Intro:

The Reiwa era of Ultraman has seen increased popularity in the past few years. With its own intricately woven cinematic universe and in-depth story, Reiwa leaves plenty of room for discussion. That being said, not all shows in the Reiwa era are unanimously praised. One such show with mixed reviews is “Ultraman Taiga (2019)”. While many chastise it for its underdeveloped concepts and flawed main character, this author thinks otherwise. In fact, the flaws of the main character, Taiga, are what make his story compelling. Taiga is likely the youngest Ultra we know of in the Reiwa era (Not counting Ultras like Geed or Blu, who are their hosts). Taiga is only about 15-16 years old in Ultra years. Thus, Taiga’s story is a coming-of-age story about the highs and lows of adolescence and the reality of growing up.

Ultraman Taiga. Hero of Light or Bratty Teenager Compelled to Darkness?:

From the moment we met Taiga, we learned three things about him. He’s young and hot-tempered, he’s the son of famous hero Ultraman Taro, and he wants to be a hero himself. Over time, all of these traits are explored, taken advantage of, and analyzed as part of a bigger whole of his character. 

Taiga wants to be a hero for all the wrong reasons. He thinks that by being a hero, his father will acknowledge him. He wants to be recognized, which functions as his main motivation for saving people. His hot-headedness gets him into trouble because he’s focused on wanting to be a hero. All of these traits are connected. As a result, Taiga pays for his actions in Episode One, which results in himself and his friends being temporarily killed. Taiga’s show is primarily dedicated to how he handles the aftermath and how his time on earth impacts him. Being an unsure teenager looking for validation, he finds it in two opposing places, both of which test his resolve.

Taiga, Hiroyuki, and the Tri-Squad:

Fans have largely criticized Taiga’s host, Hiroyuki Kudo, for being boring. However, this author believes that is the point. He’s less of a character and more of a thematic device for Taiga’s growth. He and Taiga have opposite reasons for being heroes, making their dynamic compelling. Hiroyuki’s strength and drive to be a hero come from saving people and helping his friends. Taiga’s comes from a desire for acknowledgement and a tendency towards his own darker urges. He is easy to corrupt because he knows very little about the world. Taiga is angry that his friends were killed and desperate for positive acknowledgment. He also believes he has to have more power to save people.

These traits come back to haunt him eventually, but not before they result in disagreements with Hiroyuki. While Taiga’s other friends in the Tri-Squad, Titas and Fuma, are more secure in themselves, Taiga is still trying to find his footing. As a result, he is challenged by his friends to grow.

However, they are not the only influence in his life. Before his temporary descent into darkness in episode 15, Taiga relies on a dubious power called the Kaiju Rings created by Ultraman Tregear.

Taiga and Tregear:

Tregear’s role in the story is Taiga’s parallel and bad influence. As young as he is, Taiga is prone to making terrible decisions. This is not a rarity for teenagers, who often get in trouble looking for acknowledgment in the wrong places. Tregear is manipulative and cruel, seeking to influence Taiga into falling into darkness. He calls Taiga “son of Taro,” failing to acknowledge Taiga until he falls to darkness. Unfortunately, Tregear also offers Taiga a common subconscious want of many teenagers: freedom and agency. Taiga spends his series wanting to be acknowledged as his own person and seen as capable. While this trait makes him strive to be a hero, it is also what influences his fall into darkness. 

Tregear’s treatment of Taiga is the equal opposite of Taro’s treatment of Taiga in episodes 0-1. Taro is playful, dismissive, and overprotective of Taiga in a way that ultimately denies Taiga agency. Meanwhile, Tregear, while acknowledging Taiga, removes the safety nets in the name of providing agency. He manipulates and hurts Taiga by twisting Taiga’s desires and insecurities to further his descent into darkness. Tregear sees himself in Taiga, which makes Taiga easy to manipulate. 

Both characters are very much defined by want. They both want Taro’s acknowledgment and struggle to leave Taro’s shadow. Tregear, Taro’s old best friend, and Taiga, Taro’s son, are both impacted by Taro’s legacy. Tregear is what Taiga would have become if not for his friends. But whereas Taiga is ultimately saved by his friends and grows as a person, Tregear stews in bitterness.

Ultraman Taiga, Self Assurance and the Power of Bonds:

Part of Taiga’s series revolves around learning his own worth as a person. He starts out in the shadow of his father, wanting to be a hero for Taro’s acknowledgment. Over the course of the series, this changes. He steps into the hero role due to finding the drive to save people. He finds himself due to the influence of his friends and host. Starting out as a cocky, hot-headed brat with deep insecurities, Taiga learns to acknowledge himself. He is led in the right direction by his support system. Finding oneself is a major part of adolescence. Having to shed the expectations placed on you characterizes much of teenage angst. Taiga significantly matures by the end of the series, even extending an olive branch to Tregear, who killed him and his friends. 

Taiga is no longer merely Taro’s son. This means he doesn’t have to live up to the expectations of that role anymore. As he states in episode 15, “My name is Taiga!”. While an angry cry in context, he echoes this affirming sentiment internally after being saved from darkness by his friends. Taiga is himself. As such, he learns to draw strength from that. So, as the show ends, Taiga grows up.

Plushies of the titular character can be found here.