The first episode of "Ultraman" debuted on television at 7 p.m. on July 17, 1966, exactly 50 years ago today. When the dust cleared at 7:30 p.m., Japanese entertainment would never be the same.
As the show opens, audiences are treated to the spectacle of a high-speed alien chase that results in the inadvertent death of ace "Science Patrol" pilot Shin Hayata, his resurrection at the hands of a mysterious being and the sudden appearance of a gargantuan, laser-breathing sea creature.
All this in just the first 10 minutes. Then things really ramp up.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.