Ultraman Episode 8 "Monster Lawless Zone" Review | Godzilla Island Archive

Note: This article was originally published in 2015 on Godzilla Island all views and opinions may have since changed.

This episode starts with a group of four research scientists being sent to an island to observe and study its wildlife. However, contact with the scientists is lost soon after they arrive. The Science Patrol is dispatched to investigate the mysterious disappearance.

Upon arrival, we witness a brutal battle between two giant monsters: Chandora and Red King. Chandora is already bleeding as Red King pelts it with massive boulders. Red King grabs Chandora and pounds it relentlessly, but Chandora manages to bite into Red King’s arm with its tusks and fangs. Enraged, Red King rips off one of Chandora’s wings, leaving the beast severely wounded. Chandora retreats, likely to its death, while a third kaiju, Magular, quietly surfaces to observe the aftermath, wisely avoiding the fearsome Red King.

Shortly after the fight, the Science Patrol arrives and spots Red King. They land rather than engage the monster, fearing that missile fire might endanger any surviving scientists. At the observation base, they discover that it has been abandoned for quite some time. The team splits up to search the island.

Hyata and the Captain encounter Magular on the west side and manage to destroy it surprisingly easily with two grenades. Meanwhile, Fuji and Arashi run into the carnivorous plant monster Sunflan and eliminate it using their ray guns.

The pair then meet Pigmon, a small, harmless monster who brings them an embroidered cloth belonging to one of the missing scientists. Pigmon frantically leads them to the only surviving scientist, who reveals that the rest of his team has been killed. Moments later, Red King reappears and cruelly crushes Pigmon with a boulder.

Hyata transforms into Ultraman and engages Red King in a fierce battle. As Red King lifts a boulder to throw, Ultraman blasts it apart mid-air, stunning the creature. Ultraman then grabs Red King and slams it repeatedly before delivering the finishing blow. After the battle, the Science Patrol sets up three crosses to honor the fallen scientists.

This was one of my favorite Ultraman episodes so far due to its nonstop monster action from start to finish. The Chandora vs. Red King fight was bloody and brutal—exactly how kaiju battles should be. It was disappointing that Magular, despite its spiky armor, went down so easily. Pigmon’s role was puzzling; for a moment, I thought the Science Patrol had found a monster ally for future episodes—but sadly, Pigmon didn’t make it. Perhaps Pigmon’s purpose was to show that not all monsters are evil, hinting that we may meet more friendly kaiju later on. Either way, Ultraman proved that Red King was not such a mighty king of the Monster Zone after all.