Ultraman Episode 9 "Operation Electric Stone Fire" 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 off after a devastating hurricane hits a small town. The town's roads are destroyed, and repair crews rush to fix them but they keep collapsing due to mysterious landslides. Soon we learn the cause: a massive underground monster named Gabora.

Gabora surfaces and begins moving toward a uranium storage facility. The Science Patrol devises a plan to lure the creature away using a uranium isotope. Hyata pilots a helicopter dangling the uranium, and Gabora takes the bait, chasing it like a carrot on a stick.

When the plan to drop the uranium fails, Gabora knocks Hyata’s helicopter from the sky. The kaiju opens its armored skull, revealing its monstrous flower-like head. As Gabora approaches the uranium, Hyata realizes the danger if Gabora feeds, radiation will spread across the entire area. Hyata transforms into Ultraman to stop the monster.

Ultraman grabs Gabora and drags it away from the uranium. Gabora retaliates by firing radioactive beams, tearing up the valley in a frenzy. Ultraman rips off Gabora’s heavy armor plates one by one, leaving the beast screaming in pain before finally beating it to death in a brutal finish.

This was a fantastic episode, featuring another creative re-use of the classic Baragon suit, which was also used to portray Neronga and Magular in earlier episodes. Each monster feels like a member of the same kaiju family distinct yet familiar. My favorite design is still Magular’s spiked body, but Gabora’s armored skull adds an awesome touch.

If you’re a fan of Showa-era Godzilla or Gamera films, Ultraman (1966) is a must-watch. It’s the perfect dose of kaiju action and nostalgia when you don’t have time for a full movie just pure monster fun in under 30 minutes.