Ultraman season 1, episode 9 recap: Nice To Meet You, Brother

In episode 9 of Netflix series Ultraman, Shinjiro meets yet another strange character, who seems like a markedly more criminalistic Ultraman.

Previously on Ultraman, Shinjiro’s Ultraman (Josh Hutcherson) had another alien fight at a Rena Sayama (Tara Jayne Sands) concert. Ultraman was aided by Moroboshi (Takuya Eguchi), but even the two Ultramen could hardly make a dent in the alien invaders. However, not everything was as it seemed as the aliens were conducting a strange test! The (apparently) simulated concert attack brought the attention of Igaru (Michael Yurchak), an alien Prince accused of murdering online critics of Rena’s. As episode 9 begins, we learn that Rena Sayama has canceled her concert tour, which may be understandable under the circumstances.

There are a few more unexpected developments, too. Seiji Hokuto (Megumi Han), a new freshman ar Shinjiro’s school, tells Shinjiro that he knows his secret identity as Ultraman. On the bright side, he promises he won’t reveal the secret. While Shinjiro tries to play it cool, the revelation definitely rattles his cage.

He consults Jack (Robbie Daymond) about it but doesn’t really get any clear answers. Moments later, we see that Seiji has beat up a bunch of people somehow. It’s later revealed that some gangsters he beats up are actually Yakuza. Basically, like Shinjiro, this is no average teenager! Shortly after this, another dead alien is found. Still, that’s not unusual for the series: Another day, another dead alien cleanup.

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Shinjiro and Seiji

Perhaps by sheer coincidence, Rena sees Shinjiro at the Giant of Light Memorial, which looks like an Ultraman museum. Shinjiro is a bit clumsy and awkward, but it’s not exactly a mystery that he likes her. Later, it’s revealed that Seiji stole money from the Yakuza’s illegal casino. This leads Rena’s father, Detective Endo (Eiji Hanawa), to conclude that the attacker’s not with the SSSP organization (they’re usually considered moral, one supposes). Also, speaking of the SSSP, they give Shinjiro another assignment: Take out another alien/monster thingamabob.

In this case, it’s described as the deadliest alien yet (later revealed to be a Biological Weapon). When he encounters it as Ultraman, it throws him around like, well, he’s not Ultraman. In fact, it pins him down and looks just about ready to separate him limb from him. Fortunately, another Ultraman shows up to save him. Shinjiro’s surprised to see it’s not even Moroboshi this time. Also surprising is that, unlike himself, this Ultraman handles the monster with surprising ease and efficiency, slicing it right in half like a katana blade through butter.

It’s revealed to be Seiji, who again says the secret’s safe with him. However, what kind of secrets does Seiji have? After the battle, Seiji’s arms actually malfunction, though Seiji treats it like it’s nothing. It seems that Seiji may have crafted the costume himself. He also seems to have special skills when it comes to hacking into Shinjiro’s phone. As he takes his leave, Seiji refers to Shinjiro as “big brother” and “chief.” Seiji qualifies as an odd duck.

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