wavenovel Chapter 87 Old Tang analyzes Ultraman Tiga and the ranking from "Hang" to "La".
Chapter 87 Old Tang analyzes Ultraman Tiga and the ranking from "Hang" to "La".
With the 45th episode of "Ultraman Tiga," titled "Life Forever," receiving praise from the National Narcotics Control Department, the show's popularity exploded throughout Beijing and even the entire country.
If people were previously discussing "Is Gu Nan going to unleash another tragedy?" or "Dagu is so pitiful", the current sentiment has completely changed.
This is no longer just a TV series, but a social allegory disguised as tokusatsu, a scalpel that dissects the weaknesses of human nature.
Just as the internet was abuzz with discussions about "Zigera" and "Happy Trap," Lao Tang, a well-known Bilibili film and television content creator and affectionately known by his fans as the "Godfather of Tokusatsu," finally released his much-anticipated in-depth analysis video.
The video title is simple and direct, yet full of power: "When Divinity Shines into Reality: An Analysis of Ultraman Tiga Episode 45 - A Philosophical Chapter".
The video garnered over a million views within just ten minutes of its release.
Countless viewers who had just finished watching the series, deeply moved but unsure how to express their feelings, flooded into the live stream and video page as if they had found water in the desert.
Gu Nan also opened the video with great interest.
He wanted to see how much meaning this die-hard fan, "Old Tang," could glean from this episode.
The video begins.
The screen went completely black, with only Old Tang's deep voice slowly rising.
"Guys, before making this video, I smoked three whole packs of cigarettes."
A barrage of comments instantly appeared:
[Got it. Old Tang: This episode had a really strong aftereffect; I haven't recovered yet.]
[Haha, three packs of cigarettes, is he going to donate his lungs to Zijra?]
[Stop being so witty, this episode is truly phenomenal, let's get serious.]
The screen lit up, and Old Tang's face appeared in front of the camera.
"When the genre of 'fantasy tokusatsu', which was originally thought to be just for children, reached episode 45 of 'Ultraman Tiga,' I think it had completed a great evolution."
Old Tang tapped his finger in the air, and a montage of episode 45 began to appear on the screen.
"Brothers, I take back everything I said before."
"If the previous 'Ultraman Tiga' was the ceiling of tokusatsu dramas, then this episode, 'Life Forever,' directly pierced through that ceiling, elevating it to the level of a philosophical work."
"And episode 45 is the pinnacle of tokusatsu."
"In order to elevate the reflection on life to the level of the human collective, Gu Nan created a very special enemy - the Zigela."
On the screen, the dazzling giant flower swayed across the plain.
"Although it is considered one of the culprits that destroyed the ancient civilization, did you notice in the show that it did not exhibit any physical acts of destruction? There was no demolition of buildings, no trampling, not even a single roar."
[Holy crap, Old Tang's right, Zigela really hasn't attacked anyone proactively.]
It's just blooming there... It's terrifying to think about.
Mental attacks are far more terrifying than physical attacks!
Old Tang's voice rose a few decibels: "That's what makes this episode so brilliant!"
"As an enemy character, the creative team entrusts it with the ultimate reflection on the rise and fall of human civilization."
"So, let's turn our attention back to 30 million years ago and see how that ancient civilization perished."
The video cut to the moment when Lu Ke lifted the back of his daughter Dina's head.
Although viewers had already seen it once in the main feature, seeing that sophisticated mechanical brain again still caused a stir in the comments section.
[Warning: Sanity level is dropping rapidly!]
This is what real cyberpunk is all about, isn't it?
To turn your brain into a machine, just to enjoy pleasure forever—that's utterly hopeless.
If this technology really existed, are you sure you wouldn't rush to get it?
Old Tang paused the video, his expression serious:
"Luke told Daigo that the pollen of Zigela can make people enter into beautiful dreams, and its essence can keep brain cells active forever."
"Please note that Gu Nan has put forward an extremely tempting concept here—the immortality of life."
