Shinjiro Hayata, known as Jiro, is the son of Shin Hayata, former host of the original Ultraman. He possesses inherited superhuman strength, durability, and enhanced physical traits due to residual "Ultraman Factor" from his father's merger with the Giant of Light. These abilities manifested early, evidenced by his survival of a multi-story fall at the Giant of Light Memorial with only minor injuries. Initially viewing his powers as a curse, Shinjiro struggled with control. An incident where he accidentally broke a bully's leg while defending Rena Sayama intensified his insecurity and fear. His relationship with his father Shin grew strained over time, partly due to secrecy about their past. This changed when Shin intervened during an attack by the alien Bemular, revealing his identity as the original Ultraman and gifting Shinjiro an advanced SSSP-developed powered armor suit. The suit channels Shinjiro's innate Specium energy, enabling him to fight as a new Ultraman. Guided by Mitsuhiro Ide and SSSP veteran Dan Moroboshi on early missions, Shinjiro's approach prioritized non-lethal resolutions and empathy towards hostile aliens, contrasting sharply with Moroboshi's lethal methods and earning criticism for perceived naivety. His philosophy faced tests: rage triggered by the cruelty of the corpse-feeding alien Adacic led him to release his suit's limiters and obliterate the foe, yet he spared Alien Robuton after it disguised itself as Rena, insisting on arrest. His resolve solidified during a fight with Black King, where he awakened flight capabilities to save a child and decapitated the monster to protect civilians. Personal relationships shaped his development. Rena Sayama, initially resentful towards Ultraman due to her mother's death in a past kaiju attack, gradually bonded with Shinjiro; her discovery of his identity heightened his fears of endangering loved ones. His dynamic with classmate Seiji Hokuto, who uncovered his secret and later became host to Ultraman Ace, introduced tensions of trust and rivalry. Shinjiro's loyalty to his father deepened after learning Shin had battled Bemular for years to protect him. A pivotal conflict arose when Star Cluster Alliance agent Mephisto framed Shinjiro for terrorism, causing public distrust and leading to Shin Hayata's murder. Grief-stricken and ostracized, Shinjiro embarked on a journey of self-discovery, interacting with ordinary citizens who reaffirmed his belief in compassion. This culminated in a battle against Edo, an entity seeking to suppress humanity's free will. Drawing strength from restored public faith, Shinjiro defeated Edo, transcending reliance on the suit to embody Ultraman's ideals: tolerance, protection, and hope. His acceptance of the Ultra Mantle symbolized his transition from a suit-dependent warrior to a true Giant of Light. Shinjiro evolved from an uncertain youth burdened by power to a guardian embracing his role through conviction. His story underscores themes of legacy, the weight of heroism, and the belief that humanity's virtues define Ultraman more than extraterrestrial origins.