“Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Hero?”
Premiering to a cheerful audience at Kaiju Brooklyn 3, Ultraman Arc The Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil (directed by Takanori Tsujimoto) marked the worldwide debut of its English dub. The screening was introduced by Ultraman Connection’s Jeff and Evangelina Gomez, and the ever-energetic EJ Couloucoundis. Set between episodes 21 and 22 of Ultraman Arc, this theatrical release isn’t a post-finale epilogue like certain Tokusatsu shows, rather, it functions as a thematic continuation of the series, delving deeper into the emotional and moral struggles of its hero through a creatively framed “trial” narrative.
The result? An engaging, heartfelt, and humorous anthology-style film that offers a bit of everything: touching character moments, comedic stunts, and dramatic arcs (no pun intended). All held together in an impressive visual package that fuses classic tokusatsu practical effects with modern CGI.
According to Cinema Today, the film was originally envisioned as a prequel. However, that concept was ultimately scrapped due to narrative limitations. The team explained that a prequel would have made it difficult to incorporate key elements like the Arc Armor and would have overly complicated the use of time travel as a story device. Ultimately, the decision to set the film mid-series was made out of respect for the already-concluded TV narrative.
Interestingly, episode 22 of Ultraman Arc, “The Man in the White Mask” (directed by Yasushi Kochi), begins with a strangely abrupt tone, almost as if asking the viewer, “What happened right before this?” Jun Tsuguta, the series’ main writer, saw potential in that narrative gap and suggested placing the film’s events directly before that episode. With that idea, the story naturally slotted into its continuity.
Producer Arimasa Okamoto proposed using an omnibus-style structure, which director Takanori Tsujimoto eagerly embraced. “I wanted to avoid the traditional pattern of a strong enemy simply appearing and being defeated at the end with Arc,” Tsujimoto explained. “So I decided to go along with this idea.”
The movie opens with Yuma reintroducing the core characters, a helpful recap for newcomers, and a refresher for those who may have forgotten the show since it ended. It’s a smart and safe way to ease audiences back into the world of Ultraman Arc. But things take a turn when Yuma is suddenly pulled out of the timeline by a mysterious alien time master named Sascal, portrayed by Naoto Takenaka. The alien seeks to determine if Yuma is truly worthy of his powers, and if not, he’ll strip them entirely. To prove himself, Yuma is put through three separate trials, each feeling like what could’ve been episodes in its own right. Each one ends with an Ultraman Arc bumper, making it feel like it was going to be cut to commercial, until you remember, this is still a movie.
Each segment opens with Yuma’s SKIP teammates preparing a group meal.
Trial One: Mercy
The first trial centers on the kaiju Doglf, also called Moogon in the movie, a canine-inspired monster. This segment emphasizes the theme of mercy, exploring whether every kaiju encounter must end in destruction. Tsujimoto, a well-known dog lover, infused this segment with personal touches. His beloved dog, Moo-chan, often appears in subtle nods across the sets he works on, and this film is no exception.
Trial Two: Parasitic Parody
This is one of my favorite segments of the movie. The second trial shifts into comedic sci-fi paranoia. When one Shu Ishido (played by Sho Kaneta) begins to suspect that a team member has been infected by the space plant parasite Gachura, things evolve into a tense yet hilarious guessing game, where each member has to drink coffee, as Gartura has a weakness towards it. The sequence evokes a clear inspiration from John Carpenter’s The Thing, filled with suspicion, misdirection, and some absurdity. The chemistry between the cast shines here, showing the camaraderie and trust that define SKIP’s strength.
Third Trial: Redemption
The final trial serves as the emotional climax of the film, centering on Ishido Shu, a character whose traumatic past, specifically the loss of his colleagues, was only briefly mentioned in the main series. In this movie, that backstory is finally explored with emotional depth, sensitivity, and a thread of vengeance. Recognizing that this narrative arc had remained unresolved in the show, director Takanori Tsujimoto used the film as an opportunity to give Ishido the closure he deserved.
The story takes a turn as Ishido becomes corrupted by Alien Repo, transforming him into Guil Arc. Alien Repo emerges as the true antagonist of this segment, going so far as to summon Zerogelos to battle the Global Defense Force and Ultraman Arc. However, during the battle, Guil Arc manages to break free from Alien Repo’s corruption, thanks to Yuma and the power of friendship (not even kidding when I say that). Regaining his sense of self, Ishido turns his powers against Repodios (which is Alien Repo and Zerogelos merged).
What follows is a fun and special effects-heavy large-scale battle, one that fully utilizes the expanded scope and budget of a feature-length production.
English Dub & AbareRed!
The dub was handled with care, offering emotional authenticity and strong performances that stayed true to the spirit of the original. While it may take a few minutes for longtime fans to adjust, the dub quickly finds its rhythm and never fails. A brief recap at the beginning ensures newcomers and casual viewers can get up to speed.
A notable highlight for me was seeing Koichiro Nishi being a part of the show. For those who don’t know, he’s best known for playing AbareRed in Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger. Seeing him return to the Tokusatsu genre, even if it’s not a main role, was a delightful surprise that gave me a great smile.
Conclusion
With a runtime of just under 80 minutes, Ultraman Arc The Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil feels more like three extended episodes than a standalone film. However, it isn’t too much of a distraction. While a few tonal and pacing hiccups aside, the film was a well-executed companion piece to Ultraman Arc. I can’t wait for this to be released on, hopefully, a future Blu-Ray release here in the States! This gives fans an excuse to spend more time with beloved characters.
Final Score: 7/10. A heartfelt, well-produced extension of the series.
Onto Ultraman Omega!