"If you want, you can abandon physical pain and live in eternal happiness. You don't even need to wander like Luke and the others. You can just lie in the flowers, dreaming sweet dreams, and waiting for death. In Dina's words, 'Death without pain.'"
"Does this sound familiar?"
Old Tang paused, his eyes sharpening.
"Doesn't this resemble an extreme reflection of some of our current social phenomena?"
"When we encounter difficulties in life, pressure in the workplace, or the burden of buying a house, how many of us have thought, 'I'm tired, let's destroy it,' or 'If only there were a world where we didn't have to think about anything and could only be happy'?"
At this point, the video switched to the episode "Life Forever," focusing on the story of Luke and his daughter.
"That's what the ancient humans in the show thought. They felt that Earth was already paradise, and they didn't need the Giants of Light anymore."
"And so the giant departed. Darkness descended and easily destroyed everything in the world."
"All of this can be said to be the choice of humankind itself."
The comments section became increasingly dense and filled with resonance:
[This is so true, it reminds me of myself... Scrolling through short videos all day and not wanting to work, isn't that just a miniature version of Zijjerg?]
[That old scoundrel Gu is practically pointing his finger at us and cursing us, but he's doing it right.]
This dialogue scene is absolutely brilliant; human desires run deeper than the roots of Chijera.
I used to think those citizens were foolish, but now that I think about it, if it were me, I probably would have tried to rob Zijra too.
Old Tang took a sip of water and continued his analysis:
"However, Gu Nan did not stop at criticism."
"If this episode were merely satirizing human depravity, it would at most be an excellent satire, but not a masterpiece. What truly elevates this episode to legendary status is the subsequent plot twist."
The scene cuts to Daigo looking lost on the street, and Horii's thought-provoking question: "For someone who is about to die, there is no need for pain, so of course they would choose Cigella."
Old Tang sighed, "Look at this plot. Even TPC, humanity's strongest support, has fallen. Even the most rational scientist, Horii, has wavered. Daigo is now isolated and helpless like never before."
"At that moment, Yuzare's words gave Daigo courage—'You are light, and you are also human.'"
"We've heard this phrase many times before, but here, it carries astonishing weight."
"Because it is Daigo, because he still retains the human sense of pain and lucidity, he cannot watch his fellow human beings die in false happiness."
"And so, Ultraman Tiga appeared."
That scene shocked countless people...
On the screen, Tiga stands alone in the darkness, facing the enormous Gijera and the curses of countless humans on the ground.
Even when rejected by the person he was protecting, even when stones were thrown at him, even when he heard angry shouts of "Get out!", Tiga still swung his hand in a chop.
"This kind of courage, the spirit of 'I will go even if there are thousands of people against me,' is displayed to the fullest extent at this moment."
At this moment, the barrage of comments wasn't filled with "666" or "It's so exciting!" like it usually is when fighting monsters; instead, there was a touching sense of sparseness.
Everyone was listening attentively, and everyone felt sorry for them.
[This part really made me cry; Daigo's life was so hard.]
[The moment Ultraman Tiga turned his back to humanity, I felt he was more divine than any god.]
This episode was so heavy. Humanity chose destruction, and Tiga had to save them. It made me feel so frustrated.
A true hero is someone who does the right thing, even if they are not understood.
Old Tang's voice also became somewhat choked up:
"And here, the plot takes a crucial turn: the children's awakening."
"While adults are indulging in escaping reality, only children, with their instinctive innocence, shout 'Go Tiga!'"
"This is more than just a cheer; it's the voice of humanity's future hope. It is this voice that awakened the Victory Team and us, the viewers."
"In the ensuing battle, Tiga annihilated Gijera, uprooting it completely and burning everything to the ground. But this was not the end."
Old Tang took a deep breath, his tone becoming extremely solemn.
"The climax of this episode actually happens after the battle ends."
"That is, the words Luke spoke before he disappeared."
On the screen, Luke and Dina's figures gradually become transparent, with the rising sun in the background.
Old Tang recited the line almost word for word:
"True life is not about clinging to life like we do, but about striving to live out our short lives and leaving our achievements for future generations. Humanity grows and matures through this process of repeated cycles. It's truly remarkable."
