Dr. Iwamoto(岩本博士, Iwamoto Hakase) is a supporting character in Ultraman. He is the Chief Scientist at the Gotenyama Mountain Science Center, responsible for developing new weapons for the SSSP.
Dr. Iwamoto is a scientist responsible for developing new weapons for the SSSP and serves as a key member of the organization. He is not only the designer of the team's primary mech, the "Jet VTOL," but also developed several high-performance spacecraft. Throughout the series, he is portrayed as a calm and knowledgeable figure, making significant contributions to the SSSP's missions. His ability to respect the opinions of his teammates and offer logical reasoning based on their suggestions has proven vital in formulating effective strategies against kaiju threats. In his interactions with SSSP members, he uses formal language and always carries the SSSP insignia for communication.
As a cautious and rational character, Dr. Iwamoto frequently participates in scientific investigations and uses forensic evidence to trace the causes of abnormal phenomena. During an investigation into the mysterious asphyxiation deaths of a geologist and a newspaper reporter in different locations in Tokyo, Iwamoto detected traces of mucus and radioactive chlorophyll at the scene, though he refrained from immediately concluding whether the culprit was an animal or a plant.
When Greenmons suddenly appeared, SSSP used a super gun to attack it, eventually driving it away. However, Dr. Iwamoto speculated that the plant had not been fully eradicated and might have grown stronger due to exposure to the super gun's rays. This led the SSSP to Maruouchi to confront Greenmons once again.Secret of the Miloganda
During a scientific expedition, a research team discovered a remarkably well-preserved mummy and a giant mural believed to be around 7,000 years old in a cave in Oniwa Hills. The mummy was temporarily stored at the Science Center, where Dr. Iwamoto conducted an examination. However, after the "Mummy Man" escaped through a sewer entrance, Dr. Iwamoto revised his initial conclusion, stating that the mummy was actually in a state of hibernation. He requested the SSSP to capture it alive during their retrieval mission.
After the conclusion of the Dodongo incident, Muramatsu expressed guilt and apologized to Dr. Iwamoto for failing to capture the mummy alive, and for the damage Dodongo's rampage had caused to human cities. However, Dr. Iwamoto did not hold the SSSP responsible. Instead, he sincerely stated that while the 7,000-year-old mystery of the mummy's life remained unsolved, it was clear that the mummy had an extraordinary connection to Dodongo. He further remarked that if he had known about this connection earlier, he would not have interfered with their slumber.Cry of the Mummy
During humanity's first space race to explore Venus, Dr. Iwamoto was also developing a rocket called the "Phoenix." However, Dr. Mori's "Big Bird" rocket was launched first, causing Dr. Iwamoto to lose the opportunity to be the first in history, much to Hoshino's dismay.
At the same time, journalists visited Dr. Iwamoto's laboratory for an interview. Dr. Iwamoto explained to the reporters that his delay in comparison to Dr. Mōri was not merely a matter of competition. He had been focused on developing a rocket that was absolutely safe. He stated that he would not stop development until he could guarantee 100% safety. On the other hand, Dr. Mōri chose to take on some risk and personally piloted the rocket. Dr. Iwamoto did not see this as a matter of right or wrong but rather a difference in approaches. This perspective was highly praised by Captain Muramatsu, who considered Dr. Iwamoto a model of scientific courage.
Later, Alien Baltan II used a spherical spacecraft to dock with the Big Bird rocket and took control of Dr. Mori. In order to save the Big Bird, the SSSP requested that Dr. Iwamoto launch his Phoenix rocket. However, the Phoenix was not equipped with any weaponry. Dr. Iwamoto then suggested installing a rocket engine on the SSSP's Jet VTOL. This allowed the SSSP to launch an immediate rescue mission for the Big Bird.Science Patrol Into Space
When a satellite observed a fleet of mysterious saucers approaching Earth, the SSSP branches around the world activated their defense systems in preparation for the unknown enemy's attack. Dr. Iwamoto speculated that these saucers, which had been sighted on Earth since the 1930s, were likely part of an alien reconnaissance mission. The invasion by alien eventually commenced.
