It was the last Sunday in July.
Although there was no official announcement, viewers knew the show was nearing its end based on the previous episode's plot.
In the last episode, Lena, who was piloting the Snow White, finally let out her suppressed emotions.
"I can't turn back now, so you transform!"
Lena's eyes were filled with tears as she clenched her teeth and said these words to Daiko, her co-pilot.
After Daiko transformed into Tiga and teamed up with Lena to defeat Zoga, they stood facing each other on a green meadow.
"I'm back."
"Welcome back!"
Although these were just simple words, when Lena and Daiko hugged tightly, these eight words felt like the most steadfast and touching love confession in the entire series!
When Daiko's true identity was revealed, the audience had already guessed that the series was coming to an end.
And indeed, as everyone had expected.
This sweet moment did not last long, as the dark ruler would not stop his advance just because of touching love!
After Daiko and Lena defeated a Zoga, more Zoga appeared all over the world.
Additionally, a strange black mist began to cover the sky and the land, forcing people to stay in underground shelters.
Even the TPC's sea base was not spared and was invaded by the black mist.
Faced with a decision, Commander Misato chose to board the Atedis.
At the same time, the dark ruler — Gatangra — appeared on the sea surface!
Thirty million years ago, he used Zigera to destroy the ultra-ancient human civilization, led the Zoga to rule the world, and then slept in an ancient ruin at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, a fierce evil god!
His giant spiral shell, covered with countless black holes, his inverted head, numerous tentacles, and huge pincers instilled fear in the children watching TV.
Facing such a monster, Daiko chose to stay behind. As he did, Captain Misato left him with these words: "When I first saw Ultraman, I thought I met a god, thinking he could guide humanity in the right direction. But later, I realized that Ultraman is both light and human. You don't have the obligation to face an unwinnable enemy..."
"Unwinnable? I don't understand!" Daiko responded to the captain's words.
After watching his girlfriend and the captain leave, Daiko resolutely transformed into Ultraman and flew towards Gatangra.
But Gatangra was indeed the final boss!
His shell provided extremely strong defense, rendering Strong Tiga's attacks ineffective.
Not only was his defense strong, but his offense was overwhelming as well, using his numerous tentacles to suppress Ultraman Tiga completely.
When Tiga's energy was almost exhausted, Gatangra used his pincers and tentacles to immobilize him and then hit Tiga with a purple piercing beam, turning Tiga back into a stone statue.
"There's no hope."
"Everything is over..."
Seeing this, the adults watching TV fell into despair.
Even the audience at home couldn't help but feel their hearts tighten.
"Dad, is Ultraman really dead?" Little Fatty, with tears in his eyes, couldn't believe his idol, Ultraman Tiga, was gone.
His expression was like the hopeless look of someone whose girlfriend just told him, "There's no Ultraman in this world."
Yes, breaking a boy's heart can be that simple.
"How is that possible? He'll definitely revive in the end." Little Fatty's dad waved it off.
Although "Ultraman Tiga" had a deeper theme compared to other hero shows, the formula was similar: Ultraman would revive and defeat the monster in the end.
"But... but..." Little Fatty sobbed, rubbing his eyes as he said something that made his dad's heart skip a beat: "This is the Porter's work!"
"!!!" This made Little Fatty's dad's eyes widen.
He almost forgot.
The Porter is someone who could make a magical girl series so tragic.
It's not impossible for him to let Tiga die in the end!
"Haha, don't worry... He won't... I guess?" By the end of his sentence, even Little Fatty's dad was unsure.
It wasn't just Little Fatty and his dad thinking this way.
During the commercial break, the internet was abuzz with discussions on whether Ultraman Tiga would revive.
"No way the Porter would let Tiga die, right? Who else would defeat the monster in the end?"
"Yeah, exactly."
Some viewers said this, but were quickly countered by others.
"Don't be so sure. Remember 'Madoka Magica'? That series shows how malicious the Porter can be."
"Maybe Tiga will die, and another Ultraman from the Star of Ultra will come to save Earth? We did see other Ultramen appear before."
"Or maybe humans will defeat the monster in the end. This show has emphasized human technology, like the Atedis. Even alien civilizations were wary of this technology."
"Or Tiga might revive but end up sacrificing himself with Gatangra."
After reading these comments, the viewers who were sure Ren wouldn't pull any tricks began to waver.
This did seem like something the Porter would do.
Fortunately, the plot did not disappoint them.
Later, the TPC decided to use Zheng Mu's light gene converter to revive Ultraman Tiga.
But as they thought everything was going smoothly, Gatangra detected their plan. He stirred the sea to stop Tiga's revival, making the plan fail and plunging the world into despair once again.
Viewers collectively exclaimed, "What the...!"
Their hearts clenched.
No way, no way?
The Porter wouldn't really kill Ultraman Tiga, would he?
If he does...
"I'll definitely send him a death threat!"
This was the thought of every viewer in front of their screens.