The video frame freezes on Lu Ke's relieved smile.
Old Tang slammed his hand on the table, his emotions running high:
"Everyone! Listen to this!"
"This is the true meaning of the title 'Life Lives On'!"
"Gu Nan here offers an answer that transcends life and death. What is life? Is it immortality? Is it eternal happiness? No!"
"Life is precious precisely because it is finite, and because it is full of pain and challenges."
"We don't need to turn ourselves into machines, nor do we need to rely on external things to numb our brains. Each generation has its own mission. We strive to live, we fight, and then we pass the baton to the next generation."
"This kind of inheritance, this courage to continue forward even in pain, is the most precious 'eternity' of mankind."
"Compared to Luke and his group, who have lived for 30 million years like 'walking corpses,' the decades we've spent struggling through the mud are what it truly means to 'live'!"
"What is true life? It's not about living a long life or living a comfortable life. It's about choosing to face life, even if it's short and full of pain and challenges, and still choosing to strive and carry on the legacy for the next generation."
"This is the reason why humanity was able to overcome darkness, and why we were able to go from living a primitive life to exploring the stars!"
"Gu Nan elevated the definition of 'light' from simply 'power' to the level of 'the will to live.' Tiga didn't just uproot flowers; he uprooted the weakness in humanity's genes!"
At this moment, the live chat exploded.
The dense text covered the entire screen, making it almost impossible to see the image clearly.
[I'm moved to tears, brothers! This is true character!]
"Humans are truly amazing! This sentence gave me the creeps!"
[Gu Nan is awesome! This idea elevates the field to the level of anthropology!]
That's right! The body will eventually perish, but the spirit and courage will live on forever!
I used to think Ultraman Tiga was light, but now I think every human being striving to live is light.
[Sobbing, even though having to work overtime today is awful, why do I suddenly feel so empowered after hearing this?]
This copywriting is textbook perfect!
After calming himself down, Old Tang concluded:
"Many people see Zijra as a metaphor for drugs, which is certainly true. But in my view, Zijra is more like those fleeting bubbles in society, a false prosperity, and desires that make people lose themselves."
"Through Lu Ke's words, Gu Nan is actually telling us: no matter how cruel reality is, no matter how uncertain the future is, we must never run away."
"Only when we have the courage to face pain are we qualified to embrace happiness."
"Unlike before, Tiga didn't grab us by the collar and force us to cheer up. Instead, he gently told us a cruel fairy tale and finally told us: Don't be afraid, face it."
"The physical body may reach its end, but the courage to move forward will continue to be passed down from one person to another in their souls."
"I think this is the ultimate answer that 'Life Forever' provides."
"Thank you Gu Nan, thank you Ultraman Tiga, for letting us see the true light in this turbulent era."
This is the light we should be chasing!
Ultraman Tiga!
[To the director named Gu Nan, please accept my bow!]
……
Looking at the screen full of comments, Lao Tang finally showed a relieved smile.
He wiped his eyes, took a sip of goji berry tea, and moistened his throat.
"Alright, now that you've vented your emotions, let's get down to business."
"Since this episode is so great, let's take this opportunity to rank the 45 episodes of Ultraman Tiga that have aired so far."
Old Tang opened an Excel spreadsheet with the title: [Old Tang's Picks: Ultraman Tiga Series: From Popular to Disappointing Rankings].
"Of course, I know this headline is a bit clickbait."
Old Tang chuckled.
"So far, there hasn't been a single 'pulled' episode in Ultraman Tiga. Each episode alone can easily outperform the padded dramas on the market. Therefore, our ranking is actually a ranking from 'popular from the beginning to the peak'."
Old Tang skillfully manipulated the mouse, dragging rows of TV series titles into different tiers.
"First and foremost, there is the one true God, the undisputed [Top God]."
Old Tang placed the four characters "Life Forever" heavily at the top of the pyramid and highlighted them in bold red.
"I've already stated my reasons. This episode forms the philosophical foundation of the Ultraman Tiga worldview. It explores the ways in which civilizations survive and the meaning of life. No arguments accepted."
