Streaming Sci Fi TV: Tracking down sci fi and fantasy shows of interest available on the streaming services. Note that streaming availability can change with little or no notice.
What Is It?
The anti-monster defense agency known as the Science Patrol protects Earth from dangerous aliens and giant monsters and is often assisted in its efforts by the giant superhero Ultraman from Galaxy M78. Secretly, Science Patrol member Hayata transforms into the hero in times of need using the beta capsule, but he can only retain the form for a short time.
Aired: Syndicated, 1966-67, 1 Season totaling 39 Episodes
Starring: Susumu Kurobe, Akiji Kobayashi, Hiroko Sakurai, Sandayū Dokumamushi, Masanari Nihei
Created By: Eiji Tsuburaya, Tetsuo Kingo
Why Watch It?
This Japanese-made series combines Kaiju (giant monsters) with Kyodai Hero (giant superheroes) and it acted as a gateway show for many sci fi fans in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and beyond. Influenced by the popularity of the Godzilla movies, the series had Ultraman fighting a different monstrous threat each week, assisted by the Science Patrol. The stories are pretty simple and formulaic monster-of-the-week romps, but for young sci fi fans this show was must-watch TV, and many (including myself) still have fond memories of it (you can read more about the series at Cult-SciFi.com). And while the 1966 show turned into a huge hit in syndication in the United States, many fans of that adaptation do not realize that it also produced many spin-offs and sequels that continue to this day. Ultra Q acted as a lead-up, sort of an X-Files with Kaiju, and after Ultraman started airing many more Ultra shows would follow (more on those at this link). They never received much exposure in the States, but with the many streaming services out there these days, you can track them down and watch many of the continuations of the franchise. I have sampled a few of those, and most interesting is Ultra Q because it follows more of an anthology format (though it does have continuing characters) as well as Ultraman Leo with its much more violent and graphic take on the concept. Others worth a look are Ultraseven and The Return of Ultraman, and personally I have enjoyed the earlier entries in the franchise over the later ones as they are closest to the 1966 series.
Where Is It Streaming?
Ultraman is streaming for free (with ads) on The Roku Channel and Pluto TV. It is also available on Prime Video if you have a subscription. Fawesome.TV has a wide selection of the Ultraman shows, though interestingly that does not include the 1966 original. Following is the list of shows available at that streaming service as of this writing:
Ultra Q (1966, 28 Episodes)
Ultraseven (1967, 49 Episodes)
Return of Ultraman (1971, 51 Episodes)
Ultraman Ace (1972, 52 Episodes)
Ultraman Taro (1973, 53 Episodes)
Ultraman Leo (1974, 51 Episodes)
Ultraman 80 (1980, 50 Episodes)
Ultraman Gaia (1998, 51 Episodes)
Ultraman Neos (2000, 12 Episodes)
Ultraman Cosmos (2001, 65 Episodes)
Ultraman Nexus (2004, 37 Episodes)
Ultraman Max (2005, 39 Episodes)
Ultraman Mebius (2006, 50 Episodes)
Ultraseven X (2007, 12 Episodes)
Neo Ultra Q (2013, 12 Episodes)
Ultraman Ginga (2013, 11 Episodes)
Ultraman Ginga S (2014, 16 Episodes)
Ultraman X (2015, 22 Episodes)
Ultraman Orb (2016, 25 Episodes)
Ultraman Geed (2017, 25 Episodes)
Ultraman Zero The Chronicle (2017, 25 Episodes)
Ultraman R/B (2018, 25 Episodes)
Ultraman Taiga (2019, 26 Episodes)
Ultraman Blazar (2023, 25 Episodes)
Fawesome.TV also has a wide selection of the Ultraman movies, many of which are compilations of episodes from the shows. All of these are available to stream for free with ads.
Watch Ultraman (1966): The Roku Channel | Pluto TV | Prime Video
Watch the Ultraman Spin-Offs, Sequels, and Movies: Fawesome.TV
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