Ultraman Episode 3 "Charge, Forth, Science Patrol" Review | Godzilla Island Archive

Note: This article was originally published on Godzilla Island in 2014 all view and opinion may have since changed.

The episode starts off with Fuji and Hoshino checking out a well that’s been making weird noises. Hoshino decides to jump in and take a look, and that’s when things get wild a giant eye is staring right back at him from the darkness. The ground starts shaking, a landslide hits a nearby power plant, and then we hear this deep roar. A translucent kaiju appears, tearing up the plant before vanishing into thin air.

Back at Science Patrol headquarters, the team gets word about the landslide and reports of a monster sighting. They realize Fuji and Hoshino were in that area and head out fast. When they get there, a worker tells them the monster disappeared and that the plant’s been losing power lately, like something’s been feeding off it. Soon after, they confirm Fuji and Hoshino are okay.

Hoshino and Fuji fill everyone in on what they saw, and then the Science Patrol heads to a transmission station that’s also losing power. Right as they show up, there’s another roar the monster reappears, drains the power, and we finally see it: Neronga. It can only be seen while it’s absorbing electricity. After destroying the transmission station, it disappears again.

The team regroups and Hoshino mentions a story he read about Neronga a monster that was sealed in a well hundreds of years ago. With all the new power plants around, Neronga’s been feeding on electricity and getting stronger. The Science Patrol figures out the last plant left in the area will be his next target, so they set up defenses with the city’s military.

Of course, Hoshino sneaks aboard the ship, steals a Science Patrol gun, and ends up missing when Neronga attacks. The military unloads everything they’ve got, but it does nothing. Hoshino manages to shoot out one of Neronga’s eyes before the gun runs out of power and he knocks himself out. Hyata rushes to save him and that’s when he transforms into Ultraman.

The fight kicks off hard. Ultraman breaks Neronga’s horn over his knee, leaving the kaiju rolling in pain. Then Ultraman lifts Neronga up over his head (Frankenstein vs. Baragon style) and tosses him into the hill. To finish it off, Ultraman fires his ray and blows Neronga into pieces.

This episode was really cool because Neronga wasn’t another space monster. I liked that it actually had some history tied to Earth that kind of lore always makes the story feel bigger. Neronga’s invisibility and electric attacks were great ideas, but like most of these early kaiju, it didn’t really use its powers smartly. You’d think it would try to sneak up on Ultraman while invisible, right? Maybe Ultraman can see invisible enemies that would make sense since he spotted Baltan’s invisible ship in the last episode.

Also, some cool trivia Neronga’s roar and costume were reused from Baragon in Frankenstein Conquers the World! The moment Ultraman lifts Neronga is even a fun little nod to that scene. It’s those kinds of small touches that make this show so much fun to revisit.