Entertainment: You're asked to make a graduation project, but you're asked to film Ultrama

The day after episode 34 aired, a red dot lit up on the video platform's dynamic page at noon.

Old Tang's latest video was released on time, with the title still in his signature comedic style: "From Kuroshio Island to Spinning Kick! The Showa Fighting King Returns, and Veteran Actors' On-Set Rant Session!"

The moment the video was refreshed, the barrage of comments surged forth like a burst dam.

[First! Is Zheping not at work today?]

[The Light Chaser really did a great job keeping things under wraps; they didn't reveal at all that Leo and Mr. Manatsu Ryu would be making cameo appearances!]

Heard there's some exclusive scoop in the second half of this episode? Bring it on!

The part where Xiaomeng was kicked apart was hilarious.

Mebius was truly brave; he caught Leo's flying kick with his own foot, something even Ace wouldn't dare to do.

The screen lights up, showing Old Tang sitting in his study in front of the camera, with a model of the Winged Goose on the table.

"Dear viewers, this is Lao Tang."

"I believe everyone has seen the 34th episode of 'The Man Without a Hometown' that aired last night."

"Today's video is divided into two parts. In the first half, we'll quickly go over the ingenious design and core homage of this episode."

"The second half is the juicy scoop everyone's been waiting for—an exclusive vlog I recorded on set while filming these episodes, giving you a glimpse into the real lives of these veteran actors off-screen."

As soon as he finished speaking, the scene quickly switched to a clip from the main feature.

"Let's start by talking about our opponent in this episode, the Reiflet alien."

"This alien's design is very interesting. Its whole body is covered in reflective mirrors, which can not only deflect the Mebium Ray, but also shatter the lightsaber in its Brave form."

"Director Gu made an extremely decisive design here: completely sealing off all light and energy attacks, forcing Mebius to drag the battle into the most primitive physical combat quagmire."

Indeed, this is a pure armor-based damage-reflecting monster, forcing us into close-quarters combat.

[The mage of the Land of Light is subjected to close-quarters torture.]

[A monster specifically designed for Leo.]

"When Xiaomeng is in dire straits, who can step forward and teach him how to break free?"

Old Tang raised an eyebrow. "The answer is obvious. It's only that warrior who crawled out of the mud and blood—Leo."

The scene shifts to the desolate stone monument on Kuroshio Island, where Fengyuan, dressed in a trench coat, removes his straw hat.

"Everyone, pay attention to this location: Kuroshio Island at the southern tip of the Izu Islands." "Veteran Ultraman fans will know that was Leo's first battle on Earth."

"When the Gilas brothers caused the tsunami, Kuroshio Island sank, and countless lives were lost."

"That is where Fengyuan began to protect the Earth, and it is also his deepest pain."

The battle on Kuroshio Island was extremely fierce; Dan Moroboshi broke his leg there.

No wonder Feng Yuan was so impulsive from the start; he's showing everyone his scars.

"Then comes the most memorable scene of the entire series, Leo's classic lecture."

He then posted a picture.

However, there seems to be something wrong with the content of the first picture.

【? ? ? ? 】

What does "Old Tang" mean?

Doubt Seven, understand Seven, become Seven.

The cane virus has spread!

"Oh no, it's this picture."

"'What's with those eyes and those tears? Can you save this world with your tears?' Back then, Dan Moroboshi hit Gen with his cane. Today, Gen has passed on this heavy shackle to his junior."

Old Tang quickly changed the subject and got back on track.

"Because behind every Ultra Warrior is a life of millions, defeat means destruction, and tears are never believed on the battlefield."

The scene shifts to a clearing in the woods.

"The most brilliant idea in this episode, which I applauded the most, is how to break through the enemy's defenses."

"Mebius's physical abilities cannot replicate the devastating pure power impact of Leo's flying kick."

"But Aihara Ryu's act of starting a fire by rubbing sticks and planks together in the wild provided crucial inspiration for the future."

"The high heat and concentrated penetrating force generated by the rotating drill bit enabled the future to develop the Mebium Spinning Kick."

"Humanity's most basic and primal survival wisdom gave back to the Giants of Light at a critical moment."

"This shows that Xiaomeng's battles have never been fought alone. The bond that the Earthlings gave him is the final piece of the puzzle to bridge the power gap."

[Physics is awesome!]

The ancient method of making fire by drilling wood was adapted into a deadly technique.

[Ryu Aihara: I just wanted to eat a roasted sweet potato, but I ended up saving the world.]

"Finally, it's a trust made under the setting sun."

Old Tang took a deep breath:

"The lone wolf who lost his homeland back then finally saw that his descendants had a solid support system."

"That phrase, 'I entrust my hometown to you,' brought a warm end to the cruelty of the Showa era."

At this point, Old Tang changed the subject, a mysterious smile appearing on his lips:

"Alright, that's enough about the plot analysis for now."

"Next, let's get to the main event of this episode—Old Tang's video vlog!"

"Did everyone feel the atmosphere was heavy and solemn while watching the drama?"

