Alien Baltan | Monster Profile

Name: Alien Baltan

Episode Appearances: Ultraman (Episodes 2 ,16, & 33) , Return of Ultraman (Episode 41), The Ultraman ( Episode 8), Ultraman 80 (Episode 37 & 45), Ultraman The Ultimate Hero, Ultraman Cosmos, Ultraman Max, Ultraman Ginga, Ultraman X,

Baltan is one of Ultraman’s most iconic foes and one of the most recognizable kaiju in the entire franchise. Baltan is an alien species with an insectoid, crustacean-like appearance complete with large claws, a segmented body, and glowing eyes. The creature can alternate between human size and giant kaiju size, depending on its needs.

Baltan has a variety of abilities that make it a dangerous opponent. It can teleport, clone itself, and fire a freeze ray capable of paralyzing its enemies instantly. Baltan can also communicate telepathically, allowing it to coordinate with its species or taunt its opponents.

In Ultraman Episode 2, “Shoot the Invader,” Baltan arrives on Earth intending to conquer the planet and make it its new home. After freezing members of the Science Patrol and revealing its invasion plans, Baltan grows to enormous size and attacks the city. Ultraman engages Baltan in an aerial battle, ultimately breaking one of its claws and destroying the alien’s ship in space.

Alien Baltan again returned in Ultraman episode 16 and this time in greater numbers this is where we really learned the Baltan were no mere alien race but a force to be reckoned with as their invading army was massive! Ultraman fought another giant Baltan this time when the invading forces combined to form one giant one. He slashed this one in half with his Ultra Slash. Another victory but, while the invasion was stopped, this encounter made it clear that it was nowhere near the end of Alien Baltan’s relentless attempts to conquer Earth.

Baltan Jr.

Alien Baltan returned a few series later in Return of Ultraman when Baltan Jr. came to Earth seeking revenge for his father, who was killed by the original Ultraman years earlier. Baltan Jr. unleashed the giant robot Builgamo, who Ultraman Jack defeated in battle.

Following Builgamo's destruction, Baltan Jr. grew giant and confronted Ultraman Jack but then attempted to flee. Baltan Jr. As he attempted to escape Baltan Jr. was hit with a spacium beam while he flew away and vanished in a flash rather than an explosion. It is still unknown if this flash was a Baltan illusion that it used to camouflage its retreat or if the Baltan Jr. actually was killed, leaving its fate unknown.

Years later, Alien Baltan once again attempted to invade Earth, this time during the events of Ultraman 80. The Baltan arrived with an entire fleet of spacecraft, launching another invasion. Ultraman 80 faced the Baltan twice during his time defending Earth. During the first encounter, he defeated them by flinging a giant Baltan into their own mothership, destroying it in the process.

When the Baltan attempted to invade again, Ultraman 80 confronted the strongest member of the species yet: Baltan VI. During the intense battle, Ultraman 80 struggled against the powerful alien until experiencing a flashback of Ultraman slicing the original Baltan in half with the Ultra Slash. Drawing inspiration from this moment, Ultraman 80 used the same technique, cutting Baltan VI down the middle and saving the day once again.

Baltan’s design and eerie laugh have made it a staple villain in the Ultraman franchise, returning in multiple series over the years. The Baltan aliens represent both the sci-fi and monster movie roots that define Ultraman’s legacy.