Arstron

Arstron^[1] (アーストロン, Āsutoron) is a dinosaur-like Kaiju that debuted in episode 1 of Return of Ultraman. It was the first monster to be fought and defeated by Ultraman Jack. While the original died, other members of its species have risen in later years.

Subtitle: Violent Monster (凶暴怪獣, Kyōbō Kaijū)

History

Return of Ultraman

Arstron first appeared mysteriously in a mountainous region without warning or origin, attacking a nearby village and setting fire to the homes with his Magma Ray. MAT arrived shortly after the monster arose, attacking the beast with their cannon fire but to no avail. Arstron continued destroying the village. Hideki Go, the host of the newest Ultraman came to the scene, guided by Ultraman Jack's conscience came to the village to help some people who were trapped in the debris caused by Arstron's rampage, before unknowingly transforming into the new Ultraman Jack by sheer willpower. Jack quickly turned to face Arstron and the two fought, taking their battle from the ruined village to a nearby valley (presumably the same one Arstron emerged from). However, Jack's Color Timer was start to blink cause his strength to deplete and Arstron to gain an advantage, but Jack continued to fight back and eventually hit Arstron with a Spacium Beam, causing Arstron to tumble back into a crater and explode into blue flames. ^{All Monsters Attack}

Trivia

• Designer: Noriyoshi Ikeya
• Suit actor: Takanobu Toya
  • Arstron was originally portrayed by a young suit actor but when a new suit of Ultraman Jack was made, the fight scene needed to be redone. Instead of hiring that same young actor, Takanobu was chosen because the former was very frail in terms of movement.
• Arstron's roars are drawn from Guyros, which in turn are taken from the Daiei monster, Gyaos.
• Arstron resembles Godzilla in design. This is possibly due to the fact that Arstron was designed by Nobuyuki Yasumaru, an art director who worked at Toho Co. Ltd and designed some of the Godzilla suits and Gomess.
• Arstron's suit would be used for Ghostron. The 2016 magazine "Ultraman Super Analysis" Great Monster Battle History! acknowledges the two monsters as brothers, with Arstron as the older of the two.
• Arstron appears in the opening to the series, Ultraman Ace, as one of the many silhouettes of monsters.
• Originally, Jack was to lose to Arstron, leading Hideki to train before they fought again, leading to Jack's success.
• Several elements reminiscent of Gomess were added to the suit in the first prototype, these were later removed before filming, but some photos of this version of the suit were released in magazines and even a vinyl figure.
• In April 2020, a copy of Pokémon Blue's source code was leaked onto the internet. One of the files contained was a list of index names for the default cries. Cry number 00 (which goes unused in the final game) was given the name "earthtron". Playing the cry reveals it to be a recreation of Arstron's roar.

The☆Ultraman

The first monster in the Babaloneon Empire, Arstron emerged from the ground and almost engaged Ghostron in battle. As the Science Guard Party watched on in awe, yet another beast, Gokinezura, joined the three in a titanic three-way battle royal. As the three monsters were locked in mortal combat, Aboras and Banila emerged as well and battled elsewhere on the island. With five monsters running wild, the Science Guard Party began to blanket the entire island with bombs in hopes of killing them all off, however the Babaloneon Empire fought back as well, downing their jet in between Arstron and Ghostron. Arstron was quick to respond to the Science Guard Party's presence and quickly destroyed what remained of their ship. The Science Guard Party however was not without its own defenses and was able to destroy Arstron after firing at rocket at the monster. ^{The Flying Monster Island!}

Trivia

• Like the majority of returning monsters in the series, Arstron does not possess his original roar.

Ultraman Mebius

Arstron's origin was not explicitly detailed, and his attack was as sudden as before, targeting GUYS's headquarters at a test site. This time, however, his actions were influenced by a Kelbim, who used diverted frequency waves—originally intended to control Marquette Monsters—to manipulate Arstron in a rather comical manner. Ultraman Mebius arrived to combat Arstron and initially had the upper hand. However, the situation changed when Kelbim intervened, and the two monsters teamed up against him.

GUYS soon discovered Kelbim's control over Arstron and managed to destroy the frequency waves responsible for the manipulation, thereby breaking Kelbim's control. Once freed from Kelbim's influence, Arstron attacked the alien monster when provoked. Ultimately, both monsters were defeated by Ultraman Mebius, who used his Mebium Knight Blade to decapitate Arstron.^{Connecting Message}

Trivia

• In addition to his original roar, Arstron also has some new sounds mixed in his roars.

Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle

On Planet Boris, Arstron appeared out of nowhere and attacked a Kelbim in the area (possibly referencing their relationship in Mebius). It seemed that Kelbim had won when it hit Arstron with several fireballs causing Arstron to collapse, but Arstron had feigned his defeat, ambushing the other Kaiju by tearing off his "ears" and killing it with his Magma Ray. Shortly after his victory, Arstron was dragged underwater where he was forced to do battle against an Eleking, where he was not so lucky, being electrocuted to death by Eleking's tail. ^{The Underwater King}

Arstron also appeared in a Karen Mikura's flashback in a battle against a Red King. ^Ultraman

Trivia

• The Arstron suit from Ultraman Mebius was reused for Arstron's appearance in the series.
• Arstron's battle with Kelbim was likely a reference to their relationship in Ultraman Mebius.
• During the opening credits to the series, Arstron is seen battling Bemstar, even though neither monster fought or met each other in the series.
• Arston's battles against Kelbim and Eleking were referenced by the Spark Dolls Troupe in New Ultraman Retsuden episode 16.

Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey

An Arstron belonged to a Reionics Alien Zelan on Planet Hammer. Both he and his master were seen briefly in battle but were killed by their opponents: a Galberos who belonged to an Alien Nackle. ^{Great Frenzy! Reionic Burst}

Trivia

• The Arstron suit from Ultraman Mebius was reused for Arstron's appearance in the series.
• During the opening credits to the series, Arstron is seen battling Gomess, even though neither monster fought or met each other in the series. Ironically, both monsters are based on Godzilla.

Mega Monster Battle Ultra Galaxy: The Movie

Arstron was one of Ultraman Belial's 100 Monster Army. He was first seen reacting to the Plasma Spark as a spirit along with Roberuga II, Fire Golza, King Pandon, Alien Metron, and Gudon in a shot of the Monster Graveyard. He teamed up with Zoa Muruchi, Telesdon, Alien Temperor, and Alien Hipporit to take on Gomora. When Reimon and Gomora went berserk due to Belial's actions, Arston was called back along with the other surving monsters to watch Gomora take on the Ultras. When Ultraman Zero arrived, Arston teamed up with the rest of the remaining monsters to take Zero down. He was the first monster to be killed by Ultraman Zero's Zero Sluggers followed by King Pandon, Verokron, Sadola, and Alien Hipporit. ^{Mega Monster Battle Ultra Galaxy: The Movie}

Trivia

• The Arstron suit from Ultraman Mebius was reused for Arstron's appearance in the film.
• Arstron is one of the monsters that makes up Belyudra's left arm.

Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Adventure

50 years after the incident on Planet Hammer, Arstron was one of the many monsters summoned to Earth by Bullton. It rampaged on Tokyo alongside Mons-Ahgar, Telesdon, Gazort and Dorako and was absorbed into Deathfacer by Alien Reiblood.

Another Arstron was one of the many monsters seen on Planet Boris during Io Mikura's arrival to the past. It was one of the many casualties of the planet's destruction when its artificial sun fell to the surface.

Ultraman Saga

In the Tokyo of the Future Earth World, Arstron (as well as Gomess (S) and Gubila) was one of the monsters revived by Alien Bat to serve him. It attacked Team U during their raid on an abandoned store for groceries. Despite Team U's efforts with their U Loaders, Arstron shrugged off their assault and continued on his rampage. Shortly after Team U was beaten, Ultraman Dyna appeared and quickly defeated Arstron, hurling him into the air (by spinning him around by his tail) and destroying him with the Solgent Beam. ^{Ultraman Saga}

Trivia

• The Arstron suit from Ultraman Mebius was reused for Arstron's appearance in the film with a new head constructed.
• Arstron's Spark Doll can be seen in Ultraman Ginga Theater Special: Ultra Monster ☆ Hero Battle Royale!.
• According to several earlier released trailers of the film, Ultraman Dyna and Arstron's fight was to last longer (scenes in while Dyna is seen punching and kneeling Arstron in the face are present within these trailers), but were later cut from the film for unknown reasons.
• Arstron's death is very similar to that of Zetton II from the final episode of Return of Ultraman, the same episode that Alien Bat first appeared in.
• Originally, Gabora was meant to be the prologue Kaiju in Arstron's position, but was later switched to latter.

Ultraman Ginga

Arstron's Spark Doll was seen in Dark Lugiel's collection alongside Neronga, Dada, Reicubas, Verokron, Mochiron and many others.