【really!】
【support!】
Let me just say this: none of the guys in the Chinese entertainment industry right now can produce a masterpiece like this.
[I feel like this episode might be the first and never to be repeated!]
Sigh, I feel like the later episodes of Ultraman Tiga will never surpass this one...
Next up is the second tier.
"Next up is [Super Popular]."
Old Tang flipped through Ultraman Tiga's compilation videos while scanning the comments.
"These dramas are either extremely profound in plot or extremely shocking in performance. They are the kind of shows that you want to watch two or three times after watching them once, and you will have new insights every time you watch them."
As Old Tang spoke, he dragged several names into the list.
"Hello, Ultraman... Hmm, that's fine too. In this category, I'll also give 'The Devil's Judgment,' 'The Call,' and 'I Saw Obik.'"
Old Tang paused for a moment, then clicked on the cover of "The Devil's Judgment"—it was a picture of Tiga being defeated by the Kirieloids in the dark, and then getting back up amidst the light of car headlights and flashlights.
"The Trial of the Devil, this is a divine episode. What is it about? It's about faith. The Kirieloids wanted to be gods, to rule over humanity. But humanity showed them through their actions: Gods are not meant to be worshipped; Gods exist because of our hopes. When that light converged into the Ultra Timer, it was not just light, it was the indomitable spirit of humanity."
"And there's 'I Saw Obik'."
When this name was mentioned, Old Tang's voice lowered a few notches.
"I cry every time I watch this episode."
The image shows an old man pushing a noodle cart, walking alone in the dark, and a shadow living in a pot.
"Is Obik bad? No, he's not. He just wants to bring back the village he used to live in."
"He was just trying to scare people and remind them of the old legends. But the wheels of time keep turning, villages become cities, and nights become days. The remnants of the old era are destined to have nowhere to go."
"When Obik chose to die in the end, his words, 'The village is back,' were like a knife stabbing into my heart. This episode is about nostalgia, about what we've lost in the process of modernization."
The barrage of comments, which had been dense, gradually thinned out, as if everyone was recalling that sad story.
Obik...that's what I regret most.
The village of the past is truly gone forever.
[Director Gu, you're too ruthless! Don't use an obik knife to kill people!]
Old Tang sighed and continued ranking.
"Next up is [The Big Hit]. This series is still a masterpiece among masterpieces."
"Goodbye Earth," "Halloween Night," "The Battle of Zelda Center," "The Heirs of Shadow," "Flower," and "A Smile Beyond Time."
Pointing to "Goodbye Earth," Old Tang said, "Everyone knows this episode; it's a tribute to space heroes. The story of Ligadron perfectly captures the 'bond between astronauts.' When those three beams of light flew into the universe, it was truly romantic to the extreme."
"And then there's 'The Heirs of Shadow'." Old Tang's tone became somewhat playful. "This episode is very interesting. It's actually exploring the 'essence of power.' Was Jung Kyung-oh, who wanted to become light, wrong? He just wanted to guide humanity's evolution."
"He was undoubtedly wrong, wrong in his evil intentions. When the heart is crooked, light becomes shadow. This episode not only had exciting action scenes, but the evil Tiga suit was also incredibly cool."
Next up is [Zhonghang].
"Memories of the Blue Night," "A Friend Returning from Space," "Dream," "Dream Run," "The Battle of Red and Blue"...
"While these dramas may not be as grand in their themes as the ones mentioned above, they are still textbook examples in terms of narrative, pacing, and special effects techniques. For example, the episode 'Dream' with its stream-of-consciousness shooting style and tilted composition is simply a visual experiment."
Finally, Lao Tang placed the first episode of Ultraman Tiga, "The Glowing Ultraman Tiga," in the "Xiao Hang" position.
"Don't yell at me, guys."
Old Tang smiled and waved his hand, "Although the first episode is where the dream begins, and although Golza and Melba's suits are amazing, to be honest, in terms of plot depth and character development, it's still the first episode, and everyone is just getting to know these characters. So, we can't show too many characteristics right from the start. But Tiga's fight scenes at the beginning were really good..."
