You may be surprised to hear this in North America, but Japan’s number one superhero, Ultraman, is a big fan of Christmas. It makes a lot of sense if you think about it. They both have red and white (or silver) color schemes. Both are about bringing joy and light to people everywhere. And both concern fighting kaiju in bareknuckle boxing matches. Well, two out of three. In truth, within the Ultraman Universe, the character called Father of Ultra, the Top Commander of the Inter Galactic Defense Force, is canonically Santa Claus himself. No kidding.
To celebrate that strange connection, the official Ultraman English YouTube Channel will debut marathon of five Christmas-themed episodes from the series’ 52-year history, three of which will feature Santa/Father of Ultra. This marathon begins Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 6p PT/9p ET. As an added holiday treat, the channel will present The Holiday Special Watch Party, that includes four additional episodes, special guest commentary, and new Ultraman product reveals on December 22. All episodes will be available for fans to enjoy through January 5, 2025.
The Ultraman Holiday Special Watch Party featuring the staff of fan hub Ultraman Connection and special guests including Mike Dent from the SHOUT Factory TokuSHOUTsu streaming channel, fan favorite Ultraman artist Klenda Vee, Marvel’s Ultraman X Avengers writer Kyle Higgins, and Ultraman Card Game contributor artist Jamie Noguchi. The event will reveal holiday products on offer from Ultraman licensees, as well as brand new artwork for an upcoming release of the Ultraman Card Game.
But what episodes will be in the mix, I hear you ask? It’s a really fun smattering from across Ultraman history, all with enough Yuletide cheer and monster-bashing to make anyone happy.
The episodes included in The Holiday Special Watch Party on December 22 at 5p PT/8p ET are:
● Ultraman Ace Episode 38: Resurrection! Father of Ultra
On Christmas night, a Namahage summons a Terrible-Monster as a punishment against foreigners. Many people lose their vision from the mysterious beams emitted by Terrible-Monster Snowgiran. Meanwhile, Hokuto finds Santa Claus visiting a local orphanage suspicious, and is shocked by who Santa turns out to be!
● Ultraman Taro Episode 38: The Ultra Christmas Tree
Right before the Yuletide holiday, Kotaro (the human host of Ultraman Taro) meets a young girl named Hitomi. Hitomi’s life was once saved by Alien Miracle who was visiting Earth. However, Alien Miracle was killed by Alien Terrorist on its way back to its planet. Soon, Alien Terrorist appears on Earth, jeopardizing everyone’s Christmas!
● Ultraman 80 Episode 38: The Echoing Voice of Father of Ultra
On Christmas Eve, no one believes Futoshi’s father really saw a monster. Does a giant Kaiju really lurk near Nakatsudai?
● Ultraman Mebius Episode 37: Father’s Back
Today is the Advent Festival for Father of Ultra, a day to commemorate the many miracles Father of Ultra performed on Earth. The GUYS crew is planning to throw a party as well, but just then, the monster Jashrine appears. Ultraman Mebius engages, but his body is turned into a golden statue! Can the answer have something to do with…Santa Claus?
Additional episodes included in The Holiday Special Marathon, available to stream on YouTube starting December 18 at 6p PT/9p ET:
● Return of Ultraman Episode 37: Ultraman Dies at Sunset
Disguising himself as a member of the Space Radio Wave Laboratory, Alien Nackle wants to get Ultraman out of the way of an Earth invasion. First, he revives monsters to analyze Ultraman’s specs and powers, then he robs MAT’s newly invented gunpowder Saturn Z. And last he disrupts Go’s mind, so that he cannot turn into Ultraman!
● Return of Ultraman Episode 38: When the Star of Ultra Shines
Alien Nackle attacks MAT Station V1 with his spaceships. With Saturn Z in hand, he declares war on Earth and demands unconditional surrender from humanity. Meanwhile, Ultraman is transported to Planet Nackle for execution. But Shin Hayata and Dan Moroboshi have arrived to save him! With his power regained, Ultraman flies back to Earth for a return match!
● Ultraman Leo Episode 38: Showdown! The Leo Brothers vs the Ultra Brothers
The Tower on Planet Ultra has been destroyed by a powerful being and the Ultra Key has been stolen. Planet Ultra flies off its orbit and falls onto a collision course with Earth. The Ultra Brothers insist that Leo’s younger brother Astra is the thief. Now on Christmas Eve, the world braces for destruction as the Ultra Brothers start battling Astra on Earth.
● Ultraman Leo Episode 39: The Leo Brothers, the Ultra Brothers, the Moment of Victory
Leo, trying to help Astra, is attacked by the Ultra Brothers and is defeated. Astra threatens the Ultra Brothers with the Ultra Key but lightning strikes it and the key is destroyed. Ultraman King appears before them on Christmas Day!
● Ultraman Max Episode 26: Elly at Christmas
Young Elly befriends an old man, Dr. Kori. He seeks to capture the Unizin, a monster who appears every 12 years, but things quickly get out of hand. Elly’s Christmas is threatened! Time to call in Ultraman Max!
Spend the holidays with your favorite silver-and-red heroes!
Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.
