ONA
Description
Bemular is an enigmatic and central figure in the Ultraman anime, whose role evolves from a terrifying initial antagonist into a complex being with deep connections to the story's central mysteries. Standing at 2.19 meters tall, Bemular is a humanoid alien encased in what appears to be advanced, form-fitting armor. His design includes a grill-like mouthpiece, bright blue eyes, a small tail, and a core on his chest that resembles a Color Timer. He possesses a set of smaller, secondary arms tucked away on his torso, which he can use for stabbing at close range. His true nature is hidden beneath this mechanical exterior, as his armor conceals a reptilian creature with sharp fangs.
Bemular's background is shrouded in mystery for much of the series, revealed in fragments. An image of him appears on a video recording of a plane incident twelve years before the main story, an event that triggers Shin Hayata's lost memories of his time as Ultraman. Years prior to the series, Shin Hayata fought and seemingly killed Bemular, but the alien survived. At some point, Bemular saved a young, wounded Seiji Hokuto, bringing him to the alien Yapool, who became a sort of adoptive family. His origins are ultimately tied to the legacy of Ultraman himself. It is revealed that Bemular is the consciousness of the original Ultraman from the Land of Light, now inhabiting a reptilian corpse. He adopted this form after escaping the destruction of his home world, a catastrophe orchestrated by the organization known as Zetton Core.
Bemular's personality is as layered as his history. Initially, his agenda appears simple: he stalks and attacks Shinjiro Hayata, declaring that his kind of power should not exist on Earth. He fights brutally, easily overpowering the aging Shin Hayata and showing little mercy. However, his actions are soon shown to be more complex. Shin Hayata later notes that Bemular was not serious during their fight and could have killed him at any time, casting doubt on his murderous intent. Bemular demonstrates a capacity for compassion, most notably when he saves Seiji Hokuto's life not once, but twice, claiming it was not the first time he had saved a human. He also shows a deep, almost paternal interest in Shinjiro's development, watching his battles and commenting on his progress. His dialogue is often cryptic, mocking, or chastising, but it consistently pushes other characters toward a greater understanding of their world. He is motivated by a secret, long-term strategy to protect Earth from powerful interstellar forces like the Star Cluster Alliance and Zetton Core, even if it means playing the role of a villain.
Bemular's role in the story is multifaceted and crucial. He serves as Shinjiro's first major opponent, forcing the young man to awaken his powers and don the Ultraman Suit for the first time. Throughout the series, he acts as a balancing force, sometimes working with the antagonists, such as when his organization sends him to assist Agent Adad, and other times aiding the protagonists. He warns Detective Endo that his daughter Rena is in danger and later saves Yuko Minami from Ace Killer. In the climactic battle against the Star of Darkness in New York, he fights alongside Shinjiro and Shin Hayata, combining his Spacium Beam with theirs to destroy the enemy leader, Alien Pedan. His key relationships are defined by these shifting alliances. His connection to Shin Hayata is that of a former host and a long-time nemesis. With Shinjiro, he is a tormentor, a watcher, and ultimately a reluctant ally who helps catalyze the young man's growth. His actions of saving Seiji Hokuto tie him to that character's arc, and his warnings to Endo link him to the detective's investigation.
Throughout the series, Bemular undergoes significant development, primarily through revelation rather than a change in his core nature. He begins as a terrifying, seemingly one-dimensional villain, but his character deepens as his true intentions become ambiguous. He is revealed to be a being of compassion and strategic foresight, working against greater threats while appearing to be an enemy. The most significant development is the final revelation of his true identity as the original Ultraman, a hero who has sacrificed his original form to continue his mission of protecting Earth in secret. This recontextualizes every one of his previous actions, transforming him from a mysterious foe into a tragic, long-suffering guardian. After this reveal, his arc culminates in a confrontation with Alien Temperor, the leader of Zetton Core, where his reptilian body is severely damaged. His consciousness is then transferred into Shinjiro's original Ultraman Suit Type-A, allowing him to reclaim his identity as Ultraman and fight openly once more.
Bemular possesses a formidable array of abilities that make him a powerful combatant. His physical strength is immense, allowing him to battle both Shin and Shinjiro Hayata on equal terms, lift and throw large portions of a stadium, and drive his hand through an opponent's torso. He has incredible durability and endurance, surviving a direct Spacium Beam that blows off his left arm and later appearing fully healed. His energy-based attacks include a Heat Ray fired from his mouth, red lasers or light bullets from his hands, an Energy Slash that can cut through objects, and a massive Energy Sphere. He also wields his own version of the Spacium Beam, powerful enough to destroy a spaceship in a single blast. Bemular can fly under his own power and has shown the ability to regenerate from severe injuries or have them repaired by outside technology.
