Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Blu-ray Review - Ultraman Orb: The Origin Saga / Ultra Fight Orb


Recently, I watched the Ultraman Orb: The Origin Saga miniseries and the 30-minute mini-movie Ultra Fight Orb. Mill Creek Entertainment had released them on a two-disc Blu-ray set (Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy) way back in February. There are no special features or bonus extras, which is disappointing. One would think they could've at least put trailers or commentaries on the discs. It comes with a moviesSpree digital code. The digital video quality on the platform is excellent.

Ultraman Orb: The Origin Saga is a prequel to 2016’s Ultraman Orb series with Hideo Ishiguro and Takaya Aoyagi reprising their roles as Gia/Ultraman Orb and Jugglus Juggler. The duo travels to Crusader’s Peak (Warrior’s Top), where the light judges them and chooses Gia to become Ultraman Orb. Gia’s first mission as an Ultra is to protect the Royal Planet Kanon against Dr. Psychi (played by Izumi Motoya), who plans on using the Kugutsu that is within Space Devil Bezelbs to eliminate free will.


Final Thoughts

While the new Ultra generation is entertaining, I prefer to watch the older series that feels less like the Power Rangers. My expectation for Ultraman Orb: The Origin Saga was low, as I was expecting the same old Ultra routine. To my surprise, there's an original plot to this 12-part miniseries. It's set on a planet that's many light-years from Earth, though our planet becomes the central setting for the last episodes. The acting is superb; the costumes are fantastic, and the visual/CGI effects are amazing.

Ultra Fight Orb aired in Japan as a 3-minute 8-part spinoff with Ultraman Orb, Ultraman Zero, Ultraseven, and Ultraman Jack teaming up to battle Ghost Sorcerer Reibatos, who received its power from the spirits of deceased monsters. For the Blu-ray release, they combined the episodes into a 30-minute mini-movie. There's no plot; it's just Ultras fighting monsters in an all-out-battle.

Overall, Ultraman Orb: The Origin Saga is one of the best series from the Ultra franchise. I recommend adding it to your collection.

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