Ultraman Orb THE ORIGIN SAGA

When Shinra visited Psychi on Planet Zain, the mad doctor showed off the power of Kugutsu by having a Bezelb infect an Arstron, turning it into Kugutsu Arstron (クグツアーストロン, Kugutsu Āsutoron), as well as a King Guesra. Psychi commanded the two to fight, with Arstron winning after slamming Guesra into the ground, its victory increasing its Kugutsu and strengthening the Queen Bezelb. ^{Glittering Star}

During the final battle on Earth, Arstron, along with Vakishim and two Bezelbs, teamed up with Psyqueen to destroy the new Tree of Life. However, Orb, Dyna, Gaia, Agul, and Cosmos appeared to try and stop them. While Orb tried helping an infected Amate, Gaia and Agul battled Psyqueen, Cosmos fought Vakishim, and Dyna fought Arstron. In the end, Arstron, along with Amate and Vakishim, were cured when Cosmos fed them seeds from the Tree of Life, and the Kaiju and Terrible-Monster were sent somewhere far from civilization to live in peace. ^{Great Land ~A New World~}

Trivia

• The Arstron suit from Ultraman Saga was reused for Arstron's appearance in the series. However, the suit was given red veins after the Bezelb stung it.
• This marks the first time Arstron doesn't die.

Ultraman Geed

Arstron emerged from underground and appeared in a city to search for a Little Star, which just so happened to be hosted by Moko, who was in a pet carrier being carried by Moa Aizaki. Before Arstron could crush Moa, Riku came rushing over to save her and transformed into Ultraman Geed and knocked the monster away with a flying kick.

As their fight began, Arstron struck at Geed with his tail only for the latter to dodge it in time. The Ultra then held him by the head and delivered a few sharp blows to him until Arstron figured out the Little Star's location and left, even going as far as to swat the Ultra away effortlessly. But still, Geed prevented the monster from obtaining it and kept up the fight. After kicking him away, Geed attempted to blow up Arstron with his Wrecking Burst, but Pega stopped him as RE.M. told Geed that they were close to some explosive tanks that would explode if he destroyed Arstron there.

With Geed in a bind, the Kaiju took the advantage and attacked the Ultra with a Magma Beam. Afterwards, Moko gave up his Little Star, which took the form of the Ultra Capsule of Ultraman Cosmos and with that, plus the Ultra Capsule of Ultraman Hikari, Geed transformed into his new form, Acro Smasher. Afterwards, he used his Atmos Impact technique to push Arstron away from the tanks, preventing a city-wide explosion. He then jumped over him and taunted him to come closer and when Arstron charged at him, Geed slashed at the kaiju's horn with his Smash Beam Blade, dodged his Magma Beam, and finally used his Smash Moon Healing to calm the kaiju. No longer wanting to fight, Arstron dug back underground in peace. ^Partners

Trivia

• Suit actor: Kazunori Yokoo
• The Arstron suit from Ultraman Saga was reused for Arstron's appearance in the series.
• This is the second time Arstron is not killed, the first being Ultraman Orb THE ORIGIN SAGA.

Ultraman Z

At some point, Arstron was contained by the GAF, but was targeted and then absorbed by Celebro in the mech, Ultroid Zero, its DNA merged with several other kaiju to create Destrudos. Arstron's cranial horn was what was manifested from the kaiju's DNA. ^{The Game to Extinction}

Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga

Arstron, along with Telesdon, Pagos, and Gomora, were awoken from their slumber when the Eternity Core became unstable after Carmeara used its power to transform into Megalothor. ^{The Ruler of Shadows}

Data

Other Media

Redman

Arstron first appeared in episode 3 where he appears on a hill and kicks a fallen tree to trip Redman but he jumps over it. Arstron tries to get away, but Redman chased him up the hill to a large field to fight. After a bit of battling, Redman threw the Red Knife, killing Arstron in a small explosion.

In episode 4, Arstron was tricked by Redman's teleportation and was killed with his Red Chop.

Arston reappears in episode 52 where he fights Redman right from the start. They kept the fight evenly matched against each other but eventually the hero kills the monster by jumping to the top of a mountain, where they started their fight, and landing a Red Kick to the face.

In episode 55, Arston fights Redman alone right from the start where they roll down a hill and have a go at grappling techniques at each other but Artson eventually lost to a final judo throw to the ground. Soon after that, Alien Mysteler would appear to fight him, but would eventually lose.

Arstron's final appearance in Redman was in episode 56, where he, along with Alien Mysteler, teamed up once again, this time with Sartan, to take down Redman. Even though they had the team advantage, Redman still didn't lose hope, and eventually, Arstron was killed with a Red Knife to the torso, with Sartan and Mysteler following afterwards. ^Redman

Trivia

• Unlike the majority of monsters in the series, Arstron's suit was not re-used from the Return of Ultraman series. Instead, it was reused from the Arstron suit that was used during stage shows and attractions.
• In this series, Arstron has a reused Dustpan roar.

Redman Comic

Arstron appears in the first issue, scaring a local herd of Redmon and fighting the titular hero. ^Redman

Trivia

• Given Matt Frank's redesign, the Arstron in the comic has a more pear shape, with larger hips and a smaller upper body.

References

1. ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/encyclopedia/arstron