When the Paris headquarters ordered the SSSP Japan branch to intercept the enemy, Dr. Iwamoto realized he had forgotten to hand over the newly completed weapon from the previous day. He decided to retrieve it himself. However, on his way to collect the weapon, he was attacked by an unknown assailant and subsequently imprisoned within the headquarters. Meanwhile, an imposter posing as Dr. Iwamoto proceeded to the command center, attacked Fuji, and destroyed all the office equipment.
Upon returning to the base, the SSSP discovered that their facility had been sabotaged. When Arashi learned from the rescued Fuji that the culprit was Dr. Iwamoto, he encountered a suspicious individual posing as Dr. Iwamoto. It was revealed that this imposter was actually Alien Zetton. After Hayata launched Marus 133 to attack Alien Zetton, the alien summoned Zetton from the saucer and began to destroy the SSSP headquarters.
Dr. Iwamoto regained consciousness and found himself trapped in the burning base. Hayata and Arashi went to rescue him, but Zetton attempted to destroy the base. As a result, Hayata transformed into Ultraman to combat Zetton. However, Ultraman was defeated in battle due to Zetton's overwhelming power. Just when everything seemed lost, Dr. Iwamoto entrusted a newly developed weapon, the "Pencil Bomb," to Ide and Arashi. The two worked together to launch the Pencil Bomb at Zetton. The bomb detonated upon impact, causing Zetton to float in the air. Humanity achieved victory with their own efforts.
When Zoffy appeared, Dr. Iwamoto recognized his true identity and referred to him as "the emissary of the Land of Light." Ultimately, Dr. Iwamoto and the other SSSP members bid farewell to Ultraman and Zoffy as they returned to the Land of Light.Farewell, Ultraman
Other Media
ULTRAMAN manga
Although the original Dr. Iwamoto did not make an appearance in the manga, he was revealed to be the grandfather of a girl who shared high intelligence with her grandfather while inheriting the former's title.
She greeted the Leo Brothers in a facility in Antarctica known as the "Monster Graveyard," which served as the Star Cluster Alliance's dumping ground for the monsters they exterminated for Earthling to join them.
Gallery
Ultraman
Fake Dr Iwamoto attacks SSSP headquarters
Trivia
His actor Akihiko Hirata is known for previously portraying Dr. Daisuke Serizawa in Godzilla.
Hirata would also later appear in Ultraseven as a high ranking TDF officer.
In episode 5's script, Dr. Iwamoto is explicitly identified as a "botanist." However, this characterization gradually diminishes in the subsequent episodes.
According to the final draft of the Ultraman script, Dr. Iwamoto was originally intended to appear throughout a total of 12 episodes. Due to scheduling conflicts with actor Akihiko Hirata, the production team had to arrange for stand-ins or replace the character with others in the related scenes.
In episode 36 "Don't Shoot, Arashi!", Dr. Iwamoto was portrayed by a stand-in actor, Bin Moritsuka. Some sources refer to this version of Dr. Iwamoto as either another character with the same surname or simply as the "Unnamed Scientist from the Science Center."[1]
Episode 33: Dr. Yamamoto (ヤマモト博士, Yamamoto Hakase) (played by Hisaya Ito)The Forbidden Words
In episode 22, the character's name was not explicitly given in the script. However, since the actor was Fukuda, who had previously portrayed Dr. Fukuyama in episode 19, this character is generally interpreted as Dr. Fukuyama. Furthermore, in revised drafts, the character in episode 11 was changed to Dr. Yamamoto, and the character in episode 24 was updated to Dr. Yamakawa. Despite these changes, the character lists and stage directions in the script continued to refer to these characters as Dr. Iwamoto.
Dr. Yamamoto
Dr. Morita
Dr. Fukuyama
Dr. Yamakawa
Dr. Yamamoto
In the game Ultra Strategy, Mobilization of the Science Patrol!, Dr. Iwamoto is depicted as having succeeded the retired Dr. Ichinotani as the advisor to the SSSP during the team's initial mission period.
References
↑Ultraman Pictorial Volume 1: Thirty-five years of the Warrior of Light pg 34 and 203
