Ultraman Gaia had only aired two episodes, but it was already a massive hit.
Fans buzzed about the "Earth-Shaker" and Gaia's intense landings, which left trails of destruction in their wake. Many even created parody videos, inserting themselves into scenes with Gaia, shouting things like, "What exactly are you protecting?"
"Interesting," Daniel chuckled as he scrolled through some of the videos online.
From what he had seen so far, the real devastation in the show didn't come from the monsters—oddly enough, Gaia caused more destruction with his dramatic landings.
"Wait, isn't the next episode airing soon?"
Realizing the time, Daniel quickly plopped down on his couch, turned on the TV, and tuned in to Ultraman Gaia.
The episode began with Gaia's opening theme song, which Daniel hummed along to.
The initial scenes followed the protagonist, Gamu Takayama, joining the Lightning Team. It felt more like a slice-of-life moment, with Gamu occasionally dropping complex scientific terms that made viewers feel like the show was steeped in hard science fiction.
But the real action started soon after.
A new monster, known as Apatee, entered Earth's atmosphere in flight mode. It broke through the European Guard alert system and was intercepted by fighter jets over a Middle Eastern desert. The jets managed to bring it down, and the creature crash-landed on the ground.
"No way it's that simple," Daniel muttered, checking the time. The episode had barely reached the halfway mark, and Gaia hadn't appeared yet. Clearly, this monster had more tricks up its sleeve.
Daniel guessed that Apatee might absorb sand or rocks, like the monsters in Ultraman Dyna. But the show surprised him. Instead of merging with the environment, Apatee transformed into a humanoid form resembling Gaia himself.
"It's here! Earth-Shaker!"
With the monster taking on a humanoid form, Gamu transformed into Gaia, making his signature explosive entrance. The dust clouds and ground-shaking impact were as dramatic as ever.
But despite its Gaia-like appearance, the monster struggled against the real Gaia. Though armed with a sword-like weapon and appearing to favor melee combat, Apatee proved to be more of a strategist than a brawler.
Realizing it couldn't overpower Gaia directly, Apatee began employing cunning, unpredictable attacks. Slowly but surely, Gaia began to tire, and the familiar red warning light on his chest started flashing.
"You're done for!" Daniel muttered with a grin.
As every Ultraman fan knows, the flashing red light doesn't signify imminent defeat—instead, it's a signal that the monster's time is up.
Sure enough, Gaia seized an opening. Striking a dramatic pose, he channeled photon energy into his hands, forming a glowing "antenna" atop his head. With a swift motion, the energy beam was unleashed.
"Even though I always know the monster's going to get obliterated, seeing Ultraman fire his signature beam attack never gets old," Daniel said with a satisfied smile.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Just as Gaia seemed victorious, the ground suddenly erupted. Apatee, having hidden itself underground, reemerged and delivered an uppercut that sent Gaia flying.
To make matters worse, the monster conjured a spear-like weapon, preparing to deal a fatal blow.
"Don't let it end like this!"
"Gaia, no!"
Children watching at home could be heard shouting anxiously, their cries carrying through apartment walls. Even Daniel could hear the neighbors' kids yelling in concern for Gaia.
Then, in the nick of time, a blue energy beam struck Apatee, disintegrating it in an instant.
"Could it be… the second Ultraman?"
Daniel's thoughts immediately went to the shadowy figure from the promotional posters. After all, Gaia's energy attacks were red, and the Lightning Team clearly lacked the firepower to take down Apatee in one shot.
Sure enough, as the camera panned, a blue Ultraman appeared onscreen.
By the end of the two episodes, social media was buzzing about the mysterious blue Ultraman.
"I have a feeling this one isn't a hero…"
"Same here. There's something about that blue aura that feels... sinister. Plus, it didn't even respond when we asked if it was an ally."
"Come on, it's not Ultraman Tiga's Evil Tiga. They wouldn't put a villain on the promotional posters, right? This blue Ultraman clearly has a key role to play."
"Villain or not, I think the blue one's way cooler than Gaia."
"Get outta here! Gaia shakes the Earth with his landings. No way a blue Ultraman can top that. Also, what's its name?"
"According to the official website, it's called Agul."
Meanwhile, on another corner of the internet, fans of the Porter's manga were buzzing about Akame ga Kill!
"Ugh, I just want to pin the Porter down and make him suffer!"
"What now?"
"Go read the latest chapter of Akame ga Kill! That bastard Porter has done it again!"
Curious, Andrew, another manga fan, bought the latest issue of Picca Comics to see what the fuss was about.
As he flipped to the chapter in question, he found himself reading Akame ga Kill!'s fifth installment.
In this chapter, Sheele took on the role of Tatsumi's mentor, teaching him the ways of the assassin. The story also delved into Sheele's tragic past.
Andrew found Sheele's character endearing. Despite her dark history as a killer, she exuded warmth and kindness, especially in her interactions with Tatsumi.
He even started shipping the two, thinking Sheele might end up being Tatsumi's romantic partner.
The chapter also introduced Tatsumi's new Imperial Arm, Incursio, obtained from the defeated Zank. Andrew couldn't help but marvel at the weapon's abilities.
"A suit of armor that lets you see through walls and clothes? Man, I wish I had one of these!"