Bemular's background is shrouded in mystery for much of the series, revealed in fragments. An image of him appears on a video recording of a plane incident twelve years before the main story, an event that triggers Shin Hayata's lost memories of his time as Ultraman. Years prior to the series, Shin Hayata fought and seemingly killed Bemular, but the alien survived. At some point, Bemular saved a young, wounded Seiji Hokuto, bringing him to the alien Yapool, who became a sort of adoptive family. His origins are ultimately tied to the legacy of Ultraman himself. It is revealed that Bemular is the consciousness of the original Ultraman from the Land of Light, now inhabiting a reptilian corpse. He adopted this form after escaping the destruction of his home world, a catastrophe orchestrated by the organization known as Zetton Core.
Bemular's personality is as layered as his history. Initially, his agenda appears simple: he stalks and attacks Shinjiro Hayata, declaring that his kind of power should not exist on Earth. He fights brutally, easily overpowering the aging Shin Hayata and showing little mercy. However, his actions are soon shown to be more complex. Shin Hayata later notes that Bemular was not serious during their fight and could have killed him at any time, casting doubt on his murderous intent. Bemular demonstrates a capacity for compassion, most notably when he saves Seiji Hokuto's life not once, but twice, claiming it was not the first time he had saved a human. He also shows a deep, almost paternal interest in Shinjiro's development, watching his battles and commenting on his progress. His dialogue is often cryptic, mocking, or chastising, but it consistently pushes other characters toward a greater understanding of their world. He is motivated by a secret, long-term strategy to protect Earth from powerful interstellar forces like the Star Cluster Alliance and Zetton Core, even if it means playing the role of a villain.
Bemular's role in the story is multifaceted and crucial. He serves as Shinjiro's first major opponent, forcing the young man to awaken his powers and don the Ultraman Suit for the first time. Throughout the series, he acts as a balancing force, sometimes working with the antagonists, such as when his organization sends him to assist Agent Adad, and other times aiding the protagonists. He warns Detective Endo that his daughter Rena is in danger and later saves Yuko Minami from Ace Killer. In the climactic battle against the Star of Darkness in New York, he fights alongside Shinjiro and Shin Hayata, combining his Spacium Beam with theirs to destroy the enemy leader, Alien Pedan. His key relationships are defined by these shifting alliances. His connection to Shin Hayata is that of a former host and a long-time nemesis. With Shinjiro, he is a tormentor, a watcher, and ultimately a reluctant ally who helps catalyze the young man's growth. His actions of saving Seiji Hokuto tie him to that character's arc, and his warnings to Endo link him to the detective's investigation.
Throughout the series, Bemular undergoes significant development, primarily through revelation rather than a change in his core nature. He begins as a terrifying, seemingly one-dimensional villain, but his character deepens as his true intentions become ambiguous. He is revealed to be a being of compassion and strategic foresight, working against greater threats while appearing to be an enemy. The most significant development is the final revelation of his true identity as the original Ultraman, a hero who has sacrificed his original form to continue his mission of protecting Earth in secret. This recontextualizes every one of his previous actions, transforming him from a mysterious foe into a tragic, long-suffering guardian. After this reveal, his arc culminates in a confrontation with Alien Temperor, the leader of Zetton Core, where his reptilian body is severely damaged. His consciousness is then transferred into Shinjiro's original Ultraman Suit Type-A, allowing him to reclaim his identity as Ultraman and fight openly once more.
Bemular possesses a formidable array of abilities that make him a powerful combatant. His physical strength is immense, allowing him to battle both Shin and Shinjiro Hayata on equal terms, lift and throw large portions of a stadium, and drive his hand through an opponent's torso. He has incredible durability and endurance, surviving a direct Spacium Beam that blows off his left arm and later appearing fully healed. His energy-based attacks include a Heat Ray fired from his mouth, red lasers or light bullets from his hands, an Energy Slash that can cut through objects, and a massive Energy Sphere. He also wields his own version of the Spacium Beam, powerful enough to destroy a spaceship in a single blast. Bemular can fly under his own power and has shown the ability to regenerate from severe injuries or have them repaired by outside technology.