1972 - Mirrorman (Series) - KayLing88 Ultraman Fanz

Mirrorman is the title superhero of a tokusatsu SF/kaiju/superhero TV series, Mirrorman. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, the series aired on Fuji TV from December 5, 1971 to November 26, 1972, with a total of 51 episodes. This was Tsuburaya Productions' first non-Ultra superhero (even though there were concepts that were similar to Ultraman, which became Tsuburaya trademarks).

In comparison to most of the Ultra series, 'Ultraman is bright like the sun, but Mirrorman is the moon, shining on the dark of night'. The entire series was much darker than most tokusatsu series simulare to Ultra Seven. But by Episode 26, major changes were forced upon the series by the network (making the action lighter and the hero more like Ultraman), it became a typical action-oriented superhero adventure of its era.

There was a spin-off, a short series titled Mirror Fight, broadcast on TV Tokyo from April 1, 1974 to September 27, 1974, with a total of 65 short-episodes. It was similar in concept to the earlier Ultra Fight. Over the years, there were several sequel series rumors. In 2005, this somewhat came true in Mirrorman REFLEX, a straight-to-DVD series that would be later compiled into a film. Featuring no characters or connection to the old series, REFLEX had a darker tone on par with the first half of the original television series.

Publication Information

Title : Mirrorman
Japanese : ミラーファイト
Created by : Tsuburaya Productions
Country of origin : Japan
No. of episodes : 51
Running time : 24 minutes (per episode)
Original channel : Fuji Television
Original run : December 5, 1971 – November 26, 1972

Plot

In 1980s, an evil alien race known simply as the Invaders are about to take over the Earth, using assorted daikaiju (giant monsters) and other fiendish plots. Assigned to investigate this threat is an organization called the Science Guard Members (SGM). But another hope comes from someone, unbeknownst even to himself, possessing otherworldly power. Professor Mitarai, the leader of SGM, finally shares a secret with his foster son, young photojournalist named Kyôtarô Kagami ("kagami" = Japanese for "mirror"), a secret only he himself knows: Kyôtarô a half-cast of an alien father and a human mother (both of whom are missing — captives of the Invaders). Kyôtarô discovers that he is actually the son of Mirrorman, a superhero from the 2nd Dimension.

However, the original Mirrorman was defeated by the Invaders' toughest monster King Zyger (explained in Episode 14), but his son Kyôtarô survived, and shares the same powers as his namesake. Naturally, the young man had difficulty accepting his destiny, but he soon realizes that he is the only one who can save the Earth from the Invaders, when they try to assassinate him. In order to transform into Mirrorman, Kyôtarô must stand in front of any reflective surface (mirrors, water, etc.), and flash his Mirror-Pendant, and utter the words "Mirror Spark".

Cameos and other appearances

The characters of Chief Murakami, Yasuda and Nomura would later return in Jumborg Ace. A bank of Mirrorman can also be seen in an episode. The monster Gorgosaurus also appears in Ultraman Taro. The monster Dustpan would appear again the Thai/Japanese co-production The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. the Monster Army. Mirror Knight, an homage to Mirrorman, appears in the film Ultraman Zero The Movie : Super Deciding Fight! The Belial Galactic Empire.

Episodes:

Mirrorman is Born
The Invaders Are Next Door
The Super-Express Vanishes
Terror of the Cobalt 60
Monster Bird Invarah Appears!
A Graveyard in the Mirror
Obliterate! Operation: Human
Iron: The Steel Dragon Strikes Back
Multi Appears Riding Upon a Kite
The Town Where Time Stopped
Blast Zyras: The Holocaust Mutant
Here It is! the Silver Cross
The Flute Playing Witch
Defeat King Zygar!
The Mysterious Monster Screen
Chase Kindar: The Doll Monster!
Mirrorman is Ensarned in a Trap
Dinosaur Alosa Rises from the Dead
Crisis! S.G.M.
Bodyguard from the Deep
Terror of Tygan: The Liquid Monster
Death Duel with King Wandar: The Moon Monster
Attack of Andros Aurus: The Saturn Monster!
Challenge Coldon: The Capsule Freezing Monster!
The Monster That Dwells in the Fairy
Mirrorman Annihilated!
Total Attack! S.G.M.
Written Challenge from Kiragon: The Killer Monster
My Friend! Phoenix
The Great Operation of Rescuing Mirrorman
Finisher of Blitz
Save You Now! The Sea of Death
Invader's Base Under the Sea
S.G.M. vs. Mirrorman
S.G.M. Special Attack Operation
Monster Army Assaulting Mirrorman
Hitting Mirrorman into The Sun
Hell Valley Magumagon: The Yōkai Monster!
Freaking Great Monster
Invader Immigrant Operation
Mystery Different Dimension Monster
The Small Invader
Defeating The Different Dimension spirit Monster Ghost!
Rescuing Operation of Devil
Boy with Blackgon : The Great Black Monster
Ringing Bell of Love in Death City
Operation of defeating Invaders: Customize Monster Giranda in coming
Third Appearence of Red Bird Monster!
One Hit with Anger
The Last Day on Earth
Farewell Mirrorman

Mirror Fight 2012

Mirror Fight 2012 was made to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Mirrorman in 2012. A total of five episodes were added to the mirror man DVD Vol. 10, which was released in April 2012. Some of the costumes from Ultraman land attraction had been used in the filming of this series.

Episodes