ONA
Description
Bemular is a central and enigmatic figure in the Ultraman anime, whose role evolves significantly throughout the story. He is initially introduced as a mysterious and powerful adversary, but his true nature and motivations are far more complex than a simple antagonist. His background is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Ultraman itself. Bemular was first seen on video footage twelve years before the main events of the series, an image that triggered Shin Hayata’s lost memories of his time as the original Ultraman. Two years after that incident, Hayata fought and apparently killed Bemular. However, the alien survived, and his activities over the following years included an attempt to prevent Earth from joining a universal community. At some point, Bemular became aware of Shinjiro Hayata, Shin’s son, and the Ultraman Factor within him. He is ultimately revealed to be the original Ultraman from the Land of Light, now inhabiting a reptilian corpse after escaping his home world’s destruction. This recontextualizes all of his prior actions, framing them as part of a hidden mission to protect Earth under a disguised identity.
Bemular’s personality is defined by mystery and a distinct lack of clear alignment. His agenda is initially inscrutable, marked by a stated desire to eliminate the Hayata father and son. Yet, even during his first confrontation with Shinjiro, he appears more interested in the boy's developing Ultraman Factor than in actually killing him. He is capable of great brutality, as shown when he grievously wounds the aging Shin Hayata, but it is later revealed that he was not fighting seriously and could have killed the older man at any time. This suggests a hidden purpose behind his aggression. Despite his menacing demeanor, Bemular demonstrates clear compassion on several occasions. He is willing to save Seiji Hokuto’s life, claiming it is not the first time he has rescued a human. He also warns detective Yosuke Endo about dangers to his daughter, Rena, showing a protective instinct that defies his villainous exterior.
Bemular’s motivations are directly tied to his secret identity and his opposition to the Star Cluster Alliance. His initial attacks on Shinjiro seem designed to push the young man into awakening and mastering his powers, as Bemular later states that a fight is unnecessary once Shinjiro has fully come into his own. He works with and against various factions, at one point collaborating with the antagonist Agent Adad under his organization’s directives while also aiding the protagonists at critical moments. His primary goal becomes clear as the story progresses: to confront the Alien Temperor and the Zetton Core organization, whom he holds responsible for the destruction of the Land of Light. His every action, from his initial appearance to his final battles, is in service of this larger mission.
Bemular’s role in the story is that of a catalyst and a hidden guardian. He serves as the first major opponent for Shinjiro Hayata, forcing the young man to don the Ultraman suit for the first time and begin his journey as a hero. He holds many of the series’ greatest secrets, and his actions drive the plot forward. Key relationships define his journey. His connection to the Hayata family is the most significant: he was once bonded to Shin Hayata as his Ultra host, and he watches over Shinjiro as a sort of half-offspring or protégé. His relationship with Seiji Hokuto is also crucial, as Bemular saved the young man from a plane crash years prior and later brings him to Yapool, giving him a new purpose. Throughout the story, Bemular transitions from a perceived enemy to a reluctant ally, fighting alongside Shinjiro and Shin against common foes like the Star of Darkness.
The character’s development is marked by a profound revelation that changes the audience’s understanding of his entire history. He begins as a seemingly standard villain, but his repeated acts of ambiguous mercy and assistance build a case for a more nuanced identity. The climax of this development occurs when Shin Hayata reveals that Bemular is the original Ultraman. This disclosure transforms his past brutality into calculated tests and his moments of compassion into genuine care. His arc culminates in a final confrontation with Alien Temperor, where he is grievously wounded but survives by having his consciousness transferred into Shinjiro’s original Ultraman Suit Type-A, allowing him to reclaim his identity as Ultraman. This event marks the end of his existence as Bemular and the restoration of his original heroic form.
