Ultraman, the Japanese answer to Superman.

It's the year 2000, I'm doing what every other 9 year old does on a Saturday morning....Sitting on my ass and watching cartoons while eating some cereal that is sure to stunt my growth after prolonged eating.

After watching my usual dosage of new Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers, I hear a new theme song on the television. It perks my interest and I look up to see:

That's right, I saw.....ULTRAMAN!

Now I know what you're thinking....Zack....This looks like a guy in a rubber suit kicking another guy in a rubber suit around a small model town....What makes this different from Godzilla?

Well, you see dear reader, unlike the rompin' and ragin' Godzilla which destroyed in the sheer name of destruction....Ultraman fought for justice and defended the world from alien intruders that attempted to destroy us all with their mind rays! (Or something like that....) Also, Ultraman had more than two special attacks as compared to Godzilla! (According to Wikipedia, our buddy Ultraman has 32 different powers!)

Unfortunately, Ultraman didn't make it that long in America....There were only 17 episodes or so aired here in the US then got cut....Sad day for Zack James indeed....

In Japan however, Ultraman is an absolute hit! He's been around since 1966! If an object exists, more than likely somewhere in Japan they have slapped Ultraman's face on it! Such as Ultraman child and adult pajama combos!

Yeah! You guys didn't see that one coming did you?

Ultraman even goes to baseball games with his fellow Japanese citizens to enjoy their favorite pastime!

Of course Ultraman must also pray at local temples before taking down monsters in Japan!

Recently, my good buddy Micah introduced to me a rather interesting clip that involved Ultraman! In the following clip, there is an "Ultraman Monster Dance Contest" where amateur monsters try out to become Ultraman's new nemesis! Eventually, it all breaks out into a dance sequence synchronized to Micheal Jackson's Thriller.

There you go folks! That is Ultraman then and now! Always remember, when you're visiting Japan and a fierce giant monster attacks, Superman's busy getting killed by green rocks....So call....ULTRAMAN!!!!!!!!