Ultraman Cosmos (ウルトラマンコスモス, Urutoraman Kosumosu?) is a Japanese tokusatsu TV show being the 18th show in the Ultra Series. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, Ultraman Cosmos was aired between July 7, 2001 to July 20, 2002, with a total of 65 episodes, which currently makes it the longest running Ultra Show to date.
Plot
A kinder, gentler Ultra hero released in the summer of 2001 to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the original Ultraman. The launch of the TV show is quickly followed by a feature film prequel, and is the first time for an Ultra movie and TV series to be so closely linked. Following recent trends, Cosmos is another type-changing Ultraman, with the all-blue Luna and asymmetrical red and blue Corona modes. The modes represent a "gentle" side and a "strong" side, respectively. Later in the series, Cosmos also develops the "courageous" Eclipse mode, with a symmetrical blue, red, and gold design. The series was extended to 65 episodes, which makes it the longest-running in the franchise to date, although it was briefly canceled due to the arrest of the main actor for a crime he did not commit.
This series is preceded by the feature film Ultraman Cosmos: The First Contact. The TV series takes place eight years after the events in the movie, when monsters are once again plaguing humanity. Now Musashi is a 19-year-old young man. He joins a wing of SRC known as Team EYES. Musashi encounters Cosmos again, and the two merge to defend the Earth.
The recurring villain in this series is the Chaos Header, a virus that either infects monsters or replicates them, creating a more violent and aggressive version. Lidoriass, Golmédé, Clevergon, and even Ultraman Cosmos himself. Usually, you can distinguish the original monster from the infected monster because the infected one has "Chaos" as a prefix in its name and has a head with a lot more junk on it, and has a power boost.
This series has a lot of monsters that pay homage to monsters from the past. The Baltans are the most blatant example. Golmédé and Lidoriass are similar to Gomess and Litra in episode 1 of Ultra Q. There is also Supittol (with head-covering armored petals around his neck like Gabora of Ultraman episode 9), Gigi (with distinct black and white lines and three faces like Dada of Ultraman episode 28), Mudon (like Seebozu) and Mienin and Gamoran (like the perennial favorites, Pigmon and Garamon, respectively).This series is followed by the feature film, Ultraman Cosmos: The Blue Planet, in which Cosmos gains a couple of new modes (Space Corona and Phantom Corona). This in turn is followed by Ultraman Cosmos vs Ultraman Justice: The Final Battle.
Ultraman Cosmos Statistics
Height : 47 meters
Weight : 42,000 tons
Human Form : Musashi Haruno (春野ムサシ)
Transformation Item : Cosmo Stone (コスモストーン, Kosumo Suton) (Movie) Cosmo Pluck (コスモプラック, Kosumo Purakku) (series)
Ultraman Cosmos Modes
Luna Mode (ルナモード, Runa Modo?)
The blue and silver Luna Mode is Ultraman Cosmos' default state. It resembles a classic Ultra. In Luna Mode, he never wounds or hurts opponents. He is a forgiving giant who tries to pacify enemies rather than destroy them. His many special powers are for doing things like blocking and defending himself and others. The center of the top of Ultraman Cosmos' head is crowned with a crescent-shaped fin, which is decorated in front by a small blue lamp known as the "Moony Spot."
The Luna default represents Ultraman Cosmos' pacifist essence, and shows that he is by nature a peaceful "dove". "Like the tender light of the moon, a blue giant of gentleness." The overall effect is that he herds around monsters and comes across more like an intergalactic zookeeper than a warrior.
Corona Mode (コロナモード, Korona Modo?)
Should the need arise, Ultraman Cosmos can switch to the red, blue, and silver Corona Mode. It is used to combat hopelessly intractable foes who cannot be swayed from aggression and must not be forgiven. In this "super combat" Mode, he has increased power and speed and has many weapons. The swirling color patterns on Corona's body are designed asymmetrically, which is rare for an Ultra. Unlike all previous type-changing Ultras, Ultraman Cosmos' head design changes when he switches between modes. Some dents appear on his forehead in Corona Mode, and a horizontal crease appears from the tops of his ears to above his eyes. The crescent fin is now wedge-shaped, and it is decorated in front by an oblong red gem known as the "Sunny Spot."
However, since Luna Mode is his default, it is clear that Ultraman Cosmos is still a pacifist at heart. It is not his true will to destroy his enemies. He will try to resolve conflicts in Luna Mode before having to resort to Corona Mode.
Eclipse Mode (エクリプスモード, Ekuripusu Modo?)
Introduced in episode 30, and Ultraman Cosmos: The Blue Planet, and the Final Battle. this third form of Ultraman Cosmos represents Ultraman Cosmos' courageous side. He is a red, blue, silver, and gold giant, with a symmetrical design. The yellow that covers his chest and shoulders represents courage. The yellow gem on his fin is known as the "Pluck Spot."
Eclipse Mode is "Like the overflowing flare of when sun and moon overlap in an 'annular solar eclipse,' a mysterious giant" ('annular' means forming or shaped like a ring).
