Watch Gridman
- 1993
- 1 Season
Gridman is a Japanese tokusatsu television series that is part of the Ultraman franchise. The show stars Masaya Obi as the protagonist, Yuta Hibiki, a high school student who becomes Gridman's human host, and Jun Hattori as his friend, Sho Utsumi, who is the main source of information about the mysterious phenomenon occurring in their town.
The show takes place in the town of Tsutsujidai, where strange phenomena are occurring such as buildings disappearing and reappearing, and people being replaced by doppelgangers. Yuta, who was involved in a car accident prior to the events of the series, wakes up with no memory of his past and begins to experience bouts of amnesia. It is during one of these episodes that he encounters Gridman, a highly advanced alien being who is capable of taking on a human form and battle kaiju (giant monsters).
Sho is a hyperactive computer nerd who spends most of his time creating a program that can detect and analyze the anomalies occurring in Tsutsujidai. He believes that the town is a simulation and that they must find a way to escape from it. When Yuta becomes Gridman's host, Sho becomes his main support, providing him with information about the kaiju that they have to fight.
The kaiju in Gridman are not your typical monsters. They are almost always robotic in nature and are controlled by a person referred to as the "kaiju user." The kaiju users are usually people who have been affected by the strange phenomena in some way and are seeking revenge for what has happened to them.
The battles between Gridman and the kaiju are the highlight of each episode. These battles are well choreographed and are a mix of practical effects and CGI. Gridman has a variety of weapons and abilities at his disposal, including a sword, a shield, and the ability to combine with other vehicles to form more powerful forms.
One of the unique aspects of Gridman is the use of the "Assistance Striker" system, which allows Gridman to call upon different assistance strikers to aid him in battle. These strikers are usually small vehicles that transform into weapons or provide additional firepower.
The story of Gridman is engaging and full of twists and turns that keep the viewer invested in the show. The early episodes are mainly focused on introducing the characters and the world, but as the show progresses, it becomes clear that there is a larger plot at play. The mystery surrounding the town and the people in it is slowly unraveled, revealing a darker side to the seemingly peaceful community.
The presentation of Gridman is top-notch, with high production values and excellent cinematography. The show has a distinct visual style that is a mix of traditional tokusatsu and modern CGI. The kaiju designs are unique and well-crafted, and the battles are always entertaining to watch.
Overall, Gridman is a fantastic series that is sure to please fans of tokusatsu and anime alike. The show does a great job of balancing the action and humor with the character development and plot, creating an engaging and memorable viewing experience. If you are a fan of Ultraman or tokusatsu in general, then Gridman is definitely worth checking out.