"Let me show you just how down-to-earth these old rascals on set really are!"

The scene suddenly changed to a vertical screen shot taken with a handheld phone, with the shaky camera accompanied by the howling sea breeze.

In the footage, Lao Tang, wearing his eye-catching GUYS team uniform, looks tired from a break in filming and is quietly pointing the camera at a sunshade not far away.

"Brothers, it's the afternoon of the second day of location shooting on Kuroshio Island."

Old Tang lowered his voice and winked at the camera:

"While Director Gu is adjusting the camera positions, let's go catch a big fish."

"Do you see those two old gentlemen sitting under the shed drinking tea?"

"Today, two legendary giants of the tokusatsu (special effects) industry have gathered!"

The camera zooms in, revealing two folding chairs and a small coffee table under the awning.

On the left sat Mr. Koji Moritsugu, a sprightly old man wearing a dark jacket, and on the right sat Mr. Ryu Manatsu, who had just taken off his straw hat and was wearing a dark gray trench coat.

The two were holding hot tea in paper cups provided by the film crew, chatting enthusiastically.

[Holy crap! Dan Moroboshi and Gen Otori are seen having tea together!]

This scene is so dreamlike! A dream collaboration between Showa-era veterans!

[Hurry up, hurry up, Old Tang, don't back down!]

Old Tang, holding his phone, strode forward and cleared his throat:

(The following is all in Japanese)

"Excuse me, seniors, could you please say hello to our video viewers?"

Zhen Xialong turned his head, laughed heartily, and waved:

"Oh, Tang-san, we don't have to memorize those monster anatomy terms today?"

Koji Moritsugu also chuckled and let out a sigh of relief:

"Young people have to endure more hardship on set. We suffered much more when we were filming back then than you are now."

Old Tang pulled over a plastic stool and sat down next to him, asking curiously:

"Mr. Moritsugu, I heard there was a little story behind how Tsuburaya Productions invited you to participate in the Leo series back then?"

Koji Moritsugu put down his teacup, smiled, and waved his hand:

"Those are all old almanacs from back then."

"At that time, they originally wrote a proposal and wanted me to play a defense team captain named Kawakami Tetsutaro."

"After watching it, I told them, 'We're all old friends of the Ultraman series. If you ask me to play Dan Moroboshi, I'll consider it. But what's the point of playing just an ordinary captain?'"

[Hahaha! The team leader position was actually won by Mr. Moritsugu himself!]

What kind of name is Kawakami Tetsutaro? Thank goodness he changed it to Moroboshi Dan!

Koji Moritsugu then sighed, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery:

"I agreed, but who knew the script would be so cruel."

"In the first episode, they burned my Ultraman glasses that I use to transform, and one of my legs was broken, so I can't transform at all."

"What a tragic story!"

Ryujin Masatsu, standing nearby, couldn't help but chime in with his own comment:

"Stop pretending to be wronged!"

"You can't transform, so you'll just use me as a punching bag in the show!"

"One minute I'm being asked to cut off the flow of a waterfall, the next I'm being asked to free climb a rock in the middle of a snowstorm!"

Zhen Xialong turned to look at Lao Tang's camera, his face full of complaints:

"Little Tang, you don't know, back then there was a scene where we were practicing martial arts under a waterfall, and the crew chose to film it in January, the coldest month of the year!"

"Ice water was poured down his neck; that wasn't acting, he was literally frozen stiff!"

"I went up to the supervisor and told him that it was impossible to cut off the water flow, and Moritsugu-senpai was standing there with a stern face, saying that this was a loving encouragement!"

Koji Moritsugu burst into laughter after hearing this:

"That's a test for the newcomers!"

"When I first met you, I felt that you were a promising talent who could handle pressure. Although you are young, you are not shy at all."

[A loving rebuke (referring to being splashed with ice water in the dead of winter).]

[Mr. Manatsu really risked his life filming back then.]

Old Tang seized the opportunity to start a conversation:

"Senior, the question fans ask most in the live chat is still about that jeep training scene from back then. How exactly was that scene filmed?"

Upon hearing the word "jeep," Zhenxia Long's expression froze abruptly, and he slapped his thigh in a state of bewildered amusement:

"jeep!"

"Don't even mention that deadly car!"

"The crew bought an old Jeep from the secondhand market. The brakes were basically useless; even when you slammed on the brakes, the car would still slide forward for more than six meters due to inertia!"

Zhenxia Long gestured and described it vividly:

"They were driving incredibly fast! I was running like crazy in front, and Moritsugu-senpai was flooring the gas pedal to chase after me!"

"If you slip and fall even slightly, you could get dragged under the car. That's not just a matter of injury; it could be fatal!"

"Back then, I was running so hard my lungs felt like they were going to explode, and I protested to the supervisor, panting, 'Supervisor, look how dangerous this is! I'm going to die!'"

After listening, the supervisor, expressionless, simply said: "Okay, all departments, take note, action!"

