The Ultraman

is a Japanese animated television series co-produced by Tsuburaya Production and Tokyo Broadcasting System and animated by Sunrise. The series aired on TBS Television affiliates on the Wednesday 7:00 PM time slot from April 4, 1979 to March 26, 1980, lasting a total of 50 episodes. It was the eighth installment in the Ultra Series and began airing four years after the end of Ultraman Leo. The show was the first animated incarnation of Tsuburaya's iconic superhero Ultraman, as well as one of the earliest works of anime studio Nippon Sunrise (now known as Bandai Namco Filmworks), who also worked on their now-iconic mecha series Mobile Suit Gundam during the same year. Story In the 21st century, various mysterious events occur on Earth, causing monsters to appear all of a sudden. EGG3 officer Chouichirou Hikari was scouted to join the Science Defense Squad on Earth but while on his way back, he was bonded to Ultraman Jonias, an Ultra-Person of U-40 who was sent by his brethren to fight against the monster threats and alien invasions. This allows the youth to become an Ultraman against countless enemies while keeping his identity a secret from his fellow members. Almost in the middle of the series, both Hikari and Jonias lost their lives from fighting the Spirit Parasite. They were spirited to the Ultra Planet of U-40 by Elec, and discovered the Ultra People's connection to the Earth in the past. Hikari and Jonias were revived in said planet and helped foiled the invaders Badel People to reclaim the stolen Ultra-mind.