"However, compared to the later brilliant chapters, it does seem a bit 'immature.' But what does that precisely illustrate?"
Old Tang suddenly moved closer to the camera.
"This shows that Ultraman Tiga is growing! It shows that Light Chaser Animation Studios... no, now it's Light Chaser Pictures... they're evolving too! From simply fighting monsters in the first episode to exploring the philosophy of life now, this show is growing up alongside its audience!"
"That's the scariest part."
Old Tang leaned back in his chair, looking at the full-page form with a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection).
"Although Ultraman Tiga is not over yet, I'm putting this out there."
He even leaned close to the camera, pointing at Gu Nan off-screen, as if making a bet from afar:
"Gu Nan, whatever tricks you have up your sleeve, this episode of 'Life Forever' is already the Mount Everest of tokusatsu dramas!"
"Whether in terms of its theme, depth, or the brilliance of its dramatic scenes, this is an insurmountable peak!"
"I, Lao Tang, dare to assert: Gu Nan can never surpass his current self! This is the strongest episode of Ultraman Tiga!"
"But I still hope the finale can surpass episode 45, and I look forward to being proven wrong."
"Brothers, I have a feeling. If this show continues like this, by the time it reaches the finale..."
"It may become an insurmountable monument in the entire history of entertainment on Earth."
"And we are all witnesses."
At this point, the live stream's popularity had exceeded five million.
The barrage of comments refreshed wildly again, almost crashing the server.
Witness history!
This is the power of light!
I agree with Old Tang's ranking! Except for the first episode where it was slightly lower, it's perfect!
I'm going to watch "Life Forever" for the third time right now! I'm going to memorize that line!
[Light Chaser Studio! Get famous! Be famous throughout the universe!]
……
The video ends with the stirring yet slightly melancholic background music of "Ultraman Forever".
After watching the video, Gu Nan smiled.
"This old Tang really got right to what I was trying to say."
He glanced at the comments section below the video; the top comment was a message titled "A hardworking, struggling laborer":
"After watching episode 45 and reading Old Tang's analysis, I quietly deleted my resignation letter. Although work is tiring and life is difficult, I don't want to be someone who's asleep in Chijera's dream. I want to live consciously, for my family and for myself. Humans are truly amazing, and I want to be an amazing person too."
This comment received tens of thousands of likes, and countless people replied with "Keep it up!"
Gu Nan closed the webpage and stretched.
That's the charm of entertainment.
It's not just for entertainment; sometimes, it can really give you strength.
While "Eternal Life" is considered a masterpiece, for the Ultraman Ultraman series, it is merely the prologue before the final climax.
The real highlight is what follows.
Meanwhile, online discussions about Ultraman Tiga continue to gain momentum.
However, in some places, certain posts seem out of place:
Am I the only one who thinks the Cigella episode was a bit too preachy? The monsters barely fought, it was all dialogue, and it made me want to sleep.
The post was immediately drowned out by a sea of comments as soon as it was published.
"How old are you, OP? If you don't understand, I suggest you watch Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf."
"Preaching? That's philosophy! You just lack experience."
"The dramatic scenes are the soul of Ultraman Tiga, okay? If all you watch is monster fighting, what's the point of watching Ultraman Tiga?"
However, some rational voices are also discussing this:
"Actually, what the original poster said also represents the mentality of some viewers who just want to watch a lighthearted story. But this also proves that Ultraman Tiga has filtered out those young viewers who just want to see suits fighting, leaving behind only the truly loyal fans who can understand it."
Gu Nan ignored the noise.
He knew that no masterpiece could satisfy everyone's taste.
What he needs to do now is to steadily advance and smoothly sail this giant ship named "Tiga" towards the destination called "Ocean of Light".
Darkness may come, but light will never be absent.
Before that, Lao Tang's analysis video was like a seed planted in the hearts of countless people.
About life, about courage, about choices.
This seed will eventually bloom into its most magnificent flower one day in the future, at the moment the finale arrives.