[Hahahaha! Protests ineffective, let's start filming!]

[It wasn't special effects; they were really risking their lives running ahead!]

No wonder his eyes looked so desperate back then; it wasn't acting at all!

Manatsu Ryu pointed at Moritsugu Kouji, his face full of helplessness:

"What's even more amazing is that after the show aired, everyone was praising me: 'Wow, Manatsu, the way you looked back at the car was so realistic! You portrayed fear and despair so vividly!'"

"But at the time, I was just thinking: I don't understand! That's too dangerous!"

At this point in the video's post-production editing, Lao Tang even added a picture to the side:

"I thought to myself, 'What am I acting for? That's my real survival instinct!'"

"Who's not afraid of a car chasing us?"

Koji Moritsugu was laughing so hard he was doubled over:

"I was yelling at you from inside the car: 'Don't run! Come towards the car! The captain told you to come over here!'"

Ryuichi Shinatsu rolled his eyes:

"Do you think I'm out of my mind to rush over there? That car really couldn't stop!"

[A massive scene of persecution, hahaha!]

[Dan Moroboshi: What kind of look is that? Ryu Manatsu: It's the look that makes me want to live!]

The hardcore nature of Showa-era tokusatsu performers was beyond imagination.

Old Tang was laughing so hard the camera was shaking, then he asked:

"Moritsugu-senpai, when Captain Moroboshi lost his transformation ability, how did the production team come up with the idea of ​​having you use your cane as a weapon?"

Koji Moritsugu's smile faded as he pondered and recalled the events:

"At the time, everyone was wondering how Seven could maintain his authority and presence in the team since he couldn't transform."

"Later, we designed Ultraman's mind and that multi-functional cane."

"A long spear can be drawn from inside to provide suppressive fire."

"I also discussed it with the screenwriter at the time, and we felt that it would be very tragic to see a disabled veteran stationed in the rear fighting in such a resolute way."

At this point, Koji Moritsugu glanced at Ryu Manatsu:

"I just didn't expect... well, you know Tsuburaya Productions' financial situation isn't as good as Light Chaser Animation's... later, the production team ran into budget constraints and ended up with a storyline where the entire defense force was wiped out."

"When I went to the set that day and read the script, I was stunned to learn that the entire MAC crew had sacrificed themselves after filming this episode."

"Later, I met Manatsu, and he told me that he single-handedly managed to finish filming the entire season."

Zhenxia Long waved his hand:

"That was one person; a new group of actors were brought in to play the role later."

"But it is indeed quite absurd. In the previous episode, the team and family members were all wiped out, and in the opening scene of the next episode, I am sitting at the dining table saying, 'I'm going to start eating.'"

"Looking back now, the plot arrangement did make the audience feel a bit out of immersion."

Koji Moritsugu jokingly teased him:

"How can you still eat that?"

[It has to be said that Tsuburaya Productions is truly phenomenal.]

The thought processes of the special effects screenwriters back then were truly abstract.

Even low viewership ratings couldn't save it; Tsuburaya Productions was on the verge of bankruptcy back then.

Unfortunately, Eddie couldn't be saved either, and went bankrupt.

Old Tang quickly asked one last question:

"What are your special feelings about reuniting with the cast of 'Ultraman Mebius' this time?"

The sea breeze outside the sunshade ruffled their hair.

Koji Moritsugu looked at the filming location in the distance, his gaze softening:

"Seeing Director Gu and you young people using today's advanced technology to reconnect our story from back then, and even imbuing it with such deep human touch, makes us old folks feel quite at ease."

"At least the spirit of tokusatsu has been properly passed down."

"This has nothing to do with nationality or ethnicity! Tokusatsu fans and actors worldwide are all one family! Whether it's Japan or China!"

"We old folks are content to see Ultraman once again resonate with a new generation of young people!"

Zhen Xialong nodded, smiled, and patted Old Tang on the shoulder:

"You young actors are all very dedicated. Just now, during the mud training, the young man who played the future kicked a tree trunk hundreds of times. His insteps were all swollen, but he didn't say a word."

Seeing them is like seeing myself back then.

"As long as this spirit of not being afraid of hardship remains, the dreams of this planet will always be protected."

The two elderly people in the video smiled at each other, picked up their paper cups again, and quietly drank tea in the sea breeze and the afterglow of the sunset.

The screen gradually darkens, and Old Tang's voice returns, accompanied by a soothing guitar melody:

"The longer you stay on set, the more you understand why Director Gu wanted to bring these veteran actors back to the screen."

"Those yellowed film reels and harsh past experiences are not outdated burdens that should be forgotten, but rather lighthouses that guide our way."

"It is because of the explorations that the older generation of tokusatsu artists risked their lives that today's Mebius can stand on the shoulders of giants and stride firmly toward a wider sky."

"Thank you for watching. That concludes this episode of On-Set Diary."

"If you enjoyed this video, please don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support Lao Tang."

See you next week!

With a final salute, the screen abruptly disappeared into darkness, officially bringing the entire video to a close.