Notable abilities make Bemular a formidable combatant, even at human size. He possesses superhuman strength, enough to battle both Shin and Shinjiro Hayata on equal terms and to tear up and throw large sections of a stadium. His durability is exceptional, allowing him to survive losing most of his left side in an explosion and later return fully healed, either through regeneration or external technology. He can fire a powerful heat ray from his mouth, as well as red light bullets or lasers from his hands. He is capable of unleashing an energy slash that can cut through building materials and forming a massive energy sphere to throw at enemies. Bemular also possesses his own version of the Spacium Beam, a powerful energy attack. His suit of armor includes a pair of hidden secondary arms on his chest that can be used for stabbing at close range. He is also able to fly under his own power and has demonstrated the use of holographic mimicry for human disguises.
Bemular’s personality is defined by mystery and a distinct lack of clear alignment. His agenda is initially inscrutable, marked by a stated desire to eliminate the Hayata father and son. Yet, even during his first confrontation with Shinjiro, he appears more interested in the boy's developing Ultraman Factor than in actually killing him. He is capable of great brutality, as shown when he grievously wounds the aging Shin Hayata, but it is later revealed that he was not fighting seriously and could have killed the older man at any time. This suggests a hidden purpose behind his aggression. Despite his menacing demeanor, Bemular demonstrates clear compassion on several occasions. He is willing to save Seiji Hokuto’s life, claiming it is not the first time he has rescued a human. He also warns detective Yosuke Endo about dangers to his daughter, Rena, showing a protective instinct that defies his villainous exterior.
Bemular’s motivations are directly tied to his secret identity and his opposition to the Star Cluster Alliance. His initial attacks on Shinjiro seem designed to push the young man into awakening and mastering his powers, as Bemular later states that a fight is unnecessary once Shinjiro has fully come into his own. He works with and against various factions, at one point collaborating with the antagonist Agent Adad under his organization’s directives while also aiding the protagonists at critical moments. His primary goal becomes clear as the story progresses: to confront the Alien Temperor and the Zetton Core organization, whom he holds responsible for the destruction of the Land of Light. His every action, from his initial appearance to his final battles, is in service of this larger mission.
Bemular’s role in the story is that of a catalyst and a hidden guardian. He serves as the first major opponent for Shinjiro Hayata, forcing the young man to don the Ultraman suit for the first time and begin his journey as a hero. He holds many of the series’ greatest secrets, and his actions drive the plot forward. Key relationships define his journey. His connection to the Hayata family is the most significant: he was once bonded to Shin Hayata as his Ultra host, and he watches over Shinjiro as a sort of half-offspring or protégé. His relationship with Seiji Hokuto is also crucial, as Bemular saved the young man from a plane crash years prior and later brings him to Yapool, giving him a new purpose. Throughout the story, Bemular transitions from a perceived enemy to a reluctant ally, fighting alongside Shinjiro and Shin against common foes like the Star of Darkness.
The character’s development is marked by a profound revelation that changes the audience’s understanding of his entire history. He begins as a seemingly standard villain, but his repeated acts of ambiguous mercy and assistance build a case for a more nuanced identity. The climax of this development occurs when Shin Hayata reveals that Bemular is the original Ultraman. This disclosure transforms his past brutality into calculated tests and his moments of compassion into genuine care. His arc culminates in a final confrontation with Alien Temperor, where he is grievously wounded but survives by having his consciousness transferred into Shinjiro’s original Ultraman Suit Type-A, allowing him to reclaim his identity as Ultraman. This event marks the end of his existence as Bemular and the restoration of his original heroic form.
Notable abilities make Bemular a formidable combatant, even at human size. He possesses superhuman strength, enough to battle both Shin and Shinjiro Hayata on equal terms and to tear up and throw large sections of a stadium. His durability is exceptional, allowing him to survive losing most of his left side in an explosion and later return fully healed, either through regeneration or external technology. He can fire a powerful heat ray from his mouth, as well as red light bullets or lasers from his hands. He is capable of unleashing an energy slash that can cut through building materials and forming a massive energy sphere to throw at enemies. Bemular also possesses his own version of the Spacium Beam, a powerful energy attack. His suit of armor includes a pair of hidden secondary arms on his chest that can be used for stabbing at close range. He is also able to fly under his own power and has demonstrated the use of holographic mimicry for human disguises.