Ultraman Season 1, Episode 12 recap: Ace Killer

Episode 12 of Netflix’s Ultraman has 3 Ultramen overpowered!

Previously on Ultraman, Seiji (Gunnar Sizemore) picked a fight with Shinjiro (Josh Hutcherson). Ultimately, though, both were threatened by Moroboshi (Takuya Eguchi), who sometimes seems more menacing than heroic.

After that dust settled. we get more insight into what makes Seiji tick. For example, Seiji often seems concerned about Yuko (Erin Fitzgerald). This episode also reminds the origin of the SSSP organization, as a response to an alien attack on a commercial airplane. In fact, this is also why they created Ultraman.

Well, it turns out that an even younger Seiji was on that fateful flight, and it has inspired him to develop his own Ultraman. Of course, Seiji has great help from an alien named Yapool (Mick Wingert). Seiji is briefly interrogated by the SSSP’s Edo (Shigeru Ushiyama).

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However, it ends up as more of a briefing, actually. Edo seems interested in keeping Seiji handy as an additional Ultraman, though it’s not entirely clear what either character’s ultimate motives might be.

Ultraman interrogation

Meanwhile, Moroboshi confronts Yapool in his usual hostile way. Yapool informs them that, contrary to what they believe, Bemular (Kaiji Soze) didn’t destroy the aforementioned airplane. He says that it was actually some alien mercenaries disguised as humans.

If that’s not enough, he says the mercenaries were hired by the Star Cluster Council. There are also vague details about Seiji being in trouble, so Moroboshi sets out to find him, urging Shinjiro to stay behind.

Moroboshi acts on what little intelligence he has, locating the mercenary base. As he and SSSP agents infiltrate, Seiji actually watches from afar. They and Moroboshi get injured by an explosion, apparently intended for Seiji. By the time Shinjiro shows up (as Ultraman), Moroboshi seems injured and less cocky than usual.

One of the mercenaries is revealed as Ace Killer (Hiroaki Hirata), and he sure wants to fight! Both Ultramen seem overpowered by Ace Killer and his accomplice, who throw Shinjiro around, shoot at him and stomp him up good. Then one of the aliens picks them up with plantlike tendrils! The question is, will Seiji be able to swoop in and save the day?

What this episode doesn’t have

This episode obviously lacks pop star Rena Sayama (Tara Sands), who was getting closer to Shinjiro. It was even implied that she may suspect Shinjiro is Ultraman, especially after a few gaffes.

While not everyone’s idea of excitement in the show, it has been a common theme. Of course, if the story continues in future seasons, the “will they/won’t they” relationship between Rena and Shinjiro will certainly be built upon.  Rotten Tomatoes has a page for season 2, so it looks like it’s supposed to continue.

What are your thoughts on Ultraman? Let us know in the comments!