Like Ultraman Dyna: Return of Hanejiro, this is more of a bonus episode of the show than an actual sequel to the series. (Both were released directly to video in Japan around the same time.) After the events of the Ultrama Gaia show, Gamu (Takeshi Yoshioka) goes to college and tries to be a normal kid. It’s not long before he’s called back into action when another alien monster threatens the planet.
As with Ultraman Cosmos 2, the threat comes from beneath the sea. I know it’s probably a matter of preference, but it’s just not as much fun when Ultraman’s alter ego and his crew are exploring the deep blue sea. I’d much rather see them hop in a rocket ship and go to outer space, but that’s just me. However, the movie has more problems than just the setting. For starters, the B plot where Gamu’s brooding rival Ultraman, Fujimiya (Hassei Takano) is visited by a ghostly little girl doesn’t add much to the proceedings. Also, the relatively short running time of forty-six minutes feels closer to feature length, thanks to the sluggish pacing. The CGI is pretty bad too, although I guess that’s to be expected from something that’s essentially a slightly more elaborate episode of a TV show. Even when you take that into consideration, it still looks kinda shoddy though.
On the plus side, when the movie relies on the old school monster mashing the Ultraman series is known for, it offers the audience a modicum of fun. The final baddie is fairly menacing and the three-way battle where two Ultramen take on the alien invader is solid enough. Ultimately, that’s not quite enough to make up for the numerous flaws elsewhere in the flick, but it at least ends things on a positive note.
AKA: Ultraman Gaia: Once Again Gaia. AKA: Ultraman Gaia: Gaia Again.
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