and aliens headed by the evil Ultraman Belial, young Ultraman Zero rises to the crisis and fights fearlessly to fend off the enemies, living up to the full expectations of his father Ultraseven. The biggest challenge for the young soldier comes when Alien batt sends a powerful Zetton, the Hyper Zetton to earth in an attempt to reign over mankind. Will Ultraman Zero win the battle over the almighty evil forces? Check it out as Ultraman Zero joins forces with his senior warriors Ultraman Dyna and Ultraman Cosmos and jointly they transform into Ultraman Saga to stop Alien Batt and Hyper Zetton from taking over the universe.

Primarily, outside of some content that appears to have been assembled specifically for The Chronicle, this is essentially a compilation piece that features a number of ~25 minute episodes that break up various specials and movies for individual airing. All of them are given a brand-new title sequence and move on to feature Ultraman Zero introducing the action.

Disc One:

Ultraman Zero vs Darklops Zero

• Part 1: The Multidimensional Threat (1080i, 25:01).
• Part 2: The Darkness Demon Bullet (1080i, 25:00).
• Part 3: Big Bang Flare! (1080i, 25:00):

Ultraman Zero the Revenge of Belial

• Chapter of Bonds (1080i, 24:59).
• Chapter of Fire (1080i, 25:01).
• Chapter of Mirrors (1080i, 25:01).
• Chapter of Steel (1080i, 25:00).
• Chapter of Light (1080i, 25:01).

Disc Two:

Ultraman Saga

• The Silent Earth (1080i, 25:01).
• Zero's Hardship (1080i, 25:00).
• The Cocoon of Fear (1080i, 25:01).
• The Hero of Revival (1080i, 25:00).
• The True Fight (1080i, 24:59).

• Ultraman Mebius Battle File (1080i, 25:00): This appears to be new to Blu-ray. It introduces Ultraman Mebius, whom Zero describes as "a deeply passionate warrior who mentored under Ultraman Taro. It is a compilation piece featuring some of Mebius' battles and shows off some of his moves.

Disc Three:

Mega Monster Battle Ultra Galaxy The Movie

• Chapter 1: The Rebellion of Belial (1080i, 24:59).
• Chapter 2: Rei and Mebius (1080i, 25:01).
• Chapter 3: Decisive Battle in the Monster Graveyard (1080i, 25:00).
• Chapter 4: Ultraman Zero Has Arrived (1080i, 25:00).
• Chapter 5: Revive the Light of the Galaxy (1080i, 24:59).

Ultraman Zero Side Story Killer the Beatstar

• Part 1: Legion of Steel (1080i, 25:00).
• Part 2: Dictator of Steel (1080i, 25:00).
• Part 3: Tears of Steel (1080i, 25:00).

Disc Four:

• Ultraman Zero Hero Legend (1080i, 24:59): Compilation footage featuring Zero and other Ultra heroes.
• Ultra Zero Fight: Shining Zero Part 1 (1080i, 25:00): Part 1 of a short series that is new to Blu-ray.
• Ultra Zero Fight: Shining Zero Part 2 (1080i, 25:00): Part 2 of a short series that is new to Blu-ray.
• Ultraman Zero! Determination of a New Battle! (1080i, 24:31): Glen and Zero in a humorous compilation piece.

Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The video for Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle is all over the map, but only the parts of the map that range from "middling" to "awful." Darklops looks bad. It's chunky and blocky. Shimmering and aliasing run rampant and jagged edges abound. It's also presented in 1080i (as is the whole four-disc collection) whereas the other Zero collections were released at 1080p. The picture is flat, fuzzy, and not particularly colorful, either, even during some of the climactic battles during "Big Bang Flare!." Belial fares a little better, but all of these deal with the same problems, particularly the aliasing, jagged edges, and compression issues. Saga shows some more intense aliasing and jagged edges, but it's also clearer than Darklops…and the beat goes on. Essentially, at it's worst, it's Darklops, and at its best there's a modestly clean, adequately clear, and suitably colorful image to enjoy. Low expectations are key to enjoying this one.

Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The audio is likewise no great shakes. Everything is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 whereas 5.1 was an option on the Ultraman Zero Collection release, so there's a downgrade. The audio is fairly flat. It's adequate, clearly conveying basic dialogue though without that lifelike transparency. Music is somewhat forceful and plays with solid enough detail, but there's little range and occasional hiccups when action comes across as muddled rather than tight and true. There's a fairly even balance through all of the programs; there are few highs and few obvious lows. Again, modest expectations are best, and the track will at least satisfy the baseline audio needs.

English subtitles may be toggled on and off from the main menu, but not via remote during program playback.

Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

No supplements are included across any of the four discs, which is par for the Ultraman on Blu-ray course. The four discs come in a basic Amaray case, stacked directly atop one another, two per side. There is a non-embossed slipcover which features different artwork than appears on the Blu-ray case within. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase.

Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Essentially, this is an Ultraman Zero regurgitation that aims to reintroduce and reinforce key moments and themes and storylines. It's nonessential viewing and more in the line of "nice to have." Mill Creek's featureless Blu-ray collection offers middling video and audio. Recommended for only the most ardent die-hard franchise fans.